When I'm Happy...

Everybody's happy!

I woke up at 4 a.m. the other morning with a brand-spankin' new idea for a book. I can't tell you how excited I was to get started on this book. I immediately typed out an overview, read through it and dove right in to the main course:)

Later that same day, I was driving and flipping through the XM stations. I normally just listen to CD's because I'm never happy with the radio, but I am so glad I decided to nix the CD's that day. I came across a country station and heard a beautiful opening to a song.

The second the song started, I got goose bumps! Seriously. Not only that, I got a little teary-eyed. The more I listened, the more I thought Eli (the hero of my book) was talking to me through my radio! Okay, that sounds strange, but in my world it makes perfect sense;)

The song? Better as a Memory by Kenny Chesney. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! I'm not a big country music fan, but this really hit me.

So, since Kenny and I are working together on my new book, I'd like to give away a little something to brighten your day. I have a cute picture frame with hearts all around it. I believe it holds a 4x6 picture.

Just let me know what song(s) have inspired you or just made your day. I'll pick a winner at the end of the week!

WIN A SONY E-READER!

That's right! You can win a Sony e-reader! Who wouldn't want that great gift?

Here are the very important details:

The Wild Rose Press is giving away SONY eReader!
All this summer (June 11 – August 31), every time you purchase a title by any of these sponsoring authors (see list below), you will be eligible to enter our drawing to win a SONY eReader.

The drawing will be held on Tuesday evening, September 2, 2008 at our weekly chat (9:00 p.m. eastern). (You do not need to be present in the chat room to win).
When you purchase any title from these authors simply email your order number to:
SONYREADER@thewildrosepress.com
This e-mail address is protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it. Make sure you have a current email address and/or include your contact information so we can find you if you win.

You may enter as many times this summer as you wish. If you purchase more than one title in the same order, feel free to send two emails and include the order twice. The Wild Rose Press will verify that you did indeed purchase more than one title.

The following are the sponsoring authors for this wonderful contest. Please look for their author information on our web site and enjoy some fabulous reads this summer from these participating authors:
Jules Bennett (moi!)
Donna L. Bolk
Laurel Bradley
Rachel Brimble
Pam Champagne
Lynda Coker
Christine Columbus
Sandra Cormier
Amy Corwin
Sharon Cullen
Donna Dalton
K.M. Daughters
Debbie Doggett
CarolAnn Erhardt
Valerie Everhart
Cindy Green
Kathleen Grieve
Larry Hammersley
Stacy Dawn
Sharon Horton
Tara Haff
Anna Kathryn Lanier
Marly Mathews
Nicole McCaffrey
Devin McKee
Sandy Wickersham McWhorter
Donna Michaels
Stacey Joy Netzel
AnneMarie Novark
Cindy Spencer Pape
PL Parker
Katie Reus
Jane Richardson
Jennifer Robins
Donna Marie Rogers
Emma Sanders
Kathleen Scott
Robin Shope
Misty Simon
Carol A. Spradling
Debra St. John
Lily Stone
Browyn Storm
Beth Trissel
Leanne Tyler
Brenda Weaver
Nita Wick
Teri Wilson

Good luck!

*No purchase necessary to win the SONY eReader. If you do not purchase a title, you may enter the contest by mailing a post card to The Wild Rose Press, Sony eReader Contest, P.O. Box 708, Adams Basin, NY 14410. Please include your name, email and contact information. In addition, you must write down three titles from any of the participating authors. Postcard entrants will be added to the names of email entrants and a winning entry will be drawn on September 2, 2008.

A New Look!

Well, my body is getting a complete overhaul. No, no, nothing fake is being added, I'm just adjusting what God already gave me.

I'm toning up from having my baby, put a new color on my hair and bought some new clothes that's not my typical style, but makes me look good. Who knew?

So, since my personal look is changing, I decided to make other changes. First of all, I had a professional redo my MySpace site. Check it out! She did a WONDERFUL job:) www.myspace.com/authorjulesbennett

Next on my list is my actual website. I'm getting a brand new site this year and I can't wait for you all to see my new home!

Oh, I bought a new car. Well, that was hubby's idea, but I was all for it!

Um...is this starting to sound like a mid-life crisis? Really, it's not. I've just decided that I need to do what works for me and makes me happy. I've been told by friends, family and people who barely knew me that I give too much to others and not enough to myself. Well, that's changing.

Several months ago I had a bad life experience. Since then I've been depressed and not caring about myself. I'm so glad I've perked up and quit sulking around:)

Anyway, on the coattails of my new looks, I have another contemporary romance about to be released. Love in Bloom will hit cyber shelves on June 6th and bookstore shelves on December 5th. I can't wait for you all to read this remarkable love story with a blind heroine and a single father. I will be giving away a wonderful prize to launch this romance. Be sure to check back here, www.julesbennett.com, www.authorisland.com, OR www.myspace.com/authorjulesbennett.

Happy Reading!
Jules

Oh, the Horror!

I tried on bathing suits over the weekend.

Thank you, thank you for the groans and cringes:)

I HIGHLY recommend NOT trying on these ghastly scraps of torture only 9 weeks after giving birth. Unfortunately, I signed my toddler up for swim lessons and I have to get into the pool with her. Great, huh?

I tried all sizes, all colors, all styles...NOTHING WORKS! And those "slimming" suits? Yeah, unless they go from neck to ankle, forget it. Hey, I think I'll just get a wet suit:)

After two days and hours of pouring myself into lycra and spandex that should come with a warning tag, I ended up bringing two suits home. Of these two I'm trying to figure out which one will be less frightening to the young children in the class. I'm so afraid I'll give them nightmares...or worse, they'll just go blind.

Have any of you tried the dreaded ritual of trying on suits? How can I face the public when I can't even leave a dressing room? I'd love to hear your experiences/horror stories. Please tell me I'm not alone:)

Hugs,
Jules

I'm So Happy!

As you know my first romantic suspense was released last week from Samhain Publishing. Naked Vengeance was my absolute favorite book to write. There's secrets, dark pasts, revenge, and so many twists, you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Here are just a few of the reviews:

Within the pages of NAKED VENGEANCE is a great suspense thriller that will shock you at the end. I was bewildered by the “whodunit” character. I never saw it coming. Sophia Rae does a great job drawing her readers in right from the beginning with her appealing characters and a thick plot that will have you turning the pages quickly.
~Billie Jo - Romance Junkies 4.5 stars

This is my first book by this author, and I am excited to say I’ve found another great storyteller.
~Lisa Freeman - The Romance Studio 4 Hearts

Need more inspiration to read Naked Vengeance? Check out my book trailer!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UbD_KgrmDc

Check it out and let me know what you think!

New Release This Week!

My romantic suspense, Naked Vengeance, will be available on Tuesday, April 8th from Samhain Publishing! This is another title under my pen name, Sophia Rae.

Here's part of my review ~

Naked VengeanceSophia RaeSamhain PublishingApril 2008http://www.myspace.com/authorsophiarae SuspenseRating: 4.5EBOOK

Within the pages of NAKED VENGEANCE is a great suspense thriller that will shock you at the end. I was bewildered by the “whodunit” character. I never saw it coming. Sophia Rae does a great job drawing her readers in right from the beginning with her appealing characters and a thick plot that will have you turning the pages quickly.

I highly recommend NAKED VENGEANCE for all romantic suspense readers. You will not be disappointed in this book. I anxiously await Sophia Rae’s next saga.

Pretty cool, huh?

I'll have an interview up at The Long and Short Reviews tomorrow. http://www.longandshortreviews.com/interviews.htm

I will also host a Q&A at their Yahoo loop on Wednesday. You just have to join the loop to chat:)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LongAndShortRomanceReviews

And, lastly, I'll be chatting live at Romance Junkies on Wednesday from 9-10 pm EST. www.romancejunkies.com

Do you want to win a free download of Naked Vengeance? I'm giving one away this week at The Long and Short Reviews. One will be given away at my chat with Romance Junkies and two will be given away at Author Island this month! www.authorisland.com

I hope you all can make it to at least one of my appearances:)

Have a great week!
Jules Bennett/Sophia Rae

Toddlers and Newborns

I now have a total appreciation for my mother - any mother, really. I had to put my daughter in time-out the other day.

Now, before I go any further, yes, I put her in time-out occassionally. I always laughed at parents who used this method, but, hey, you do what works and this seems to work well for my two year old.

When her father came home from work and asked what she did to get put into time-out, she rolled her eyes and informed him, "It was ridiculous." Believe it or not, she pronounced the word correctly.

This is the stage in her life where she does the embarrassing things in public and you hate to laugh, but can't help it. If she hears any noise at all that resembles passing gas, she'll call you (or a perfect stranger) on it. Yes, it's quite fun at restaurants when you slide across the vinyl seats and she says, "Mommy, you toot toot." Of course, people turn and stare and you're forced to eat just feet away.

My kids are providing so much enjoyment. I can't wait to see what else is in store for me:)

So, if you have kids (or if you just know some rotten ones) let me hear some stories!