Life Is Expensive...Books Aren't by Jannine Gallant

Life is expensive. Just getting through the month in the black can sometimes be a challenge. For that reason, we all gravitate toward sales and feel like we've scored a victory when we get a great deal. I, for one, am a deal shopper in everything from clothes to groceries. Or maybe I'm just cheap...

Let's take a look at the price of life. It certainly varies from location to location. Homes are a prime example. In the United States, the median cost of a home is $217,000 (I looked it up in case you were wondering). In Tahoe City, the median price is $720,00. No wonder my husband says we have to move if we ever want to retire! Our gas prices here are also ridiculous. Currently, $4.29 per gallon for the cheap stuff. If you live in the South, you pay $2.55 per gallon. I can't even imagine such a windfall at the pump! But, average wages are higher in CA than in a lot of other places. In Tahoe, there is very little unemployment, although work tends to be seasonal. We all have our own set of challenges.

BUT, people everywhere seem to be willing to shell out $3 to $4 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks without batting an eye. And how about greeting cards. I spend 20 minutes scrounging through the shelves for a card that costs $3.50 because I REFUSE to spend $6 on a freaking birthday card!

Then there are books. No matter where you live, books cost the same. And, in general, they're a damn sight cheaper than a birthday card! I honestly get why no one is going to pay $15 for a Print On Demand book by an unknown author. But they'll pay $15 for a digital book by Nora Roberts! FIFTEEN DOLLARS!! I just checked and nearly fainted when I saw the price. And that book, her latest, is currently ranked #18 in romance! But when we price our digital books at $3.99, readers think they're too expensive. FOUR DOLLARS for hours of enjoyment!! A price they routinely shell out for a cup of coffee that will last fifteen minutes, or a birthday card someone will look at for fifteen seconds and then throw away. Yet the book, which will probably take a reader 6ish hours to finish, is too expensive? I just don't get it.

However, I'm game when my publisher puts one of my books on sale. Because if you can't spend 99 cents on a book, you're even cheaper than I am! All my BORN TO BE WILDE books are on sale for the entire month of October for only 99 CENTS!! If you haven't read this series, now is the time to start. Here is the link on AMAZON. Or pull up the links on my WEBSITE to purchase from other retailers. Happy reading!

Fresh Covers for a New Year! by Jannine Gallant

I've mentioned before that my BORN TO BE WILDE series is getting new covers. The old ones had more of a contemporary feel, so they wanted to update them with a suspenseful vibe. My publisher has been teasing me by sharing them one at a time, and I finally got the fourth cover. They are officially changing them out on all the major retail sites this week. Today is day one of the four-day cover reveal. Yippee!

So, here they are! I like the new look. What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

Whether or not the new covers will improve sales remains to be seen. I'm crossing my fingers. If you haven't read them yet, find the buy links on my WEBSITE. Happy New Year, everyone!

When Your "Adult" Children Come Home by Jannine Gallant

Younger (Kristen) and Older (Tara)

Summer break is here. College kids are streaming home in droves...including mine. I'm noticing an interesting change in dynamics around the house. First on the list--grocery shopping. We're constantly running out of food because I've apparently forgotten how much my twenty-year-old daughter eats! Approximately three times what her eighteen-year-old sister, finishing up her senior year, consumes. Tara races in triathlons and is still in training, so she has some excuse, but still! Then there's the added laundry. The girl is also twice as dirty as her sister...probably from all that running and biking and swimming. Yes, I'm a sucker and wash it, but then I dump it in her room. My generosity doesn't extend to folding. I've also noticed a difference in my expectations. I text my younger daughter to see where she is, what she's doing, when she'll be home, etc. etc. I actually don't do that with the older one. Since I'm pretty sure I have almost no idea what she's up to 90% of the time while she's at college, I probably don't need to micro-manage her summer. And I'm okay with that. Shocking! Finally, she actually put gas in the car without me asking AND PAID FOR IT HERSELF. An unheard-of sign of adulthood. My younger one would never dream of gassing up the car. She gives it back when the little tank light is flashing imminent destruction. Maybe one of these days...

As you all may remember, I have a new release available now. WILDE HORSES wraps up the BORN TO BE WILDE series. This is Eden's story, the youngest Wilde sibling. Eden lives at home, with her parents, at age 26! But you have to cut her some slack since she helps run the family ranch. Still, there are a few awkward moments when an extremely hot, charming, and irresistible movie star arrives on the scene. Parents will always be parents!

So, how's your summer shaping up? Any big changes on the horizon? If you need some fun summer reading, pick up a copy of WILDE HORSES at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Apple. Happy reading!

WILDE HORSES ~ Last in a Series by Jannine Gallant

WILDE HORSES, my 4th and final book in the BORN TO BE WILDE series releases on May 23rd. I'm excited, of course, but also a little sad. It's tough saying good-bye to the Wilde family after spending a couple of years with them, writing their stories. I always have that bit of nostalgia when I end a series. Am I the only oddball who feels this way? As a writer, do you miss your characters? If you're a reader, do you hate to see a series end?

To get you in the mood for WILDE HORSES, here's an excerpt. I'll call this one movie star meets cowgirl...

     Movement caught his attention as a small figure exited the side door of the barn. Wavy dark hair cascaded from beneath a tan cowboy hat. When she turned to face the collection of vehicles, the curves beneath a pink, short-sleeved shirt revealed a petite woman, not the young girl he’d imagined when her brothers talked about their little sister. Jeans hugged slim hips, and her boots crunched gravel in a no-nonsense stride as she headed his way. The frown that drew dark brows together over deep blue eyes made it clear she was less than thrilled by their presence.

     With nothing else to occupy his attention, curiosity got the better of him, and Blake strolled out to meet her. Her steps slowed as she met his gaze, and a round O shaped pink lips before she pressed them together.

     He held out a hand. “I’m Blake Benedict.”

     After a moment, she gripped his palm for a brief shake. “Eden Wilde. My family owns this ranch.”

     “Nice to meet you. The spread is beautiful, exactly the way Sawyer described it. I’m glad the producers chose it for our location shots.”

     She pointed toward the pasture. “Is there any way your people could make a little less noise with that equipment? Those horses are nervous enough without all the clamor.”

     Gorgeous and spunky. Her wide blue eyes held not one hint of starstruck reverence. A refreshing change.

     “I suppose I can ask them to keep it down.” Blake couldn’t hold back a grin as he tried to remember the last time someone had ordered him off on a menial errand. “Once the staging area is set up, I’m sure it’ll get a little quieter.”

     Behind them, a generator fired up with a roar. Out in the pasture, the assortment of scraggly horses kicked up their heels and ran.

     Those amazing eyes narrowed. “Are you kidding me?”

     He glanced over his shoulder. “Sounds like that’s coming from the food truck. They have to keep their refrigeration system going…” His voice trailed off as she silently mouthed a single obscenity.

     Maybe spunky wasn’t the right word. More like unabashedly brazen.

     “I knew this was a horrible idea.” The muttered words were audible, even over the din.

     “I’m afraid the buses all have generators, too. Uh, the noise shouldn’t be too bad from the house. I’m pretty sure that’s why the crew chose this spot for our base camp.”

     Eden closed her eyes and pressed fingers to her temples. He’d almost swear she was counting beneath her breath.

     “I guess I’ll have to move my horses to a different pasture.” Spinning on the heel of one leather boot, she stomped away.

     “Wow.” His slow smile grew with each determined step she took. When she disappeared around the corner of the barn, Blake headed back to his bus, which would be his home away from home for the next month. After opening the storage bin beneath it, he pulled out a lawn chair he carried toward the pasture, then set it up facing the mountains some distance to the west. Taking a seat, he let out a sigh. Maybe the wide-open spaces would help him clear his head. Lately, responsibilities and obligations tugged at him from every direction. He needed time to simply chill.

     And if a dark-haired spitfire added entertainment value, so be it.

Blurb:

The Wilde brothers may be attracted to all things fast and furious. But their spirited sister can’t be tamed when it comes to matters of the heart . . .

The beautiful vistas and peace and quiet on her family’s Wyoming ranch are a balm for Eden Wilde’s soul—and inspire a gentle touch when it comes to breaking the wild horses she loves. Though there’s no hope on the breathtaking horizon for her love life. Until her sanctuary is invaded by a movie studio shooting their latest blockbuster starring Hollywood’s man of the moment.

After a personal tragedy plays out in his real life, movie star Blake Benedict finds himself falling for the wide-open spaces and easy going pace of Wyoming—and for Eden. Around her, he feels safe shedding his public persona and letting down his guard. But then accidents begin to happen on set, mishaps that could end Blake’s career—or his life. And Eden will be forced out of her comfort zone to save the Hollywood hero from an enemy he never saw coming . . .

Pre-order WILDE HORSES now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, KOBO. Check out my website for info on my other BORN TO BE WILDE titles. Happy reading!