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For my Francophile friends who love books set in Paris and France, here’s another excellent memoir that combines travel with family dynamics, and the result is magical. We’ll Always Have Paris is a wonderfully spirited and heartfelt tale from Jennifer Coburn, a  USA Today bestselling author of six novels (Reinventing Mona, Field of Schemes) and contributor to four literary anthologies.

Over the past two decades, Coburn has received numerous awards from the Press Club and Society for Professional Journalists for articles that appeared in Mothering, Big Apple Baby, The Miami Herald, The San Diego Union-Tribune and dozens of national and regional publications. She has also written for Salon.com, Creators News Syndicate and The Huffington Post.

It’s rare that I have the opportunity to interview a fellow San Diego author, so I was thrilled when I learned that Jennifer is local. What a stroke of luck! If you’re in San Diego, Jennifer is having a book signing for We’ll Always Have Paris at the Barnes & Noble in Santee on Friday afternoon. Check out my Facebook page for more details. I’ll drop in, and the word on the street is there will be other authors coming, too. Come join us for fun!

“We’ll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Adventure is a funny, honest, sometimes kooky memoir by San Diegan Jennifer Coburn…to read the book is to experience Europe anew, and relive all the wonder that travel brings.” - San Diego Magazine

We’ll Always Have Paris: A Travel Memoir

So, without further ado, here’s my chat with Jennifer on We’ll Always Have Paris. And a rockin’ video, too!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Terrified of dying young, a neurotic American mother travels through Europe with her precocious daughter.

Please tell us a little about your book. Why is it a must-read?

We’ll Always Have Paris is a memoir about my daughter Katie and my four trips to 12 European cities starting in Paris when Katie was eight years old and ending in Paris when she was 16. There’s also quite a bit about my childhood growing up in New York in the 1970s and 80s with a single mother and a father who died far too young.

If you enjoy books that explore parent-child relationships, you may enjoy this one. I have been told it’s very honest, and that is the highest praise I could hope for because I really wanted to share my emotional truth in hopes that others would connect with it.

 

Is there a message you want readers to take from your books?

On our first night in Paris, Katie and I had dinner at my cousin Janine and her husband Bruno’s flat. Bruno is French and when he caught a glimpse of my Paris street map, meticulously marked with pink stickers for where we were visiting on Monday, yellow for Tuesday, and blue for Wednesday, he shook his head and barely refrained from rolling his eyes. “Jennifer, in order to know Paris,” Bruno said, inhaling his cigarette, “You must simply relax, have a glass of wine, and enjoy life.” Exhale. That became the driving question throughout my travels: Could I let go of the checklists, must-sees, and schedules, and just relax and enjoy life? I hope that when people read my book, they are inspired to just relax and enjoy life.

Are your character based on real people? Or imaginary people?

In my memoir, all of the characters are real people, but I also borrow a lot from real life for my fiction. If you read We’ll Always Have Paris and Tales from the Crib, you’ll notice that both have a deliciously sage Aunt Bernice living in south Florida. When my aunt read the draft of Tales from the Crib, she said (add thick New York accent): “Why did you change my name to Beatrice? This is clearly me and I want the credit for being the inspiration for this character!” I explained that I was going to write a sequel, The Queen Gene, in which the 84-year-old auntie would visit a strip club and experiment with Brazilian bikini waxing, things she would not actually do in real life. Bernice said she wanted to be able to show off at the condo, and insisted that I call her by her real name.

What’s your advice for authors just starting out?

Nearly every successful writer has struggled with rejection and self-doubt. If you’re experiencing these things, it means you’re really doing it; you’re pursuing your dream, not just talking about it.

What are you working on now?

Enjoying Katie’s last year at home before she leaves for college. Then I have another idea for a novel set in Paris.

If you could tell your readers anything, what would it be?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for reading my books. Thank you for sending messages on Facebook. Thank you for inviting me to your book clubs and events. Thank you for writing reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and BN.com. I read everything (sometimes twice) and appreciate it all.

What do you love most about the writing process?

Finding out what happens next. My characters make me laugh and I thoroughly enjoy their company.

What’s your favorite place?

I love to snuggle in our big bed with my husband and daughter and read. If it’s raining outside, even better!

What’s the best fan letter you’ve received?

“Thanks for the push,” accompanied by a photo of a mother and daughter in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Where do you dream of traveling?

I think Billy Joel may be right: Vienna waits for me.

(And me, too, Jennifer! Meet you at this coffee shop?)

Be sure to check out Jennifer’s website at www.JenniferCoburn.com, too, for more fascinating videos and photos of her travels, and links to purchase We’ll Always Have Paris and her other books.

For more travel and memoir posts, check out these:

Seven Letters from Paris

A Love Affair in Paris: 11 Novels Set in France

 

 

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So pleased to announce the #2 book in the Hostile Beauty series! BEAUTY MARK is the story of Scarlett Sandoval, an intellectual property attorney in Beverly Hills, by way of Spain. I had great fun with more of my favorite locations in this smart ‘n stylish romantic suspense saga.

And to make this launch extra special, one lucky reader on my Readers List will win a signed duo of both FLAWLESS and BEAUTY MARK.

Sign up here for your chance to win:  Get on the Reader’s List, and get a free Reader’s List gift.

A little background: Since this is November, I thought it appropriate to launch during NaNoWriMo. To the uninitiated, this is National Novel Writing Month, where writers try to complete a novel in a month. While I haven’t managed that amazing feat yet, it has given me the impetus to start books, which I’ve completed later. Both books in the Hostile Beauty Series began during a prior year’s NaNoWriMo.

I had fun with the title, too. Beauty Mark is a play on words combining beauty and trademark with the more nefarious definition.

Here’s the setup:

In the glamorous world of high stakes fashion and beauty, Scarlett Sandoval is a top intellectual property attorney in such demand that firms send private jets to shuttle her between Los Angeles, New York, London, and Madrid. In the midst of a critical trademark deal between a top fashion designer and an international cosmetic company, Scarlett is shocked to learn that in order to achieve her coveted partnership, one devious partner expects more than she is willing to surrender.

Her denial not only threatens to derail her hard-won career, but it also endangers her life and the lives of those close to her. Johnny, a handsome Beverly Hills restaurant owner she’s known all her life, offers his protection, but one fateful evening, their platonic relationship ignites.

When Scarlett’s world erupts and she discovers there is no way back to the life she once had, her friends help her through the turmoil. Can Scarlett mend her life, or has she made an irrevocable mistake in business, and in love?

BEAUTY MARK in the second book in the Hostile Beauty series. Follow a group of smart, stylish, entrepreneurial friends as they navigate the turbulence of modern life in the beauty business.

High Stakes Fashion or Killer Style?

This #2 novel in the Hostile Beauty series was great fun to write. The competitive world of beauty and fashion meets the perilous arena of legal maneuvering and insider trading.  This all made for fascinating, fun writing.

Plus, I mined my memories of my travels in Spain — the arts and culture, food, people, and so much more.The scene in Cadiz? Yep, that’s what I unexpectedly encountered once when I landed there…

Add in great fashion, food, parties, and horses, and I hope you’ll have just as much fun reading Beauty Mark.

You’ll see familiar friends from the first novel, FLAWLESS, so you’ll learn what happens to Verena and Lance as their story continues, too.

Beauty Mark Debut – Free Giveaways!

For the launch, I’ll be giving away signed books on Goodreads and Rafflecopter (below), so be sure to visit and sign up! Plus, one lucky person on my Readers List will win a signed duo of both FLAWLESS and BEAUTY MARK, so be sure to join the club. (Yes, you can enter on any, or all, of these giveaways.)

Besides working on the next book in the series, I’ll have another special treat soon for those who are on my mailing list. Be sure to sign up!

Where to Find Beauty Mark and Hostile Beauty Series

For the first 90 days, BEAUTY MARK will be exclusive to Amazon. You can order a print book, or read it on Kindle or the Kindle App (that’s what I use on my iPad and iPhone).

And, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, BEAUTY MARK is free to read there for the first 90 days. After that, we’ll be serving it up to our friends who read on Nook, Apple, Smashwords, Kobo, and elsewhere.

For the first book in the series, check out FLAWLESS, which is getting fabulous reviews! It’s also available on Apple and Barnes & Noble, as well as Amazon UK, Amazon Australia, indie bookstores, and elsewhere.

What’s Next? Back to Writing and Scent of Triumph Launch

Now I’m off to finish my agent’s edits on a fabulous novel I’ve been working on all year set in the wine industry. I’ve really enjoyed writing this book, and it’s nearing completion for my agent and editor now.

My marketing and publicity team at St. Martin’s Press is busy preparing for the March 31rst debut of SCENT OF TRIUMPH which is now available for pre-sales on Amazon. If you order it now, you’ll get any pre-sales specials they run from now until the debut, which is a great deal — I always love a sale!)

It’s available on all major book sites and indie bookstores, so give them a visit. This holiday season, support your local bookstores! Plus, there’s a library edition available for preorders now, too.

I just received the Advanced Reader Copy — an ARC as they’re known — and I was so excited to actually hold this edition in my hands, For those of you who know me, you might recall me talking about this story as long as 10 years ago…. But get the tissues ready — my writer friend Allegra Jordan (author of The End of Innocence, reviewed here) said Scent of Triumph brought her to tears. I even cried as I was writing…

But the Hostile Beauty series? I hope that makes you laugh out loud! Whichever ones you read, I hope you’ll be pulling for my indomitable heroines, too, because that’s why I write.

Thank you for sharing the Hostile Beauty series with friends, and as always, honest reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, LibraryThing are greatly appreciated. It’s part of what keep us writers writing for you! If you’ve read any of these books, leave a comment below. And don’t forget to enter the giveaways!

Links you might also like:

Read more about SCENT OF TRIUMPH, historical fiction from St. Martin’s Press.

Read more about FLAWLESS, #1 in the Hostile Beauty Series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Hi friends!  It looks like my publisher, St. Martin’s Press is getting ready for the March book launch of Scent of Triumph with special promotions and free book giveaways! Here’s one I just saw on Powell’s Books.com in Portland, Oregon. If you leave a comment on their website on the book page, you’ll be entered to win a free print copy! And I’ll add more goodies as I see them…

Free Book Giveaways – Comment to Win!

Simply leave a comment on Powell’s Books.com as to why you’d like to read the book, or if you’ve already read the original version, what you liked about it. I’d sure appreciate a few comments (it looks lonely there!), and you might even win one of the first copies in this free book giveaway.

Plus, you can preorder it on Powell’s, and lots of other places, both online and at independent bookstores like Powell’s. I’m such a huge fan of indie bookstores, so let’s keep ‘em in business by supporting them. I love pre-ordering; it’s like a gift when it arrives in the mail

A Vintage Campaign

I’m so excited to see Scent of Triumph come to life visually. I love the book cover that St. Martin’s Press designed. What do you think about the postcards that my daughter-in-law, Ginna Moran, created for Scent of Triumph? She’s a great designer!

This is exactly how I pictured Danielle Bretancourt and Jonathan Newell-Grey. (And, as long as we’re dreaming, I like Keira Knightley or Natalie Portman with French accents in the film lead, and Meryl Streep as Danielle’s mother, Marie. How about you? What other actress would you recommend? )

Ginna did a great deal of the touch-screen image selecting work for Sephora, and now she’s designing books covers and author campaigns at Silver Starlight Designs, a partnership venture of hers. More on her talents later, so stay tuned for some big announcements from Ginna!

For Bookclubs and Media

If you’re in a bookclub, St. Martin’s has also posted a Readers Discussion Guide for Scent of Triumph, and they will be taking requests for Advance Reader Copies (ARCS) for media, bookclub calls or appearances, and more. Plus, Scent of Triumph will be on NetGalley soon for bloggers to review.

Contact me by email if you want to get in touch! I’m open to doing interviews, guest posts, and podcasts. Let’s have some fun!

 

 

 

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For those of you who love France, today I’ve invited a fellow author, Patricia Sands, to chat about her latest award-winning , women’s fiction book series, Love in Provence, as well as the first book in this series, The Promise of Provence. She began her writing career as an indie author, and has built a strong readership with her novels.

Why did you want to become a writer?

In 2007, I began writing a book about my ‘real-life’ bridge club, just for fun, for the ten of us – friends for almost fifty years. The next thing I knew, I was being pushed to publish it and discovered people wanted to read it. So in my sixties, a new career began that completely consumes me.

In 2011, my husband and I lived in Antibes, France for five months where I researched and began writing The Promise of Provence. 

The lesson learned? It’s never too late to change your life and start something new! It’s a message that fuels all of my writing.

Please tell us a little about your books and favorite locales.

My stories are full of hope and enticing locations. I’m a travel junkie and a photographer so settings are an important part of my novels. Some readers say my stories are “the best trip I took without leaving home.” Sharing my love of travel through settings makes writing all the more rewarding for me!

The Bridge Club is very Canadian with settings ranging from the peaceful Eastern Townships of Quebec to cottage country in Muskoka to spectacular Whistler, British Columbia.

My second novel, The Promise of Provence, is set in Toronto, Paris, the countryside of Provence, and the French Riviera. A 55-year-old woman is suddenly on her own and steps out of her comfort zone in hopes of rediscovering her joie de vivre on a home exchange in Provence. It’s a coming of age in mid-life … at a time when some people feel they might be too old to change. There’s that message again: it’s never too late to start something new.

The Promise of Provence, the first book in the Love in Provence series, is a must-read for anyone who loves the south of France. I have been traveling there since I first fell in love with the country as a young backpacker in 1967 and this novel is partly my love letter to France.

Since my readers let me know they love stories set in France and I spend part of each year in France (often through home exchange, by the way), it will be a pleasure to continue writing about that part of the world.

In fact, I had overwhelming response from readers asking for a sequel, so my third novel and the next book in the Love in Provence series is Promises to Keep, which is set on the Côte d’Azur.

How can readers find you?

I usually post twice a week on my blog. Every Friday is about France, and mid-week I often have guests, feature a photo challenge, or post about interesting issues.

I also send out a newsletter once a month to people who have specifically subscribed to it. Each letter contains updates on my writing, a giveaway of a book or some goody I’ve brought back from France, and tips about what is fun and fabulous in the south of France. I love hearing from readers and they seem to enjoy hearing from me so it’s a win/win!

One exciting bonus from writing The Promise of Provence is that the Womens Travel Network in Toronto approached me about developing a tour based on the novel. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement! This past summer I led two ten-day tours of fourteen women. We spent four days in Nice and six in Avignon with day trips, a cooking class, and many other memorable moments. We plan to do the same next year, too.

What are the most rewarding aspects of writing for you?

Connecting with other writers, such as you, is one of the rewarding aspects of becoming part of the online writing community. Although our interest in France brought us together, I have already gained so much more from your website and blog posts.

I urge anyone who feels they have a story to write to have courage and do just that. As Stephen King encourages in his book (which I found most helpful) On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, do your research and write the story in your own voice as you wish it to be told, and then work with a good editor. Believe in yourself and do it!

Thank you, Patricia, for visiting with us today. Find her books on Amazon and at other retailers. Be sure to connect with her on her blog, and enjoy a literary journey to France.

 

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How often can we say that read a great book today? One that made us think and feel, that made us a better person — perhaps more tolerant, more forgiving — for having read it? The End of Innocence is such a saga, a powerful story that opens on the eve of World War I at Harvard University in 1914.

The writing flows like fine aged wine, passages conjure a tumultuous past, and the story maintains taut tension. At the heart of the book is a love story, however, deep questions about reconciliation among people and nations are also addressed, lifting this novel into thought-provoking realms.

The End of Innocence blooms with the promise of first love between Helen and Wils, who are students at Radcliffe College and Harvard University, respectively. Warring political factions soon demand the return and sacrifice of young lives on frozen battle fields.

Author Allegra Jordan — a graduate of Harvard Business School — breathes life into Harvard Yard of a hundred years ago. The disparities between women and men, as well as shifting political climes, are expertly rendered in an era-appropriate manner.

Then, as now, families, friends, and couples are torn asunder when nations declare war. In today’s world of increased communication and travel, never has this been more true.

Jordan’s inspiration occurred during a visit to Harvard’s Memorial Church, when she saw an odd little Latin plaque honoring German students of Harvard who fought in World War I under the Kaiser. This was a controversial honor, even though these students fought before the United States entered the war.

Jordan’s comments at the end of the book are particularly insightful; be sure not to miss these, especially a quote from Peter J. Gomes, which reads, in part:

Go out there, then, with courage, grace, and imagination. …so go for it, for God’s sake, and for your own.

The End of Innocence is a historical masterpiece of love, honor, and reconciliation during World War I, and an expertly crafted Ivy League novel. Five stars for superb literary storytelling. 

To purchase, click over to The End of Innocence: A Novel on Amazon, or check out other retailers.

If you’re in the mood for other historical novels, read this post on 13 Historical Novels Set in France. What are your favorite historical novels? Give them a shout out and share with others in the comments.

 

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Reading Seven Letters from Paris is like traveling to France with a good friend —  the journey revolves around laughter and angst, food and wine, new and cherished connections. Throughout this memoir, I commiserated, I laughed, I cheered our brave heroine on.

Here’s the set-up:

Samantha and Jean-Luc in 1989

Twenty years, seven letters, and one long-lost love of a lifetime

At age 40, Samantha Verant’s life is falling apart – she’s jobless, in debt, and feeling stuck… until she stumbles upon seven old love letters from Jean-Luc, the sexy Frenchman she’d met in Paris when she was 19. With a quick Google search, she finds him, and both are quick to realize that the passion they felt 20 years prior hasn’t faded with time and distance.

Samantha knows that jetting off to France to reconnect with a man she only knew for one sun-drenched, passion-filled day is crazy – but it’s the kind of crazy she’s been waiting for her whole life.

Samantha Verant is a women who had the courage to take a chance in life; she took the proverbial lemons and made French-pressed lemonade. Her witty writing is in a similar vein as Peter Mayle, in A Year in Provence (Mayle also endorsed the book, too).

 

Seven Letters from Paris is a delightful look at a woman who rebooted her heart and created the life she deserved. In addition, this charming tale is certain to inspire legions of letter writers bent on romance.

Five stars for this courageous writer; I’m certainly hoping for more from Samantha Verant as she continues her life adventures. Check out Seven Letters from Paris: A Memoir on Amazon and other retailers.

To explore more books set in Paris and France, read a related post, A Love Affair in Paris, 11 Novels Set in France. Or, sign up for the mailing list to nab the entire free reading list.

 

 

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To celebrate National Read A Book Day, I wanted to encourage authors to take this week to help make reading more affordable. In the past, I’ve donated books to my local library guild, shelters for abused women, and elderly care facilities.

According to The Author’s Guild, many authors are struggling today, too. While authors can’t permanently reduce the prices on the books (and keep a roof over their head), it’s a good time to “meet” a new author when they have an ebook sale.

As a writer, I’m especially excited about the emerging markets that Kobo, Smashbooks, and GooglePlay are reaching, too. Flipkart, txtr, and many others are pushing the geographic and technological boundaries, too.

To that end, my latest book, FLAWLESS: A Hostile Beauty Novel, is now on sale this week for just 99 cents in the US, with similar price reductions around the world on most ebook platforms. This price is good for Kindle, Apple iBooks, Nook, Kobo, and more!

“An engrossing view into the world of ‘beautiful people’ with an ending that will leave you wanting more.” – New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Melissa Foster

Tip an Author! Post a Review

If an author has entertained you for a few hours, why not take a minute to give them a review online? You can go back to where you bought it, such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Or, if you bought it from a local independent bookstore (you get extra points for that!), you can still post a review to Goodreads, and on most online sites if you have an account. It’s easy to do that on Amazon, Apple, and Barnes & Noble. If you tip for a meal when you dine out, why not think about “tipping” your favorite authors?

Here’s why: Few readers know that authors depend on reviews for sales. More reviews means higher rankings in the algorithms that all online booksellers use. Plus, authors can’t buy premium advertising to reach buyers until they have reached a certain number of reviews — as many as 20 in some places — and the ranking must often be 4.0+ out of 5.0. So give your fave author some love today!

Where to Buy

“If you’re a Danielle Steel or Jackie Collins fan, you’ll love Jan Moran’s Flawless.” – Amazon Reviewer

To nab FLAWLESS: A Hostile Beauty Novel at just 99-cents this week, here’s the list to feed your ravenous e-reader:

Amazon US http://amzn.to/1omMrsS

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/UY4N6m

Barnes & Noble US: http://bit.ly/1lxxOTa

Nook UK: http://bit.ly/1CCABje

KOBO: http://bit.ly/1rBDFcG

Apple iBooks: http://bit.ly/1wPDNYe

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/WqA8iT

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1prpPC9

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1AjDyBo

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1qvSqeK

Be sure to look for FLAWLESS on your favorite online retailer, because there are many, many more not listed here.

And thanks for sharing this post on social media!

Now…I’m off to the beach for a little reading. Where’s your favorite place to read?

 

 

 

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Well, color me happy! As a writer and entrepreneur, I’ve often witnessed the power of optimism in business. An optimistic attitude instills confidence in business partners, from clients to employees to investors.

To determine the real return on optimism, simply flip the switch: Consider the damage that an oppressive workplace can do.

What would that do to your business partners? Your employees?

Optimism: As Simple As Answering the Phone with a Smile

An optimistic attitude creates a cheerful working environment, making it a joy rather than a drudge to go to work. If you’re in the business of customer service, and really, who isn’t? — then a joyful interaction is not only a rare thing of beauty, but it might also make the difference between your client happily signing on the dotted line again — or not.

In my last business, I asked everyone to to answer the phone with a smile. Some thought I was a little nuts, but try it for yourself — you can actually hear a smile over the phone. Soon, callers began saying things like, “It’s always such a joy to speak to you folks. You’re like an oasis in my day. I look forward to calling your company.”

Music to my ears.

Optimism Sets the Stage for Successful Resolutions

That meant that when callers were transferred to me, I had a client or vendor in a good mood on the line.

What a difference! Even if there was a problem to resolve, the optimistic attitude set the stage for a successful resolution.

Optimism began to creep through the company in small ways.

The receptionist took ownership and created her own joyful answer: “It’s a beautiful day at Scentsa, how can we help you?”

Surprise and delight became the order of the day.

Optimism Drives Creativity

Ever try to be creative with a dark cloud over your head? Pretty tough, huh? Negativity kills creativity. Our most creative days were when optimism ruled.

Often, when management or investors dictate change and a negative person is forced into the mix, creativity suffers. Then sales suffer. Clients get cranky. It’s a slippery slope.

Keep optimism high.

Now, my best days of writing begin with a sunny attitude. My expectation is that it’s going to be a great day. So what happens on my worst days? You guessed it. They started the way they ended. The page bleeds red ink. Might as well have stayed in bed.

Optimism is Money in the Bank

Even if optimism isn’t exactly money in the bank, at the very least it primes the financial spigot. One thing is certain, if you’re trying to create a product, build a company, or turn one around, you won’t do it nearly as well with a negative attitude.

In business school, I remember the case study of Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx. With his optimistic attitude, Smith inspired such dedication to the cause that when the going got tough, his employees made personal sacrifices to keep the company afloat — sacrifices which were later well-rewarded with success.

Optimism is a Can-Do Attitude

It might sound a little old-fashioned, but you’ll never accomplish your goal without the belief that you can do it.Plant seeds of happiness and cultivate your attitude like a garden.

Create a plan, work that plan, adjust and seize opportunities that arise, but above all be sure to add a dose of cheerful optimism. Plus, you’ll enjoy the ride a whole lot more.

That’s why I’m such a big fan of Richard Branson, Mr. Optimism.

You gotta have a dream.

Optimism Escaping You?

Can’t summon the sunshine? Let’s be realistic: If you just can’t seem to summon an optimistic mindset, you might be suffering from depression. Maybe you need to seek help. That’s okay. My heart goes out to the family of actor Robin Williams; he is missed by so, so many, but his death put a spotlight on this often crippling condition. It you’re suffering, reach out for help.

What’s Your Return on Optimism Investment? Measure It!

So how might you calculate this seemingly elusive return on optimism? Glad you asked! Here’s a quick, fun survey to calculate your return on optimism. Follow the link, take a quick 10-question survey, and discover your score. Plus, you’ll gain some valuable insights. (Don’t worry, it’s totally free, no gimmicks.)

Then, come back and share your score and insights.  Post it in the comments — and think about what you could change in your life, or in your business, to improve it?

Your actions might be drastic — maybe you’ll decide to fire a client. Or you might try something small, like smiling when you answer the phone. Or get up a little earlier and grab 20 to 30 minutes of exercise, or meditation or prayer, before the day revs up.

Think about it…

And how would that change your life?

 

 

Disclosure: This article was commissioned by Xerox.

 

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Today I have special shout-out and offer to all journalists, book bloggers, and book reviewers. Many of you are already subscribed to NetGalley, THE online place to get review copies from the world’s leading publishers.

I’m pleased to announce that my latest novel, FLAWLESS: A Hostile Beauty Novel, is now on NetGalley. This is a great service that makes it easy for journalists, reviewers, and bloggers to receive review copies anytime, day or night, 24/7.  You have to be registered and signed in to download it — and thank you for your honest reviews!

At present, FLAWLESS is available in trade paperback and ebook format at all Amazon sites around the world. Books may also be ordered through independent and chain booksellers in the US. See Flawless on Amazon now.

About Flawless: A Hostile Beauty Novel

“There’s always an ugly side to beauty.” – Jan Moran

“An engrossing view into the world of ‘beautiful people’ with an ending that will leave you wanting more.” – New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Melissa Foster

Here’s the set up: Verena Valent is at the helm of her family’s legendary Swiss skincare company, which caters to a glamorous clientele in the heart of Beverly Hills. After her parents are killed in an automobile accident, she becomes the sole provider for her younger twin sisters and her grandmother. Instead of attending college with her friends as planned, she rises to the challenge to guide and expand her family’s business. She is in the midst of a critical international expansion into Asia when her carefully organized life begins to unravel.

Ultimately, Verena learns that truth, family, friendship, and love are the unshakable pillars of life. But will she get a second chance in business, or in love?

Flawless is the first book in the Hostile Beauty Series. Follow a group of smart, stylish, entrepreneurial friends as they navigate the turbulences of modern life in the business of beauty. Set in Beverly Hills with action flung across the globe, the Hostile Beauty Series is an engaging series that features gutsy, determined best friends, and how they manage to live the lives of their dreams.

Genre: Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements

For a limited time, Flawless is free to subscribed book reviewers and bloggers. Download it at NetGalley now.

Want an Author Interview?

You can send your questions to janmoranbooks (at) gmail (dot) com. We’ve also prepared some Questions & Answers to help make your job easier, or send over your own burning questions!

Want a quick preview? Read the opening chapter here, and find international booksellers, too. Click over to our Media Center for images and more details, too.

Thank you, and happy reading!

 

 

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“There’s always an ugly side to beauty.” That’s the phrase that popped into my mind one evening, and it spawned a brand new contemporary fiction series that I’m pleased to announce today, starting with the first book in the series: Flawless: A Hostile Beauty Novel.

Flawless is a glamorous mash-up between the beauty industry and a close circle of girlfriends, which is the premise of the Hostile Beauty series.

Some of you might know that I spent quite a few years in the beauty industry — I wrote the Fabulous Fragrances nonfiction books (rather like a guide to wine, only for fragrances), which hit the Rizzoli bestseller lists, and served as the basis for Scentsa, a touch-screen fragrance, skincare, and cosmetic finder I created for Sephora, DFS, and Nordstrom. Heck, it even won a FiFi award from The Fragrance Foundation for technological innovation. But I digress…

During my tenure in the beauty industry, I was always fascinated by cut-throat stories swirling around. In fact, a fellow author, Kate White, former editor of Cosmopolitan, also draws on some of her beauty and publishing experiences on writing her fictional books. (And, she praised a book from one of my new author friends, Anita Hughes, who also writes for St. Martin’s. What a nice gesture! Check out both of these fabulous authors.)

Set in Beverly Hills and Paris

Readers always ask about the story behind the book, so here goes… When I began to write Flawless, the first book in my new Hostile Beauty series, I was inspired by my experiences and observations in the beauty industry, as well as friendships.

Much of this novel was scribbled on airplanes or in hotel rooms; you’ll even get to visit one of my favorite hotels in Paris, the Villa and Hôtel Majestic in the sixteenth arrondissement. I just had to set one of the sexy scenes between Verena and Lance in the pool area, where I swam almost every morning and many evenings in their wonderful salt water pool — and even made friends with a real-life handsome prince. (But that’s another story…)  Le Crabe Marteau and Le Speakeasy are also real places in Paris where we went with friends from Paris.

As for the Beverly Hills location, the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Polo Lounge are real places, as well as the neighborhood streets. If you ever visit the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, be sure to order my favorite champagne cocktail, a Kir Royale.

After college I moved to Los Angeles to a one-bedroom apartment in Beverly Hills, for the fine public school system for my son. I dated, fell in love, and did all the things a new graduate/single mom might do. But most of all, I made wonderful, life-long friends there. My female friends were smart, accomplished, and lovely — on the inside and out. I wanted to share the feelings and depth of these friendships, and how special they are to me.

The swoon-worthy chef in the book, Lance Martel, is a fictional character, however, the recipes and dishes are real. My husband loves to cook, and one of our sons is a chef school graduate. Of course, we ate our way through France, too.

While the action in the book is fictional, the business aspects are pretty accurate.

An attorney and MBA read a pre-publication draft, and reported back on its accuracy. “Sadly so,” she added. But there’s always hope, and this rollicking saga certainly proves that.

Launch for Week Flawless: A Hostile Beauty Novel

This week, I’m so excited to unveil my latest project, and thrilled that 5-star reviews have already started rolling in on Amazon. A bestselling author I admire, Melissa Foster, had this to say:

A breathtakingly real look at the cut-throat world of the beauty industry.  An engrossing view into the world of ‘beautiful people’ with an ending that will leave you wanting more. – New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Melissa Foster

So, here’s the set up for Flawless…

Verena Valent is at the helm of her family’s legendary Swiss skincare company, which caters to a glamorous clientele in the heart of Beverly Hills. After her parents are killed in an automobile accident, she becomes the sole provider for her younger twin sisters and her grandmother. Instead of attending college with her friends as planned, she rises to the challenge to guide and expand her family’s business. She is in the midst of a critical international expansion into Asia when her carefully organized life begins to unravel.

Verena is shaken to discover that her fiance, Derrick, who is a venture capitalist, might be behind a scheme to take over her growing company. While she struggles to save the business that means everything to her, she meets Lance, an executive chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She encounters this intriguing man again while on a business trip to Paris, and soon gains a new perspective on relationships.

When the unthinkable occurs and Verena’s world collapses, her friends rally around her, among them Scarlett Sandoval, a top intellectual property attorney; Dahlia DuBois, a perfumer from an esteemed line of French perfumers; and Fianna Fitzgerald, a fashion designer with her own trendy boutique.

Ultimately, Verena learns that truth, family, friendship, and love are the unshakable pillars of life. But will she get a second chance in business, or in love?

Follow a group of smart, stylish, entrepreneurial friends as they navigate the turbulences of modern life in the business of beauty. Set in Beverly Hills with action flung across the globe, the Hostile Beauty Series is an engaging series that features gutsy, determined best friends, and how they manage to live the lives of their dreams.

Flawless is an astute, intelligent, gripping romance for the modern woman. Jan Moran’s writing took me to the edge; she creates a heroine whom you can’t fail to care for and understand. A fabulous first book in the series; I can’t wait to read the next one! – Hannah Fielding, Author of The Echoes of Love

Celebrating the Flawless Launch

Flawless is now available on Amazon in paperback and ebook for Kindle (download the app for iPad). On Goodreads, be sure to sign up for a Giveaway for autographed copies and add it to your “To Be Read” list!

Let the confetti fly and the champagne flow! We’re christening the good ship Hostile Beauty as she sets sail. I really appreciate your great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

And, if you find any errors, by all means, let me know! If you enjoy it (and I hope you do!), I’d love to hear from you.

Be sure to sign up on the mailing list, because the next book is under way now…

 

(PS: If you’re a book blogger or media, check out NetGalley.com, where you’ll find digital review copies of Flawless next week under the IBPA account. Send me an email at janmoranbooks (at) gmail.com if you have questions for your article.)

 

The post New! Flawless: A Hostile Beauty Novel appeared first on Jan Moran.
You're reading New! Flawless: A Hostile Beauty Novel, originally posted on Jan Moran - Smart & Stylish: Ideas and books to enrich your lifestyle. and copyrighted by Jan Moran.
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