• About
  • Blog
  • Bookshelf
  • Magazine Rack
  • Extras
  • Contact & Newsletter
Menu

Jean M. Grant

Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number

Your Custom Text Here

Jean M. Grant

  • About
  • Blog
  • Bookshelf
  • Magazine Rack
  • Extras
  • Contact & Newsletter

A crooked bow or neat bow? Wrapping up the year.

December 23, 2018 Jean Grant
slide 8.jpg slide 1.jpg slide 2.jpg slide 3.jpg slide 4.jpg slide 5.jpg slide 6.jpg slide 7.jpg slide 10.jpg slide 11.jpg Utah 2018 522b.jpg Utah 2018 436.JPG slide 12.jpg slide 13.jpg slide 14.jpg slide 15.jpg slide 16.jpg

A dozen or so snapshots from 2018.

Through life we have high years and low years, quiet years and boisterous years. Exhausting years. Amazing years. For me, most fall across that spectrum…each year is a hodgepodge of exhilarating, fun, draining, and emotion-filled. Does our year end like a holiday present wrapped with a crisp, clean bow? Or is that bow slapped on and frayed by the cat that chewed it?

Hmm…a bit of both? Here’s my 2018 wrap-up.

Professionally:

Wow. That is one word to describe this year for me as Writer Jean. My audio book for A Hundred Kisses released (on the heels of its print counterpart in 2017). I also signed three new contracts with The Wild Rose Press ((insert squeals of joy)):

A Hundred Kisses - now as an audio book from Audible and iTunes.

A Hundred Kisses - now as an audio book from Audible and iTunes.

  1. The prequel to A Hundred Kisses (release date coming OH SO SOON in early 2019, along with cover art)!

  2. My first women’s fiction novel will release also in early 2019. Again, blurb and cover art to come soon…

  3. Lastly, my novella with the Deerbourne Inn series will release in early 2019 (see a pattern here? Oh how funny things can all happen at once!). Stop the presses! I have the cover art and blurb below. So exciting! Check back in March/April for a date. :)

An upcoming story in the Deerbourne Inn Series with The Wild Rose Press. Release date TBD - early spring 2019! Check out the others already out. I’ve read them all!

An upcoming story in the Deerbourne Inn Series with The Wild Rose Press. Release date TBD - early spring 2019! Check out the others already out. I’ve read them all!

I also was happy to publish two more travel stories with Outdoor Families Magazine this summer. Be on the lookout for another article in the new year.

What else am I up to? Well, I’ve been ping-ponging back and forth with my editor on the endless edits for the above three manuscripts. I am not lying when I say I read through each manuscript in full at least 5-10 times before it’s sent to my editor, and another 6-10 after. That is many, many words. And very tired eyes. Because I like math, I did the numbers. For a 350 page book, that is 7,000 pages and over 2 million words. So I kinda fell into the trench of words during the past 4-6 months while doing the edit shuffle with my amazing editor! I thank my friends and family for all their patience!

I’m also working on the third manuscript in the “Hundred” trilogy. It’s been a fun ride in 13th century Scotland and it will be fulfilling to wrap up my journey there next year. Of course, my creative muse won’t leave me alone, and I have more book ideas percolating…

Personally:

The fun stuff first:

  • A family trip to the Grand Southwest (Utah and Colorado) in the spring.

  • Annual visit to the lupine of Sugar Hill, NH and a trip up Mount Washington and in our favorite region in New England: Franconia Notch.

  • Our first camping trip with our sons in Baxter State Park, Maine. We love Maine, our second home it seems.

  • Whirlwind weekend in the lovely Green Mountains and Mad River Valley of Vermont (for research of course for the Deerbourne Inn novella!).

  • Our family enjoyed the great outdoors with kayaking, bicycling, hiking, and sailing.

  • Memories with friends and family and my new Twitter/writer groups.

  • Oh, and I turned 40!

The not-so-fun stuff that encourages me to grow and build resilience:

  • Loss of loved ones.

  • Parenting woes (who needs sleep, right?).

  • A bit of burnout.

  • And just some good ol’ personal struggles (I’m sure we all have one or two or ten we can plug in here).

And a bit of the random:

  • I saw a coyote cross my path on the my favorite farm road after dropping the children at school. And a buck (male deer) decided to also flank, then run in front of my car (thankfully with space so he was not harmed). I love where I live: where country meets suburbia.

  • My kids ditched the training wheels on their bikes!

  • My raspberry bush was a BEHEMOTH this year! So happy. Lots of jam-making this winter!

  • I discovered Skinnytaste and wow, her garlic knots are to die for.

  • I conquered my fear of NYC at the annual Writer’s Digest Conference (and had a great time).

  • Managed my first time as a Professor of Potions and Co-head of House at a Harry Potter-themed summer camp! (Exhausting & hot!)

  • Spent an unexpected 7 hours in the Dallas-FW airport and rode the high-speed tram around-and-around with my son.

  • Our cat was lost, then found!

  • Tried my hand at curling with the family. It’s way harder than it looks.

  • Snow, so much snow. But we shouldn’t expect otherwise in New England!

  • I was elected to the Library Board of Trustees for our town library.

So with gratitude, fulfillment, and a bit of the bitter-sweet, I tie my bow on a the present that was 2018. I welcome 2019. Bring on more highs and lows and life lessons!

Best to all and see you in the New Year.

Jean

In Motivational, Book promotion, Travel Tags new year, reflection, journeys, remembering, writer's life
← Introducing: A Hundred Breaths...cover reveal! Releases Feb 18, 2019November Giveaway! →
Glencoe, Scotland

Glencoe, Scotland

Jean M. Grant's books on Goodreads
Will Rise from Ashes Will Rise from Ashes
reviews: 65
ratings: 86 (avg rating 4.51)

A Hundred Breaths A Hundred Breaths (The Hundred Trilogy, #1)
reviews: 58
ratings: 147 (avg rating 4.43)

A Hundred Kisses A Hundred Kisses (The Hundred Trilogy, #2)
reviews: 57
ratings: 76 (avg rating 4.39)

Seeker Seeker
reviews: 54
ratings: 60 (avg rating 4.40)

Soul of the Storm Soul of the Storm
reviews: 49
ratings: 58 (avg rating 4.53)

Archive

  • March 2025
    • Mar 2, 2025 Silent Creek is silent no longer... It's here! Mar 2, 2025
  • December 2024
    • Dec 11, 2024 The Hundred Trilogy Series Collection is here! Dec 11, 2024
  • September 2024
    • Sep 6, 2024 The end is here! Well, for my trilogy that is. :-) Sep 6, 2024
  • June 2024
    • Jun 29, 2024 A Hundred Kisses...another Romantasy is here! Jun 29, 2024
  • April 2024
    • Apr 16, 2024 Look who is back! Part 2...Will Rise from Ashes! Apr 16, 2024
  • March 2024
    • Mar 22, 2024 Look who is back! A Hundred Breaths is here! Mar 22, 2024
  • October 2023
    • Oct 16, 2023 Gardening for the Soul Series Part 5: Pruning Your Perennials and Preparing For Winter Oct 16, 2023
  • September 2023
    • Sep 6, 2023 Gardening for the Soul Series Part 4: Harvest Time Sep 6, 2023
  • August 2023
    • Aug 9, 2023 Gardening for the Soul Series Part 3: A Fruit Extravaganza! Aug 9, 2023
  • July 2023
    • Jul 14, 2023 Gardening for the Soul Series Part 2: Setting up a Perennial Garden Jul 14, 2023
  • June 2023
    • Jun 7, 2023 Gardening for the Soul Series Part 1: Starting Vegetable Gardens Jun 7, 2023
  • March 2023
    • Mar 10, 2023 Seeker is here! Mar 10, 2023
  • January 2023
    • Jan 16, 2023 A sneak peek into Seeker Jan 16, 2023
  • September 2022
    • Sep 29, 2022 New release coming your way & a bit about our Ecuador trip Sep 29, 2022
  • May 2022
    • May 5, 2022 Romancing the Summer away at RomantiConn - free ticket giveaway! May 5, 2022
  • January 2022
    • Jan 25, 2022 Writing the In Between: Romantic Women's Fiction Jan 25, 2022
  • December 2021
    • Dec 13, 2021 Holidaze! Dec 13, 2021
  • October 2021
    • Oct 26, 2021 Fun with Fall Festivals! Oct 26, 2021
  • August 2021
    • Aug 20, 2021 Did Not Finish Aug 20, 2021
  • July 2021
    • Jul 9, 2021 Trilogy Boxed Set! Jul 9, 2021
  • June 2021
    • Jun 10, 2021 What happens at town meetings...stays at town meetings? Jun 10, 2021
  • March 2021
    • Mar 11, 2021 Will Rise from Ashes - Audio Book Tour Mar 11, 2021
    • Mar 9, 2021 The Hundred Trilogy - Audio Book Tour Mar 9, 2021
    • Mar 2, 2021 Silence & Self-Reliance Mar 2, 2021
  • February 2021
    • Feb 1, 2021 NN Light's Love & Romance Book Festival Feb 1, 2021
  • January 2021
    • Jan 26, 2021 Winter Games Read-a-thon is here! Jan 26, 2021
    • Jan 25, 2021 Ready, Set, Revise! Jan 25, 2021
  • December 2020
    • Dec 24, 2020 Feeling Merry: A TRIPLE giveaway! Dec 24, 2020
    • Dec 7, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 12 - final week! Dec 7, 2020
    • Dec 2, 2020 Beginnings & Endings Dec 2, 2020
  • November 2020
    • Nov 30, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 11 Nov 30, 2020
    • Nov 23, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 10 Nov 23, 2020
    • Nov 16, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 9 Nov 16, 2020
    • Nov 9, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 8 Nov 9, 2020
    • Nov 2, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 7 Nov 2, 2020
  • October 2020
    • Oct 26, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 6 Oct 26, 2020
    • Oct 19, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 5 Oct 19, 2020
    • Oct 17, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 4 Oct 17, 2020
    • Oct 5, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 3 Oct 5, 2020
    • Oct 1, 2020 Finding Joy in Nature Oct 1, 2020
  • September 2020
    • Sep 28, 2020 Medieval Monday, Week 2 Sep 28, 2020
    • Sep 21, 2020 Ushering in Autumn & Medieval Monday Sep 21, 2020
  • August 2020
    • Aug 12, 2020 A Hundred Lies Blog Tour! Aug 12, 2020
    • Aug 5, 2020 A HUNDRED LIES - is here! Aug 5, 2020
  • July 2020
    • Jul 17, 2020 The party continues - live Zoom book launch August 7th! Jul 17, 2020
  • June 2020
    • Jun 15, 2020 Trilogy Time! And triple 99 cent sale! Jun 15, 2020
  • May 2020
    • May 21, 2020 The End is in Sight! - Wrapping up a Trilogy May 21, 2020
    • May 5, 2020 Bittersweet Inspiration May 5, 2020
  • April 2020
    • Apr 1, 2020 30 Days of Free Books Apr 1, 2020
  • March 2020
    • Mar 30, 2020 How Melody Deblois Courts her Muse Mar 30, 2020
    • Mar 14, 2020 The Quiet Life Mar 14, 2020
    • Mar 10, 2020 Vanilla with a Twist - COVER REVEAL! By Peggy Jaeger Mar 10, 2020
  • February 2020
    • Feb 1, 2020 Celebrating my birthday month with a 99c sale! Feb 1, 2020
  • January 2020
    • Jan 21, 2020 It's Okay Jan 21, 2020
  • December 2019
    • Dec 28, 2019 Exiting the Decade: 2019 Year-End Summary Dec 28, 2019
  • November 2019
    • Nov 24, 2019 November's Reading Round Up Nov 24, 2019
  • October 2019
    • Oct 25, 2019 Autumn Wrap Up in New England Oct 25, 2019
  • September 2019
    • Sep 16, 2019 Sweet Words to My Ears: Why I Love Audio Books Sep 16, 2019
  • August 2019
    • Aug 21, 2019 Beautiful Transitions Aug 21, 2019
  • July 2019
    • Jul 21, 2019 Timing: Fur-babies and Flower-babies Jul 21, 2019
    • Jul 16, 2019 Author Party Giveaway Jul 16, 2019
  • June 2019
    • Jun 8, 2019 Happy Women's Fiction Day! Jun 8, 2019
  • May 2019
    • May 21, 2019 Into the Wild: An Extroverted Introvert's Day Out May 21, 2019
  • April 2019
    • Apr 10, 2019 Highlights of the Deerbourne Inn series Apr 10, 2019
  • March 2019
    • Mar 14, 2019 Soul of the Storm: Blog Tour! Mar 14, 2019
  • February 2019
    • Feb 22, 2019 Will Rise from Ashes: Releases April 17th! Feb 22, 2019
    • Feb 11, 2019 A Hundred Breaths: Blog Tour! Feb 11, 2019
    • Feb 7, 2019 Soul of the Storm: Releases March 20th! (Cover reveal & excerpt...) Feb 7, 2019
  • January 2019
    • Jan 4, 2019 Introducing: A Hundred Breaths...cover reveal! Releases Feb 18, 2019 Jan 4, 2019
  • December 2018
    • Dec 23, 2018 A crooked bow or neat bow? Wrapping up the year. Dec 23, 2018
  • November 2018
    • Nov 19, 2018 November Giveaway! Nov 19, 2018
  • October 2018
    • Oct 10, 2018 A Touch of Vermont, a Touch of Romance: Deerbourne Inn Series Releases! Oct 10, 2018
  • September 2018
    • Sep 24, 2018 Crossing Genres: Finding my Thread Sep 24, 2018
  • August 2018
    • Aug 22, 2018 The Road to Publication: A bit about Small Press Aug 22, 2018
  • July 2018
    • Jul 28, 2018 Swept Away by Words: A Hundred Kisses on Audio Book! Jul 28, 2018
    • Jul 26, 2018 Author Self-Care: taking the time for ourselves Jul 26, 2018
  • June 2018
    • Jun 23, 2018 Exciting news... Jun 23, 2018
  • May 2018
    • May 30, 2018 The Perks of Research: Mad River Valley, Vermont May 30, 2018
  • April 2018
    • Apr 30, 2018 Finding Your Muse Apr 30, 2018
  • March 2018
    • Mar 25, 2018 Meet Author Ralph Walker Mar 25, 2018
  • February 2018
    • Feb 26, 2018 Looking Beyond the Red Feb 26, 2018
  • January 2018
    • Jan 29, 2018 Fording Rivers Jan 29, 2018
  • December 2017
    • Dec 29, 2017 Counting Down the Clock Dec 29, 2017
  • November 2017
    • Nov 30, 2017 Going Berserk: Research! Nov 30, 2017
  • October 2017
    • Oct 30, 2017 Staring at Page 186… Oct 30, 2017
  • September 2017
    • Sep 22, 2017 Digging up Diamonds in the Rough: From Outline to Novel Sep 22, 2017
    • Sep 1, 2017 The Ice Cream Truck Isn't Coming Anymore Sep 1, 2017
  • August 2017
    • Aug 8, 2017 The Long Haul Aug 8, 2017
    • Aug 1, 2017 Weeding out the Words Aug 1, 2017
  • June 2017
    • Jun 16, 2017 A Slice of Pie Jun 16, 2017
  • May 2017
    • May 17, 2017 19 Years in Numbers May 17, 2017
  • April 2017
    • Apr 18, 2017 The Scottish Tongue Apr 18, 2017
  • March 2017
    • Mar 25, 2017 A Hundred Kisses - Releases May 17th! Mar 25, 2017
    • Mar 5, 2017 If it’s Precious, Let it Go… Mar 5, 2017
  • February 2017
    • Feb 4, 2017 Finding Magic and Myths in Scotland Feb 4, 2017
  • January 2017
    • Jan 13, 2017 Setting goals for yourself and your characters! Jan 13, 2017
  • December 2016
    • Dec 16, 2016 Breaking into the Business: Patience, Perseverance, and Putting in the Time Dec 16, 2016
  • November 2016
    • Nov 14, 2016 Goodness in Guatemala: “Ut’z Ipetik” Nov 14, 2016
  • October 2016
    • Oct 8, 2016 Smashing Pumpkins: Sensing your Surroundings Oct 8, 2016
  • September 2016
    • Sep 4, 2016 The time has come! Sep 4, 2016

Sweeping adventures with heart and hope.

All images and text on this website © Jean M. Grant, 2024 unless otherwise specified