My World

 This is what my world looks like today.  I love Michigan this time of year, especially on sunny days, which we have had a lot of for the past month.  What is your world like today?  

Book Signing

 

Are in or near Muskegon, Michigan?  If you are I would love to see you at my book signing on Wednesday October 2nd where I will be celebrating my new book release for The Absconders. We'll have giveaways and treats also. Bring previously purchased Jane O'Brien books to have them signed.

Where is it, you say?  Go to 2245 Darley Dr. Muskegon Michigan 49444. turn left and follow the curve to the leasing office/coffee shop entrance.  Cash and Credit card only.

And don't miss the Amazon New In Box sale at 50% off retail sale.  Cash Only.

It's Ready For You!!

 

I've been keeping a secret, but today is the day I can finally tell you! The Absconders, Book 5, in the Branches of Time series is ready for you, on both Kindle and Paperback. I can't wait for you to see what happens to Skye and Rem next. There are more twists and turns in West Michigan in the Branches of Time.

Here's the link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGXY1HDW

Feel free to share with your friends. And don't forget to leave that all important rating or review at the end of your journey. Let's push this one to the top!

September Morn

 

The song September Morn by Neil Diamond popped into my head this morning. How fleeting the month has been and just like the previous month it promises to slip away just as quickly.  Is it me, or has the world been spinning out of control lately?  It was only yesterday that it was Christmas, then summer, and now we're into fall again.  I have no doubt that Christmas will be over and done with in a blink of an eye. 

So the question is, how do you slow down time, if we can't time travel back to another era as so many of my characters have done? 

I have been trying to take more time for myself by enjoying the little things.  I know it sounds cliche but it does make me feel better.  I want to enjoy every last moment of these warm days.  This week we will find some time to visit Lake Michigan again (my favorite place) which is only 15 minutes away.  I just don't get there as often as I would like.  I need to remember the warm sun on my body, the fresh breeze dancing across my nostrils, the sound of gulls calling, and the hum of boats across the waves.  I love to watch the boats go through the channel from Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan.  I often wonder about the passengers.  Where are they going?  Are they with friends and family?  Are they looking for sun and relaxation or a day of fishing?  Or maybe both.  

I'm a people watcher.  This is how I gain information for my books.  And my 'happy place' offers more valuable insight on human behavior than anyplace else I've ever been.  

Watch for some new characters that I have created in my new book coming out later this month of September.  The Absconders, Book 5 in Branches of Time by Jane O'Brien

A New Song

Time’s Passage by The Shore. A theme song for Cade and Skye. What do you think?

New Cover

 I know it's early for this, but I so love this cover that I couldn't wait to show you.

Most authors don't name their books until they're finished writing, but I have to name my book first. I like to have a sense of what the story is about at all times. And the same goes for the cover. I like to look at it from time to time to get inspiration. I actually begin planning it out before I start to write. In fact, I'm already thinking about the next one!

I was with one company for the entire time I've been writing but when they sold out things were not to my liking. I now have a great graphic artist to help me with my projects. It's my very own brother at JMK Graphix We wonder why we didn't collaborate earlier, but I was established with the other place and he had not started his business yet. It's nice to work with family, and we communicate very well. What do you think of our latest creation?

Beach Time!

Did You Know?

 It’s beach time here in West Michigan. I love reading with my feet in the sand and the warm sun on my body (although usually I sit under an umbrella). But the last time I went, I forgot to take my Kindle. No problem. I had the Kindle App on my phone and it syncs to the last page I read on the Kindle at home. Yes, the screen is smaller but it works in a pinch. And it’s free!

Favorite Book

 It's been a few days since I posted anything. Here's why.

I'm working very hard on Book 5 of Branches of Time . I already have the cover and title. It's almost killing me to hold it back, but I want it to be a surprise for you, so you'll have to wait a bit longer. In the meantime, I'm also trying to plan book 6. So yes, in answer to some of your questions, there are a few more to come in this series yet. But I'd like your opinion on how I'm doing so far. I'd really like to know what is your favorite in this series? This will help me to figure out in what direction I should go next.

How My Time Travel Works

 

Are you fairly new to reading time travel? When I started writing it, in 2019, I was new to writing it, but not new to reading it. I was a big Diana Gabaldon fan, not just on the TV series, but I've read every one of the Outlander books. Since I was a child I found the idea of going to another time fascinating, but I noticed that every author had a different vision as to how it should work. By know you know that, in my mind, it happens through DNA and family connections, and not with machines.
Recently there was a discussion about the ages of my characters and how it all works. I can tell you this. In my time traveling world, the years are parallel, and by that I mean, they are continuously happening at the same time. Confusing? It is to me, too, which is why I keep a family tree on each line and detailed dates and places. Here's how it goes for the main character, Francine Clark, in the A Slip in Time series. Fran was born in 1994, so at the beginning of the series in 2019, she is 25 years old. When she pops back to 1875, she is still 25 years old. She will age according to her original birth year, but they are always 144 years apart.
In 2025 she is 31
In 1881 she is 31
In 1882 she is 32
In 2036 she is 42
In 1929 she is 79 --that would be 2073-- which is why it would be such a disaster for her to return to her own time.

When you started the new series Branches of Time, Skye, did you notice that Ginny and Daniel were not as old as they were in Yesterday's Memories, Book 12 of a Slip in Time? That's because Skye began in 1907, so they were only in their mid fifties then. In other words, I went backwards twenty-two years to when Skye was only twenty. 2051(future)-144=1907(past)

When you read my books it's best to watch the year changes within that story line, but please don't get too bogged down in the family details and years. I'll keep it straight for you and try to remind you along the way. And I keep a list of characters and their relationships at the back of the book, just in case you need to refresh yourself, but beware of spoilers.
Hope this helps for those of you who have been asking.

Branches of Time

 

I love seeing all four books of my newest series together.  I can't wait for you to see the next cover I have planned for book 5! In the meantime go to Amazon.com/author/obrienjane for a list of all of my books. Be sure to read any of my series in order for the full romantic experience.