When It Comes To Writing, Romance Gems Author Jan Scarbrough Ain't Horsin' Around, Or Is She?

Hey, all! Won't you please help me welcome Romance Gem Jan Scarbrough. Let's get to know her a little better...

Jan, when did your love for writing start?

I had an inspirational ninth-grade English teacher who encouraged me. For one assignment, we researched a career that interested us. I picked freelance writer. At that time, I doubted that I could even write a novel, let alone make any money doing it.

What is something you struggle with when you write?

Good books need conflict almost on every page. I’m not someone who likes conflict, so coming up with bad things to happen to my characters is hard.

Give us a brief glimpse at your road to publication.

I was an RWA Golden Heart finalist, but it didn’t lead to the publication of that book. After the prerequisite rejection letters, I finally sold a 50,000-word novel to Kensington for the Precious Gems series. This was before ebooks, of course. However, I “sold” my Golden Heart book to an ebook company. DUH. No readers at that time. I pulled it and the book was published in paperback. Around 2006, I published ebooks with a small press. That’s where I learned to make deadlines, work with an editor, and improved my writing. Finally, in 2013 after several small presses went out of business, I began to self-publish my books with the techy help of my husband. These two first books are available today. They are KENTUCKY FLAME and TANGLED MEMORIES.

 

Do you have hobbies that you’d like to share?

Since my nine-year-old daughter begged for horseback riding lessons, I’ve also taken riding lessons. It’s been a long time ago because she now has children of her own! I ride American Saddlebred horses. They are people horses who are fun to ride. I love the history of the breed because they were “American Made.” Usually, I take a weekly riding lesson because I don’t own a horse right now. One of my all-time dreams was to own a horse. Over my lifetime, I’ve owned three!

Info about American Saddlebreds: https://www.asha.net/aboutus/theamericansaddlebred/

Share with us a little about your family. Married? Kids? Pets?

I am married with two children and two stepchildren. Together, my husband and I have ten grandchildren—only one is a girl! Currently, I have a pesky cat named Folly. This summer we lost our beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgis. So, I went to the humane society just to look around. Of course, I spotted amber eyes who begged for a home. My husband agreed, so we brought home a red tick coonhound!! We knew nothing about coonhounds. Her first week she killed a backyard raccoon. She was a coonhound after all! Bella has turned out to be a super sweet dog and a welcome addition to our family.

YOU CAN FIND JAN HERE: 

Website http://janscarbrough.com/

BookBub Author URL https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jan-scarbrough

Newsletter (download free book and sign up for my newsletter) https://www.booksweeps.com/free/kentucky-woman-bluegrass-reunion-series/

Amazon Author URL https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Scarbrough/e/B001K8768A

AllAuthor https://allauthor.com/profile/romancerider/

 

YOU CAN PURCHASE JAN'S BOOKS HERE:

Check out my two Contemporary Western Series, both on Kindle Unlimited.

The Dawsons of Montana tells the stories of rancher Jim Dawson’s widow Liz, and his children Brody, Mercer, and Ben. Can they find happiness and love in the aftermath of the heartache of the patriarch’s untimely death?

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZM6V8H8)

Hank brings two series together: the romantic The Dawsons of Montana and the romantic mystery Ghost Mountain Ranch!

~ BEN IS ON SALE UNTIL MONDAY! ~

Ghost Mountain Ranch, where old secrets are stirring, secrets someone might be willing to kill to keep. Can they finally lay the old ghosts to rest, or will the echoes of a decades-old murder destroy their second chance at love?

(Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BL85Q8W)

DARBY: Thirty years ago, Darby Heston fled her family’s Montana dude ranch. Now she must return to help her father. Would the boyfriend she’d abandoned still be there? Hank Slade has never stopped loving Darby, but is he willing to risk his heart again? Secrets tore them apart once. Given a second chance at love, will more shocking secrets from the past destroy their hopes for the future?

Thank you so much, Jan, for being here today, and for sharing your talent with us!

I Enjoyed Reading Nancy Fraser's Novella So Much, I'd DO It AGAIN!

Hey, all! Have I got a treat for you! Romance Gems author Nancy Fraser has joined us today with her new release I DO...AGAIN, a Return to Last Chance Beach novella. I had the good fortune to read this one and Nancy gives you smart writing that pulls you in and flows so smoothly it just carries you on to the end. Truly a pleasure to read! She was nice enough to answer a few questions for me...

What is the best thing you’ve learned about writing and/or the publishing business?

That a writer needs to develop a thick skin. And, while you should take your craft seriously, the opinion of others only matter if they control your career (e.g., editor, publisher, agent). If you learn how to handle both criticism and rejection early, it will make your writing journey much easier.


I may or may not still be working on that... ;) That's something that transfers over to everyday life, too. What is something you struggle with when you write?

It may seem trite ... but the writing. I always wonder if my current book will be my last. Will I run out of ideas? Let’s face it, romance follows a formula. There are not that many tropes that haven’t been done to death. As well, if you write in one particular genre, how do you keep from repeating yourself over and over again? That’s probably why I genre jump. It helps me from getting stale and – hopefully – there will be at least one more book in there somewhere.


Where do you live? Where would you love to live?

I live in Atlantic Canada, in New Brunswick, along the beautiful St. John River. If I were going to move, I wouldn’t go far. Just one province over to Nova Scotia, specifically Cape Breton Island. Or ... if I had the money, Las Vegas. Something tells me I’d be broke quickly.


Yes. Always that possibility in Vegas. Share with us a little about your family. Married? Kids? Pets?

I am divorced and, as of this past September, divorced as long as I was married. I’ve been blessed with two wonderful sons who were both smart enough to marry equally wonderful women. Between them, they’ve given me five grandchildren. And, given we live within twenty minutes from the farthest points, we’re very close. As for pets, I have grandpets. One rescue husky, two cats, and four guinea pigs.


Grandpets are the best! What was one of the best Christmas presents you ever received?

That’s easy. Christmas of 1970 (well, a couple days early). My first son. Nothing will ever top that.

What CD is in your CD player right now? Or what was the last song you listened to in your digital library?

Surprisingly, I still have CDs. On both my phone and in CD player, Pentatonix latest album, The Lucky Ones. Of course, I do occasionally swap out the PTX CD for the Elvis 75.


Name your favorite children's story.

I was hooked on the Nancy Drew mysteries growing up. However, as a Grandmother, I have to say Robert Munich’s “Love You Forever”. I’ve read it to all five and I’m moved every time.


It's amazing how many writers were Nancy Drew fans! What is your concept of a fruitful day?

At my age – just waking up. Getting out of bed is a great bonus. Of course, after one or two cups of coffee, my writing day begins. At that point, it’s all about the words. I write full time, Monday through Friday, three weeks of every month. My goal is always 3-5K, depending on the complexity of the book. In the fourth week, I do extensive edits and catch up on other tasks. Weekends are split between family and updating my website and blog.

That sounds like a great schedule! Thanks for sharing yourself with us. Now let's share a little bit about I DO...AGAIN...

Blurb ~

Thirty-five years earlier, Lily Abbott and Mitch Colby exchanged wedding vows in a quaint ceremony attended by a small crowd consisting of four Micronauts, a one-eyed pet rock, two special-edition Barbies, and an assortment of stuffed animals. Officiated by Stretch Armstrong, it was the social event of their 8^th summer.

 

Lily never forgot the childhood ceremony. Or the fact her best friend and first love had left her behind and relocated to Boston to pursue an Ivy-League education. Now a divorcee, with college-bound twin daughters, Lily’s moved on and put the foolishness of first crushes and the childish dream of true love behind her.

 

At eighteen, Mitch had never wanted the expensive education his father mapped out for him. He’d have been perfectly happy to stay in Summerville, marry the love of his life, and settle down. However, when push came to shove, he’d not wanted to upset his ailing mother, and had left everything...and everyone...that he’d wanted behind.

 

The 25^th reunion of the graduating class of Summerville High has brought Lily and Mitch back together at The Sands, a seaside resort on Last Chance Beach. Will one weekend together be enough? Or, is there a possibility for more?

Excerpt ~

The soles of her sandals skittering across the wet surface, Lily Abbott landed on the weather-worn dock with a loud thump, her backside slapping against the damp slats in the same way a fish flops around on the ground after being pulled from the lake.
 
So much for a graceful entry.


She glanced from side-to-side, wondering if any of her former classmates had seen her awkward faux pas. Gracie Potts and Shep Warren stood off to the side, more engrossed in each other than those around them. Ellie Cabot was stoking the campfire, poking at it with angry jabs and then letting loose a string of curse words when the embers jabbed back.


At least half of the varsity football team were huddled around two well-stocked coolers, chugging beers and laughing about past victories.


Off in the distance, laughter, mixed with strains of Meatloaf’s I’d Do Anything for Love, floated across the warm night air from the hotel’s patio. Nostalgic music from their senior year...as if time could be turned back, memories either revived or erased.


Settling more comfortably on the edge of the dock, Lily removed her sandals, and dangled her legs over the side, her toes flirting with the water. Closing her eyes, she welcomed the breeze wafting across her face.


“So, this is where you’ve been hiding.”


Lily startled at the sound of the deep, male voice. She didn’t need to look to know who was speaking. The intervening years weren’t nearly long enough to wipe away the familiar sound.


“I’m not hiding,” she insisted. “I’m relaxing.”


“If you say so,” he countered, the sarcastic tone of his comeback sinking into her senses.


Mitch Colby. Her best friend, her first love, the one that got away. Or, more precisely, the one who left her behind.


“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said truthfully.



Turning slightly and tilting her head, she met his gaze, then wished she hadn’t. He smiled down at her, his familiar smirk ratcheting up her heart rate. As her late Aunt Ethel had once observed, ‘The good Lord had surely taken his sweet time with Mitchell Colby’. Twenty-five years hadn’t altered Ethel’s keen observation one iota. He was still a breathtakingly handsome man.

Bio ~

NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

 

Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

 

Published in multiple genres, Nancy currently writes for four publishers. She has published over thirty books in full-length, novella, and short format.

 

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

 

Find Nancy Fraser Online

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bookbub

Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest ~ YouTube

 

  

To purchase I DO...AGAIN:

Universal link ~ 

https://books2read.com/IDoA 

Thanks for sharing yourself with us here today, Nancy!

RELAX, PUT YOUR FEET UP, AND BREATHE ~ LUCINDA RACE #RomanceGem

Hey, all! I've got one gem of an author here for ya! That's right, one of my Romance Gems blog friends. Please welcome Lucinda Race who's here today to tell us a little bit about herself and her newest release, BREATHE. Let's start by asking her a few questions...

How do you balance the demands of your everyday life and your writing life? 

I struggle with balance as I'm all in when it comes to life. When I'm writing a new book it's always on my mind so I might not be in front of a keyboard but I'm still working, like pieces of a puzzle. Everyday life does require my attention as life is hectic but writing it my relaxation, well and reading too.


Where do you live? Where would you love to live? 

I live in western Massachusetts and I do enjoy traveling but to coin a phrase there's no place like home, other than I'd like to live near a beautiful lake in our area. Maybe someday.

What was the last song you listened to in your digital library? 

Drake White- Making me look good again - it actually is a song I use when writing my male hero in my upcoming August release, Blush book 3 Crescent Lake Winery

What one thing (modern convenience) could you not live without? 

My laptop - I have NO idea how writers did edits with typewriters or gasp long hand - here I just cut and retype and the offending words are poof gone like the wind.

What is something you struggle with when you write? 

Having enough time to write, it's like when I read a book I love to read until the book is done, same thing when I write I hate to leave the characters, its like walking out on a fascinating conversation and not hearing the best parts.

I hear you on that! I hate leaving my characters in a predicament, because, you know, they need me, and I really hate leaving them in the middle of a sex scene. That's just cruel! ;)

Well, thank you for sharing yourself with us, Lucinda! Now let's hear a little more about BREATHE.

Blurb ~

Romance and fine wine both need time to breathe…

Her family’s successful winery business in the Finger Lakes region of New York should have gone to Tessa Price. She’d always dreamed of running the winery, but when the “prodigal son” returns to take up the reins, she boldly strikes out on her own, purchasing Sand Creek Winery—a cash-strapped competitor—right out from under her family. She can forge her own destiny, using her marketing skills and big plans to bring new life to the winery. But first she has a proposition for the sexy previous owner. And he’s likely to hate it.

Kevin “Max” Maxwell would never have willingly sold his winery to anyone named “Price.” Family always comes first, and if paying for his sister’s cancer treatment cost him his business, it was worth it. But when the new owner offers him a one year contract to stay on as general manager, with a possible bonus, he really can’t afford to turn it down. He can ignore the effect her deep brown eyes and heart-shaped face have on his senses for a year, can’t he?

Relationships, like slowly ripening vineyards, take time. But Max has been keeping a secret from Tessa, one that could destroy her hopes for their future. Will a terrible accident force Tessa and Max to face how much they have to lose, or tear apart their budding relationship forever? Sometimes a romance is like a fine wine. To be its best, it just needs time to breathe.

Here's where to purchase BREATHE:

https://books2read.com/u/3JXYeK 

Here's where to find Lucinda: 

https://twitter.com/LucindaRace

FB https://www.facebook.com/LucindaRaceAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/lucindaraceauthor/

Goodreads – Lucinda Race- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10174985.Lucinda_Race

Book + Main Lucinda Race https://bookandmainbites.com/search/Lucinda%20Race

Youtube Lucinda Race https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lucinda+race+author

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/lucindaraceauthor/

Universal Link https://books2read.com/ap/xyYO2g/Lucinda-Race

Bookbub Lucinda Race https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lucinda-race

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Lucinda-Race/e/B00Q0MMNUM

Lucinda’s Heart Racers Reader Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/118597305361578

https://lucindarace.com

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/feed/6

Thanks for joining us! Have a great day!

~ Get Yourself in a JAM: Jordan and Mary Cover Reveal ~

Please welcome author T.J. Lyons to the blog today! Here's a bit about T.J.'s latest release, JAM: Jordan and Mary!

Blurb ~

Secrets refuse to remain buried.

Bonds of love are tested.

Horses prove they are loyal creatures.


Jordan Jennings is a successful self-made photographer with a dicey past he refuses to face. He’s had no reason to, happy in his life with his mother and twin brother. That is until he meets a woman strong enough to draw him from his repression.

Running from her own past, Mary Evans has lived in hiding for the last 12 years. Horses became her life when she discovered she had a gift for working with them. When she is brought a fiery cremello mare, a mental bond develops between her and the animal like no other. But it isn’t until a sinfully gorgeous photographer enters her barn that her life takes a drastic turn.


Together, Jordan and Mary find a new lease on life. But before their future can begin, they must return to each of their pasts, two parts of their worlds that collide and threatens to tear them apart. Now the question remains, will they survive the torment? And is it even possible to achieve the perfect happily ever after?

Author Bio ~

T.J. Lyons started writing stories in second grade. She has been writing stories ever since. Many stories later, she shares some of her stories with readers to enjoy. She has a love of the outdoors and animals and kids.

When not writing, TJ spends her time teaching special need high school students and with her three animals: Jules the Red Heeler, Thor the grey tuxedo cat, and American Quarter Horse, Blaze. She lives in North Texas.

Here's where you can find T.J.: 

https://tjlyons2002.wordpress.com


FB: https://t.co/RwJlHrqzdC


Twitter: DDubForever2002

Thanks for sharing your cover with us!