j. rose allister

Monday, August 7, 2023

August News and Nonsense

Heatwave

Hello from the hot and dusty desert! I'd like to say the summer heat has in no way zapped any of my energy this past month. That it hasn't even slightly hindered my productivity. But it did, a little. The lack of proper A/C has been a factor in the whole "wanting to do things" parts of life. Or wanting to move at all. Or even breathe too deeply. Our rooftop swamp cooler can only do so much in 110-degree heat, bless it's little soul.

So much of the past month has involved making endless trays of fancy round ice cubes, the kind I bust out this time of year to make the "melting in the heat" phenomenon seem somehow more festive. Then I sit in my recliner, sipping a mason jar of water tinkling with the sound of fancy ice, wondering when the afternoons got so long. An ice pack and a neck fan helps. Luckily, summer here only lasts only about, oh, six months or so.

Ugh.

Bookish Stuff and a Release!

It's here! Her Full Moon Cowboys, the book that launched my Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series, has returned to online booksellers this month. I'm in love with the new cover design and am stoked about the teaser trailer. (See the trailer and buy links on my official release post HERE.)

And despite the bleak picture I painted of my productivity, I got some work done on books 3 and 4 of the Kiss of the Dragon series and am already prepping the next backlist release, TBA next month.

I hope you have a healthy supply of fancy ice cubes, some solid A/C, and possibly a trusty neck fan to get you through the dog days of summer. Until next time!

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Available! Her Full Moon Cowboys

J 12:01 PM 0 Comments

HER FULL MOON COWBOYS

Book O of the Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series

MMF Paranormal/Werewolf Romance

August, 2023

BUY NOW

The best-seller that launched a series!

Her attempt to escape romance sends her right into temptation…in the arms of two hot, Lycan-cursed cowboys.

Tired of being a man-magnet, innocent Lily wants a weekend escape away from the pressure of romance. Her plans for a quiet vacation go awry, however, when a pack of wolves crash into her cabin. Her one-time cowboy crush, Chaz Saratoga, arrives to save the day…igniting the very passion she’s trying to avoid.

Chaz reveals that the wolves coming after her are shapeshifters bound by the same Lycan curse he shares. Her only chance to avoid their predatory plans is to let Chaz claim her as his mate, but he’s no lone wolf. His sexy alpha, Kade Winchester, comes with the package. But will giving herself to the two men she craves truly put an end to the pack's demand for mating rights?

-A hot werewolf romance that will leave you howling for more!

About the Lone Wolves of Shay Falls series:

They are cowboys torn from their livelihood after a fateful bite changed their destinies forever. When their pack is disbanded by a new alpha, the lone wolves are forced to roam the woods of Shay Falls with no way to return to the ranch life they once knew. Each must find a male pack mate of their own—and a female mate to hold that bond together.

# Books # Books-Paran/Fant

Monday, July 3, 2023

Update (Finally): Finding My Way Ashore

J 12:00 AM 2 Comments

(Photo courtesy of Unsplash)

Hello from a water-logged writer who feels like she just washed up on shore after a long time stranded at sea.

What Happened?

For those of you who've wondered when the next Kiss of the Dragon installment is coming out, when ANY book of mine might come out, or simply where the heck I've been, first let me say I'm sorry. (If you hadn't wondered, no hard feelings. Everyone's been a little preoccupied since my last blog.)

That last post was March 2019, before the global events that overtook us all. Before the rug got pulled out from under my personal and writing life. In that update, I was starting Going to the Altar 2 (a series written under my other pen name). I released that book at the end of May and spent my summer hard at work developing the premise for Heart of the Dragon, Kiss of the Dragon book 3. I wrote drafts for that book and Going to the Altar 3. But neither were working. They needed rethinking and rewrites.

Then came 2020.

I arrived at my hospital job to discover I was now a front-line worker on an active, soon-to-be overwhelmed Covid-19 unit. For two years, nobody on that unit came up for air. Days were long and bleak, and no vacation time was granted. I was exhausted and traumatized, but I didn't stop writing entirely. I spent months trying to rewrite those two books. Then I realized part of the issue with Heart of the Dragon was that it couldn't be the final installment like I'd planned. To truly wrap up the series arc, I needed a fourth book.

(Photo courtesy of Unsplash)

By then, being caught in life's undertow had really pulled me under. To quote comedian Jim Gaffigan's
commentary about having a fourth child: "Imagine you are drowning, and then someone hands you a baby." Trying to write during the pandemic was a lot like that. So, for a time, I had to hand that baby back and focus on paddling hard for shore.

I was still paddling when we lost my father-in-law, presumably to Covid. Then the hardest hit of all: my oldest son died in an unrelated and unexpected tragedy. 2022 spit me out the other end with some other souvenirs as well: severe anxiety, PTSD, and an eating disorder. I know I'm far from the only person to come through the past three years with scars, and I can only hope that those of you who are reading this post fared better.

(Photo courtesy of Unsplash)

Current State of Life/Projects

Fast forward to now, when the tide has finally pushed me somewhat ashore. Hopefully, I can finish climbing into my little lifeboat before the next wave comes in.

Meanwhile, I've been working simultaneously on Heart of the Dragon...aaaand, drum roll please...Mate of the Dragon, Kiss of the Dragon 4. I don't have a release date yet, and more rewrites are needed. My goal is to finish both books before I make Book 3 available. And so, I beg your indulgence and patience a while longer.

I also regained contracts rights to a number of backlist titles during the pandemic. I'm dusting these off like the comforting old friends they are, and I'll be re-releasing them over the coming months. First up is Her Full Moon Cowboys, the MMF werewolf romance that became my all-time bestseller. Expect that one to return to online booksellers in early August, followed by the Lone Wolves of Shay Falls books.

And so, my dear reader friends, that is the quick(ish) update of "Whatever Happened to J. Rose?" I'm still here and still writing. And for those of us who love stories and storytelling, there are few greater victories.

# Monday Musings

Friday, March 1, 2019

Snow Big Deal, Writing Update

J 12:00 AM 0 Comments

On one Monday of the month, I gab about what's going on with me, my writing, and life in general.

2019 is certainly "Marching" right along into March. Time flies!

Snow Big Deal

Snow in our desert backyard

Since it's been rather a snowpocalypse this winter for much of the country, me getting a couple measley inches of the white stuff at my place probably doesn't seem newsworthy. But it was kind of magical for us, since it was not only our first snow at the new house, but the first to sit on the ground at any place I've ever lived. Also, it was our daughter's first time experiencing snow. Apparently, this was the first significant snowfall here in the desert since 2008, which reminded me of another first. The year I moved to the Inland Empire, we took the kids to a neighborhood holiday display where Santa Claus was handing out candy canes. While the kids met him, it began snowing. Just a nice flurry that melted in minutes, but it was magical. The kids thought Santa made it snow just for them. It hadn't snowed in that area in many years, and it hasn't since.

Aside from our snow experience, I've been busy dealing with car fun this month (with all the commuting through the mountain pass to the day job, the transmission had to be rebuilt). And Bri had her first official dance, a roaring-20's event that we drove over two hours to get to. But she had such an amazing time that it was well worth it.

Writing Update

With Heat of the Dragon now released, I've been busy prepping a contemporary romance for my Janell Michaels pen name. This one is Never the Bridesmaid, Book 2 of the Going to the Altar series. The outline is complete, and as I write this (on Thursday, set to post on Monday), I'm beginning the first draft. In fact, my fingers are itching to tap out a few lines before taking the rental car back (now that the car's fixed) and heading down the hill to work. So I'll sign off here and dive in.

Until next time...

~*~*~*~

On select Mondays, I like to gab about whatever's going on with me. For more gab, please join me on Twitter or Facebook. I love talking to people!

J. Rose Allister is the author of more than thirty books under three pen names, primarily romance. A former editor and submissions director, she now works as a mild-mannered hospital secretary by day, naughty writer by night.

# Monday Musings

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Now Available: Heat of the Dragon

J 12:00 AM 0 Comments

HEAT OF THE DRAGON

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series
Steamy Paranormal/Shapeshifter Romance
January 30, 2019

BUY NOW

Print-- Amazon

Ebook-Amazon

Denying himself the mate he craves could cost him his life...
Tristan Rains is a successful jeweler and a skilled native medicine healer, but neither money nor his abilities give him what he wants most. For years, he stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature he can't control. But battling the beast grows harder each day, especially since his return to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch.

Jessica Seaton had a promising future once, before Tristan Rains blazed into her life and out again. Unaware that she activated his dragon genetics, she spends her days working to make ends meet and avoiding men who can’t live up to Tristan. When she learns he’s back in town, she decides to find out why he ran. Their reunion makes her crave his touch, but she makes a shocking discovery. A monster takes control of him, and the curse is entirely her fault. Now, she shares his fear that the dragon might harm her if they get too close.

Despite their decision to stay apart, fate has other plans…and so does the man who will do anything to get the mystical bracelet Tristan gifted to Jessica long ago. This new threat to his mate will force Tristan to act, but how can he save her when he can’t tame the fiery beast inside? Book 2 of a 3-book series...

About the Kiss of the Dragon series

Seductive, powerful dragons soar high in the skies above a sleepy mountain town...

Dragons are secretive, solitary creatures, so much so that there is no word to indicate a grouping of them. Yet fate will bring three dragon shifters together to defeat a common enemy. There is Derek, whose power has barely been triggered by his mate. Tristan has kept his secret and himself from the woman he craves. And Alex, who has given up on love and hides up on the mountain where his treasure is hidden. But someone is after the power of dragons, someone desperate enough to do whatever they must...even threaten the mates that the trio will do anything to protect.

# Books-Paran/Fant # News

Friday, November 30, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 30: Did I Finish the Book?

J 11:53 AM 0 Comments

Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 30

Progress to Date:
90,491/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today:

There was this brief flicker, almost a reflection, of Alex's eyes brightening to silver. The glimmer of his scales was evident behind momentarily translucent flesh. Then it faded.

Daily Notes:

This is it, dear readers...the final day of November's 2018 novel challenge. And at 11 a.m. PST, I wrote two words that always bring mixed emotions: The End.

I say mixed emotions because it's a good feeling to accomplish the completed draft, to know that the story is on paper (or computer). But it's bittersweet to type those words, the point in which you as the writer acknowledge that it's time to leave characters you've come to know and love behind.

It's not as if I'm done with the book, though. Tomorrow is December 1, and along with other local NaNo writers, we will be delving into edits. The manuscript will barely have time to cool off before a quick surface proofreading, a necessary first step before I put the book into my text-to-speech app. Then I'll have it read aloud to me during my work commute.

It's been a thrill to share my progress with you each day this NaNo season, and while I'm "signing off" from the challenge, I'll be hard at work readying the book for final editing, cover design, and formatting. If all goes, well, Heat of the Dragon will release by or before March.

Daily Word Count: 3,114 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:
Treat bag #30: The final bag contained a lovely little scented candle, along with the daily truffle and a quote card from Sam Friend: "There is in each of us so much good that if we could see it glow, it would light the world."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal. Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside?

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect!

# NaNoWriMo # On Writing

Thursday, November 29, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 29: Neither Rain Nor Work

J 9:48 AM 0 Comments

Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 29

Progress to Date:
87,377/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today:

The roar grew louder, that of the dragon, and she heard the hiss of flame shooting into the sky. His claws raked the hood, and she covered her ears at the sound that grated like nails down a chalkboard.

Daily Notes:

I use earbuds to listen to rain sounds when I sleep. This morning I took them off and the rain sounds were still going...outside my window. I love rainy days when I can snuggle up and write (or read), not quite so much when I have a work commute through the mountain pass. But neither rain nor work nor anything will stop me from getting some words in today, my friends. We're approaching the final stretch.

I've made it to the last chapter, so things are in good shape to wrap up the draft before the deadline. I managed to grab a Favorite Line for you today, and hopefully I'll have one on the final day tomorrow that's not too spoiler-laden.

Daily Word Count: 2,951 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:
Treat bag #29: Only one more left! The daily truffle was accompanied by a quote card from Marlo Javidad: "Be strong, go with your heart, and believe in miracles because anything...anything can happen."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 28: Windy Days and Writer's Ways

J 1:01 PM 0 Comments

Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 28

Progress to Date:
84,426/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today:
Nope!

Daily Notes:

via GIPHY

Yesterday was another busy work day, but I managed to get my words in. Woke up this morning to strong winds outside, blowing leaves everywhere and threatening to take some of our holiday decorations with it. The dog doesn't even want to go out. Maybe today would have been a more fitting day to use yesterday's cow/tornado gif!

I have completed the big climatic scene and am just starting on Chapter Sixteen. I hope to dive quite deeply into this one today since it's my day off.

No Favorite Lines can be shared at this point, sorry! I'll just say that I'm quite happy with how the last scene turned out. :)

Daily Word Count: 2,482 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:
Treat bag #28: Another squishee! I've got a whole collection of them now. The daily truffle will be eaten as soon as I post this, and the quote card is from Robin Sieger: "Dream big, dare greatly, and shine brightly." My husband and I also discussed the advent calendar idea for my daughter (inspired by these NaNo treat bags), and we want to do it! We'll spend some time today brainstorming ideas. Instead of "stuff" given each day, we want some simple, fun activities to do each day of the season (like baking cookies, doing a paint-by-number, family game night, etc.) Not much time until December 1st to put it all together!

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~

# NaNoWriMo # On Writing

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 27: 80k and On My Way

J 11:34 AM 0 Comments

Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 27

Progress to Date:
81,944/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today:

Tristan’s wings beat furiously as he slowed down and brought his bulk to rest in the sand, crushing large tumbleweeds beneath his feet. One wing decimated a many-limbed Joshua tree that looked to have stood in that spot for generations. Alex, still hovering, gave a snarl and something snapped around Tristan once again, a sensation that popped the air pressure in his ears.

Daily Notes:

There comes a point when writing a big finale that the work sweeps you up, carrying you off like a twister to Oz. Or, in my case, like the cow from Twister. Action and dialog pours out with a life of its own, unfolding like a movie playing in my mind so fast that my fingers can barely keep up. That's where I'm at, and it means I'm rapidly on the way to concluding the finale, writing the last two scenes, and finishing the book before midnight on November 30.

Probably the most gratifying of scenes to write in a dragon shifter romance are those where dragons and treasure and fair maidens and villains all collide. I was happy to pluck out a Favorite Line to share that contained no spoilers, because oh, baby, I'm in it now! Practically every paragraph reveals something that shouldn't simply be dropped into a blog quote.

Daily Word Count: 3,548 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:
Treat bag #27: The daily truffle came this quote card from Barbara Becker Holstein: "...always glitter with a radiance that shines from deep within you."
You know, this advent calendar, along with two holiday movies based around advent calendars, has inspired me to come up with something similar for my daughter over the holiday season. (Ssh!)

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~

# NaNoWriMo # On Writing

Monday, November 26, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 26: Cupcakes and Big Scenes

J 9:41 AM 0 Comments

Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 26

Progress to Date:
78,396/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today:

The two men were posturing close to one another now, and Claire stepped in. “We’re all supposed to be on the same side here. Whatever you may think, Tristan, we are trying to help you. You think it’s your decision alone to go off and risk yourself to protect Jessica, but you’re wrong. The two of you are fated to be mates. Together. She has just as much right to decide whether to let you throw everything away because of something you’re afraid might happen.”

Daily Notes:

Following up Saturday's girl's day, family time continued throughout the weekend with more reading aloud from A Wrinkle in Time, and we baked chocolate cupcakes topped with homemade frosting. We usually put up our tree and holiday decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving, but we were having such fun just hanging out that we didn't get around to it.

I made some good progress on the book and jumped in on a group word sprint in the evening while the family was watching documentaries. As soon as the alarm went off this morning, I sat up and started typing. I'm about to have a four-day work stretch, so I'm going to squeak in word count whenever and wherever I can.

Chapter Fifteen is underway, and I'm right on the cusp of the big climatic scene the book has been building to throughout November. I'm still deep in spoiler territory, so there might be a day or two this week without a "Favorite Line." We'll see. Either way, everything seems to be on track for a completion of the novel by month's end, and I couldn't be more excited!

Daily Word Count: 3,685 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:
Treat bag #26: Another Alice in Wonderland-themed Post-It flaggie pack, this time the Mad Hatter! And along with the daily truffle came this quote card from Oprah Winfrey: "You have a gift that only you can give the world."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~

# NaNoWriMo # On Writing

Sunday, November 25, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 25: Girls' Day for the Win

J 10:04 AM 0 Comments

Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 25

Progress to Date:
74,711/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today:

She massaged his scalp faster than usual, but he closed his eyes and smiled. “Feels great. You have a nice touch.”

The words sounded so matter of fact, but there was something beneath the surface. An agenda that went deeper than a guy flirting with the girl whose bike he hit. Something that made her spider sense tingle.

Daily Notes:

One nice thing about weekends off is that I can get a lot done. The way better thing about weekends off, however, is that I get to spend more time with family doing things we enjoy. So while I did log some dutiful writing time, including two group sprints in the evening, I took the rest of the day off so my daughter and I could have an impromptu girls' day.

Girls' day involved a library trip, holiday snack-tasting, and a cooking lesson in turning leftover turkey into homemade soup. We binged some shows, read a chapter aloud from A Wrinkle in Time, and played with the dog. And last but not least, we're trying to brainstorm a new holiday family tradition. We want something to take the place of the synchronized Christmas light show we attend every year, since they announced it will no longer be operating. Still working on that one.

Chapter Fourteen is still in progress, with plenty of spoilers so I won't go into a lot of detail. I did pull out a "Favorite Line" that doesn't give much away.

Daily Word Count: 2,585 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:
Treat bag #25: Today's chocolate truffle and a quote card from Pamela Vaull Starr: "Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~

# NaNoWriMo # On Writing

Monday, August 7, 2023

August News and Nonsense

Heatwave

Bookish Stuff and a Release!

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Available! Her Full Moon Cowboys

Monday, July 3, 2023

Update (Finally): Finding My Way Ashore

What Happened?

Current State of Life/Projects

Friday, March 1, 2019

Snow Big Deal, Writing Update

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Now Available: Heat of the Dragon

Friday, November 30, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 30: Did I Finish the Book?

Thursday, November 29, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 29: Neither Rain Nor Work

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 28: Windy Days and Writer's Ways

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 27: 80k and On My Way

Monday, November 26, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 26: Cupcakes and Big Scenes

Sunday, November 25, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 25: Girls' Day for the Win

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