A Four Year Conundrum…

For four interminable years, I’ve been unable to put pen to paper for anything other than boring IT technicalities. Finally, last month, I woke up at four in the morning with the idea for – not just one series – but two. Go figure. It’s always been go big or go home for me. So, now my writer’s brain is on overload and I’m frantically going from one tale to another.

Luckily for me – or perhaps it’s just how I’m wired – one series is historical and one very much contemporary – as in COVID-19 contemporary – so it’s muy facil to switch back and forth.

A whole ton has happened in four years.

First, my publisher – Hartwood Publishing – the CEO, Georgia Woods, my longtime mentor and, indeed, the person I credit for my writing career – decided to close down for financial reasons in the first quarter of this dreadful year.

Because Georgia is who she is – a remarkable, ethical, and honorable woman – all the rights to my books were returned to me in a timely, professional manner (kudos to Georgia and Lisa). I’m aiming to self publish my books in 2021 beginning with the Hades Squad series, but I intend to first finish the series by writing Jinn, Volac, and Nikar’s tales.

That means expect to see the return of the Hades Squad either second or third quarter 2021. Even though Georgia’s now retired, I’m hoping to persuade her to do the covers for the final three books and redo the design of the first five novels…love those covers.

I’ve also decided to publish all my historical stories under another pen name to simplify everything…anyone have suggestions? I’ve a couple of pseudonyms in mind, but haven’t settled on anything as yet.

While I’ve never been an avid blogger – is that still a thing in this Tik Tok age?- I intend to keep anyone who’s still interested in my tales posted on how things are progressing right here on this home/blog page. So stay tuned for irregular excerpts, news, and the odd, facetious musings.

I’m back and I sincerely hope it’s all for the good…

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The Hump Day Remix Rocks!

First of all, it’s HUMP DAY-EH!

I found this fabulous remix of the original Hump Day ad! OMG, I’ve been replaying this over and over. Check it out!

 

What a great way to begin the day!

Have a wondrous Wednesday!

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That Pearly Drop – Excerpt #2

That_Pearly_Drop-Jianne_Carlo-200x320Excerpt #2 – That Pearly Drop:

Murphy’s Time-Travel Law: It doesn’t matter if it’s in the past, present, or future—the first person to fall into a pond is always the one who can’t swim.

I have no clue how I made it back to my room. All I know is that I wedged both the trunk and the stool against the door and then collapsed on the bed. I lie there staring at the rough ceiling and reciting the Lord’s prayer over and over.

My brain is defective, and my body is out of whack. How else to explain my reaction to seeing my new boss about to screw a woman? The image of him palming his cock and spreading that pearly drop fills my head. I cover my face with my hands.

Stop, stop.

I cannot be turned on. I cannot. Yet my vajayjay’s quivering and I’m wet. Shame, self-loathing, and an explosive rage trigger a temper tantrum. I pound my fists on the wall and tears pour down my cheeks. All I want is to do is go home.

My fury vaporizes, I flop onto my stomach, and then curl into a fetal position. I am emotionally bankrupt and energy depleted. I stare unseeing at the rough mortar and bargain with God. Make it all a daylight nightmare, let me wake up in my own bed in Boca, and I’ll never miss Sunday mass again. I’ll volunteer for all the soup kitchens in South Florida and do penance for the rest of my life.

The rattle of wheels rolling over cobblestones jerks me back to reality, to the macabre version of reality I now occupy.

My mind jump starts and my heart stops threatening to fly out of my mouth. It won’t be long before someone realizes I never met with the earl. I have to snap out of this stupid terror-trance.

I sit up, the room spins, and my stomach twists into a series of painful knots. How much time has elapsed?

I stand, slog over to the window and squint, trying to see through the dust-crusted glass. The sun’s still shining, and in the distance, I spy two little girls chasing each other and a puppy in a terraced garden. They look so carefree and innocent.

A wave of dizziness has me swaying, and I grab the window frame. Sustenance. How long has it been since I’d even had a sip of water? Exhaustion and shock make my memories fuzzy, and thinking chronologically is beyond me at the moment. I have a desperate need to hear the sound of my own voice. “You need food, a good night’s sleep, and a shot of tequila. Maybe not in that order.”

Hope you enjoyed!

I don’t know about you, but a tequila shot somehow seems to bring everything into perspective-it’s the lime and the salt, I swear.

Cheers,

Jianne

 

Murphy’s Time-Travel Law: It doesn’t matter if it’s in the past, present, or future—the first person to fall into a pond is always the one who can’t swim.

I have no clue how I made it back to my room. All I know is that I wedged both the trunk and the stool against the door and then collapsed on the bed. I lie there staring at the rough ceiling and reciting the Lord’s prayer over and over.

My brain is defective, and my body is out of whack. How else to explain my reaction to seeing my new boss about to screw a woman? The image of him palming his cock and spreading that pearly drop fills my head. I cover my face with my hands.

Stop, stop.

I cannot be turned on. I cannot. Yet my vajayjay’s quivering and I’m wet. Shame, self-loathing, and an explosive rage trigger a temper tantrum. I pound my fists on the wall and tears pour down my cheeks. All I want is to do is go home.

My fury vaporizes, I flop onto my stomach, and then curl into a fetal position. I am emotionally bankrupt and energy depleted. I stare unseeing at the rough mortar and bargain with God. Make it all a daylight nightmare, let me wake up in my own bed in Boca, and I’ll never miss Sunday mass again. I’ll volunteer for all the soup kitchens in South Florida and do penance for the rest of my life.

The rattle of wheels rolling over cobblestones jerks me back to reality, to the macabre version of reality I now occupy.

My mind jump starts and my heart stops threatening to fly out of my mouth. It won’t be long before someone realizes I never met with the earl. I have to snap out of this stupid terror-trance.

I sit up, the room spins, and my stomach twists into a series of painful knots. How much time has elapsed?

I stand, slog over to the window and squint, trying to see through the dust-crusted glass. The sun’s still shining, and in the distance, I spy two little girls chasing each other and a puppy in a terraced garden. They look so carefree and innocent.

A wave of dizziness has me swaying, and I grab the window frame. Sustenance. How long has it been since I’d even had a sip of water? Exhaustion and shock make my memories fuzzy, and thinking chronologically is beyond me at the moment. I have a desperate need to hear the sound of my own voice. “You need food, a good night’s sleep, and a shot of tequila. Maybe not in that order.”

Cheers,

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Winners of The Romance Reviews Fall into Fall Blog Hop!

Fall into Romance Box Graphic*blushing in embarrassment*

I’m late with this announcement. Believe me, I know.

To make up for my tardiness I’m awarding not only the THREE prizes promised for the hop, but an additional FOUR more!!! See – readers win when I’m late.

 

 

Here are the Fall into Fall Blog Hop winners:

logo - amazon gift cardJC_AlphaMeNot_coverin     JC_DemonSeed_coverin

Emily W – $10.00 Amazon Gift Card

Nicki B – Alpha Me Not

Tori MacAllister – Demon Seed

FOUR Additional Prizes go to:

bear-and-bride 200    ftr_AParatrooperinaPearTree    JC_CarnalinCannes_coverin    ftr_white-wolf

Carolyn – The Bear and The Bride

Satchmo – A Paratrooper in a Pear Tree

Nikki – Carnal in Cannes

Jamie L – White Wolf

I’ll announce the winners on Twitter and Facebook.

Winners have five days to email me at [email protected] to collect their prizes.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to drop by!

Cheers,

Jianne

 

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Googlers and Google Earth!

IMG_1362So we had a fabulous visit with our son in California. My mind’s finally settled and I won’t be worrying so much about our ‘wayward one’ anymore (does the concern about your kids ever go away?). About his comfort or health or where he’s living, anyway.
IMG_1366
Now I have a new set of worries. Google spoils their employees. To the max. Lordy, you would not believe how great these Googlers (their term for themselves) have it. Not only is the campus stunning, but the weather and climate in Mountain View is purrrrfect. Really.

Our son says it’s rained once in the six months he’s been here.   IMG_1365IMG_1382

Of course, it stormed and thundered the day we arrived. Go figure.

One of the coolestIMG_1387 things we saw (and there were tons of way cool stuff) on the campus was the Google Earth 180 degree interactive Earth Map. Let me tell you this with absolute confidence – privacy, as we know it, is dead.

We started out with the globe spinning and, in less than 7 seconds, we zeroed in on our backyard. Incredible and scary.

 

 

 

Over the next couple of days, I’ll post the wine country pics. Oysters, champagne, wine, bread, and cheese—life can’t get much better with that combination. 🙂

On another note – I finished the free read that my blog group, the Love, Lust, & Laptops ladies are doing for Halloween. My story’s The Jack of Hearts and I’ll start posting excerpts on October 1st. We’ll have a free read for you (and sometimes 2) every week in October until Halloween!

Cheers,

Jianne

 

 

 

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Fireworks and Food!

Happy Fourth of July! 

Happy Independence Day!

For me, as a relatively new American citizen, July 4th is all about three things – fireworks, food, and the constitution. The latter being the sole item of complete importance. As I see dictatorship and outright hegemony becoming the rule of the day, I feel compelled to re-state what made this country great in the first place. And to be clear, the days of America as a power and influencer is on the decline…once we corrupt our basic rights, we no longer have any moral authority.

I have always been so proud that the rights to liberty and happiness – yes happiness – was the base of our government. These days, I shake my head and pray that this sentiment will be still at our core twenty years from now. Here are  some of the sentiments from the original declaration of independence:

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

I won’t repeat the whole document here, but I thought it important to repeat the words that formed the basis of this country and the sole reasons we rose to greatness – a greatness that is rapidly dissipating amidst all the hate mongering and terrible labelling that now starts at the highest, and now, these days, the lowest office. 

Happy Fourth of July!

Cheers,

Jianne

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Depression Stinks!

Yeah, depression really sucks. It leaches any sort of activism out of you, compels you to hide from the world, and ultimately makes you regress.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas mass murder sent me tailspinning into a depression tyranny.

However, a wonderful Mother’s Day surrounded by my sons jerked me out of that down turn. 

So, I’m back and rearing to go and looking forward to – Summer Movies. I am definitely going to see The Book Club, Deadpool 2, Show Dogs (I’m a sucker for animal movies), Mamma Mia – Here we go, Oceans’s whatever, and Life of the Party. Can you see a trend here? 

Yep, only uplifting movies. Not in the mood for a Shindler’s List, that’s for sure.

So, here’s to a great rest of the year enjoying big screen summer pics!

Cheers,

Jianne

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It Only Happens Here – Not in Canada, Not in England, Not Anywhere Else – When is Enough – Enough?

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting is the 18 – 18 th – mass shooting in the US this year – AND the date is February 15th. We are less than 47 days into 2018!!!

Here are the statistics:

1. The Harvest Music Festival: 58 killed

2. Pulse night club: 49 killed

3. Virginia Tech: 32 killed
 
4. Sandy Hook: 27 killed
 
5. First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs: 26 killed
 
6. Luby’s Cafeteria: 23 killed
 
7. McDonald’s in San Ysidro: 21 killed
 
8. University of Texas: 18 killed
 
9. High school in Parkland, Florida: At least 17 killed
 
10. San Bernardino: 14 killed
 
11. Edmond, Oklahoma: 14 killed
 
In 2017, as of October 2, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, a total of 273 mass shooting incidents  occurred.
 
And the list goes on and on and on…
 
My three sons went to Marjory Stoneman Douglas. I have nothing but great things to say about this high school. The teachers were marvelous, dedicated, and caring, and the students some of the best and the brightest. The parents concerned and supportive.
 
Shootings like this, whether we like it or not, only happen here – in the United States of America. 
 
Yes, guns don’t kill, people do. But, guess what – pistols don’t kill  AR-15s do! 
 
The nation’s mass-shooting problem is mushrooming. And the latest, most serious shootings all seem to have one new thing in common: the AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle.

The AR-15 typically has large magazines, shoots rounds at higher velocities than handguns, and leaves more complex wounds in victims.

Why, why is the NRA  so opposed to these mass-killing guns being available to the worst of us?
 
It’s time, call your senator, your congressman, and speak out!
 
Let’s stop this now!
 
In mourning,

Jianne

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Happy 86th Birthday Dad!

25 years ago, not on this day, my father died. Yesterday would have been his 86th birthday.

To all of you who still have living fathers, I have only this to say – enjoy every single moment. Love your dad to death and keep a constant watch.

Never a single day goes by when I don’t miss my father. We were extraordinarily close. He was my hero, my friend, an amazing business colleague, and my adored father. I count myself fortunate to have had such a loving, supportive man for my dad.

Yesterday, the viking and I attended my BFF’s son’s wedding.

February 11th, since my father passed, has always been bittersweet to me, and will continue to be so – I have no doubt of that.

But, yesterday, seeing Troy and Louisa starting off on their new life filled with hope, optimism, and the absolute best of the invitees who attended the ceremony, erased some of the sadness I’ve come to associate with the ominous date, February, 11th.
So, I thank you – Liz, Troy, and Louisa, for reminding me of the best and brightest view of life.

Cheers,

 

Jianne

P.S. Here are some pics of the wedding – and you just gotta love that their pooch – Tilly – was the ring bearer!!!!!!

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And The Winner is…

First of all, my sincere apologies for the delay in announcing the Winner of The Long and Short Reviews’s 2017 Holiday Blogfest. The horrid flu that’s hurdling across North America felled me, not once, but twice. Trust me, if you haven’t had a flu shot – go out and get one pronto! 

Congratulations to ELF, who won a FREE copy of Sinner!!!

But, since I’ve been so remiss, ELF, not only will you receive Sinner, but you’re getting the ENTIRE boxed set of THE HADES SQUAD series!!! 

In addition to SINNER, you’re receiving; LUCIFER, DEVIL, DEMON, & SATAN!

I hope this makes up for my unforgivable tardiness.

Since I managed to sleep through the new year, and then had to work like a dog to catch up with almost two weeks of missed work, I’d also like to wish everyone a HAPPY 2018!

Please, dear God, make it a gazillion percent better than 2017!

The best thing that happened to me last year was the engagement of my young’un to his girlfriend (who I told very early in their relationship after perhaps too much wine – you’re the perfect daughter-in-law…trust me I got reamed for that remark). 

Cheers,

Jianne

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The Destroyer is NOW Available on Amazon & Other re-sellers! (For real, this time…)

Click on the cover to go to the Amazon BUY link for The Destroyer or the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/Destroyer-Viking-Warriors-Book-ebook/dp/B076T4HS68/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509721719&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Destroyer+by+carlo

Blurb:
To Viking warrior Magnus, marriage is naught but a contract, a bargain between a man and a woman for land and title. Lust, love—he scorns such notions as weak and unmanly. But three days before he’s to wed a highland noblewoman, he falls into the maelstrom of a maid’s startled eyes. Their passionate tryst has him rethinking his notions, and he struggles to find a way to keep the beguiling Deidra while honoring the marriage contract he’s arranged with the father of his betrothed.

Deidra cannot take a walk in the forest without finding a wounded dove. Devoted to her menagerie of injured bears, peacocks, and wolves, she vows to disobey her da when he betroths her to the Norse warrior known as the Destroyer. Until, disguised as a maid, she’s rescued from a would-be rapist by the Destroyer himself. How can any call him ugly or cruel? For he treats her as if she is made of spun glass and teaches her the magikal pleasures of the flesh.

But Magnus is furious when he learns the woman he’s fallen so deeply for is none other than his betrothed. For there’s nothing he despises more than a deceitful female…except, perhaps, two of them…

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Cheers,

.0in;”>Jianne

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The Destroyer, #4 in the Viking Warriors Series, is Available!

Fantastic News!!! The Destroyer is now available for purchase at Amazon and other retailers. Click on the cover to go to the Amazon buy link:

Here’s the blurb:
To Viking warrior Magnus, marriage is naught but a contract, a bargain between a man and a woman for land and title. Lust, love—he scorns such notions as weak and unmanly. But three days before he’s to wed a highland noblewoman, he falls into the maelstrom of a maid’s startled eyes. Their passionate tryst has him rethinking his notions, and he struggles to find a way to keep the beguiling Deidra while honoring the marriage contract he’s arranged with the father of his betrothed.

Deidra cannot take a walk in the forest without finding a wounded dove. Devoted to her menagerie of injured bears, peacocks, and wolves, she vows to disobey her da when he betroths her to the Norse warrior known as the Destroyer. Until, disguised as a maid, she’s rescued from a would-be rapist by the Destroyer himself. How can any call him ugly or cruel? For he treats her as if she is made of spun glass and teaches her the magikal pleasures of the flesh.

But Magnus is furious when he learns the woman he’s fallen so deeply for is none other than his betrothed. For there’s nothing he despises more than a deceitful female…except, perhaps, two of them…

The Destroyer is now a full-length novel and is more than double the total word count of the former novella. New characters, new action and intrigue, and a ton more hot romance!!!

Here’s my fervent Friday request for you—go forth, buy, read,and if you enjoy, please, please, please—leave a review. Reviews make all the difference in the world.

Have a marvelous weekend.

Cheers,

Jianne

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Dodged the Irma Bullet!

Whew! We dodged the Irma bullet!
Yes, there’s tons of damage and a significant percentage of the Florida population has no electricity, but it could’ve been so much worse. Some of the images are astounding including this shot of Brickell Avenue.

Now the cleanup begins…
And we pray that Hurricane Jose suddenly veers straight north into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
I keep sending mental prayers of thanks and I’m truly grateful for Facebook’s Safe feature.

Cheers,

Jianne

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Hurricane Irma Aims Directly at South Florida!

If you live in South Florida as I do, you’re right now managing all last minute items in preparation for a monster of a storm.  

Hurricane Irma is wider than the state of Florida!!! 

After seeing the devastation this storm wreaked in Barbuda, Antigua, and St. Marten’s, we are all fearful.

We’re expecting to lose power, but don’t know how long we’ll be without electricity, so everyone’s stocking up. There are no canned veggies or fruits left at Walmart. Say a little prayer for us Floridians everyone. And to my fellow Florida natives – stay safe!

Cheers,

Jianne

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