I want to thank author Sandy Wolters for her wonderful review of my supernatural suspense thriller, The Beach. You can visit Sandy’s Spotlight at the following link to read her comments and enter the kindle eBook giveaway:

http://sandywolters.weebly.com/2/post/2013/02/sandys-spotlight-author-spotlight-jaye-frances-book-review-and-giveway.html

This past weekend I found myself on the floor of my closet surrounded by piles of shoes, purses, and other no-longer-treasured articles of clothing. I was in the sorting stage of gathering donations for our local community’s yearly “Clothes Closet” event. Every spring, all the gals (sorry, guys, we’re just not that interested in your hand-me-downs . . .) scour dresser drawers and closet shelves in search of items that we no longer wear, use, or want to try to squeeze into. Volunteers in the neighborhood with sewing skills and the patience of Job, secure loose buttons, re-stitch breached seams, and mend small tears. Then we all patiently await “shopping day,” when we get the chance to purchase that silky pink negligee our neighbor wore for her now-ex-husband on their first Valentine’s Day together, while hoping she also donated the strappy silver pumps and velvet handcuffs that made it a complete outfit.

It’s all in good fun, and for a very worthy cause. Not only are the clothing and accessories “re-purposed,” the proceeds are then donated to several local women’s organizations, making it a win-win all the way around. The community clubhouse where the benefit takes place is transformed into a mini-version of a Loehman’s dressing room. For those of you unfamiliar with the setting, Loehman’s was a large clothing store in the southwest, and a pioneer in the design of social fitting rooms. There were no doors, drapery, or privacy screening of any kind. Picture your mother’s living room, filled with a dozen or so women in a semi-dressed state, dropping drawers, pretense, and compliments as they all attempt to convince each other that they’re comfortable hanging out half-naked in front of strangers.

Frankly, I’m really looking forward to our yearly get-together. There’s just something nurturing—in a kindred spirit sort of way—about playing “dress-up” with your friends and exchanging outfits that haven’t seen the light of day in years.

On a purely selfish note, I’m in it for the shoes. In fact, I have my heart set on a pair of emerald green six-inch heels that made a recent appearance in a local pub last St. Patty’s day. Those babies definitely have my name on them. And a friend bet me a four-hand massage that my husband won’t recognize my naughty Santa’s elf outfit on someone else’s wife at the annual neighborhood Christmas party. I can almost feel those warm fingers sliding up my spine . . .

Until next time,

Ever wonder what’s going on in the mind of a high school senior guy? You know, the hormone-infused adolescent maelstrom that is the teenage male psyche. In The Possibilities of Amy you’ll meet David, the subject of those confusing influences, along with his testosterone-charged buddies, Pete and Mark. Add to the mix the new transfer student, Amy, and the fireworks begin.

Now you can download your free eBook of “Amy” from Amazon on Feb. 8 & 9 (Fri-Sat) and re-visit those angst-filled years of first loves, dating disasters, and bittersweet memories. The story contains adult language and suggestion, and is best suited for a mature reader.

Here are the links:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007LPVXIA

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Possibilities-of-Amy-ebook/dp/B007LPVXIA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338828469&sr=1-1

Need the FREE Amazon ereader app for your phone, tablet, iPad, or computer? Here’s the link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sa_menu_karl3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

Thank you for taking a look, and I hope you enjoy the read!

Jaye Frances

I’ve been on the road traveling and just returned home this last weekend, completely exhausted. I missed my friends and my own comfy bed, and I just wanted to snuggle on the couch with a glass of merlot. But the rituals of laundry, opening mail, and catching up on correspondence were calling to me. The wine would have to wait.

As I scanned email, I caught a recent review by Dani at TwoGirlsReading Book Review Blog of The Cruise-All That Glitters (my adult satire). Reading her thoughts made me forget how tired I was. Her words really touched me, because, frankly, when someone “gets it,” it makes the long nights and seemingly endless days totally worthwhile.

But what was really important was the timing. Over the last few months, I’ve been cautioned by industry pros that my work needs to be “dumbed down.” They’re talking about my tendency to “write between the lines” to address issues that are sensitive, uncomfortable, or inappropriate for discussion in polite company, which, in their opinion, makes the writing too complex for the average reader.

I didn’t want to believe them. I felt like they were asking me to compromise the unspoken agreement that exists between writer and reader, which essentially says the author has done their best work—and readers will accept nothing less.

So thank you, Dani, for your thoughts and comments. It was exactly the shot in the arm I needed.

Here are the links to read Dani’s review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/504690724

http://twogirlsreading2.blogspot.com/p/jaye-frances.html#!/p/jaye-frances.html

It’s great to be home!

Until next time,

On December 28 and 29  (Friday-Saturday) you can download your free eBook of “Love Travels Forever” from Amazon. Here’s the link:

Amazon US:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009X1OFVC

Amazon UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Travels-Forever-ebook/dp/B009X1OFVC/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1351259625&sr=1-1-catcorr

Love Travels Forever is an inspiring collection of seventeen stories filled with romance and passion, the hopeful innocence of youth, and a love so strong that it transcends the mortality of life. Here are just a few of the people you’ll meet:

Evan and Frankie, a loving couple traveling through life hand-in-hand, are unaware that the shadow of fate is about to tear them apart. Helpless to change their shortened future together, one of them makes a promise—a promise of devotion and courage, honoring a love that surpasses the boundaries of time.

Mark and Janice, the perfect couple with the perfect life, are on the threshold of finally seeing their dreams come true—until an unexpected circumstance changes their lives forever.

Danny, a young soldier fresh out of boot-camp, is desperate to find a way to travel home and marry his sweetheart before being shipped overseas. Stranded in a train station on a three day pass with no hope in sight, Danny meets Wanda, an incredible woman who vows to find a way to bring Danny and his fiance together.

Nora and Georgia are two eight-year-old best friends who share giggles, dolls, and secrets. But when one of them faces sudden danger, the other responds with an unconditional act of love and forges a lifelong bond between them unaffected by fear or prejudice.

So find a quiet spot, get comfy, and grab a box of Kleenex. You’re about to take an unforgettable journey of the heart, to a place where compassion and hope have no limits, and where love continues to travel forever.

Many thanks for your interest, and I hope you enjoy the stories.

Jaye Frances

www.jayefrances.com

http://www.facebook.com/jayefrancesauthor

I’m offering a Free eBook of “Love Travels Forever” right now at The Jeep Diva. Here’s a link to the giveaway, featuring a review of the book and a short excerpt:

http://www.thejeepdiva.com/2012/12/review-love-travels-forever-by-jaye-francis.html

“Love Travels Forever” is an inspiring collection of seventeen stories filled with romance and passion, the hopeful innocence of youth, and a love so strong that it transcends the mortality of life.

So find a quiet spot, get comfy, and grab a box of Kleenex. You’re about to take an unforgettable journey of the heart, to a place where compassion and hope have no limits, and where love continues to travel forever.

“Love Travels Forever” is available now on Amazon for $1.99:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009X1OFVC

Thank you for visiting, and enjoy the read!

Jaye Frances

www.jayefrances.com

Hi, everyone – hope your November is off to a good start. Here are my eBook Giveaways and updates for the week:

To kick off the release of “Love Travels Forever,” the following book review sites are featuring sneak peek excerpts along with a few eBook Giveaway Contests:

To Read or Not To Read – Contest ends November 9:

Link:    http://www.2readornot2read.com/2012/11/love-travels-forever-jaye-frances-guest.html#comment-form

Bibliophilic Book Blog – Contest ends November 19

Link:  http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2012/11/book-spotlightgiveaway-love-travels.html

Unwritten by Mysti Parker:

http://mystiparker.blogspot.com/2012/11/love-travels-forever-by-jaye-frances.html

“Love Travels Forever” is available now on Amazon for $1.99

Here are the links:

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009X1OFVC

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Travels-Forever-ebook/dp/B009X1OFVC?tag=dwktt-21"

Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews is hosting eBook Giveaways for both “The Beach” and “The Cruise-All That Glitters”

“The Beach” is a sci-fi supernatural tale about a man who is given the opportunity to change his life. The book also includes the suspense thriller, “Short Time”

http://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-beach-by-jaye-frances-guest-post.html

Contest ends November 10

“The Beach” is available now on Amazon for $1.99

Here are the links:

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008X76CD6

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Beach-ebook/dp/B008X76CD6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344903419&sr=8-1

For a twisting, edgy adult satire told from the male point of view, batten down the hatches and sail the bumpy seas of romance with Dean in “The Cruise-All That Glitters.”

http://lauries-interviews.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-cruise-all-that-glitters-by-jaye.html

Contest ends November 17

“The Cruise-All That Glitters” is available now on Amazon for $1.99

Here are the links:

US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081IST8S

UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Cruise-That-Glitters-ebook/dp/B0081IST8S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338828503&sr=1-1

Have a great week, and enjoy the reads!

Jaye Frances

www.jayefrances.com