Friday, March 7, 2014

Keeping Busy

Used to be, I could always write, regardless of the circumstances. Move cross-country in the middle of summer with two cats, a dog and no AC hauling a trailer that nearly killed my car? Not a problem. Take a ten day cruise to Hawaii (including five blissful days at sea) with my husband, two kids, my brother and my parents in tow? Best. Writing retreat. Ever...well, until recently, that is.

Lately, however, I've been finding it all a little more difficult. Seems like my Muse is always on vacation. However, if a picture is really worth a thousand words, then it turns out I've been wonderfully productive these past few weeks creating book covers for myself.

It really all started a few years ago when I discovered the wonders of GIMP. I may have gone a little graphic design crazy with the Trading Cards:


And the postcards...


But this year? I've graduated to covers! Here's the one I did for the print version of Inked Memories--my contribution to the Midnight Ink collection. It's simple, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out.


I love the background and all the Mardi Gras colors. And the model looks just how I picture the character. It's actually kind of spooky how much he resembles Declan. But, no. I do not know why he's wearing sunglasses at night. Or why he's shirtless in the street. He just is. Can we leave it at that?

Anyway, with one cover under my belt (and my muse still on vacation) I turned my sights on my bookshelf where my nine Oberon books (recently released in print) were languishing. Don't get me wrong, I love the front covers that were designed for me a few years ago, but the backs and spines were plain, plain, plain. They looked like textbooks. And that just wasn't doing it for me. So, since I still had my Createspace cover template page open from working on Inked Memories... Well, let's just say I now have nine more covers (okay, partial covers) to my credit.  

It was fun to have all the creative control and to finally make use of some of the great photos my husband shot for me--and even a couple of shots that I took myself. And, of course, once the covers were done, I had to create a trailer to show them off, right?


So, that's what I've been up to lately--along with formatting Inked Memories for print, and exploring possibilities for an audio version. I'm even thinking of narrating it myself. There's that control issue again. I really should do something about that one of these days. 

I'd love your thoughts on what I should focus on next. Another rebuild of my websites? That's always good for a few day's work. Print versions of some of my digital only releases? (I'm looking at YOU LA Love Lessons!) More audiobooks? Or, you know, maybe I could do something really different, like writing another book. Now, there's a concept!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Pick Your Pleasure: Song and Dance version

Would you rather... have to sing karaoke in a crowded bar or dance in front of a packed theater?
  
pollcode.com free polls 

We've all got the Romantic Times Convention on the brain where, if you haven't heard already, we're bringing back Cover Model Karaoke with the Smutketeers. That, combined with the craziness that is Bourbon Street, got us thinking...is singing or dancing in public the lesser evil?

Skylar: I would choose dancing (no karaoke here!) and do the cha cha--just bring me a good dance partner!
Erin: Dancing. Hokey pokey! Or the chicken dance. I'm good at the chicken dance.
Kelly: I would totally rather do the Cupid Shuffle in front of a crowd. Lookin' at YOU, Naughty Nine.
Meg: Singing. Maybe "I Still Miss Someone" or "If I Needed You"
PG: Put me down for Kelly's crew. I used to have a voice. Sigh.
Kinsey: Dancing, completely. I'm not a bad dancer but my singing voice is kind of painful to listen to.
Kate: Definitely sing. I can belt out a show tune if you get a glass of wine in me.
Juniper:
I'd dance if it was Saturday Night Fever style. With a hottie in a white suit. And I was on some kind of mind-altering hallucinogen.
Sydney:
Dancing all the way. Would love to be part of a flash mob sometime!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

5 Awesome Things about Fireman Heroes



As the author of five books and two novellas featuring firemen, I’m here to let you in on some little-known facts about these smokin’ hot heroes. Sure, you probably already know the basics. They put out fires, they drag hoses, they look really really great in their turnouts. But did you know: 

Most firefighters are also trained as paramedics. So if you’re on a date with a fireman and you choke on your triple layer raspberry fudge cake, he can save your life. Major points!

Firefighters love to play pranks during their down time at the firehouse. This means they can go from mischievous jokester to deadly serious professional in half a second flat. Gotta love a guy who keeps things interesting, right?



Many firefighters become expert at cooking for big groups, but they’re not all meat-and-potatoes guys. One Texas firefighter put his entire firehouse on a vegan, low-cholesterol diet and the whole crew lost weight. While doing my research, I’ve found that firefighters defy stereotypes, which makes them really fun to write about. 


Firefighters field all sorts of strange calls. In a crisis, they’re the ones people often turn to. But did you know one firefighter training manual actually has a section on how to respond to an alien encounter? Firemen have to be prepared for anything. That’s guaranteed to make you feel safe. In case of alien invasion, I recommend you stay close to a fireman.




As I recently discovered on a Hawaiian beach, in many ocean-adjacent communities, the lifeguards are actually part of the fire department. They’re the ones who swim out to rescue kids caught up in the currents. While wearing official issue board shorts. Fireman/lifeguard? How’s that for a combo?





 

Have I convinced you that firemen make droolworthy heroes, or were you already a fan? 

Jennifer Bernard's most recent fireman book is FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FIREMAN, available now at bookstores and e-tailers everywhere. 




iTuneshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/book/four-weddings-and-a-fireman/id660527035?mt=11