Tag Archives: Jen Talty

#WOTR24 – #Review – Love on the River: A Charity Anthology

A 2024 Writers on the River Charity Anthology with stories from A.D. Ellis, AJ Renee, Amanda Zook, Brandy Slaven, C.A. Harms, Danielle Keil, Darie McCoy, H. D’Agostino, J.M. Walker, Jade Waltz, Jamie K. Schmidt, Jen Talty, Joel Shoemaker, Kate Hawthorne, M.J. Haag, Mellanie Szereto, Miranda Lynn, Molly McLain, Nikki Landis, and Vinni George

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I honestly don’t know where to start with this review. I have many anthologies and I will be the first to admit that I have never read every single story within. Well, I made a decision not to do that again. I read and read and read…..

Every.

Single.

One!

This is a decision that I do not regret in the slightest! There are so many great stories from all sorts of different genres and tropes. I have read stories from a handful of these authors (Nikki Landis, Miranda Lynn, Darie McCoy, AJ Renee, Brandy Slaven, Mellanie Szereto, JM Walker, and Jade Waltz), but I have not read stories from the remaining. I fell in love again with the writing of the authors mentioned above but boy do I have a bunch more that I am going to have to start stalking…just sayin!

Some of these stories are a bit of a teaser and will continue on and others may only be here for the anthology. However, there is a disclaimer at the beginning of each story so if there is a trope that is a hard no for you or perhaps has a trigger that you feel you should pass up, you have fair warning. I have to say, even with the warnings/disclaimers, I am happy to keep touting that I read every single one!

Now the real problem is that I don’t know which author to read next! There are not enough hours in the day. What a conundrum!

H. D’Agostino – Let Me Love You

A.D. Ellis – Reconstructing His Heart

Vinni George – Isaac and Andre

MJ Haag – Demon Sky

C.A. Harms – Starting Over

Kate Hawthorne – Flip a Coin

Danielle Keil – Between Pages and Hearts

Nikki Landis – My HERO Biker

Miranda Lynn – The Mating Cabin

Darie McCoy – Thrive

Molly McLain – It’s Always Been You

AJ Renee – The Boy Who Left (A St. Fleur Short Story)

Jamie K Schmidt – Beach, Please

Joel Shoemaker – A Mai Tai at the Edge of the Universe

Brandy Slaven – Second Chances

Mellanie Szereto – Mom I’d Love to Marry

Jen Talty – Harper’s Heart

J.M. Walker – Time Will Tell

Jade Waltz – Project: Adapt: Refresh

Amanda Zook – Healing a Gold Star Heart

#WOTR24#CharityAnthology #CoverReveal – Love on the River Anthology

🌷IMPORTANT ATTENDING AUTHORS ANNOUCEMENT 🌷
Love on the River: A Charity Anthology

Love on the River is available for pre-order now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPYWFTFL

Brought to you by 20(ish) of your 2024 attending authors, Love on the River is a MASSIVE book with one thing in mind…LOVE. And money for Thistle Farms, of course. 

Our author line up is subject to change, but currently includes stories from: A.D. Ellis, AJ Renee, Amanda Zook, Brandy Slaven, C.A. Harms, Danielle Keil, Darie McCoy, H.D’Agostino, J.M. Walker, Jade Waltz, Jamie K. Schmidt, Jen Talty, Joel Shoemaker, Kate Hawthorne, M.J. Haag, Mellanie Szereto, Miranda Lynn, Molly McLain, Nikki Landis, and Vinni George.

Love on the River will ONLY be available to purchase from April 1 – July 31, 2024 (ebook and paperback). Don’t miss out on this one of a kind collection of stories and be part of Writers on the River history!

Thank you to all of our contributing authors for their time and work, to Eric McKinney for donating a GORGEOUS photo for the cover. But most of all, thank YOU for reserving your copies and helping us raise money to donate to Thistle Farms in 2024.

🕯️Links and Dates:

E-BOOK PRE-ORDER –  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPYWFTFL

PAPERBACK ORDERS – https://forms.gle/oarzp1rzBKB1XjHJ7

RELEASE DATE  April 1, 2024

LAST DAY TO BUY  July 31, 2024

🕯️About the Anthology:

2024 is YEAR 9 for Writers on The River and that feels like a great time to break some donation records. Healing With Words is only $22,000 away from donating over $100,000 dollars to Thistle Farms and we’re hoping this anthology can help get them not just over the $100k hump, but also over HWW’s personal goal of a $25,000 donation. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this anthology will go to the charity. 

🕯️About Healing with Words:

Healing With Words is a 501(c)(3) not for profit established for healing survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking and prostitution. We feel the best way to spread love is to share the love of reading. Through the written word, persons can find an escape and a form of entertainment. Our mission is to bring together readers, authors, and survivors in a positive manner that affects change and relief from negative influences.

🕯️About Thistle Farms:

Thistle Farms is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. We do this by providing a safe place to live, a meaningful job, and a lifelong sisterhood of support.

#WOTR24 #attendingauthor #authorspotlight #eventsponsor – Jen Talty

Jen Talty

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Jen Talty. I’m a USA Today Bestselling author of Small Town Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Military Romance, and I dabble a little in the Paranormal. I live in Jupiter, Florida. A funny little story about that. In 9th grade, my science teacher nicknamed me: Jupiter Jenni. Haha. And now I live there. I have three grown children. One in medical school and the other two are married. I love being an empty-nester, but also love it when they are all home. Writing is my passion and I love sharing it with the world! So, kick back, grab a glass of vino (or whatever you love to drink), relax, and let the romance roll in!

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

It is an interesting question and not easy to answer because they are both hard in different ways. The first book is easier because it’s shiny and new. It’s exciting and gets my blood pumping. But I’m creating a whole new world that I have to populate and get it right! The characters will appear in subsequent books, so they have to be solid, and that’s a lot of pressure. The following books are easier because the world is already set, but they are also hard because it can be difficult to stay within those boundaries. Either way, I love it all!

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Another fabulous question. What I have learned over the years is that readers love to read more of the same, but different. My readers have a certain expectation when they read my books. When I leave out an epilogue, I hear about it! While I do love a good second chance, I also love instalove! And there are other tropes I write. I really try to find topics that I haven’t touched on before, or approach them in different ways. When writing a family full of brothers, I try to make them as opposite as possible. Or sometimes so similar with one major difference. That’s always fun, because it’s the different thing that sets them apart. I read a ton. I also watch a lot of television. I get so much joy from movies, shows, and reality TV. It also helps generate new and creative ideas.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Take breaks regularly throughout the day. Try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own path and what works for one, doesn’t always work for another. Take the time to learn your process. And don’t be afraid to tweak it from to time. I’m constantly doing that. Set realistic deadlines and goals. Constantly re-evaluate them. Set up a community with other authors. Everyone needs a good support system!

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

Anywhere from 4-8 hours.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

This is always the hardest question for me to write. I adore all my characters. It’s like asking me who my favorite child is! I will say this, though. I have this character named Weezer in my River Winery Series. She’s a secondary character, but she’s hysterical. She’s manipulative, in everyone’s business, but simultaneously very loving and constantly helping the community.

What is your definition of success?

Success means different things to different people. For me everything is about reader connection.

What are your social links?

https://www.facebook.com/JenTaltyRomanceAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/groups/191706547909047/
https://instagram.com/jen_talty
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/od3icplesg
https://amazon.com/author/jentalty
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jen-talty

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

https://amazon.com/author/jentalty
https://jentalty.com
https://www.audible.com/author/Jen-Talty/B007H91LVY

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2024?

They are available starting November 6th at Writersontheriver.com

$75 VIP Plus – 11-12 Lunch with the Authors , 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Limited Quantity expected to sell out first day*

$50 VIP -12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included. *Expected to sell out first day*

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party. *Expected to sell out opening day*

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

#WOTR23 #FriendsToLovers #Audio #FamilyStory – The Wedding Driver, Love in the Adirondacks by Jen Talty, narration by Skye Allen

Love in the Adirondacks—where hearts come together like the moon and the stars shining bright in the sky, showing the boats the way home at night.

The Wedding Driver: He’s been making dreams come true for a decade. Never in a million years did he believe his dream was a boat ride away.

Tonya Johnson has been in love with the elusive Foster Landon for as long as she can remember. However, other than their mutual business arrangement of her wedding planning business and the fact that he takes newlyweds around the bay on his antique boat shortly after their nuptials, he barely gives her the time of the day. Well, she’s tired of being ignored and decides it’s time Foster Landon takes her out on a proper date.

Foster Landon had his heart broken once and he doesn’t plan on letting that happen again. While he believes in love, it’s not for him. Not anymore. That is until Tonya asked him to take him for a boat ride. And not a wedding ride. He should say no, but he couldn’t resist her smile. Besides, of all the wedding planners in the area, she brought him the most business. Who was he to say no? However, he wasn’t prepared to lose his heart and find himself wanting to become a groom.

Cover by Charity Hendry Designs

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audio book.
I love a good romance and I needed something after reading a dark romance. I have read Jen’s stories before and loved the “feel good” love story so I knew this would be the perfect palette cleanser for me.
Tonya and Foster, LAWD ya’ll are a hot mess. They both want to be with the other but they both have fears….UBER FEARS. Tonya is afraid of losing her best friend. She would rather be with him as a friend then not at all. Foster, damn he has a giant-sized fear closet. He has every single right to be afraid but at the same time he is standing still while time flies by him.
When Tonya takes that step forward, it delights and scares Foster. He jumps forward and then runs the heck backward. I felt the couple had a lot of back and forth. Both afraid but also hurting the other with the indecisions. They both need to take a step back at times since they…well he mainly…runs for the hills.
I enjoyed the story except for the miscommunications but hey who wants to see hurt lovers? No one right!! But I did enjoy the twisted and weaving Foster’s past with his wife, child, and his past. I loved Tonya’s grandpa Maxwell. He was the best side character ever.
I didn’t realize this book was part of a series so now I want to go and listen to the story of Tonya’s sisters and their stories. The ladies were great big sisters who also gave their sister a kick in the butt when she needed.

Jen Talty is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal Romance. In the fall of 2020, her short story was selected and featured in a 1001 Dark Nights Anthology. She is currently contracted to write in the With Me in Seattle series by Kristen Proby with Lady Boss Press, as well as Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha and Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors.

Regardless of the genre, her goal is to take you on a ride that will leave you floating under the sun with warmth in your heart. She writes stories about broken heroes and heroines who aren’t necessarily looking for romance, but in the end, they find the kind of love books are written about :).

She first started writing while carting her kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. Her first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 she helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where she ran the technical side of the business through 2016.

Jen is currently enjoying the next phase of her life…the empty nester! She and her husband reside in Jupiter, Florida.

Grab a glass of vino, kick back, relax, and let the romance roll in…

#WOTR23 #AttendingAuthor #Spotlight- Jen Talty

Jen Talty

Jen Talty

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Jen Talty. I write Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and I’ve also written a couple of Paranormal Novellas. I love heroes who are a bit broken and rough around the edges. Heroines who are strong but also have a vulnerable side. I love to use settings and often write about places I’ve been or have lived. Two of my go-to locations are Lake George and South Flordia. The latter is my current residense. I’m a mom of three and I started writing when my kids were playing hockey. With three in travel I spent a lot of time in rinks while my kids trained. Now that I’m an empty nester, I much prefer writing pool side. It’s a bit warmer. My oldest daughter is in medical school. My middle boy just got married and my youngest son is engaged. I have five fur grandbabies. Outside of writing I enjoy boating, pickleball, and walking with my husband.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

Oh. That’s a good question! They all have their challenges. The first one is hard because I have to create the world. I have to find all the people. Understand how they fit. Am I writing a family? What are their dynamics? Where do they all live? How do they interact with the townspeople. More importantly, how much of this do I need to feed the reader in the beginning or even in that first book. I spend a lot of time developing the world before I even start developing the story. But the second book is hard because I have to remember the details of what went into the first book. What secondary characters did I use and how did I use them? What townspeople and how did I describe them? What businesses? What where the details of the story? It gets even tricker with books three, four, and so on because I might be drawing on characters I haven’t used in a couple of books and I need to know the details. So, in order to keep track of those things I keep what is called a bible for the series. In this I track important details about each story. So, I guess my answer is they are all equally hard.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I rely on my gut. If it feels like I’ve done it before, then I stand up and walk away from my computer. I go for a walk. I call a friend and talk it out. I read. Or I watch television. Anything to clear my mind so I can go back to it with a different perspective. But I also make sure I plot the series. I know before I start book one what each book is going to be about.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

It’s a job. Yes. Pieces of you will bleed onto the page. But it’s still your job and you have to treat it that way.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

I work every day. If I’m not writing, I’m doing something else related to my job as a writer, so it’s hard to say. In general I work a 40-60 hour work week. The majority of that time is spent writing when I’m on deadline.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

I always the character I’m writing right now. But truthfully, my first hero I every wrote: Jared Blake from IN TWO WEEKS. I think because I spent so much time with him and his heroine and on that book.

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

That would be like asking me which is my favorite child! LOL. Too many too choose from. But Okay. I’ll play. Let’s do Legacy of Lies. It’s a Romantic Suspense Novel. It’s a bit twisted. I’d want Emma Stone and Miles Teller to play hero and Heroine. I’d want Edward Norton to play the bad guy!

What is your definition of success?

Readers reading my books. Readings talking about my books. It’s always about the readers. Without them, I just don’t exist.

 What are your social links?

Bookbub
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jen-talty

FACEBOOK- the Talty Crew
https://www.facebook.com/groups/191706547909047/

GOODREADS
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2899568.Jen_Talty

INSTAGRAM
https://instagram.com/jen_talty

TWITTER
https:/twitter.com/jentalty

Facebook personal
https://www.facebook.com/JenTaltyRomanceAuthor

Facebook Author
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenTalty/

Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/jentalty/

Newsletter signup
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/od3icplesg

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

https://amazon.com/author/jentalty
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=jen+talty
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/jen%20talty
https://jentalty.com

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

#WOTR23 #Police #Mystery #PartofaSeries – Deadly Secrets (New York State Trooper Series Book 3) by Jen Talty, narration by Kate Udall

Deadly Secrets (New York State Trooper Series Book 3) by [Jen Talty]

” After staring down the wrong end of a gun, not once, but twice, all Patty Harmon had wanted was to have a little fun. She’d spent most her life taking care of everyone else but herself. And while she had a plan for her life, she hadn’t yet started to live her life. So, when the aloof, distant, and emotionally unavailable New York State Trooper Reese McGinn takes an interest in her, she’s all in…for the moment. When the moment is over, they go their separate ways and Patty can get back to her life plan. But once again, that plan is interrupted when Patty finds herself pregnant. She’ll let Reese back in for the sake of the child, but can she keep Reese from stealing her heart?

New York State Trooper Reese McGinn has been haunted by his late mothers confession and the secret she still took to her grave. For the last seven years, he’s done nothing but move from job to job and town to town, vowing to never put down roots. But when his summer fling with Patty Harmon ends with a child on the way, he decides that its time to forget the past. Only the past doesn’t want to forge him and a deadly secret rises from the grave, threatening to take away everything he thought he thought he never wanted.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchased this audiobook.

I was looking for a new something something to read and grabbed this book from a new to me author.  The blub got my attention annnnd it came on audio.  Double win!!

The story is about Patty.  She is a town local and always does the RIGHT thing.  But for once in her life, she decided to not be the “Good Girl” but a “Naughty Girl” and have a fling with the town Playboy, Reese.  Of course, Patty falls hard for Mr. Tall Dark and BADGED!!!

Reese has a lot of skeletons in his closet.  IT’S so full he sure as hell can’t close it with out ramming up to the door and jamming it shut.  He meets Patty and is all in for a few one-night stands when all of a sudden, he realized he kinnnnnda likes her.  SO of course, he must run for the hills.  When Mr Reese puts in for a transfer he gets a call of a man with a gun in Patty’s office!!  911 To the rescue!!!

Patty is not having a great day.  The guy she is falling for breaks it off, she is pregnant with said mans baby annnnd now a dude has a gun ….in her face…..This is definitely going to be  baaaad day.

Reese and Patty survive the office drama and have to “Talk”.  Patty and Reese both need to open up but both are scared outta their minds.   Patty because she knows he isn’t the settle down kind and Reese is being ruled by his past.   When Reese makes some decisions to help his soon to be child and hopefully the woman he will spend his life with, more drama ensues.  *GASP* Who is trying to kill him, Patty, and of course ruin his new life plans.

I enjoyed the story but a few times I wanted to shake both Patty and Reese because ….STUBBORN….

I did like the twist at the end of who the bad guy was.  I didn’t see all whole twist ending coming but the parts I didn’t see had me going “Oh snap!”

The narration was done well and I enjoyed Kate’s voice for all of the characters in the story.

Jen Talty is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal Romance. In the fall of 2020, her short story was selected and featured in a 1001 Dark Nights Anthology. She is currently contracted to write in the With Me in Seattle series by Kristen Proby with Lady Boss Press, as well as Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha and Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors.

Regardless of the genre, her goal is to take you on a ride that will leave you floating under the sun with warmth in your heart. She writes stories about broken heroes and heroines who aren’t necessarily looking for romance, but in the end, they find the kind of love books are written about :).

She first started writing while carting her kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. Her first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 she helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where she ran the technical side of the business through 2016.

Jen is currently enjoying the next phase of her life…the empty nester! She and her husband reside in Jupiter, Florida.

Grab a glass of vino, kick back, relax, and let the romance roll in…