Jax's Artistic Journey...

I've been biting my nails off waiting for my reviews to come in and last week I discovered that the Romantic Times BOOKReviews gave ART OF SENSUALITY, 4-stars! I've never been more proud and I really hope that my readers will love the story and my hero and heroine...




Review: Machiko and Caleb are sexy characters who are easy to visualize and lust over. The plotline is riveting. You can feel Machiko's pain as she works out her personal demons to try and open up her heart. Caleb is luscious and patient. The sex scenes are yummy. Their chemistry is electric. This smooth read comes to a satisfying conclusion. Hot stuff.

Summary: Machiko Barrett, an Amerasian artist, was a child prodigy at 3. She has deep, dark secrets that she keeps hidden from the world. House-sitting, she uses the time to prepare for her first gallery showing in years. Neighbor Caleb spots her through a window and is instantly attracted to her. When they meet, things get hot and heavy, but Machiko isn't ready to let go of her angst and puts Caleb through a roller-coaster ride to win her love. (Parker, Nov., 250 pp., $10.95)

—Leslie Frohberg

Darn you Robin Bielman! **Jax raises fist in air**

I am just quirky so here goes...

Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
List 6 unspectacular quirks you have.
Tag 6 bloggers by linking them.
Leave a comment on each person’s blog to let them know they’ve been tagged.

And now, to my spectacularly unspectacular quirks:

1. I cannot drink water unless it's iced cold and bottled. Something about warm water makes me want to puke. For that matter, I like all my sodas the same way.

2. I can't swim so if anyone wants revenge, push me in and watch me float to the top face down.

3. I can't live without flip flops or open-toed shoes. I can wear them through the winter even if I get frost bitten. (Although lately for the winter, I have learned to love my UGG knockoffs called BEARS!)

4. Cursed as a child, I have naturally curly hair and must flat iron it EVERY DAY to give it that nice sleek Asian look!

5. I'm deathly afraid of heights but I forced myself to do extreme sports to help me conquer my fear...like bungee jumping, sky diving, zip cable gliding....

6. I was a vegetarian for 10 years but can't stand eating beans! Now I'm a carnivore, so does that count?

So there you have it! And now it’s your turn! You can’t run! You can’t hide! Come on down:

Abigail McKenley, Kelley Nyrae, Katie Reus, Kelly Gay, Kwana, Saskia Walker

Dear Gerry:

I was distraught by the news today. I'm sorry but I must confide that you no longer appeal to me for obvious reasons. I discovered you have been seeing Jennifer Aniston and the thought of it sickens me. Does that mean they will now call you Gerriston? No matter...

At one time, I placed you on a pedestal and made it a point to watch all your movies. No more. You have destroyed every shred of worship and loyalty I held for you. I even modeled all my heroes after you, but alas, those days are gone. For a man of your obvious good looks, charm, and wit, I am surprised and shocked that--out of any celebrity females in the world--you could fall for...her? The crybaby, co-dependent, uninteresting, John Mayer loving....well, you get the picture.

It saddens me that you are not the man I thought you were...I'm sorry, it just won't work with us anymore. I need to find a man with a deeper sense of value and intelligence (and tighter abs since you've failed to maintain your hot body since 300).

It was good while it lasted...sniff..sniff. I am now going to go unsubscribe to your fan club.

Sincerely,
J.

P.S. I don't love you anymore

I was doing a book signing Saturday and got to see and touch the Sony Ebook Reader for the first time! I was sooooo hooked when I discovered that you get 100 free books when you purchase one. Of course, I'm going to start saving hard to get me this Sangria Red model by Christmas! It is such a super cool gadget which also holds video and digital photos. The only problem is that the screen flashes in and out when you flip the virtual page. It doesn't have the function to choose a different style of flipping. Over all, it's easy to use, you can plug it right into the computer or laptop with a USB cable and you can download from any download site (per the sales girl). The best thing about it is that it's lightweight and gives you an option to stash more books on a jumpdrive or memory card. You can also read PDF and Word documents and it allows for 7500 pages of reading which one of their site commercials says is equivalent to reading "War & Peace" three times. Not that I could get through it the first time around, but you get the picture! I am so stoked about it. Maybe when I get it they will have a new upgraded version.

I was coerced to archive my family pictures. Well, all the ones belonging to my mother and father in their youth, so it was a real eye opener. There's so much history and every photograph tells a different story about my parents that I never would have conceived of understanding. This opportunity is actually a blessing for it gives me insight in my own life. My mother was so beautiful with her movie star good lucks, her charm, her kindness in her youth.


My father was such a player, a sweet talker, a silly kind of man in his day. It's hard for us to see them that way when I look at them now. So, these images show me the side of them that I would have never known otherwise.

I wonder when I grow older if my children will view me this way. I better save all my pictures for them to catalogue and archive! :)

I grew up with a camera in my hand. There was a period I didn't do any photography due to life but I always saw things through the camera lense. Of course, I'm trying to collect more gadgets for my Nikon but when I get a freelance job, there's always a rush of excitement. Regardless if it's headshots, family portraits, children or animals...I love doing it. I wish I had a studio and more time to devote to this. The good news is that my client list is growing through referrals. I've got a couple of really coooool jobs coming up, and some require native costumes, which I'm dying to do.

This morning I wrapped up a headshot for a real estate agent and it was a lot of fun. Men and women photograph so differently. I'm a natural light kind of girl and so I like outdoor shots. Usually I have an assistant but moving to the Sunshine State, I'm going solo. Reflectors are key and when you don't have the help, you just gotta wing it. Needless to say, the pics turned out awesome!

Backdrop plays a major part in good headshots. It can make or break a photo unless it's in studio. At the wrap of my session, I noticed a willing model. She's quite beautiful and a little bit of a Diva. She finally ended up posing for me and I think she's a classic beauty.

I just love photography...I hope to someday be confident enough to take shots that I can blow up and hang on my wall as art...until then, I'll keep taking the purrrfect shot.

I've been living, basically, out of my suitcase since March. It's very frustrating, often depressing. I know in a year things will be completely different and I shall have my own place again and my own life back. For now, I've been traveling, writing, driving my family crazy but the times that I am home, it's hard to jumpstart the creativity. Everything comes in spurts. One moment I'm writing until I'm breathless, the next, I feel like crawling into bed and sleeping.

Maybe I'm stumped. My characters are vivid in my mind, but I can't seem to get the words down the way I want it. I know my story as if I was living it, but then I find myself questioning whether the H/H will be likeable. As I listen to the rain, soft music in the background, I realize I need to just suck it up and keep writing.

What do you do when you feel stuck, frustrated, getting nowhere in your story?

Onto brighter news, I have an audio interview at Relationship Junkies to promote my upcoming release. If you want to know about me, my writing journey, Romance Divas and whether I like Cowboys or a Sexy Thug...you should listen in. Let me know what you think! :)

Before I get to the topic at hand...I have to say I picked up a copy of Cosmo mag and squealed upon seeing the awesome HOT READ article/excerpt of Eden Bradley's next book FORBIDDEN FRUIT! I was lucky enough to get an ARC of it at RWA Nationals--let me tell you, it's as hot as they say it is! I loved it, just like how I love all her other books, and I think that if you want a really hot, thought provoking, and sexy read...pick it up!

Well, I'm officially out of my funk. I don't have much more to go on my proposal and then I can send it off. It was such a rush to get the pages down and even more exciting to re-read it. There were times when I was proud of what I've written and to see how much I've grown really makes it a better writing experience. It's a major breakthrough for me to be able to get back into that mental subspace required for writing. Too many distractions have led my mind to protest working so it's been a real challenge to push forward. I think that every writer needs a time to be with other writers, to brainstorm, and hope that their enthusiasm will rub off at the end of the session. I'm already looking forward to my November retreat in Texas. That one should prove highly interesting! What's really important is ART OF SENSUALITY will be out and I can finally frame that thing! :)

It's very inspiring to have friends who are constantly amazing me with their talents and to be able to have the opportunity to work with them is a blessing. Now I'm all geared up for the October conference and ready to get down to business!!

Everyone knows I'm a sucker for helping a worthy cause. One of our Divas has decided to join a team to raise money for CF and I've decided to participate. Of course, I'm aiming for a goal of $500 but I'm happy to get what I can because it's so important for me to raise anything for them...If my friends could each donate $5, I would be extremely happy!

As a way to help my fundraising efforts, I'm putting together a mini-gift box. If you've donated, comment on this blog and I'll put you in on the drawing. All entries can also get a free electronic pack of my Cassidy Kent ebooks (Sunset Key, Raleigh in Rio, Dolce & Diana) or a first look ebook ARC of ART OF SENSUALITY before it comes out in November! Good luck!

If you love me, donate here: http://www.cff.org/LWC/JaxCassidy

Some info regarding CF:

Cystic fibrosis is a devastating genetic disease that affects children and young adults. Advances continue to be made in finding a cure, but your help is needed now—more than ever—to help keep up the momentum of this life-saving research. Too many young lives depend on this vital research to let it go unfunded!

Your generous gift will be used efficiently and effectively—nearly 90 cents of every dollar of revenue raised is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education. And, it's tax-deductible.

Talk about a long day...I am pre-packing for when we actually move to Wilmington and I can't describe how much crap I have crammed in my little room! It's not a pretty sight. I have counted my jeans and although I've had 200 pairs right before I moved, I have now inherited 50 more!!!! Can you say A-D-D-I-C-T? Well, I've also noticed that I have moved from the conventional black and white wardrobe to COLOR! My latest obsession is orange, fuschia, and green...where the heck did that come from? I'm a black and white girl! Sigh. Last week I put red streaks in my bangs to match my new sense of style...but I'm thinking a little more red won't hurt.

Ahem, sorry for the rambling. I have inhaled so much clorox, dust particles, and lysol my brain isn't functioning normally. Did I say I'm a clothes addict too? I suppose I'm trying to focus on cleaning as a way to divert from deadlines. This only proves that I prefer writing over domestics. So, as soon as I finish re-organizing and packing, I am going to get a few pages in. I really ought to relax as I'll be writing the rest of the weekend at my mini retreat, but cleaning has a way with clearing the mind. It also gives you plenty of time to plot in your head.

Watch out NY, here I come!

Seven years ago today, I was on bed rest after a major car accident two days after my birthday. I remember flipping channels and feeling sorry for myself because I had just wrecked my brand new car two weeks after I purchased it. My title had arrived that same day and the world seemed to be pretty lousy! I remember noticing all the news channels interrupting shows with their "BREAKING NEWS" and then I saw the events unfold...

Let me tell you, no matter how I felt before that moment, I knew my life would never be the same. Life was too short.

I distinctly remember my heart thumping so hard against my chest, not sure if the footage I was watching was reality. Then the tears came. I wept until my eyes were so puffy I couldn't see because I wanted so badly to get out of bed and head to NYC to help those people. I was in a neck brace and banged up pretty bad so I could barely even get out of bed to go to the restroom. The helplessness I felt made everything even worse. I don't think I slept for days and my eyes were glued to the news. The world as we knew it had changed. For once, I felt the world coming together, uniting as one.

When I was recovering and was able to leave my home, I felt people bonding and supporting each other through the grief. I don't think I've ever noticed a more cohesive existence and it took one of the most heartbreaking tragedies to help us open our eyes...and our hearts.

I can only long for the same feelings of unity again and with the world in such a state as it is, I look back to this day and know that my life has grown from my experience. Maybe that's why I work so hard, push myself, never stop to breathe. I think my fear is that one day I won't be around and everything I wanted to do was never done. Believe me, I've beat the odds.

I've conquered a horrible health condition, I've survived heartache and pain, and continued to live life to the fullest... So when I sign my books, you'll know why my signature is Live with Purpose, Love with Passion...

I believe with all my heart that if eveyone does just one good deed and allow themselves to open up to love, it goes a long, long way...

THANK YOU to all the men and women serving our country. Without you, we would not have the freedoms that we do today.

Kick A$$ Characters By Authors Who Know How To Kick A$$

September 12-13 at Romance Divas

Want to know how to write authentic action, suspense, law enforcement, and military romance? Ask authors who know firsthand! Romance Divas is hosting a 2-day workshop with some of the hottest names in the genre. It will take place at the Romance Divas Forum. All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register by entering the site and clicking on Forum.

Bob Mayer
Lindsay McKenna
Barry Eisler
Lori Avocato
Maggie Price
Linnea Sinclair
Larissa Ione
Merline Lovelace

I've been in a funk more than usual. Some days I'm so into my writing and then all of a sudden I find myself hitting that wall.

Frankly, it's frustrating and a bit annoying.

My friends tell me I'm just overwhelmed. I think they're nuts! I'm perfectly balanced....but seriously, I think we all go through a mental hiatus whether we like it or not. I, however, think that my momentum has dropped due to my environment. That's for my 'tell-all' book when I hit it big..

This weekend I'm doing a mini writing retreat and I plan on getting as much written as possible to make up for lost time. I'm starting to feel good about things and I'm sure with my buddy and her tough-love practices, she'll kick me back into shape. Hopefully my momentum will increase and I'll be back on track. I really don't have a choice. It's sink or swim time and I'm prepared to take those long broad strokes back to Creative-ville!

So, what do you all do when you've lost your momentum? How do you pick it back up? Inquiring minds want to know....

The day is almost over and Happy Birthday to yours truly.

No cake. No loud parties. Not an ounce of champagne...


But it was a great time to reflect.

Today is a day when I make things happen. In past years I never celebrated, except for the occasional surprised parties, and this year was no exception. When you come from a large family it's never a big deal to anyone and even when you go out, they still treat you like the crappy kid sister. Oh well.

I wish I could say I swam across the English Channel, climbed Mt. Everest, traveled to Tibet, or walked the streets of Paris--well, maybe not this round but someday soon I'll have exciting birthday adventures. Until that day, I'm like any ordinary person who must do laundry, clean my room, wash dishes...then work on my latest WIP. That's how dedicated I am.

To be honest, none of the bells and whistles are necessary when you're on a mission. Besides, I just received one of the greatest birthday presents of my life...my mother gave me a family jewel she's had for 60 years that was passed on from my grandmother. I'm going to have it set into a custom setting. What more can a girl ask when she's got a piece of family that will someday belong to my children....

Hope everyone has had a fulfilling day. :)

First off..HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDEN BRADLEY!

It's the end of the weekend and when I should be relaxing...I'm writing.

Well, I've set goals for this week and then I will seriously tackle my deadlines...I promise!

Sigh...so my CP, JamaicaChick, guilted me into signing up for the Moonlight & Magnolias Conference organized by the Georgia Romance Writers. It looks like I'm going in October. Knock on wood. I'm sad that I'll be missing my Central Florida chapter's Super Saturday event. My friend Julie did a phenomenal job of setting it up, but sadly I will be out of town. I urge new writers to attend this wonderful workshop!

Where does the transition come in?

tran·si·tion /trænˈzɪʃən, -ˈsɪʃ-/
Spelled Pronunciation[tran-zish-uhn, -sish-]
–noun
1. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change: the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Well, frankly, transitions come in all forms. Life, moving, new job, new friends, new career, new relationships...every decision we make or path we take will lead us in the direction of where we want to go. For me, I've been transitioning for the past five years. We all hear that writing is a solidary thing but these days we have the ability to mix being alone and being with others--virtually.

Confused? We have the power of technology and the internet to keep us connected. We've got blogs, forums, email, yahoogroups, etc. There's no way not to communicate and there's always an opportunity to interact. Even when I'm on deadline, I know I can pick up the phone and call one of my fabulous girl friends. Wherever they are, whatever they're doing, they will be there to cheer me on, kick my butt, or give me a virtual shoulder to cry on. It's not such an empty place when you know you've got someone who is going through the same transitions, but in their own way. Every author has a small level of insecurity whether they're successful or just starting out. The best part of being lost in this perpetual transitioning is that I get to share this with these women who I've had the fortune of meeting. It's a matter of reaching out, opening yourself up, and putting a little trust in the people who will most likely be with you to the end.

Embrace transition, don't fear it.

This song ALMOST LOVER from A Fine Frenzy inspired me to write one of my upcoming contemporary proposals. It's so touching...sad....

I'm just a music lover, always have been. I often like to talk about music and soundtracks that I set to my stories...for some reason this song resonates and is perfect for the mood. Now I'll look for songs to wrap around it. I loved Fleetwood Mac growing up...loved Stevie Nicks. I even loved the version Dixie Chicks made of Landslide. It's a sad and beautiful song and simply perfect! So, now I'm gearing up for a great writing experience. What about you? What kinds of music touches your writing heart?

Not the kind of storm that I dread...thankfully Gustav and Hanna decided to visit someone else! WHEW!

Sometimes I just feel absolutely drained. No matter how much work I produce or how much I try to stay on top of things...it doesn't seem to make a dent. I've been doing freelance for the past 5 months and it's tough. Trying to write full-time is incredible but I'm not where I need to be...should be. There's a lot going on right now and I start to wonder when life will level out for me.

Don't know why but I keep getting pulled back to my really dark contemporary. I need to get my deadline done but I can't stop thinking about this story. It's like a rainy day in winter when you're drinking hot tea and staring out the window while you're wrapped up in a Chenille blanket. This is that kind of story. I'm so obsessed with it and I think if a story really draws you in..you need to write it. So, I'm plugging away and I hope it's not one of those things where you look back and feel it was all a waste of time. My characters are two very emotionally scarred people (I know, my trademark storytelling), but the difference is that they handle it exceedingly well. It's actually uplifting if you allow yourself into their world. It's going to very sexy, tender, and romantic. I'm such a sucker for a good love story.

I'm going to get a hot cup of tea and a dollop of cream and I'm off to write!

I've only been back in Florida six months now and already I've seen my fair share of rainy days and hurricane watch reports... now that this is actively hurricane season, there's no lack of excitement around here! As Gustav spares Florida, it's really doing a number on Louisiana...those folks aren't catching a break! :( Maybe all this is messing with my writing chi!

Right now we're monitoring Hanna to make sure she's not going to ruin our weekend but it makes me kind of miss earthquakes in LA...okay, in terms of natural distasters, I'd pass on both please..but since I'm already here, I'm thinking it's a great premise for a short story. Oh, I've already done one about hurricanes. LOL

I'm on a cleaning binge. I've decided that since this is my birthday month, I should start a new kind of resolution. Don't know what just yet...my ultimate goal is to get a great agent and a NY contract by December..hummmm, that sounds pretty darn good to me. So, after I get my office all cleaned and spotless, I'm going to tackle my deadline...once I get that over with, I will be in the right mindset to get my goals going....