After hitting the New York Times with her anthology last month, the wonderful Jaci Burton has a new book out this Tuesday! And she’s here today to answer our question of the day…What is the ONE THING you know now that you wish you’d known then?
The one thing I wish I knew then that I know now was to enjoy the time I was unpublished. It was so much easier back then. My writing was more free, more unstructured and less bound by deadlines and expectations and stress. I had no idea this writing thing would get harder, not easier. We work so hard to become published we don’t enjoy the time we have before we get there, the time to just be a creative soul.
Jaci’s new book hits stores this week. It is the final book in her Wild Riders series…and doesn’t it sound delicious?
AJ and Pax work together as undercover operatives for a government agency of bad-boy bikers known as the Wild Riders. And though they play as hard as they work, both men are looking for the one woman who can tame them…
On vacation, AJ and Pax run into AJ’s high school sweetheart, Teresa. While they’re catching up at Teresa’s bar, a fight erupts between two biker gangs, leaving one man dead and Teresa’s brother wrongly accused of murder. With no proof and Teresa as the only eye witness, the trio points their Harleys toward the annual bike rally in South Dakota in hot pursuit of the real killer…
Her life in jeopardy, AJ and Pax become Teresa’s fierce protectors. But a past trauma keeps Teresa guarded, unable to trust them–until AJ and Pax uncover her secret and vow to do anything to help her heal. And in their arms she discovers a sensual desire that knows no boundaries, a passion strong enough to overcome her tragic past and awaken a force that brings both men to their knees.
Danger may temporarily bind the three together, but it’s their shared passion that will lead them to the ride of their lives: love.
And of course, the generous Jaci is giving away a backlist book to one commenter today…and as an added bonus, she’s not disqualifying international entries. Just post a comment! Winner announced tomorrow.
Missed some of our previous ONE THING features? Check them out HERE!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Deadlines (whether they be for school papers, job projects, or fundraisers) always seem so far off and doable. I’ve panicked a few times when time runs out!! Life’s never free of pressure!
Congrats on your success!
johnslake at usa dot com
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Hi Jaci,
I can see how having deadlines and lots of people looking forward to your new book, which you’re still writing, can get in the way of your creativity. I only write in my journal yet I always send some entries to my sister to keep her up to date. Having this “audiance” sometimes tampers with my writing but I try not to think about what she might think cause my stuff is better if I pretend it’s just for my eyes only.
Your book Riding The Night sounds great! btw.
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Now that I’m beginning to enter the land of editor and agent feedback, I totally get what you are saying. “Hard work” doesn’t begin to cover it some days! It’s such a delight, putting the words on paper, but certainly not easy.
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Hey Jaci, Welcome to Plotmonkeys.
I love to write and would like to publish at least one book; however I wouldn’t necessarily want to write full time. I appriciate those of you who do and alway look forward to adding new authors to my TBR pile.
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I love Jaci’s books
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Welcome to the jungle, Jaci :)
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Welcome to the jungle, Jaci! Read many of your books, and need to pick up some of the Wild Riders books.
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Hi, Jaci! Welcome back! Yeah, wish I’d remembered/known to enjoy more when it was easier too!!!!
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I love Jaci’s Books! There so awesome. Please count me in.
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Ooh, the final book in the series? Congrats, Jaci! And thanks for sharing your One Thing–always good to benefit from another’s wisdom!
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Hi Jaci
Thoughtful post. If I can transfer that to sports, I play better tennis when I’m just hitting the ball & not taking score. “Just do it” makes a lot of sense. I think our minds mess us up most of the time.
Don’t enter me. I have all your wonderful books & the newest one on the way.
Just wanted to be here to pimp your awesome writing.
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Welcome to the Jungle, Jaci
Have a wonderful day all,
Cher
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oh, man I LOVE the Wild Riders series….so sad this will be the last one, but I am soooo looking forward to reading it.
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Sounds like a great book!
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Jaci, can’t wait to read your new book! It sounds so good..I love your books!!
Donna (deerdoe69)
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I loved your post here and it’s always great to ‘meet’ you.
Hope you and Charlie are well.
Valerie
in Germany
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It is nice to do things at your own pace, not be under the demand of time… with everything that you authors have to deal with, I want to thank you for the end result… the wonderful books we the readers get to enjoy!
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Hi Jaci,
Thanks for the post. I always say that I enjoy being back in grad school because I really do like learning new things. However, it would be much better if I didn’t have to complete assignments & be stressed about deadlines. I guess I take the good with the bad. Have a nice weekend.
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Congrats on your newest release! I can’t wait until Tuesday. My one thing… Don’t fall in love with the first jerk you meet. Go to college first, have fun, live. You have plenty of time for those jerks later on and love too!
Have a great weekend!
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Howdy all! Hope everyone in the States is enjoying this holiday weekend!
Big thanks to Carly, Julie, Leslie and Janelle for letting me guest here today, and thanks to all of you for your comments! Low key weekend for me…writing as always.
Have a great weekend, all!
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I absolutely love everything I have read by Jaci and I am currently working on acquiring her entire backlist, gonna take awhile, lol. A little help wouldn’t go unapprecaited.
AJ and Pax will def. be visiting my house on Tuesday.
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I love these books
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Welcome to the jungle, Jaci! It is great to see you swinging around here with us. Love the advice, and I am taking it to the fullest. Enjoying the freedom I have to explore my talent and hone it to the best of my ability. I used to the think that it was very stressful just trying to get the first ms done, but as I wade through waters of writing and talking with author friends, I am learning that just aint so. These are the stressfree times. Need to keep reminding myself of that whenever I get stuck on my current wip. Congrats on hitting the NYB list. Looking forward to more of your books. Thanks again for hanging out with us. I will check in again later.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I’m adding Wild Riders to my tbr list.
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Hi Jaci, welcome to the Jungle. This sounds like a great series. I’ll have to check into the books.
Your one thing is so true. I see people so focused on career, or some goal that they don’t enjoy now. I sometimes wonder if they have any idea what they are missing. That said, it would be a dull old world if we were all the same.
Everyone have a great weekend. Relax & find time to read.
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Welcome Jaci,
Congrats on the upcoming release of “Riding the Night.”
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I really enjoy bad boy biker story’s.
Congratulations on the release of Riding The Night.
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Have read the other books in this series and am looking forward to this one!
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Thank you for the great advice, Jaci :-)
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Love your Wild Riders series Jaci and I can’t wiat till I get my hands on AJ and Pax’s book! Have a great weekend!
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Hi! I guess doing something for oneself is more fun than doing something for others as well. It’s the avocation vs. vocation dilemma. I’ll look for your books the next time I’m at the bookstore.
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If I could, I would tell my younger self to just go for the ‘impractical’ dream and not be afraid. I tell all younger people this nowadays. There is time to make mistakes and wrong turns, it’s ok, just go for it.
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I’m a little late on the welcome, but just wanted to say a big hello to Jaci, and to agree with her “one thing” comment. Writing WAS so much easier before getting published! Now, with every book I write, it’s harder and harder! I know that pre-published writer may find that hard to believe, but it’s so true! Enjoy the process while you still have the freedom to do so.
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A quote I say all the time – never say never. I use to say never and it always comes back and bites you on the @ss!!
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I am so intrigued by the premise!
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Deadlines are definitely stressful – especially when they are nearing and you don’t even seem half way over the hurdle. So happy you were published and releasing such awesome books – can’t wait to read this one!
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Sounds interesting.
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Oh no, the end of a series, I know lots of guys are crying but I’m sure we’ll love your next series/ books just as much.
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ur books are completely new to me; is there one in particular you’d recommend I start with? or anybody else here have a suggestion as well? thanks for the help
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Hope I am not too late! Would love to have one of Jaci’s Backlist books. I have only read one of your books so far.
Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day Weekend everyone.
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I love this series! Can’t wait to get AJ and Pax’s story! Congrats on the new release!
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congrats on your newest release! I can’t wait to read it :)
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I know how you feel about deadlines. The stress is dreadful. Try not to stress out to much.
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Parenting is a whole lot harder than it looked when I was a kid!
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I love that the series is concluding with a menage! Way to talk about going out with a bang. (Pun sort of intended). :)
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Looking forward to read this one.
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I just signed up for your newsletter today. I have been reading your books for the last couple of years. You never disappoint. I bought your new book last week and can’t wait to get started on it. I hope you keep writing for many years to come. My husband appreciates my taste in books too. LOL