Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that Just the Way You Are is on sale through May 29th! After the 29th, it’ll go back to $2.99!
 |
| BUY THE BOOK
What are you reading this summer? |
Month: May 2015
Gilmore Girls or From the Start with Melissa Tagg!
I am beyond stoked for today’s post. The fantabulous
Melissa Tagg is here and if you know anything about her, she’s a huge fan of
Gilmore Girls. So we’re going to play a few rounds of Would You Rather with her
and she has to choose from Gilmore Girls or her newest novel, From the Start! Oh yeah, it’s a blast! PS, I’m over on her blog today sharing comparisons in relation to my newest novella, Just the Way You Are, so hop over ther next! CLICK HERE.
Melissa Tagg is here and if you know anything about her, she’s a huge fan of
Gilmore Girls. So we’re going to play a few rounds of Would You Rather with her
and she has to choose from Gilmore Girls or her newest novel, From the Start! Oh yeah, it’s a blast! PS, I’m over on her blog today sharing comparisons in relation to my newest novella, Just the Way You Are, so hop over ther next! CLICK HERE.
Let’s do this!
Would You Rather…
…live in Stars Hollow (GG) or Maple Valley (FTS)?
ACK that’s so hard. But I’m going to go with Maple
Valley and here’s why: It’s in Iowa. As quirky and wonderful as Stars Hollow
is, it’s in Connecticut and I know no one there.
Valley and here’s why: It’s in Iowa. As quirky and wonderful as Stars Hollow
is, it’s in Connecticut and I know no one there.
Then again, if Jess was there…
…go canoeing with Luke Danes (GG) or your very own star, Colton Greene?
Luke! I love Colton, I do. But he’s got this bad
shoulder from a football injury so what if we get stuck in the middle of a
river and he can’t row and the current is crazy and I’m too wimpy to get us
back to shore? Luke, to my knowledge, has no such injury so I feel confident in
his rowing abilities.
shoulder from a football injury so what if we get stuck in the middle of a
river and he can’t row and the current is crazy and I’m too wimpy to get us
back to shore? Luke, to my knowledge, has no such injury so I feel confident in
his rowing abilities.
Plus, he could entertain me with one of his
anti-Taylor Doose rants. Plus, I appreciate his style—flannel shirts and that green
army-ish jacket. So that gives him an edge.
anti-Taylor Doose rants. Plus, I appreciate his style—flannel shirts and that green
army-ish jacket. So that gives him an edge.
…sit in a town meeting under Mayor Taylor Doose (GG) or the Mayor of
Maple Valley who, if I remember correctly, used a megaphone in one of the town
meetings?
Maple Valley who, if I remember correctly, used a megaphone in one of the town
meetings?
I like my mayor, I do. But other than his megaphone
scene, he’s a pretty brief shadow in From the Start. So I’m going to go with
Taylor because I would get immense enjoyment out of listening to him talk about
the dangers of ticks or the need for better leash laws or his intense
competition with the farmers market people in the Town Square.
scene, he’s a pretty brief shadow in From the Start. So I’m going to go with
Taylor because I would get immense enjoyment out of listening to him talk about
the dangers of ticks or the need for better leash laws or his intense
competition with the farmers market people in the Town Square.
…have a first kiss with Jess (GG) or Colton (FTS)? Oooooh! That’s gonna
be tough for you, isn’t it since you’re such a big Jess fan?!
be tough for you, isn’t it since you’re such a big Jess fan?!
Honestly, this is not even hard for me. I would
absolutely pick Jess. Thing is, I LOVE Colton. I really do. But he is so firmly
connected to Kate in my mind that I’d feel like a cheater if I kissed him.
Whereas Jess, last we heard from him, is happily unconnected. (Because stupid
Rory doesn’t know a good thing when she has it.) So I would feel zero guilt
about kissing him.
absolutely pick Jess. Thing is, I LOVE Colton. I really do. But he is so firmly
connected to Kate in my mind that I’d feel like a cheater if I kissed him.
Whereas Jess, last we heard from him, is happily unconnected. (Because stupid
Rory doesn’t know a good thing when she has it.) So I would feel zero guilt
about kissing him.
…hang out for a day with Lorelei Gilmore or Kate Walker (FTS)?
Kate Walker. I think Lorelai is awesome…we have some
striking similarities. But Kate…Kate would get me. Kate would understand my
deepest emotions and shallowest quirks. And she would talk about writing and
watch old movies with me. We’d totally bond.
striking similarities. But Kate…Kate would get me. Kate would understand my
deepest emotions and shallowest quirks. And she would talk about writing and
watch old movies with me. We’d totally bond.
…be best buds with Rory Gilmore or Hailey (FTS)?
Hailey, no question. Here’s the thing with Rory: By
the end of Gilmore Girls, she’s kind of an idiot. I’m sorry, but she makes the
most ridiculous decisions from season 5 on. Now, if we were talking strictly
early seasons Rory, I might have a different answer.
the end of Gilmore Girls, she’s kind of an idiot. I’m sorry, but she makes the
most ridiculous decisions from season 5 on. Now, if we were talking strictly
early seasons Rory, I might have a different answer.
But the great thing about Hailey in FTS is that she
isn’t afraid to challenge Kate. We see it early on in the book and we see it
later on at the end of the book. She’s hugely influential in Kate’s life and
she’s wise. So I’d definitely go with her.
isn’t afraid to challenge Kate. We see it early on in the book and we see it
later on at the end of the book. She’s hugely influential in Kate’s life and
she’s wise. So I’d definitely go with her.
…have Richard Gilmore as a father figure or Kate’s dad, Case Walker.
Kate’s dad! Not hard at all to decide on that one.
Richard Gilmore is a wonderful character and we definitely get to see his
loving, caring side in Gilmore Girls. But…we also know he wasn’t all that
emotionally available or understanding as Lorelai’s father. And a lot of
Lorelai’s mistakes in the show are side effects of feeling unaccepted or
misunderstood by her family.
Richard Gilmore is a wonderful character and we definitely get to see his
loving, caring side in Gilmore Girls. But…we also know he wasn’t all that
emotionally available or understanding as Lorelai’s father. And a lot of
Lorelai’s mistakes in the show are side effects of feeling unaccepted or
misunderstood by her family.
Case Walker on the other hand is, of course, not
perfect. But he is a wonderful listener. He’ll challenge his daughter, but
always from a place of love. He somehow manages to be stern and gentle at once.
And he sees past the fronts his adult kids put up.
perfect. But he is a wonderful listener. He’ll challenge his daughter, but
always from a place of love. He somehow manages to be stern and gentle at once.
And he sees past the fronts his adult kids put up.
…go to a Gilmore Friday night dinner or a Friday night football game in
Maple Valley?
Maple Valley?
Gilmore Friday night dinner! I’m sure a football game
would be fun, but a Gilmore dinner would include crazy amounts of wit and
banter and snark. And I would highly enjoy the awkward moments…highly.
would be fun, but a Gilmore dinner would include crazy amounts of wit and
banter and snark. And I would highly enjoy the awkward moments…highly.
…erase Logan Huntzberger from Rory’s life and make sure Jess stays in
the picture or go on romantic date with Logan Walker which includes a glorious
kiss at the end? (I’m torn here so I’m personally not answering ha!)
the picture or go on romantic date with Logan Walker which includes a glorious
kiss at the end? (I’m torn here so I’m personally not answering ha!)
Oh my gosh! When I first read this, I thought the
second option was a romantic date with Logan Huntzberger and I was like, “Why
would you even ask me this? Logan Huntzberger is so far from my type it’s
hilarious. There’s not even a decision to be made here!”
second option was a romantic date with Logan Huntzberger and I was like, “Why
would you even ask me this? Logan Huntzberger is so far from my type it’s
hilarious. There’s not even a decision to be made here!”
Then I realized you said Logan Walker…my Logan. And
things got DIFFICULT. Because I adore Logan Walker and have an amazingly
unreasonable crush on the guy who portrays him on my cover (that I wish so
badly I could share!).
things got DIFFICULT. Because I adore Logan Walker and have an amazingly
unreasonable crush on the guy who portrays him on my cover (that I wish so
badly I could share!).
And yet, I love Jess…I will love him forever.
But you know, in my imagination, Jess DOES stay in the
picture for Rory. And Logan Huntzberger may not be my thing—not even a little
bit—but he does have his good moments and there are ways Rory does grow (I
suppose) from her relationship with him. (Even if mostly he just encourages her
stupid decisions and spends the bulk of his time on screen whining.) I don’t
think he needs to be entirely erased from her life.
picture for Rory. And Logan Huntzberger may not be my thing—not even a little
bit—but he does have his good moments and there are ways Rory does grow (I
suppose) from her relationship with him. (Even if mostly he just encourages her
stupid decisions and spends the bulk of his time on screen whining.) I don’t
think he needs to be entirely erased from her life.
So my choice is a romantic date with Logan Walker
which includes a glorious kiss at the end.
which includes a glorious kiss at the end.
And now I realize half of this post has been talk of
kissing fictional people. I’m not sure how I feel about this…lol!
kissing fictional people. I’m not sure how I feel about this…lol!
(Jess here) Well, I feel good about it so that’s what
counts, right? Great answers, Melissa! This was so much fun!
counts, right? Great answers, Melissa! This was so much fun!
Okay,
friends, are you a Gilmore Girls fan? If so, we’d love for you to answer a few
of the questions in the comments. If not, who would you share a fictional first
kiss with?
friends, are you a Gilmore Girls fan? If so, we’d love for you to answer a few
of the questions in the comments. If not, who would you share a fictional first
kiss with?
Take a peek at From
the Start then go buy the book! I loved it!
the Start then go buy the book! I loved it!
 |
| Buy the book! |
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily
ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn’t
kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays…until a
major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running
back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn’t
kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays…until a
major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running
back to her hometown of Maple Valley.
Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is
temporarily hiding out in a friend’s hometown to avoid the media and the
reminders of all he’s lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn
how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he’s never really done normal
before.
While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand
gestures, they both get what it’s like to desperately need direction in life.
An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives,
but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn’t part of
the plan, but could it be the best thing that’s ever happened to them?
A Taste of Texas w/ Julie Jarnagin
I am
so excited today to have my good friend Julie Jarnagin here. Julie is one of my
favorite authors too! And today she’s talking about her novella. Take it away,
Julie!
so excited today to have my good friend Julie Jarnagin here. Julie is one of my
favorite authors too! And today she’s talking about her novella. Take it away,
Julie!
Hi,
everyone. Julie Jarnagin here. I’m so excited to be on Jessica’s blog today.
Jessica is one of those friends who can always make me smile even when I’m
having a bad day!
everyone. Julie Jarnagin here. I’m so excited to be on Jessica’s blog today.
Jessica is one of those friends who can always make me smile even when I’m
having a bad day!
Do
y’all love comfort food as much as I do? When I think of comfort food, the first
thing I think about is the potlucks we used to have in the basement of my small
hometown church. The entire table would be covered in fried chicken, ham,
broccoli and cheese casserole, deviled eggs (someone always brought deviled
eggs), and more delicious dishes than I can list. And then there was the
dessert table! Coconut cream pie, Texas sheet cake, banana pudding…yum!
y’all love comfort food as much as I do? When I think of comfort food, the first
thing I think about is the potlucks we used to have in the basement of my small
hometown church. The entire table would be covered in fried chicken, ham,
broccoli and cheese casserole, deviled eggs (someone always brought deviled
eggs), and more delicious dishes than I can list. And then there was the
dessert table! Coconut cream pie, Texas sheet cake, banana pudding…yum!
My
goal in writing my latest series, Taste of Texas, was to give you that same
feeling that I got at those potlucks full of great food and warm people. And
I’m having a blast writing them. These books are all set in central Texas and
have plenty of good food and cute cowboys. What could be better? 🙂
goal in writing my latest series, Taste of Texas, was to give you that same
feeling that I got at those potlucks full of great food and warm people. And
I’m having a blast writing them. These books are all set in central Texas and
have plenty of good food and cute cowboys. What could be better? 🙂
I
recently released the first book in the series, a novella titled The Art of Falling where you’ll meet
Heather, a cautious art museum fundraiser, and Wyatt, a bull rider with a big
heart. I actually wrote my upcoming novel Kiss the Cowboy first, but as I was
working on it, I realized that two of the secondary characters, Heather and Wyatt,
had their own story to tell. That’s where the idea for The Art of Falling was born.
recently released the first book in the series, a novella titled The Art of Falling where you’ll meet
Heather, a cautious art museum fundraiser, and Wyatt, a bull rider with a big
heart. I actually wrote my upcoming novel Kiss the Cowboy first, but as I was
working on it, I realized that two of the secondary characters, Heather and Wyatt,
had their own story to tell. That’s where the idea for The Art of Falling was born.
What are some
of your favorite kinds of comfort food?
of your favorite kinds of comfort food?
Below
is my mother-in-law’s famous chocolate sheet cake recipe.
is my mother-in-law’s famous chocolate sheet cake recipe.
Pat’s
Chocolate Sheet Cake
Chocolate Sheet Cake
2
cups sugar
cups sugar
2 cups
flour
flour
1
stick oleo
stick oleo
1/2
cup shortening
cup shortening
1
tsp salt
tsp salt
1
tsp vanilla
tsp vanilla
4
Tbsp cocoa
Tbsp cocoa
1
cup water
cup water
2
eggs
eggs
1tsp
soda
soda
1/2
cup buttermilk
cup buttermilk
Mix
flour and sugar in a bowl. Bring oleo, shortening, cocoa and water to a boil.
Add hot mixture to sugar and four, mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix
well. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes in an 18x12x1 inch pan.
flour and sugar in a bowl. Bring oleo, shortening, cocoa and water to a boil.
Add hot mixture to sugar and four, mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix
well. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes in an 18x12x1 inch pan.
Icing:
1
stick oleo
stick oleo
6
Tbsp milk
Tbsp milk
1
Tbsp cocoa
Tbsp cocoa
1
box powdered sugar
box powdered sugar
1
tsp vanilla
tsp vanilla
Bring
oleo, milk and cocoa to a boil. Then add powdered sugar and vanilla. Frost cake
while still hot.
oleo, milk and cocoa to a boil. Then add powdered sugar and vanilla. Frost cake
while still hot.
Here’s a peek at The Art of Falling
Heather Tornsten needs a man…a celebrity,
more specifically, for a fundraising gala for the Dallas art museum, where she
works. And what better headliner than bull rider Wyatt Lawrence? Although why
people idolize grown men who make their living falling off animals, she’ll
never understand.
more specifically, for a fundraising gala for the Dallas art museum, where she
works. And what better headliner than bull rider Wyatt Lawrence? Although why
people idolize grown men who make their living falling off animals, she’ll
never understand.
When his mom was diagnosed with cancer,
Wyatt determined to focus on doing what she wants—like visiting some art
museum. But when his mom teams up with Heather Tornsten to get him involved in
a fundraiser, he knows he’s been set up. The more involved he gets with the
pretty events coordinator, the more he realizes falling off a bull is far
safer. Because falling for Heather–who has made it clear that she won’t risk her
heart on any man who courts danger–might break a whole lot more than his bones.
Wyatt determined to focus on doing what she wants—like visiting some art
museum. But when his mom teams up with Heather Tornsten to get him involved in
a fundraiser, he knows he’s been set up. The more involved he gets with the
pretty events coordinator, the more he realizes falling off a bull is far
safer. Because falling for Heather–who has made it clear that she won’t risk her
heart on any man who courts danger–might break a whole lot more than his bones.
Julie Jarnagin is a multi-published author of inspirational
romance. She grew up in a small Oklahoma town where her family farmed and
ranched. These days she lives in a not-so-big city with her amazing
husband and two young sons who tolerate all her nerdy
quirks. Julie earned a B.A. in Journalism / Professional Writing from
the University of Oklahoma and is a member of American Christian Fiction
Writers. www.JulieJarnagin.com
romance. She grew up in a small Oklahoma town where her family farmed and
ranched. These days she lives in a not-so-big city with her amazing
husband and two young sons who tolerate all her nerdy
quirks. Julie earned a B.A. in Journalism / Professional Writing from
the University of Oklahoma and is a member of American Christian Fiction
Writers. www.JulieJarnagin.com
