Fabulous Weekend

Just wanted to share with everyone what a great time I had this past weekend. For the first time, I attended the Lori Foster Readers and Authors Get Together near Cincinnati, Ohio. Approximately 500 people attended, both authors and readers, with the majority of people being readers.

As a newbie author, I was a bit nervous. Would anyone have heard of me? Would anyone care about my book?

My worries were unfounded. The people - both authors and readers - that I encountered were nothing but miraculous. I was accepted. I was appreciated. I was treated so wonderfully that I didn't want to leave. I signed autographs on paper, T-shirts, and tote bags. I was encompassed into arms of readers who appreciated me and my writing. I spent the weekend being waved at. I met people who I'd like to keep in my life forever.  Money was raised for charities.

All in all, this event marked a high point in my life, both as a person and as an author. I thank all the people involved who made this event so special, and I will definitely be attending next year with enthusiasm, hope, and a bit of nervousness!

xoxo - Jenna

Bid on a critique

If anyone is interested in a detailed 30 page critique of a contemporary romance manuscript, I'm offering one in Brenda Novak's Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

Here's the link to bid: http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=2944577 

To bid on other items, here's the link: http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Home.taf

To learn more, please read below:

As a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Brenda has been able to count on her fans and her peers to support her annual online auctions, which runs May 1 – May 31st, helping her raise over $1.6 million so far!

Brenda is an active mother of five whose youngest son, Thad, was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of five. There began her personal crusade to fight a disease that affects millions. The 2011 statistics on diabetes are alarming — and clearly establish a challenge Brenda is trying to meet: improve lives by helping to raise money to battle this devastating disease. Data released by theADA January 26, 2011 reveals there are 25.8 million children and adults in the United States — thus 8.3% of the population have diabetes. Another 79 million people have prediabetes. In 2010, 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed.

Thank you for supporting this very worthwhile cause!

xoxo - Jenna

Fork It Up Fridays

Hi! Welcome to Fork it Up Fridays! Each Friday, I share a delicious recipe that I've tried and enjoyed. Some may be a family favorite while others may be something my sister or daughter passed on to me. Hope you enjoy!

Today I'm sharing a recipe given to me by my daughter. She and her husband love spicy foods so if you're a fan, you may like this.

SPICY CHIPOTLE COLE SLAW

2 tsp. chipotles, finely chopped

2 tbsp. honey

1/2 cup mayo

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

4 cups grated cabbage, shredded thin

4 cups red cabbage, shredded thin

1 cup red onion, sliced very thin

1 cup green onion, finely chopped

1/2 to 1 cup carrot, shredded

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Combine first four ingredients. In another bowl, combine everything but cilantro. Drizzle dressing over top, sprinkle cilantro over whole thing and toss well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Chill till serving.

Love is in the Air Winner is...

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Anchor of Hope necklace as worn by Dani Sullivan in Just for the Summer is...AMY REMUS!!! Congratulations, Amy! I hope you enjoy your necklace!!

Please email me your address at jennarutland@gmail.com and your beautiful necklace will be on its way.

Thank you all so much for participating in the Love is in the Air blog hop. I hope you enjoyed the experience of meeting other authors.

Take care!

xoxo - Jenna

Love Is in the Air

Valentine's Day is long gone, but Love is in the Air. Spring has arrived, at least according to the calendar - not the weather. Spring promises a new beginning. Nature's awakening from the long, cold winter. There's something about seeing those tulips and pear trees blossoming that make people feel hopeful about their lives and their future.

What better time of the year to find love! Whether it's a blind date, a reunion with a lost love, or taking a chance and turning that friendship into a romantic relationship, Love is in the Air!

Join me for the Love is in the Air Blog Hop, March 25-31. At the end of the Hop, one lucky winner will win an Anchor of Hope necklace like the one my heroine, Dani Sullivan, wore in Just for the Summer. All you need to do to enter is leave me a comment. Share with me your favorite part of Just for the Summer. Let me know what kind of recipe you'd like to see in my Fork It Up Fridays posts. Or come up with a comment of your own!

Don't forget to stop by the other blog hop participants!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Debut Novel, JUST FOR THE SUMMER, Released!!

You may notice something new around here. I have a new website! Just in time to share the fabulous news--my debut novel, JUST FOR THE SUMMER, released through Entangled Publishing's Bliss Imprint on Monday!

JUST FOR THE SUMMER



His temptation. Her secret. Their summer.

Dani Sullivan has come to Lake Bliss to write her latest cookbook and take a breather. After the year she’s had, she deserves a summer retreat to reevaluate priorities and make peace with past decisions. But from the moment single dad and sheriff Matt Reagan shows up, she has a hard time convincing herself that a life away from Lake Bliss could beat the life she might have here.

Recently divorced Matt is ready for a new relationship, but he doesn’t want short-term—his son needs permanence, and so does Matt’s heart. Unfortunately, it’s the smart-mouthed and sinfully sexy Ms. Sullivan who catches his eye. But when Matt learns Dani’s secrets, will he still want her to stay? Or will her chance for love last just for the summer?

Just for the Summer is available as an e-book through the following retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBookstore!

I've also taken the plunge--I now have a Facebook Page. If you have a minute, I'd love it if you "liked" my page. If you prefer less interaction but want to stay up on my latest book news, please sign up for my newsletter (form is linked). I only send out a few newsletters each year, and your information will never be shared or sold--your privacy is important to me.

Please, look around the site. The navigation bar up top will lead you to a short biography page, a page with all the details of my book, a recipes page (still under construction--hoping to have all the recipes up next week), and a page with all of my links, email address, and other information so we can connect.

If you're interested in sharing the news about Just for the Summer on your blog--feel free to use the Media page for author pictures, the book cover, back-cover copy, and any links you may need. Thank you!!

I'll be sharing information all month about book signings and my blog tour.

This week has been so special to me--thank you for sharing my excitement! What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
xoxo Jenna

Back to the Low Country

As you all know, my daughter and son-in-law, parents to a beautiful 10 month old daughter (yay, my granddaughter!!!), live in the south. My SIL has terrible back issues and will soon be having surgery. My lovely daughter is a registered nurse, working 12 hour shifts. She will be picking up extra days while her husband is post-surgical. So who is going to care for her husband and child while she's at work?

 

That's where I come in! This Saturday, I'll be heading south for 6-8 weeks to take care of my granddaughter and son-in-law while my daughter is at work. Eeek, you may think. How many SIL's would want their MIL to live with them, even if it's temporary? Well, I'm one of the lucky ones. My SIL actually likes me! We have a lot in common. We both love to cook, both love my daughter and granddaughter, and enjoy in-depth conversations. I think we'll do all right. (Except for the fact that he wants my daughter to get a "bell" before I get there - just kidding - I hope!)

 

It's going to be a crazy time in my life. I will continue to work while I'm there, continue my writing career while I'm there, and, oh boy, they're going to be moving while I'm there!!! I'm sure each and every day will be jam packed, and I will fall into bed exhausted. But they are part of my family that I love and cherish. I would do anything for them. I learned a long time ago that there is "no price" for what we do for loved ones.

 

Please join me on Friday for a great meatloaf recipe. And stay tuned for posts and recipes from the Low Country!!

 

xoxo - Jenna