50th party blog guest - Jackie Braun

Jackie Braun is another new friend from the Romance/Cherish line, and I’ve enjoyed her books for a long time (they make me cry!). It’s been great to get to know her better, and she’s another who fits my theory that romance writers are like their books (i.e. warm-hearted and lovely).

Over to Jackie:

Every writer should have a mascot. I say this even though I’ve been published for more than a decade and only recently acquired one. His name is Harley. Yep, that’s short for Harlequin. He’s an adorable stuffed monkey, and he sits on a chair in my office, no doubt wondering, much like my editor must be, when I am going to turn in my next book. (It’s coming soon. Honest.)

Harley arrived on my doorstep in an enormous basket of flowers that fellow Harlequin Romance writers sent a few days before I had surgery in mid-June. It was a lovely surprise from a lovely bunch of women, some of whom I’ve never met in person, but who I have come to know quite well online. And it certainly boosted my spirits, both before I went into the hospital and after I got home.

HR writers live all over the world, but through email I was able to thank them and send them a photo of the bouquet within a few minutes of receiving it. Ah, the power of technology.

Indeed, the Internet is an amazing resource for writers. I say this even though I once loved going to the library and meticulously combing through books. But now that sort of time-consuming research can be accomplished with a few clicks of the mouse.

For instance, when I needed jewelry inspiration for my current release, IF THE RING FITS …, I hit up Google and, voila, I found the perfect gemstones for Rachel’s designs. Likewise, when I needed an estate worthy of my hero, Tony, and ideas for some sexy European locales, I hit online real estate advertisements and took virtual tours.

In addition to making research a breeze, one of the things I love most about the Internet is the way it has created online communities where writers can “hang out” talking shop or, as is often the case with those of us who write for Harlequin Romance, talking about life in general. We not only celebrate one another’s career milestones, such as Kate Hardy’s 50th book (!), but our personal milestones. And we are there when for one another when life hands out lemons, such as my recent surgery. (Happy to report I am fine and fully recovered now!)

The Internet allows us to connect with readers, too. You visit our blogs, websites and facebook pages, and read our tweets. Through all of this, I hope you get a sense of who we really are: Mothers. Daughters. Sisters. Wives. Friends. And, finally, women who love to write about romance every bit as much as you love to read about it.

My sincerest congratulations to the amazing Kate on her astonishing accomplishment of 50 books. Oh, and Harley sends his congratulations, too.

Jackie Braun’s book, IF THE RING FITS … is out now. Leave a comment to enter for a chance to win an autographed copy.

You can find Jackie online at www.jackiebraun.com, https://www.facebook.com/authorjackiebraun, and https://twitter.com/jackie_braun

About the book:

Practical Rachel Palmer's aversion to risk-taking led to a marriage that just didn't fit. Now single again, she's embracing her newfound independence—and the first step is taking her jewelry business worldwide! For that she needs expert help from Italian Antonio Salerno….

His business help soon turns personal. And being in close-enough-to-kiss proximity to a sexy playboy makes Rachel feel she's taking a flying leap into deliciously risky territory. It's everything she's been craving…but this is a man famous for loving and leaving. Surely falling for him would be a step too far?