Instagram – Jen Devon

kisscrafter

Bend Toward the Sun wasn't the original title of m

Bend Toward the Sun wasn't the original title of my debut novel. I don’t share the original publicly because - it turns out - it’s a big spoiler. But one of the early alternative options I floated with my editor and agent was "Bloom Season". Every flowering plant has a time during the year when they bloom, though it's not necessarily for an entire season. Some bloom periods are extraordinarily brief, and sometimes a plant will only bloom in very specific environmental conditions, or only rarely. I really loved that as a metaphor for Rowan and Harry's relationship. 🧡

We're in full-on fall here in the northern hemisphere, and my garden's bloom season is almost over. We have deer that regularly come into our yard, eating my hostas and knocking over my tall annuals like these cosmos and zinnias and strawflowers. So I didn't have to feel guilty taking them away from the bees to snap this photo. 🧡

I'm not on social media much right now, busy with my dayjob and spending all my free time working on my next project. I hope all of you are happy and well. 🍂 (PS if you haven’t read Bend Toward the Sun yet, what are you waiting for?)

#bookstagram #romancestagram #romancebookstagram #bookrecs #bookreviews #igreads #romancebooks #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookobsessed #lovebooks #contemporaryromancereads #bookphotography #readmorebooks #bookish #bendtowardthesun #jendevon #fallreads

I'm not sure what can top this. ❤️ @jocelynro

I'm not sure what can top this. ❤️

@jocelynrobinsonauthor thank you for being such a vocal champion of Bend Toward the Sun. I'm not sure what made you pick up my book that day in August, but I'm so thankful you did. And @ilashreads - thank you for organizing this chat! This conversation had it all: writing chat, reading chat, publishing chat. 4:00 am. Rodeos and their potential romcom meet-cutes. Mystery dime-bags. Love of science, or the lack thereof. Audiobooks, ADHD, AITA, olive oil, and cracked spines. Reddit as a research hub. So much laughter my face hurt after.

I'm so grateful and so humbled that y'all (and a few of you not pictured here!) spent your evening talking with me. ❤️

#romancebooks #romancebookstagram #bookstagram #readromance #bendtowardthesun

Mornin’. 🧡 #brindlebaby #dogsofinstagram

Mornin’. 🧡 #brindlebaby #dogsofinstagram

Some of my mid / late summer 2022 acquisitions (pl

Some of my mid / late summer 2022 acquisitions (plus a 2023 ARC!) for my TBR. A few I’ve already read, and wow was this a good year for books so far. 🧡

Here are two things about me: I’m still learning to do reels, and lip-syncing has always made me deeply uncomfortable. I think both are rooted in the fact that I’m a product of growing up in the 80’s. Technology is hard, and back then all the elementary school talent shows were kids lip-syncing badly to Whitney Houston and Huey Lewis and the news. The latter would give me deep secondhand embarrassment. So please just know that this reel was a true labor of love and it helped me work through some stuff

#reels #romancereels #bookreels #bookstagram #romancebookstagram #romancestagram #readromance #romancebooks #romancenovels #booklover #summerbooks #bookaddict #bendtowardthesun #jendevon #aliciathompson #kerrywinfrey #juliawhelan #daniellejackson #mazeyeddings #sarahgrunderruiz #jennylhowe #nouékirwan #courtneykae #sangumandanna #sallythorne #meganbannen #farrahrochon #lizparker #chippons #jencomfort

For authors, there is nothing better than this 😭🥰

Posted @withrepost • @jocelynrobinsonauthor Q: Have you ever become obsessed and decided to champion a book because you love it so much? Or had a meme made of you because of it? (Pic 3 thanks to @christinareadsontheroad 😂)

This is me with Bend Toward the Sun by @kisscrafter

This book captured my heart and truly spoke to my soul. It had all the elements I crave in a romance novel which are deep characterization, intense chemistry between the main characters, humorous moments that were laugh out loud funny, trauma that the characters heal from, side characters and family that enrich the story, and of course it thoroughly delivered on the spice. (That greenhouse scene 🥵#iykyk)

Jen’s ability to write in a way that lyrically flows, is poignant, and helps you picture all the details floored me. It has challenged me to be a better writer! I loved being able to delve deep into the issues that cause so much trauma for Harry and Rowan. The way these characters suffered felt so raw and real. The trust and love they grow together also felt so believable.

The story takes place on a vineyard the Brady family just bought. A wonderful family of six siblings finding Harry the doctor taking time off to try and heal, and Rowan the PhD botanist trying to figure out her research and taking a job heading up the vineyard. Harry is immediately gone for Rowan but it’s definitely a slow burn taking time for Rowan’s walls from her past to come down.

Honestly, I could talk about this book forever. There’s still time to join the buddy read @ilashreads is holding and chat with Jen on 9/28.

🎧 I listened to the audio narrated by @mallonerin and @chrisbrinkleystoryteller and it was literal perfection!

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. And big thanks to Jen for the signed book and prize pack from her giveaway. I’m legit obsessed! 😍

🏷
#bendtowardthesun #jendevon #bookstagram #bookrecs #bookreviews #igreads #romancebooks #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookobsessed #lovebooks #contemporaryromancereads #bookphotography #booknerd #readmore #readmorebooks #bookish #bookswag

Eternally seeking the correct angle of head-tilt t

Eternally seeking the correct angle of head-tilt to avoid blue light reflection in my specs (and failing). Also, trying to make sure my one handed book-clutch doesn’t look like a harpy claw. 🦅

Speaking of books, did y’all know I wrote this one? It’s called Bend Toward the Sun, and I think it’s pretty magical. The story starts at this exact time of year, so if you’re a ✨🍂mood reader🍂✨, what are you waiting for?

#bookstagram #readersofig #romancebooks #romancestagram #romancebookstagram #romancereviews #septemberreads #fallreads #autumnreads #bendtowardthesun #jendevon #slowburn

Did y’all know that Bend Toward the Sun isn’t

Did y’all know that Bend Toward the Sun isn’t necessarily a “summer” read? It’s an all-seasons read, with the first chapter opening in September! That’s right now! 🧡 The story then follows Rowan and Harry (and the old vineyard) through every season, on to the subsequent September.

Is BTTS on your autumn TBR yet? 🍂

#bookstagram #readersofig #romancebooks #romancestagram #romancebookstagram #romancereviews #moodreader #fallreads #autumnreads #bendtowardthesun #romancerecs #slowburn

It became a novel. 😭 It's been so fun for this

It became a novel. 😭

It's been so fun for this Facebook memory to come up each year. I’d begun writing what would become Bend Toward the Sun in 2014, but it only existed as notes on my iPhone for a long time. I guess 2018 was the point where I really got serious about finishing. In September 2019, I don't really remember where I was with the manuscript, but it certainly wasn't pretty. In September 2020, I was actively querying agents. By September 2021, I had an agent, Bend Toward the Sun was sold, and it was in production with St. Martin's. And now it's in stores, everywhere. Being read by people. I can’t believe it. 🧡

Are you writing something right now? Don't give up.

#writingcommunity #bookish #amwriting #bookstagram #readersofig #romancebooks #romancestagram #romancebookstagram #writersofinstagram

I'm donating a signed, personalized, and fully ann

I'm donating a signed, personalized, and fully annotated copy of Bend Toward the Sun for the DISSENT auction. It runs today through Sunday (9/11). All proceeds will benefit organizations that support reproductive rights in the US. There's a link to the auction site in my bio. I will ship it anywhere in the world the US postal service sends mail to! You'll also get my custom preorder swag. ❤️

This will be the FIRST and so far ONLY annotated copy of Bend Toward the Sun I have ever done, so once I blow up and top bestseller lists (willing it into existence) it will for sure be a collector's item someday 😂 Bid, bid, bid!

#dissentauction #romancebooks #romancenovels #romancestagram #bookstagram #bookish #booklover #summerreads #bookrecs #amreadingromance

what kind of colorstay lipstick were they making b

what kind of colorstay lipstick were they making back in the mid-90s though???? (edit: wowwww they pulled the song, this reel makes even less sense now 💀)

#reels #xennial #genx #marchingband #trumpetlove #kissmybrass #teenagedirtbag

Do revisions even count if you don’t post to IG

Do revisions even count if you don’t post to IG while you’re working on them???? #romanceauthor #authorsofinstagram

The winner of my "Ta" copy of Bend Toward the Sun

The winner of my "Ta" copy of Bend Toward the Sun is (serendipitously) @tarheelreader! Thank you ALL for entering. And Jenni - I'll be dropping into your DMs soon. 🧡

#bookgiveawaywinner #freebooks #giveaway #romancebooks

I started writing this story in a notes app on my

I started writing this story in a notes app on my iPhone. Months later, the app lost a few thousand words I hadn't backed up anywhere else. I can't say for sure because this was at least six years ago, but I think that was probably the catalyst for me to realize I was actually ✨writing a book✨. So I dumped the app and started writing it on my computer.

Now, I can hold it in my hand and sniff the pages (you know you do it too), and it's been out in the world for 25 days. To all of you who have read it so far - thank you. I started dreaming of you back in 2014, and I'm so grateful you're here with me now.

#bookstagram #readersofig #romancebooks #romancestagram #romancebookstagram #booknookstagram #romancereviews #writingcommunity #romancereader #summerbooks #summerreads

GIVEAWAY! ☀️🌱 I'm not very good at multita

GIVEAWAY! ☀️🌱

I'm not very good at multitasking, so I'm shocked that I only managed to mess up one personalization during my in-person chat / signing session at the launch for Bend Toward the Sun. On this one, instead of writing "To", I wrote "Ta". So now I'm the proud owner of this copy of BTTS with "Ta" in permanent green ink on the title page.

So... who wants it? Does your name start with "Ta"? Or can you think of a fun personalization that begins with these letters? Entries are open INTERNATIONALLY, and anyone who hasn't already won a copy of the book from me is eligible (assuming the winner is from a country the USPS is currently shipping to right now.) I'll also send some preorder swag. 🧡

:: ENTER ::

1. Comment on this post with the name of a romance release you're looking forward to in September-December 2022.
2. FOLLOW me, then SAVE and LIKE this post.
3. Bonus entries for each comment where you tag a friend AND your friend follows me too.

:: DETAILS ::

- Entries close at 8:00 pm EST Friday September 2.
- Winner chosen by Instagram Comment Picker
- Winner announced by Sunday 8/4 here on my IG
- Not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram, Facebook, or St. Martin's Press / Macmillan
- No obligations to enter & win, but since I'm a debut, it would be super nice if the winner leaves a candid review at the outlet(s) of their choice after reading, and boost if you loved it! 🧡

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofig #smpinfluencers #romancebooks #romancestagram #romancebookstagram #booknookstagram #romancereviews #freebook #freeromancebook #giveaway #romancegiveaway

File this under: "stuff nobody tells debut authors

File this under: "stuff nobody tells debut authors if it's okay to do or not." But I’m going for it.

I'd love to share snippets from reviewers! If you're a reviewer who rated Bend Toward the Sun five stars, and you wouldn't mind if I pulled a quote from your review to share on social, there's a form in my bio that will allow you to send it to me. My DMs are also open, but please don't link me directly to a review site...I'm trying to protect my marshmallow heart from those spaces right now! 🧡

Biggest love to all of you who have spent your time with Rowan and Harry. I'm intimately familiar with TBR overwhelm, so I'm humbled and grateful and honestly a little bit surprised every time that Bend Toward the Sun was the book that anyone chose to pick up at any given moment.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofig #smpinfluencers #romancebooks #romancestagram #booknookstagram #romancereview #bookreview #bendtowardthesun #jendevon

Ohio friends, I'm going to be joining a bunch of o

Ohio friends, I'm going to be joining a bunch of other outstanding local authors at the Pickerington Public Library's Author Spotlight Event on Saturday 9/17. It's from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, and FREE! Check out pickeringtonlibrary.org.

#614living #614columbus #columbus #romancebookstagram #romancebooks #romancenovels #readromance #romancereader #romancereads

UPDATE: Closing this early. 😊 Thank you ALL for

UPDATE: Closing this early. 😊 Thank you ALL for DMing me, I will be in touch soon.

Friends, hello! Tomorrow, I’m going to the post office to mail preorder swag, FINALLY. I have some extras! The first 10 people who DM me their mailing address and a pic of Bend Toward the Sun in their possession (doesn’t need to be a selfie!) before 8:00 am EST tomorrow morning will get their own set! INTERNATIONAL! 🧡 #bendtowardthesun #jendevon #romancestagram #bookstagram #preorderswag #giveaway #romancebooks

THANK YOU all for your patience in waiting for las

THANK YOU all for your patience in waiting for last week's giveaway winners! Winners are tagged! Expect me to drop into your DMs soon. 🧡

DAY ONE: @samstacksbooks Bend Toward the Sun and Kate Spade watercolor floral book tote
DAY TWO: @reading.with.my.golden.boy Bend Toward the Sun and Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey
DAY THREE: @jocelynrobinsonauthor Bend Toward the Sun and The Meadow travel tin candle
DAY FOUR: @the.book_slayer Bend Toward the Sun and glass Woodsmoke candle
DAY FIVE: @allliereadsalot (ope tagged the wrong Allie first) Bend Toward the Sun and Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey

All of them will also come with preorder swag. ☀️

I appreciate all the participation and support from everyone. Bookstagram really is the best place on the web. 🥰

#bendtowardthesun #jendevon #giveawaywinners #newreleases #bookstagram #romancebookstagram

I haven’t forgotten about last week’s giveaway

I haven’t forgotten about last week’s giveaways! I’ve been swamped with edits this weekend and haven’t gotten a chance to do drawings. SOON! And preorder goodies will be mailed early next week as well. In the meantime, look at these gorgeous vinyl stickers from SMP that I get to give out! Y’all, it’s a grape leaf. And wildflowers. 🥰😭 #bendtowardthesun #jendevon #romancebooks #romancestagram #preorderswag

ENTRIES CLOSED. Thanks for entering! 🥰 Bend Tow

ENTRIES CLOSED. Thanks for entering! 🥰 Bend Toward the Sun giveaway a day: LAST DAY!

If you missed my post on Tuesday this week, I mentioned that I found myself in possession of multiple copies of fellow Columbus romance author @kerrywinfrey 's August release, JUST ANOTHER LOVE SONG. It's unfair for me to keep such an embarrassment of riches, so to round out my week, I'm giving another one of them away with Bend Toward the Sun. ☀️🌸

:: ENTER ::

1. Comment on this post with the @ of your favorite bookstagrammer. Maybe they’re super welcoming or generous in the community, maybe they make hilarious reels, maybe their account is just gorgeous…whatever! Anything goes.
2. FOLLOW me, then SAVE and LIKE this post.
3. Bonus entries for each comment where you tag a friend AND your friend follows me too.

:: DETAILS ::

- US only. Entries on all posts will close at 8:00 pm TODAY Friday August 19
- Winners chosen by Instagram Comment Picker
- Not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram, Facebook, or St. Martin's Press / Macmillan / Berkley / Penguin
- Each day's giveaway will be a copy of BTTS plus a different bonus gift & exclusive book swag. You can enter on as many days as you want, but can only win once. If your name comes up twice in the picker, you'll win the first item and a new winner will be picked for the subsequent
- All winners will be announced on Saturday August 20 here on my IG
- No obligations to enter & win, but since I'm a debut, it would be super nice if the winners leave a candid review at the outlet(s) of their choice after reading, and boost if you loved it! 🧡

#romancebooks #romancenovels #romancereads #romancestagram #romancebookstagram #bookstagram #bookcommunity #bibliophile #readromance #contemporaryromance #bendtowardthesun #jendevon #bookgiveaway #bookstagramgiveaway #romancegiveaway

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