Author Jane Beckenham found literature at a young age. In books she discovered dreams and hope, stories that inspired in her a love of romance, and travel. Years later, after a blind date, Jane found her own true love and married him eleven months later.
Life has been a series of ‘dreams’ for Jane. Dreaming of learning to walk again after spending years in hospital. Dreaming of raising a family and subsequently flying to Russia to bring home her two adopted daughters. And of course, dreaming of writing.
With her family growing up, life is a round of playing mum’s taxi service, all the while wondering what her hero and heroine are up to behind her back! Writing is Jane’s addiction – and it sure beats housework.
Today Jane is the author of nine novels, including contemporary romance, historical and time travel/romance.
Desperately Seeking Santa
Red Rose Publishing
Mainstream/Holiday/ Contemporary
ISBN: 978-1-60435-249-8Santa leaned against a railing of silky teddies and thongs, all pink fluff and feathers along with black lace and faux fur. Mandy blinked several times. The guy didn’t move. The look on his face, humor and downright daring indicated he knew exactly what he leaned against. But still he stayed there. His arms crossed his chest, pulling the red suit across his broad shoulders. The fabric stretched and Mandy’s eyes widened. This was no weasely old man Santa and she wondered for the first time, what lay beneath all that fake Santa stuff?
Woohoo, the big day is over, well at least it is down under in New Zealand, which is my neck of the woods. All over for another year, which gives us time to recover physically (from the all food!) and financially, from succumbing to overspending. Which brings us to the next big day – NEW YEAR’S DAY.
It’s a time when we start afresh, thinking of what we’d like to achieve for the coming 365 days ahead. My father would always sit down at the beginning of the new year and say to my mum, ‘what shall we do this year?’ What he was talking about were goals, whether it was a journey somewhere, or redecorating the house.
So as January 1 2009 approaches I am pausing, albeit fleetingly, since I’m the mother of teenagers and mum’s taxi service is in big demand at the moment. I have to think what I want for 2009.
Of course it would be nice to have several new book contracts under my sleeve, but I think what I’d really like is to live with the motto ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’. Basically, I want to be kind to me. Give me a break!
One of the ways I really want to do this, which is really kind of apt, given that I’m a writer, is to read some more – and no I’m not talking about EDITING! Nope. No way. I mean read for pleasure.
It seems so weird that it has gone by the wayside in 2008. I have about 20 books in my to be read pile. Yet, I find so little time to read.
Which is bad, bad, bad. I mean, if I’m writing, and want people to read my books. I should at least make time to read others. If I can’t make it a priority, then who will?
So if you’re in doubt what goal you’d like to set yourself this year. How about making it BE KIND TO YOU, year. Take time to do something wonderful for yourself everyday, and forget the dusting.
Happy reading…go on, I dare you!
Hey i’m here, survived the after Christmas day sales – just!
And to top it off i got my first reivew of Desperately Seeking Santa today…Here’s the link for it.
http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=30092
Regards Jane
by Jane December 26th, 2008 at 2:22 amI survived Christmas. Yet to be seen if I survive the day after. I lik eyour idea about being kind to yourself. It is not something we all do regularly.
by Debby December 26th, 2008 at 6:56 amHI Jen!
jane,
LOVE this idea!! Women especially should be kind to themselves. We spend so much time doing for everyone else we often let ourselves fall to the bottom of the list.
Great post Jane!
by kim smith December 26th, 2008 at 11:02 amSo how about you make it a regular thing for 2009. Make it your new year’s resolution.
by Jane December 26th, 2008 at 1:22 pmIt only has to be 1/2 an hour a day. Doing something nice. A bubble bath, taking time to read a book. Something that is solely just for you…unless that is you want to share your bubble bath with your significant other! Then that could get rather interesting.
Jane
You made some great points, Jane.
Women too often push their dreams aside for motherhood and for family, husband’s education and just the need for life’s necessities. We need to remember our dreams count!
You couldn’t pay me to shop today!
by Mary Marvella December 26th, 2008 at 4:48 pmSo what do you all want to ‘achieve’ for YOU this year.
More time to read is number one for me and just more time to simply BE. To exist, without having to rush to do something for some one else, just BE.
Jane
by Jane December 26th, 2008 at 5:19 pmThanks for coming by this weekend, Jane. I love this idea – I’m not much for making resolutions but *this* is one I could certainly get behind
by Jenyfer December 26th, 2008 at 5:27 pmAt the beginning of 2007, authors and friends, Melody Knight and Eve Summer and I goal set what we wanted to acheieve for the year and how to go about it. By the end of that year between us we had 12 book contracts and had upped our promo identities.
All because we planned and goal set. It was hard work for that year, but the payoff was great.
Jane
by Jane December 26th, 2008 at 6:18 pm