Getting Down to Business

Christmas is over already. and that means one thing for me. I am writing again.

I took a short break, which I rarely do, because I needed to recharge my batteries, but you'll be happy to know that I'm already on Chapter Three of the next book in Branches of Time, The Grist Mill. Now don't get too excited. I don't plan on finishing until March or so. We'll see how it goes. So stay with me, because this one wraps up the Branches of Time series. You won't want to miss it.

 

Three Christmas Novellas

 Did you know that I now have three Christmas Novellas?  What a beautiful gift they would make all bundled together tied up with a pretty ribbon.  I like to place them in a basket with a package of hot cocoa or even a bottle of wine, a mug or pretty glass, and nice pair of socks.  It's perfect for a cold winter day next to a fire.  No fireplace?  Look for one on You Tube and let it run for hours.  I love the crackling sound it makes.

Now go on and order these books, before it's too late to get them for Christmas.  You know you want to.

Simply Click the links below.

Forever and Ever

Pinecones and Promises

A Kindred Christmas

A New Christmas Bestseller

 

Well, I'm geeked this morning. My new Christmas novella is already #46 in Religious Short Stories. Max Lucado holds #28 and #30 at this time. Look out, Max, here I come!

Thank you, readers for making this happen. This is my third Christmas novella. (Pinecones and Promises; A Kindred Christmas.) I love writing them. What do you think? Should I do one every year?

Forever and Ever

Pinecones and Promises

A Kindred Christmas

Do You Like It?

Hello, Book Lovers!

I'm curious. Have you been leaving reviews and/or ratings on your favorite books? Namely -- mine? Haha!!

I need help. Go to Goodreads or Amazon and tell me and the public what you think about The Black Moon. I'd love to hear about it. Or how can I go on with the next episode? And that would mean leaving Rem and Skye and Colt and Lana in some serious situations.

Just a few words is all that's required. Say whatever you think. Just don't give anything away to someone who hasn't read it yet. Thanks so much.

The Black Moon

New Release! The Black Moon

 Yes!  It's available and ready for you in Kindle or Paperback.  Sorry, The audio isn't ready yet, but I'll let you know the minute it is. 

Here's a little about it:

The Black Moon by Jane O'Brien

Branches of Time returns with book eight and another time-traveling, gold mining adventure.  Remington, Skye, Colt, and Lana, along with their cook, Tater, continue their search for gold in 1848 along the Sable River in Michigan.  Moored at Lake Michigan is The Black Moon, a ship that had previously been used for piracy.  A Black Moon is the second new moon in a calendar month or the third of four in a season.  It is thought to be an omen of change and brings hidden truths to the surface.  The small group of gold miners have much to hide, each one with their own secrets and as a group.

When Rem’s trip to town brings on trouble that he might not be able to come back from, it turns his life upside down and inside out.  Skye’s trip to town destroys her life when she encounters the lovely Rosalee.  Colt and Lana have a lot to learn about each other yet, but their love is strong.  Can it over come rough seas under the stars on one of the treacherous Great Lakes?

As they each travel in time to three different decades – 1848, 1908, and 1945, all on the breath of the wind, will they be able to attain the life they have dreamed of?  And the biggest question of all is: where will they end up?

Find out in The Black Moon, Book 8 of Branches of Time and continue the journey through time and back again.

  

Is it Christmas Yet?

 Do you hear the Christmas Bells coming from Hallmark yet? Their Countdown to Christmas has begun. Their first movie is on October 17th.

I really don't like rushing the season, but some things have to be worked on far in advance. So while I'm waiting for my new book, The Black Moon, to go through the editing process, I have been writing a new Christmas novella. If I work hard, I'll have it ready in time for Santa to bring you a copy.

Sleeping in? Never

 

I'm one of those people who wake up early, and in a few minutes I'm wide awake and ready to go.  The house is dark and quiet because everyone else is asleep.  But I have story lines in my head that need to get out.  I have bills to pay and drawers to organize and laundry to do and dishes to put away from last night's dishwasher run.  I have a quilt to finish and texts that need to be sent out before that's day's meeting.  I have an unbelievably long list of things to do in my mind that seems to need immediate attention. 

Sometimes I love my early morning habits, because I get so much more accomplished than the average person, but other times I wish I could simply slow down and enjoy the coffee or tea.  How I would love to take a sip, sigh with pleasure, and enjoy.  But alas, it's not happening.  I am decaffeinated , have always been, and I run like a person who has had six cups of supercharge. Of course,  then I crash around eleven a.m.  Oh well, it's who I am and who I have always been.  Such is life.

Unfinished Projects

 

I think by now you know that I'm a quilter. Quilts played a big part in time traveling in the A Slip in Time series. I don't usually put things off, but for some reason I put aside a very difficult project I was working on in 2009. I actually started it in 1997. I worked on it a little at a time. It was a twelve-block applique Christmas quilt, and I had only completed 7 blocks. Last year I finally decided it was time to finish it. It had been in the making for 27 years. I am proud to say all twelve blocks are done and set together. I am now in the process of hand quilting it. I can't tell you how good it feels to be this far. I'll show pictures when I'm done.

Is there something you always put off and then feel good about when you finally finish? Tell me about it. It could be fodder for a storyline.

A Sneak Peek

 

I'm up way to early and when that happens I do silly things, like offering you a sneak peek of the next book, The Black Moon. Just a little teaser. Sorry, you'll have to wait until fall for the entire book.

Skye had a sense of well-being around her as she was rocked on the buggy seat along with Rem. It felt good to be away from the others for a change. Ever since they had married there had not been much bonding time. She hoped these few hours would make Rem feel more of a married man than an adventurer. There was more to married life than sleeping together, but, she had to admit, that part was pretty, darned good. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, secure in the knowledge that he was all hers.

As they came to a bend in the road that ran along the river, Rem noticed some construction. “I wonder what’s going on over there?”

“I’m not sure, but could it be for a grist mill. So far there’s nothing but the beginnings of a stone building, but set that close to the water’s edge, it appears they might be planning on grinding wheat to flour.”

“How would you know that?” asked Rem.

“There’s one similar to it near our house. It’s quite old, but it still functions. All it needs is moving water to turn the wheel, then gears inside do the rest of the work. Those things can last a lifetime when they’re built properly.”

“A lifetime, huh?” Rem raised an eyebrow in thought.

 A Double-Edged Sword is getting great reviews. It's so exciting to see that others appreciate the time it took me to write this book.  Thank you to all of you.