Jennifer McKenzie
Romance--Boy meets girl. Romantic Suspense--Boy meets girl with dead bodies.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Fellow Cobblestone Author Out With A Great One
The Spirit Within
by Shonna Brannon
ISBN: 978-1-60088-130-5
Alyssa Carrington's spirit must search out the man who tried to kill her before her body’s taken off life support and she moves on to the other side.
Sam Carson’s a detective whose sister was murdered the night Alyssa was attacked. When he hears a voice claiming to be the spirit of Alyssa, he thinks he’s going crazy. Can he go against the rules and track down his sister’s killer and get Alyssa back in her body or will his feelings for her spirit get in the way and send her to the other side, making him lose his chance with her forever.
To buy visit Cobblestone Press!
Shonna does a great job with this. Take a look.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Talladega Baby
Talladega Speedway is one of my favorite NASCAR races. I am totally stoked. Boogity Boogity Boogity.
I love NASCAR. See, I have this link NASCAR
in my side bar. I even have a "friend" on MySpace NASCAR WEEKLY
Who am I hoping will win? Last weekend, Jeff Gordon won his first race in Phoenix. After years of rocketing success and then a very long dry spell, he managed to pull off a win at one of the few places he's never won. It was an exciting race too. He tugs at my loyalty, but I have to say I hope Jeff Burton wins. Or Mark Martin (a family favorite in our house).
It's too bad that NASCAR has been enjoying the sudden popularity. Though it's nice to be able to catch EVERY race, I miss the relative obscurity that the drivers managed to maintain. Now, they're all so careful that I don't get to see a driver throw his helmet at an offending competitor. Or watching the drama at Texas, as the short track, the Texas heat and simmering tempers add to a few dents and dings on the cars.
With all the publicity now, it's all about "what looks good". Too bad.
Anyway, I'm hoping to enjoy one of my favorite races this weekend. I'll give you results. Cause I KNOW you care. LOL.
Friday, April 27, 2007
How I'm Feeling Today
I hate that Joe works out of town.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Thursday Thirteen--Exercises In Futility
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Whiskey Wednesday 4/25/07
So, tomorrow is my Thursday Thirteen and I'm going to rant about the thirteen things I'm going to do tomorrow.It's all about exercises in futility. I'm a stay at home mom, a writer and I work every couple of months as a secretary. I have TONS of exercises in futility.
Things like dishes, laundry, learning my job at the office--only to forget everything I've learned in the two months I'm back at my other jobs. How about some of the promotion I've done. Crying in the wilderness, I've found that I'm swimming upstream in a VERY large river. So much of my life is spent doing things that are undone in seconds.
Getting spiritual satisfaction from cleaning up dog poop and picking up dirty clothes is a little challenging. I remember my Al-Anon sponsor used to tell me that if I couldn't without resentment, don't do it. Why doesn't that apply to housework? I'm a lousy housekeeper folks. I'm not talking about the dust on my bookshelves. I'm talking about the dishes that sit all day and the clean laundry that piles up in my overstuffed chair. Thank God it's overstuffed.
Is that more than you wanted to know about me? Yeah, I know. I'm lucky that my hubby isn't too concerned about my lack of cleaning skills.
So come back tomorrow to see my list of Exercises in Futility. I'm sure SOME of you can relate.
Monday, April 23, 2007
What a Monday
A lot of you may know that my redneck husband runs cranes in construction. Well, today, he had a really bad day. Now, a bad day on a crane isn't like a bad day at the office. It's risky. It's ugly.
His line got twisted and when he tried to fix it (it's complicated. Don't ask) the line snapped and broke the window of his cab showering him with safety glass.
It could have killed him. When he told me, all I could think was that I could have lost him so easily. All he was worried about was that he looked bad. No injuries. No problem. Right? He second guesses himself and feels like an ass. And he could have been killed. What can I say? He's such a man.
It's not an easy thing having him work out of town five days a week doing a job that risks his life, but that's what we do every week. It's angst that I can use in my stories. LOL. Running a crane looks so easy when those guys do it. It isn't simple.
I try not to worry about him. The whole away from home thing sucks anyway. If I allowed myself to think about the risks he takes every day, I'd be crazy.
Oh wait! I AM crazy. LOL.
Anyway, send some good thoughts his way. He's down on himself and nothing I say will change that. He knows that I'm ALWAYS on his side.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Dayna Tagged Me
Dayna Hart tagged me to write Five Things I'm Tired Of Obsessing Over
Obsession isn't a good thing for me to indulge AT ALL. But here's the ones I'm tired of.
1. Money
Whether I've got it or I don't, I worry about it. I've been known to wake up at 3am to think about money and where it ought to go and how I'm going to pay this or that. I don't obsess about how to GET money. Mostly it's how to make what is there last without going in the hole.
2. My Career Goals
When I started writing, I had great plans and none of them were based in reality. I've made a few more since I've been doing this thing and none of THEM have panned out either. In other words, I'm not sure what I'm doing. So, I keep bugging my writer friends with the whole "What should I do? What should I do?" So maybe this is an obsession THEY'RE tired of.
3. Promotion Issues
Am I doing it right? How can I increase traffic to my blog? What am I doing wrong? Do I just suck? What groups should I visit? This one pisses me off to no end. I finally gave up trying to do the "right" thing. That's how "Whiskey Wednesday" started. It was MINE and NOT about my career. I started blog rolling for people who make me laugh instead of blog rolling as a career move. As a result, I'm a lot more relaxed about it all.
4. Smoking
I am sooooo tired of obsessing about quitting, about having another one, about quitting, about getting my next pack.....on and on. This isn't a fun obsession at all. I'm almost ready to give this one up. Again. Maybe. LOL.
5. My Sales
It is a bitter blow to discover the numbers that were in my head as "sales" and the reality is miles apart. Miles apart. As a new writer, it's not easy to suck it up and give myself a break. The inevitable comparisons with other writers creates doubt and angst. I really dislike this obsession. It's deadly to the inspiration.
One great thing happened Friday. Cobblestone contracted "Triple Play", my third in the Divine Intervention series. Yayyyyyy.
I think I'll tag Toni Sue and Miranda Heart.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Thirteen Ways I Avoid Edits
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Whiskey Wednesday A Deadly Rant
Now, I promised you that I wouldn't give you a blow by blow of episodes of "The Deadliest Catch" since many of you haven't watched it.
I lied.
Last nights episode earned a Whiskey Wednesday rant if I ever saw it. Catching crab is difficult, yes, but Blake Painter, captain of the Maverick, has been shamelessly gleaning information where sweet fishing spots are from other captains and THEN talking about how he's going to take their money from a bet they made at the beginning of the season. To top it off, last night Phil (captain of the Cornelia Marie) gives him a nice tip and specifically requests that he keep it to himself. Blake turned right around and gave out the info to another captain.
Here's the rant.
For three years, this little arrogant prick worked on the Maverick as a deck boss. Didn't he pay attention? Didn't he get some kind of information before he headed out to sea? Doesn't he feel an ounce of shame that he's milking other successful captains? See, I think he ought to back out of the bet, since all the crab he caught was due to another man's information.
Also, if you're going to go back on your word and share information you've been asked not to pass on, then maybe you shouldn't use THE RADIO that other captains can listen in on. Dumbass. I understand that Blake has to "give to receive", however, passing on information over the radio when EVERYONE knows that fishermen listen to each other is stupid.
And that's what happened. Phil heard Blake passing on the very spot that Phil asked him to keep quiet over the radio. Phil took it well. I think he understands that Blake needed to give the other captain (Corky of "The Aleutian Ballad") something. Phil had some class and just messed with one of Blake's crab pots.
Do you think that arrogant jerk felt a little remorse? Hell no. He just commented that the trick "wasn't original". Um, Blake, neither were your successful fishing spots that are making you money. They were someone else's hot spots that you were lucky to get.
Last year, I felt so sorry for Blake when he was promised the captain's chair and Rick Quashnick decided to wait. I'm thinking I may owe Rick an apology. He probably knew that Blake was a little shit.
I'm raising my glass to Blake Painter of the Maverick. Here's hoping you pull your head out of ass before the season is over.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
One of the Best. Check Her Out.
ON SALE NOW!
When former paratrooper Scott Riley returns home from the war, he has
one aim—to meet the girl of his dreams, Cassie Wright. Cassie has been
his penpal, and his light at the end of the tunnel through most of his
war experience. He goes to her hometown on the Gulf Coast of Florida
with marriage on his mind only to find that she has other plans for her
future. A talented pianist, Cassie has been accepted to a prestigious
music conservatory in Jacksonville. Will she give up her dreams for
Scott, or will he chase hers?
A DIFFERENT TUNE is my third World War II-era historical. Read the four sneak peeks I've posted on my
MySpace Blog
or Visit A Different Tune Homepage for purchase info and to download a 2-chapter preview.
For more information about me or my other novels, please visit: LKCampbell.com
Monday, April 16, 2007
I'm back!
Thanks to Crystal, you've gotten to read my blog posts even though I was out of town all week.
On Monday, the kids and I surprised Joe by showing up in Fort Bragg, CA. where he's working right now. That was fun. Then I drove to Napa and spent four days with Mom. The only bad thing there? Dial up. Ugh. Otherwise, we had a blast.
Friday, we went back to Fort Bragg and spent the weekend with Joe flying kites and playing on the beach.
I hate kites. LOL.
And here's the reason. We're flying kites on the beach near Casper, and Paul lost his grip on the string. It went floating away into a tree. The sad thing is that the tree flew the kite better than we did. Trying to get the kite down was an exercise in ingenuity. A fishing pole and a sinker managed to pull the kite down....an hour and a half later. Charlie Brown has nothing on me.
It was so fun though.
Fort Bragg is known for it's beautiful beaches and dramatic shoreline. Glass Beach is one of the most amazing beaches. The force of the ocean scours the rocks until they're smooth and shiny. Gorgeous.
I'm home now and have edits, dogs and laundry to do. I'm glad to be home though. Did you guys have a good week?
Friday, April 13, 2007
The Second In My Series Out Today
"Double Trouble" by Jennifer McKenziefrom Cobblestone Press
Depressed and devastated after her husband's death, Elizabeth Muldoon is hiding from life. When Jerod Anderson is brutally honest with her, she kicks him out of her life. Until he comes back, she doesn't realize that her true soul mate was in front of her all along. Can her guardian angel help her see the love she'd missed?
This series has been a blast to write. Thomas is one of my favorite characters. For those of you who haven't checked out my webpage, there's a free read about Thomas the guardian angel called "None Too Soon".
I hope you all enjoy it.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Thursday Thirteen--People I Would Love To Meet
I'm not a big fan girl who follows celebrities obsessively and such. There are people I would really like to meet. Just meet them. I have no idea what I'd say to them but, I'm hoping I'll think of something if the time ever comes. |
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Whiskey Wednesday 4/11/07
Welcome to the next installment of Whiskey Wednesday.What is it about the Spring that makes everyone so happy about the weather?
Those of us who happen to be a little on the weird side and ENJOY the rain have a difficult time understanding the mass of people on the other side.
Let me explain.
For the entire winter, some of us are content. The rain is soothing, the sun isn't too bright, the weather isn't too hot and it's a good time to read a book or watch a movie. The splattering of the rain on the roof or the way the fog drifts over the ground is a source of comfort and relaxation.
But we don't get to enjoy it in silence. Oh no. Unfortunately, it is "in vogue" to complain about the weather. Okay, so there's a blizzard outside and you have frostbite. YOU moved to Alaska. What did you think was going to happen? Here, we get a lot of whining about the rain and fog. Um, it ALWAYS rains here. This is the northcoast. HELLO!!!!
Can you imagine what would happen if I started doing what they do? "It's too bright. It's too hot. I hate the spring. Everyone expects me to do yard work and I suck at yard work" and so on and so on.
I'm one of those off the wall, weird people who gets seasonal depression IN THE SPRING. I don't like summer.
So here's my rant. I'm not moving to fucking Arizona and complaining about the heat. I'm not visiting Alaska and complaining about the snow. Why, oh, why are people moving to my town and complaining about the rain and fog? I heard one woman in the store completely bewildered by the amount of time it rained. "It's rained for two weeks. When is it going to stop?" I don't say, but I'm thinking "It stops about 500 miles south of here. If you get in your car and drive, you'll see what I mean."
Okay, so now I'm done. Just know that when T.S Eliot wrote "April is the cruelest month" he was thinking of people like me.
| APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding | |
| Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing | |
| Memory and desire, stirring | |
| Dull roots with spring rain. | |
| Winter kept us warm, covering | 5 |
| Earth in forgetful snow, feeding | |
| A little life with dried tubers from T.S. Eliot's "Wasteland" |
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Happy Easter All
I hope everyone has a relaxing Easter filled with peace and joy. I'll be out of town next week, but posting from my Mom's.
HAPPY EASTER!
Friday, April 06, 2007
This one is HOT!!!!!!
Crystal Jordan has great one out this time. It's hot. It's a historical. It's a great read.One thing she knows how to do is tell a story. She rocks.
From the moment their king called her husband to the Crusades, Lady Eleanor prayed for his safe return. While in the Holy Lands, Sir Gavin sent home extraordinary riches: tapestries, spices, oils. Tucked between the lush fabrics was a wicked book depicting lovers entwined—exotic ecstasies a lady could never even imagine.
Eleanor has spent many a lonely night dreaming of Gavin pleasuring her in such ways, but when Gavin returns, he seems cold and distant, and Eleanor fears she's lost the only man she's ever loved. Using the book as her guide, can she teach her lord a lesson in pleasure and regain his love?
Buy It Here
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Thursday Thirteen--How Writing Is Like Motherhood
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1…. The waiting is hell. Waiting for the birth of a child? Waiting for a response from a publisher/agent? Is there a difference? Painful, uncomfortable and emotional, am I right? 2. The birth is traumatic. There is nothing that is quite the same as childbirth. The joy and the pain. Well, except having a release date and seeing your book on the front page of a publisher's website. 3. Coffee This is a given. I can't write without it and I'm not human, much less mothering, without it. 4. If you don't do it, it's tough to understand. Sympathetic friends who don't write are just like sympathetic friends with no kids. They pat your arm and say all kinds of things, but it's the one who's in it, done it and survived it that help the most. 5. Others are quick to point out your faults. Whether it's parenting style or comma placement, others are always willing to make "suggestions". Sometimes, suggestions are good. Like, "Jen, murder is not an option honey." 6. They watch what you do. My kids watch me, copy me (and their redneck father) and learn from me. Editors, publishers and agents read blogs. See? We're never safe. 7. The lack of paycheck. Do I really need to say anything? Unless you're a mommy like Martha Stewart or a writer like Nora Roberts......okay, I'm bitter, I admit it. 8. The feeling that somehow "no one loves you". "Mamma, you're mean!" or "I wantIwantIwantIwant...." isn't any easier to take then "You sold how many copies in a month?" or the crickets chipping in a chat. 9. The love you do get is a treasure. Whether it's snuggling at night, cute little five year old kisses, or the rare "thank you, mamma", it's something to cherish. Same goes for reader emails, critique partners who compliment you or good reviews. (See? I can think positively) 10. Your relationship with your editor is VERY important. In my house, my editor is my hubby. He makes "suggestions". He lets me write the story, but reserves the right to give his opinion. (I even let him. Aren't I sweet?). Editors are the same. They want to improve the book. My hubby wants to improve the kids. Of course, I'm not sleeping with my editors. LOL. 11. I do it because I love it, not because I get kudos. If motherhood or writing was based on reward, nothing would get written and no kids would be born. Both are jobs that need perseverance even in the face of discouragement. And you FEEL like murdering people, but you can't. 12. Nobody can mess with your baby. Perhaps this is why we all take reviews so hard. If you have kids, maybe you'll know what I mean when I say I can say something about my kids (or my book) but you'd better not slam them. Even if you're right. LOL. Books are like my babies. I create them, nurture them, they drive me crazy and then I have to send them out in the world to be criticized, scrutinized and loved or hated. 13. Sometimes it feels like I'm going NOWHERE and then POOF! Something amazing. LONG periods of work, work, work. Short periods of euphoric success. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Whiskey Wednesday
I've decided that I do want to blog about the things I really WANT to write about. But, I'm going to spare all professionals who are NOT interested in personal crap about me.
So, welcome to Whiskey Wednesday. These are the days I write about some of the more personal stuff. Yeah, it's not as cool as Crystal's Hump Day Hotties or Wordless Wednesday, but it's all me.
And along those lines--Here's a few popular "program" (That's 12 Step program) sayings that I've had some interesting and snarky answers to.
1. Courage is fear that's said it's prayers.....and God said "no" but I didn't listen.
2. It's one day at a time.....but can't I just skip this one?
3. Fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real.....and Fuck Everything And Run.
4. God is not a terrorist. (That's in one our books. I swear. I didn't have anything to add to that. It was funny by itself. LOL.
5. Justification is like masturbation. You only screw yourself......but it feels so good.
6. Have an attitude of gratitude......or I'll hit you over the head!
7 And finally, the one that most people know. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to hide the bodies where no one can find them.
This has been Whiskey Wednesday. No rednecks or small children were harmed in the making of this post.
Tonight is the Night!!!!!
Tonight on The Discovery Channel at 9pm is season three of "The Deadliest Catch".
<-----That is Edgar, folks. Cute isn't he? Maybe it's because he's being photographed with crabs.
Okay. I'll stop now. I promise I won't give you a blow by blow of each episode.
Hey, some people obsess about American Idol and Survivor. I obsess about crab fishermen on The Deadliest Catch.
Does anyone else think Mike Rowe is kind of cute too? Nevermind.
Luckily, my husband is a huge fan too, so there's no conflict there.
Need a little more? How about Deadliest Report for all things Deadliest Catch.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Things I wish I could do on my Blog
I started this blog because I was working toward being a published author and it was a way to have "web presence" and all that stuff. Now, as a published author with a website, covers and so on, I get a little paranoid about what I'm writing on my blog. But lately, I've wanted to write about the "real" stuff that goes on.
I'd love to write a rant about some of my family. I'm terrified they'll read it someday. Imagine my panic when my husband, in some fit of redneck weirdness, decided to read my blog entries for the last six months. I was frantically checking the posts for any references that may have me in the proverbial doghouse. My mother? Let's not go there. My MIL? Not there either. What if the hair that crawled up my ever lovin' redneck's butt crawled up theirs? I'd be screwed.
I'd love to tell the truth about my political leanings. I'm sure a lot of people have guessed them, but it can be frustrating. See, I know that several of the people who may swing by might be offended by some of my political rants. And heaven forbid I offend. *sigh*. I swear I'm going to get a pseudonym and start pitching a fit about stuff. The problem is that guessing who I am will be a no brainer. "Look, that Raving Lunatic blog has a big post about "Deadliest Catch". Do you think it could be....?" Yeah, I suck at being anonymous.
I'd love to go on and on about some of the things that helped me personally. See, I'm being so CAREFUL. I'm in Al-Anon. I said it. I've outed myself and the Twelve Step police are going to knock on my door for not maintaining "personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and film". Whatever. It explains my insanity, the voices in my head and my need for attention. LOL. Don't know what that is? Click Here
I have a huge respect for bloggers who are able to talk about their funny stuff and their sad stuff. I love to blog wander and find myself drawn to the bitter, snarky and dark humor that is floating around out there. My mother would be appalled. Which makes them perfect for me.
Okay, enough. The nice thing is that this post will pass like a fart in church. It will appall and offend and then everyone forgets.
As long as the smell doesn't linger.
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Name:: Jennifer McKenzie Location:: California
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