jacki delecki

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Meet Stella the French Bulldog

Although Mission: Impossible to Forget is a contemporary romantic suspense, there are still details I research. I’ve had great fun learning about French bulldogs since this book features one of these adorable canines.

Stella, Emily’s dog in Mission: Impossible to Forget, isn’t based on Stella in the TV show Modern Family but a real dog I “met” during my time performing for the Seattle ballet. Her owner used to bring Stella backstage to help calm the children before their performance.

In Mission: Impossible to Forget, Stella is companion to professional cellist Emily Hewitt. If you aren’t acquainted with this breed of dog, here are a few characteristics that make them one of the most popular breeds.

With large bat ears, French bulldogs are small enough to be suitable for city dwellers. They stand 11-13 inches and weigh under 28 pounds.

The breed has an even disposition, is playful, alert, entertaining, and adaptable.

Frenchies aren’t excessive barkers, but they are territorial, making them good watchdogs.

French bulldogs are “talkative”. They snore, grunt, yip, and make other odd noises.

Watch this video to learn more about French bulldogs.

*****

Mission: Impossible to Forget releases April 1. Preorder your copy today to fall in love with Stella, Emily, and Nick.

March Reader Appreciation Giveaway

I don’t have a pot of gold to give away but how about a $25 Amazon gift card? Enter my March Reader Appreciation Giveaway for a chance to win!

One Woman ~ Excerpt from 'Mission: Impossible to Love'

Sten’s day had gone from one clusterfuck to the next. And it all centered around one woman. He stepped into the conference room to interrogate his newest team member, one he didn’t trust or want.

A team member he was responsible for. He had a lot of questions for the child prodigy, starting with her violent boyfriend and why she got antsy when speaking about her hacking.

He was trained in asking unpleasant questions, and he planned to ask her every single one.

Maybe it was time to rethink his transfer to CC since dealing with soldiers trained in warfare was a lot easier than dealing with a woman genius with enough secrets to keep the CIA busy for weeks.

The slender woman stood gazing out at the gray, misty skies. Something stirred in him as he saw the dejected set of her shoulders and the way her oversized coat hung on her like she was a waif out of a Dickens novel.

“Hey, are you hungry?” What happened to interrogating subjects when they were vulnerable?

Click here to keep reading Mission: Impossible to Love, the Impossible Mission series Book 3,

How to Create a Reading Journal

“So many books, so little time.”

I’m forever coming across books I’d love to read but I 1) am already in the middle of another book, 2) need to get a copy, 3) want more information, 4) my TBR list is already overflowing, 5) I’m sure there are lots of other reasons.

So how does a reader organize their TBR list and track reading goals? One way is to create a reading journal.

Before getting into the how-to, let’s talk about why you might want to use a reading journal.

• Track which books you’ve already read
• List books you want to read
• Feeling of satisfaction
• Reference guide for writing reviews and making purchases
• Easy way to participate in reading challenges

As for the how-to, there are many options and it ultimately comes down to personal choice.

• Readers who like scrapbooking or journaling might enjoy creating a bullet journal or using a notebook specifically for readers.
• Creating a digital journal using Word or Excel is another option. This gives you more flexibility in searching and organizing data.
• Another option is to collect authors’ printable book lists and keep them in a binder.

Click here for more ideas and tips on creating a reading journal.

Be sure to include my books so you don’t miss any!

Make Leap Day a Book Day

So many books. So little time. I’ll bet you’ve heard that phrase before…or maybe uttered it yourself. If you’re like me, your TBR List is always greater than the hours available to read. This new year provides a solution – an extra 24 hours called Leap Day. Here are some interesting facts about leap years.

• The extra day is added to the Gregorian calendar every four years to synchronize the solar year to balance out the 365.25 days it takes to orbit the sun.
• The practice of adding an extra day began in 46 BC when the Julian calendar (decreed by Julius Caesar) was created.
• In the U.S., leap years coincide with presidential election years.
• Couples in Greece avoid getting married in leap years to avoid bad luck. Russians also believe leap years herald trouble such as freak weather patterns.
• People born on February 29 (leap day) are called “leaplings” or “leapers” and there is a special group for them: The Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies.
• Notable events — not all bad — that occurred during leap years: George Armstrong Custer fought the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876), the Titanic sank (1912), Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is electricity (1752) and gold was discovered in California (1848).

If you’d like to squeeze in a little extra reading on Leap Day, you need a plan to optimize the hours. I’m here to help with a few suggestions:

• No need to call in sick to work. Leap Day, February 29, falls on a Saturday.
• Make a date with yourself. Block out time on the calendar so other events and activities don’t conflict.
• Create a cozy reading corner.

• Organize your TBR list. Is there a series you want to binge read? Make sure you have all the books in the series and know what order to read them in. Check out new releases from your favorite authors you might have missed. Box sets, such as the Impossible Mission Collection 1-3, is a super convenient way to binge read.

• Pick a reading marathon theme such as rom-coms, billionaires, small town or romantic suspense. Stack your TBR list accordingly.
• Stock up on your favorite reading nibbles and beverages.
• Indulge in a truly bookish experience. Visit your favorite indie bookstore with plenty of time to browse. Stop off at the neighborhood coffee shop for a latte and scone, along with a few chapters. Nod to the other readers lingering there.

What is your key to making extra time to read?