A warm welcome to our first author visiting Love Bytes on the 2016 GRL Blog Tour, Jackie Nacht *cheering*
Jackie talks about GRL , shows her new release and also brought along a wonderful giveaway!
Welcome Jackie 🙂
I Only Bite A Little
As the kick-off to the GRL blog tour begins, I had a hard time coming up with what to write. I’ll be honest; I didn’t get this post right the first time. LOL I tried to think of several things to write about, recalling past GRL’s and that started a road down memory lane.
I must admit GRL New Orleans brought me out of my shell a little. I was snuggled up to my sister, Stephani for about half a day until the shell cracked and Steph and I were on our way! We talked and chatted meeting some amazing people that have become life-long friends. And when I say life long, yes we do get together outside of GRL. Coffee, lunch, holiday dinners and I forced a couple to run a half marathon with me. Evil cackle So Kris Jacen and TA Chase, ready for that full marathon? Come on you can do it! 😉
(Jackie flanked by Stephanie Hecht & Kris Jacen)
That is something to expect out of GRL. You’ll meet a group of people that you will connect with. Will it be all 400 attendees, probably not? If you do, way to go! That is getting around in the short time there. Impressive and I will be asking for a bit of that superpower. 😉
What you can count on though, is connecting with people that love to read what you do. Sounds simple right? Not exactly at home. There aren’t a lot of people I live around that read LGBT Romance so coming to GRL is my chance to really talk about the books I cherish. Meet the people that crafted these wonderful stories. Build friendships based on something I really enjoy reading.
If you get stuck or are nervous to chat with something, it’s an easy topic starter, “Who do you read?” Usually the person will tick off about five or six names and either you’ve just learned about new authors in the genre you read or they’ve read some of yours and off you go! You may have just met your newest bosom friend.
As GRL’s have gone by, I’ve seen one common theme from year to year. The first day, people are running to their friends they made from the previous year, hugging them after being a year apart. To the veterans, you know what I’m talking about. You are already anticipating seeing your friends, pairing up costumes for parties and having late night talks. For the newcomers, do not worry. The veterans have big arms and are more than willing to pull you in. We are ready to become your friend and are greatly anticipating it.
So beware, I may tug you in too. And I promise, I only bite a little. 😉
(Love Bytes asked the first question to Jackie and Jackie asked a question to the next author in our GRL Blog Tour)
“If you could find the perfect place for a GRL meet where would that be?”
I must admit when I saw this question I panicked. The practical girl in me automatically began ticking off places in her head. Florida? No, that wouldn’t work. It would be hurricane season and you have about a 50/50 chance of not getting there or being stuck in one. Then I thought about Dallas. Hmmm…maybe but is that centrally located enough for everyone to get there? Detroit? Again up north and my friends from the west might not be able to get here. Cincinnati. Loved it when I lived there but would it be a great place for a conference?
Then it dawned on me, cheese and crackers, how do the GRL organizers pick a spot?! They need to think about fitting everyone into hotels, location, keeping the cost down, the weather, and I just gave myself a brain freeze.
So I’m going to take the easy way out here. I’m going to leave it up to the experts. The one’s who organize, research, call and spend years in advance to pick the perfect spot for us. So, if I were to find the perfect place for a GRL meet, it would be where Carol, Reese, Teresa, and Ethan find our annual home away from home. I trust for them to find the spot for me to see my friends and my awesomesauce readers. After all it’s not the place but the people.
And maybe this is a good time to quote Sarah Dessen form her book, What Happened to Goodbye.
“Home wasn’t a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.”
See you all soon! I can’t wait.
Hugs,
Jackie Nacht
Jackie’s Question for the next author Felice Stevens is: ” What advice can you give to new attendees?”
Newest Release:
Rise Out of the Flames
Phoenix Brothers Book One
Blurb:
Come and get saved by these phoenix firefighters brothers.
Holden, a phoenix shifter, works at Rhodes Fire Department alongside his family. When he encounters his Sun, Rick, he’s half naked on the fire escape and Holden knows he’ll do anything to save Rick from the burning building. Even with the world knowing about paranormal beings, Holden has to figure out a way to tell Rick about himself. Phoenixes exist under the radar; keeping to small groups out of the limelight. Slight problem with maintaining secrets since it seems Rick may have unknowingly exposed himself to the phoenixes new enemy. How will Holden protect Rick with what happens when he goes up in flames?
Buy Links:
Jackie is graciously offering a $10 Amazon GC to one Lucky winner !
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Great answer. 🙂 Sad I won’t be able to go.
*Hugs*
“What you can count on though, is connecting with people that love to read what you do. Sounds simple right? Not exactly at home.” I think a lot of us can relate to that, especially if you live in a small town.
True Caitlin. I find there are pockets of romance book lovers but I need to put out feelers first. 😀 Thanks for stopping by.
Living far away from where all the fun is I could only imagine and see pictures of how rad GRL is. Coming to one would be too expensive. 😀
Thank you for this interesting post.
*hugs* You’re welcome!
I enjoyed the post I didn’t realise how much thought has to go into picking a place for a GRL and I’m with you Jackie leave it to the experts!!
LOL Shirley! Definitely leave it up to them. 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
I love the sound of this book! I’ve come across many Phoenix shape shifting novels – and definately not as firefighters! Sounds like a blast! 😀
Great post about GRL’s too!
Congrats on your release!
Thank you! *Hugs*
Great post! I totally relate to not living near anyone who reads what I do. Thank goodness for blogs, goodreads and other discussion outlets.
And love the quote at the end. 🙂
Hope you have a great time at GRL!
Thank you Jen! *hugs*
Sigh, I still vow to go someday!
I’m holding you to your vow Trix! 😉 *hugs*
I’ve never read about a phoenix shifter before… Although I guess it makes sense that he works as a firefighter, LOL! Sounds really good. And the post was great too. I agree with you: whenever faced with a difficult choice, trust the experts! 🙂
Thank you Susana. 😀
I like reading about AUTHORS’ experience coming to GRL. I’m a reader so I know what readers expect. But it’s fun to read the perception of the authors being involved. Unfortunately, living in Indonesia, it’s truly difficult for me to join GRL. But hey, I live the dream by reading blog posts about it *haha*
*hugs* I would love to read a post from the readers perspective. That would be awesome!
I can’t imagine trying to pick a place and organize a meeting that size. Thanks for post. I hope to make it to a GRL one of these days.
I hope you do too Jen! *hugs*
I’ll have to relate from a distance… so sad!
*hugs*
I can’t imagine going to such a crowded place and meeting up with someone you know. I can already imagine the anxiety but also that excitement to meet up. Thanks for sharing =)
You’re welcome H.B. And there is pockets of quiet at every GRL. There are some people that go to GRL that are nervous in crowds. My sis is one and we take breaks back at the room. 😀
I always feel a little jealous that I can’t make it to a GRL…finances and distance are huge issues though :\
*hugs* I’ll keep my fingers crossed one day one will be close to your home. 😀
Sounds like GRL is such a great thing in which to participate. Look forward to your book. Love “other-than-wolf” shifters. Fire-fighting phoenix shifters?!?! Sigh…….
Thank you! *hugs*
Thank you Lovebytes for having me as your guest. I really appreciate it! *hugs*
Thank you for stopping by Jackie!! it was out pleasure to host you 🙂
Hopefully someday I will get to attend GRL but I can’t this year.
A Phoenix shifter being a firefighter sounds like the perfect job combination. So many things to consider when choosing a good spot to host GRL.
Great post! I enjoyed the entire post. Thank you for sharing.
One day I might get a chance to attend the GRL and meet all the authors, bloggers and fellow readers I have enjoyed meeting on the social media and by reading their wonderful books.
congrats Shirley Ann !