Monday, April 11, 2011

When Dreams Come True

Osiyo~
I told you I’d be back with a special guest. Thought I was kidding? Ha! I have the beautiful and talented Harlequin Desire author, Jules Bennett here with me today to talk about the release of her new book! I nabbed her before life gets crazy. She’ll be all over the place tomorrow, including the radio station! I’m still trying to picture the station employees baby wrangling her two children since she tends to take them with her to local appearances. :) So without further gab from me… (hear the drumroll?)…Please, welcome Jules Bennett!

 Before I was published, I always imagined where I would be when “the call” came through. We've all envisioned that moment, knowing it would stay in our minds forever. Because, let's face it, when an agent/editor call to tell you your dreams are about to come true, there's nothing like it. I honestly cannot even describe that emotion. Think Christmas Eve as a child waiting for Santa, add that with the excitement of your first date, and throw in your wedding day, babies birth and a whole lot of sugar. Now multiply that by at least 10 :)

Jules Bennett- Award winning author
I’m giddy just thinking about my first sale. You have to tell us about the day you got THE CALL.

Let me tell you how I set the stage, just in case my life-altering call came through. I only passed out my cell number to my agent because I'm never home. Then I set the ringtone for my agent as Vito Corleone from The Godfather when he says, “I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.” Appropriate, right?

I would never have thought of that. Perfect ringtone.

           Okay, so one day in November 2008, I'm getting my 2 year old dressed and trying to feed my baby before rushing out the door to my day job (I'm a beautician, or was until I hung up my shears in December 2010). Anyway, as I'm multi-tasking the bottle and tugging clothes on my oldest, I hear the ring. You know, THE RINGTONE I SET?

I'm embarrassed to say, but it's true, I jumped up from the chair, nearly knocked my 2 year old over and laid the baby in her crib and ran like my life was on the line. I dug and dug in my purse and answered. I'll give you a brief bit of the conversation.

Agent: “Desire likes your book and would like to buy it. Here's the offer...”
Me: “Oh, oh, oh, oh.” giggle, giggle, giggle “When will it come out on the shelves?”
Agent: “You haven't said yes to the offer.”
Me: “Oh, I was already way past that step. Keep up.”

After THE CALL (and those 2 simple words do have to be in all caps, right?) I phoned my husband and broke down in tears. All the excitement had caught up with me and he had no clue what I was blubbering about and was worried until he finally understood that the kids were okay and I got a book deal. Then he choked up. I kid you not. This man has been with me from the first time I wrote Chapter One and he's encouraged me since.

I'm smiling and tearing up as I'm writing this because I still feel that giddiness and excitement of writing and living my dream. I mean, I lie and make up cool people for a living. Who doesn't want that job?

*Raising hand while dabbing tears* A good support team is so important, and the family is the cornerstone for a solid foundation.  

I won't lie, the steps to getting pubbed for me were sometimes brutal and I felt like I was walking on glass. When I gave birth to my second baby, I seriously considered giving up writing because I was afraid it would be too hard to juggle 2 little ones AND be successful at writing.

But guess what? I didn't give up and the reason I didn't was because I would NEVER tell my children to give up on their dream just because the path to reach your goal in life had speed bumps and detours.

So I pressed on and I'm living my dream. Not only that, I married my high school sweetheart and I'm living my own Happily Ever After.

We are so lucky you didn’t give up, Jules. I can officially say "I knew her when... We were both struggling and sharing our rejection woes on eHarlequin, when we first 'met' in 2006." It is a tough job, with high demands and long hours. I mean- we spend literally hours, upon grueling hours, thinking-- and writing those thoughts-- about sexy, handsome, rich…did I say sexy? men…every day. (HARD work!) But SO worth it! And to celebrate just that—there’s a special offer for you, right here, right now… Jules?

So, I'd love to hear what steps you're taking to make your dreams come true. Whether it's writing related or anything else in your life. We all have goals and dreams. I'll admit, I have one that I've only shared with my sister and I'm making her keep her lips sealed. :)

I'll give away a signed copy of my April Harlequin Desire, HER INNOCENCE, HIS CONQUEST to one random person who leaves me a comment. :)


Available NOW!
BLURB:

Architecture kingpin and expert playboy Zach Marcum knew exactly how to get what he wanted—both on the job and in the bedroom. Until sexy, independent and impossible-to-ignore Ana Clark charged into his life. Her construction company could make his luxury resort project a multimillion-dollar reality, but he couldn't risk letting the career-driven siren slip past his defenses. Discovering she was a virgin made the seduction stakes even greater, as Zach crossed the line from business to pleasure….

BIO:
Wife to her high school sweetheart, mother to two little girls, former salon owner—oh, and author—Jules Bennett isn't afraid to tackle the blessings of life head-on. Once she sets a goal in her sights, get out of her way or come along for the ride…just ask her husband. Jules lives in the Midwest and loves to hear from readers. You can contact Jules through her website http://www.julesbennett.com . You can also follow her on Twitter @JulesBennett, friend her on Goodreads.com and Like her Facebook Fan Page.

Wow. I need this one on the top of my tbr pile. You heard her folks. Comment now for the chance to get an autographed copy of Her Innocence, His Conquest! I’ll announce the winner Friday. In the in between you can hop over to her website.
 
Dodadagohvi~

30 comments:

J Bennett said...

Aww, thanks so much for your kind words! I love sharing my call story and hope to hear all of my friends soon (yes, you:)

Thanks for asking me to blog with you today!

Hales said...

What a fantastic story :)

I woke up one day and decided to just write. I never thought I'd love it so much or that I'd have to do it or die if I couldn't. The voices in my head never cease and give me both endless amounts of entertainment and annoyance :) I'm published and doing well and working on a manu that I want to submit for consideration at HQN Desire. Once I finish, I plan on looking seriously for an agent.

Until then...I have a few series ongoing at my current digital publishers:)

I give credit to those with babes who write. I have teens and I can barely do two things when they're home lol. Had my nieces for two weeks and lost my mind it'd been so long!

Wendy S. Marcus said...

Congratulations on your new release! Wow do you have a full plate!

Alyssa Fox said...

Great call story! Congrats on your new release.

Spencer said...

That's a great story, Jules! I especially love the part about The Godfather ringtone -- so appropriate! Congrats on THE CALL and I can't wait until the release! :)

Lisa Dunick said...

What a great story! Can't wait to read the new release :O)

J Bennett said...

Hales, I'll be honest, it is hard with kids, but since I pubbed my first book and had my first baby all in the same year, I don't know any different:) That's probably a good thing!

Good luck with your Desire manuscript! They're SUCH a great line to write for:)

J Bennett said...

Wendy, I do have a full plate, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd probably go crazy if I had free time;)

J Bennett said...

Thanks, Alyssa!

J Bennett said...

Thanks, Spencer! My new release is available now. It came out last Tuesday and has gotten wonderful reader reviews. Hope you can pick up a copy of HER INNOCENCE, HIS CONQUEST:)

J Bennett said...

Thanks so much, Lisa! Hope you enjoy it:)

Gale Stanley said...

Congrats on the release! It sounds like a great read. I have to say every contract is as exciting as the first. It never gets old.

PatriciaW said...

Always love a good call story (and any story involving The Godfather is a good one.)

Right now, I'm weaning myself off book reviews. Too much time reading and not enough writing. I've stared a new wip, coinciding with an online Plotting workshop which is helping me to shape the story so I won't get stuck in the middle this time.

Congrats on your new Desire release!

Unknown said...

Congrats on the new release, Jules. Love the ring tone idea. There will probably be a bunch of us resetting our cell phones.

Christine Bell said...

Wow, what a great call story, I got the chills reading it! And what a great idea for the ring tone! Jules, the new book looks awesome and your enthusiasm is totally infectuous. I can't wait to read it now.

Melinda B. Pierce said...

Jules - thanks for sharing your story. I'm having a funky day, so this definitely helps with motivations.


Melinda

J Bennett said...

Yes, Gale, I never get tired of starting a new book with a new contract. I'm thankful for each one just like it was my first:)

J Bennett said...

PatriciaW, there are so many things that can come between you and your work...believe me, I know:) We just have to stay focused and good things will happen!

Thanks for stopping by!

J Bennett said...

Christina, LOL! There are SO many appropriate ringtones, but The Godfather is one of my all time favorite movies!

For my hubby, I set "I Need a Hero" from Footloose:)

J Bennett said...

Christine, I certainly hope you enjoy Her Innocence, His Conquest. It was so much fun to write and I've had amazing feedback from this one:)

Thanks so much for stopping by!flo

J Bennett said...

Melinda, so sorry for the funk in your day. Hopefully we were able to drive it out:)

Maeve Greyson said...

What a fantastic interview! I felt the excitement bubbling off the page. :-)

Calisa Rhose said...

Good golly Miss Molly! I take a few hours to pamper sick hubby and work on a website header and nearly miss the party!

Thanks for waking up my blog Jules. I knew you were a fun blogger after I saw you at Heidi Betts last week.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and giving Jules such a warm welcome and you will love her book! I went to get it last night and wouldn't ya know my internet decided to fritz and the Kindle said "Um, not tonight, honey". So today it's still a purchase must!

Have a wonderful release party Jules.

Nas said...

Congratulations on the new release! And the excerpt sounds so intriguing and interesting...got to have this book now!

J Bennett said...

Mauve, thanks so much for stopping by! I'm am a bubble of excitement nearly all of the time:)

J Bennett said...

Calisa, oh, sick hubby! Nothing worse. I'd rather have the plague myself.

And thanks for the invite. You have a nice, fun group here:)

J Bennett said...

Nas, I hope you enjoy the book! It was so fun to write. I love making a powerful, sexy hero fall in love when it's the dead last thing he wants;) I'm evil like that...

Thanks for stopping by!

Calisa Rhose said...

Lol Jules- it's the equivalent...

Remember to tell your friends everyone. She'll be here for a while and then you'll find out who wins Friday so be sure to check back in case it's you!

Jennifer Shirk said...

I smiled the entire time reading your call story!
And I LOVE the ringtone!! My pastor's wife has the Godfather theme ringtone for her hubby. LOL!!

Calisa Rhose said...

A pastor's wife... That's just funny Jennifer!