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Jacklyn loves to hear from readers. Connect with her on the web: Website | Facebook | Twitter
December 24, 2013
Jacklyn loves to hear from readers. Connect with her on the web: Website | Facebook | Twitter
November 15, 2013
Filling the Well
We have autumn here on the edge of the world, but it's not like the autumns I'm used to. Leaves don't change and fall to the ground here. Days aren't warm and nights aren't crisp and cool. We do experience a lessening of the humidity, for which I'm grateful, but the only other signs of fall where I live are the dragonflies and Monarch butterflies that pass through here on their annual migration south.
Recently, I received an invitation from some writer friends to join them for a few days at a friend's house in the Smokey mountains. I haven't spent much time around other writers lately, and I haven't seen these dear friends in more than five years. Plus, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, I just love a good road trip, so I jumped at the chance.
It was an amazing week, and I don't use that term loosely. Not only did I get to see mountains and changing leaves again, but I got to spend time around people who "get" me. We spent hours talking about shared experiences, the publishing industry in general, family and pets. We did a little sight-seeing, a little outlet store shopping, and a lot of eating, most of which was accomplished without the usual daily grind of cooking and washing up.
I didn't work all week and only checked my e-mail occasionally, mostly to make sure my family wasn't in mid-crisis since my cell phone didn't have any service. I drove home through Atlanta, which gave me a chance to spend time with a dear friend and her family, and also with my nephew, his wife and their new baby. I came home with my soul fed and my spirit rested, ready to buckle down and get back to work.
My little jaunt to refill the well was long past due, and it got me wondering about my readers. I'd like to know about your experiences. What's the last thing you did to refill your well?
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Jacklyn Brady lives on the Gulf Coast and writes the Piece of Cake Mystery series set in New Orleans. The series features cake artist and trained pastry chef, Rita Lucero. The Cakes of Wrath, book #4 in the Piece of Cake Mystery Series, is available now!
Jacklyn loves to hear from readers. Connect with her on the web: Website | Facebook | Twitter
October 22, 2013
Hit the Road Jack…lyn
I love a road trip. It’s my preferred method of travel, no matter where I’m headed. Oh, I know airlines are quicker – usually – but there’s all the hassle of stuffing everything you need into one carry-on bag, paying to check bags if your stuff won’t fit, and . . . well, let's face it: the comfort factor leaves a lot to be desired. Besides, you can’t stop and visit interesting places along the way when you’re cruising at 30,000 feet. Trains are interesting but not very practical, and the bus? I've only been on one very short bus trip but it ranks pretty low on my list.
Nope, give me a car and a few tanks of gas any day.
A few months ago my youngest daughter, her husband, and my grandchildren moved from Florida to Texas, and I’ve been missing them. Just before the end of September, (or as a friend of mine calls it, the month of cake, cake, cake and pie) I was missing them more than usual. Four of my family’s birthdays are squished into September, and I was about to miss two of them. It wasn’t right.
After a whirlwind of spontaneous preparations, I loaded a car with clothes and shoes, a manuscript in revisions, my computer, a couple of audio books to keep me awake, and a whole slew of gifts for the birthday girls from friends and family who were missing them almost as much as I was. I planned to stay a week, but plans have a way of getting changed, and this trip was no exception.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The really great thing was that since my route took me right past New Orleans, and since I was passing by right around lunchtime, I decided a small detour was in order. Unfortunately, it was raining hard that day so all of my pictures were kind of watery.
While in Texas I attended my daughter’s new church, celebrated her birthday with our traditional cake and ice cream for breakfast, tried to have dinner at her favorite restaurant (a failed attempt since the restaurant is closed on Mondays), had birthday doughnuts for the
princess’s birthday the following day, did the cupcake-at-school thing that afternoon, and then rushed home to pack because plans had changed. Instead of staying in San Antonio for a week, we were hitting the road early the next morning so we could sneak back to Florida and surprise my other daughter for her birthday—which, I’m happy to report, was a grand success.
While Daughter #2 was reconnecting with the friends she’d been missing since the move, the grandkids had lots of fun being back in familiar territory. We hit all their favorite spots, which include McDonald’s and the local library. They also got in a little beach time, a necessary part of any visit for my beach babies.
And then it was back to Texas with another stop in New Orleans, this one not in the middle of a rain storm. We lunched on po-boys in the French Quarter and stopped for coffee and beignets at Café Dumond. For a short tour, check out Rita’s blog post from earlier this month at Killer Characters. (You can find a character from the Piece of Cake mystery series there on the 14th of each month, so come on by!)
I spent a great week in San Antonio after we got back and even got to spend a couple of days with my son-in-law who had been out of the country when I arrived. We even finally got that belated birthday dinner for my daughter at Jerusalem Grill (which was fabulous, by the way.) My son-in-law has a few other places picked out for my next visit, and I can’t wait!
In the end, I flew back to Florida and shipped all the stuff I couldn’t fit into my carry-on. Even though the guy who sat next to me on my second leg of the journey seemed to think that all the shoulder space on our row belonged to him, I didn’t even mind the flight. I had such a great time on my unexpected and barely-planned vacation, it was a small price to pay.
Jacklyn
Brady lives on the Gulf Coast and writes the Piece of Cake Mystery
series set in New Orleans. The series features cake artist and trained pastry chef,
Rita Lucero.
Jacklyn loves to hear from readers. Connect with her on the web: Website | Facebook | Twitter
The Cakes of Wrath, book #4 in the Piece of Cake Mystery Series, is available now!
Nope, give me a car and a few tanks of gas any day.
A few months ago my youngest daughter, her husband, and my grandchildren moved from Florida to Texas, and I’ve been missing them. Just before the end of September, (or as a friend of mine calls it, the month of cake, cake, cake and pie) I was missing them more than usual. Four of my family’s birthdays are squished into September, and I was about to miss two of them. It wasn’t right.
After a whirlwind of spontaneous preparations, I loaded a car with clothes and shoes, a manuscript in revisions, my computer, a couple of audio books to keep me awake, and a whole slew of gifts for the birthday girls from friends and family who were missing them almost as much as I was. I planned to stay a week, but plans have a way of getting changed, and this trip was no exception.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The really great thing was that since my route took me right past New Orleans, and since I was passing by right around lunchtime, I decided a small detour was in order. Unfortunately, it was raining hard that day so all of my pictures were kind of watery. While in Texas I attended my daughter’s new church, celebrated her birthday with our traditional cake and ice cream for breakfast, tried to have dinner at her favorite restaurant (a failed attempt since the restaurant is closed on Mondays), had birthday doughnuts for the
princess’s birthday the following day, did the cupcake-at-school thing that afternoon, and then rushed home to pack because plans had changed. Instead of staying in San Antonio for a week, we were hitting the road early the next morning so we could sneak back to Florida and surprise my other daughter for her birthday—which, I’m happy to report, was a grand success. While Daughter #2 was reconnecting with the friends she’d been missing since the move, the grandkids had lots of fun being back in familiar territory. We hit all their favorite spots, which include McDonald’s and the local library. They also got in a little beach time, a necessary part of any visit for my beach babies.
And then it was back to Texas with another stop in New Orleans, this one not in the middle of a rain storm. We lunched on po-boys in the French Quarter and stopped for coffee and beignets at Café Dumond. For a short tour, check out Rita’s blog post from earlier this month at Killer Characters. (You can find a character from the Piece of Cake mystery series there on the 14th of each month, so come on by!) 
I spent a great week in San Antonio after we got back and even got to spend a couple of days with my son-in-law who had been out of the country when I arrived. We even finally got that belated birthday dinner for my daughter at Jerusalem Grill (which was fabulous, by the way.) My son-in-law has a few other places picked out for my next visit, and I can’t wait! In the end, I flew back to Florida and shipped all the stuff I couldn’t fit into my carry-on. Even though the guy who sat next to me on my second leg of the journey seemed to think that all the shoulder space on our row belonged to him, I didn’t even mind the flight. I had such a great time on my unexpected and barely-planned vacation, it was a small price to pay.
Jacklyn
Brady lives on the Gulf Coast and writes the Piece of Cake Mystery
series set in New Orleans. The series features cake artist and trained pastry chef,
Rita Lucero.Jacklyn loves to hear from readers. Connect with her on the web: Website | Facebook | Twitter
The Cakes of Wrath, book #4 in the Piece of Cake Mystery Series, is available now!
September 14, 2013
Random Thoughts on a Saturday
Rita Lucero is blogging today on Killer Characters (where your favorite cozy characters do the talking.) Rita's sharing a few thoughts about organizing your kitchen and pantry. Stop by and say hello, and check out what she has to say about Cooks, Nooks and Crannies!
Also, just a quick note to let those of you who've been asking, The Cakes of Wrath was released on September 3. It's available to purchase in your favorite brick & mortar book stores and online outlets.
Also, just a quick note to let those of you who've been asking, The Cakes of Wrath was released on September 3. It's available to purchase in your favorite brick & mortar book stores and online outlets.
The weather is moderating a bit here along the Gulf Coast, but the random and unexplained power outages continue. We've lost power twice already this morning. Luckily, today's outages (so far) have lasted only a few minutes, as opposed to those that have dragged on for hours at a time, but can I just tell you how tired I am of resetting the clocks?
I understood the problem when we were having severe thunderstorms every day all summer long. I understood it when we were under continuous flash flood warnings. But the weather has cleared after three long months of rain and the temperatures have dropped at least 15 degrees, but the power is still going out every day.
So my question of the day is this: Has anyone else been experiencing weird and unexplained (and sometimes very lengthy) power outages?
August 19, 2013
Five Good Minutes
Oooh! So there I was, working on revisions for Rebel Without a Cake and wondering what I should blog about today when I heard a knock on the front door. It took me a minute to get out from under the hard copy of my manuscript, the lap desk, my phone, and all the other junk that somehow always manages to end up on my lap while I'm working. By the time I reached the door and shooed the dog away from the doorknob, I heard the tell-tale sound of a UPS truck driving away and I knew I was in for something great.
Sure enough, there on my porch, was a small package from my editor containing my very first copy of The Cakes of Wrath hot off the presses.
For those who write, you know what a thrill it is to hold a book in your hands for the first time. For those who read, let me just tell you that it never, ever gets old. No, I don't experience the same mind-altering feeling of unbelief mixed with pure joy that I felt with my very first book, but it's still a rush. It's a little like Christmas morning.
I always hold the book and look at the cover closely and yes, I still feel giddy when I notice things like "National Bestselling Series" on the cover. I run my hands over it and savor the feel of the book, and then I walk over to the bookcase and put the book in its place on the shelf. It is, for me, a moment of pure joy.
Life can be tough. Moments of pure joy can be few and far between. Sometimes, all you can ask for is five good minutes in the course of a really harrowing few months. That's okay, though. Even the toughest times will end. The season will pass. And in the meantime, there's that five good minutes to get you through.
In my life there are a few things that are guaranteed to give me that moment, no matter what else is going on in my life. Holding that first copy of a book is one. Having lunch with my two daughters is another. And taking my granddaughters to the library is yet another. Even with the arguing, (But I want "Hercules" this time!) whining (But Ooma, she got Hercules last time) and bargaining (Why can't we get two books each? We promise we won't lose one this time!!) spending time with those girls and watching them fall in love with books will always bring a moment of happiness. It never fails.
What about you? What things in your life are guaranteed to make deliver five good minutes, no matter what else is going on at the time?
Sure enough, there on my porch, was a small package from my editor containing my very first copy of The Cakes of Wrath hot off the presses.
For those who write, you know what a thrill it is to hold a book in your hands for the first time. For those who read, let me just tell you that it never, ever gets old. No, I don't experience the same mind-altering feeling of unbelief mixed with pure joy that I felt with my very first book, but it's still a rush. It's a little like Christmas morning.
I always hold the book and look at the cover closely and yes, I still feel giddy when I notice things like "National Bestselling Series" on the cover. I run my hands over it and savor the feel of the book, and then I walk over to the bookcase and put the book in its place on the shelf. It is, for me, a moment of pure joy.
Life can be tough. Moments of pure joy can be few and far between. Sometimes, all you can ask for is five good minutes in the course of a really harrowing few months. That's okay, though. Even the toughest times will end. The season will pass. And in the meantime, there's that five good minutes to get you through.
In my life there are a few things that are guaranteed to give me that moment, no matter what else is going on in my life. Holding that first copy of a book is one. Having lunch with my two daughters is another. And taking my granddaughters to the library is yet another. Even with the arguing, (But I want "Hercules" this time!) whining (But Ooma, she got Hercules last time) and bargaining (Why can't we get two books each? We promise we won't lose one this time!!) spending time with those girls and watching them fall in love with books will always bring a moment of happiness. It never fails.
What about you? What things in your life are guaranteed to make deliver five good minutes, no matter what else is going on at the time?
August 14, 2013
Fly-By Posting
Remember, The Cakes of Wrath is coming September 3 and it's available for pre-order. If you're shopping online, order now to receive your copy the day it comes out.
Rebel Without a Cake, book 5 in the series, is in production now. I'll keep you posted with details about its release as they become available.
June 30, 2013
Who Dunnit?
It’s 3:00 in the morning. I’ve just fallen asleep after staying up late working on my current work in progress. My deadline for Rebel Without a Cake is now just hours away—July 1st.
A crash from the other side of the house wakes me. I jump out of bed wondering if there’s an intruder. At this time of the morning (and groggy from my whole 15 minutes of sleep) I must imagine that I have some kind of super powers because I go to check the security of my house in bare feet and pajamas, with no weapon or defense mechanism of any kind.
Exhibit A: My Desk (as Discovered During my 3:00 AM Safety Patrol):
There is only one suspect. At the time of the incident, the dog was curled up in the curve of my legs and my daughter was so sound asleep she didn’t even hear the crash. The suspect was observed running out of the office as I went stumbling toward it:
The Mug Shot:
The suspect was observed earlier in the day jumping onto the desk to explore. During intense questioning, she has maintained her absolute innocence and tried to prove it by licking the dog.
I’m not sure I believe her, but I don’t have time to question her further. What do you think? Guilty or innocent?
A crash from the other side of the house wakes me. I jump out of bed wondering if there’s an intruder. At this time of the morning (and groggy from my whole 15 minutes of sleep) I must imagine that I have some kind of super powers because I go to check the security of my house in bare feet and pajamas, with no weapon or defense mechanism of any kind.
Exhibit A: My Desk (as Discovered During my 3:00 AM Safety Patrol):
I’m not particularly happy with this since, as I mentioned, I have a book due in mere hours. I’m nearly there … almost ready to send it off to my editor, but there’s still some work to do.
Exhibit B: The Former Contents of my Desk:
There is only one suspect. At the time of the incident, the dog was curled up in the curve of my legs and my daughter was so sound asleep she didn’t even hear the crash. The suspect was observed running out of the office as I went stumbling toward it:
The Mug Shot:
The suspect was observed earlier in the day jumping onto the desk to explore. During intense questioning, she has maintained her absolute innocence and tried to prove it by licking the dog.
I’m not sure I believe her, but I don’t have time to question her further. What do you think? Guilty or innocent?
April 14, 2013
Blog Stop 4/14
Hyacinth and Primrose, the elderly sisters who run the Love Nest Bed and Breakfast in Arsenic and Old Cake, are blogging today at Killer Characters. I'm sure they'd love it if you'd stop by and say hello!
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