A new arrival, and some updates

Hello, everyone!
I'm so pleased to announce that last night at 12:45 am, a brand-new novella was born! Weighing in at ten chapters and 25,627 words, it's a story about a strong, sexy woman with a man problem. Or maybe two man problems.

I've had a blast writing this short work. Soon, it will be transformed into a gawky ugly duckling to a lovely swan (I hope) and sent out to see the world, or at least a few in-boxes and slush piles!

In other, very exciting news, I'm proud to announce that I am now represented by the absolutely amazing MacKenzie Fraser-Bub of Trident Media Group out of New York, NY. She's truly fabulous and it's been awesome to work with her on the novella. I can't wait for you guys to read it! Unfortunately, however, I'm unable at this time to post a sample. But stay tuned. More updates to come! And who knows--maybe I'll be able to post a teaser soon.

I'm hard at work on Holding On, the long-overdue follow-up to Hooking Up, and I hope to release it this year. I know I initially said Spring, but I'm neck deep in projects, and its time will come, I swear.

Wanderlust is also taking shape. I'm about halfway through that one, and I'm pleased to report that Nexess is as badass as ever, which is a good thing, because she's up against a pretty tough opponent. Will she prevail and hold onto her freedom? You'll just have to wait and see!

In Johns Creek news, ideas for other books are gaining traction, and I'm excited to start the next books in the series. But they'll have to wait a bit, because again, projects up to my ears!

All in all, life has taken some unexpected twists and turns, but it's all good. I'm happy. I'm writing. I feel a sense of relief now, a weight off my shoulders, and I know I have an excellent support system. I know I've got people in my corner, backing me up and helping me to realize my full potential, and that's worth its weight in gold!

I hope you guys have a truly fabulous day today. Enjoy the Spring air if you can, or the snow, depending on where you are. Go forth and seize the day. Give it hell, and don't ever stop dreaming. Hugs!

Holding On, chapter 1 teaser!

By far, the most popular of my books is Hooking Up, a story about a one-night stand that turned into something much more. By popular demand, I've been working on a sequel. I'm pleased to announce that Holding On, the sequel to Hooking Up, will be out in Spring, 2013. Here's a preview of the continuation of Ryan's and Catie's story!

Chapter 1

Ryan pulled me closer and sighed, a warm sleepy sound that gave me wanton shivers. Probably the best part of marriage, besides the whole security/being with the one you love forever thing, was feeling his lean, sexy, naked body snuggled up against mine every night and waking up to that same lean, sexy, naked body in the morning.

It had been two months, and I still wasn’t done marveling over the fact he was mine forever. It was quite easy to be appreciative of him, all dark hair, brooding bedroom eyes, the smile that made me tingle, the easy way he had with Benjie, his son and my new step-son. In short, marriage was quite a wonderful thing, and I was glad I had gotten over my insecurities and abandonment issues long enough to say “I do.”

He nibbled my ear and I groaned a little, thrusting my bottom back into his lap, snuggling myself as close to him as I could. He murmured, “Good morning, beautiful,” and moved his mouth down to my neck. His fingers made delicious circles on my stomach and I sighed. Yes, life was good.

I was tempted to stay in bed with my new husband and take advantage of him, but I suddenly remembered that today was a special day. My eyes snapped open and I was instantly awake. The anticipation hurtling through my body was stronger than coffee, and unfortunately, more of a distraction than my husband’s lips on my skin. I pulled away from Ryan quickly, leaping up before we got too carried away.

“Hey, where are you going?” he protested in a husky, sleepy voice, frowning and reaching for me.

I skirted away and said, “It’s today, remember?”

“Catie, your mom said she’d call you at noon. It’s eight. We have four hours to kill.”

“I know, but I don’t want to sound like I just woke up. What if she thinks I’m a bum who stays in bed all day and decides that she doesn’t want a daughter who’s a lazy bum, and—“

He grabbed my hand, pulled me down on the bed and claimed my mouth in a smoldering kiss that almost made me forget to panic. “Catie, stop it. She’s going to love you. Quit freaking out, ok?”

Yes, I was freaking out. After all, it’s not every day you speak with your mother on the phone for the first time.

My first contact with my birth mother, Maria DiCarlo, was on my wedding day. My wonderful sensei and father-figure, Isamu Takeru, had located her and told her all about me. She wrote me a letter Isamu delivered to me right before we said our vows. I was thrilled and scared all at once, and had I not had other things to worry about, such as not tripping down the aisle and keeping my best friend Kelly from running off with any of the groomsmen before the reception, I think I would have really have had a meltdown. My mother!

It had been weird enough to hear from my now-estranged Gran that I was adopted, and I’d barely wrapped my head around that when Maria re-entered my life.

After the wedding, I wanted to call her, I really did, but the old insecurities I thought I had buried got the best of me. It was frightening to me to even consider contacting my birth mother. It turned out that I was not as forgiving a person as I thought I was.

Really, I was bothered by the fact that she had gotten rid of me in the first place. A lot of adoptees can rationalize that their birth parents only wanted what was best for them, wanted them to have a better life than what they could provide and gave us the best chance they could. But when it all comes down to it, we were abandoned. I honestly wondered if I had always known that my adoptive parents, Shelly and Keith, weren’t really mine.  Perhaps that’s where the abandonment issue started, even before they died in a plane crash. 

Whatever it was, it was deep-rooted and hard to come to grips with.

Ever since learning of her existence, I thought about Maria constantly. I carried her picture in my wallet and took it out to study it whenever I could. Her eyes were the same violet color as mine; her hair was the same dark brown with natural waves. The laugh lines on either side of her mouth bracketed her wide, even, happy smile. Fast-forward the clock twenty or so years, and that was how I’d look.

I guess I was a little hurt that she could be smiling in that picture. Those faint little laugh lines proved she’d spent a lot of time laughing when her little girl was miles away crying for the parents she’d lost, the parent she never even knew she had.

I knew nothing of my father, and the emails Maria and I had been exchanging over the past month carefully excluded any mention of him. I wondered about that, but didn’t dare to ask. Having a mother again was like a gift, and although I still harbored some resentment toward her, I didn’t dare do anything that might forfeit that gift.

Today was the day we’d picked to reach out and speak to each other. As soon as I thought about our upcoming phone call, my stomach clenched once and eased. I was terrified and elated at once. It was a weird sensation, like my insides were being drenched in hot and cold water in turns. If I had to face this myself, it was a sure bet that I’d be reduced to a quivering heap on the floor. But miracles do happen, and finally, I didn’t have to face this momentous occasion alone. Ryan would be here for me. He’d always be here for me, which was still something I was having trouble believing. It seemed too good to be true. Yet, here he was and as he constantly told me, here he’d stay.  

I had to remind myself of this several times as I disentangled myself from his warm embrace and hopped in the shower. I washed my hair, reminding myself that my mother had the same wavy locks and wondering what products she used. As I got dressed, I thought about my mother’s figure and if she was as long in the waist as I was and if she had trouble finding jeans that fit right.

No place was safe from my musings, countless questions bouncing around inside my head and rendering me practically useless for anything productive. Did she walk like me? Talk like me? Was she as tone-deaf as I was? Did that stop her from singing in the shower?

The questions continued as I made my way to the kitchen to make some breakfast I’d probably be too nervous to eat. Did my mother have any food allergies, or was the allergy I had to bananas from my father’s side? Did she like pasta? With a last name like DiCarlo, she had to have some sort of Italian blood in her, didn’t she?

As if these frantic musings weren’t enough to completely drive me nuts, my overwrought brain kept thinking about the father I still knew nothing about, and whether or not that would change after today.

Was it asking too much to want both of my parents back in my life? Was my father even alive? Did he know I existed? And why did Maria very carefully refrain from mentioning him in any of our correspondence? I had no idea, but if I got up the nerve, I was going to ask her. After all, I had a right to know, didn’t I?

My hands shook as I wielded the butter knife on my toast. As I finished, it clattered to the counter, practically jumping out of my hand. I’m a brown belt in karate, and normally my reflexes were lightning-quick and my hands steady, but not today. I smiled ruefully. Yes, I was a nervous mess.

Ryan entered the kitchen as I was finishing up my toast. He was fresh out of the shower and the clean, masculine smell of his cologne and his freshly-scrubbed skin reached my nostrils and made my mouth water.

I smiled at him with a wicked leer and said, “Hi, handsome. Come here often?” I winked at him and he returned my grin with a wolfish one of his own.

“Every day. What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” He stepped to my side and wrapped his strong arms around my waist, nibbling my neck and sending sexy chills racing up my spine.

“I live here, remember?” I said, moaning a bit as his teeth lightly grazed my ear.

“Oh, yeah. That’s why my grocery bill’s so high.”

“Ha ha. You eat more than I do,” I reminded him as he turned from me and poured himself a mammoth bowl of cereal, topping it with about a pound of sugar and a gallon or so of milk. “Hungry this morning?”

“Yep. Making love to my wife every night burns up a lot of calories.”

“That just means we’re doing it right,” I told him with a smirk.

“Damn straight. Benjie still asleep?”

“Yep.”

“You wanna go burn some more calories?” he asked with a wolfish grin.

I smiled back at him, momentarily tempted, but shook my head. “No. Don’t distract me. I’ve got to be on top of my game today.”

“Sweetheart, she’s going to love you.”

“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “She got rid of me once. What’s to stop her from doing it again?”

Ryan sighed. “Honey, give her a chance. You have no idea what was going through her head when she put you up for adoption. For all we know, she could have been forced to do so under extreme pressure or some awful dramatic circumstance. Promise me you’ll give her a chance to explain before you pull out the inner crazy?”

“I will. I’m just not sure how to be with her. What if I get angry? What if I can’t control what comes out of my mouth and I insult her?"

“I’m sure she’s prepared to handle that. Think about it from her side for a minute. She’s going to talk to the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty-eight years ago. Don’t you think she’s played this conversation over and over in her head about a million times? Don’t you think she’s spent the past month rehearsing what she was going to tell you and how she was going to say it?”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right,” I allowed. And he was. I hadn’t really stopped to consider her point of view before, being too wrapped up in my own thoughts and misgivings to realize she would probably be worried about blowing it with me.

“You always make me feel better,” I told him, walking over to him and wrapping my arms around his waist. I buried my face in his neck and inhaled deeply, cataloguing the smell of him, all musk and male and delectable cologne, for a later date. He smelled good enough to eat.

“That’s my job, Mrs. Ashford. Certified Mood-Elevator.” He kissed me deeply and backed up so his back was up against the counter. He leaned against it and pulled me with him, tipping me forward until I was reclining against the warm length of him. Being this way, all close and comfortable, was a balm to my ragged nerves.

“Ew!” A little voice piped up from behind me. Ryan released me reluctantly and I turned to face my step-son.

“Hey, Benjie, my man. How did you sleep?” I asked, ruffling his sandy curls and smiling down into his precious little face.

“Ok. Like a dog.”

I grinned. He was so funny sometimes. “Do you mean like a log?”

“Yeah, a log. What’s for breakfast?”

“You men,” I teased. “All you think about is food. How ‘bout some cereal?”

“Ok. Sugar Rings?”

I smiled. It was always Sugar Rings. “Coming right up.”  I poured him a bowl and watched as he practically inhaled his food. I had no idea where the kid put it, but he finished the serving in record time and angelically asked for seconds. After he hoovered another bowl, he sprang from the table and galloped to the living room to watch cartoons.

This was another part of marriage I absolutely adored. Benjie was a great kid, and it surprised me how easy it was to love him. He wasn’t mine, and we both knew that, but I loved him like he was. I often thought about his mother, the frigid bitch Nancy, who chose marriage to a snazzy stockbroker over her only child, and pitied her. It was her loss. But she chose her path, and Ryan and I couldn’t be happier that we had the exuberant little boy with us full-time. However, loving Benjie as I did made me feel even more confused about my birth-mother. I couldn’t imagine throwing away a child, something small and sweet and totally dependent upon me. But she did, and although she ensured there was someone there who took over for her, it still bothered me.

The phone rang and I jumped and glanced at the clock. Nine-twenty. Who could be calling? Was it my mother, calling early?

“Hello?” I yelped into the phone, nerves getting the best of me.

“Daughter, you sound as though you have goldfish swimming in your stomach,” Isamu informed me with a smile in his voice.

“Sorry, sensei. I can’t settle. I’m wound up. This is it, the big day.”

“Daughter, do you remember how you used to feel at karate tournaments?”

“Yeah, like there were goldfish swimming in my stomach,” I said wryly.

“Meditate. Think positive thoughts. Visualize what your heart desires, and make it happen.”

I agreed and hung up the phone. Meditating was a great idea.

I went to the living room and sat down on the floor on the plush rug in front of the sofa. I closed my eyes and pictured the way I wanted things to go. It was a little hard to concentrate with the television blaring and some creepy cartoon character giggling madly and shouting every six seconds or so, but I managed. Ryan came up behind me and started to rub my shoulders, which served to relax me. It would be fine, I just knew it. I hoped.

I finished meditating and, refreshed, decided to do some housework. I whirled around like a madwoman with my dust rag and vacuum, using the physical activity to burn off some of the nervous energy still flowing through me, even after an hour of meditation. By eleven forty-five, the house had never looked or smelled cleaner.

At noon, the phone rang promptly, but my hand froze as I reached for it. Ryan, sensing my inner struggle, grabbed the handset neatly off the receiver and answered it.

“Hello? Yes, she’s right here, and a bit nervous, I think.” He paused, listened and chuckled.

“Yes, she has been, too. Here she is.”

I shook my head wildly. I wasn’t ready. What if I sounded like an idiot? What if she hated me? Oh God, what if I started speaking in tongues or gibberish or—

And then the phone was in my hand, and the voice on the other end was one it felt like I’d heard it a thousand times.

“Caitlin, it’s Maria. How are you, my dear?”

I collapsed into happy tears and soaked in the voice of my mother across the phone lines. All tension, all trepidation melted away, and I said something I’d dreamed about since finding out about her.

“Hi, Mom. Where’ve you been?”

It's Time to Take it Back

We live in troubled, troubling times. There's violence everywhere we look, and the media revels in sensationalism, exploiting people's grief and making money off it like slimy panderers. Every time I turn on the TV or read the paper, someone else did something that is unforgivable, inexcusable, inexplicable. And I'm tired.

I'm tired of reading just how cruel humans can be to one another. I'm tired of being afraid. I'm tired of knowing that the bad guys continue to win while the good guys suffer in so many ways. I'm absolutely heartsick over the fact that there are twenty children who won't see another Christmas, parents who won't see their children grow up. It's too much. Even one is too much. It's wrong on so many levels. I'm not sure I even know what to say. I'm numb, yet I'm hurting so deeply inside I can't take it.

We have to stop this violence. We have to take back our country from those who wish us harm. We have to make a change.  I'm not talking about gun reform, or mental health reform, or anything political. I'm talking about something much more personal. I'm talking about accountability. We have the power, each of us, to make good decisions. We have the power to make right choices and live by the golden rule. We don't have to be barbarians. We don't have to allow those barbarians to rule us, to manipulate us, to frighten us. We can form neighborhood watches and control what sort of activity goes on in our communities. We can choose to be a presence in our town and stand up for what's right. We don't have to fight violence with violence, as that's just paradoxical and exhausting. We just have to do what's right. Together, let's take back our towns; let's let people know we won't stand for this senseless violence. If we see it or suspect it, we need to act, before it's too late. We need to reach out if we're experiencing it, and maybe, we'll be able to save lives.

I know there are people in this country from many walks of life. We don't all have the same mental capacity, the same ability to reason and think, but we can work toward education and a shift in morals. Take those with no ability to do this by themselves and guide them into correct behavior. We have to take back our towns, our schools, our neighborhoods.

Any violence is too much. And yes, I'm aware I'm being very idealistic and probably not very realistic. But it could be that way. Just think of how it would be, how it could be.  I'm calling on you, on each and every one of you, to start taking back your neighborhoods. Let's band together and make it a point to tolerate no violence, no crimes. Let's use our available resources to run crime right out of our backyards. Send it fleeing for its life. 

I'm afraid for us and what will happen to us if we ignore this call. I'm afraid we're on the brink of total chaos, and it's up to each and every one of us to stop it before we tip over the edge. Please. I'm asking you, all of you. Please help me do what's right. Let's stop this before one more person gets hurt. Please.

Updates, December 2012

Hello, everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted, and I've missed you! Life is so hectic, especially around the holidays, and I've been spending some quality time with my family and doing a bit of writing here and there, although not as much as I need to.

I think my body and brain are telling me to slow down a bit. Usually when I feel like this, it's because I need a mental break to clarify some thoughts on my works in progress. I'll avoid the computer and just concentrate on real life, then Wham! inspiration strikes. It's good, and I think it's my body's way of recharging my creative batteries. Or something.

Anyway, I had a moment or two of inspiration lately and I'm putting fingers to keyboard here and there to get my thoughts down before they run away, and I'm mostly happy with the direction the books are going. There's something eluding me about one of them, and I can't figure out what, but rest assured, I'll get there, and it's a good thing, too, because rumor has it that the book will be out in February! Deadlines? I'm not afraid of little old deadlines! Gulp...

In other news, my son has been excelling as a Boy Scout and I'm so proud of him. My daughter is just as sweet and funny as always, and her musical talents are truly shining through. I think I'm the proud parent of a prodigy or two...

My husband and I have been working diligently on getting various things in order because we have started working toward securing our forever home. That means, however, lots and lots of hard work between now and then but we're both committed to making it work, and when we're on the same page, look out! We're a force to be reckoned with. And I'm very proud of the kids, too, because I recently shared with them most of the details of the sacrifices we'll be making to get into that forever home, and they took it very well, even though it means they'll be foregoing something they both love. But they said very matter-of-factly that it was ok, and started pulling together with us to make this dream happen. So very proud! And I'm proud of us, too, because we've taken a hard look at some of our habits/purchases and made a lot of changes. We'll get there, I just know it.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving, and I very much enjoyed the company of my Dad and Stepmom. They're both recovering from massive surgeries and it was nice to be with them and simply be thankful they've made it through and we're still together. If anyone feels like adding them to their prayer list, I'd be grateful. Dad just went through cancer surgery number 5, and we'd really like it if he can go a full year without the tumors coming back. But he's a fighter, and he's still here, and I'm more grateful than I can even express. I love him so very much, and my Stepmom, too. She's one of the most truly good people I know, someone who constantly thinks of others before herself, someone with a genuine soul and a giving, gentle nature. They're both really terrific people, and I'm so lucky to have them!

The holidays are upon is, and I'm proud to report I'm not nearly as depressed this year as I usually get. I think it's because I've had some epiphanies lately, especially right around my 35th birthday, and I'm truly realizing how short our time is here, and how important it is to make the most of it, to enjoy and honor those in our lives and celebrate what's really important. I thought I knew all that stuff before, but I didn't, not to the extent I do now. I think I've grown up a bit, and I'm a better person for it, or at least I hope I am. And I'm looking forward to the holidays, to seeing family and letting them know how much they mean to me. And although I'm normally very positive and hopeful about the start of a new year, this one is extremely special. I'm so ready to forge on and continue the work we're doing toward our future. Life is good, better than it's been in a while, and I'm happy. Truly, truly happy.

So, that's it, my lovely friends. I hope you have a fantastic holiday season, whatever you celebrate,  and I wish you the absolute best for the coming year. Here's to health, happiness, love and luck, and a bit of fun thrown in for good measure. Stay positive and truly live your life. We only get one, after all, and we absolutely must make the most of it.

Happy Holiday Hugs,
Jess

Blood Lust has arrived!

Yes, it's official! Blood Lust is now available on Amazon! Since its release on October 15, things have been moving right along. I've received a couple great reviews and even did a giveaway on a great Vamp Lit blog. Thanks to Nikki Archer for that!

Blood Lust is about to go on tour, which is so awesome! I'm very excited about hanging out with some great book bloggers and spreading the word about my lovely Nexess. I can't wait!

I thought I'd post the schedule for the tour so you guys could follow along if you wanted to. The blogs that are hosting me and my book are fabulous and very diverse. It's a pretty sure bet that you'll find something to pique your interest...


Tour Dates/Sites:

October 29:  Publishing the Paranormal @ http://jbridgerwriting.blogspot.com

October 30: Reginamayross's Blog @ http://reginamayross.com/

October 31: The Insane Ramblings of a Crazed Writer www.jessekimmelfreeman.com/blog.html AND Fang-tastic Books @ www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com

November 1: Celestial Reviews @ http://cecesreviews.blogspot.com

November 2:  http://daydrmzzz.blogspot.com

November 5: Carly Fall - Where Fantasy Meets Romance @ www.carlyfall.com

November 6: Readaholic's Reviews @ http://readaholicsreviews.com/

November 7: www.bendingthespine.blogspot.com

November 8: Kacey's Konnections @ http://kaceyskonnections.blogspot.com AND www.rabidreads.ca

November 11: My Escape @ http://myescape84.blogspot.com

Hope to see you on the tour!

Author Spotlight...The Wonderful Jacoba Dorothy!

We have an absolutely amazing author here today who is just the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. It's a bonus that she writes so well, too!
Please join me in welcoming the lovely Jacoba Dorothy to the blog today. Hello, Jacoba!

1)    Tell us about yourself. What started your writing journey?

I am the mother of two, a teacher and I live in Australia’s bush capital, sharing it with all kinds of native flora and fauna. Its magpie season at the moment, and you can’t walk down our street without being dive bombed by one of those crazy birds. Heaps of bike riders where these helmets with spiky plastic things sticking out of them, to stop being pecked. Crazy!!!!

My writing journey has been relatively short compared to most. I only put fingers to keyboard about three years ago. Not really sure why, I just kind of got the urge to give it a go, and here I am three years down the track about to be a published author.  So awesome!!!

2) What is your book about?

It is a trilogy, called Eternal Curse and it’s the continuing story of two sisters who are bound by an ancient curse, set to create the next sorceress in their family. The main character, Jo is unaware that she and her sister have been cursed. The first book, Reflections, tells the story of how she finds out and how she makes a few more discoveries about her family history and herself along the way.

3) Do you identify with one of your characters? Are any of your characters based on real-life or anyone you know?

I identify with the problems my main character faces, not in the fantasy sense but her bumpy road to self-discovery. I also admire her steely determination to follow through and make the most of what she’s got and who she is.

I didn’t intentionally base any characters on anyone I know, except Jack, who is based on my son. But a couple of my friends, who have read it, said the characters reminded them of members in my family and close friends. I guess subconsciously you can’t help but be affected by people around you and stories you hear.

4) What is your favorite genre to read and do you write in that genre?

I love a good love story. The kind that make you tingle, and say Aww…. I also love a good story. The kind you can’t get out of your head for days. I have read so many books over the years, and have my favourites, the ones I would read and re-read.

But to write is a different story. I feel most comfortable writing fantasy, although I’d love to write a memoir of having my son, who has Down syndrome. There seems to be a lot written, fiction and non-fiction about special needs kids but not all of it paints a positive picture.  And I know it’s different for everyone, but for us, having Jack has been, for the most part, a positive experience, and I’d like to reflect that.

5) How does your inspiration strike?

Like lightning!!! No just kidding. I wish. I have about five to six stories buzzing around in my head at the moment, but I’m concentrating on editing my trilogy and hope once that’s done I can set those stories flying.

I usually find, once I start typing, the words just flow, I don’t always know what I’m going to write, until my fingers hit the keys. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not!!!

6) If you had to start your book over, would you do anything differently?

Definitely not. The journey has been incredible! My learning curve hit the roof. I’ve loved every minute of it.

(My husband and kids not so much… LOL)

7) what do you hope readers take away from your book after they've read it?

Firstly, enjoyment. Secondly, they are hooked enough to give the second and third one a go. And thirdly, well, if they can have that Ah… moment, or if the stories stays with them for a few days, well I’d feel like I’d hit the jackpot.

8) Do you have any new works in the pipeline? If so, what are they about?

I’ve started another YA fantasy called The Filigree Key. I’d really love to keep working on that. I’m also half way through a spoof on the Snow White fairytale, called Cold Grey. And as I said I have about another four or five others buzzing around the old noggin.  I hope once my trilogy is edited and published, I’ll have more time to concentrate on writing other stuff.

Oh, and Jess, you and Sam inspire me, I’d love to write an adult contemporary romance one day. You know when I’m all grown up... LOL! Thanks heaps for having me. Jxx

Updates, October 2012

Hello!

It's been a while since I've posted any updates so I thought I should let you all know what's been going on in my crazy life over the last month or so. 

I was talking to Kathleen, one of the owners of Taylor Street Books, a few months back about genre. We were discussing what sells and what may not and how tough it can be to change genre. Obviously, paranormal romance is a hot seller right now and I jokingly said to Kathleen, "I should write a vampire novel."

Kathleen got very excited and said, "Jess, what a great idea! You'd probably be pretty good at it."

I really had been joking. But she wasn't. Gulp. Crap. OMG!

So, I said, "Well, uh, alright. I guess." And I wondered what I'd just agreed to. 

And that was that. The subject was dropped, and a month later, I thought she'd forgotten about it, but she brought it up again. It was then I realized that I simply had to do it. I, Jessica L. Degarmo, would enter completely foreign territory and push out a book someone thought I might do well, even though I'd never done anything like it before. I said, "Ok, I'll have it done by Halloween. No problem."  No pressure, right?  And, yes, I'm fully aware I'm insane!

So I started writing the book  at the end of August. It was a bit rough at first, and I wondered if I would actually be able to get the thing done like I told her I would. For a few weeks, I had nothing except a rough mental sketch and the names of my vampires.  Then it started coming together and turned into a runaway train, and before you knew it, I had an idea for a trilogy in my head!  

Now I know some of you might be thinking, "You, writing Vamp Lit? Why? What about the nice little love stories?" And yep, I would have agreed, at least until I got into the meat of this book. It was so much fun to write!  And honestly, it was refreshing to take myself out of my comfort zone and let it all out without worrying that it was too much, too edgy or too gory. I removed my self-imposed limits and let the book come naturally.

I think you readers will see a different side to me, and I hope you like it. I'm not done writing romance books, far from done, in fact, but I think it's important to explore and try new things. My husband said something very profound to me when I told him I was a little afraid I'd be accused of selling out. He said, "You're not selling out. You're just trying to figure out where you fit."

He was absolutely right. And I just might have figured a few things out. For example, I don't want to pigeon-hole myself. I want to expand and grow and challenge myself to write something different, to show my readers that I'm not a one-trick-pony (with loads of cliches, but hey, if the shoe fits...groan!). I want to explore multiple genres and see where I fit. I want to try to master them all. 

And after a feverish month of edits and rewrites and brain-wracking sessions and tons of daydreaming, I am happy to announce that Blood Lust, the first in the Lust Trilogy, will be released on October 15, 2012 by Taylor Street Books! For a sneak-peak and the official trailer, see the Blood Lust tab at the top of this page. 

And I'm not done exploring. Guess what? Next year will bring the release of a psychological thriller, another Johns Creek Second Chances book, and the remaining two books in the Lust Trilogy. And, if I can make it work, one of my older books will truly be finished when I complete and release the sequel THIS YEAR! I'm hoping to have it done by December. Wish me luck! And I know I'm teasing you, but you'll just have to wait and see which story will finally be completely told. You may be surprised!

So, with my free time for the next year and two months already accounted for, I'm happily plugging along doing what I love to do: telling stories and finding fulfillment or enlightenment or self-actualization or something like that, anyway, and completely overwhelming myself and creating deadlines that might just give me either grey hair or a heart attack! And yeah, it's going to be a minor miracle if I can pull it all off, but it's worth a shot!

 I hope you all join me in celebrating the release of Blood Lust on October 15. I'll be hosting a giveaway/book launch party on Facebook, and I'd love for you all to be there. https://www.facebook.com/events/371939562881307/

And that, my dear friends, is enough for now, I think. I'd write more but since I've committed myself to tasks that are just crazy enough to get me committed, I'd better go...

Hugs!

Jess