Guest Post: Kris Jacen ~ Missing Everyone This Year

Diverse Reader is so happy to welcome Kris Jacen to the blog today. She's been a part of this community for a long time and has shared her talent with us thankfully. She was all registered for GRL this year and BOOM real life hit. So, even though she can't be there this year she has stuff and things to say to everyone.

Missing everyone this year

In previous years, I’m one of the excited ones at this point. GRL is in just a few short weeks. Getting to see friends, meet new ones, hear about new books. It’s a wonderful few days that we all look forward to. There are countdowns everywhere.

This year I was all registered. Had my reading time slot, my lounge spots were set. I’m even part of an anthology with five other authors (Ann Lister, TL Travis, Lynn Michael, SJ York and Elle Keaton) where all our stories are set in or around a bookstore that we all wrote as something for GRL. But alas, real life has taken over and I now can’t attend.

A few survival tips from someone that’s been there a few times for everyone:

-          Keep hydrated! Especially this year in Albuquerque. We all think we drink enough water at conferences but then so many get run down as they’re trying to do everything and see everyone.

-          As much as this one is going to hurt, don’t try and do everything. There are so many amazing spotlights, events, authors and readers to see and talk with it’s hard to limit yourself but try so you don’t get the con crud to bring home.

-          Remember to eat. I know this should be a no-brainer but as someone that went over 34 hours during the first GRL without eating anything substantial, it’s necessary.

-          Take the time to just sit and enjoy being with everyone. Take a deep breath and a quiet moment or two to appreciate all and everyone around you will mean a lot when you look back at your GRL experience. Some of my best memories are the quiet times talking with one or two others.

I’m sad that I’ll miss seeing everyone this year. If you were looking forward to getting my signature on something, see TL Travis. She’ll have labels with my signature on them that you can stick in/on a book.

Kris Jacen grew up just north of Boston, Massachusetts, met her soldier in high school but didn’t marry him until almost ten years later. She moved around with him and their daughters (born in two different states thanks to the Army) for the first 19 years of their marriage (they celebrated their silver anniversary in 2018) before settling in western New York.

She has been the Editor in Chief and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints since January of 2008 and has never looked back. Working with the amazing authors at MLR has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. She also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers which lets her “pay-it-forward” and help authors realize their dreams.

You can find out more about Kris on her website www.krisjacen.com.

Amazon: smarturl.it/KrisJacen

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kris-jacen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kris.jacen

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1027160227461354/

Release Blitz: Always With Me by Kris Jacen

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Publisher: MLR Press

With Me Series

Book #1 - Wait For Me - Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #2 - Explore With Me - Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #3 - Learn With Me - Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #4 - Challenge Me - Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book #5 - Step Up With Me - Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Blurb

Calvin and Camden Luna — why yes, their dad is a big baseball fan— have moved around the world with their parents. Their father has been in the military since before they were born. Proud of their father and all he has done, neither of them is sure the military is for them. Haven’t they given up enough already? Cam is a fantastic baseball player and Cal loves the science of everything.

Tristan Nolan and Maddy Holt both grew up as military kids too, but neither of them moved around as much as the twins. Tris has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of those before him and make a career in the military; Maddy wants to save the planet and capture the heart of Calvin Luna… if he’d only open his eyes. Can Tris be himself — out and proud — and serve and protect his country? Can he end up with the one he’s loved for as long as he can remember?

What can happen when you grow up a military brat with the close ties from your fathers’ close friends and their families? Find the love of your life almost from the start? Or find out that maybe you’re all too close to have anything else.

About the Author

Kris Jacen grew up just north of Boston, Massachusetts, met her soldier in high school but didn’t marry him until almost ten years later. She moved around with him and their daughters (born in two different states thanks to the Army) for the first 19 years of their marriage (they celebrated their silver anniversary in 2018) before settling in western New York.

She has been the Editor in Chief and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints since January of 2008 and has never looked back. Working with the amazing authors at MLR has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. She also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers which lets her “pay-it-forward” and help authors realize their dreams.

You can find out more about Kris on her website www.krisjacen.com.

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

Guest Post: Kris Jacen

IS IT EASIER?

First, thank you to Diverse Reader for letting me visit. At the end of February, the fifth book in my With Me series, STEP UP WITH ME, will release. Someone asked me the other day if it was easier for me now. I wasn’t sure what they were talking about. Easier? Getting the words? Coming up with the idea? Doing all the author things (which I honestly as an editor never really knew all of them)?

I’d be lying if I said it was easier these days. If anything, I think I’m feeling the pressure. I’ve heard from several readers that my books are now among their favorite re-reads (which floored me. I’m not one of those “popular” authors); several love the authenticity with the military details and have thanked me for opening their eyes to what military families go through. But how to continue telling these stories is scary.

There are so many elements to military service and being with a military service member, it’s scary. But I don’t want to bore readers with the same old, same old. Does this mean I’m done with my soldiers and their partners? Not yet. There will be one more — that I’ve planned. Of course, WAIT FOR ME was going to be a one and done book. The last book that I’m planning in the series will be the most challenging of the series for me. It’s already got a title — ALWAYS WITH ME and will have my terrible twosome getting their partners. Yes, the twins, Cal and Cam, will get their stories AND you’ll get both of their partners points of view too. Yup, I’m going to write the story from four different points of view. Wish me luck!

If you haven’t tried out my guys, WAIT FOR ME (book one) is on sale for the month of February for $0.99. 

BLURB: WAIT FOR ME 

Buy Link

Master Sergeant Jeff “Mackey” MacNamara has been waiting for THE ONE for years. First it wasn’t too safe to find a partner and now his schedule is a nightmare with training soldiers and deployments.

Scott Ash has found where he always was meant to be after a brief bout of idealistic do-gooder after college. He loves his job as a child care director, if he could just find someone to love – perfect might cover it.

A chance meeting when Scott is doing a favor for a friend starts them on a journey that could take them to forever, it’s just a matter of waiting.

Blurb: Challenge Me

Buy Link

Briar Mason joined the Army to find himself after he believed the lies that had gone around about his best friend, Carter, and his sister. He should have known that Carter wouldn't do those things but family was family, right? He'll find out who his real family is when he's injured and sent back to the states.

Not-telling-you-my-first-name Randolph was about to hit ten years in the Army and had some amazing assignments but one had eluded him until now – Ranger School. Coming from being assigned to the Presidential Salute Battery was going to be the best thing for him since training was emphasized. Should be easy, right?

Briar and Randolph met when Briar had stopped to apologize to Carter and Randolph was in full-on protective mode. Can these two find a middle ground while challenging themselves and each other to be better?

Blurb: Step Up With Me 

Richard “Tank” Martin was a big boy from the start. Born weighing over 11 pounds, he didn’t stop growing. When he was in middle school, a football coach took him under his wing and finally explained to him the mystery of calories in, calories out and from then on it was all good for him. At least he thought. Being called to meet with his platoon sergeant and told that he was now part of the Army’s overweight program, sent him into a spin that only his crews can help him out of.

 Dr. Jack Dillon thought his life was good and finally settled. Part of an active veterinarian practice, volunteering with a service dog organization, spoiling his sister’s triplets and training in sports jui-jitsu…the only this missing was a partner. He never thought that his world could be shattered with just a phone call even after being around his military friends. 

 Tank and Jack have been dancing around each other for months until Tank takes a chance and kisses Jack at their friends’ wedding moving their slow dance into a heated bump and grind. Can these two survive the changes coming their ways together or will all the changes break them apart?

About The Author

Kris Jacen grew up just north of Boston, Massachusetts, met her soldier in high school but didn’t marry him until almost ten years later. She moved around with him and their daughters (born in two different states thanks to the Army) for the first 19 years of their marriage (they celebrated their silver anniversary in 2018) before settling in western New York.

She has been the Editor in Chief and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints since January of 2008 and has never looked back. Working with the amazing authors at MLR has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. She also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers which lets her “pay-it-forward” and help authors realize their dreams.

You can find out more about Kris on her website www.krisjacen.com.

Amazon: smarturl.it/KrisJacen

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kris-jacen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kris.jacen

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1027160227461354/