Summer is Underway!

In a few days, Cardinal Virtue will celebrate it’s two month book birth! Crazy to think that after four years of writing it, it’s already getting so big!

A wise woman compared the process of writing and publishing a novel to that of child-rearing. While I don’t have children of my own, she framed it in a relatable metaphor. The most memorable part of the metaphor came when I found myself in the “dark night of the soul” doldrums of editing. This is the stage when you don’t think you can get your child out on its own to succeed because it keeps being uncommunicative and giving you attitude. And you’re praying to whatever deity you believe in to just get this kid where they need to be. Preferably out of the house. That’s all any parent wants, right? For their child to succeed?

Well, unless that child turns out to be a serial killer…

Anyway!

The metaphor served as a great kick in the butt to just DO IT, let the book baby go, cut the apron strings, and allow it to soar!

So far, everyone has given positive feedback for Cardinal Virtue, and I have to say that it’s great to hear my baby’s doing well! The lifeblood of an author often thrives on reviews. Which is why I am humbly asking that if you have read Cardinal Virtue, please leave an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads! Also, if you loved Cardinal Virtue and know others that would too, please pass along the recommendation! Tell your friends! Your neighbors! Your dogs! Your Cousin’s Husband’s College Roommate! I will be eternally grateful!

On another note, here in the Northern Hemisphere, we recently celebrated the summer solstice, the beginning of summer, when the days drag longer but somehow it’s August before you know it.

Summer time means many things to someone like me. First and foremost, it means school’s out for summer! I can now attempt to sleep in, binge watch more streaming shows, and… well, you know, write more.

As it happens, the summer solstice will also play a roll in the next book in the Eastfall series! Yes, there will be a book two, as I’ve been asked that question many times. You haven’t seen the last of Lara Nadeau; however, you will have to wait a bit to see her again. The next book — haven’t settled on a title yet, but when I do, you’ll be the first to know! — will center around Jennifer Cassidy, whom you briefly met in Cardinal Virtue. Prepare for Outlander vibes and a whole pie-in-the-face serving of Arthurian lore! I will be working on book two during July for Camp NaNoWriMo! But more on that in an upcoming blog post!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the kind words for Cardinal Virtue. I really am a proud mama!

Ciao, friends!

J.R.

Update on My 2020 Goals

Happy April, everyone!

Boy, it has been a wild ride since January 1st hit, huh?

Like you and everyone else, I am spending a lot of time at home these days, which has been quite an adjustment. I’m naturally an introvert, so it’s going better for me than I imagine it is for others, but still the cabin fever sets in.

I haven’t seen my students since March 13 — over a month! — and I’m really feeling the loss of that daily interaction. While I’ve been spending time cobbling together virtual lessons, I also have consulted my 2020 Goals list to see what I’ve accomplished and what I could work on.

I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve probably accomplished three of those twenty so far. In my defense, one goal involves making it to a hockey game, and now that may be impossible for me to fulfill.

However, there is one goal on my list I’ve been working hard to make possible:

20. Publish Cardinal Virtue.

And guess what? IT’S HAPPENING!

Two weeks from today, May 5th, I will publish my debut novel Cardinal Virtue, the first in the Eastfall Saga!!

You’re probably like “WHOA! This came outta left field!”

Well, maybe, but I’ve been working on this damn thing for four years, and it’s FINALLY TIME TO GET IT OUT THERE!

“Well, Jenn, what the hell is your book even about?” you wonder.

My friend, ask and ye shall receive.

Here is the full blurb:

A beloved schoolteacher, her gruesome death, and a series of cryptic symbols left behind by the killer are just the beginning…

Police legacy Lara Nadeau never thought she would find herself anywhere but her beloved Boston. However, after the death of her father and one too many missteps on the job, she is transferred to Eastfall: a small, charming city near Salem. Wracked with grief and haunted by a hostage situation gone horribly wrong, Lara spirals into a toxic mire of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. She hoped the slow pace of small town policing might be a calm retreat to help set her back on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, not long after her arrival to idyllic Eastfall, a brutal, ritualistic murder of a beloved educator sends the community reeling. To make matters worse, the prime suspect is the police chief’s son, Police Sergeant Zachariah Braddock. Charming and handsome, Zach has a few demons of his own, but is he capable of such atrocities?

Lara’s only wish is to return to Boston and prove she is not her past mistakes, but one death was only the beginning. A sequence of peculiar murders of local women, a house with a mind of its own, and the return of an old flame, threatens to derail her. If Lara can’t overcome her own personal demons to help find the killer in time, her chances of clearing her name and saving her own life, will be dead in the water.

“Okay, I’ll bite. Sounds intriguing. What does your front cover look like?”

I can give you that too!

Drum roll, please!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TA DA!!

Isn’t it gorgeous?? All the cred goes to Caroline Teagle Johnson for designing this beauty. Thanks, Caroline!

SO… stay tuned! My book will be available May 5th through Amazon in ebook and print format. I will post a link as soon as it’s live! If you haven’t already, please consider following my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for updates aaaaand maybe be on the look out for signed copy giveaways!

Stay safe and STAY HOME!

Ciao, friends!

Jenn or rather… J.R.

Thankful

I had not realized, until five minutes ago, my last blog post was from July, on the occasion of RWA19. It feels only yesterday I got to meet my absolute idol, the Queen Bee herself: J.R. Ward. Upon reflection of where I’ve been since, and even before, I realized this has been one hell of a year. And there’s a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful for… My Job

In June, I rounded out my first year of teaching. It progressed better than other experiences I’ve heard about, but by no means was perfect. The most valuable thing I learned? This is my calling. I have found no greater joy than in teaching History. Now, half way through the second quarter of my second year, this revelation has not changed. I have a fantastic support system in my coworkers, and I appreciate my students. Even on the days when I want to strangle them.

I am thankful for… My Family and Friends

I have the best family. We’re not a perfect family, but whose is? We stretch from Florida to Maine, Connecticut to California, and yet, we thrive. I’m especially thankful for the safe return of my cousin from Afghanistan. She’s doing fantastic things as a Navy doc, but damn, I’m glad she’s home. I’m thankful for the support my family gives me in all things: writing, traveling, you name it they support it. Except for maybe ritual animal sacrifice…

I have the best friends. To Kathryn, my fellow writer, my soul sister, I owe everything. She inspired me to work towards publication, she inspired me to join writing groups, she inspired me. No words can express how thankful and happy I am to have her in my life. To my other friends, I’m thankful for the movies we’ve gone to see. I’m thankful to see another of my closest friends soon to be married to the love of her life. I am thankful for the laughs.

I am thankful for… My Craft.

As anyone close to me knows, I’m not the most outwardly confident in my writing. I never have been, and never fully will. But, I’m thankful for the minutes of bravery it took for me to hire an editor and a cover artist for the novel I hope to publish next year. I’m thankful for the writing conferences and workshops I’ve been able to attend throughout this year. My skills can only go up from here.

I am thankful for… Opportunity

I’ve done a few things this year that were way out of the norm for me:

• Over Spring Break, I traveled to Germany to visit my cousin, and had an opportunity to take a stop off in Dublin.

• I went to New York for a writer’s conference, and thanks to the generosity of the best woman out there, I got to see Phantom of the Opera live on stage. As mentioned above, I met my favorite author, J.R. Ward, got a picture with her, and listened to what was basically an hour pep talk about writing, and not giving a f**k about what people think.

• When I returned from New York, I adopted the sweetest and bestest dog on the planet, and named her Juno. I am thankful every day to have the love of such a furry cutie.

• I gave a few professional development presentations this year as well, spreading my enjoyment of the escape room phenomenon in the classroom. Also, I was nominated content team lead for World History.

• For 12 weeks, I took a local department’s Citizen Police Academy, and came away with a plethora of knowledge and fun memories, a notable memory being the ride along I participated in. Not to mention, my fellow classmates elected me class president, and flexed my writing skills for the speech I gave at our graduation. I received many compliments. Oh, and not only was I president, but I also earned “Top Gun” overall for the class at the gun range.

I am thankful for… WW

Yes, WW, more commonly known as Weight Watchers. Since given the suggestion by another fantastic friend, I joined WW and have lost 27 pounds to date. I’m still a long way from my goal, but I’m proud of the progress I made. I’m thankful for the drive I have to go to the gym. It isn’t a chore when you go for personal training sessions with someone who is not only your trainer, but a close friend. Dani, I’m at this point because of you. I’ll always value your positivity and your cheerleading. I’ve found a confidence in myself I hadn’t realized was there before. Not to mention… I’M ACTUALLY WEARING DRESSES! LE GASP!

---

This list is by no means exhausted. I’m thankful for the food I eat, the roof over my head, the bed I sleep in, my car, my clothing… you get the idea. I’m most likely leaving something major out, but know, whatever it is, I am also thankful for. I can’t help it, I’m a Hufflepuff, I’m thankful for literally everything, even the person that cuts me off on the road.

So, in this season of thanks, I challenge you, dear reader, to reflect upon the things you are grateful for this year.

Ciao friends!

Jenn

RWA 2019!

This blog post is a bit late, but nonetheless, I have returned from #RWA19 (Romance Writers of America Conference) and had a blast! The following blog post will be a play-by-play of my time in the Big Apple, and an update on the Amateur Makeover progress!

Tuesday: July 23, 2019

Below, you will find a gallery of some of the pictures I took on our first day.

The train left surprisingly promptly at 6:05am. Let me tell you, if you have not traveled by train before, you're missing out. It was a ton of fun, and it was CHEAP.

We rolled into Penn Station around 11:30am, and made the trek to the Marriott Marquis, which was not but a 15ish minute walk from the train station. The hotel is MASSIVE. Floors upon floors, complete with not just conference space, but a whole dang theater. Luckily, the front desk clerk checked us into our room early, and what a helluva view of Times Square!

After settling in, we then ventured out to take part in a Masquerade themed escape room at Escape Rook Madness. This room made our 20th (or maybe 21st?). Regardless, we put another win in our books. Without giving away clues to the room, I have to say, it was very impressive. Highly recommend if you are ever in Manhattan, and finding some down time.

As it turned out, the Masquerade theme was wildly appropriate for the next event of the evening. First, though, we partook in Junior's, which was AMAZING. So good. The milkshakes were on point, and the burger was heavenly. Next, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

GUYS, I am not a musical theater person by any stretch, but one of my all time faves if POTO. To see it on Broadway, complete with falling chandelier, made this entire trip, to be honest. Thanks for treating me to tickets, Kathryn!

As a side note, spotted Tracey Morgan eating at Junior's. This ticks off yet another celebrity siting in NYC.

Wednesday: July 24, 2019

Wednesday was the official start of the conference. After grabbing our registration bags, we sought out some lunch (BLT at this great diner). Like my name tag? They had alllll these cool ribbons you stack, so you know how to identify people. For instance, this was my first RWA conference, hence the first timer ribbon. "Pantser" means an author crafts their novel without plotting ahead of time. I think I consider myself more of a "Plantser" which is combining Plotter/Pantser, but they didn't have those ribbons. Some people had cleverly cut up the ribbons to make their own "Plantser" tag. The other ribbons are meant to denote what genres someone primarily writes in.

After a three hour long "Anatomy of a Scene" workshop, Kathryn and I decided to take the express elevator up to The View, which is a rotating restaurant. Not gonna lie, felt really lightheaded and motion sick, which is very much a rare thing for me. Boats, planes, cars, etcetera, I'm fine. But something about the elevator and the slow movement had me feeling some kind of way. Regardless, it was super cool, and afforded a gorgeous view of the city.

Thursday: July 25, 2019

Day Two of the conference consisted of more workshops! I definitely learned some very interesting tips to incorporate into my writing. The Golden Heart Luncheon also happened on this day, which meant unpublished authors were being awarded prizes for their work. Dinner was John's of Time Square, which is a restaurant built into an old church. It was an incredibly beautiful place, and the pizza was... whooo. Lemme tell you.

Friday: July 26, 2019

I have to admit that of all the days, Friday was my favorite.

Since I was a junior in high school, I've been reading this phenomenal series by J.R. Ward. I have a high school friend of mine to thank for getting me into these books. It is a paranormal series about a secret race of vampires that aren't your average bloodsuckers. Oh no, they're more than that. Without going into too many of the details, these books I've been reading for going on 16 years, have truly gotten me through some tough ass times. Jennifer L. Armentrout gave the keynote address at the continental breakfast this Friday morning. In her speech, Jennifer got really deep and personal about the power of books. These books by J.R. Ward are truly powerful to me. She has made this vast body of work that seems nearly real, and the characters like family. It was truly an honor (and a laugh, because this woman is f**king hysterical), to have gotten a chance to hear her speak and to pose for a picture with her.

My mind reeling, feeling invigorated and inspired, lunch was spent at an Irish Pub called the Mean Fiddler. Of course, I had to have a Guinness. On the way back to the hotel, I caught sight of the Scientology building. I didn't want to go inside, lest I was unable to leave.

The day/night was far from over, though. Kathryn and I got dolled up and attended the RITA awards, basically the Oscars for Romance writers. It was another great honor to see J.R. Ward win a RITA for Dearest Ivie (this was like her 3rd or 4th!). The entire award ceremony was amazing and inspiring, despite the fact it was mired in controversy over the fact that most of the nominees were white women. It was cool, however, to see the first black women win a RITA. Observing this, and getting down at the after party, made me realize these women (and some men) are truly my tribe. I realized, as well, two things:

1. I want to be a Romance author.

2. I want to win a RITA (and preferably have J.R. Ward present it to me).

It was sad to leave New York skyline behind, but I left with a different mindset. On the train ride home, Kathryn helped me to outline a new story idea. I won't say much, but I am pretty excited about it... if only I could actually start writing it!

Amateur Makeover: Home Office Edition Update

Within the next week, I wager, the new flooring will be in the home office! I'll be able to share some pictures of the new flooring, and then the finished product! Still need to get to IKEA for some bookshelves, but it WILL be complete, and WILL be my little writing sanctuary.

I think I'll actually need to get some plants...

And hopefully not kill them.

Ciao friends!

Jenn

P.S. MY BEST FRIEND'S BOOK WAS PUBLISHED TUESDAY! Check it out at her website!

Amateur Makeover: Home Office Edition (Part I)

Yes, I know. I'm horrible at blog up-keep. I've never been able to keep a steady journal. The reason being, mostly, because I always (and still do) believed I had nothing exciting to write about.

Here's to hoping I can be more driven and make some excitement!

Summer time for a teacher can be tough.

What's my purpose? How do I pass the time? THANK GOD for summer though, am I right??

How does this teacher pass her time? When not plugging away, earning money at my part-time job (thanks, student loans), I've begun to revamp my home office space. Once upon a time, this space made up my childhood bedroom; lots of angst ridden years as a pre-teen and teen. It was time for a face lift: a coat of paint, new flooring, and new furniture.

Part one of the reno: new paint.

The fantastic Kathryn helped make this job incredibly easy. White walls soon transformed into an Ellie Gray landscape thanks to Sherwin Williams. It's absolutely gorgeous. These pictures don't do it justice.

Part two will be new flooring. Part three will be moving in the new furniture.

I will keep you updated as this project progresses, but I am super thrilled for the finished product of my own little writing nook! By the end of summer, it will done! Next project? My bedroom.

On the writing front, I am editing at a snail's pace. Maybe slower than a snail, if I'm honest. I complete a chapter probably once a week. It's horrible, I know. I'm working on it...

HOWEVER... I am partnering with a fantastic graphic designer to go ahead and create my book cover. I am absolutely thrilled to be commissioning this wonderful designer. She did amazing work with my bestest's book cover. I can't wait to see what ideas she has for me!

Okay, I think that's about all the updates.

BUT WAIT... NO, THERE'S MORE!

In a week's time, I'll be livin' large in NYC at the Romance Writers' of America annual conference! Broadway plays, an escape room, breakout sessions... OH MY! I can't wait to report back on the goings-on!

Until then...

Ciao, friends!

The Writer's Struggle

Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Happy Ostara (little bit late but...)! Happy Sunday!

In trying to figure out a topic to write for my blog post this week, it soon became apparent that the answer resided in the struggle...

No... will... to... write...

At the beginning of the month, I had every intention of participating in Camp NaNoWriMo. I wrote a little less than 1,000 words while sitting in Dublin Airport, and haven't written since. There are moments where the urge to write comes, but by the time I actually sit down to write... I end up sitting down to watch Netflix or something of that sort.

I don't know what it is that makes the block fall into place more often than not. When I'm on my game, I'm on my game, churning out thousands of words in a day.

And when I'm not on my game, I go days, maybe even weeks, without writing a word (not counting keeping up with this blog).

I wish I knew what I could do to fix this. A lot of advice says to "just sit and write."

What happens when you can't get yourself to do even that?

Maybe I'm lacking internal motivation? Maybe I don't want it badly enough?

I just wish I could figure it out...

Any other writers out there experience this level of... well... apathy? Any suggestions on how to combat this?

It's almost Game of Thrones time, and then the start of a new school week. We're at about T-Minus 38 days and counting...

Ciao, friends!

Urlaub ist vorbei.

Hallo meine Lieben! I have returned from Germany, and assimilated back into the real world.

I had so much fun in Germany with my cousin, and also very much enjoyed my brief stint in Dublin. Here's a brief description of my trip:

---

Sunday: Arrived in Dublin. Checked into my hotel, and headed into the city. First stop was Trinity College and the Book of Kells. All very cool. The Long Room was my favorite, by far. Afterward, I went to the National Museum of Ireland: Archeology, and saw a whole bunch of really cool and very old artifacts. Got some EXCELLENT lamb stew and a Guinesses in a very cool pub, and then went for my walking ghost tour.
Dublin is probably my new favorite city. Never once felt unsafe walking around by myself, and everyone is kind and acts as though they've known you their whole life!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Monday: Made it to Germany, and got to take a train to Kassel, where my cousin is! The view of the countryside was breathtaking, with windmills off in the distance and solar panels that all belie Germany's want for clean energy. Rendez vous-ed with my cousin, and we walked around downtown Kassel, talking by the river and through a park. Then, we grabbed Ethiopian food, which was something I had never eaten before, and it was delicious. The rest of the evening was spent at her apartment resting and relaxing.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Tuesday: Kassel is, apparently, well known and famous for its hillside park, built by a rich dude a long time ago. After grabbing a bite of lunch (delicious), we took public transportation up the hill to the top, and then progressed slowly down. What a beautiful place! There is a fake aqueduct, a fake medieval castle, and a schloss (palace). There were so many steps and downhill bits that our legs were sobbing by the end of it. We then met one of my cousin's friends for voner, or vegan doner, which is basically schwarma. The evening was spent cackling away at comedic movies back at my cousin's apartment.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Wednesday: It was up early to take a train to Wurzburg, a place devestated by bombing in World War II. Wurzburg is a city in Bavaria, which is where you see more traditional German culture (at least how Americans might percieve traditional German culture). There were beautiful cathedrals, the second oldest bridge in Germany, and fantastic open-air markets. I gave bratwurst a try, spätzle, and real, legit pretzel! We took a turn around the prince-bishop's residence, which was absolutly elegant and ornate. And then we headed back to Kassel, where we relaxed again, and watched a movie.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Thursday: After sleeping in a little too long, we headed for a marketplace that kind of reminded me of one I saw in Budapest. We ate lunch, and then headed back through downtown, meandering our way to the Grimm museum. Before we got there, we stumbled upon a medieval fair, with guys in armor going full tilt at each other, sparring. It was a pleasant surprise, and very cool to see. So, apparently, the Grimm Brothers spent a lot of their lives in Kassel, compiling a German dictionary that they never finished. They were commissioned for ten years to put it together, but after 25 years, they died having only reached the letter "D." It was one of the coolest museums I've ever seen, and I very much enjoyed learning their story. I've always loved the Grimm's tales! Afterward, we ate at this amazing burger joint, and went back to another of my cousin's friend's apartment to relax and chat and watch a movie.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Friday: Friday was spent in Frankfurt, as I would be leaving SUPER early the next day. Frankfurt is also a fantastic city. It's the home of the Euro, other financial/banking, beautiful cathedrals, a gorgeous riverwalk along the Main, and a neat archeology museum. We packed it in early, stopping at a grocery store for some snacks (we had dim sum for lunch, sooo good), and chilled. A great conclusion to a fantastic but brief European vacay.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Saturday: Literally 24 hours of travel. I was down for the count on Sunday. Also, IcelandAir names their planes. I love that.

• 

• 

• 

Thank you to my cousin, the inestimable Maxine, for hosting me on this trip. I had so much fun, and most of all, I was very happy to see her! I hope she rocks her thesis!

---

Now, as the infamous Eminem states, it's back to reality. The first week back flew. And we have about 43 more days of school. I can handle that!

What I apparently CAN'T handle is Camp NaNoWriMo! I wrote about a thousand words the first week while I was in Germany, but haven't written since. How does a person consistently write? By forcing yourself to write? That doesn't work for me, because I talk myself out of it. Maybe I just don't want it badly enough?

I think a goal for this summer is going to be reevaluating, and trying to glean what it is I want out of writing. The Romance Writer's Conference may help with that, or maybe not. We'll see!

Until next week, and HAPPY GAME OF THRONES NIGHT!

Ciao, friends!

The Week Before

The days leading up to any substantial break is always a nightmare for teachers. Though this is only my first year teaching, I have my student teacher experience to reflect on. It's a long haul through the desolate months from Winter Break to Spring Break, and last year was no different. March is the absolute worst month, as the days seem to drag with little to no half days or days off. The students drag as well, and heck... so do teachers.

This coming week consists of 4 and 1/2 days, instead of the usual 5.

Will we survive it?

Of course we will, because we are teachers, and we endure. Whether we get through the week unscathed; however, is another matter.

All whining aside, it is astounding how quickly this year has passed. It seems only yesterday I finished my student teacher experience, and began the job search. Some days have been harder than others, but no job is absolutely perfect. You've got to take the little victories as they come. For instance, I participated in the Faculty-Seniors Basketball game, which was a fundraiser for After Prom. I had an absolute blast, and even received compliments on my skills the next day.

Despite these little victories, it will be an uphill battle, commencing tomorrow, but I'm armed with what I need to survive it. I'm going to get my students, and myself, up over the breach, and down into the valley below, filled with flowers, video games, junk food, and whatever else these kids do for Spring Break.

The week before a break, the pressure is also on from the higher ups. They urge us to keep students occupied from bell to bell, and to avoid playing movies. It's hard, because the kids don't want to work, and half the time, teachers don't want to either. But, again, we endure. We press on. We complete our sacred duty to enrich the minds of America's youth. Yes, it may often be a thankless job, but someone's got to do it.

The count down begins tomorrow...

Onwards and upwards, teachers and students! 'Do not go gentle into that good night'!

Ciao, friends!

P.S. There will be a brief break of blog posts, as I will be in Dublin next Sunday. But you will hear all about my Spring Break adventures the Sunday after!

The Return

In the immortal words of Monty Python: "I'm not dead!"

Wow, it's hard to believe I've neglected to write a blog post for 6 whole months. And there I was, on a roll...

Here is my triumphant return to the blogosphere, my attempt to kickstart my groove once more. What has happened since I last wrote? To be honest, nothing earth-shattering, but herein lies the highlights.

Firstly, I survived my first semester of teaching! At this point, we are about halfway through the 3rd quarter, which will end just before the first week of April, which is our Spring Break! It's going well. It's not perfect, by any stretch, and there are days I want to pull my hair out, but all-in-all, I still believe I picked the right profession. I've done some fun things with my history classes, one of which will be a mock trial involving Robespierre and the Reign of Terror, starting tomorrow! I've truly made great friends with some of my fellow teachers, and also have fostered great relationships with my students.

Part of my New Years' Resolution was to take my writing to the next level, or as much as I could. So, I used Reedsy, a fantastic site for hiring freelance editors, and beyond, for your writing needs. I commissioned my very own editor, Lauren Hughes, and I have to say that I've loved every moment of it. Lauren did a developmental assessment on Cardinal Virtue, and the feedback was incredibly positive and constructive. I can't wait to dive into editing.

In other writing news, I've begun working on the next in the Eastfall series. The working title is The Stones of Avebury, and is going to be Outlander meets Arthuriana. It'll be my attempt at tackling more of historical Arthur, than legendary Arthur. I'm ecstatic about it, and will submit an excerpt to the Hearts Through History chapter of the Romance Writers of America (which I have joined). Speaking of, I also submitted Cardinal Virtue to the Kiss of Death chapter of RWA. We will see how that goes!

As for the weight loss front... I'm not where I want to be. But is anyone ever where they want to be? I'm still working on it, and have been going to the gym under a personal trainer since October. It's a process, and I will continue to discuss that in my blog posts, as well as discuss my writing, and the research I'm doing for The Stones of Avebury.

Now that you're caught up, I will bid you adieu until next week.

Ciao, friends!

I Survived!

It is Sunday. Monday is looming before me (all of us really). I will begin my second week of teaching.

Needless to say, you can consider this proof that I survived the first week!It wasn't perfect by any stretch. The early morning wake ups are horrendous, but it sure is nice when 2:05 p.m. comes around and I'm done for the day. Prilosec has become my closest friend, I have discovered. When the gastric juices are flowing a little too much because of nerves, Prilosec calmed the storm.So far, my students have been decent. Of course, we are still in that blessed honeymoon phase. Everyone has been well behaved, even the Freshmen. One can hope that it will hold out as long as it can. The key is being consistent with your own rules and expectations, and coming down on infractions when you see them. You don't want to be the bad guy, but you have to assert your authority as the adult in the room. It's difficult when you're a person who isn't exactly a hardass, but you don't want to be that person that rolls over either. "Don't smile until Christmas," they say. Well shoot, I'm tryin'!What I hope to see out of this next week is a bit more student engagement. I'm at the front of the room, acting a fool, and I'm getting zero reaction. Questions are flying everywhere, trying to get someone to answer, and all I'm receiving in return are blank faces. Alright guys, I get it. You're tired on the first week back because you've been staying up late all summer. It's go time now, kiddos. Let's do it!Here's to week two, and only 176 more school days to go!

Ciao, friends!

Pack Your Bags!

IMG_2309

GASP!TWO UPDATES FROM ME IN LESS THAN A WEEK?HOLY COW!I felt as though I would make a quick blog post to share some news! But first...Check out breakfast for dinner over here!Bacon (and yes, it's regular bacon, whoops), scrambled eggs, fruit salad, and the Cinna-Yums from one of Joy Bauer's cookbooks. DELISH. Also, A LOT. Could probably do with about half of everything, but that is a lesson learned for next time.Monday marks the halfway point for the Dietbet. I WANT TO DO IT! I WANT THAT MONEY!!Also, tomorrow, I am attending an educational technology conference. I'm super excited! There are door prizes, grand prizes, and the coolest of all... FOOD TRUCKS. I won't go crazy with the food trucks, but I may just have a teeny-tiny breakfast to make up for it...Tomorrow is my first Sisters in Crime meeting! I am excited to attend after having just joined the national organization a few days ago. Can't wait to be a part of a chapter. There is supposed to be a retired police officer there to tell us about crime scenes. Woot!This morning, I had a hit of inspiration for a short story. It's actually romance, and it is set in the same universe as the novel I am currently drafting. I'm excited about the story, and hopefully I can get it written up before I lose the drive!Okay, now... on to the news I mentioned at the beginning of this post...Drum roll, please...*drum roll sounds*Today, I booked plane tickets to visit my cousin who is earning her Master's degree at a university in Germany.GERMANY. FOR SPRING BREAK!It'll be a whirlwind of a trip, but I am excited to go. Not only that, but I will have a nice little stopover in DUBLIN.YES, DUBLIN.I DID THIS ON PURPOSE TO GO TO A PLACE I'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF GOING!Of course, less than 24 hours isn't enough to experience Ireland...Ah well, that means I'll just have to go back!I'm going to be absolutely whooped by the end of this trip, but you know... life's too short. I can catch up on sleep over the summer! Just in time for the Romance Writers of America conference which I will be attending with my BFF in NYC!Kathryn and Jenn take Manhattan!Sounds like a good movie, doesn't it?Ciao, friends!

Happy Weekend!

IMG_2094

I am back with a new blog post FINALLY! So much for at least keeping to one post a week. Whoops...Last Saturday, I attended the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival. It is a free festival, open to anyone, and a great way to support local mystery authors. I went last year and won the grand prize of their Clue-like mystery game. Unfortunately, they did not have one this year, mostly because the headliner is the one that organizes the game.You want to know who the headliners were this year? Well, you may recognize the name of one of them, and that would be the one and only Charlaine Harris.Please forgive the crappy quality of this picture, but that is Charlaine on the right!If I'm honest, I didn't particularly get excited over the Sookie Stackhouse books. However, I LOVED True Blood. I know, I know... True Blood deviated from the books, but they were still Ms. Harris' characters. If Alan Ball hadn't picked up Dead After Dark, there wouldn't have been a True Blood.It also doesn't help that I'm not fond of cozy mysteries. They're too clean-cut for me. I need some grit and some darkness! I need a tortured soul! I need angst!Anyway! I had a lot of fun at the festival, attended a couple of panels, and spent well over $100 on books. Hella convenient that I got paid the day before...If you happen to find yourself without something to read and you love mysteries, I would suggest:

• Scandal in the Secret City by Diane Fanning

• Swiss Vendetta by Tracee de Hahn

• Lady of Ashes by Christine Trent

I purchased all three at last year's Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival, and only now just got to reading them. I blame the fact that my "To Read" pile is about a mile high. I enjoyed the first two immensely, and I'm almost done with the third, but have liked it enough to give it a plug! I bought the sequels to all of them, and more, at the fest, so I can't wait to dive in.Speaking of...How is your own writing progressing, Jenn?Well, friend, I'm glad you asked! I just finished Chapter 6 of my manuscript, and am teetering on the edge of 11k words. Honestly, to most writers, it may not seem like a lot. To me... it's an astounding amount. I've hand drawn a map of my setting and I've written out the administrative structure of the shady corporation. Not to mention my Post-It note outline...Le gasp!Yes, an outline! I'm a self-proclaimed pantser, but it's nice to have a rough outline. I actually feel like I may finish something! AMAZING!Now, updates on the healthy lifestyle journey...My mom and I have taken to sitting at the formal dining room table, and eating by candlelight. It actually is a lot of fun.

As you can see in the pictures above, we also have a visitor to our nightly meals. Minerva 

really

eyed up our food, lemme tell you...You know, it's kind of amusing when you don't exercise for a week and you drop about 2 pounds which is more than you lost while exercising nearly every day!HOW DOES THAT WORK?I have decided to exercise every other day now, but still, of course, stick to counting my calories and making healthy eating choices.Remember when I said I made a bet on myself to lose weight?Well, my Dietbet challenge is nearly halfway over and I'm halfway to winning the bet! The pot is at $3,465 and there are 99 of us playing. The pot will be split amongst the winners, so I'll be anxious to see if I can win this bet!I think those are about all the updates I have for you. I promise that I will try my best to be more consistent in posting!Before I go, though, I want to leave you with this gem of a text conversation that I had with my little brother the other day:

fullsizeoutput_21d

I think I'm

hilarious

.Ciao, friends!

Measurements, Take Two!

Current Date of Measurement: August 1, 2018

Previous Date of Measurement: July 2, 2018

Weight: 293 lbs --> 285 lbsWaist: 53 in. --> 47.5 in.Hips: 63 in. --> 62 in.Thighs (left): 31 in. --> 31 in.Chest: 55 in. --> 53in.Arms (left upper): 17.5 in. --> 17.5 in.I meant to post this update yesterday, but completely forgot about it! It has been a month, my friends, since I started this journey! A month since I began this blog! A month since I began the lifestyle changes that were long overdue! In red are my new measurements. The other text were my previous measurements.I may not have gone far in my weight loss goals, but I have made progress in other measurements! Gotta see the positive in everything right?Also, I decided to add a new measurement, because I kind of forgot about it last time:Neck: 15.8 in.I'll include the update next time!Ciao, friends!

Update, Update, Update!!

Okay, I know, I know... it's been a while, right? Nearly a week since my last update, but I am still here and kickin'!Some updates...Tried a new recipe from one of Joy Bauer's books. My awesome nutritionist allowed me to borrow the book, and man, did I get some good recipes.

IMG-2064

Feast your eyes on "General Joy's Chicken"!However, don't be fooled by appearances. It may look tasty, but it... wasn't? It wasn't

awful

, but it wasn't the most delicious thing I've ever tasted either. I'm not sure if I did something wrong with the recipe, or if it was something else, but man... it

tasted

salty. Which is odd, considering that the majority of the ingredients had no salt or were low sodium.Ah well. Joy, you've given us some tasty recipes, and we still need to try out a few more, but I don't think I'll be adding this one to the repertoire.Something else new that I tried this week!I present to you... DESSERT HUMMUS:

IMG-2066

I know how it must sound, but look, it's

delish

. 80 calories for 2 tablespoons, paired with graham crackers and it's... -mimes kissing fingerprints- Haven't tried it with fruit, but I'm sure it will be really good!Full disclosure, Zumba last Sunday truly kicked my butt. I've continued to exercise, but I don't think I've fully recovered from the ordeal. I decided to rest Monday, today, and tomorrow. My joints feel like an old granny's (apologies to any old grannies reading this). I'll be back at it again, sweating with Jillian Michaels, on Monday!In addition to the delicious WIN of the dessert hummus, one dinner this week

was

a success. Take a gander at these zucchini boats:

IMG-2067

Ignoring the burnt bits of cheese that conveniently fell off and crisped up on the pan, these zucchini boats are super good, and fairly low cal! The "guts" of the boat are pieces of chicken, mushrooms, and summer squash, all in marinara sauce and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. I can't tell you enough how good this dish is.Also, my mom was craving carbs, so we added a little bit of noodles to curb that.All of this suffering through tasteless "healthy" Chinese food hasn't been in vain. I did get to do some cool stuff. Here are the results from my Marvel night masterpiece!

I'm no Van Gogh, but this came out pretty cool. Not sure what I'm going to put in it though...Another big event, and yes, it is a big event, was that I was graced with my cat's presence one morning.

IMG-2062

This never happens. Let me tell you. She's not at all cuddly or likes to be petted. When she gets this close to me, I take it as a victory.This is Minerva, my dilute torti cat. I love her, even though she hates me, and I'm pretty sure there are times that she wants to actually kill me. Probably in my sleep.Camp NaNo, at this point, might as well just not have happened. I am slowly but surely writing for a different project than the one I declared for Camp, but that's okay, because I'm writing! I'm not writing a lot, but

I am

writing. I'm sure my Now Novel mentor is chomping at the bit for the next chapter, so I better get on that, right?You guys ever heard of Dietbet? Basically, you bet money on yourself to lose weight, and after the challenge is through, if you won, you get to split the 'pot' with other winners. A co-worker and I signed up for one of the challenges! It's 4 weeks long, and we are challenged to lose 4% of our weight. For me, the number to lose is kind of daunting for 4 weeks, but I am determined to try!I promise I will get a little better with updates!Ciao, friends!