I’m so happy to welcome multi-published contemporary romance author Jan Romes to the blog! Jan’s had a busy year with multiple releases and has published both traditionally and independently. Get to know her a little better, check out her work,  and comment below for a chance to win a copy of Jan's "One Small Fib" that she has generously offered to three lucky readers. Winners will be drawn at random from all comments posted. Be sure to include your email address!


Welcome Jan!
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Sharon! It’s always a joy to talk about books and the writing process!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Great question, Sharon! I’ve always had a creative little gnome inside dying to get out. I finally let her see the light of day in the mid-90’s when I wrote a very rough western historical. (Still have warm affection for that story, even though it’s gathering dust in the archives) I really didn’t feel like a writer yet even though I’d spent many hours pecking away at the typewriter. I guess I needed validation from someone else – and it came in the form of a publisher who assigned one of my stories to an editor. It still wasn’t an offer for a contract, but my cover letter and synopsis had caught her interest. That small confidence in my writing was the boost I needed. It told me I had been a writer all along!

You’ve had a number of releases over the last several months. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite and why?
I’ve written eight full-length novels – five that are published. Trying to pick a favorite is very hard because I’ve sunk love and emotion into each of them. One Small Fib is my favorite published story so far. It was the first book to catch a publisher’s attention, so it will always have a special place in my
heart.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned about yourself in creating your books?
One of the most surprising things is how committed I get to a story. By nature, I’m a hyper person and my attention tends to wander quickly, but with my stories I’m different. I want to discover my characters, experience their situation, help them resolve their conflicts so they can find their happily-ever-after. For me to hang with them the entire time is amazing!
 
Writers love to write, right? What part of writing do you least enjoy?
For me, it has to be those times when my creative-side seems to be on hiatus. The best thing to do when that happens is to take a deep breath and walk away for awhile. Wish my stubborn side would accept that; sometimes it doesn’t. 
 
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
My interests are many: reading, staying fit, gardening, cruising the Caribbean, chasing my three granddaughters, watching sappy chick-flicks, finding new recipes that will dazzle my husband, and most recently, camping. So many great things and each one have the potential to be a story!

 What are you working on now?
My current work-in-progress is a contemporary romance with the working title, Three Days With Molly. He’s a country rock star in need of a personal assistant. She’s a stressed out prosecuting attorney who needs a new gig. Not too far into the story, but last week I had a moment of clarity where I finally pinned down their characters. Love those moments! 

Thank you to Jan Romes for stopping by! Don't forget to comment below to be entered for the chance to win one of three copies of Jan Romes "One Small Fib" for Kindle, Nook, or iPad. Please be sure to include your email address. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email.

One Small Fib...
Allie Blue's dream of buying the old Smithington mansion and turning it into a bed and breakfast is stomped by a mystery real estate developer with a fancy pen and loaded checkbook. With no bed and breakfast, Allie resorts to one small fib which lands her a flight attendant's job and the task of pampering Upward Airlines' most demanding frequent flyer -- Kiptyn Thomas, III. Something raw and potent snaps between them, but Allie fights the attraction for the guy who thinks he's at the top of the food chain. Kiptyn Thomas is used to getting what he wants, when he wants it. Allie Blue both annoys and intrigues him. Will some well-intentioned fibs, a deep dark secret, and similar personalities draw them together or keep them apart?


Learn more about Jan and her work:
Website: http://www.janromes.com
Blog: http://www.jantheromancewriter.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JanRomes
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jan.romes.5

In honor of the many of us who are suffering through a sweltering summer, I've decided to share my idea of a refreshing remedy.
How many remember that pop culture moment in 2007 when Danny DeVito stumbled onto a morning television talk show following an all-night limoncello bender with George Clooney? Signore DeVito bottles his own brand of the Italian Liqueur these days, as do I. I suspect his is a bit more commercially successful. I'd claim it was an old secret family recipe, but I'm the only one in the family who's ever made it and I'm only Italian-by-Marriage.  It's actually a recipe that I developed myself after watching Marcello and Frances sip the tempting brew on the beach at Positano in Under the Tuscan Sun. I mean, who wouldn't be inspired by Marcello.. er, I mean, that stunning Amalfi coast scenery?  After much trial and error and many resultant bottles of barely drinkable alcohol, I find this recipe works well. It may be a bit on the sweet side for some, so if you like your drink drier, omit some of the sugar and cut down the water accordingly. Limoncello is an amazingly refreshing after dinner drink, or something to sip on while sitting on the deck at dusk. Or after a hard day at work. Or poured over ice cream. Or as a topping for pound cake. Or ...well, let's be honest, I don't really need a reason. Stored in the freezer and served ice cold, this will keep for months. 

Limoncello
12 lemons
1 bottle plus 2 cups vodka (must be at least 100 proof to prevent freezing)
6 cups sugar
6 cups water
Using a vegetable peeler
or very sharp paring knife, peel the skin from the lemons in long strips being
careful to get only the yellow outer skin and avoiding the white pith. (the pith
will cause the product to turn bitter). Place the lemon peels in a 2 quart or
larger glass jar with a lid and pour vodka over peels. I often add the juice of
one or two lemons as well, depends on my mood. Let the jar sit in a cool, dark
place for at least a week. The vodka will turn yellow and the lemon rinds will
pale. Strain the vodka to remove the peels. Bring the sugar and water to a boil
in a large pan and boil for approximately 15 minutes to make a sugar syrup. Cool. Add the lemon infused vodka and mix well. Pour into bottles and store in the freezer. Enjoy in cordial glasses when well chilled!
Salute!