(Note from Jess on the 16th of Oct: Haven’t forgotten about the contest. Will select a winner tomorrow: Sunday)
Yep, it’s my birthday today.
I’m 41.
No, there’s no way to escape it, and yes it makes me feel very, very sad. (Well, except maybe for the thought of presents, which makes me feel lots happier.)
So, how should I celebrate?
Well, that’s an easy one. By giving you a present.
I haven’t had a release of a new book in a looooong time. Which is why I am so excited about my December release of Raising The Stakes.
So excited, I thought I’d give away an ARC to one lucky reader. Anyone interested?
All you need to do is leave a comment on one of two blogs. This one, or International Heat. (I’m feeling a little lazy, so I’m posting identical blogs.)
So what should you comment about? Easy. I’m looking for advice on how to feel younger. And buh-lieve me, I am open to any options. Any.
Be as creative as you like, as fun as you like, as honest as you like.
One lucky winner will receive the ARC of Raising The Stakes.
Now there’s one little problem.
I haven’t yet received my cover art for the book (coz I’m fussy and cover artist Scott Carpenter is probably ready to ring my neck around now.) So the prize winner might have to wait a couple weeks before receiving the ARC. Unless you’re happy to take it coverless, then you can have it ASAP.
Not sure if you want to win it?
Well, have a read through the blurb, and you can decide for yourself.
RAISING THE STAKES: The Blurb
Play out the hand her way…or fold?
Three of a Kind, Book 2 (The sequel to Going All In)
After four years, Megan Loxley has given up waiting for her best friend, Desmond Reed, to realize she loves him. It’s time to move on. When Des introduces her to his poker buddy, Alex Truman, the instantaneous sparks that flare between them signal her life is about to change forever.
Des could kick himself. How could he have failed to notice the perfect woman was by his side all this time? Now it’s too damn late. And her innocent prodding about why he’s suddenly so distant is only making his hunger for her worse. Then she gets one step too close—and his self-restraint snaps.
Stunned, bewildered, furious, Meg can’t help but respond to the kisses for which she waited so long. God help her, she loves Des. And Alex, too. Immeasurably. Now what?
It may make her the greediest woman alive, but she’s determined to win the next hand— even if she has to change the game a little. First step: state her wildly sexy proposition in a language both men will understand…and hope they’ll stick around and play by her rules.
Warning: If you’re looking for a cool game of poker, you won’t find it here. This novella is so hot the cards are still smoking. The heroine may be new to the game, but she knows exactly how to play her two kings.
Good luck!
Jess
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:04:19
Hmm I think the best way to stay young is lots of sex! lol 🙂 I don’t know I’m fighting a losing battle myself. But I sure want that book! 🙂
Kelly Thrash
kittykelly28@hotmail.com
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:04:50
oh yeah…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:08:06
ROFLMAO
Thanx for the wishes and the suggestion. I know DH will like it.
Jess
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:10:03
Have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope it was good one! So looking forward to the new release!
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:58:53
Thanx Angela.
I can’t wait for the 7th of Dec.
😀
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:10:53
Hi Jess,
First off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
May good always outweigh the bad, may life lead you to happiness and joy, but most of all may all your wishes come true!
My tip: age is just a number, feeling old is a state of mind. Live life to the fullest and feel as young as you want to feel, not as old as a date of birth makes you. I can’t wait to turn 40! Plan on celebrating hard and embracing it fully (am 38 now).
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:20:11
What a lovely birthday wish. Thank you.
And 38? you only have 2 years to go.
Jess
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:11:42
Hey ROFLMAO should help keep you young too! 🙂
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:13:40
Happy Birthday my beautifuly Vintage Jess ;0)!
Okay Like I am one to give advice about how to feel young *ducks throwing objects* but you know what always helps me feel better! A night out! No hubby, no kids, and no worries. Just me and the girlfriends living it up and being care free.
You know if I lived closer I would drag you out of the house and have tons of drinks. Damn that ocean between us lol.
*smooches*
~~*Drea*~~
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:18:59
Oooh, margaritas and a girls night out. Sounds bloody marvellous.
🙂
Jess
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:15:03
Happy Birthday! 😀 I agree with Kelly’s recommendation for sex but also exercise. Exercising and building muscle strength helps you feel younger because your muscles can then move your body around easier. You don’t feel like a decrepit old lady then. 😉
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:58:16
So, how about if I have loads of sex – and count that as exercise? Will it work?
😉
Good suggestion tho. I really need to get my butt out of this damn chair and get some exercise.
Jess
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:15:10
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:32:24
Happy birthday, Jess! How to feel young? Hmm… try new-to-you things, whether it’s food, activity, book, or class. Find fun and funny people to hang out with, because laughing is definitely good for the soul. And treat yourself gently–you deserve it 🙂
And mmm… the blurb was yummy! How could we NOT want the book?
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:40:13
I like the laughter suggestion the most.
Thanx for all the wishes.
Jess
Oct 14, 2010 @ 10:53:29
I would have to say that the key to feeling young is to act young…and be healthy. Workout and eat right. It does wonders not only for your body but for your mind as well!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Oct 14, 2010 @ 11:48:21
Eat right AND work out?
No wonder I fell like 81 and not 41.
😉
Thanx for the wishes.
Jess
Oct 14, 2010 @ 13:14:06
Happy, happy day, Jess!! I think the trick to staying young (at heart) is to always have fun and laughter in your life. Spend time with friends, take time to enjoy the small things and believe in love and life. (and a few hot guys to look at doesn’t hurt either)
Oct 14, 2010 @ 21:13:48
Very practical, solid advice, Nancy. Thanx.
And I espec like the bit about the few hot guts to look at.
😉
Oct 14, 2010 @ 15:19:11
I don’t have any secret to feeling young. I just read books, play video games, do my crafts and don’t think about my age unless I have to. Keeps my mind sharp. Body is failing to fast though.
And you would think I should feel old this year. My youngest just made me a grandma this year less than a month after I turned 44. Love my granddaughter but I definitely don’t feel like an elderly grandma.
Hope that all makes sense.
Oct 14, 2010 @ 21:15:17
44 and a grandma?
I just bet you don’t feel like an elderly gran.
😀
(And yep, everything you said made perfect sense.)
Oct 14, 2010 @ 21:39:18
I made my mom a grandma when she was 45. SHe had me when she had just turned 20 and I have mine when I was 22 but I turned 23 the day after he was born. 🙂 It just means you get to have a little more energy around them. 🙂
KittyKelly
Oct 14, 2010 @ 21:42:04
Ok, now I feel like an old lady. I only had me first one at 31.
But lemme tell you, I understand how you’d have so much more energy for a baby in your twenties.
Jess
Oct 15, 2010 @ 00:02:55
Happy Birthday!!! This book sounds awesome I want it so bad.
Oct 15, 2010 @ 22:53:26
Thanx. Hope you say that about the book after you’ve read it.
😉
Oct 15, 2010 @ 02:38:17
Ah to be forty again. I had a lot of fun at that age.
Happy Birthday
Oct 15, 2010 @ 22:51:27
Thanx for the wishes Joye.
And I’d also like to be forty again.
Oct 15, 2010 @ 03:47:44
I will be 52 next month and don’t feel at all old. The trick is to keep telling yourself age is just a number and therfore doesn’t mean a thing. Seems to work for me at any rate *still feels like a mid thirties hot mama*.
Oct 15, 2010 @ 22:52:35
Today I tried to ignore my age altogether. It worked quite well. When it does bother I will repeat to myself:
Age is just a number.
Oct 15, 2010 @ 05:13:34
No kidding, Jess. And that’s another reason that we’re done with the moppet-making, even though they can be cute as all git out! Can’t do it–not enough energy for babies any more! 😉
BTW, one thing to remember about this birthday is that you’re the perfect age right now–you’re totally in your prime, PLUS you have the benefit of a little wisdom and experience, so you know better how to use it 😀 (Or so I’ve heard… ;p)
Oct 15, 2010 @ 08:27:21
LOLOL
Fedora, I wonder if I’ll ever reach an age where I know better.
And yep, I’m also done with moppet making. Heck a 6 and 9 yr old exhaust me.
A baby, now? Nooooooo.
Oct 16, 2010 @ 14:14:35
Amen. If I were to discover we were expectant now, I’m not sure they’d be tears of joy 😉
Maybe you know better about some things now, just not all of them 🙂
Oct 15, 2010 @ 08:07:22
I have stopped counting my age. People ask me and I have to ask mini me how old I am. Of course THEY have also stopped aging for me which irritates my teenager. To feel young sometimes I run around the yard with the kids or do some unrequested Karaoke for the kids, which usually makes them roll their eyes but it makes me feel young again. Just be a little silly and forget that others might be watching.
Oct 15, 2010 @ 08:28:41
Unrequested karaoke?
Oh, man, Rory. I love that.
And I am so damn good at it too. Hey, maybe one day we could do a duet?
*Snort*
Sure the kids would love that.
Oct 15, 2010 @ 20:25:51
Smile. It makes people wonder what you are up to. Also eat chocolate, which will make you happy.
Oct 15, 2010 @ 22:50:35
Oh, yeah. Eating chocolate makes me very happy indeed.
Oct 16, 2010 @ 11:02:59