Virtual Book Bag Contest!

Due to family stuff--I'll tell ya in a later blog--I'm a couple days behind

on getting this up, but this is a fabulous opportunity to win some awesome

books!!! Check it out!!

Your Virtual Book Bag is having a contest, and there will be multiple winners!

To enter all you have to do is match the authors below to their books. Then

enter the right pairs at participating blogs (for example 1D, 2B, etc. ) for a

chance to win. One winner will be selected at each participating blog from

the correct answers posted at that blog.

• Teresa Bodwell's Journal--
  
• Win an autographed copy of the Pirate's Price by Darlene Marshall
• 
  
• Sylvia Day--
• Win an autographed copy of Stupid Cupid by Rayka Mennen and others
• 
  
• Lori Devoti's Online Ramblings--
• Win an autographed copy of Becoming Latina by Lara Rios
• 
  
• Janice Lynn's Blog--
• Win an autographed copy of Love is All Around by Lori Devoti
• 
  
• Jolie Mathis--
• Win an autographed copy of Loving Miranda by Teresa Bodwell
• 
  
• Rayka Mennen's Web Site--
• Win an autographed copy of Tempt Me by Lucy Monroe
• 
  
• Lucy Monroe's Blog--
• Win an autographed ARC of The Sea King by Jolie Mathis
• 
  
• Lara Rios' Blog--
• Win an autographed copy of Jane Millionaire by Janice Lynn
• 
  
• Michele Ann Young's Blog--
• Win an autographed copy of Here Comes the Bride by Laura Drewry
• 
  
• Or enter at Your Virtual Book Bag
• http://yourvirtualbookbag.blogsome.com/contest/
• to win an autographed copy of Bad Boys Ahoy by Sylvia Day and an autographed ARC of Pistols at Dawn by Michele Ann Young!

So get matching; contest ends March 31st. And good luck! You can find links to all the participating authors at http://yourvirtualbookbag.blogsome.com/contest/ as well. :)

1.)	a.)
2.)	b.)
3.)	c.)
4.)	d.)
5.)	e.)
6.)	f.)

Okay, so I am a total computer dingbat--like you didn't already know that, right? ;)---anyway, I have tried to get the above to show the wonderful pictures of the books & the lovely corresponding photos of the authors so you can play the match game, but, alas, I am a total computer dingbat & I only get the above time after time. SOMEDAY I'll learn all this computer stuff (of course, then it'll change to something new...), but for now you'll have to go to the Virtual Book Bag site and match them up from there and then come back and post here prior to March 31st. :) Good luck!!

My first Pubbed Final!

Yes, I was a total contest diva before publishing & I entered quite a few contests. Since selling I've only entered three. The first of those announced yesterday & OMG!!!! I got a call. It was such a thrill. It's been so long since I've had the high of getting that kind of call that it felt pretty darn amazing!! & to make things even more special, my fabo pal Kathleen Long finaled, too. Okay, so we're facing up against each other & every time we did that as unpubs she whupped my butt by winning first place to my second place, but I adore her writing & her, so I graciously bow to her talents---particularly since Cherry On Top is an awesome story--I mean, I critiqued the thing, so I KNOW it's awesome. ;)

Congrats to all the finalists!!!! Lots of wonderful books on this list!!

2006 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest Presented by Southern Magic, RWA’s Birmingham Chapter

Southern Magic is proud to announce the finalists for the 2006 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence contest for published authors. Finalists shown in alphabetical order.

HISTORICAL
Kresley Cole, If You Dare
Jackie Ivie, Tender Is the Night
Sabrina Jeffries, To Pleasure a Prince
Jenna Petersen, Scandalous
Paula Quinn, Lord of Desire

INSPIRATIONAL
Nikki Arana, The Winds of Sonoma
Dorothy Clark, Joy for Mourning
Margaret Daley, A Mother for Cindy
Denise Hunter, Saving Grace
Gail Gaymer Martin, Finding Christmas

LONG CONTEMPORARY
Gail Barrett, Where He Belongs
Nina Bruhns, Hard Case Cowboy
Joanne Rock, Silk Confessions
Linda Warren, Forgotten Son
Bonnie K. Winn, Rules of Engagement

NOVELLA
Toni Blake, Brushstrokes
Jasmine Haynes, Double the Pleasure
Linda Warren, Merry Texmas
Leigh Wyndfield, Night Heat
Leigh Wyndfield, White Heat

PARANORMAL
Shana Abe, The Smoke Thief
Catherine Mulvany, Shadows All Around Her
Patti O’Shea, Through a Crimson Veil
Susan Squires, The Companion
Dolores J. Wilson, Little Big Heart

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE SERIES
Kelsey Roberts, Charmed and Dangerous
Kelsey Roberts, Chasing Secrets
Kelsey Roberts, Film at Eleven
Roxanne Rustand, Back in Texas
Carol Stephenson, Courting Danger

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE SINGLE TITLE
Jeanie London, In the Cold
Brenda Novak, Every Waking Moment
E. C. Sheedy, Killing Bliss
Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves
Roxanne St. Claire, Kill Me Twice

SHORT CONTEMPORARY
Carolynn Carey, A Summer Sentence
Linda Conrad, A Scandalous Melody
Karen Kendall, First Date
Tanya Michaels, Spicing It Up
Roxanne St. Claire, When the Earth Moves

SINGLE TITLE
Marcia Evanick, Harbor Nights
Dorien Kelly, Hot Whispers of an Irishman
Kathleen Long, Cherry on Top
Janice Lynn, Jane Millionaire
Jennifer Skully, Sex and the Serial Killer

Winners will be announced around April 29.

Roses Every Month for a Year Contest Winner!! Month 2

Heidi Hogan of La Place, Louisiana won my Roses Every Month for a Year contest and recieved the first bouquet on Valentine's Day. Last Wednesday Heidi got the second bouquet of her year of roses. :)

Heidi is holding Duchess (an epileptic/blind Boston Terrier). Heidi & the other volunteers do a lot of important work & if you'd like to know how you can help or if you'd like to just know more about the Humane Society where Heidi volunteers, check out http://www.thepets.org .

Several of you have emailed asking about my exercise program. Urgh. I have exercised every day--did I mention that I got up early on Saturday morning so I could exercise prior to driving to Knoxville??? Anyway, I have stuck with it. We won't talk about the weight though. Nope, not even going to talk about that. But I'm sticking with it & will keep y'all posted.

OMG!!! Knoxville Booksigning was a BLAST!!!!

The booksigning was a huge success!!!! I had so much fun & was given the star treatment from the wonderful folks at Anderson. They were amazing!!

The entire expo was pretty amazing with lots of celebs making the rounds! The place was packed!!

Honestly, I felt in total awe of the day. I visited with a good pal from high school that now lives in Knoxville who I hadn't seen in a long time & enjoyed meeting her little one. Then I was met upfront at the expo & escorted to the booth. I was way impressed with the fabulous Meet the Author board you can see in the background of one of the pictures. Sadie (the lady with me) was wonderful & helped me put Autographed by Author stickers on the copies of Jane & handed the books to me. I really felt like pinching myself at several points throughout the day. Particulary when I looked up and there was a line that curved around the aisle!!!! I signed 200 books in less than a hour & a half!!!! We ran out and there was still a line!!!!!


I know that I drove home, but I don't really remeber doing so. I think I floated home. :) Good thing no cops saw me floating past, cause no way would they believe I wasn't on something because I was so giddy & couldn't stop grinning!!! I still can't. :)

Oh! & just for the record I *did* get up this morning and walk the greenway prior to making my long drive. :)

Wednesday Whirlwind!

Wow! I can't believe this day is almost over. I *know* it just got started. Sigh.

Well, I've done it! Two whole weeks that I've exercised every single day. Sadly, this is the most I've ever exercised sequentially in my entire life. Even more sadly, I've gained 3 pounds since starting. I know, I know, you think that has something to do with the 200+ boxes of girl scout cookies I had sitting in my living room, but I swear I didn't eat all those...Anyway, each morning after dropping the kids off at school I meet my Mom & Dad at the Rec center and walk the track at somewhere near Mach One. What? You're not buying that I'm that fast? Okay, so it's somewhere between a snail's pace and a Oh!-My-Sides-Hurt pace. Three days a week I'm working out with weights---think bone size...milk bone size, not dino. ;) I'll keep ya posted on whether or not I make it through the third week. :)

After exercising I went and ate way too much breakfast with my grandparents & parents...no, this does not have ANYTHING to do with that 3 pounds I've gained since starting to exercise. & then I went & bought a new dining room suit. :) Yea! My other set was one my hubby & I bought at an estate auction a month before we got married. I refinished the chairs myself & the table was veneer covered so there wasn't much to be done with it. We've used it for...a few hundred years now. I'm sad to let it go because of the memories, but gave it to my grandparents so it'll get good use. & now I have a new table to make memories with. :)

Heidi Hogan got her second bouquet of roses today!! Check back later this week & I'll hopefully have a picture posted. :)

Yesterday at my readers group I gave away cool prizes (autographed books or book bags) to 5 lucky winners! I'll be doing more give aways soon so if you're not a member sign up today as being a member automatically enters you.

This Saturday I'll be doing a book signing in Knoxville Tennessee at the Women Today Expo at the convention center. I'll be there from 3:30 to 4:30 & my publisher is sending 200 books, so y'all be sure to stop by!!! I'm bringing goodies to give away, too.

Now, I'm off to go write...

One year ago...

I was sitting at my desk, gnawing on my fingernails, taking Tums for the gurgling acid in my belly, & shaking from the inside out. Why? Because it was the last night of voting for round 5 of the American Title contest. The last night before I'd know if I got my dream or not.

In the long run, I won the contest, but Lois & I both got our dream---we both sold our books & that was the reason for being in the contest to begin with. To walk into a bookstore & see a book you've written on the shelf. It's a heady sensation. A dream come true for real.

Tonight, I'm introspective and a bit weepy, but just wanted to say that I'm getting all the weepy stuff out of the way tonight, because like one year ago March 7th, tomorrow is going to be one of celebration & good times!!! I'm going to be doing give-aways to members of my readers group!! so make sure you're a member! Join at JaniceLynnReadersGroup-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
because I'm giving away lots of great prizes!!

Women Today Expo in Knoxville, TN

Cool. Cool. Cool. I'm going to be doing a booksigning at the Women Today Expo in Knoxville, TN on Saturday, March 11 at 3:30 till 4:30 PM. I'm really excited about it as the Expo looks like it's going to be fabulous. I don't have all the details yet, but I'll update the blog closer to time & try to remember my camera so I can take pictures. :) If you'd like to check out the expo, go to http://www.womentodayexpo.com/index.cfm.

Worked on my newest. It's a light paranormal. Just having fun with it and writing it because it's the story in my head that demands to be put on paper.

My hubby rented Secret Window with Johnny Depp last night. He said he thought I'd enjoy it since I'm a writer....hmmmm, I'm trying not to look for hidden messages in that comment, but is he trying to say I'm whacked out? Regardless, I told him he had nothing to worry about just so long as I didn't catch him with another woman & he keeps the screwdriver & ax away from me. Bwahahahahahah! ;)

Grand Canyon

Over the next couple of months y'all may have to listen to a lot of posts about my planned trip to the Grand Canyon. I'm super psyched about it as I've never been. I've flown over it once (at about 30,000 feet) & have always wanted to see it up close, in April I'll get to. :) My hubby & oldest 2 kids are going with me. We're flying in on Wednesday evening & will do the tour bus thing on Thursday. It's like a 14 hour trip, but after discussing it with some locals it's the best way to see lots in a short amount of time. We'll be leaving from Scottsdale going to the Red Rocks & Sedona & then on to the Grand Canyon where we'll stay for a while & view for 22 miles. Next we'll head back toward Scottsdale via an Indian reservation where we'll get to stop and buy jewelry & stuff. I'd love to have time to actually do some hiking and exploring on our own, but this trip we'll get a good feel for things and then come back someday (I hope, I hope) & do a more thorough visit. On Friday morning we're going to Tombstone to watch men with big guns battle it out. woo hoo!! That evening the writing conference I'm attending starts up & I'll be in class & hubby & the boys will spend the rest of the weekend exploring and doing their thing while I'm in class & doing a booksigning. My first booksigning at a writers conference!!! will be a wild experience!!!

The Saturday Independent

A local newspaper did a feature today on Jane Millionaire with a teaser blurb & photo on the very front page of the newspaper! The article was on the front page of the daily living section and continued on the second page of that section. How cool is that???? The pictures are of a reader browsing through a copy of Jane insideWal-mart. :) & get this, the picture on my website of me in Chris Keesler's zoot suit hat. Ack! I am going to have to get a press kit added to my website with my professional (read photo-shopped) picture there. A couple of weeks ago another local paper did a write-up prior to my Curves book-signing and used a cropped picture from the 2003 Golden Heart ceremony. That article was a nice surprise as I had no idea it was being written & the quotes for the article came from...here. How wild is that???? Kinda scary, too. I can just see my Matthew obsession being splashed everywhere. My name linked with Matthew McConaughey's...yeah, that bothers me a bunch. tee hee.

American Title 2 Round 4

Wow! It's hard to believe that the voting for Round 4 has started already and that only 4 finalists are left!!! Gina Black, Ruth Kaufman, Gerri Russell, & Michelle Young! Be sure to pop over, read the dialogue scenes, & vote on your favorite. Flavia was particularly harsh this round. Round 4 is where she really got me last year, so I feel the current finalists' pain and am just glad that it's not my stomach being twisted into knots this year. :) Actually, although there were a LOT of negatives to competing American Idol style for a book contract, there were also a LOT of positives (& not just because I won--vbg!) but because I made some fabulous friends. Make sure you vote between February 20- March 5 at http://www.americantitle2.com

Oh, and a friend sent me this picture of Matthew. Now I have toothbrush envy.

Free Books!

On my readers group I recently gave away 5 free autographed books. Not of Jane Millionaire, but autographed by some of my fabulous writer pals!

If you aren't a member of my group, be sure to join today! send and email to JaniceLynnReadersGroup-subscribe@yahoogroups.com so that you'll automatically be entered in my next give-away!!!

Oh! My local Wal-mart finally got copies of JANE MILLIONAIRE in!!! How cool is that???? Geek that I am, I took pictures. :) & am sharing them here. As you can tell, I autographed about half of them. How cool that they got so many in??? Of course, if they just sit there I'm gonna cry.

Off to spend time with the family. Today is my youngest son's birthday!

Two for the Money

I watched Two for the Money last night. Due to life I missed it while it was in the theaters--the horror! But now I own a copy and can watch at my pleasure. ;)

I actually enjoyed this movie much more so than Sahara. Matthew's acting was smoother and felt less forced. His character was admirable and all the scenes with him working out---YUM.

Al Pacino did a fabulous job, too.

I give this one a thumbs up!

Working on polishing Jude's book. I should finish this weekend. I love this story so much & am keeping my fingers crossed. It's been a whole two weeks now since it was sent out, you'd think someone would have called by now. Okay, so I'm dreaming, but hey, what's life without dreams? & y'all already know I dream big.

Smooches & have a fabulous weekend.

Roses Every Month for a Year Contest Winner!!

Here is the photo of Heidi Hogan who won the Roses Every Month for a Year contest! Woo hoo!!!

Heidi works at the St. John Humane Society in La Place, Louisiana. I checked out their website and strongly encourage you to do so, too. The organization is run by volunteers (such as Heidi) and donations go 100% toward helping the animals. Heidi is a volunteer there and they were hit hard by Katrina and are still recovering. If you'd like to help by making a donation or to just know more, check out http://www.thepets.org

In an email Heidi let me know that Bella, the dog she is holding in the photo, is blind. Sometimes it's easy to overlook all the wonderful things going on in the world due to media propagating the negative (or so it often seems), but Heidi is one of many giving back to the community and helping those who can't help theirselves. I write books with heroic characters, but Heidi & the other volunteers are real life heroes & heroines & I just want to say thank you for all your hard work.

Heidi, my hat's off to you! & I'm thrilled to have "met" you through the contest & that such a deserving person won!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Popping on just a minute to say HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!! Hope your day was filled with romance & roses!

Speaking of roses, the winner of my roses every month for a year contest should have gotten her first bouquet today. Heidi said she'd send me a picture of her with the bouquet and when I get it, I'll post it here! :)

Dreams Can Come True

I was looking for an attention catching title for today's post and the above seems as appropriate as any. No, Matthew hasn't come to his senses, dumped Penelope, and shown up on my doorstep to beg me to be his this Valentine's day--nice thought though. ;) It's more of what's been going on in my life lately.

One of my bestest friends in the whole world got her dream. The bestest dream of all. A baby. Writing buddy Kathleen Long adopted a beautiful baby girl named Elizabeth Anne (hereby after called Annie). She's absolutely gorgeous and the most wonderful blessing. You can see pictures at www.kathleenlong.com/annie.htm Isn't she gorgeous????

In other dream news, the good reviews are still rolling in. I got a fabulous email from LoveRomances that a review for Jane Millionaire had been posted. WOW! It's awesome and blew me away. I blogged about it at http://writersatplay.blogspot.com but basically the review goes like this:
Jane Millionaire is the debut novel for author Janice Lynn. Have you ever had a book from the moment you opened the cover and start reading it just latches onto your heart? Jane Millionaire is that kind of novel. Ms. Lynn has taken a reality concept and kicked it up to a whole new level. With exceptional writing, characters that are life-like, and realistic dialogues. Readers will find comfort, friends, and a few chuckles within the bindings of Jane Millionaire. They really do not get much better than this novel!

The full review is at: http://www.loveromances.com/janemillionaire_janalee.html

Is that not just the wildest review???? Love it!!

Plus, on a very happy & dreamy note---I FINISHED THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE JUDE BOOK. WOO HOO!! It came in at 398 pages. :) I'm going to set it aside for a few days and finish reading a fabulous story by my pal Anna Sugden, then print out Jude's book and get it polished. I am soooo happy with this book. It really is a fun, fun story that I can't wait to promote because OH MAN! do I have big plans. Of course, I have to realize the dream of selling it first, but that's just a minor little detail....

Matthew McConaughey on Oprah!

I got several fabulous emails letting me know that Matthew was on Oprah!!! Woo hoo!!! I haven't watched it yet, but asked a friend to record it for me so hopefully I'll see it soon. Someone emailed to tell me that Matthew & Oprah shot Tequila???? Interesting. Not that I wouldn't let Matthew get me drunk. ;)

Yesterday was an interesting day. I judged another contest entry yesterday morning. Unfortunately it was a slow moving one. Lots of potential, but definitely read like a beginning writer. Reminded me that not so very long it was my newbie contest entry that someone was volunteering their time to make suggestions on. Ah, the circle of life. :) I just have one more to go & then I'm through with both contests I'm currently judging. Yea! I enjoy judging but I had 10 entries from one contest and 8 from the other and that's a lot at one time in my opinion. Then I curled up on the sofa and watched Cold Mountain--yes I wanted a Jude fix and I like his character so much more from CM than Alfie or Closer (now there was an interesting film).

I had lunch with my mother-in-law & sister-in-law and we ate Mexican. Yum & lots of fun. We laughed and laughed.

Went home wrote for an hour then went and picked kids up from school. Cleaned house a little and then wrote until hubby got home. My sister called and my brother-in-law was feeling yuck (I haven't mentioned it here, but he's a police officer and was shot in his hand last week--which partially explains why I haven't blogged as steadily). He's home from the hospital but his meds were making him sick. I did a house call, gave him a shot (I'm a nurse practitioner in my real life), and reportedly he had a better night last night than the one before. Going to make another house call prior to going in to the office this morning.

Plus--and this is the kicker--I wrote a bunch of pages on my new story! Yep, the Jude story. :) I'm on page 364 of the first draft. Very excited as I didn't get a chance to write on Monday or Tuesday this week due to work, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, & Karate & family stuff. Very excited as I should finish the rough draft this weekend!!! I LOVE this story. I've had so much fun with it. I've bought a website that fits with the story and plan to play with that some once I get the story done & polished. Promoting this story could be an absolute blast!! Even more than Jane Millionaire I think--which was pretty darn fun!!

Woke up this morning to a sprinkling of snow. Not enough for the kids to stay home from school, but enough that the ground is almost white. That's the most we've gotten yet. :)

Okay, off to make my house call & then on to the office. Sick people await. :) Y'all have a great day & thanks to everyone who let me know about Matthew on Oprah.

Matthew Monday

Yum! Just check that smile out. Okay, so I know it's hard to drag your eyes away from his...eyes...to check out his smile, but come on, ya gotta admit, the man has a wonderful smile. :)

No word on the submission yet. What? It probably only arrived in New York today? Am I insane for posting that there's no word yet?? Okay, YES, I am. It'll probably be weeks and weeks, but if there was some way to bottle up my excitement and plans for this story, well, SOMEONE would notice. OMG! This story is so much fun to write. I'll actually finish it this week. :) Well, the first draft, anyway.

Juding contest entries today. Won't say which one or what category for fear of being beseiged with questions. So far I've given one perfect score, one almost perfect score, two upper range scores, two mid range scores and two low scores. I HATE giving low scores. I, of all people, understand that this is someone's dream, their baby they've sent out into the world. But if I gave a high score where I didn't feel one was deserved I really wouldn't be helping the author. It's just hard to know how people will take your well meaning comments. Hopefully in the context it was meant--to be helpful or ignored if the author disagrees. Always a humbling experience to judge in a contest, though.

I finished judging my Golden Heart entries over the weekend. Really enjoyed several of those stories. Overall, my quality of entries were much higher for the GH than for the particular contest I'm judging at the moment. Perhaps because the manuscript has to be finished to final in the GH?

Kinda scary to think that Jane Millionaire is out there being judged somewhere, too. Ack. Scary thought.

Well, off to write a few pages before going to bed where I have a real life hero waiting for me. :)

And the winner is...

Heidi Hogan!!!! woo hoo!!! I'd emailed Heidi earlier in the day to tell her that she was the winner of my Roses Every Month For A Year contest & she emailed me back her information and I called her!! What a sweetheart!! I was so pleased with her winning. Not because I knew her---I didn't. The drawing was totally random. I enjoy her winning because she was a total sweetie and was so much fun to talk to on the phone. Heidi lives in Louisiana and was hit by Katrina, so what a great, great thing to have happen to her in the midst of so much recent tragedy. Watch each month as Heidi sends me pictures of her with the roses she recieves. I'll post them here and on my website, too.

For those of you who entered, but didnt' win, no worries, I'll be doing lots more contests. As a matter of fact, anyone who's a member of my yahoo group is automatically entered to win one of five autographed books that will be given away on Valentine's Day! If you're not a member, subscribe at JaniceLynnReadersGroup-subscribe@yahoogroups.com because you could be the next big winner!!!

No, I haven't finished my Jude book, but in light of celebrating Heidi's win, I felt Matthew was in order. :)

Feeling nervous!

Ooohhhh! My agent is getting ready to send out my new proposal!!! YEA!!!! My stomach is all fluttery and my heart is pounding! & wow that sentence above is a doozey, eh??? LOL. The point is that I've written something new (yes, it's the Jude book--& I'm loving the inspiration!) and submissions are going out this week & I'm excited over this!!! I am soooooo psyched over this book. I love the characters and the plot and everything about it! & yes, I am a little bit in love with my hero--but that's a good thing, right? As a writer, if I can't fall in love with the hero, how could I possibly expect anyone else to? While writing Jane, I was into Rob (he really is one of those yummy heroes!) & now Jude. Like, didn't all of us fall a bit for Mark Darcy? For Rhett Butler? For Heathcliff? For Colin Byrne? For...the list goes on. Falling a little biti n love with the hero is something that's vital for a book to be good for me. I've been there for the entire journey, if I don't fall a little in love with the hero, how can I believe the heroine has, ya know? Anyway, Jude it is!! & he's an awesome hero. A total rake who my heroine is reforming in her own special way. ;)

I don't think I even had this much fun while writing Jane--which is saying something cause I had a blast with that one, too.

Sooooooo, keep your fingers crossed for me that this one goes well and lands in the right editor's hands at the right time because I would SOOOOOOO love to have a reason to promote this book. :)

Oh! & as a reminder, if you haven't entered my roses for a year contest, get over to www.janicelynn.net super quick & click on contest. Tomorrow is the last day to enter!

Jude

I should be blogging about Matthew, but, you guessed it, I'm still working on this new proposal and my hero is Jude, so...here's my man. ;)

Well, the hero of this next story anyway. Yes, he's a cad, but even cads can fall in love and be redeemed. :)

I really like this pic!!!