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Hey there! The weather witches do not seem to be foretelling a White Christmas for Portland, Oregon, but I spent all last week swept away by another kind of Snow. So I guess it's okay. What do I mean by that? Let me rewind. Last month at Author Nation, I was sitting out in the mix-and-mingle area, zoning out on my phone when someone settled on the couch next to mine. "Oh hey," I said, because although we hadn't yet had a chance to meet, I'd exchanged passing hellos with this person multiple times in the previous days. They kept catching my eye: a dapper dresser with a rad haircut, cool jewelry, and a cane. "I don't mean to interrupt," this person said. "But I wanted to say the way you dress and carry yourself, you remind me of the hero of one of my books. She's a badass spy who uses a cane." He smiled and held out a hand. "I'm E." "Jessie," I said. "Tell me more about this badass spy?" E. and I talked for a while about writing and editing, as well as costuming and fencing (he's involved with the Society for Creative Anachronism, which I've always thought was so cool). Eventually we split to attend the next sessions, and as I walked away I looked up his book, Cold Front. It's urban fantasy, which isn't always my jam, but I figured I'd give it a shot. And I'm so glad I did. I loved it. If you've been missing the seedy underbelly escapades of the Bulari Saga and the reluctant found family of the Nanshe Chronicles, this book is going to scratch that itch for you! Plus, E.'s writing is really wonderful, and I loved spending time in the head of his badass protagonist Liz Snow. So whether or not you're missing a snowy holiday landscape, I highly encourage you to grab yourself a copy and curl up with a good book and a hot beverage. Or a cold beverage on a hammock or beach blanket, if you happen to live in a warmer hemisphere. ;) And tell me—what are you all reading through the holidays? I need another good book to follow this one! For Your TBRIf you like your sci-fi festive, have I got a free book promo for you! Check out the Jingle Bells & Magic Spells promo, where you can download Now I Have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho! if you haven't already. ;) And don't forget: Heather Texle's holiday free book countdown is still going on! Follow along with the rest of the countdown here! Or, follow along with Heather on Instagram or Facebook to see what she reveals each day Happy reading, Jessie |
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Hi there! I've told this story before in this newsletter, but it's been a few years—and I've had a lot of new subscribers since then. Plus, it's been on my mind this week. I grew up with two major cultural influences that shaped my morality: Christianity and Star Trek. The core messages meshed surprisingly well: Care for your neighbor, Do unto others, The needs of the many outweigh the need of the few. These influences have driven me my entire life. They drive me today. They drive my need to...
Hi there! We had some friends over for New Year's Eve, and at one point the conversation turned to our favorite books of the last year. I struggled to recall what I'd read for a moment before I realized that Past Jessie had done something smart. She'd started a list! I grabbed my journal, where I jotted down every book I read each month in 2025, and started waxing poetical about my favorites. I'm pretty sure my friend who asked the question was just hoping for one or two recommendations. I...
Hey there! Depending on which authors you follow, you might have already heard rumblings of this—but there's a really fabulous holiday countdown promo happening right now! I'll tell you more about it in a second, but first I have a couple of announcements. I have three virtual opportunities for you to hang out with me this week, and I'd love to see your shining faces at any of these. Vintage Books Live! Gets a Raygun! (TONIGHT 7pm PST.) I've joined Christy Peterson with Vintage Books Live!...