Uncategorized – Page 28 – Jennifer Lane Books

Today I welcome awesome author Elisa Dane to the blog! First I’ll review her Young Adult romance Ex Factor, then I’ll interview her. Stick around for the giveaway at the end.

Ex-Factor by Elisa Dane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Truth and Consequences

Teenager Nev is a former gymnast whose life has undergone startling transitions. She gets uprooted to live with her aunt and cousin in northern California when her father dies and her mother succumbs to a debilitating illness. Not only is she disoriented in this new place, but she’s also overwhelmed by guilt. Just what secrets hide behind that guilt?

Nev’s cousin Livvie is on a competitive cheer team, X Factor, and Nev’s tumbling expertise makes her a shoo-in for the team. At first Nev balks at joining the Diamond Girls squad because tumbling in a gym sparks painful memories of her mother. But by flying through the air again, she slowly finds her footing, and her recovery is a beautiful thing.

It’s cool to catch a glimpse into the world of competitive cheer — a world the author clearly knows. The cheer coaches are so demanding and vulgar that I thought they were football coaches:

“Flyers! Pretend you’ve got a dollar bill stuck between your butt cheeks, and squeeze it ’til it screams!”

“I don’t care if you rip your pee pees, I want those toe touches up past your ears!”

Ew. LOL. Luckily the coaches have a soft side, and Nev forms some close friendships with her teammates.

Nev’s first encounter with a boy is charming playah Eli. Although Eli is supposedly dating Nev’s new friend Erin, Eli hits on Nev non-stop. Nev doesn’t want to hurt Erin’s feelings by telling her, but is also uncomfortable keeping his skeezeball behavior quiet.

Another boy, Bodie, is cold and rude to her. Too bad she tingles with good feels every time he’s around. But Bodie also has a checkered past, and maybe he is more attracted to her than he seems. I love how they share pieces of themselves, gradually unfurling their truths as they both face the consequences of their actions. They both feel damaged beyond repair.

For a minute, I was just a regular girl, he was just a regular boy, and we were both enjoying the moment.

Nev has a biting sense of humor:

I was pretty darn sure he had a thing for my hair, and there was a good part of me that wanted to pull a Marcia Brady and never wash the stuff again because he’d touched it.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! Nev’s attempt to heal, supported by Bodie, also packs an emotional punch, and I found myself tearing up in parts.

The story has a solid message about the dangers of drunk driving. My one complaint was Bodie’s term of endearment for Nev: Doll Face. It got a little repetitive for me.

Ex-Factor is book one in the Diamond Girl series, and thankfully book two: Unbreakable is also available. Roundoff-back handspring-double full!

View all my reviews

Jennifer Lane (JL): Ms. Lane welcomes Ms. Dane to the blog! I loved Ex Factor and look forward to Unbreakable. What inspired the series?

Elisa Dane (ED): Thanks for having me! I’m so glad you enjoyed Nev and Bodie’s story. I’ve wanted to write a contemporary YA involving cheerleaders for quite some time. All three of my girls have grown up in their cheer gym, and their dedication and passion for their sport inspires me daily. After attending the Every 15 Minutes mock crash and assembly during my oldest daughter’s senior year, I knew I had a story to tell and the series took off from there.

JL: What made you take Ex Factor in an emotional, dramatic direction?

ED: I was moved to tears by what I witnessed during the Every 15 Minutes assembly at my daughter’s school. The program that year was especially moving as the class lost one of their own to drinking and driving. Listening to a big, tough man weep over the senseless loss of his son marked me, and I knew if I felt as deeply about the subject, others would too. Drinking and driving is a HUGE problem, as is the invincibility complex most teens seem to struggle with. It’s always been my hope that Nev and Bodie’s story would make an impact on the reader and maybe keep them from making a fatal mistake.

JL: What are the biggest misunderstandings about competitive cheer?

ED: Oh, Lordy! There are quite a few. I think the biggest burn comes from those who say that All Star cheer isn’t a sport. I mean…c’mon! The International Olympic Committee recognizes the game of chess as a sport. Chess! Competitive cheer involves two and a half minute routine filled with running tumbling, standing tumbling, jumping, dance, and a mixture of daredevil stunts. The athletes train for countless hours conditioning and perfecting each of the required skills. My middle daughter made an all-girl level-5 team this season. That’s the highest level you can compete at before moving into the college cheer category. She trains five to six days a week for a minimum of four hours. Some days she’s at the gym in the morning, and then goes back for another practice in the afternoon. Competitive cheerleaders are athletic BEASTS and should be recognized as such. Well, in my opinion, anyway!

JL: How did your daughters get involved in cheerleading?

ED: This is our tenth year with our gym. Honestly, we’ve been there for so long, I’m not sure how we started! I’m pretty sure a mom from one of my daughter’s play groups told me about the gym, and things rolled from there. Our cheer gym has become a permanent part of our lives 🙂

JL: I’m one of three daughters. (Youngest children RULE!) What have been the joys and challenges of parenting three girls?

ED: Ha! My youngest daughter would agree with you! Raising three girls can be a challenge for sure. Especially when two of them cycle together. Eeeep! Despite the squabbling that sometimes occurs over misplaced articles of clothing and the like, I find raising three girls to be extremely rewarding. I love watching them mature and make good decisions. I love watching them succeed and school and at cheer. My girls are my biggest accomplishment.

JL: You are quite tech-savvy (thanks for your help with Instagram!) What helps you stay current with technology?

ED: Thank you! I’m always happy to help! Oh goodness… Desperation, maybe? Just kidding! I’m always on the hunt for ways to connect with my readers. I’m on pretty much every social media platform out there, however some I enjoy more than others. I LOVE Instagram and Youtube. The reach is huge and I feel like I really connect with people on those venues.

JL: Thank you for visiting the blog, Elisa! What’s next for you?

ED: Thanks for having me! Book #3 in the Diamond Girls series is currently with my editor at Swoon Romance. I can’t wait for you all to meet the hero, Ryker Vaughn! He’s a broken

fighter, and the perfect match for sassy Claire. Readers will need a box of tissues for this story as well 🙂

READERS: Enter the giveaway for an ebook of Ex Factor by leaving a comment with your email address.

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#IWSG Editing, Blurbs, Cover Design

July 2, 2014 Jennifer Lane

Happy July to all writers! Join us at Alex Cavanaugh’s blog for the monthly support group.

My favorite season is summer, especially swimming outside. Swimming a couple of miles is much more fun in the sunshine.

Americans, what are you doing July 4th? Attending a cookout like me? I’ll attempt these patriotic red velvet brownies (*points right*)

Check out the recipe HERE.

My editor and I are thick into edits for my fifth novel, Blocked.

We came up with a blurb (that was tough!) and posted it on Goodreads.

And now I’m getting quotes from cover designers. What do you think is a reasonable cost for a cover artist? I’ll likely pony up and pay a bit more than I’d planned in order to get the designer I want.

One thing I’ve noticed in editing is my typical writer mistakes. (Thank God for editors!) In the past, I’ve had shifty POV, but I think I’ve cleared that up. But I continue to struggle with the timeline. My editor has to ask “When is this happening?” or “Is this before or after Beergate?” I wrote out a timeline, chapter by chapter, so hopefully that will help.

A new problem with this manuscript seems to be my use of commas. Apparently, I use, commas, too much, at times. And at other times I don’t use commas enough. 😉

What writer mistakes haunt you?

I’m giving away a $10 gift card for the Freedom to Read Giveaway…feel free to enter below. Hope you have a wonderful July!

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Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop

July 1, 2014 Jennifer Lane

Thanks to Mary and Kathy for hosting this hop!

I love America. One thing that makes America great is FREEDOM. Not only freedom to read, but freedom to voice dissenting views on politics and religion.

Americans’ fierce political divide inspired my fifth novel Blocked. It’s a college volleyball romance between two individuals with polar opposite philosophies about the way the world should work:

College freshman Lucia Ramirez has a secret crush on Dane Monroe. He’s a tall drink of water — blond, brash, and one hell of a volleyball player. Hijole. Lucia hopes her volleyball scholarship to his school will make him notice her.

Too bad what’s noticeable is Dane’s obvious hatred for Lucia. Her family’s politics contradict everything he stands for. And politics are front and center in both their families. Dane’s mother is about to face Lucia’s father in the race for US President.

When Secret Service throws them together, Dane can’t deny his frustrating attraction to Lucia’s athletic curves and sweet faith in the world. Amid the intense pressure of college athletics and presidential politics, can opposites not just attract, but overcome overwhelming odds to be together? Or do their differences block their match from the start?

Blocked will launch before the midterm elections in November of 2014! Add it to your shelf now to catch the upcoming cover reveal.

To enter, complete the Rafflecopter form:

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And visit these blogs to win some booty!

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Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop

June 21, 2014 Jennifer Lane

My favorite part of summer? Swimming outside! We’re celebrating summer with this giveaway hop, hosted by Inspired Kathy.

I’m giving away my New Adult swimming romance Streamline as well as a $10 Amazon gift card.

Enter on the Rafflecopter:

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Now hop on over to participating blogs and win stuff!

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Then and Now Bloghop

June 13, 2014 Jennifer Lane

Now that we’re older and wiser, it’s time for this reflective, fun blog hop!

Thanks to the blog hop hosts with the most:

The Armchair Squid

Nicki Elson
Suze

Nan Mock

As the Squidster said on his blog, here’s a prompt for the hop:

The greatest films stand the test of time, speaking to us in different ways at various life stages. Is there a movie that was a part of your life when you were younger that you see differently now? Like fine wine, has it improved with age or did it die in the bottle? Has maturity brought you new insights you missed in your youth? We want to know all about it!

The movie I choose is the happy coming of age story Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

I adored this movie when it launched in 1986, my freshman year of high school. It was one of the funniest movies I’d ever seen. What a classic take on American high school.

I was a goody-two-shoes in school. I studied like a big ole nerd, and I didn’t have time or energy to misbehave due to swimming and volleyball. In contrast, this movie was all about FUN! I was so nervous when Ferris impersonated the sausage king of Chicago–that would be something I could never do.

There are some great lessons the characters teach us:

1) Focus on your own happiness. (Ferris’s sister Jeannie)
2) Use your voice. Stand up for yourself. (Ferris’s best friend Cameron)
3) Don’t worry so damn much. Things will work out! (Ferris)

Now that I’m in my forties, this movie is even more brilliant. I have an anxious brain that worries easily, and it’s important to remind myself to seize the day. I may not have the panache of Ferris, but I admire his spontaneity and faith in himself and his friends.

The teen romance was nice, but not a big part of the movie for me as a 9th grader. I now realize how important a great love story is. If a movie or book lacks a compelling romance, I don’t enjoy it as much. This is a sweet scene from FBDO:

How did you like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, then and now?

Now hop on over to participating blogs:

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Guest Post: How the Effects of Proper Health Affect Your Writing

June 9, 2014 Jennifer Lane

Being a psycho author, I sit a LOT. I sit doing psychotherapy all day long, then I sit at the computer to write at night. Not great for the waistline, back/neck, or overall health!

That’s why I thank guest blogger Rachael Cherry from Nanny Pro with this awesome advice to keep up your health as you write! Take it away, Rachael…

How the Effects of Proper Health Affect Your Writing

Being healthy is more than making sure your clothes continue to fit. Proper health affects every aspect of your being. From how you sleep at night to the foods you eat, it all contributes to keeping your body and mind clear. As a writer, you need that clarity of mind in order to continue being successful. It is this success that drives me to keep as active as I can while eating the best foods that promote physical and mental stability.

Sleep – Getting enough sleep plays a prominent role for any writer. You can’t expect to sleep for three hours in any given night and be productive the next day. Your mind can feel like mush as you stare at the computer screen wondering what you were planning to write. Myself, I set the alarm clock on my phone to go off at 10 to signify when it’s time to go to bed. The alarm is set for six in the morning to wake me up, but often times I am up before the alarm goes off anyway. This allows me to feel refreshed and well rested ready to face the challenges of the day.

Morning Activities – One of the first things I do in the morning is to get the blood flowing through my body. When I have a babysitter available, I’ll take some time and ride my bike for a couple of miles. Otherwise, I’ll try to fit in twenty minutes of yoga or other physical activity. This helps get the blood flowing to the brain and helps increase your capacity for remaining alert and maintaining rational thought.

Proper Foods – Eating properly can also increase your capacity to stay focused and on task. A breakfast for myself is an egg, a slice of wheat toast, a can of V8 and a fruit cup packed in water. Toss in my daily routine of vitamins and I feel incredible throughout most of the day. As long as you reduce your sugar intake and increase snacks such as fruits, you’ll feel like you have more energy for extended periods of time.

Don’t Plant Yourself – As a writer, you’re probably sitting at your desk for hours on end hammering out words on the keyboard. It is important that you try and mix up your day to promote continued health. It’s not good for anyone to simply sit for eight hours straight with only bathroom breaks to separate the day. Every hour or so, I get up and walk around the house or take ten minutes to clean something. It doesn’t matter kind of activity you do, the fact is you need to keep active periodically throughout your day.

Your physical form is only part of the experience for remaining healthy. Your brain, which controls every aspect of your life, benefits from proper health as well. If you are unhealthy, your mind is not as efficient as it should be – which leads to irrational thoughts and behaviors. Creativity is a byproduct of how well the mind functions. If you don’t take care of your mind and body, your work will be affected and your potential could be wasted. For myself, I can definitely tell the difference between days where I slept well and ate properly compared to those days I feel rushed. Give yourself a greater chance to be successful as a writer by practicing better habits for health. More than your weight is at stake.

Rachael Cherry is a wife, mother, and writer who is passionate about helping connect families in need with high quality caregivers. She has taken that passion and put it to work through NannyPro, a respected online nanny referral service. Learn more by visiting @NannyPro on Twitter.

Great suggestions, Rachael…thank you. The best health strategy for me is exercise–I try to get 60 minutes of cardio/strength training about 6 days a week. The bonus for writers is that exercise increases cerebral blood flow, which gets those plot ideas humming!

Writers…what are your best health strategies?

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#IWSG Indie Publishing Adventure: I Need Your Advice!

June 4, 2014 Jennifer Lane

Time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, where we share our hopes and dreams.

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the group: join HERE if you’re interested.

I’m taking a week off work to finish my WIP, a college volleyball romance titled Blocked. Only two chapters left! *bounces*

Boo to writer’s block

While I’ve loved working with Omnific Publishing for my first four novels, I don’t plan to query publishers this time. My main reason for venturing into indie publishing? Impatience. It takes me so long to finish a novel due to my day job that I don’t want to wait the greater part of a year for the book to launch, if I’m lucky enough for my manuscript to be accepted by a publisher.

I also want to try something new and see where it leads me!

I realize professional editing is essential (wow, has it improved my writing over the years), and I plan to hire the amazing editor I’ve worked with for every novel: Jessica Royer Ocken.

Beyond that, I NEED YOUR HELP! Indie authors, what advice would you give a virgin self-pubber? Anything from formatting to Amazon programs to lessons learned the hard way to marketing…I would be so grateful to hear your wisdom.

Happy writing to each of you!

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What I Do and Why I Do It

May 28, 2014 Jennifer Lane

Thank you to my friendly, funny critique partner Nicki Elson for tagging me to answer four writerly questions! (That’s her gorgeous self, on the left.) Nicki is the author of 80’s romp Three Daves and sexy angel story Divine Temptation. And I’m really stoked for the upcoming release of her hilarious chick lit, tentatively titled Vibrizzio (a buzzing Italian lover hehe).

Onto the questions…

What am I working on?

I’m nearing the finish line of writing Blocked, a college volleyball romance. Spike! The story features a forbidden romance between the offspring of candidates for US President: Lucia Ramirez, daughter of the Republican nominee, and Dane Monroe, son of the Democratic nominee. Lucia and Dane are freakishly tall scholarship volleyball players who think the opponent’s political philosophy is FAIL. But they can’t deny their attraction to each other.

Swimmer Matt Grevers, who’s 6’8″, inspired the character of Dane Monroe:

Yummy.

How does my writing differ from others in its genre?

As a psychologist, I like to bring a psycho element to romance by including mental health diagnoses and therapy scenes. In Blocked, I gave Lucia an eating disorder and Dane an alcohol problem. (Tee hee.) Naturally, I threw them into some much needed therapy with a sport psychologist.

Why do I write what I do?

I write romance because of all the feels. It makes my heart skip when characters kiss! And I write stories of healing and redemption because I love to witness them every day. I want to inspire readers to overcome emotional pain in order to reach new heights.

How does my writing process work?

Recently I’ve relied less on an outline, instead letting the characters lead the way. It’s so helpful to share each chapter with critique partners…making writing more social is motivational for me. My one complaint about my process: it’s SLOW. Waah. I wish it could go faster.

And now I get to tag four authors so they can tell us what they do and why they do it. I tag:

***Darcia Helle***

***Elisa Dane***

***Matthew Alan***

***Lisette Brodey***

Please stop by next week (6/4) for the Insecure Writers Support Group. I need your advice for self-publishing!

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Blog Tour: Son of Set by @KelseyKetch

May 26, 2014 Jennifer Lane

YA Bound hosts the book tour for SON OF SET! See the tour schedule HERE and be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post.

Character Interview: Seth

Today, we’re honored to have Seth O’Keefe—Setemple’s prince of chaos.

Hey, Seth. How are you today?

SO: *Gives a swoon worthy smile and runs his fingers through his copper hair.* I’d have to say well, being here with you.

*Blushes.* Always the Charmer, aren’t you? What do you think it is about you that makes you so irresistible?

SO: Most girls tell me it’s all about my eyes and their hypnotic color. But I’m sure there are other reasons as well.

Mm hm, and what is it about Natara Stone that makes her so much more appealing than the bevy of beauties that constantly surround you?

SO: *Laughs.* Where to start? Her amazing amethyst eyes; her smooth, bronze skin; her beautiful, raven-colored hair; the sway of her hips as she walks; and a figure that could rock—

Okay, okay. A girl could get a complex listening to how you rave about her, but what is she really like?

SO: Are you kidding? She’s as frustrating as hell! She never listens. She never does what she’s told. And let’s not forget the numerous times I’ve already saved her pretty little ass. *Rolls his eyes and scrubs his face.* Unfortunately, all those little annoying details—all her quirks and nervous habits—are also what I find the most attractive about her. Even her little British pout is irresistible.

What has been the biggest surprise for you since you have been involved with Natti?

SO: Honestly, I think the both of us are finding out things on this trip that neither of us expected to discover. We’re both capable of so much more than we ever dreamed, and because of that, I’m not even sure if it’s safe for her to be around me at this point.

So, what’s it like to be a fugitive from the Sons?

SO: Odd, and truthfully, downright terrifying. They were my kin, my brethren, my friends. I grew up with them. I was a firm believer in their beliefs. I even craved for the day to hold a Secret Keeper’s heart in my hand. Now, I’m their enemy, and believe me when I say my father wouldn’t give a sh*t if I die. In fact, he’d probably kill me himself before dragging Natti back to the altar. That’s why we have to stay several steps ahead of him. My father has too many resources to help him get what he wants, and I can’t allow him to capture us again.

With that in mind, if you had it to do all over again, would you still have saved Natti?

SO: In a heartbeat.

Readers, be sure to check out the rest of Seth’s story in Son of Set (Descendants of Isis #2) and follow where his adventure with Natti takes him.

Son of Set (Descendants of Isis #2)

by Kelsey Ketch

Release Date: 05/02/14

Summary from Goodreads:

“. . . the Sons would never just let him go—alive.”

Seth O’Keefe has broken the laws of his god. He never thought he would sacrifice his own future to protect a Daughter of Isis. But when the Sons of Set discovered Natti is the Secret Keeper, he had no choice. Now, Seth and Natti are on the run from his father, who wants nothing more than to see Seth dead. With no allies, Seth turns to the Daughters of Isis for help, hoping they would protect Natti. But when they meet the Daughters, he discovers a secret that puts both their lives in more danger. Low on options, Seth sees only one possibility for survival. He must help Natti solve an ancient puzzle and find the secret name of Ra.

Natara “Natti” Stone is having a hard time swallowing the truth. She can’t believe what she has learned in the past twenty-four hours: Seth is a Son of Set blessed with charm; she is a Daughter of Isis blessed with a sliver of Ma ‘at; the locket her grandmother gave her holds an ancient Egyptian secret linking to Osiris and Isis. That along with being tortured and brutalized by the Sons of Set, she can hardly hold herself together. Thank God for Seth’s touch! That warm, tingling sensation that drowns it all out. Yet her heart struggles to stay focused. She must quickly embrace her destiny before the secret name of Ra falls into the wrong hands.

*Note: Content for Upper YA*

Add to your Goodreads shelf.

Buy Links

Son of Set

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Daughter of Isis (On sale for $.99 during the week of the tour)

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Here’s my review of Daughter of Isis. Loved it!

About the Author

During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.Daughter of Isis is her debut novel.
For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.

Author Links:

http://kelseyketch.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7104482.Kelsey_Ketch

https://twitter.com/kelseyketch

https://www.facebook.com/KelseyKetch#

***GIVEAWAY***

One lucky winner will get a was scepter pendant (created specially by SilverspotStudio), a hieroglyphic tote bag, and a Son of Set journal (INT)

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