Tag Archive | Reading

Newsletter – November 2025

Nov28

I’ve been taught all my life to give thanks in even the worst circumstances. Easier said than done. It’s hard to feel thankful when something bad happens, and yet, when I look back at some of the most difficult times in my life, I can see how I learned and grew as a person during those difficulties. Frequently, good came out of the bad.

Sometimes, we think our lives are supposed to go a certain way. We think we know what’s best for us. I moved to Nashville, TN, thinking I would be a singer for the rest of my life. I found the music industry to be a bit vicious, and I even had a good friend who worked directly in the industry who told me that she hoped I didn’t get a recording contract. She feared that the industry would change me, and she told me that I was too nice to get caught up in the ugliness of it.

I never did get that recording contract, but I understand why. It wasn’t meant to be, and God had other plans for me! My husband will tell you that I moved to Tennessee for him. We’ve been married almost thirty years now, and I’m thankful for him every day! So, yes, he was definitely part of the plan.

As for my creativity and need to express it, I found I had an ability I never dreamed of… until I dreamed about it. Most of you have heard my story, but if you haven’t, in 2010 I had a dream where I was told I was supposed to write a novel based at a time of civil unrest. In that dream, I wrote the novel, and when I woke, I remembered everything: the plot, the characters, and the location. Thanks to the encouragement of my coworkers at the time, I sat down and actually wrote the story. That ‘dream’ story is now a 7-book series, “The Southern Secrets Saga.”

Since then, I’ve written like a manic fool! I found a passion I never knew existed, and I no longer mourn over the music career that didn’t happen. I love what I do, and I love my sweet husband. I’ll never be sorry that I moved to Tennessee.

This past month has been a whirlwind of in-person events. I met lots of new people and introduced them to my books. If you’re one of those people, and this is the first time you’ve read my newsletter, welcome aboard!

I remember when people first started reading my books, and how excited I was to share my stories. That excitement has never died! I decided to put up a map of the U.S. and ‘pin’ the cities where I know I have readers. If you’re one of my readers, and you don’t see your city pinned on this map, please post the name of your city and state in the comments. I’d love to add you! Currently I have readers in half of the states, and I’d love to reach all 50. It’s been fun to learn where my readers reside.

While you’re posting your city and state, I’d also love to know which of my books is your favorite. Maybe even what (or who) you’d like to read more about.

Next month, I have only one in-person event on December 13th. It’s the Return of the Misfits Craft Show in Manchester, TN. https://www.facebook.com/events/ada-wright-center/return-of-the-misfits-crafts-show/1018595263274207/

I’ll be with author, J.L. Lawrence, along with many other craft vendors. If you’re looking for some unique Christmas gifts, this is a great opportunity to find that special something!

Aside from that, I’ll be busy preparing for Christmas and time with friends and family. Of course, I’ll also be writing and editing! I’m thankful to have an indoor job as the weather gets colder.

There’s so much to be thankful for! I pray that you’re enjoying this holiday season and able to do the things you love with the people who matter the most to you.

God bless you all!

Jeanne

Newsletter – September 2025

Sep30

Sometimes, it’s hard to know what I should write about in my newsletters. My heart has been leading me to talk about all of the discontent and sadness going on around me, but I like to approach things in an uplifting way. Why expose all of you to even more negativity?

All I’m going to say about the state of the country is this: show love and stop the hate. We all have differences in what we believe, but we should never try to hurt people we disagree with. Enough said….

I’ve been keeping myself extra busy. This is the time of year when I attend quite a few craft fairs. I love getting out, meeting new people, and being able to tell them about my books! Plus, the atmosphere of these fairs is so joyful, it really helps my spirit.

The photo below was taken at “Autumn in the Brier,” which was held the past month in Greenbrier, TN. And this is pretty much what you’ll see if you come to any of the craft fairs I attend–unless I’m sharing my booth with another author, which I frequently do. When that happens, we split the table, and I consolidate my books on one side.

In October, I have two craft fairs on my calendar. On Saturday, October 4th, I’ll be with Darcy Flynn at Hermitage Presbyterian Church, 421 Highland View Drive, Hermitage, TN, from 9:00 till 3:00. Darcy writes excellent, sweet romance, and she and I have been doing this particular event together for the last five years. You can look forward to numerous craft vendors, along with excellent entertainment and food. There are also hands-on activities for children, so it’s a good event for the whole family.

On Saturday, October 11th, I’ll be with J.L. Lawrence at the Creepy Cryptids Monster Market, Monterey Station, 104 Monterey Street, Cowan, TN, from 10:00 till 5:00. J.L. writes incredible, epic fantasy, and she also has some wonderful, contemporary Christmas romance books. This is another big craft fair with plenty of unique items to choose from. Since Halloween is just around the corner, this event will allow you the chance to try out your costume. They’re having a costume contest for all ages, a scavenger hunt, and lots of door prizes!

Both of these craft fairs have plenty of free parking and free admission. It looks like we’ll have great weather, too, so I hope you can attend!

“Ardent Adelia” is in my editor’s hands, and I hope by the time I write next-month’s newsletter, I can tell you that it’s available for purchase. I’ve been getting some excellent feedback from my beta readers, and I can’t wait for this book to go live! It’s been a long time coming, and Adelia is more than ready to have her story read.

I hope you’re having a lovely autumn! I’ve been enjoying the cooler temperatures at night, and I look forward to when those temps also claim the daylight hours. Some nice seventies would be great!

Take care, and keep smiling!

With love always,

Jeanne

Newsletter – June 2025

Jun30

What? It’s already the last day of June? How did that happen?

If anyone can figure out how to squeeze more than twenty-four hours in a day, please share. Time sure flies. Yet, as busy as I’ve been, I managed to squeeze a much-needed getaway with my husband into this rapidly waning month. June is our anniversary month, and we celebrated number twenty-nine.

We love going to the Smokies, so that’s usually our anniversary destination. The past few years, we had other places to go, but this year we returned to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, and of course, we ventured to Cades Cove while we were in the area. A trip to the Smoky Mountains wouldn’t be complete without spending a little time in the cove.

We went to a shop in Pigeon Forge that we’d never been to before. It’s the Moon Pie Store and Book Warehouse. A friend of mine told me that she saw my books there, so I had to stop and see for myself!

Here are some photos she sent me:

Needless to say, I was excited to see them there myself!

Okay…. this last photo is definitely in your face–well, in MY face! But as you can see, I was happy to see the books there.

If you’re ever in Pigeon Forge, TN, I highly recommend that you visit this shop. Not only do they sell books and Moon Pies, they have a wonderful assortment of gift items. It’s a huge store with something for everyone. Next year, when I go back to the area, they’re planning to host a book-signing for me. I’m looking forward to that! It doesn’t hurt that I happen to love Moon Pies. They sell minis in variety boxes, and you can choose which flavors you want to fill your box. My new favorite flavor is salted caramel. Yum!

Now for the bad news… Sigh….

I haven’t yet finished Ardent Adelia. It’s well over halfway done–I promise! However, as I said, this month flew by, and I had other projects to complete along with the book and travel. I suppose I’d be smarter never to quote an expected date to be finished with a work in progress. I impose deadlines on myself, however, life keeps happening, and sometimes, other things have greater importance than writing.

Later this week, we’ll be celebrating our country’s independence. The world is in turmoil, and there are times things seem hopeless, but please, never lose hope. Celebrate this Fourth of July with vigor and remember the sacrifices made to attain our freedom. We’re so blessed in this country, and it’s crucial that we never take those blessings for granted or forget how we got where we are.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday!

God bless America!

Jeanne

Why Read?

Apr27

Since you’re reading this blog, that tells me you do read! Excellent!

I’m curious, do you read books? I’m not asking as a means to tell you to go out and buy mine, (although if you decide to do that, that’s okay, too😊), I’d like to know because I hear more and more that people swear books are becoming a “thing of the past.”

Simply pondering that idea hurts my heart–and not only because I’m an author. Books have played a big part in my life. I have my favorites from my childhood like the “Little House” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” by C. S. Lewis. I used to love getting those little flyers in school with the order forms allowing us to be able to buy books and have them delivered right to the classroom. What a wonderful treat! I don’t know if they even do that anymore.

As I got older, I still read the previously mentioned books (many times), and expanded to “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” The list of what I’ve read is vast, so I’m not going to put you through reading that. However, I treasure every hour spent with my nose in those pages.

I’ve discussed the subject of declining readers with several of my author friends, and they’ve told me that at in-person events, people will ask them, “When’s the movie coming out?” and go on to say, “I don’t read.” Ouch!

We’d all love to have our books turned into movies, and I hope I see that happen before I leave this earth. However, even if that does happen, I can guarantee that there’s so much more to experience by reading the book and not just seeing the movie. Movies have a limited amount of time, so a lot of details are whittled down to accommodate the time constraint.

I understand the entertainment value of movies. I happen to LOVE movies. They’re a quick entertainment fix. Maybe people are reading less because they feel it takes too long, or perhaps they feel pressured to keep busy and won’t allow themselves the time for it. I sure hope that society hasn’t made people feel that they’re not permitted to slow down long enough to indulge in the experience of really “living a story.”

When you open the pages of a book, or fire up your e-reader, your mind will take you to another place, and maybe even another time. It’s important to keep our minds sharp and active, and extremely crucial to use our imaginations. Movies offer the interpretation of the screen writers, directors, set designers, and actors. As a reader, you become those people and even the costume coordinator if the author doesn’t go into a lot of detail in that regard. Some are more descriptive than others. You paint the picture in your mind’s eye, and if the author has done their job, you’ll also feel what the characters are experiencing.

I refuse to believe that our need to have everything quickly in our grasp means the death of reading. There are thousands of books that will never be made into movies, and if you only allow yourself that format of experiencing a story, you’ll miss out on so much.

So please, pick up a book and remind yourself what it’s like to dive headfirst into an adventure. The original “virtual reality.” No helmet required, just your brain. You might be surprised to find that you have an amazing imagination!

I prefer a paper book!

Write the Right Thing

Aug30

When I began my writing journey, I confess, I was basically clueless on the industry and the methods of writing in general. Thanks to the guidance of my writer friends, Romance Writers of America, and the Nashville, Tennessee Chapter, Music City Romance Writers, I was given direction as well as an abundance of encouragement.

I discovered that my stories aren’t true romances, and what I write is often categorized as women’s fiction. However, a lot of women’s fiction ends sadly, and I do promise a happy ending. It sometimes takes a while to get there, and maybe not until the end of a series, but there will be a happily ever after.

I’ve always had a passion for history, and that love led me to write historical fiction. It’s so much fun to imagine myself walking into the past and what it might have been like to live in a different time. I enjoy the research and love to intertwine real history with my fictitious characters.

I appreciate every reader who picks up one of my books and shares my journeys. I think many of you wondered why I deviated from historical fiction this past year and ventured into medieval fantasy. I guess I can chalk that up to another learning experience! I followed my heart and wrote what moved me. Plus, I had it in my head that the medieval time period was in essence ‘historical,’ however, since I didn’t base my stories on anyone or anything ‘real,’ I definitely took a sharp turn away from my usual stories.

That being said, I hope you’ll give the Shrouded Thrones series a read and shoot me a message with some feedback. I like to think of this series as a grown-up fairy tale. In book one, “Island in the Forest,” the kingdoms are at peace. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BJ2P283However, by book two, the story gets a bit dark when power-hungry evil rulers seek total domination. The final book in the series, “Queen of Prophecy,” will soon be released, and I’m excited to share how everything comes together. I’m going to miss the characters in this series, as well as the time period. Though set in fictitious realms, the story embraces the feel of historic England, with maybe a bit of a King Arthur flair.

I will soon be returning to United States historical fiction, and I’m excited to start on my next project. “His Heart’s Long Journey” will be based on the true story of one of my friend’s relatives. It will be set in the old west and end up in the small mining town of Murray, Idaho.

So, how do I know that I’m writing the right book? Every one I start is a new adventure, and I simply follow my heart. It guides my mind and fingers, and I just sit down and type. The funny thing is, sometimes in the morning, when I read what I wrote the day before, I don’t remember writing some of it. I guess I ‘get in the zone’ and just go. My characters frequently tell me what they want to say and do, and I just record it. Is that strange?

Unusual or not, I’m thankful for the freedom I have to write what I want. What a blessing to be able to do so!

If you are a writer, keep at it! Follow your heart and write what moves you. And if you’re a reader, thank you for every book you pick up and read. You keep us writers motivated and give us the ability to do what we love.

E-Book or Paper?

Jan28

When I first began writing and then moved forward to publication, I contemplated format and assumed that the people who would want to read my books would prefer ones they could hold in their hands. A paperback or hardcover book, not an e-reader.

Then, after Marked was published, I was astonished that the majority of readers were buying the e-book, not the paperback. I understand the convenience, not to mention the lower cost. E-books make sense. They’re much easier to transport when moving, they don’t take up all your shelf space, and they don’t tear. However, I’m still inclined to prefer a book I can smell, feel, and mark with a magnetic bookmark.

I thought that maybe my desire for the old-fashioned kind has to do with my age. Yes, I’m fifty-something and not ashamed to say so. I’m not as skilled at modern devices as the younger generation, but I pride myself in learning. I’m grateful for the advances in technology. Years ago, I wrote my first manuscript on a typewriter. I much prefer my laptop!

So, to test my theory that only us ‘old folks’ prefer paper books, I queried a group of high school students I recently spoke to about my writing process. These students were, for the most part, aspiring writers. I was curious as to what they like to read, but then when I asked whether they preferred e-books or real books, they unanimously said real. Like me, they said they like to hold a book. Granted, you can hold an e-reader, but it’s not quite the same. Of course, they spend most of their time on electronic devices, so a paper book is a nice change.

So now I throw it out to you. What do you prefer? Are e-books a fad that will fade, will they continue to be simply an option, or do you feel that eventually the paper books will be obsolete and there will no longer be a choice? Curious minds want to know …

I prefer a paper book!

I prefer a paper book!