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.

Tis the Season

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about the things for which I am thankful. With the upcoming winter holidays, one should still be appreciative of the things and people in your life. The events of this weekend reminded me the true meaning of the holiday season, and the importance of the people I have in in my life.

It’s been a long time coming, but my little cousin graduated from James Madison University’s School of Nursing this weekend. Did I mention she also has a BS in Biology too? She’s a dynamo, for sure; a bright young girl that will be a fantastic nurse.

Another plus, I got to revisit my old stomping grounds, though JMU looks vastly different than when I graduated in 2011. It’s still the same beautiful, shining beacon of learning and good times in the Shenandoah Valley, though, and I am glad to see it thriving. The iconic Wilson Hall, where I got to watch my cousin’s pinning ceremony, is now the home of the History Department, the major I received as an undergraduate. It’s a gorgeous 1920s-ish style building, that got a much needed facelift recently. It’s still beautiful, and the epitome of JMU.

Waxing nostalgia aside, I am so flippin’ proud of the accomplishments of my cousin. She’s dealt with many hurtles in her life, much as I have, but she persevered, double majored, and will some day become a Nurse Practitioner. As I watched her walk across the stage at the formal graduation ceremony, pride welled, and a happiness for this beautiful, young woman that will soon strike out into the world and care for those in need. She’s truly a caring person, compassionate, and I can’t wait to see all she accomplishes.

Proving family isn’t always blood, I was also fortunate to attend a very, very good friend’s wedding nuptials. It was a small, intimate venue, very festive. The brides were absolutely gorgeous, made more so by the sheer fact they radiated their love for one another. Of course, I cried, as I always do at weddings. Another very good friend officiated the ceremony, her first time in fact, and did an absolutely amazing job. It was truly, deeply moving and gorgeous. To top this off, I got to see yet other very good, dear friends I had not seen in a long time. Reunited, we caught up, we boogied, we laughed, we cried, we drank, we ate, and perhaps most important of all, we enjoyed the strong presence of a years long friendship that endures.

I wish all the best for my friend and her new bride. I only hope to one day find the deep connection and love they share for one another. I also hope they’re enjoying their Disney honeymoon!

Until next week, my readers. I hope you can find the good in all, this holiday season, and find joy in the moments shared with family, both blood and chosen.

Ciao, friends!

Jenn

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!

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!

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!