3/2/2024-
My writing efforts of late have consisted mostly of the newsletter. If you’d like to receive my once-a-month nod to history with a delicious recipe and book of the month information, be sure to click the CONTACT tab above, scroll down to Subscribe to our mailing list, and fill in the three little boxes. We never sell or share your information.
Recent topics have been the fascinating life of Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and uniquely American New Year’s traditions.
My latest blog is titled My Return to Lonesome Dove. I recently read all four lengthy books in the series and wanted to share my journey through the truly wild west with you. The series is considered to be an authentic look at the West from the 1840s to 1890s. Find it by clicking the BLOG tab above.
As for this author, I’m plodding through the editing stages for my book, Over the Moon. Hopefully, I’ll have a cover to share with you soon.
You can always reach me for questions and suggestions at jean@jeanjegel.com.
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10/30/2022-
When I decided to self-publish my backlog of books—after all, what good does it do to write books if nobody ever reads them?—I tackled one issue at a time. I joined a writer’s group and got great information from the group leader, author and ghost writer, Judith Cassis.
It was incredibly difficult to share my writing originally. As months went by, that got easier and I grew to appreciate input and even criticism.
Then came all the bits and pieces of publishing. I felt that every job I ever had gave me unique skills that enabled me to do the work myself. Years of word processing made me a great typist and proof-reader. I was fortunate to have attended school when English skills really mattered. It turns out all the sentence diagramming paid off! Incidentally, very few authors attempt “do it yourself.” There are legions of editors and nuts-and-bolts people anxious to help—for a fee, of course. Since I was determined to publish on the cheap, I dug in to learn what I didn’t already know.
I read books on editing and put that to use. Then came odds-and-ends such as purchasing ISBNs and copyrighting. There were on-line classes about formatting paperbacks and e-books following Amazon’s guidelines. Finally came the uploading and information input.
After all that effort, I really wasn’t done! Only recently have I delved into the world of book promotion. I’ve managed to put some of that information to use.
I just asked myself if I knew then what I know now, would I have ever started on this journey? As frustrating and aggravating as this process has sometimes been, I can answer with an avid “yes!” It’s so exciting when I find some stranger I will never meet or know has purchased one of my books.
One problem with all this learning has been that I’ve sadly gotten away from the creative part of writing. I’m hoping to return to my imagination soon. Publishing at least one new book next year is my new goal. Maybe I’ll even be able to give it a proper launch!
In the meantime, be sure to check out recent blogs and click on the contact tab above to sign up for my monthly newsletter, filled with history, recipes and the latest giveaways.
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7/28/2022-
I’ve been writing books for over ten years, but I’ve been a book reader my entire life, since fellow grammar schooler Joan Dewey lent me the Anne of Green Gables series. I read those books over recently and found them as entertaining as I did originally.
I always have some book going. My current read is a vintage first edition from 1884. It’s a compilation of things women should know. There’s a little bit of everything: civics, science, a compendium of letter writing essentials and lots of homemaking projects. Some of those projects are so hard, you couldn’t pay me enough to tackle one!
And since I’m an avid if not speedy reader, I’m always trying to create inviting reading nooks. I’ve been rejuvenating the back patio and I caught this glimpse through an arch where we’re trying to coax some unruly morning glories to climb. Looks like the perfect place to unwind and take up a book, doesn’t it?
The problem is I rarely use these inviting nooks. Will this time be different? I’ll keep you posted.
As far as writing, I’m working on the first novel I ever wrote, Over the Moon. I’m hoping to do a better job promoting this book and I’m back to the drawing board, learning new skills and meeting some interesting fellow authors.
In the meantime, check out my newest blogs by clicking the tab above.
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3/5/2022-
The final chapter of Blake and Elsie’s love story is available now. What Money Can’t Buy – Love is live on Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions. The Athertons are recently returned from world travels. It could be that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Atherton got what they bargained for when their journey commenced. Will Elsie ever trust her impetuous spouse again? Has Blake managed to redeem himself and if so, will he remain in his wife’s good graces? I have a feeling there will be further transgressions.
Not signed up for the monthly newsletter? You’re missing out on the latest giveaways, delicious recipes and a look at the history behind my books. Take a sec to click on the “Contact” tab and simply fill in your first name and email address. Be sure to watch for the confirming email so we know you’re not a bot!
There’s also two new blogs to check out, In Search of Quirky and Before Dr. Spock. Happy reading!
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8/28/2021-
The fifth installment of the saga of Elsie and Blake is now available on Amazon in paperback and eBook. Check it out here: What Money Can’t Buy – Trust. Just when it seemed the Atherton marriage had settled into a comfortable cadence, Blake makes plans for family travel. Will this be the epic adventure he planned or will the family’s journey prove memorable for unlikely reasons? Blake Atherton is undoubtedly the character I most enjoy writing about. He is unpredictable and completely pleased with himself. A bigger-than-life personality that engages and never ceases to amaze. His beloved Elsie would be first to admit he might be a bit hard to live with.
See what happens as we make our way to the sixth and final episode due out this winter.
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4/27/2021-
Brotherhood, fourth in the What Money Can’t Buy series, is available now. Follow this link to see all my books on Amazon.
Elsie and her sister Dora begin Brotherhood with a trip to a spiritualist. The occult was a worldwide hot topic in this era. Why? I checked out The Occult Review of April 1913, a 58-page periodical filled with ghost stories, poetry of the occult, even letters to the editor, and found the following quote: “Yet the world throbs with explanations; the era of mythology and vague identification lies stretched behind us, a dreary waste of pitfalls and fallacies, while the progressive intellect, refusing to sift the cinders of antiquated dogmas, passes on to excavate its explanations from living facts.” In other words, modern people were seeking scientific answers to the unexplainable. Check the Excerpts tab above to preview the first chapter. The fifth book, Trust, is next up. I’ll be posting the first chapter shortly. Be sure to click the contact tab above, enter your first name and e-mail address to receive my monthly newsletter, full of history and giveaway information. Watch for the confirming e-mail. It could show up in your spam folder but you won’t be registered until you confirm.
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1/4/2021-
Carroll Avenue in Angelino Heights is one of the first historic districts in Los Angeles as well as one of the first suburbs. I have read “experts” who purported the urban sprawl of Southern California was accidental, but that isn’t true. Developers realized early on that they could invest in land far from urban centers and make a handsome profit as long as they managed to entice a railroad to build a line in their direction. It was even better for a developer to own a transit system and simply send it out to their own property.
Although Angelino Heights is only a mile from downtown Los Angeles, it was considered a commute back in the day. The street and the area provide the setting for A Home on Carroll Avenue, even though I did not model the Noah Chandler home on any specific building.
The novel is set in 1890, about 20 years after Los Angeles shed its wild ways and 5 years after the Santa Fe Railroad came to town. It was a time of unprecedented growth. A Home on Carroll Avenue is now available in paperback and eBook format on Amazon. Be sure to read the first chapter under the Excerpt tab above. I think you’ll find it’s a great escape from our hectic world.
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9/12/2020-
New stuff out soon! Third in the series What Money Can’t Buy finds Blake and Elsie’s unlikely marriage taking some twists and turns. There’s a new romance and family drama reaches unprecedented heights. Will love at first sight translate into the forever love Blake imagined? Character is due for release before the end of September.
Coming in October is A Home on Carroll Avenue, set against the backdrop of Angelino Heights, the first suburb of Los Angeles. This full-length novel showcases L.A. of the early 1890s.
Expecting to find the Wild West when she steps off the train, April Stringham is astounded by the modern city at the edge of the nation. In this new world, only April’s job as companion to an elderly lady seems familiar. But even that will prove surprising.
First chapters of all my books can be found under the “Excerpts” tab above. Come home to a simpler time and fall in love!
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6/30/2020-
Just published—What Money Can’t Buy-Family Ties. It’s book two in the series. Find out how Blake and Elsie adjust to married life after their whirlwind Catalina romance.
July is the last month I’ll be offering the eBook of the first volume—The New Saleslady—free when you sign up for my newsletter. Be sure to watch for the confirming e-mail. You won’t be on the list until you respond.
I’ve written blogs about the Bembridge House in Long Beach, the inspiration for Elsie’s house, which becomes an important aspect of the Athertons’ life in Family Ties. Click the blog tab above and type Bembridge House in the search box to find a few pictures of the elegant Queen Anne Victorian home. I recommend a visit but until further notice, it’s closed due to the pandemic. You can keep an eye on their status by visiting the Long Beach Heritage website. I highly suggest their teas when they get started again. Fabulous atmosphere for any history lover and really great food! You do need a reservation.
You’ll discover vast historical detail in all my novels—the minutia that makes up everyday life: holiday customs of the era, details of clothing, hats and hairstyles, right down to the actual programs of various city events. Family Ties includes interesting information about registration and voting for the newly enfranchised ladies of 1911 Los Angeles I think you’ll enjoy.
Find all my books here. Stay safe! Be well!
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4/25/2020-
I love this romanticized portrait of motherhood, although I can assure you, I never came close to looking that relaxed and beautifully attired in all the years my children lived at home or ever, for that matter. Wait, my hair was about that color—does that count? Even though we’re socially distanced, Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Since just about everyone has time to read, why not pick up a book for your mom? I might suggest By Light of Day, the tale of a mail-order bride who acquires a batch of reluctant step-children in the San Fernando Valley of the 1890s. Marrick’s mothering tactics might be unconventional, but she’s a determined woman. Of course, there’s a bit of romance involved. You can read the first chapter by clicking the “Excerpts” tab above. Here’s an Amazon link: By Light of Day
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there. Stay safe and healthy.
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3/6/2020-
Isn’t this a great picture? It made me think of characters from What Money Can’t Buy—The New Saleslady, my featured book for March. Not on my e-mail list? You really should sign up. It’s where I share information about monthly freebies. Just click on the Contact tab above and fill out the short form. Remember, you won’t be on the list until you open the confirming e-mail.
I’ve been playing with Facebook ads lately and I used this great vintage magazine cover. Doesn’t this gentleman appear bold and self-assured? The lady is the essence of Elsie—demure and dainty—until she advocates for a woman’s right to vote. You owe it to yourself to take a break from today’s stress and like I always say, come home to a simpler time and fall in love. You can read the first chapter by clicking the Excerpts tab above.
While you’re here, why not take a look at some old photographs in my blog titled Can Photographs Capture the Soul? Stay tuned. More book information coming soon.
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1/16/2020-
Wow—there’s so much news, I don’t know where to begin!
What Money Can’t Buy—The New Saleslady came out in November (barely). It’s the first in my first-ever series. The story opens in 1911 Catalina. It was fun, as an author, to play with clichés. Is there such a thing as love at first sight? Can strangers stare into each other’s eyes and find their soul mate? I think you’ll find it a fun, fast read with surprising twists and turns. I guarantee you’ll have a good laugh. Sign up for my monthly newsletter and I’ll send you a free eBook. Just click on the Contact tab above, fill in your first name and e-mail address and be certain to reply to the confirming e-mail that asks if you want to receive news from me. The newsletter always contains giveaways and history. I’ve had a great response to the recipes I’ve shared.
Next up, Catching Nettie Gordon, set in 1905 Los Angeles. Lots of history in this one. Our heroine is fresh from a Temperance meeting. The hero owns a saloon. What could go wrong? There’s lots of family too and a slice of early automobile travel. You can find all my books here. And the first chapters of everything are under the Excerpts tab.
I also contributed to The Golden Pen Writers Guild’s latest anthology, This and That, now available on Amazon. It’s a mix of poetry and prose by a skilled group of authors. I think you’ll enjoy it. Click here to take a look.
Don’t forget to check out my latest blog, a celebration of shopping adventures. And remember to comment if you have a moment. It will enter you in the drawing of the month. Good luck!
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10/25/2019-
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Now is the best time to sign up for my newsletter. November has some great giveaways and information on new books. The story behind the recipe of the month is historically fascinating. Don’t be left out! Click here and fill out the brief form. Be sure to watch for the confirming e-mail, which could turn up in your spam folder since it’s a new communication.
Happy Fall!
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8/31/2019-
The feature book for September is By Light of Day. Sign up on the contact tab to get my first ever newsletter. There’s some history about North Hollywood of the 1890s, a drawing for a free paperback and a list of eBook giveaways for this month. Don’t forget to take a look at the recipe near the bottom of the newsletter. It’s yummy, easy and oh, so decadent!
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5/28/2019-
A great summer read, A Keepsake Love, is now available in paperback and eBook format. Come along as Sumner Hemmings and Madeleine Crawford discover the mysteries of Madeleine’s life against the backdrop of 1920s Los Angeles. It’s a tempestuous ride through a wild historical era. Find it here
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5/6/2019 –
Have you ever seen someone with such striking features, you couldn’t look away? The first time that happened to me was in a casino in Las Vegas many years ago. A crowd had gathered to watch a group pulling the handle of a monster slot machine. At the rear of the crowd stood a small, older man with the most fascinatingly huge nose I had ever seen. I was not the only one who noticed. That nose was making friends right and left.
It’s that type of reaction Sumner Hemmings has when he spies his neighbor through a window.
Intent upon a book, the woman primly turned a page as she sat in the shade, oblivious to her admirer and her surroundings. Sunflowers nodded over golden mums, red and orange roses and dahlias while early burgundy pansies peeped from below. The lush Southland garden paled in comparison to her beauty. Sumner’s glimpse of loveliness was a significant distraction. It would prove his complete undoing.
My new book, A Keepsake Love, opens in post-World War I Los Angeles. As the roaring 20s commence, this saga of love, lies and loss unfolds across the Southland.
Chapter One is now available on the Excerpts Tab. Book release is scheduled for this month.
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12/5/2018 –
Inspiration for a new novel can come from anywhere. In the case of By Light of Day, it was curiosity over what it must have been like to be a mail-order bride—a term coined well after this phenomenon began. It would take an adventurous woman to leave family and friends, knowing they would likely never see each other or speak again. It must have been difficult to leave a home, if they had one, and travel across the country alone to a strange and different land.
Conversely, I find it interesting that men chose to make the lifelong commitment to a wife, sight unseen.
This is how Marrick and Linc came to my imagination, two strong personalities with definite ideas about their own goals and ambitions and even stronger notions of what the other should be. Their story is now available on Amazon in paperback and eBook format. And, shipping is free for Christmas deliveries! Click the link and take a look!
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9/15/2018 –
Thought I’d take a moment to share what’s coming up.
First off, I’m getting close to publishing my second novel, By Light of Day. Here’s the back cover:
Marrick Underhill was a beauty with brains. An old maid at 28, marriage was the last thing on her mind until her life in Chicago crumbled around her.
Lincoln Blackstone was a handsome widower with three children and a farm to run. Hopelessly in love with his deceased wife, he had little choice but to take another.
On a hot summer afternoon in 1895, Marrick and Linc meet for the first time, then exchange vows as the California sun shines through stained-glass windows illuminating empty church pews. The day might provide solutions to the pair’s diverse aspirations but is it wise to marry a stranger?
Doing research on this story was a lot of fun, since I grew up in and around North Hollywood. The original train depot, a state Historic Landmark building and the setting for the opening scene in By Light of Day, was recently restored.
If you click on the Excerpts tab, you’ll find Chapter One.
I’ve started work on what I hope to be my first book series, set in Catalina in 1911. Lots of fun research on this novel too! I’ll keep you posted.
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7/12/2018 –
After tremendous effort (not writing, which comes naturally, but publishing), Truer Beauty is on sale NOW on Amazon – click the link and take a look.
The only thing I have going for me is word of mouth. Please spread the word to your social media contacts, friends and relatives!
Thanks so much and enjoy!
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5/26/2018 –
As I prepare to release my first book, Truer Beauty, thought I’d give you a peek at what’s coming. Use the “Excerpts” tab above to find the first chapter, in its entirety. A link for purchase will be added shortly. Hope you enjoy it!
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1/8/2018 –
Hooray! I am officially a published author. Imaginings, A Golden Pen Anthology came out right before Christmas. I have five works of fiction included in the anthology:
An Irish Limerick
Excerpt from the upcoming novel, A Home on Carroll Avenue
A Taste of Heaven
The Mind of Miss Merlowe
Windfall
Check it out on Amazon.com
And more good news! My first full-length novel is almost ready for publication. Truer Beauty is set in depression-era Santa Barbara.
Check back for updates soon!
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9/17/2017 –
Welcome to my new website! Check out my blog for short articles and updates on my journey as a new author. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list on the contact page.
I have five entries in the Golden Pen Writer’s Guild upcoming anthology, set for publication in October. Specifics will be available soon.
Final editing for Truer Beauty is ongoing. The first chapter will be posted on my website shortly.