ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY # 7

I know you all think sexy Man Candy is my favorite thing *grin* but today I'm going to talk about a few of my other favorite things - Christmas things and Winter things....Food and Drink!

Honey Baked Spiral Ham! Yum. If you've never had one, treat yourself and your family this year. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Next, something I make - Mashed sweet potatoes. My recipe is 4 or 5 large sweet potatoes, 1 can of sweetened condensed mile, 1/2 cup of sugar. Cook potatoes, drain and mash, add milk and sugar, top with marshmallows. This is sinfully good.

My sister-in-law's rolls. They are so good, people pay her to make them for their family gatherings. Total warm, yeasty goodness. Mmmm. I want one now! :)

Oh, yeah. Red Velvet Cake. Can you believe until a couple of years ago I had never tried this delicious dessert?? Criminal, I say! If you haven't given into this pleasure, RUN to the store. And I have to add, just this weekend I tried Red Velvet Cheesecake. Total decadence.

OK, Pomegranate Margarita with a sugar rim and slice of lime. I recently discovered the cooling drink this summer. IT IS DELICIOUS! 'Nuff said.

Hot Chocolate with whipped cream - or better yet and much more decadent, put a scoop of french vanilla ice cream in piping hot chocolate, then top with whipped cream!

Peanut Brittle or Pecan Brittle! Oh yeah, it's hell on your teeth - and I can't make it without a total kitchen disaster, but it is something I buy every year. Or I want for my oh-so-talented friend, Shannon, to send me some. (Hi, Shan!)

And last but not least, Turtle Pretzels. My mother-in-law makes these and I quickly became addicted. You simply take a square pretzel, place a Rollo Candy on it, top with a pecan and bake just until the Rollo gets gooey - not too gooey. Oh, they are so, so, so good.

So tell me a few of your favorite foods for this time of year! One lucky commentator will win a $5 Wild Rose Press gift card and a PDF of my latest release, TWICE IN A LIFETIME!

Amazon Buy: http://tinyurl.com/7gvanj6
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WEBSITE - http://www.jenniferjakes.com And don't forget calorie free Man Candy on my blog every Monday!

Oops...Is My Optimism Showing?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret.  Come closer.  A little closer.  *Hmmph* Okay, too close. 

All kidding aside, I love where I am in life right now.  I feel very blessed, and I can't help it if it shows at times.  Yet, I'm a humble person.  My mother taught me to be thankful for what I have been given, work hard, and keep striving.  Don't get me wrong.  I don't want anyone to think I've got it all figured out--far from it, but I'm just fine with my place right now.

The reason I bring it up is recently a couple authors have expressed some concern about where they are in their careers and in life.  One was hesitant to even try publication because she wasn't sure how to handle any fame-big or little-that might come her way if she were ever published.  The other seemed to be seriously pissed off at the publishing community and was flouting her disregard for agents and editors on her blog, no doubt gaining a little notoriety.

I sooo am not judging.  The more I research, the more I believe there are several routes to publication...or not.  I'm not sure that one version of publication is more succesful than any other unless you hit it big like Nora Roberts or H P Mallory, and publication is not a necessity if your goal is simply to write because you love it.  Whether you choose to go mainstream, indie, or not publish at all, works out in the end.  As long as you're satisfied with your choices, it doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks.

With that in mind, I'm happy with where my career is right now.  I've published a short story with an e-press, and I don't mind entering the occasional contest.  I'm not rushing to submit to agents or editors, but I will never rule that out as an option.  I've begun a short story I have in mind specifically for self-pubbing, and I'm learning to market myself through trial and error and the kind advice of other writers.

So, though I keep my ear to the ground for news on the state of publishing today, I'm not panicked, embittered, or even decided, for that matter.  Right now, I'm cautiously optimistic and taking it one manuscript at a time.

How about you?  Are you throwing your hat in one particular ring?  Are you keeping your publishing options open?  Are you happy where you are?

Happy Writing!

Cherie Marks

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