Jennifer Becton's Blog, page 11

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Of course you have! After all, it’s already the end of July! We only have 5 months left to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones.

[Insert fake panic attack here.]

(If you have already started your shopping for this year, please don’t tell me. I’ll get an inferiority complex.)

Okay, so maybe you haven’t made your Christmas list yet (fuggedabout checking it twice), but maybe you have an upcoming birthday or anniversary, or you just want to celebrate something mundane, like Tuesday….

I thought Holidays with Jane‘s Christmas in July was the ideal time to share some of my favorite things from the first half of the year. These might be gifts ideas or delicious recipes suitable for friends or family for any special occasion.

Or you could always give yourself a little present.

Just sayin’. (I’ll add links where I can.)

Michael’s String Journal (fauxdori)

For years I’ve been looking for the perfect planner system. If you hadn’t guessed by my genre-hopping writing habits, I have eclectic tastes. A grid system–hourly, daily, weekly, monthly–ain’t gonna cut it. I wanted plenty of places to make lists in different categories, take notes, track mileage, you name it. I used to have scraps of paper and notebooks scattered all over the house, and I never had the right notebook at hand when I needed it.

Then, I stumbled across the Midori Traveler’s notebook, which is basically a classy leather “binder” that fits numbers notebook inserts. I purchased a “fauxdori”–the Recollections String Journal–from Michael’s so that I could test the concept without spending a load of dough. (I can’t find it online, but they sell them in store for about $15. Don’t forget to check for coupons.)

I love it.

It’s compact, light, and customizable. (There are about a squillion tutorials on YouTube that demonstrate how to make your own inserts, pockets, and sleeves. Or you can purchase them. Whatever makes you happy.) The only thing I didn’t like about the Michael’s version was the string closure. So I removed it and replaced it with–wait for it–a headwrap from the Dollar Tree.

Now, I have a small notebook for every subject, all in one place.

Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandals

That’s right. I said it. Birkenstocks. When these came into fashion back in the day, I didn’t get a pair. But today, I’m in love. I’ve owned mine for two years, and they are still in great shape and super comfy. I look forward to slipping them on.

Starbucks Flat White

This drink is old news, but I tried it for the first time a few months back. I cannot get enough. Forget about flavored syrups–I’m looking at you Pumpkin Spice!–and try this drink for its texture alone. Seriously. Do it.

Drinking Chocolate

If coffee isn’t your bag, baby, you must try this recipe. It would be excellent for holiday entertaining or just sipping on a cold winter night.

Or, you know, Tuesday.

They suggest using a French Press for frothing, but you can use a milk frother instead. That’s what I do.

Pour it over vanilla ice cream for additional delight.

(Holiday) Entertainment

I hardcore love holiday movies and TV episodes. Admittedly, I haven’t been reading or watching a lot of holiday themed stuff at the moment. But here’s what I’ve been loving:

Homicide Hunter on Investigation Discovery
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix
The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs

I don’t do book reviews, but this is what I’ve been reading and enjoying in my spare time.

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Our Gift to You

Right now, Holidays with Jane: Christmas Cheer is free on Kindle. Download it and get in the holiday spirit early.

Also, you can also enter to win an Amazon gift card, books, and other assorted goodies.

Join Us for a Twitter Group Watch of White Christmas (available on Netflix) on Monday, 07/25, starting at 5 PST / 8 EST. Make sure to follow me (@JenniferBecton) and Jessica Grey (@_JessicaGrey)

Find the full Christmas in July schedule here.

In the comments below, tell me some of your favorite things from the first half of the year…and you might just have a chance to win a signed first-edition (the not-quite-perfect version) copy of Charlotte Collins! (US residents only. International shipping is expensive.)

And remember…

 

I wrote 10,000 words on Sunset Clause this week! I’m celebrating with pizza.

The post Christmas in July appeared first on Becton Literary.

Spring is a great time to freshen up things, including books!

To that end, over the next week or so, you’ll notice some changes to the look of the Southern Fraud Thriller series and this accompanying websites and Facebook pages, including:

Redesigned Southern Fraud Thriller website


Improved blog design


All New Covers for the Southern Fraud Thriller Series


Paperbacks gone matte


Ebooks Simplified and Streamlined




Revamped Southern Fraud Interiors for a Cleaner Reading Experience

If you already own the Kindle editions, you can get the updated covers and interiors. Here’s how to set your Kindle to receive automatic updates.

Want a sneak peek at the new look?

What do you think?

 

The post Spring Cleaning in Progress appeared first on Becton Literary.

Friday, April 8, 2016

 

Season 6 of The Walking Dead ended on a cliffhanger.

The Biggest Bad’s arrival had been teased for the second half of the season, and finally, in the last segment, Negan arrives after a dramatic buildup of tension. Then, he kills someone with a barbed-wire-wrapped bat.

But who?

Fade to black.

Ignore the spelling errors. I have no idea who made this.

Look, it was a nice cliffhanger. Not that I’m a fan of cliffhangers. But we’re talking about a TV season finale, and that sort of nonsense is to be expected.

What peeved me was the writers’ explanation for it on The Talking Dead:

I would have preferred him to skip the BS literary excuse: “The cliffhanger isn’t the story…. The story of who died…is the story for season 7.” Sorry, dude. The story for season 7 is how the survivors carry on after this character’s death and with the complications of Psychopath Negan. That excuse would only be true if we spent all of season 7 trying to figure out who died. Or even who killed him or her.

I expect a lot out of The Walking Dead’s writers. They are very good and obviously put a lot of thought and detail into their plots and characterizations. It’s fine if they wanted a cliffhanger, but don’t give me that BS literary excuse.

The post On Cliffhangers: The Walking Dead appeared first on Becton Literary.

March 16, 2016

Kindle owners! Critical update needs to be installed on your device by March 22.

For more information, check this article.

How to Update (in case you forgot):

Plug your Kindle in to charge during the update.
Connect to Wi-Fi.
From the Home screen of your Kindle, select Menu or tap the Menu icon. Then choose Sync and Check for Items. The update will begin automatically.
Leave your Kindle connected to both power and Wi-Fi overnight, or until the update is complete. (via MSN)

To find out if your Kindle has already updated, go here.

The post Critical Kindle Update by March 22 appeared first on Becton Literary.

You’re Invited!

To join a group for fans of the Southern Fraud Thriller series and the forthcoming Mercer Murder series by J. W. Becton. A place to meet fellow readers, get updates and exclusive content, and learn facts behind the books. So pour yourself a sweet tea and join us!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MercerGeorgia/

The post Welcome to Mercer, Georgia Facebook Group appeared first on Becton Literary.

The Kindle editions of Charlotte Collins and Caroline Bingley are on sale for $2.99 for a limited time!
Click the images below to go to their Amazon pages.

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The post Kindle Sale: Charlotte Collins and Caroline Bingley appeared first on Becton Literary.