Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion

 One of the hardest parts of my journey is that I have to do it alone. Sure, all writers have to be alone to write, you say. I'm not talking about that alone. Because when I'm writing, I'm never alone. I'm in the company of my characters. 

I'm talking about alone when it comes to support from my family and friends. Sure, my friends have enccouraged me to write, sort of. 

"You're a writer? That's nice. Is it going to rain today?"

My family? Uh, no, not really. I know that people who don't write don't understand what it's like to have stories pop into your head, to write them, to develop characters and then go through all the mishigosh (Yiddish word there meaning "mess") involved in editing and publishing said book. I get that. 

But my friends and my family, with one exception, have never bought any of my books. Not even a novella, not even a $0.99 ebook on sale. Buying, reading and leaving positive reviews for my books would be amazing. If it happened. But it hasn't. And I don't even mean reading all of my books. I have just over 70 books published, so that would be WAY too much to ask of anyone. I mean just one lousy little book. Um. no. That hurts. 

And I believe I'm not alone. I have writer friends in the same boat. So that's why writers, especially romance writers, hang out together, join groups together, have adventures together. Because we read each other's stuff and we get how hard it is to write that book. 

With Thanksgiving here - and I have so much to be grateful for - the one thing that would make my holiday complete is if just one friend or family member got one of my books, read it and said, "Hey, I read such-and-such. Not bad. Really. Better than I expected." That would make my holiday complete. 

Stay safe,

Jean

 

The dreaded book signing. 

Over the weekend, I participated in a book signing in Woodbridge, New Jersey. The people there were lovely. It was a diverse crowd of authors with books in different genres. That was one thing that made it special. There were books there that could appeal to anyone. The crowd consisted of real readers. And very well-mannered people, which made it so much easier for me.

I'm always a bit of a nervous wreck at those things. I hate bragging and have been raised not to do it about myself.  Yet, if you don't come across as confident, readers will doubt your worth and move on. There's a fine line there. I have adopted an opening line from my former publisher that works well to get the attention of potential buyers. 

Then I have to let my covers and blurbs kind of do the rest. I did have one book that worked its magic. It's "Christmas Duet." Once a reader read the blurb, she bought the book. I brought only four copies and sold out. I probably could have sold more. Who knew? 

All-in-all, it was a good day. I sold out of my Christmas novellas. None of my Hannukkah books, though. Not a Jewish crowd. The novellas went for $6.00. It's worth it to have some inexpensive books so people who don't know you can take a chance on you without ris

king a lot of money. 

It was a long day. Train ride down and back, taxi to and from Penn Station. But I was happy when I got home. I have my work now in the hands of about twenty new readers and that made the trip worthwhile.

If you want to be notified when a new post is made here, it's best to follow me. 

I hope your day is filled with love and laughter.

Jean

Howdy. Thanks for stopping by for my first in this intimate series about a writer's life. I hope you enjoy these tidbits and come back for more. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.  

Yes, the writer struggles to discipline herself enough to write a book. Then another and another. BUT ten years later, she's struggling again, but this time to re-edit early works. I no longer struggle to write a book. The words come pretty easily when I'm working on a story I love. But editing old books? Like pulling teeth. 

Right now I'm working on an unusual book - "Love's Last Chance." I love the title. But what's really different about this book is the heroes. I never - and I mean never - use real people in my stories. All of my characters are made up out of my head.

Not this book. There were three men in  my early, single days that came into my life and had a

 connection with me. I ended up walking away from each one. I've always figured it was because I was too young. Maybe 27, 28 years old. Would I still walk away from them now? I wasn't sure when I started "Love's Last Chance." But I am sure now. 

As I struggle to finish this edit, I will continue to post my progress here. I've uploaded the re-edited version as far as I've gotten, if you're curious. It's free in Kindle Unlimited. Meanwhile, I will be devoting an hour tonight to working on it. Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned to this space. More to come from a writer's life.

 I will be posting some chapters from my new romance, "Someone Like You" here in this blog. I'll probably update with new chapters weekly, or every other week. If you're interested and want to keep up on these free reads, I suggest you follow the blog so you'll be notified when a new chapter has been posted. 

Please leave comments. I will be looking for feedback on this book as it's still in progress and can be edited and updated. I'm loving this story. If you do as well, please tell me! Encouraging comments inspire me to keep writing. 

l'll post the first chapter tomorrow. Probably only half a chapter, since my chapters are about ten pages. Stay tuned!

Best regards, 

Jean

  FREE - football romance - GRIFF MONTGOMERY, QUARTERBACK!!!!!!!!!!!

Book 1 of 9 in the "First & Ten" series. 

In the captivating novel, Griff Montgomery, Quarterback, author Jean C. Joachim delivers a poignant blend of romance, sports fiction, and drama. This novel is a must-read for those who crave stories rich with character development and emotional depth. Set in the world of professional sports and small-town life, it explores themes of loneliness, personal growth, and the quest for meaningful connections. With its unique narrative that intertwines the lives of a star quarterback and a woman at a personal crossroads, this book promises to resonate with readers who appreciate the complexities of human relationships.

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FIRST  & TEN SERIES

                               Plus a Christmas book.      

 Now that "Sam's Decision" has been released, the trilogy is complete. There will be one more book coming in the Catskills Saga of sweet historical romances. But now you can get all three -- all available in Kindle Unlimited here: 

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Dive into Colonial America with the Chesney family as they move to Fitch's Eddy and their adventures begin. Steeped in the flavor of the times, this authentic series will captivate your heart as you watch pioneer folks grapple with the struggles of life in 1786 America. 

Dance with the people of Fitch's Eddy at the Harvest Festival, run from Zacaria Lee's mad bull, eat the fabulous baked goods from the hands of grandmother Martha Chesney, and fall in love with Abigail, Sarah and Sam. 

If you loved "Little House on the Prairie" you'll love The Catskills Saga.    Free in Kindle Unlimted.

 Made friends with a squirrel in the museum park yesterday. He kept coming back for more peanuts. He'd come right up to me and take the peanut in the shell from my fingers.

But when I switched hands, to the hand with the watch on the wrist, he hesitated. How interesting that he noted that and wasn't sure it was safe. Didn't know anything about the watch. When I went back to holding the peanut in the other hand without the watch, he didn't hesitate. He must have taken 7 or 8 peanuts from me.Who knew squirrels were so observant.

 Have you ever regretted letting go of someone you dated years ago? 

HEATHER & MIKE

Mike Sullivan’s dating Amy, the perfect woman. Everyone says she is, even his best friend, Bill. She urges him to move in with her, and he agrees. To Mike, living together means getting engaged. He’s picked out the ring and is ready to pop the question, isn’t he?

If Amy is the one, why can’t Mike forget Heather? He’d spent a magical ten days with her on Fire Island, ten days that changed his life. Then he’d screwed it up. As quickly as she entered his world, Heather disappeared, blocking his calls, and leaving him bereft.

That was five years ago. Finally ready to accept the fact that he’ll never see Heather again, Mike’s poised to take the big step -- until a magazine article turns his universe upside down.

The story is only $1.99 Find it here: 

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APPLE BOOKS

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BARNES & NOBLE

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If you like it, go on to read all the books in the ECHOES OF THE HEART series, all second-chance romances! 

 DAN ALEXANDER, PITCHER - FREE UNTIL MIDNIGHT 3/17!

In "Dan Alexander, Pitcher", the worlds of romance, suspense, and sports fiction collide ina captivating tale of love and redemption. Holly Merrill, a woman on the run from her past, finds herself in witness protection, hiding from the dangerous Flash Kincaid. Her new life in New york City leads her to a job at the Nighthawks stadium, where she crosses paths with Dan Alexander, the team's star pitcher. As Holly struggles to adapt to her new identity, she is drawn to Dan, whose own life is marked by superficial relationships and a longing for something deeper. Their connection grows amidst the backdrop of thrilling baseball games and the looming threat of Holly's past catching up with her. Get the free ebook here: With themes of identity, trust, and second chances, "Dan Alexander, Pitcher" explores the transformative power of love and the courage it takes to face one's fears. Will Holly and Dan find solace and safety in each other's arms, or will the shadows of the past tear them apart? Dive into this engaging narrative to discover a story of passion, suspense, and the pursuit of a new beginning.Series available free in Kindle Unlimited.Get the FREE ebook here: AMAZON https://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Pitcher.../dp/B01M0UT7CS/AMAZON U.K. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M0UT7CSAMAZON CANADA – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M0UT7CSAMAZON AUSTRALIAhttps://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01M0UT7CS

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       Welcome to Pine Grove! Take a walk on Main Street in the small town for people with big dreams. Step into Gramps old General Store and meet Deke Walsh, Rachel Cohen, and Gramps, of course! 

 

In a world where the glitz of Hollywood often overshadowsthe quiet strength of small-town life, Jean C. Joachim's latest novel, For You and You Alone, offers arefreshing narrative that bridges these contrasting worlds. This contemporaryromance, infused with drama and the nuances of personal growth, invites readersinto the life of Deke Walsh, a celebrated actor grappling with the isolatingnature of fame. Targeted at fans of character-driven stories, this novel delvesinto themes of redemption, family, and the quest for authenticity, setting itapart with its heartfelt exploration of love and belonging.

Jean C. Joachim's ForYou and You Alone is a masterful blend of romance and drama, set againstthe charming backdrop of Pine Grove. The novel follows Deke Walsh, a Hollywoodstar whose life is a whirlwind of red carpets and flashing cameras, yet hefinds himself yearning for something more substantial. When a call from hispast beckons him back to his roots, Deke's journey becomes one of introspectionand transformation.

At the heart of this narrative is Deke's relationship withRachel Cohen, a woman who embodies the simplicity and sincerity he craves.Their dynamic is a dance of tension and chemistry, offering readers acompelling exploration of love's complexities. As Deke confronts hisgrandfather's frailty and the dilapidated family store, he is forced toreconcile his glamorous lifestyle with the authenticity of his origins.

Joachim's storytelling shines through her vivid depictionof Pine Grove, a town that becomes a character in its own right, representingthe warmth and challenges of community life. The novel's themes resonate deeplywith readers who appreciate stories of personal transformation and the enduringimpact of familial bonds.

In the words of Jean C. Joachim, 'Deke's journey is one ofpeeling back the layers of fame to find the core of what truly matters—love,family, and authenticity.' This sentiment is echoed in early reviews praisingthe novel's emotional depth and relatable characters.

For You and YouAlone is a must-read for those who seek narratives that are as emotionallyrich as they are entertaining. It is a testament to the power of returning homeand the profound changes that can occur when one dares to embrace their trueself.

                                                    **********************************

The ebook is only $1.99 for a few days only. And only on Apple Books and Barnes & Noble, not Amazon. It's a private sale. Tell  your friends about it, but please don't post it on Facebook. Thanks. Here are the links:

Apple Books

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Barnes & Noble 

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Comments are always welcome!