Confessions of an Improper Bride is releasing in a little under two months. It’s the start of a brand-new series for me, which is significant, I realized, because I’ve just started a new phase of my life. It’s been a year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and being given that diagnosis is definitely a life-changing experience. They say things will never be the same for a person after being told she has cancer, but that people eventually find a “new normal.” The year has been traumatic and busy (between treatments, 3 active children, and book deadlines)…and definitely “abnormal.” But now that it’s all over (except for the constant check-ups), I feel like things are finally settling down. Things aren’t exactly the same as they were before, but they’re pretty good, in a new way. 2011 has definitely started in a much more positive way than 2010 did, and I’m starting to understand what everyone means by a “new normal.”

So between my eldest son starting Jr. High next year (and he’s almost as tall as me–how did that happen!?), my new series, and my “new normal,” I feel like I’m embarking on a new beginning and a new journey. One that I definitely hope my friends, family, and readers will join me on.

Check out my new contest! For the month of June, I’m giving away a copy of my first trilogy: A Hint of Wicked, A Touch of Scandal, and A Season of Seduction!

Oh man, is it already February? Hard to believe!

Things have been super busy in the Haymore household, especially on the writing front. I’m so excited about my new series – a trilogy about the five Donovan sisters: Serena, Meg, Olivia, Phoebe and Jessica. It starts with Confessions of an Improper Bride, Serena’s story. Check out the cover:

What do you think?

I’m working on page proofs for Confessions right now, and I am also working on edits for book two, Secrets of an Accidental Duchess…and I’ve just gotten approval on my outline and I’m beginning to write book #3 (still untitled). So things have been busy busy busy around here!

I wanted to thank everyone for their continued support through 2010, for all the lovely emails and kind words. Things are getting better all the time on the health front. I still can’t say I’m “cured,” I don’t think, but I am taking steps toward that word every day!

Come see Jennifer at the following blogs on the following dates, with lots of opportunities to win A SEASON OF SEDUCTION!

10/4/2010 www.rundpinne.com Review
10/4/2010 www.rexrobotreviews.com Review, Giveaway, Q&A
10/4/2010 www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A
10/4/2010 yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/4/2010 www.bibliophilicbookblog.com Review, Giveaway
10/4/2010 maryinhb.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/5/2010 reesspace.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/5/2010 kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com Review
10/6/2010 seductivemusings.blogspot.com/ Feature, Review, Giveaway, Q&A
10/6/2010 www.becksbookpicks.blogspot.com Feature, Review, Giveaway
10/6/2010 www.booksoulmates.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/7/2010 inthehammockblog.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/8/2010 www.thebookgirl.net Review, Giveaway
10/8/2010 www.saveyspender.com Review, Giveaway
10/11/2010 www.froggaritasbookcase.net Review, Giveaway, Q&A
10/11/2010 booksandmakeup.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/11/2010 bridget3420.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/11/2010 thebooktree.blogspot.com Feature, Giveaway
10/11/2010 www.amusingreviews.blogspot.com Feature, Giveaway
10/12/2010 www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/12/2010 paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway, Q&A
10/13/2010 marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway, Q&A
10/13/2010 onebookshy.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway, Q&A
10/13/2010 www.findthetimetoread.net Feature, Review, Giveaway
10/14/2010 bibliophile23.wordpress.com Review
10/14/2010 diana-book-of-secrets.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway, Q&A
10/14/2010 triciareads.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/14/2010 chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/15/2010 www.renees-reads.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/15/2010 www.libslibrary.blogspot.com Feature, Giveaway
10/15/2010 thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/15/2010 cuzinlogic.wordpress.com Giveaway
10/15/2010 ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway
10/15/2010 dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com Review, Giveaway

Whew! I’ll try not to quake in my boots at the thought of all those reviews!

Have a fantastic week, everyone! I’m sitting down to start writing my fifth book, the second book in the Donovan series. I can’t wait to write about this notorious rake who falls head-over-heels madly in love with the shy and reserved Olivia Donovan.

I know, I’ve been gone for a while. I wanted to let everyone know I’ve been through the hard part (chemo) and am almost done with radiation. Probably at some point in the next month I’ll have a scan, and after such aggressive treatment, I’m sure it’s going to show that I’m cancer-free!

I’ve also just completed revisions on my 4th book, Confessions of an Improper Bride, and about ten minutes ago I sent in my synopsis for book #5. Confessions of an Improper Bride will release in 2011 and will be the start of the Donovan Series, a series about five impoverished sisters who were raised in the West Indies and come “home” to England as young women. I’m so excited about this series!

Some news I’m super thrilled about – A Season of Seduction releases in just a couple of weeks on October 1! I’m so excited and nervous about this book release – I think this is my most romantic book yet. I just picked up my copy of RT book reviews today and here’s what they said about it:

4.5 Stars:
“Haymore uses the Christmas season as an enhancing backdrop for a mystery/romance that is both original and fulfilling. Her fresh voice and ability to build sensual tension into lively love stories peopled by delicious characters makes this tale shine.”

Isn’t that a lovely review?

Congrats to Laura B., who won a copy of A Hint of Wicked in Japanese!

Check out my new contest to win a book by the incomparable Tessa Dare!

If you’d like a signed bookplate plus some extra goodies (including one of my beautiful new bookmarks), just go to my Freebies page.

A little update here–it’s been a busy, strange summer. Last week I went through my last round of chemo. When I recover from that, it’s on to radiation. I’m pretty home-bound, but enjoying the time with my family and dreaming up lots of new ideas for stories while I’m at it!

I want to thank everyone who has supported me along this journey. This experience has reminded me of how wonderfully kind and generous people can be. Thank you so very much…I appreciate every single one of you more than I can say.

I’ll check in again soon. Big hugs to all of you!

When people ask me why I write romance, I don’t always readily have an answer for them. Everyone who knows me in person knows I’m not the best with quick reactions and verbal quips. But here’s an article by the wonderful Eileen Dreyer that I think really hits the nail on the head. It’s why I love writing romance, too.
Eileen’s article at CNN Living: “I Write Romance Novels–So What?”

Thanks so much, everyone. I’m just completely bowled over by all the love and support you have offered me.

I said on one of my writers’ groups–and it’s the truth–that I can virtually feel the nasty little cells floating around me cowering in fear from the power of it.

Thanks so much for that.

Hi everyone. I haven’t been around for a while. There’s a reason for that: On March 18, 2010, I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

This (literally) threw me down for the count. It was the last thing in the world I expected to happen to me. I’m healthy, young, not at risk in any way. My mind was completely blown. It still is, really, except now I suppose I’m staying true to my British roots by forming a stiff upper lip and facing this thing head-on.

In this midst of all this, the book that I’m so proud of, A TOUCH OF SCANDAL, released. It’s been so surreal…such happiness and excitement surrounding a book release in the midst of this daze of fear and confusion about cancer.

I’ve been through two surgeries in the past month. Next, I’m probably looking at chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Possibly more surgeries. Despite all of this, my prognosis is very, very good. I will beat this.

So here’s the deal: I might not be online as much as I used to. This has sent my world spinning and I’m still working on setting it to rights. As I told one person, my life completely changed with the words, “It’s cancer.” Fortunately, I have a great family and lots of support from my friends. I might lose my hair, and I might go into early menopause and suffer some weird side effects from the treatments. It’s hard to say what the next few months are going to be like for me. But there are a few things I do know: I’m going to keep writing books. I’m going to keep reading and supporting my fellow authors. Most of all, I’m going to watch my three young kids grow up, and someday I will know my grandchildren.

Thank you to all who are reading this: My readers, my friends, my colleagues…please keep in touch. And if you have a prayer or a positive thought or any kind of light to send my way, I’d really appreciate it.

hugs,
Jennifer

I’ve been having some health issues, so there will be a day or two delay for the results of the New Beginnings Contest. The winner will be posted by Wednesday, March 31. Thanks for your patience!

I’m so excited! Yesterday, while I was working at Borders, my new office was built. It’s a built-in wrap-around desk of cherry that looks out onto our backyard. I’m writing this from my office desk for the first time. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a new feature in my house! LOL. Here is a picture–kind of hard to see because of the sun shining in–clearly I need to buy some blinds. I’ll post another picture when I have it all set up!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, everyone! I hope yours has been as good as mine (no better gift than to be able to write about people falling in love from a shiny new desk, lol!).