Julie James

My new manuscript survived its first beta read.  Whew!  

But because I’m my own harshest critic, now it’s time for editing, editing.  That’s what my life is all about right now.  I spent all day revising the climax of my manuscript, and finally put it away at 9pm, still not satisfied.  Two minutes after I walked away, the solution hit me.  Funny how that happens.  I’ll sit at the computer, wracking my brain, determined to finish just this scene, when what I really need is to just stop thinking about it.  

So because I’m going crazy here in editing-mode, there isn’t as much time for blogging these days… But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two really exciting things:  Practice Makes Perfect got a starred review from Booklist, and Just the Sexiest Man Alive received a whopping 98 from Mrs. Giggles!  I was just so thrilled to see both these reviews– in a crazy week dealing with endless editing, a cranky two year-old with a cold, and a cranky me (after said two year-old gave me his cold) these were just the things I needed to perk me up.  So thanks Booklist and Mrs. Giggles!

And for those (several) of you who so highly recommended it, I just started reading Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard.  I have to say– I am really, really enjoying this book.  The sparring between the heroine and hero is right up my alley.  So thanks everyone– keep those recommendations coming!  And one of these days, I’m going to read my first paranormal, I swear…

Stay tuned– I’ll write more soon.  I hope.

So this afternoon my husband was reading the Chicago Sun-Times, and what does he stumble upon?  They reviewed Practice Makes Perfect!  It’s a GREAT review– here’s a short snippet:

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James is a tantalizing dessert — a delicious, delightful read that all hopeless romantics will enjoy. If you like romantic comedies then you will not be disappointed with this book.

…There are a couple comedic scenes in the book that you could envision in next summer’s romantic blockbuster. There’s a particularly laugh-out-loud scene involving a courtroom, a jury, a split skirt and an exposed butt.

Wow.  Such a great way to cap off a wonderful weekend!  And boy, is that peeky-cheeks scene ever turning out to be a crowd pleaser.  Is it bad to admit that I laughed out loud while writing it?

Speaking of great ways to finish off a weekend, I just finished reading Shiloh Walker’s Fragile.  It’s a dark, emotional read– and one I found nearly impossible to put down.  And now I’m dying to know if we’re going to get Quinn’s story…

Next up for me was supposed to be Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard.  And as much as I’m really looking forward to it, I wasn’t sure I was ready for another suspense after Fragile.  So instead, based on repeated recommendation, I will be reading:

This is only the second historical I’ve read, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I’m only five pages in and the hero has been beaten up and the heroine shot somebody in the throat.  What a way to get the reader’s attention!  I can’t wait to find out more about the infamous Derek Craven.

How about you–what are you reading?  And how do you decide what to pick next in your TBR pile?

This past Saturday, I did a signing at a Barnes & Noble here in Chicago and I had such a great time!  There was a wonderful turn-out– I think one of the best parts of being an author has to be getting the opportunity to meet and talk to readers.  I had such fun conversations– I swear, the romance community is just the most fabulously interesting group of people.  And I even learned all about my local RWA chapter (something I really need to look into joining) and I picked up a book recommendation, too:  Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas.  This will be only the second historical I’ve ever read (I know, I know, I need to rectify that situation) and I can’t wait to check out the infamous Derek Craven, who I’ve heard is very, very yummy…

So I already knew this, but I have to say that I really am blessed to have the most amazing group of friends and family.  I was incredibly touched that so many of them came by the signing.  I should’ve taken more photos– but of course I was too busy talking to remember that– although I at least managed to get this one of me and my friends Debra and Kellie.  And how about this– I was thrilled that an old guy friend of mine that I hadn’t seen for fifteen years showed up.  Ahh… the power of Facebook.

Not surprisingly, a lot of my friends are lawyers.  There was a moment at the signing when I looked around and just had to smile– I wondered if there’s ever before been such a large gathering of lawyers–men and women– standing around discussing contemporary romance.  And yes, they’re my friends so I might be a tad biased here, but they’re just such a witty and fun group.  What cracks me up about that is that I’ve had several readers mention to me that they normally don’t like stories about lawyers.

Now, don’t get me wrong… I can tell you from personal experience that some lawyers definitely are first-class a-holes.  But I wonder, generally speaking, where do these negative impressions of lawyers come from?  Is it what we see portrayed on television and in movies?  Is it based on personal experience?  Or maybe it’s just that the “bad” lawyers stand out so much more than the good ones?  

So here’s the question: if you’ve had a bias either for or against lawyer characters in novels,  what led you to feel that way?   Or, if you like some stories involving lawyers but not others, which ones work for you and why?

It has been one crazy week since the release of Practice Makes Perfect!  I’m so thrilled that the book made the bestseller lists for both Borders and Amazon.  And in fact, just today PMP moved up to #25 in the Borders contemporary romance bestseller list.  Yeah!

So Rowena from Book Binge sent me this photo here, of Practice Makes Perfect and Just the Sexiest Man Alive in a bookstore in Torrance, CA.  Aww… don’t they look cute on the shelf together like that?  Thanks, Rowena, for the picture!

Practice Makes Perfect continues to do really well review-wise, too!  Buffie Johnson over at Romance Novel TV just gave it 4 1/2 stars.  She says she was “giggling and rooting [Payton and J.D.] on as they made sarcastic little digs at one another…  [i]t all just made me smile.”  And just yesterday, another reader, Elyssa, posted this on my Facebook wall after reading PMP:

Best. Book. Ever. Pitch perfect in every singular way. Loved, loved, loved it. I loved it so much, I went back and reread it (then went back to my favorites—hello, law library scene). By far, the best last line of a book.

Thanks, Elyssa!  As an author, it’s so great to hear that people are enjoying the book!

Speaking of authors and readers, just yesterday I had coffee with two fellow (and fabulous) Chicagoans– author Beth Kery and Stacy of Stacy’s Place on Earth.  We talked about books, blogs, Lori Foster’s Author/Reader get together, and had sort of an unusual encounter with another patron who apparently had been listening in on our conversation… I think Stacy plans to talk more about it on her blog (and she’s got photos of us!), so if you’re curious, you can drop her site to find out more.

So yesterday afternoon was coffee and great conversation about books, then I headed off to a wine-tasting with a friend where we talked more about books (she’s an English teacher), a lot about wine, and a ton of other fun things that naturally will come up when two women are drinking a lot of wine.  Tonight I’m off to my book club meeting, which means, yep, more wine (I really don’t have a problem, I swear.  It’s just a crazy week), and more fun.  And with this month’s selection, I’ll bet there will be all sorts of discussion about the book.  We read Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock and, boy, does that book pack an emotional punch.  About two sisters living with their abusive stepfather and emotionally distant mother, it’s definitely not a light read, but a very compelling one.  Next up for me is Fragile by Shiloh Walker, and then Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh.  This will be my first book for both authors, and I’m really excited.

So I’m curious:  do you have a lot of friends with whom you discuss books?  When you read a good book, who is the first person you want to tell about it?

Oh– I almost forgot to mention– this week I’m hanging out at all sorts of fun places:  on Wednesday at both Romance Reviews Today and What Women Read, and then Friday I’ll be at Jennifer’s Random Musings. Drop on by if you get a chance!

Today I’m hanging out with the girls over at Cheeky Chicago and talking about my books, Chicago, and of course, cheeky heroines.  And I’m so loving the title of the interview: “Just the Cheekiest Author Alive.”  Ha– would my husband ever agree with that.  If there’s a title for “Cheekiest Wife Alive” I’m sure he’s signed me up for that, too.  Two lawyers married to each other… that probably says it all.

Speaking of cheeky girls… those fabulous girls over at The Book Binge listed their favorite reads for the month of February and both Just the Sexiest Man Alive and Practice Makes Perfect made the lists!  Thanks, ladies!

Oh– and one last thing that really made my day: Night Owl Romance just gave Practice Makes Perfect 5/5 hearts and chose it as a Reviewer Top Pick.  Yeah!!  I love that the reviewer used to work at a law firm and that the book brought back memories of a crush she had on one of the interns.

Here’s a little snippet of the review:

Practice Makes Perfect is Ms. James’ second novel and once again takes us into the world of law. I have to say that she’s only getting better with each book she writes. I enjoyed her first novel Just the Sexiest Man Alive, but I loved this work. It brought back memories of my days working in a law office. And the major crush I had on one of our interns. I still have days were I wonder “what if” on that score.

 

Payton and J.D. are lovable and hateable by turns. Their competition is hysterical and honest and you’ll be laughing out loud more than once. The plot moves so well you won’t be able to put the book down till you’re finished with it. You’ll find yourself looking at the clock going “Holy cow I’ve been reading THAT long? It doesn’t feel like it.” You will also be given an accurate insight into the life of an attorney trying to make their way in the world of law.

 

And the happily ever after will make you cheer J.D. and Payton and give you a very warm feeling in your heart. Pick this book up and you won’t be able to put it down. And you will definitely add Ms. James to your favorite author’s list. I know I have.