Silent Creek is silent no longer... It's here!

When authors say it takes five years to get a book out, I have always wondered why. Now I know why. Life gets lifey! Bumps and detours happen. This book’s fruition began in 2020 after I got a hacked email from a literary agent…and malware that screwed up my laptop. I was livid! And became paranoid about everything tech. I am already a Luddite so that says something. Insert a new idea for a book.

I wrote, I edited, I got peer input and revised, and I queried for two years. The query trenches are not for everyone, and despite my relentless efforts over twenty years and multiple books, it has gotten me nowhere. Ghosted is an understatement in the industry. So, I am full-on indie/self-pub now! I took my revisions further and got feedback from my amazing developmental/copy editor, and revised yet again. And, whew, after what feels like an eternity, Silent Creek is here! And I love it. Did I mention I also dove deep into research, reading, and interviews and even some off-the-grid experiences for that authenticity I aim for in all books? I do love research!

Silent Creek is here!

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Silent Creek is here! 〰️

And here it is! I appreciate your support in sharing, purchasing, and reviewing! Stay tuned for two more books this year (one of them also lived on the struggle bus for longer than Silent Creek!).

This amazing cover art is by the talented artist and graphic designer Angela Westerman: www.akorganicabstracts.com

A HUNDRED LIES - is here!

It’s release day. All the planning, nerves, to-do list a mile long…and…

It’s here!

Ah. Time to breathe.

And celebrate!

Since my brain is numb and eyes fried from all the anticipation and work, I’m keeping it short. A Hundred Lies, the final book in my historical romance trilogy, is here. Check it out. Read. Review! Oh, how I love reviews. Now to go have a second cupcake since it is my kiddo’s birthday, too! Extra special day of celebrating. I am not big on selfies, but here you go.

Here I am with all 3 books from the Hundred Trilogy. A Hundred Breaths (February 2019), A Hundred Kisses (May 2017), and A Hundred Lies (August 2020). Yes, yes, I did publish the trilogy a wee out of order, but don’t despair! Now they are all here - and yes, you can read just one of them or read out of order, too. Whatever you want. Don’t forget to check out the EXTRAS page, too with a map, glossary, and family lineage chart.

Psst.

Find it here. Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google

Review it here. Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Bookbub ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google


THANK YOU! :)

Sending out so much gratitude to all who have helped bring this trilogy to life! And to print. Many thanks to my husband, my editor, my writing bud Lorraine (L. Ryan Storms), fellow authors from The Wild Rose Press and Women’s Fiction Writers Association as well as my writers fellowship group, and last but never least, my children for their patience while I have carved out a corner of their playroom as my own (but wait….just this week I moved my desk to my bedroom!).

Best and kindest regards,

Jean

Celebrating my birthday month with a 99c sale!

What better way to celebrate February—the month of love & my birthday? A book sale! (oh yes, and cake…that will come). Will Rise from Ashes, a mother and son’s story of heartache, healing, and hope is on sale for $0.99 [ebook]. Grab a copy now!

Find the sale on AMAZON, iTunes, and Barnes and Noble NOOK.

Find the sale on AMAZON, iTunes, and Barnes and Noble NOOK.

What is this book about?

Young widow AJ Sinclair has persevered through much heartache. Has she met her match when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, leaving her separated from her youngest son and her brother? Tens of thousands are dead or missing in a swath of massive destruction. She and her nine-year-old autistic son, Will, embark on a risky road trip from Maine to the epicenter to find her family. She can't lose another loved one.

Along the way, they meet Reid Gregory, who travels his own road to perdition looking for his sister. Drawn together by AJ's fear of driving and Reid's military and local expertise, their journey to Colorado is fraught with the chaotic aftermath of the eruption. AJ's anxiety and faith in humanity are put to the test as she heals her past, accepts her family's present, and embraces uncertainty as Will and Reid show her a world she had almost forgotten.

Excerpt:

AMAZON, iTunes, and Barnes and Noble NOOK.

AMAZON, iTunes, and Barnes and Noble NOOK.

He slid closer and placed a hand on mine and squeezed. “I see a strong woman who has been hurt deeply. I see a resilient mother who would journey through hell for her children. I see somebody who has become jaded and has trouble trusting, unable to sort through friend and enemy. I see a woman with hope.” He held my gaze. “And I’d like to be your friend, Audrey Jane.”

My jaw may have dropped. I wasn’t sure. I recovered quickly. Or at least I tried. “You’ve been talking with my therapist, haven’t you?” God, I was teasing him. I was joking. I was like Will. Will always got goofy with his peers in social situations when he didn’t know the expectations, or how to behave.

Either way, Reid didn’t laugh. Thin lips pressed into a frown that I couldn’t decipher.

I didn’t prod any further. I broke the gaze and released my hand from his, then stoked the fire for the tenth time, sleep luring me with sweet abandon. I tossed the stick into the fire. “I should turn in.”

“I’ll stay awake,” he offered. “Until the fire goes.” “Okay.” I nodded, though the fire could have been quickly snuffed.

I paused in my opening of the tent flap, turned around, and peered at him. My arms dropped to my side, my hands still. “I’m sorry about the hotel. I was sick and wasn’t thinking straight. Thank you for your help today.” A part of me couldn’t disclose the unvarnished truth. Part of it had been crazy withdrawal symptoms AJ. The other part—I’d been paranoid he’d been drinking. Harrison’s death remained a ghostly echo in my mind, perhaps clouding my judgment. The scent had been on his clothes though. I was sure of it. The more I pondered, I believed his story. Perhaps I had been triggered. Perhaps I really did have trauma or PTSD. I shook my head. I didn’t know.

Firelight glistened off the growing beard hairs on Reid’s chin and spots of amber danced in his dark, round eyes. Speaking of soulful eyes… “You were looking out for Will. I understand. I had been gone far too long.”

“You had a legitimate reason. Shit happens,” I countered.

His lips curved into a resigned smile. “Yeah. Rest, Audrey Jane.”

“You, too, Reid,” I whispered. I added in a deep exhalation, “And yes, yes, I’d like to be your friend.”

As I stepped into my tent, I observed Reid’s normally straight shoulders slouch a hair. Perhaps he, like all of us, was on his own road of atonement. Searching for meaning, searching for answers…searching for absolution.

I had treated him poorly. I didn’t know what the hell had just happened between us, but I tucked it away into a corner of my brain to contemplate upon another time when I was lucid. My remorse had lifted somewhat.

Ignoring my exhaustion for at least a few minutes, I clicked on my headlamp and pulled out my journal. It was time to unburden my heart.

Inspiration for the book. Yellowstone National Park.

Inspiration for the book. Yellowstone National Park.

WillRisefromAshes_w12851_2400 AUDIO FINAL COVER.jpg

Psst…if you’ve made it this far in reading the blog post, I have exciting news. Will Rise from Ashes will be released on AUDIBLE this spring. I am astounded by the performance of the book producers and narrators. Stay tuned on release date. Want a FREE AUDIBLE CODE? Drop me a message via my contact form. Happy listening!