Can I Blog From Prison?
First of all, stick around for new giveaway details. But that’s later.
Right now, you need to know that this is going to be one of those stories that would go much better with pictures.
But I don’t have them.
Friday night I decided it had been a long time since I had gotten in the car and gone on a one woman road trip (and that last one went SO successfully), that I would just hop in Blackie and take off for the border. The Arkansas-Oklahoma border, that is. Fab-o author Susan May Warren was going to be speaking to the Tulsa branch of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), and I decided at the last minute I would go. I have been hearing raves about Susan May Warren’s teaching forever, but had yet to be able to catch one of her writing classes. Plus Tulsa has a Whole Foods, something my corner of Arkansas does not. (But Whole Foods does not have Snickers, so it all evens out I guess.)
Susie’s class was awesome. I took seven pages of notes. Madam Warren and awesome author Rachel Hauck have writing retreats throughout the year. If you can swing it, I highly recommend it. Or you can catch these two authors and more teaching at the ACFW conference in September, which I also highly recommend. You know what I DON’T recommend? Typing with a cat on your keyboard. Because I just typed one of those sentences five times.
The session ended at about 9:45, and I set out for the long trek home. I am happy to report my GPS unit worked a lot better than it did on my last solo voyage out in the middle of nowhere, where it kept telling me to make a left turn off a side of a mountain and repeatedly trying to kill me. (I’m still a little bitter over this, but I think the GPS and I worked out our differences this weekend.) I had JUST the right amount of change left for the turnpike toll. So I pull up to the turnpike at the dark hour of 10:45, throw my coins in…and drop one. Crap! It’s dark. A car is coming. I can’t find the dang nickle. I dig in my purse and find one solitary dime. Throw it in. Nothing. The green light doesn’t turn on, signaling I can go. I dig for more change. I got nothing. NOTHING! Cars…lining up. I’m getting stressed. I can’t get out of the car, because I’ve seen enough Nightmare on Elm Streets to know that just as soon as I do, a murderer will appear out of nowhere and rip out my soul then take off with my ’02 Black Wonder. So I throw in a buck…
…and run it.
Tripping an alarm. Sirens blared. Lights flashed. And I just gunned it. As I said on Facebook, it was like the spirit of Burt Reynolds took over my body, and I quoted Smokey and the Bandit all the way home. “My handle is Smokey Bear and I’m tail grabbin’ your tail right now!” “Cowboys love fat calves!”
So I hope each of you is prepared to be my one phone call when they hunt me down. I’ll probably have to retreat into the woods and go all Unibomber on them. Because they’re not taking me alive. Also like the Unibomber, this will involve wearing hoodies. And giving up shaving. (You know, now that I think about it, this won’t be too different from any other day…) I figured the state of Oklahoma made money off this deal, so I’m not too worried about it. But if you see my face on America’s Most Wanted, do let me know. I’ve got some family members I’ve been wanting to one-up. . .
So Over My Head is available on Amazon, which means it could be on the shelves any moment now. Let’s start this week by giving one away. To get in the running, all you have to do is tell me when the last time you broke the law. Wait, no. That’s not it. The question of the week is: What is a book you’re wanting to read next. (not mine.) I just finished reading a few YA books and am on a teen lit kick. Next up is a book recommended by super author Natalie Lloyd, called 100 Cupboards. A book I WANT to read is Crescendo, the follow-up to Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush Hush. It doesn’t release ’til November. Hopefully by then they’ll have a new cover. The one for Hush Hush was so acclaimed that this one disappointed me. I did a book talk on Hush Hush last week in my classes, and my kids have been speed-reading it and passing it around. Gives me a total librarian high. But…what book are you waiting to read? Let me know by Thursday evening. Preferably before I report to my parole officer. I’ll randomly draw a name to announce Friday.
Have a great week!
JEN
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60 Comments so far
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A book that I’ve been wanting to read for ages is Redeeming Love, everyone has been telling me what a great book it is, so during homework breaks I’ll have to start reading it.
Kendra
I’ve been wanted to read ‘Isle of Fire.’ It’s the sequel to ‘Isle of Swords’ which is about some pirates. If you had told me I’d be reading about pirates I would have suppressed giggles and ran away to tell my brother what you said to me. But for real, this is a GREAT book. And I can’t even WAIT till I can get my hands on ‘Isle of Fire!’
A book I’m planning to read sometime soon is Lies Young Women Belive. Thanks for doing this!
Your book IS on shelves at the bookstore where I work! I’m off to sell them all now!
I really want to read hush hush, but I just haven’t yet, and also another book called hunger and it’s the sequl to gone by michael grant!
I’m eagerly awaiting Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.
I’ve been trying to convince my book club to read The Postmistress for the last few months.
Runaway by Meg Cabot!
I’m looking forward to reading Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover’s Story of Joy and Anguish. Because I’m a glutton for punishment. I just can’t seem to avoid these types of books.
I’m looking forward to reading Hand Of Fate by Lis Wiehl. I love murder mysteries, and I really liked her first book, Face of Betrayal.
I just got this new book (Christian chick lit) at the discount store in town that I’m excited about reading: “Turning the Paige,” by Laura Jensen Walker. But I’ve got to finish rereading “Pride and Prejudice” first.
Who knows? Going to prison could possibly inspire a whole new book or series. =) Like “Bella Kirkwood: Behind Bars.”
~Kristin
No way, you tripped an alarm. I’ve run those things in once or twice OK and Texas (unintentionally of course) by going through the Pike pass lane by accident or throwing in too much money and not having it register and NEVER got a siren. This could only happen to you! And feel free to give me a call! I probably owe you for making you come to OK~
ahahahahahaha! run jenny run!
I’l looking forward to reading Ally Carter’s Only the Good Spy Young! It comes out at the end of June.
I love your life…
I’m waiting to read this book called So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones. Because frankly, all the stories about my life lately would depress just about anyone and I need something to make me laugh.
Or you could just move in next door. Anyone’s got to better than these crazy neighbors who let their dogs crap on my lawn for me to step in while raking leaves.
I want to read the next fantasy book in the series by Julia Kagawa, called Iron Daughter.
I desperately want to read Susan May Warren’s Double Trouble, but it’s been checked out of my library since it was released. High demand, I tell you.
Heist Society by Ally Carter and then I guess I’ll be waiting for the next one like Whitney
would love to read ‘a stray drop of blood’ by roseanna white
I have 21 books sitting on my TBR shelf that I want to read. But to be specific, I have in my possession ‘Cool Beans’ by Erynne Mangum, as well as a galley copy of ‘Life in Defiance’ by Mary E DeMuth. They’re my two chart toppers right now.
I want to read Latte Daze by Erynn Mangum and Wayne Thomas Batson’s sequel to Curse of the Spider King:)
Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
by Alex and Brett Harris…and foreword by Chuck Norris.
…The eyes of a ranger are upon you…
A book I can’t wait to read is Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter. This is the 4th book of the Gallagher Girls series that is based around the lives of highschool girls that go to a school for spies. It’s got everything; romance, action, hot boys, and spies. What more could a girl want in a book?;)
There are a lot of books I am waiting to read! The two that come to mind are: Albatross- Josie Bloss
and The Oath- Frank Peretti.
Thank you!
Rebecca
Ally Carter’s new Gallagher Girls series book: Only the Good Spy Young
I have so many books on my shelf that I want to read. White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner…Hunger by Michel Grant…your Katie Parker Production series that just came in the mail the other day:)…the list goes on…it’s kinda ridiculous, I keep buying books and list keeps growing!
I have a ton of books that I want to read, but I’m dying to read “The Unseen” by T.L. Hines. Of course that probably won’t help my paranoia at all, but it’s supposed to be good.
I’ve been all anti-Twilight because of all the annoying girls who were freaking out over the movie.
Finally, I decided I would read it just so I could make fun of it more.
But then… I kinda liked it.
And so I read the next two in like, a day each.
I’m waiting for Breaking Dawn, but by the time my order from the library comes in, I might go mad.
i want to read Cool Beans By Erynn Mangum, and latte daze.
Kendra, yes, def read Redeeming Love. And then report back to us.
Darria, I have never heard of that and will have to check it out. If I close my eyes will I see Johnny Depp as I read?
Vanessa, sounds like a Bible study I’m doing right now–Me, Myself and Lies. Good theme!
YAYYYY Brenda! Thank you!!!!
Gracie, I hope you get Susan MW’s book soon. She is a great author.
Siri, I’ve read the first two Airhead books by Cabot. I’m looking forward to her chick-lit vampire book. I am dying to know how Meg Cabot handle vamps.
Rhonda, do me a favor and DON’T loan me that book. I can’t handle it.
Nicole, I have got to read some Lis Wiehl. I hear that name a lot, but haven’t read any of the books.
Tammy, I haven’t read anything by Michael Grant, but I’ve been hearing that title quite a bit lately.
Evangeline and Ashley 1, I had to look both those books up. Both sound REALLY good.
Kristin, I’ve read Turning the Paige. Hope you like it!
Gina, I’m totally calling you. Surely you’ve got some pull with the Tulsa authorities.
Whitney, Lauren, Anna, I had to give up on that series after book one, but I think it’s the most clever plot/series idea EVER.
Danica, YOUR life lately has made me laugh. Icing down a dog butt? That’s gotta go in a book.
Katie P, I will have to see who this Kagawa person is.
I’m out of the loop on fantasy books.
Amy N, I came THIS close to buying Heist Society today. (ten bucks at Sam’s Club if anyone’s wanting a good deal.) I have SUCH title envy of that author. I don’t know if SHE comes up with the clever titles or someone in-house, but they are freakin’ brilliant EVERY TIME. And I LOVE the Audrey Hepburn-ish cover for Heist Society. And yet another super clever plot idea.
Karen K, there’s another book I haven’t heard of. What sort of book is it? (A cozy quilting mystery, right?) ; )
Tracy, that is a HUGE TBR pile! I’m jealous!
Paris, good picks! I need to read some WTB.
Hannah, also a good pick. I love that title.
Jae, sooner or later Twilight will get you. It was inevitable. Let us know what you think of Breaking Dawn when you read it.
Heather, I haven’t read any Hines either. I need to try his books.
Rebecca, Meg Cabot did a review on Albatross and LOVED it (according to her). I thought it was funny that she said, “Ignore the cover and get it anyway.” It is a bad cover.
Lindsay, Susan Meissner is great!
Molly, I’m hearing good things about Erynn Mangum’s newest series!
GREAT suggestions, guys! Keep ‘em coming!
I can’t wait to read Wanted in the Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard! And also Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick.(:
Wow, that is a lot of comments made already. Hm. A book I’ve been wanting to read for a while, is “To Save a Life”.
It was a movie first, so they made the book after. I think. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I saw the previews and it looks really good. I wanna read the book before I see the movie. Usually the movie ruins the book if I watch the movie before the book. LoL for me anyway.
Enter me for the drawing! = )
oh goodness… i was so excited to read it that i already ordered it from Amazon and it arrived yesterday!! woo hoo!! but… if i did win another copy, i bought the first two for a friend, so the winnings would go to her
not sure what book to read next, but i am taking notes on the suggestions above! kudos fellow Jenny B Jones fans!
You’re too sweet!
Jen, If you can close your eyes AND read then I give all respect to you
my pirates were a little cuter…hahaha but I can’t give it away!!!! You will just have to find out for yourself!!! I highly recommend these books though…very good…
“Latte’ Days” by Eryn Mangum! I can wait to read it! And I would love to win this book because I have a friend who REALLY wants to read it.
I promised one of my students I would read “Bad Girls don’t die” by Katie Alender… but it actually sounds like its got a lot of potential! I’m looking forward to it!
Hey!
I’m currently reading the Harry Potter Series for the first time…
Ya. I know.
When I told my friend I’d never read them, she flipped. Then she shoved her prized boxed series on my and I’m almost done with the first one. They’re pretty good. A lot like the movies in some ways, not at all in others.
ANYWAY, I am very much looking forward to reading the second book.
Please enter me in the drawing, b/c I’m even more looking forward to reading you 3rd book in Charmed Life Series!!!
Hey, Jenny! I absolutely LOVE A Charmed Life series, I am dying for So Over My Head to hit the shelves!!!! So right now a book I’m really looking forward to reading is The Season by Sarah MacLean. I’d been to Borders time and again and seen it and just wanted to read it, but didn’t have the funds, ’til now. I just bought it and am absolutely sure I’m going to enjoy it!!! <3
Oh, don’t get me started on Oklahoma-I have issues with that state!!!
I’m so glad your students are loving Hush, Hush. I totally know what you mean by librarian high!:) haha
I’m waiting anxiously to read Emily Giffin’s new book Heart of the Matter.
I have been waiting for 2 YEARS for her new book and its finally coming out!
Hannah, I like Emily Giffin a lot! I hope this book is good.
Sarah, I totally had a Green Bean Teen Queen moment when my kids were going crazy over Hush Hush.
Leslie, so glad you’re enjoying A Charmed Life series. I want to read The Season too!
Kaitlin, welcome to Harry Potter! They’re never going to be my favorite books, but I think it’s some of the best story telling there is. I love how she has this intricately created world that consistently makes sense. Her imagination and logic blows my mind.
Sheila, dude the book is about the girl’s sister being demon possessed and bent on murder. Hey, didn’t we go to high school w/people like that…? (C, J, L…)
Madison, I hope you win the book…for your friend. ; )
Darria, I KNEW some smart-alec would call me on that one. Yes. I can read WITH my eyes closed. I don’t like to tell too many people that. Lest they think I’m bragging. ; )
Erin, your comments always perk me up. Thanks, girl.
Cassidy, I didn’t know it was a book. I haven’t seen Save a Life either.
Margaret, Pretty Little Liars is popular w/my students. But I have yet to read it either.
I’m eagerly waiting to read “Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins. Also “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt. =]
I’ve been wanting to read Perfect Chemistry, and finally got to the top of the waiting list at the library. (yay!!) I’vre read some good reviews on it and it seems to be very Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story-ish. But hopefully without the tragedy.
I just found my reading goals from September and I was sad to see that I hadn’t finished any of them. One of them was to read ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’.
One book im waiting to read??? Take three by karen kingsbury. i have read the sunrise seies. ( very good by the way) and i am ready to read the continuance of cody and bailey, great books. sooo good. but of course not better than jenny b jones’s books!
Haha-A GreenBeanTeenQueen moment!:) I saw your book on shelves at the local Christian bookstore here, but I forgot to snap a picture for you.
I have way too many books I’m looking forward to reading right now, but I’m very eager to get to Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey-it’s the sequel to Hearts at Stake which was fun light vampire chick lit. I’m also very eager to read Meg Cabot’s vampire book. If anyone can get me excited about paranormal again, it’s Meg Cabot!
A book that I’ve been waiting to read…(besides your’s) is Catching Moondrops by Jennifer Erin Valent. It’s number 3 in her series and I’m so excited to read it! Reading is a passion of mine. :]
I’m almost ashamed to say it but I…have never read the “Twilight” books! I really want to see if they’re as great as everyone says, now if I could just find some spare time…
I’m really looking foward to reading the rest of the Christy Miller Series! I’m on volume 3 and I hope to finish the series soon and then continue on to the college series.
I want to read The Help. I just picked it up from the library, but I haven’t gotten a second since then to get on it.
I want to read the new GG4: Only the good spy young by Ally Carter. Love your books
The book that I am about dying to read is the 3rd book in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins called Mockingjay. It doesn’t come out until August 24th. Thankfully I found your books, which I love. You are so witty. Please keep writing.
I really want to find the time to read Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Robin Jones Gunn’s Katie Weldon series has left me hanging and I can’t wait to read the next one
I want to read ‘Waiting for Prince Charming’ by Sarah Mally. I’ve been waiting, and waiting… to buy it!
Hi Jenny B. Jones
This is my first time hearing about you. I was looking around on facebook and found you come to find out you are friends with a friend of mine Michelle R Kidwell. I’m also a writer but anyway on to the question if it’s still evening enough for me to enter. (It’s 6pm here. Not sure where you are though.) I want to read a book that isn’t a textbook or a source for anything school related. I would like to read something by Lurlene McDaniel or My Sister’s Keeper By Jody Picoult (again). I may even read both.
Check back soon
Elizabeth
I’ve been waiting to read the second book in the series dreamhouse kings. It about this family that moves into a house that is “evil” it’s by Robert Liparulo. It’s really, really good. I also want to read SO Over My Head, but i think you know what that books about
and I bet it’s really great! 
I’ve been waiting to read the second book in the series dreamhouse kings. It about this family that moves into a house that is “evil” it’s by Robert Liparulo. It’s really, really good. I also want to read SO Over My Head, but i think you know what that books about
I also want to read Extras by Scott Westerfeld, I’ve read the rest of the Uglies Series, and they were really good too. 
Moriah (#56 comment) – I know that its nearly a year later, but in case anyone is reading through this just now (like I am
), I’d like to mention that the book by Sarah Mally is called Before You Meet Prince Charming. I’m reading it right now!:)
-<3-Abbigail