Book Stories...Old Books

Three of my older books are up for sale this week.

Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes
Bosom Buddies

Laugh Lines

All three are some of the first books I wrote. Yes, they're old. They're frothy. (Someone used that word in a review, and I've loved it for my sweet comedies. I think it really fit.)

So these are not my Romance+ novels, bit emotional stories like Just One Thing, Briar Hill Road or Hold Her Heart. They're light, fun (I hope) stories that helped me grow as a writer. I hope if you read one, you think, yeah that was cute, but it wasn't what Holly writes now.  Here's the thing, if my writing was still like that, I'd be doing something wrong. LOL

So here are three stories about each...er, story.

Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes was me trying to twist a classic runaway bride story into something of my own. The publisher named it Side by Side...I went back to my original title with the new edition.  I liked mine better. 

Bosom Buddies also had a different title...Baby, It's You. That was a little better, but frankly, Bosom Buddies made me happy.  You see, before I was a writer, I worked with lactating moms. And the opening scene in this book is an homage to that.  The editor read that opening scene, called me as she cracked up and said, "I'm buying this one, but I'll call you back when I finish."  That gave me glee!

Finally, Laugh Lines. I thought a romantic comedy about a comedian had some merit. It turns out, stand up is different than comedy in a book.  Still, I was pleased with the result.  I was not overly thrilled with the cover however. (Publishers consider covers, titles and blurbs marketing and keep the final say-so on them.) When you look at it, please realize that this is sooo much better than the first one. That first version was a giant pole in the middle of a stage. Yep, it looked like a stripper pole. So really, the mic in the middle of a stage was a better choice, but still it's somewhat lacking.  It doesn't say romantic comedy, does it?  It didn't seem to matter much when these were books meant for libraries, but now that people are looking at them as ebooks, it's kind of sad.  

So there you are, three old stories. I hope you see glimpses of the writer I am now in those early books. And I really hope you get a sense of my unbridled joy over what I was doing. I grew up in books and the idea of writing them...it still gives me glee this many years later. 

Thank you everyone who's picked up my books! I am so lucky to have so many readers who stood by me as my writing grew and matured.

Holly

PS As always, you can find my ebooks, paperbacks, hardbacks, audiobooks and available through Kindle Unlimited.  They're also available in a lot of other languages. I hope there's something for all of you!

Find my books at:

Amazon

Kobo

Radish Fiction

iBooks

B&N

Google Play

Audible

BAM

In Erie, you can find my books on the shelf at Werner Books! Stop in, check them out and tell them I said hi!

Holly Jacobs' Book News

January has started off with a bang!  My newest release—These Three Words is garnering lovely reader reviews! I hope you'll check it out!  And a bunch of my books are on sale here in the US and in the UK and Germany as well!
This weekend is your last chance to catch these January SalePalooza deals!!

US Amazon:
Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes
Bosom Buddies

UK Amazon:
These Three Words 
Bosom Buddies 
Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes 


German Amazon:
Nur eine Sache (Just One Thing)

And the fun doesn't end there.  I'm starting to pull together my 2016 Release Line-up:
March: Rerelease eBook, A Day Late and a Bride Short 
February: Short Stories for the Overworked and Under-Read: Anthology  

Coming soon...aCupid Falls story and the sequel to Carry Her Heart.

August Releases!

I've always been a fan of August, but this August is extra-special! I have a new release, 

Her Second-Chance Family.  

Good can come out of bad 

If it wasn't for the tragic accident ten years earlier, Audrey Smith might never have taken in the three foster kids she loves so dearly. And if it wasn't for the new addition to her home—a troubled teenage thief—she wouldn't be fantasizing about Sawyer Williams. 

Make no mistake—Sawyer's the victim here. He's the one who was robbed by Audrey's daughter. But teaching the teen a lesson rather than punishing her makes Sawyer a superhero in Audrey's eyes. Someone who can forgive and forget… That is until another break-in rocks their community, threatening Audrey's family and her future with Sawyer.

And two of my older books—oldest books—were rereleased as eBooks!  I hope readers enjoy a glimpse of where I started my writing career!  

 Bosom Buddies

Nurse Allie McGraw can’t ignore the cry of a baby in need. And if the noise coming from the upstairs apartment is any indication, then the baby’s temporary guardian—Allie’s attractive neighbor—could also use a break. While Ian Ryan may be a computer guru, his borrowed bundle of joy is clearly giving him a run for his money. Allie agrees to lend Ian a hand, but that’s all she can spare. After a recent rough patch, her heart is off-limits.

Ian lives in a complication-free zone…or at least he did until he found himself caring for his tiny niece. With a baby on board, his life has taken a new turn—one that includes a cute, caring nurse. Allie’s the first woman to make him crave more than just a temporary fling. Now that Ian’s finally ready to take a chance on love, can he convince Allie to take a chance on him?

This novella was previously published as Baby, It’s You. It is one of the first stories Holly Jacobs ever wrote. 

Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes

Forget glass slippers—this runaway bride’s practical shoes lead her straight to a prince.

Thanking her lucky stars that she wore comfortable shoes, Charlotte “Charlie” Eaton dashes out of her wedding, leaving behind her controlling mother’s choice of groom, high society’s stifling expectations, and, unfortunately, her purse. But the stars align in her favor yet again when a knight in a shiny truck rides to her rescue. Just when she’s ready to give up on a fairy-tale kind of love, could she have found her Prince Charming?

After surviving a rocky childhood, Dan Martin has created his own happily-ever-after. The owner of a fast-growing shipping company, he’s content with his comfortable life. The one thing he doesn’t need? Trouble. And that’s exactly what the hitchhiker in head-to-almost-toe bridal wear represents: trouble with a capital T. But when Charlie flashes her sparkling green eyes at Dan, he’s already a goner. Together, can a bride running away from her nightmare wedding and a man running from his nightmare past make their happiest dreams come true?

This novella was previously published as Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes and Side by Side. It is one of the first stories the author ever wrote.

Thanks so much everyone for the support!  Like I said, I've always liked August, but this one is particularly nice!!!

Holly

New Releases! Well, Old Releases! New Old Releases!

Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes

Bosom Buddies

Yes, that's releaseS with an S!  I'm so excited that both of these stories are coming out again!

I started writing in the late '90s.  I still had a toddler at home, and older kids...  Life was busy.  I called those early years of writing my vampire years.  The only time I could write was after the kids fell asleep.  I'd write until I couldn't stay awake any longer. 

I knew I wanted to comedy and was thrilled when I sold to Kensington's Precious Gem line!  These are two of the earliest.  Kensington changed the titles when they were first released.  Bosom Buddies was Be My Baby, and Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes to Side by Side.  I liked mine better.  So last year, when I decided to indie publish them as Holly Jacobs Classics, I went back to the original working titles.  I thought they fit the stories better.

After I sold these early books to Kensington, I went on to write for a number of Harlequin lines, for Silhouette Romance and for Avalon books and finally, for Montlake Romance.  When Montlake asked to republish Bosom Buddies and Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes, I said yes.  I love working with the entire team there!

I wrote these earliest stories with more enthusiasm than anything else.  They were written late at night, in a quiet house (the only time my house was every quiet was late at night back then!).  I'd grown up reading and was so nervous and thrilled to find I could put a story together.  Through the years between then and now, my writing has grown, but I still love these early works. 

So before you order the books, check your shelves, both physical and eBook shelves!   And I hope when you read them you see shades of the writer I've become in them.  

As always, thank you for your support!!  I'm so lucky to have so many readers who have been with me since I wrote these books!  Really, thank you! 

Holly

Holly Jacobs August Newsletter

Hi, everyone!  I hope your summer is going well!  It's been a busy one here.  I went to NYC for a conference a couple weeks ago, but most of my summer has been spent in the garden or at camp.  Yes, I'm happy to announce that after 25 years, we finally have running water at our cottage.  Well, running if you pump it!  But the pump's right out our back door, so it's convenient! Oh, and we've managed to make it Presque Isle for a few nights on the beach, or canoeing on the lagoons! In amongst everything else, I have a few releases to announce:

Her Second-Chance Family Released 8/1 Harlequin SuperRomance New Release: Her Second-Chance Family Good can come out of bad  If it wasn't for the tragic accident ten years earlier, Audrey Smith might never have taken in the three foster kids she loves so dearly. And if it wasn't for the new addition to her home—a troubled teenage thief—she wouldn't be fantasizing about Sawyer Williams.  Make no mistake—Sawyer's the victim here. He's the one who was robbed by Audrey's daughter. But teaching the teen a lesson rather than punishing her makes Sawyer a superhero in Audrey's eyes. Someone who can forgive and forget… That is until another break-in rocks their community, threatening Audrey's family and her future with Sawyer. Buy at: Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Or your favorite online bookstore.

News: I took part in USAToday's HEA column! Congratulations to my monthly drawing winners! Cindy, Janet, CountryGirl!! Last year's Christmas in Cupid Falls is a finalist in both the Holt Medallion Awards and the Golden Quill Awards!  The trade paperback is on sale at Amazon for $6. I found out about both awards in the same week...it was a very good week! LOL Shortly thereafter, I found outJust One Thing won the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award!  I'm so very excited!  If you haven't picked up a copy, the eBook is on sale this month at Amazon. Montlake Romance is rereleasing two older books.   Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoesand Bosom Buddies on August 18th!! They were originally published by Kensington Precious Gems as Side by Side and Baby, It's You.  So check your shelves before you order them!  These are some of my earliest books.  I wrote with a lot of heart, but was very new to the business! I've got a few new short stories in the pipeline. The first, Labor Day is out now! Watch for more in the upcoming months! I'm continuing my monthly drawings...you've subscribed to my newsletter  so you're already entered.  Stay tuned!  My next release is in November.  These Three Words from Montlake Romance.  It's another emotional ride.  I will never quit doing comedies and lighthearted, sweet romance, but I do enjoy stretching my writing with these stories.   One last bit of news...I'll be at Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Weekend next April 29-May 1!  If you're interested in hanging out with me and some of my writing friends, you can find out more here. As always, thank you so much for your friendships and continued support!!  I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!  I'll talk to you in the fall! Holly PS Want my newsletter delivered to your email box?  Click here!

Salespalooza Throwback Thursday!

My Newest Release...Carry Her Heart

It's a salespalooza on Amazon!!  I've been talking about my newest release, Carry Her Heart, for a few weeks, so it's fun to do a Throwback Thursday about some of my older books...books that are all on sale today!

Pickup Lines 

 This book is an oldies but (hopefully) goody.  We have a radio station in town that ran a series of contests.  It got me thinking...what if?  Yes, I know, those are a writer's most important tools! So in Pickup Lines a woman (who's a bookworm...I don't know where I came up with that one??  LOL) who NEEDS a new car, and a man who's a pharmacist (here's an Easter Egg...I have a number of pharmacists in the family!) and wants it to promote his store have to live in a truck.  Last one in wins it.  A man and a woman stuck in a truck...let the fun begin!

Spruced Up: Novella

Swept Up

I had an idea...a maid who went to LA to become a movie star. Instead, she ends up a mother of three and owns a cleaning service.  It might not be the life she planned, but it's a good life...

And then one day she accidentally cleans a murder scene.  Yes, she found a dead body in the first book, but I gave her some other mysteries to solve.  You see, I didn't want to Murder She Wrote her...I mean seriously, if you were tripping over a dead body every time you went out, who'd invite you over???

I loved writing Quincy Mac's series.  You can find all four books here.  Spruced Up: Novella and Swept Up are on sale this week!

Bosom Buddies 

 Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes

Finally, two of the earliest books are on sale.  At the very beginning of my career, I wrote Bosom Buddies and Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes for Kensington's Precious Gems line.  They were only available at Walmart.  Now they have a new life as eBooks.  So another Easter Egg...I worked with breastfeeding moms for years.  And the opening scene in Bosom Buddies was inspired by that work.  It was an odd little scene. I thought about rewriting it and making a more traditional opening. In the end, I just let it be because I liked it.  The editor called me after she'd read just that scene and said to let her finish the books, but she couldn't stop laughing, so yes, she was buying it!
I call these "Holly Jacobs' Classics" just so readers know they're some of the earliest books I've written!

So there you are...Throwback Thursday's Salespalooza!

Holly