Jacqueline C. Thomas - Romance Novelist

Archives for March 2023

Cover Reveal: The Lake Michigan Affair

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There she is……

We all judge a book by its cover, it is one of the things that piques our interest to read the back of the book or the inside cover and find out more about the book. It’s that first image or illustration that calls to us. In romance it’s usually pretty easy to tell the subset of the genre (RomCom, RomFantasy, Period piece, etc.) from the cover. The cover is meant not only to set the mood to but give you a good idea of the book. That is what I’ve tried to do with the cover of The Lake Michigan Affair.

The priest’s collar represents Sebastian, the Catholic Bishop of Chicago. And yes, I know a Bishop usually wears something different but in the book this is what Sebastian wears (not sharing spoilers). Pivotal points of the book are set along the Lake Michigan shoreline near North Avenue Beach where this picture was taken.

I knew when I finished my first draft of this book that this is what I wanted this cover to look like. It is so wonderful to see it put together. I hope it piques your interest!

The release date for this book is set for April 14th, 2023.

BIG NEWS: I am self-publishing The Lake Michigan Affair, a steamy, high-stakes romance novel

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The closest thing I can aquaite my writing to is like having children. The work is born from deep within you, and it has to be coaxed, and carefully protected much like a newborn. Lord knows it requires all of your attention, even causing lack of sleep, concentration, and then you have a first draft. I think a first draft is a lot like a small child, it’s moody, requires so much attention and care, as you read through it, erasing parts and adding others. You see it’s potential and after your second draft, it’s more like a teenager, filled with sass, and angst, and still full of so much promise. Eventually, you get to a “final” revision, this is your high schooler going off to college, the moment where you push your baby bird out of the nest and hope it soars. I know this sounds over dramatic, and totally full of myself, but if you’ve ever created art that your passionate about, you’ll get what I’m saying. It is keeping this in mind, that I’ve decided to push my baby bird out of my nest. I’d hoped to give it a more sure footing going the traditional publishing route , but after 3 long years, 2 full manuscript requests, more than 150 queries, I’ve decided to publish The Lake Michigan Affair myself.

I did self publishing once with Quarantine Stories, it was not a slam dunk, nor did I expect it to be. I don’t think it was a failure either, I sure learned a lot, which is always a win. I’ve learned in life that those who are the most successful are those who can pivot, so that is what I am going to do. I’ve written a dozen romance novels thus far, all full length. I’ve qurreyed three of them so far, but the rest remain on my computer unread. I realized that they’re better off in the world as a self published work, for others to hopefully enjoy. I am pushing my most vibrant, healthiest baby blue bird out of my nest this spring. I am terrified, to send it out into the world, but with the overwhelming phenomenon that are the Sinners and Saint Series by Sierra Simone currently are, it would be stupid to hold onto this book any longer.

So dear readers, I want to introduce you to The Lake Michigan Affair. Here is the book summary that will be on the back cover of the book:

Devout Catholic, Rosalie is stuck in an abusive marriage, childless marriage. She is not looking for love, her fate is already sealed with her outwardly perfect surgeon husband Richard. No one knows the depths that Richard will take to keep Rosalie manipulated and broken, which is exactly where he wants her. Everything and everyone in Rosalie’s life blame her for the couple’s infertility.

Catholic Bishop, Sebastian Cole is new to the city and a rising star within the Catholic church. He’s a good man, honest and devout. One night at a charity gala he meets Rosalie and suddenly his world is turned upside down by the incredible woman that has come into his life. Faith, love and duty collide as the two fall into an intense love affair, that neither sought out, but both find as essential as oxygen. Together Rosalie and Sebastian must avoid a scandal, free Rosalie from her abusive marriage, and grapple with their own faith to find their happily ever after.

Over the next coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about this exciting debut, and preparing my youngster (the book) for life out there in the big self-publishing world.

It’s the Little Things

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A perfect Sunday, starts with a boozy, indulgent brunch, followed by an afternoon out in the sun with a good book, and then an evening with a nice glass of wine and jazz. It really is the simplest things that make me happy these days. If California has taught me anything so far it is to slow down, and live with intention. (Yes, you can insert your eye roll here). Our move out West came quickly, at breakneck speed. I’d just started my job search, was in the middle of writing a book, and settled when opportunity came knocking. I am so grateful I was wise enough to realize that opportunity may not come again, so I grabbed it and held on for dear life.

I drove across the country, and started our new life in California by myself. My husband stayed behind with our children and closed up our lives in Chicago. I spent almost four months by myself, for the first time in my life. I didn’t know another soul out here, but I kept going. I look back at that time now, and I am amazed that I made it though what was one of the most difficult, unbearably stressful, and grit riddled experience of my life. Don’t get me wrong, living in California, as wonderful as it is, (and yes it really is wonderful) has it’s challenges too. I try to remind myself, to slow down, take in the scenery, absorb as much as I can of this gorgeous place, after all it’s all just writer’s fodder.

I actually started a new romance book set in LA this past winter. I paused midway though to work on something else and have now come back to it. It’s the first novel that I’ve ever written that is set in LA. I could drone on about the importance of place, but I won’t. All I will say is that find a place that makes you happy and your creativity will flow. Slow down and take the time to savor life, experiences, tastes, friends, good books. You’ll be so much happier and so much more creative.

So here’s to the little things that bring happiness….