J.B. McGee ~ Top Ten Things I’ve Learned Being an Author
1. Find someone to be your word police. For me, this person is Katie Ashley. The first document had so much yellow from highlighting that I thought I’d never finish, but now I have figured this out, and I try to be hyperaware of it. It seems with each book there is less yellow than the last.I think when you’re writing a scene, you don’t realize how much you use the same word until a fresh pair of eyes points it out. Also, reading it out loud will help me identify those areas. Don’t be afraid of using pronouns either. Using the character’s names too frequently can be redundant. Again, this was something I did a lot of while writing my first novel, but as I’ve grown, I do it less and less with each novel.
Oh yeah, and commas! I’m probably using too many right now. Make sure you go back and try to re-teach yourself as many grammar rules as you can. Don’t rely on Word. It will miss things, as good as it is. Read More…
Exclusive Forgiven (Excerpt) by J.B. McGee
Forgiven Excerpt
Enjoy! (Rough draft and subject to change.)
Part of me wishes I gone ahead and withdrawn from the semester after Christmas break when I requested my transfer. I could have moved to Atlanta while I waited. If I had not been able to transfer for the spring semester, I could have used that time to plan the wedding.
Now, just thinking about everything I have to do makes me overwhelmed. We’re officially moving me to Atlanta this weekend. It’s all bittersweet. I’ll be even farther away from my sister, my only real family. I know Sam is considering transferring to Emory at the end of the semester, which makes me hopeful that losing the distance with Bradley won’t mean that I’m sacrificing precious time with her. Though the end of the semester is still a long way away, I have hope it will all work out for the best.
Then there’s the wedding. We’ve yet to set a date. He doesn’t believe me when I say I’d be content eloping, but I would be. I just want to be able to be with him in every way. The waiting is killing me, and I worry that his patience is running out. He says it’s not, but I’ve been there, and done that before with Ian.
Ugh at Ian entering my thoughts again. He seems to be on my mind far too frequently. It infuriates me that he’s found yet another way to hurt me. It’s hard for my brain to believe that all of the things he said to me in my apartment were lies. While this weekend seems so long ago, the hurt is still so raw. I wasn’t happy to see him at first. I was definitely speculative, but I have realized that I really wanted to believe him. Worst of all, I enjoyed him to some extent. That makes me feel so guilty.
Shaking my head, I remind myself that I need to prepare myself for the possibility, even though it sickens me, that it’s his; that the baby is Bradley’s. We have no proof that Ian and Veronica were scheming behind our backs. Stop it Gabby. Don’t go there. I swallow the doubt that is creeping into my mind. I trust Bradley. I have to believe that he’s right, and that this is all going to be okay.
All of this makes me kick myself. Because I know that had I taken time off from school, at the very least, we would have had more time to settle into this new life together. We certainly wouldn’t need to be in two different cars right now. I sigh. The timing is absolute crap.
Cover Reveal: Forgiven (#3 of the “This” Series) by J.B. McGee
Synopsis
Everyone has a past…good or bad, they are always there. They lurk and linger in the shadows, sometimes reappearing at the most inconvenient times.
Gabby and Bradley thought that their pasts would remain dormant, that happiness was theirs for the taking. Still the strongest of relationships can be rocked by the ugliness from a previous life, even if it seems to be a world away. The fact remains an ugly past is never distant. It taints everything it touches, drives permanent rifts between loved ones, and sometimes can ruin everything. Gabby and Bradley must find the only way to battle the past. Forgiveness becomes a light through the darkness, a guide for the lost, and hope for the hopeless. With forgiveness comes bright, new beginnings.
WIN the First 3 Books of the “This” Series by J.B. McGee
When J.B. McGee began writing Broken, she had envisioned a trilogy. However, after finishing Mending, she knew that three books was not enough to tell all the stories floating around in her head. Therefore, the “This” trilogy has now become the “This“ series, which will include six books. We chatted with J.B. a few months ago, and you can read the interview HERE. If you missed our fan chat with J.B. on January 29, 2013, you can read it HERE.
Broken
Gabby’s life has been anything but easy. She is surrounded by friends who seem to have everything she doesn’t: money, social standing, and happily married parents. While dealing with the loss of her mother, she experiences her first heartbreak. She commits herself to her studies and runs away from any emotions that aren’t safe. Bradley Banks, a confident CEO and commercial architect, who has long time commitment issues forces Gabby to feel again, but will he be her next heartbreak?
Mending
Gabby has finally started to break down the walls she has worked so hard to build up from all of the heartache she has felt through the years, just as ghosts from Bradley’s past begin to show themselves. Will Gabby find healthy ways to cope with the new heartache she experiences or will she go back to running from the people who pose a risk of hurting her?
Conspiring #2.5
When Bradley refuses to take Veronica to his cousin’s wedding, she finds herself in the company of the charming and attractive Ian. There is no denying that Veronica and Ian have an intense, mutual attraction which draws them together like magnets. But what neither of them realizes is that their attraction isn’t the only thing pulling them together. It is a small world, and it’s about to get a whole lot smaller when an innocent fling turns into an intricate plan to conspire
Coming Soon!
Forgiven (Book 3)
Falling (Book 3.5)
Blinded (Book 4)
Enter our GIVEAWAY for your chance to win ALL THREE (3) eBooks from the “THIS” Series: Broken, Mending, and Conspiring. Open internationally.
Blog Tour Kickoff: Conspiring in Five Words by J.B. McGee
Conspiring in Five Words
Unexpected: I don’t think anyone will expect what transpires in Conspiring. I know I sure didn’t. It seems that while writing my books I have moments where the entire plot twists. I don’t know how to make them happen or where they come from. I had resigned that I wasn’t going to have an “epiphany” with Conspiring. As I entered the last chapter, it came to me in a split second. I couldn’t write the ending fast enough. It was the moment I had been begging and praying for. The moment I knew no amount of brainstorming or planning could produce.
Intense: From the moment the book starts, you have intensity. As much as everyone hates Veronica, she brings intensity. Ultimately, the most intense moment for me was the last chapter. It was heart breaking for me.
Chemistry: You thought Veronica and Bradley had great chemistry? Veronica and Ian have an instant attraction, and their chemistry is undeniable.
Growth: Ian has a lot of growing up to do. We know that from Broken. In Mending, just when you thought he had grown up and was there to redeem himself, you were slapped in the face with a bombshell. In Conspiring, I think you’ll find that everything you thought was a mirage.
Palpable: Again, as much as people hate Veronica, most find that they are able to sympathize and even relate to her. Her emotions are those of which we, as women, have all felt. They are so real and raw that you can literally feel them for her.
Review: J.B. McGee’s Conspiring (Book #2.5 “This” Series)
Title: Conspiring (Book #2.5,”This” Trilogy)
Author: J.B. McGee
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Synopsis: “When Bradley refuses to take Veronica to his cousin’s wedding, she finds herself in the company of the charming and attractive Ian. There is no denying that Veronica and Ian have an intense, mutual attraction which draws them together like magnets. But what neither of them realizes is that their attraction isn’t the only thing pulling them together. It is a small world, and it’s about to get a whole lot smaller when an innocent fling turns into an intricate plan to conspire.”
Finally! It seemed like forever till I got to read about Gabby and Bradley! Well I am still waiting patiently because this story was a great refresher to help me with my withdrawals. I wasn’t sure at first how I would grasp the idea of reading about Veronica and Ian’s story because I’ve read Gabby and Bradley’s side of the events. However, I must say I really enjoyed about how they came to meet and become a couple! I could sympathize with Veronica’s pain over losing Bradley (or her loss because she never really had him) and her way of coping. On the opposite side, I felt like I was cheating a little bit because I realized how likeable Ian is, despite all the drama he caused for Gabby.
This is a definite must read for those who are anticipating the next installment of the This series! You won’t be disappointed; it’s a short story that will certainly satisfy your cravings!
Get your copy NOW of Broken (Book #1), Mending (Book #2) and Conspiring (Book #2.5).
Also, enjoy the playlist to Conspiring 
Transcript ~ Fan Chat with J.B. McGee ~ January 29, 2013
Note: The date of the chat was January 29, 2013 (not February as shown on the document)
Cover Reveal ~ Conspiring (This Trilogy #2.5) by J.B. McGee
Title: Conspiring (This Trilogy #2.5)
Author: J.B. McGee
Genre: Mature Adult
Estimated Publication Date: February 15, 2013
Authors: You can have a cover reveal like this one. For more information, contact Your Movie Boutique.
Synopsis:
When Bradley refuses to take Veronica to his cousin’s wedding, she finds herself in the company of the charming and attractive Ian. There is no denying that Veronica and Ian have an intense, mutual attraction which draws them together like magnets. But what neither of them realizes is that their attraction isn’t the only thing pulling them together. It is a small world, and it’s about to get a whole lot smaller when an innocent fling turns into an intricate plan to conspire. Note: This is a novella to be read after Broken and Mending.
Sneak Peek: Mending by J.B. McGee
As a special holiday treat here’s a SNEAK PEEK at Part 2 in the “This” trilogy by J.B. McGee! Enjoy a snippet of Mending!
Since it’s our LAST day in our Christmas Reads week we have one more giveaway! It is only going to be up for 24 hours; and who ever wins gets not one..but TWO e-books by J.B. McGee! The winner will receive both Broken & Mending!
ENDS MIDNIGHT!! HURRY!!
ENTER HERE
Review: Broken (Book #1, “This” Trilogy)
Title: Broken (Book #1,”This” Trilogy)
Author: J.B. McGee
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Synopsis: Gabby’s life has been anything but easy. She is surrounded by friends who seem to have everything she doesn’t: money, social standing, and happily married parents. While dealing with the loss of her mother, she experiences her first heartbreak. She commits herself to her studies and runs away from any emotions that aren’t safe. Bradley Banks, a confident CEO and commercial architect, who has long time commitment issues forces Gabby to feel again, but will he be her next heartbreak?
Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.
“I have more baggage than baggage claim. I’m damaged goods. I’m not good at…” she released him for a moment and fingered between the two of them “this.”
I had recently seen Broken come through on my Facebook news feed and decided to look it up on Amazon, as I had never heard of it. I was pleasantly surprised to see that J.B. McGee (a first-time author) had just penned this book and recently moved to the Georgia area and close to where I live. So, of course, I really wanted to check out this author who was living in the same state!
The book revolves around Gabby and the struggles she has faced in life, especially with the loss of her mom, which is something I can definitely relate to. Gabby’s heart has been broken on more than one occasion, and she is extremely gun shy. She doesn’t want to go through the pain and suffering that she has experienced on more than one occasion. She doesn’t have a relationship with her father, and she doesn’t want to commit to anyone with fear of having her heart ripped out. But, you never know when love comes knocking on your door, and you have to open up to the possibilities that “this one” may be “the one!”
I liked how J.B. wrote Gabby’s character as she was so sweet, although timid, and I enjoyed the relationship she had with her older sister, Sam. Enter Bradley Banks into the picture, the confident and wealthy business man who is used to getting any girl he wants, and we have a sweet story about love and second chances.
Broken is written simultaneously between the past and the present, alternating back and forth. I wasn’t sure about this type of writing to begin with, but I really did end up liking it. As I got more involved and eager for each present chapter, I would then be taken back to the past in the next chapter…maybe it was just a cool-down period. Either way, I thought it worked well.
What I truly enjoy about first-time Indie authors is to see the progress of their FIRST book from the beginning to the end! And this is one book that is no exception. It’s almost as if I get to witness an author grow up and blossom right before my very eyes. Yes, there were some editing issues, especially when it came to the dialogue between characters. However, it still did not prevent me from enjoying this book and understanding what was happening. But again, a big difference in the writing from the beginning to the end as the dialogue seemed to flow much smoother. Nice job J.B.
I am anxious to see where Gabby and Bradley’s story goes in Mending and hopefully we’ll get a glimpse into Bradley’s past to find out how and why he became such a playboy. I’m also eager to learn more about Gabby’s non-existent relationship with her father and as well as her past, which has left her so “Broken.”
Broken was provided to me in return for an honest review. Thank you J.B.
We previously took part in the Broken blog tour. Click HERE to check out our author interview, book trailer, and a special recipe from the book Broken.
Since it’s our LAST day in our Christmas Reads week we have one more giveaway! It is only going to be up for 24 hours; and who ever wins gets not one..but TWO e-books by J.B. McGee! The winner will receive both Broken & Mending!
ENDS MIDNIGHT!! HURRY!!
ENTER HERE
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