Winter and Chocolates

 Let's face it.  It hasn't been the best winter of our lives.  Too much is going on in the news and then add COVID thrown in for good measure.  Reading is one way to take yourself to another time and place to forget about it all. If you haven't read the A Slip in Time series, it's a must.  A great distraction.  But if you have read it, why not start all over again? Read Book 1 through Book 6 and get yourself ready for Book 7 coming in the Spring.  At the back of book 6, you'll find a list of characters in case you have forgotten who someone is and how they relate to the families. But please don't look at it if you haven't read through book 5, because you may find you have spoiled a plot line. 

So sit back, get some chocolate, whether it's in the form of candy or in a mug of a steaming hot beverage.  Perhaps you'd rather have some wine.  Either way settle in for a fun ride back in time.

Reading books a second time is not your thing, you say.  Then try one of my other series.  Check them all out here.  Jane O'Brien Books

Book Inspiration

 Did you ever wonder how I get inspired to write a story? I'll tell you how I thought of Yesterday's Tears. Over twenty years ago I went to an estate sale, and as I often do, I looked for antique quilts and stashes of old fabric. This quilt top is what I found that day. I believe it is from the thirties. The seams are pulling apart in some places so I always thought I would tighten them up someday and then finish the quilt the way it was meant to be. I began to wonder who had made it and I also wondered why she never finished it. Did she get sick and pass away? Did she begin to have trouble with her vision and couldn't see to quilt anymore? Or was she a procrastinator and just never got around to it? No one at the sale knew anything about it, and since it was the only quilt there, I began to think something had happened to prevent her from finishing. The fabric is still pristine. As a matter of fact it feels as though it was ironed and starched. There is a small rust stain along the edge which is what started my thought process about the story, but I never wrote it down until 2019. Now Yesterday's Tears is my best seller. How I wish she had had a moment to write her name on the back. This year my New Year's resolution, (which I never make) is to finish this quilt. I will quilt it by hand the same way she would have done, and with every stitch I will thank her for my inspiration.

Cover of the Month

 I've entered the cover of Yesterday's Moon in a book of the month contest. Over 450 covers were submitted and mine was one chosen to take part this month. Each week there will be eliminations until the fourth week when the final winner is selected. If you would like to help me, please vote here.

https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/10685/

Thanks so much!

Happy New Year!

We did it! We made it to 2021! Happy New Year! Whoo hoo!

All I know is that this year seemed impossible to achieve when I was a little kid. I thought we would all be flying around in space ships like the Jetsons. But things pretty much seem the same as they have for the last few decades.

I have spent this past year reading all of Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum mysteries. I finally caught up to the newest one, book 27, Fortune and Glory, and am looking forward to it. These books are light-hearted, sometimes to the point of being silly, but they make me laugh while I'm solving a crime. I have never found anything quotable in any of the 26 books I've read before, but in Book 26 I came across something that really said it all for me considering this past year. Once again it's silly, but it's just the way I think. Let me know your thoughts. Evanovich's character Stephanie Plum said: "I found a Fred Astair movie on the old movie channel and watched him dance with Ginger Rogers. Ginger was slim and Fred was slim and instead of talking all the time, sometimes they would sing. And then they would dance for no special reason and they'd be in perfect step without practicing. How cool is this? This is the planet I want to live on."

Me too! May the year 2021 be one where we can all dance perfectly together without practicing!

 

Books of 2020

 I don't know how it happened, but Christmas is over and this week we'll be celebrating a new year. Looking back it was a year no one will ever forget. The year 2020 will forever be stuck in our minds and easily connect to events concerning our family, friends, and work.

I'm grateful to be healthy but I was also surprised when I noticed I had somehow managed to publish four books this year. I have done this once before, but one of them was a short novella. This time they were each full novels. I guess staying at home so much was good for my writing soul. So here are my four 2020 creations. Does that mean I can do it again? It doubt it, because it had a lot to do with the months of publication -- January, April, August, and December. The next book won't be out until spring, so I'm already at a disadvantage, but maybe I can bring you three more. We'll see. Stay tuned for a sneak peek of the new cover.

Merry Christmas!

  Although Christmas will be different this year, I still plan on sticking with my traditions.  I spent the day baking yesterday and will bake again today.  There might not be the same amount of people around to eat it all, but some recipes just couldn't be left behind.  There's always a freezer, right?

So whatever your plans are, I'm wishing you a very Merry Christmas. I pray for your safety and health.  Thank you for being loyal fans,  Jane O'Brien

The days are flying by now.  My gift shopping is under control.  I even have all of my packages wrapped.  I suppose that's one of the good things to come out of COVID 19-- more time at home to tend to details.  The packages I mailed are either on their way or have already arrived.  I'm feeling good, and I'm looking forward to a new year with perhaps less stress and anxiety. But I foresee even more time spent at home with a book.  Maybe you feel the same.  Don't forget to check out my book list.  Maybe there's something there you haven't read.  I even have two Christmas novellas, and I always promise a happy ending. So have a Merry Christmas. I wish you happiness and joy!  I'll be back before the New Year, I promise.

Jane O'Brien

 

Reviews for Yesterday's Moon

 

I'm thrilled to announce that Yesterday's Moon has reached number one in New Releases on Amazon. This doesn't happen just because I submit a book.  It's all due to you -- my readers. You push it up the ranks with your purchases and also your reviews.  The review on Book 6 are few but all have given it a five star rating both on Amazon and on Goodreads.  Please help others to find my newest book by adding your review on Amazon.  Don't be afraid to write.  Only a few words or a small sentence is needed plus your rating. When you give me support, I am encouraged to write on. I thrive on it. I am already working on Book 7, which I hope to publish in the spring of 2021. Thank you for all of your kind words. Happy reading and stay safe.

It's release day!! And believe me it never gets old. 

 Book 7 of A Slip in Time is now available in both paperback and Kindle

Here's the link.  Take your pick. Happy reading.

Yesterday's Moon

 

Sweet Christmas Novellas

 Check out one of these Christmas novellas to put you in the mood for Christmas.  Great as gifts, too.  I often put paperbacks in a bag or basket along with hot chocolate, Earl Grey tea, vanilla candles, cinnamon pinecones and roasted almonds. Smells good and looks great!!!

Pinecones and Promises

A Kindred Christmas (follows the White Pine Trilogy but can be read as a standalone)

Find them at amazon.com/author/obrienjane