- As Good As The First Time, book launch, Books, Cover Reveal, covers, K.M. Jackson, Sugar Lake, writers, writing life
How Sweet It Is… AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME Cover Reveal!
*bites nails, holds breath then presses send*
Yep, that’s me with excitement and trepidation about to reveal my cover for
AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME: Book one in my new Sugar Lake Series, releasing October 30th, 2018!
I hope you all love it. This is something entirely new for me. Kinda like my new glasses and my new braids, but lots more permanent and subject to just a smidge more public scrutiny given how rarely I get out of the house.
But that’s a story for another day. When I come to AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME this city girl is hitting the road and leaving The Big Apple behind (seriously, my heroine hits the road) and heading to the fictional, southern Town of Sugar Lake, Georgia for this deliciously sweet romance.
TA-DA!!!!!
True to its name, the small southern town of Sugar Lake is a sweet place to visit—and you might even want to live there . . .
With her big city career and relationship in sudden free fall, Olivia Gale isn’t sure where she belongs. So when her help is needed at Goode N’ Sweet, the family bakery in Sugar Lake, she jumps at the chance to indulge her pie-making hobby while getting her life back on track. Olivia’s not looking for any distractions. Even if the boy who once left her without a word is now a grown man with intriguing secrets—and the same tempting hold on her heart . . .
A firefighter and single dad, Clayton Morris is trying hard to fix his past mistakes. He thought he was doing the right thing by leaving Olivia—and now he’s sure he has nothing to offer the accomplished woman she’s become. But ignoring the sparks between them is impossible. And as unexpected surprises and hard choices endanger their fragile reunion, they’ll have to decide which direction to take if they want to find the road back to love . . .
You can be one of the first to pre-order your copy of AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME HERE.
All the best,
KMJ
When you wish… RWA17 National Conference Photo Recap!
At RWA 17 When you wish…
I had the joy of spending the majority of last week in sunny, sometimes stormy, always humid, Orlando, Florida at the 2017 Romance Writers Of America National Conference. What a time it was! So much so, that I’m still exhausted an at a loss for words.
The conference was at the Disney Swan and Dolphin Hotels with workshop schedules jam packed with so many informative subjects it made making your hourly choices quite difficult. Thank goodness for recorded sessions. And the fact that the conference was held on Disney grounds also made, at least for me, a bit difficult to stay focused on the business at hand since the call of the amusement parks were quite loud and the 10-year-old in me was just itching to go out and play. I found myself watching they clock at times like I was back in elementary school watching for the recess bell.
That said, it was a great conference all in all. I got lots of writerly knowledge, while catching up with some of my very best friends, (thank you to all who supported diversity by wearing your #WeNeedDiverseRomanceTee shirts) and to top it all off I got to go out and play like a kid again.
Not to mention I was in the room when Ms. Beverly Jenkins received her Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award!
Now please check out my recap collages and see if you can spot some of your romance faves who were in Orlando at the conference too!
Some of the fab folks in this set: Katana Collins, Falhuni Kothari, Robin Lovett, Kate McMurry and come on me with over 17K steps. that is insane!
With our lovely Disney tour group! Thanks so much Deb! Marie Long, Dana Kaye, Joy of Joyfully Reviewed!
Shawntelle Madison, Creah Demps, Laurel Cremant , Sage Spelling & Aliza Mann, Pintip Dunn, Priscilla, Oliveras, Alyssa Cole, Adrienne Mishel, Farrah Rochon
Kate McMurry, Falguni Kothari, Sonali Dev, Alyssa day, Carolyn Jewel, Adrienne Mishel, Callie Hutton, Beth Yarnall, Faith Salle, Damon Suede, Alyssa Cole, Falguni Kothari, Synithia Williams, Kristan Higgins, Farrah Rochon & Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Beverly Jenkins!
Cheryl Etchison, Megan Frampton, The incomparable Ms. Brenda Jackson, Yarrah St. John & Synithia Williams, Beth Yarnall, Sofia Tate, Shelly Bell, Holley Trent, Tracey Livesay
Pricilla Oliveras, Sabrina Jefferies, Megan Frampton,
The fab women of The Ripped bodice Bea and Leah Koch.
Sally Kilpatrick, Heather McGovern, Sally Mackenzie, Dee Davis, Adrienne Mishelle and some of the rip roaring members of the RWA board, Nancy Holland, Fran of Frannie’s Romance, Joyfully Reviewed
Me, Jamie Wesley and Flaguni Kothari kicking up at Animal Kingdom. Adrienne Mishel,
Farrah Rochon, Mari Mancusi, Karen Lynn
Wishing you all… dreams coming true and may we all live like Farrah Rochon on a ride at Disney!
Best,
KMJ
And P.S.
In anticipation of Book 3: THE BETTING VOW coming out at the end of the month.
Both Book 1: INSERT GROOM HERE:
And Book 2: TO ME I WED
Are on Sale for a limited time! Now’s the time to check them out if you haven’t already!
Thanks so much for your support!
Viva Las Vegas! My Time At #RT16
Back from Las Vegas and the RT Book Lovers Convention and though I’m exhausted as all get out and think it will be quite a while before I volunteeringly get on a Starbucks line to order coffee, I’m already looking forward to next year’s convention in Atlanta. I had such a good time seeing old friends and making new ones as I launched
BOUNCE BACK out into the world.
That said, here is my recap in a totally non-writerly way… pics.
Can you spot anyone you know?
All the best,
KMJ
Diversify… Now!
Happy Valentine’s Weekend!
I hope you are having a wonderful one filled with plenty of sweets and your favorite sweetheart 🙂
You all know that I’m a big advocate for diversity in romance and to speak to that I’m proud to have been invited to participate in a Romance Writer Chat #RWChat on twitter this Sunday 2/15 with the fantastic Alisha Rai to talk about diversity in the romance industry. If you are around at 7PM EST please hop on Twitter and join in as we’d love to have you. You know my motto: #WeNeedDiverseRomance Hope to see you there!
All the best,
KMJ
Bundle up… and read
Bundle up peeps it’s a cold one…
But of course keep it Klassy. Tell me how are you keeping warm on this cold, cold day or are you one of the lucky ones is shorts and flip-flops and some tropical local? Come on make me jealous. It’s ok. I’ll still love ya.
And Happy 123rd Birthday to literary pioneer Zora Neale Hurston. I’m thinking bundling up with a classic like Their Eyes Were Watching God would be great way to spend this cold day.
All the best,
KMJ
image from Vintage Everyday
Where’s Waldo? … #RWA13 in pics
So I’m back from #RWA13, Romance Writer’s of America’s National Conference, which was held this year in beautiful Atlanta, Georgia. Not that I got to see much of Atlanta with all the workshops, and happenings at the hotel. It was quite the high time. Talk about busy and with so many attendees (the number was around 2000) I barely scratched the surface of all the creative greatness in that hotel. What a blast. I tell you was just honored to be in the house.
So here it is my #RWA13 in collage form. Can you spot some of your favorite authors? There are plenty of mine and these are only the few I got pictures of. Wowza!
All the best,
Kwana
Pin Me Down… ATL bound!
This week I’m heading to Atlanta and the Romance Writers of America National conference. I can’t wait. As a romance writer I’ll get to attend workshops on both craft and career and as fan all get to see, meet and interact with some of my favorite authors and some new and old friends. It should be a fantastic time.
If you are in the Atlanta area on Wednesday please come on out to the Literacy Autographing which is open to the public. Details here. You’ll get to purchase books from many of your favorite authors and have the signed. I can’t wait. I’ll be getting quite a few books signed by my faves and it’s all for a great cause. And if you happen to see me, though I won’t be signing, don’t hesitate to ask me to get pinned.
You see, I have these fab pins made up for the conference. Wouldn’t you love to be pinned by Mark Thorn, my hero from Seduction’s Canvas? I know quite a few people who would. I’ll be back with you all soon and checking in on twitter as the week goes on. Have a great one!
Now if I could just stop packing shoes….
All the best,
KMJ
Just One More Thing…
Happy Monday! Wishing you all a fantastic week as I go into my final push on finishing up book 2 in my Creative Hearts Series. I know that by my Friday deadline I’ll probably be resembling the walking dead myself. It seems the book is never done until it is out of your hands done, so it’s down to the wire for me. Are you like that with projects that you have to get out? Constantly, moving them around, fidgeting and re-arranging until the very last minute? Be it a huge project or an intimate dinner party? Please chime in and share you last minute thoughts.
And speaking of last minute… In these last few of Black History Month have you checked out the Black History issue of Shades of Romance Magazine? I’m in there on page 32 plus a whole host of much more fab authors sharing their thoughts on Writing The Book and Black History. A wonderful read. Check it out here.
Have a great one!
All the best,
KMJ
Putting Your Heart Into It…
Happy Monday!
And good afternoon thanks to some not so fun blog uploading problems today. I’m hoping you had a great weekend. This weekend I went to the New Jersey romance writers Put Your Heart in a Book Conference. What a great time I had and it was so inspirational. But then again I always find it inspirational when I get with so many writer ladies (and a the few writer men) at these conferences. I attended many informative workshops that had me feeling both empowered and gave me lots of room for thought on where I can improve both my craft and the business side of things especially now that I have my first book out, Through The Lens.
And speaking of marketing Through The Lens, I was so happy that my first try at Goody Room swag was a success. I did these little bags with my postcard, some candy, a kaleidoscope and little camera that was all the DD’s idea. Yay! All my goodies got gone. Wait. Somehow that does not sound quite right but oh well. Now the DD is all ready to be my marketing manager. Hey, if it gives her a focus and a major than I’m all good with that.
TTL Swag
Below are a few pics and highlights from the weekend and the book signing. I wish I had more and I wish my cell camera was better. Sorry for the blurriness.
Golden Leaf Award winner Dee Davis. Congrats Dee!
RWA/NYC’s Isabo Kelly and our newest little member on the way!
RWA/NYC’s – Karen Cino
Me and the fab Marie Force
RWA/NYC’s Tanya Goodwin
RWA/NYC’s Anna DePalo
RWA/NYC’s Lena Hart
And here should be the best pic of RWA/NYC’s Catherine Greenfeder.
But I goofed and it’s all super blurry. Please take this pic of her newest release Wildflowers in it’s place. So pretty huh? Please check it out.
Me and the lovely Angeline M. Bishop
And now I’m hanging up my badge till next year. Thanks RWA NJ!
All the best,
Kwana
Nope you can’t plan it… Interview with author Synithia Williams
Don’t you just love finding new friends? I sure do and today I’m please to introduce you to a new writer friend and fellow Crimson author, Synithia William’s whose book YOU CAN’T PLAN LOVE has just come out this week.
Welcome Synithia and congratulations!
Thanks so much for having me over, Kwana! I love how the internet let’s me “meet” so many new people.
Now, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the book and loved it but can you tell the blog readers about YOU CAN’T PLAN LOVE?
Sure here’s a synopsis.
After several bad relationships, Kenyatta Copeland decides to control her love life with the same discernment she uses in her professional life.
Knowing firsthand the heartbreak that comes when desire and emotion rule a relationship, Kenyatta assumes marrying Brad Johnson will lead to a stable life. But as much as she believes she can plan her future, it’s hard to ignore the way her boss, Malcolm Patterson, ignites her passions with just one look. After Malcolm learns of her engagement, he makes a play for her heart and reminds her that passion between a man and a woman has its perks … but also its costs. When Brad suspects there’s more than work between Kenyatta and Malcolm, he works harder to keep Kenyatta by his side. Torn between her promise to marry Brad and her irrepressible longing for Malcolm, Kenyatta must decide if she can live her life in a passionless marriage of convenience or once again trust her heart. Yet Brad isn’t as perfect as he seems, and by the time Kenyatta realizes this it may be too late.
What drew you to writing romance, have you always been a fan of the genre?
I am a sucker for romance (as most of us romance writers are). I started reading romances in middle school and haven’t stopped since. Life is full of unhappy endings and negative emotions; I don’t see anything wrong with losing yourself in a romance novel and forgetting the harshness of reality.
You’re hero has a wonderful environmental connection. Is this something that’s close to your heart?
It is! In 2010 I was dubbed a “Green Queen” by our area’s largest newspaper. I spend my days working on sustainability projects (air, water, green business, etc.) when I needed a career for my main characters, it was easy to put them in the field of water quality. I felt most comfortable in my writing that way. I’ve noticed that in my other books, I throw in some type of “green” quality to the characters. I can’t help it, it’s ingrained in me.
Plus, Malcolm was a kind of fantasy for me. A tall, dark, handsome man who also loves the environment. Too often “greenies” are thought of as Birkenstock wearing, granola eating, tree huggers. I wanted to show that doesn’t have to be the case.
Now for one of my favorite questions: Please tell the story of your “overnight” writing success.
It feels like an overnight occurrence to me. I’ve written for years, off and on, without any real push to try hard. It was always a pipe dream to become a published writer. Then in 2010, a colleague packed up her stuff and moved her three kids and husband to Ohio so she could attend law school. It was a wakeup call. If she could go after her dream, then so could I. If I wanted to be a writer I would have to actively pursue it. So that’s what I did. I finished my book in 2010, revised numerous times in 2011, got so many critiques that I can’t begin to thank everyone (but I can do a quick shout out to Ester, TJ and Danita), took webinars, read everything I could, noticed the trend in e-books and started querying e-publishers in 2012. I am so blessed that my turnaround was quick, because I know other writers are at this for years.
That is wonderful! Finally, please tell us what’s next for you?
I’ve finished my second novel about Malcolm’s brother and am awaiting feedback from beta readers. In the meantime, I’m writing my third novel about Malcolm’s best friend. Ideas keep popping up, so I have about three first chapters written to other novels I hope—no will—complete one day.
Thanks so much for being here today. It was a pleasure and I wish you much success with YOU CAN’T PLAN LOVE.
Thanks so much for having me, Kwana! Good luck to you, too. In case your readers don’t know, your hero (Alejandro) is hot!
Aww now I’m blushing. Thanks so much.
YOU CAN’T PLAN LOVE can be found here at: http://tiny.cc/x9k9hw or www.crimsonromance.com
And SYNTHIA can be reached at her website here: www.synithiawilliams.com
And on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/synithiarwilliams
And on Twitter here: www.twitter.com/@synithiaw
All the best,
Kwana
