Jennifer Lane Books Blog

It's time to disclose our inadequacy and excitement about writing. Check out where it all started on Alex Cavanaugh's blog . Thank you to this month's co-hosts: Sadira Stone, Patricia Josephine, Lisa Buie-Collard, Erika Beebe, and C. Lee McKenzie! This month's question: What's the strangest thing you've ever googled in researching a story? What a great question! I'm sure many of us fear getting arrested for our bizarro and sometimes illegal internet searches, all in pursuit of writing with authenticity. No way I can choose just one, so here's a list of strange searches I've conducted: Nicotine patches (for my WIP) NCAA recruiting rules (also WIP) Seafood restaurants in Pensacola, Florida Secret Service protection for families of presidential candidates ANFO (explosive) Paintings of dogs playing poker US Naval Academy Honor Concept Parts of a guitar Insulin pumps Frank Sinatra songs Parolee votin...

Let's support each other during the August group meeting, hosted by  Alex Cavanaugh . Thank you to this month's co-hosts:  Renee Scattergood,   Sadira Stone, Jacqui Murray,   Tamara Narayan, and  LG Keltner! Today's question: Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? Some of my best writing moments have been surprises! I had no clue how to write when I started my first story,  Bad Blood into Good  (awful title). The climax involved my hero eating poisoned food, turning his skin blue. When I returned his skin to a healthy color upon healing, one of my readers observed how this plot element exactly echoed my title. How fun when something unexpected like that happens. Credit: Irina Kukuts from Pixabay I love when writing takes a surprising direction, turning out better than we planned. I suppose we also face some nasty surprises as writers. Here's an article for insecure writers: How to Stop Self-Doubt From Holding You Back   T...

Happy Holidays, writers! Time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh . Thank you to this month's co-hosts: J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker , Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey Fall is my busiest time at work so I've focused more on my day job than on writing lately. But, I did submit a short story for consideration in an anthology, and I applied for a writing festival. I'd like to share my review for fellow IWSG author's latest release, Bodies in the Boatyard . Congratulations to Ellen Jacobson for her engaging cozy mystery series! Bodies in the Boatyard by Ellen Jacobson My rating: 5 of 5 stars Panda Bear on the Case I continue to enjoy the integration of murder mystery, sailing science, chocolate cravings, and frisky felines in the Mollie McGhie series, which takes place in a small Florida boating community. In book two, Mollie's husband, Scooter, has moved on from calling her Sweet Potato to Panda Bear, and Molli...

Thank you to The Kids Did It and The Mommy Island for co-hosting the Winter is Coming Giveaway! We had a 60-degree sunny day in Ohio on December 2 and then said goodbye to the sun forever. (I'm just a tad dramatic) Why? Because winter is coming! I don't love the shorter days but I do love the holidays. What do you hate/love about the winter? To entertain you in the winter months, I'm giving away a $15 gift card and an ebook of my latest release, psychological thriller Twin Sacrifice . Enter on the Rafflecopter. a Rafflecopter giveaway Bop on over to these blogs to check out their cool giveaways!

Happy November, writers! Join our support group to encourage fellow writers and vent about the writing process at Alex Cavanaugh's blog . Thank you to this month's awesome co-hosts. Congratulations in particular to Ellen Jacobson for her upcoming release, Bodies in the Boatyard .  Anytime I start laughing simply from reading the dedication ( "For cats everywhere who hate collars" ), I know I'm in for an enjoyable read. I loved book one in the series: Murder at the Marina . Co-Hosts: Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Ann V. Friend, JQ Rose, and Elizabeth Seckman IWSG Day Question: How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing? Starting this writing adventure has helped me realize how important creativity is in my life. Aquarians born between January 20 and February 18, like me, are known to be creative. However, I never embraced my creative side until I started writing novels. In addition to writing, I enjoy creative pursuits like P...

Happy October, writers! Time to support each other on this writing journey...join us here . Thank you to this month's co-hosts: Dolorah @ Book Lover, Christopher D. Votey, Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken! IWSG Day Question: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something? This is a timely question for me as I've been pondering why I haven't felt as motivated to write lately. (Though I do plan to finish a short story soon.) I've realized that I don't feel the burning need to write right now because things in my career are pretty good. I went through some difficult times at work in 2007, and I unknowingly turned to writing to cope with feelings of insecurity and betrayal. The words poured out of me then. I made my ex-boss the villain of my first book, a murder mystery. (He he.) Thank you, writing! You have helped me heal. I also feel grateful for second chances. After a six-year hiatus worki...

Happy August , writers! Join the Insecure Writer's Support Group at Alex Cavanaugh's blog . Thank you to this month's courageous co-hosts: Erika Beebe,   Sandra Hoover,   Susan Gourley,  and  Lee Lowery! I love this month's question: What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey? I've faced publication pitfalls galore so I hope that sharing them will help newbie authors avoid them. Here are beliefs that put the pain in publishing: 1) "I've got this writing thing." I thought my debut novel was well-written. It wasn't. WRITING IS A CRAFT. It takes years of developing the craft even to knock on the door of good writing. I feel more confident in my day job after over twenty years of experience, so why did I think I was competent at writing after only a few fledgling years of fan fiction? Fortunately I had the opportunity to re-edit my debut novel seven years later, so at least now I can read it withou...

Whoops I hope I'm not too late (only one day?) to post for the Insecure Writers Support Group, July version. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the group--join us here ! I'm in Hilton Head with my seven-month old niece, whose cuteness supersedes any blog schedule in my mind. Hop on over to this month's awesome co-hosts! Co-Hosts Nicki Elson Juneta Key Tamara Narayan Patricia Lynne Now onto this month's question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time? Writing started as a need to express myself, and I got lost in the characters and stories I created. Over time, more goals emerged, including the desire to inspire hope for healing and demystifying psychotherapy as one path for that healing. Another big goal has been connecting with authors and readers. As a psychologist, I often encourage clients to focus on the process instead of the outcome. But since I'm a competitive person, I get drawn int...

I love summer! I was so absorbed in summer goodness that I forgot to post for June's Insecure Writers Support Group yesterday, whoops. Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for his clever creation. Join us  here . I haven't written for six months and I'm wondering if my writing mojo will return. But I do still enjoy supporting fellow authors like Ellen Jacobson from The Cynical Sailor! Her cozy mystery, Murder at the Marina , is a cute hoot, and I'll post my review on 6/22/18. IWSG June Question: What's harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names? I gotta go with titles. I agonized over the title of my last novel though in the end it probably didn't matter much. For the most part I have a blast drumming up character names. I don't have children so the characters are my babies I get to name and hold and pet. Make sure to visit these stellar co-hosts! Beverly Stowe McClure, Tyrean Martinson, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!

Welcome to May's Insecure Writer's Support Group hosted by Alex Cavanaugh . It's a great place to vent fears and encourage each other. Make sure to visit May's Co-Hosts: JQ Rose , C. Lee McKenzie , Raimey Gallant , & E.M.A Timar ! May's Question: I t's spring! Does this season inspire you to write more than others, or not? Thank goodness spring has sprung. These cold, cloudy days have been major downers. The longer daylight in spring often motivates many aspects of my life, including writing.  I'm also inspired by different types of artists. Is anyone watching American Idol ? I'm amazed by how much I enjoy the new season. Besides writing, creative pursuits like singing, cooking (in Chopped ), and fashion design (in Project Runway ) enthrall me. Here's a post  that might interest you: Seven Ways to Build Your Writing Confidence. Happy writing!

Title: The Rehabilitation of Angel Sinclair Series: A Pine Bluff Novel Author: Nancee Cain Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date:  April 27, 2018 Angel Sinclair arrives in Pine Bluff, Alabama with one goal: make amends and move on. But his chance meeting with the beautiful owner of Sleep Inn on the Lake lands him a job, a place to stay, and something else he hasn’t had for years in his life: love and trust. Still reeling from a bitter divorce, Maggie Robertson is determined to start over as proprietress of a new bed and breakfast. Getting involved with anyone in this gossipy small town is not on her to-do list--especially someone closer to her son’s age than her own. When she opens the door to find the dreadlocked and tattooed Angel on her porch, her quiet life and preconceived notions are turned upside down. Maggie’s self-confidence soars under his undivided attention. Angel is drawn by Maggie’s quiet acceptance…and he can’t stop staring at her as...