I’ve had people ask me “What’s next?” countless times. It’s probably seemed like I’ve been deliberately avoiding the question because, well, I was. You see, for the past year, I’ve been working on a new story set in a brand-new world, and I wasn’t sure if (1) I was going to self-publish it or traditionally publish it, or (2) if it was going to be one book or the start of a new series.
However, I’m excited to say that it IS a new series, and it will be traditionally published. So, you can find it when you shop at your local book store versus just ordering it online (though you’ll be able to order it online as well, of course.)
The title, release date, publisher, snippets, and other details will come later because contracts are still being hammered out, but could I wait until all of that was done to squee about this? Hell, no! 🙂 I’ve been thinking about these characters since I started writing the Bones point of view books. I’ve said before that whichever characters are loudest in my head are the ones that get their stories told next, and these characters were LOUD.
What’s the new book/series about?
I’m bad at describing my own novels, so I’ll tell you that BFF Ilona Andrews called it “a reverse Beauty and the Beast with a twist.”
In her submission letter, my agent called it “a compelling blend of romance, chemistry and high-stakes danger, set both in ordinary Baltimore and an adjacent, deadly world of power and mythic creatures, barely kept behind borders by (equally deadly) Wardens. But sometimes, the boundaries falter to the beasts; and our heroine carries her own Beast within…”
In short, there are lots of different creatures, new mythos, and magic. I follow the same hero and heroine over the course of at least two books, and you can also expect the same level of spice and sass that my other books contain. I would say more, but then my agent would tranq dart me.
Does this mean you’re done writing vampire books?
Absolutely not! I love my fanged ones, so there will definitely be more stories with them. I’m just…cheating on them with other creatures right now 🙂
And now, to the contest! Have you ever had a happy secret that you had to wait to spill? If so, tell me about it. Everyone who replies will be entered for their chance to win one of three prizes.
The first prize is any book from my backlist, winner’s choice which. This part is open to international readers as well as US readers.
The second prize is a $25 Amazon egift card (open to US readers only.)
The first prize is a $50 Amazon egift card (open to US readers only.)
Contest starts NOW and ends Friday, June 21st at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced on my blog the next day.
Good luck!
So excited. I guess because i know it sounds silly since i read kats part first, i am not enjoying bones as much because i know what happens next. not that i don’t enjoy them but not as much as new series i will love since i have no idea on what happens next.
I think all of my boys are my best kept secrets. I was 34 weeks pregnant with my first before I found out. I went to my first ultrasound thinking I was only a month or two and was able to find out not only was I due soon but I was having a boy.
The new series sounds amazing!! As for happy secrets, I knew about both of my nephews being on the way before anyone else in the family and that was hard to keep quiet on! But also little things like surprises for friends. I always want to tell them instead of just letting the surprise happen 🙂
My best secret was twins after infertility struggles! I was so nervous things wouldn’t go well that many of my (long distance) friends and family didn’t know until the birth announcement. Always excited for more books from you!
Melissa, yes this is mine too ^^ My best secret was twins after infertility struggles! I was so nervous things wouldn’t go well and we waited a while to share, glad it turned out great for you <3
I am awful at secrets. My best kept secret is that I’ve foregone TV to audio books. I’m addicted.!!
My best secret was my rainbow baby. After miscarriage it was so hard to wait to the second trimester let everybody know.
I was pregnant with my second child 10 years after the first one and mothers day was 2 weeks away so we kept it a secret until then so I could surprise my mother and extended family on Mother’s Day!
Ten years ago when I went to pick up my puppy, I ended up leaving with two instead and didn’t tell anyone in my family until they came over to meet the puppy.
My best secret is waiting to tell my family I was pregnant. I was having the first grandchild on
My side of the family. I can’t wait to read your new books. I am a long time fan and have enjoyed multiple re reads through out the years.
I soo soo happy for this new book ! My best secret was me and my friend drove a long way to viset a friend on her birthday. I was so much fun.
Can’t wait for the new book, sounds fun and interesting. Can’t really think of any big secrets
Can’t wait for the new book that I will NOT be keeping a secret
My best friend told me when her daughter found out she was pregnant. I couldn’t tell because she hadn’t announced it yet, I was so excited it was so hard to keep in and since I don’t have any grand babies yet myself, she is getting spoiled rotten by me she’s 3 weeks old now and she is like my own grand baby!!
The secret I couldn’t keep 🤣 my sister was pregnant and she let me plan the gender reveal… we talked about it from the day she found out she was pregnant she wanted a girl but kept saying she knew she was having a boy 🤣 it was the hardest thing to keep in! Everyone kept asking me. I told everyone something different. She had a boy and we love him very much.
I can’t think of any. Being an extreme introvert means I don’t really tell people much lol.
I’m not sure besides babies if I have had a happy secret that I had to hold onto? Either that or I just was not able too! I’m definitely excited to hear about yours and I’m glad you shared!
I’m so bad at not telling everyone everything.
My happy secret is that I told my dad 4 years ago that I would take him on his first cruise for his 70th birthday. What he didn’t know was that I arranged for my siblings and their families to come too. He was ecstatic when he saw everyone on the ship. We’re actually on the cruise as I type this.
A friend told me that she was going to be a grandma for the first time but I couldn’t tell anyone because her daughter hadn’t made the announcement yet. She wasn’t suppose to tell anyone but since it was just her and i in the salon, she couldn’t hold the good news in anymore
Like many others, my happy secret or my pregnancies with my two children. Everything else was public knowledge as I am really terrible at keeping secrets. 😉 BTW, you do realize that you list a first prize, second prize and then another first prize. I think it’s adorable that your first prize is either a $50 Amazon gift certificate or one of your books.
The new book series sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read them.
My happy secret was my pregnancy with my son. He was the first grandchild on both sides so he was highly anticipated.
My sister Michelle being pregnant!!! She told me right away but wanted to wait till Christmas which was 2 months away!! And my mom didn’t even know! It would be her first grand child so it was gonna be a awesome Christmas present! Can’t wait for this new series!! I love anything beauty and the beast! 💋💕😉
Pretending to be a character in one of your books. Spade always fascinated me as well as vlad. To be a woman to try and win their love especially that they are dangerous beings. To live in that world what would it be like. To live abroad and to learn the history of their time.
The new series sounds awesome! Honestly I can’t think of any best kept secrets unfortunately
I can’t wait for the new series!!
I’m excited for your new journey! I’m asking for the ride, wherever it may take me!
My happy secret was my daughter. I knew at 6 weeks I was pregnant with my son because of morning sickness and my stomach was really hard. I miscarried in between my two kids, so we waited until we knew we had made it further before telling anyone when I was pregnant with her. She was born about 9 months after my Grandma’s passing, so we like to think Grandma helped get her to us.
I’m excited for this new series!! I enjoy your books so very much! Also, I’m not much for secrets. Lol!
So excited for the new series!
A secret I had to keep was when I found out my sister was engaged. I knew before anyone, but couldn’t say a word until she gave the ok. It was hard not to share her good news.
I get to do the happy surprise to my “adopted” Madre (my best friend’s mom). She’s the one who despite my difficulties helped me find my joy in reading. So anytime I can let her know to switch to my profile on her eReader for a treat. There’s a book in text or audio format for us to enjoy and discuss together.
A new series sounds so exciting! As for the happy secret, it would definitely be that I bought tickets to my daughter’s favorite band last Christmas months in advance. She told me it was the best weekend of her life! High praise especially from a 14 year old.
My happy secret was when I was changing jobs. I had to wait to tell anyone until I go a final offer! I’ve been there two years and love it!
I bought my husband a surprise gift for our anniversary. It was something he wanted. I failed to keep the secret. I was so close but after 2 days of trying to keep it quiet, I spilled. I am horrible at keeping my own secrets. Other people’s… I will never tell. 😉
So excited to hear more about this new series! As soon as preorders drop, I’m so in! My exciting news…my husband and I led everyone to believe we were expecting a baby girl. We were actually expecting twins, a boy and a girl, and did not tell anyone until they were born and our family saw the secret with their own eyes! Their shock was palpable. One of the best days of my life.
Best of luck on your new book!
I am always trouble keeping surpries parties to myself.
I’d have to say when I found out I was pregnant with both of my kids. It was so difficult to not say anything to anyone until we officially knew. And it was even more difficult to not say anything to our parents on my 2nd chikd due to our niece being born the same day we found out.
Omg can I say thank you thank you… I’ve been one of your biggest fans since the beginning!!!!!
I love every form of genre you have written; can’t wait for the newest one.
Now let me tell you that you are bringing together my 3 favorite things:
1)reverse romance/harem
2) fairy tales
3) Jeaniene Frost.
Yes, my brother and his wife were expecting, but kept it a secret til Christmas!! Thank for the chance to win!!
I read Kats side first too but I love Bones side. I can’t wait for book 3. The way Bones loves Kat and how he would do LITERALLY anything for her. I want to see from his side when Kat meets her dad for the first time and when Kat thinks Bones died. No matter how many times I reread the books I cry like baby. I can’t get enough of Bones and Justina. So funny!! Keep em coming!!!
We kept our kids names a secret when we were expecting both of them. People knew we were having a girl or a boy but they had to wait til they were born to learn their names.
I have had a happy secret. I found out I was pregnant after having to burying my daughter. My husband and I kept it a secret till I started showing because we didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. Happy to say she is 5 years old now.
Thanks for the opportunity
Can’t wait for your book! My happy secret was when I was hired for a new and improved job but couldn’t tell anyone for a month.
My happy secrets seem to focus on gift-giving. It’s so hard to wait for the recipient to open the gift so I can see their reaction!
Guitar Hero came out shortly after my husband and I got married. I forget if he showed me an ad from a magazine or if we saw something on TV, but he mentioned that he would have loved that game. I had to search several stores before I found the game, then had to hide it for a couple months until Christmas. I wrapped it up and hid it under the TV console. When we were done opening gifts, I told him that it looked like there was one more under the TV. He was thrilled and couldn’t believe I’d hidden the game for so long. I think we played it for hours that day.
Wow! It’s impressive when an established author stretches their creative wings. I’m excited for you, however mostly I’m excited for me to read your new story!
I’ve trained my brain over the years to forget secrets. It’s a neat way to sidestep feeling responsibility for keeping it and respecting them as adults. My close friends know they can share their secrets with me with the option of my putting it into the ‘you’ll need to remind me’ folder. I can only do this if I don’t share it with anyone including my spouse.
I agree with Pamela’s comment about a series being more fun to read when you don’t know what direction it will take. Getting another perspective is great , too, but you don’t get as many surprises!
I am not great at secrets like many others who responded. The one I kept the longest and best was a gift I got for my sister one Christmas. It was a book ( shocker!) that was new in a series she loved. The real surprise was that she didn’t even know that the author had written a new book until she received it as a gift.
I was honored to know the gender of my nieces baby and it was so hard not blurring it out
I love Bones and Cat. I think they would understand and not think that you are cheating on them. Let’s face it, they have time to kill and enjoy doing it.
When Covid hit, my department (Marketing, in a regional theatre) was let go. I was pulled aside “to talk about your paperwork” and told that I would be rehired as soon as the shutdown was lifted and the others wouldn’t. I had to act as glum as everyone else until I left the building and shared the bad news/good news with my hubby!
Always anxious about a new book from you and a new series is even better!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!! My happy secret was when I planned on retiring from education. No one knew till 2 weeks before school was out. Oops!!!!
I’m so excited! I’m sure I’ll fall in love with the new characters (maybe not quite as in love as Cat & Bones, but they were the first❤️). Probably the best good news secret I wanted to let out but couldn’t was when I found out I was going to be a grandma!! Now I have 3 grandsons and every time it was the best secret!!
While I didn’t keep my 2nd pregnancy a secret secret, we didn’t tell many people. So the first time they found out about it was with the birth announcement. That was kinda fun and honestly nice to have it to ourselves for a bit.
Congratulations!! A new series is so exciting. Can’t wait to check it out!!
And a happy secret … I literally can think of nothing. I’m not very good at keeping secrets if it’s good news. 😬🤦🏻♀️🫣
I bought my little sister a pretty awesome laptop for Christmas one year. I had collaborated with her husband at the time so we both were super excited waiting for shipping updates and all that. I don’t know who kept the secret worse, him or myself. I was on the verge of exploding when it finally arrived and it was totally worth it. She was so shocked and happy and she laughed at how her husband kept looking out for a package.
Best kept secret was a surprise party I had planned for a good month for when my brother-in-law came home from serving over seas. He was the only one who didn’t know lol. Was hard to not say anything. Was the first time I ever seen him tear up
The only thing I could think of was a promotion at work. I could only tell my husband and I had to wait over a month before it was made public. That was hard with co-workers. Thanks for the giveaway!
Not really a secret I was keeping so much as one that was being kept from me… While pregnant with my oldest they kept doing sonograms and ultrasounds but my child spent all that time making sure that we did NOT know the sex. While in labor for over 23 hours i waited to finish babies handmade crocheted blanket with a solid border of either pink or blue… yup I had a stubborn little boy. That was the best kept secret of my life and only kept because i didnt know lol. (I personally am terrible at keeping good news in lol)
Super exciting news!!
Throwing my grandma a surprise 90th birthday party.
I’m so excited to see where this new world takes us!!!
I am the worst at happy secrets. It is so hard to keep good news or presents for people when you just want to see how excited they will be.
My only happy secrets have been one, when my first daughter was pregnant and I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone, and two, when my second daughter got engaged but I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. A book secret is just as exciting as new family members!
Definitely! Five years ago I lived a different state and was actively searching for a job in another state. I bought a house in the other state before I got the job and couldn’t tell anyone about it (but my best friends) so it wouldn’t make it back to my employer until I was ready to actually move.
Not that I can think of!! I’m really bad at keeping things secret!! Can’t wait to read more of your books!!
New books! New world! New people! Yay!!
Happy secret – my sister-in-law bought my brother a cello for Christmas the year he went back to playing. It was a long several weeks, but such a cool surprise for him!
no
I’m excited for your new journey! I’m along for the ride, wherever it may take me!
So darn excited. Can’t wait. Here’s hoping it’s not a long one.
When I was pregnant with my son. I had a miscarriage before him so we waited along time to tell everyone. But everyone was so excited.
Yes, as others have mentioned, the happiest secret was being pregnant with my son, my first child. I miscarried shortly before, so it wasn’t certain that I would stay pregnant. The last thing you want to do is to start telling people and for it not to work out. It was exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Thankfully it worked out!
Can’t wait !
The last happy secret I had to keep is when I bought tickets to take my mom to a special Mother’s Day brunch cruise! I told her a few days before that we would be going somewhere on Mother’s Day but I didn’t tell her what we were doing until we were at the harbor.
So excited for the new series!!
I actually can’t think of one at all!
Im making an amazing Taylor Swift quilt for my daughter – can’t wait for her to see it!
The only happy secrets I can think of is when me and my sister planned a 50th wedding anniversary for our parents I had to tell my mom the day of because she was the only one who could wrangle my dad into getting dressed nice and leaving the house. But the joy on his face when we got to the restaurant and he saw our family and friends was perfect. We lost him 11 months later so I’m glad we got to do that for them.
Happy secret! Someone was going to get a present they had been wishing for for a long time.
I found my mom’s birth mother in Germany where she was born and adopted from as an infant.
My happy secret is that my best friend since we were 11 years old won 1st place at an art show with her sculpture. I knew that she won ahead of her because I got lost in the gallery looking for a bathroom and saw her award. She wanted to leave the gallery early and I talked her into staying until the awards were given out.
I have no secrets, I am an open book as well as being a constant fucking delight!
Can’t wait for the new series! Biggest secret would have to be my pregnancies.
No happy secrets to share (recent ones), just alot of old ones Im keeping for others🤫.
I want to express my delight for a new series🥰. Love it when a favored author branches out with some new goodies📚. Listening to Bones and Cat while exercising. Ah, heres a secret! I look like I’m in the zone but really just zoned out listening 😂
How exciting!! I’m not much for secrets but I guess that keeping silent about my plans to retire could count as one 😊
That’s exciting news for you! As for something I’m excited about, I guess it’s about the same as you. I’m a writer and I’ve been working on several new books. Some vampire royalty, some LitRPG with a found Family of Anti-Heros, and some with witches and demons.
Yay for writing, right?
Absolutely!! I was about expecting my second child. Because the first time we were expecting, we were visiting family in South America and it dawned on me that I was late, I couldn’t get it out of my head and I just had to go to a pharmacy for a test. So, while we were having a family dinner I went to the bathroom and took the test. It came out positive and when I went back my husband just knew and blurted it out … it was a happy happy dinner. I had heard this old wives tales that you should wait at least 6 weeks before you announced your pregnancy so for my second child I couldn’t wait to tell my sisters. It was the longest 2 weeks !!!
Yes, I’m still keeping it lol. I’m taking my kiddos and moving across the country later this year. I’m keeping this hush from most until after it takes place. It is very much a happy secret and I’m so incredibly excited!!
Everyone is moving out of Cali~so I had to ask if that’s u too and where are guys going if that’s ok?
The only happy secrecy type thing I can think of is my cousins engagement. He was so excited he showed me the ring before he proposed to her. Now they are happily married for almost a year now. I am so happy for them.
I love your books and look forward to your new world and characters.
I can’t keep a secret. The hardest to keep are news of pregnancies, engagements or new jobs! Those individuals always want to be the first to inform everyone.
“Have you ever had a happy secret that you had to wait to spill? ”
For me it was pregnant me! We tried we succeeded and I couldn’t WAIT to tell him we did it! I guess it wasn’t much of a secret if I think about it but that’s what came to mind~:)
Best of luck everybody 🍀
Thank JF~💞
Woo hoo! More new characters and worlds to explore! And since it’s coming from you, I know I’ll enjoy it! Looking forward to meeting the new folks, whatever they may be. 🙂
My happy secret was my daughter, even though she wasn’t really a secret. 49 years later, and she’s still my happy secret, along with the grandchildren, and my great-grandchild.
Happy secret — definitely an unofficial job offer that took months to iron out the contract. I didn’t want to tell anyone for fear of jinxing it.
Hmm a happy secret? When I plan a new vacation and have to work out telling working lol
Happy secrets are the best. The most recent happy secret I had was knowing I’d been hired and had a new job! My old job was kind of terrible and my friends and family were all happy I’d found something new. Can’t wait to read your new book(s)!
Yay!!!! Can’t wait to read them.
My aunt and I threw a surprise party for my parents 25th Anniversary. We planned it for months and it was so hard to keep it a secret, but they did not suspect a thing!
Found out what one of my grandchildren was before the father. Had to hold it for awhile as he didnt know she was even pregnant yet. It was rough.
No secrets to share but am so so so excited about the new series!! I absolutely love your Vampire family but also loved your other characters in the Broken Destiny series. All your characters are so intense and just REAL! Wouldn’t be surprised to run into them on the street. Whenever I reread the Broken Destiny series I have trouble reading thru my tears the entire last half of the third book. I so look forward to meeting some new characters in your new series. Thanks for hours of joyful reading!
I am so excited for this new series! Love all your books ❤️
So excited for a new book from you! No happy secrets that I can think of that I’ve not spilled.
You are one of the people I’d read anything written by even if it were a menu. So excited for the new series.
I’m a talker and an open book. Everyone at my office thought they would know if I ever left because I was not shy when it came to discussions on workplace happiness. My happy secret, 2 1/2 years ago… I turned in my resignation. I kept it to myself and was super giddy the day I emailed it to management. Even had one person mention it wasn’t a surprise but it was a surprise I’d kept it quiet.
Best decision ever!!
Congrats on the new series!!!
My happy secret was when I got my job offer but couldn’t tell anyone and had to wait for 3 months for background checks and processing before I could tell anyone or quit my existing job! I was sooo excited!!! Been at the new job for 5 years so far so good!
Congrats on the new series. I can’t wait to read them. I like a lot of the comments, which were my pregnancies. I lost my first. So we we waited until after the first trimester. But I am also HR and I have to keep lots of secrets about the stuff I know. Or the stuff the team comes to complain about each other. Lol.
Looking forward to your new series 🙂 A happy secret was when I put together a “surprise box” for my aunt’s birthday, with photos and notes from family and friends. She was so touched!
New series sounds fascinating! Honestly, this was really hard for me to answer because I believe in taking secrets to the grave! However, one that has already been revealed was that I knew my daughter was going to be proposed to by my now Son-in-law in Halloweentown (St Helens, Oregon) months before it happened!
Mine isnt terribly exciting since my life is boring lol. I got my partner a PS3 for christmas one year (this was back when they first came out, and we did not have a lot of money). I had to wait for Christmas to give it to him, and that was very difficult for me lol. I am terrible at keeping secrets.
I kept my first pregnancy a secret until Christmas when I gave my mom and aunt baby socks as part of their Christmas present.
Looking foward to the new series; it sounds amazing.
I kept my first pregnancy a secret until Christmas when I gave my mom and aunt baby socks as part of their Christmas present.
Looking forward to the new series; it sounds amazing.
So excited for the new book! The only happy secret I can think of is waiting to reveal my pregnancies. That is always a fun secret to reveal to friends and family!
Well, l guess pregnancy news was my biggest secret…Beginnings being so precious and uncertain. Love you are starting a new precious series ;D
New worlds are always exciting! My husband and I were both in the military and worked in a secure building. I hadn’t told him I thought I was pregnant. The Dr called just as I was heading to work and confirmed I was. As I got to work, George was doing dayshift guard duty at the entrance. I calmly told him “the rabbit died”. His response “We don’t have a rabbit” “THE rabbit died”. “Who’s rabbit”. “THE RABBIT DIED”. “What rabbit are you talking about.” I walked away and went to our office. 10 minutes later he burst thru the door. Someone finally told him what it meant.
I made a cute baby blanket for my cousin’s baby shower! I can’t wait to surprise her with it.
I made a cute baby blanket for my cousin’s baby shower! I can’t wait to surprise her with it.
Happy secrets? Omg I love a happy secret but I can’t I suck! I cannot hold a happy secret because it means something good for someone and I want the someone’s to be instantly happy! It’s terrible I know but it’s a happy thing so it’s golden! Haha ^_^ thank you for your books! I abshellutely love reading your work! And thanks for the giveaways!
When a friend of mine was pregnant, she hadn’t told anyone yet. She made a post on FB about how she couldn’t do something. I messaged and asked her if she was and she told me. Then ask d how I knew so I told her her post made me think she was. She edited her post and I had to wait 2 more months before she announced it. When she did I said finally I can say something. It was the hardest and happiest secret I ever had to keep.
I’m the youngest of 3. Was married for 10 years when I got pregnant. We weren’t going to have kids. Husband wouldn’t let me tell until I went to the doctor for confirmation. I was bursting! Got stopped for speeding and told the officer cuz it had to come out 🤣 Still got a ticket🙄 going 5 mph over the limit while coasting down a hill in my standard drive truck.
I can’t think of any happy secrets I’ve kept! BUT I’m very excited about your next book! ♡
Happy secret giveaway
My happy secret I couldn’t wait to tell was when I found out I was having a son the first eldest grandchild but didn’t tell anyone the gender till day of birth along with name chosen to honor my father in law except we did tell my father in law when he became ill. he was the only one we told to give encouragement to pull through but unfortunately he passed while I was just over six months pregnant . my mother in law was happy the day my eldest was born that we honored her husband now all my sons honor my father in law by having his initials of c.d.s.
I’m getting married in October and I’m keeping a happy secret from everyone….. My daughter, Elena is blind and autistic and she absolutely loves music and is very talented so I’m practicing with her to sign and play guitar for my first dance song(: I’m excited to see everyone’s reactions!
One of our family nieces was expecting & told us before she told the rest of the family, but she wanted us to keep it quiet until she was ready to make the big announcement to everyone.
I can’t wait !!! So I did have big news to tell when I was pregnant with my last baby . He was a surprise and we lived in Montana with the rest of our family in tx and Florida . So we didn’t tell anyone till I was 28 weeks and we found out after two girls we were having a boy .
Yep, I sat on the news of my retirement for quite a while before sharing with everyone. I kept almost outing myself- it was hard, haha
I soo soo happy for this new book ! My best secret was me and my friend drove a long way to viset a friend on her birthday. I was so much fun.
Nothing big…
Honestly, I don’t think I had anything happy to tell anyone. Most of the time I didn’t have anyone or I felt I needed to keep to myself.
Your books have truly brought me so much joy in many dark times in my life. I love all of your work and I cannot wait for your next anything!
I can’t think of a single one, though I’m sure there were some I had to keep over the years at work.
I would have to say both the existence of my daughter because she was a miracle baby but also, I have a family member that wanted to do a gender reveal in the worst way. She keeping that secret for months was hard bit exciting, ♥️ Super excited for the new series!
♥️♥️♥️
I just got this Facebook notification that I won something and it led me to a page that asked for a credit card #. I didn’t give it, but wanted to give you a heads up that someone is preying on your Facebook commenters.
This is sooooo exciting! I love all of your books so much! I can’t get enough of Vlad!
I secretly worked on my MBA degree and waited until I had graduated before telling anyone!
One happy secret was when my brother who lives across the country, arranged a surprise visit to cheer our parents, and he was hiding at my house when they came for a visit— and when he surprised them— the joy!💜💜💜
My best kept secret happened on New Years Eve a couple of years ago, I have 9 siblings–4 older and 5 younger than me. We’ve lived in Florida all our lives and have never traveled, not even out of state. When it came to holidays we used to decorate the house, have family get-togethers and all that fun stuff–but my parents stopped doing that when I was 10. After that we would only ever wake up those mornings and say,”Merry Christmas” or “Happy Halloween” we never decorated the house or dressed up, or bought gifts so it always just felt like another day for us. At first we took it a little hard because kids like presents(i feel weird saying it so plainly because it makes us sound like spoiled brats), but over time we understood that our parents couldn’t afford it so we got used to it. When I was 18(currently 23 as I type this) my mom took me out to run errands with her, I didn’t really do anything of course I just wanted to go for the car ride lol. During the errand trip she had asked me if I felt sad that we didn’t celebrate holidays anymore, I didn’t really know how to respond because we never had a real conversation about it besides our parents telling us it was too expensive and accepting that. I felt awkward because the atmosphere felt a little serious and responded with,”umm I mean I was sad at first but I was 10, I understand that we don’t have the money to do those things!” She didn’t say anything for awhile so I thought I might’ve said the wrong thing until she told me her and our dad were planning on taking us on a trip to New York for New Years. I got really excited at first but really nervous too because WHY WOULD YOU TELL THE CHILD THAT TALKS THE MOST?! I talk A LOT, literally telling someone was my first instinct. She told me to swear that I wouldn’t say anything, because my dad made HER swear not to say anything–but I guess she really wanted to tell someone lol, At least I know where I got that trait from.
(This is already becoming long so I’ll speed this up!)
After Christmas our dad took us winter shopping(coats, scarves, sweaters) and told us we were going on a road trip to visit our relatives(can’t remember the reason he conjured up because I already knew it was a lie), and that we should bring a few blankets because it was going to be a long drive. We had packed and brought our necessities, a few card games to make the time pass. We left at around 4 or 5 in the morning, and I’ll say this…I WILL NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER DO SUCH A LONG TRIP BY CAR AGAIN!!!! it was so damn cramped, my ass hurt from sitting for so long, playing Uno in a moving car was not as easy as we thought, and not that many charging ports in the car!!! and there was only so many naps someone could take. We stopped a few times at gas stations and used those opportunities to use the bathroom and get more snacks, but those breaks didn’t last too long because we had to get right back in the car as soon as Dad was done pumping the gas. Had to remind myself a couple of times that there was a purpose for this trip. Eventually night fell and I knew we had made it when one of my Brothers go,” great, not only did the temperature drop like crazy but it’s raining on top of that” the cold was to be expected considering it was winter and we were driving up north, but rain? Another sibling pointed towards the windshield and was like,”that’s not rain it’s snow stupid!” Which started an argument, and woke the others. Everyone was now awake, some confused, some in awe, some angry. It was our first time seeing snow, we started asking our parents if we could stop to play with the snow and they said no–but they did briefly allow us to stick our hands out to try and touch it.
(Trying to finish because it really is super long!!!)
By the time we got to the city we were so excited, everything to us who’s never been outside of Florida, looked so pretty and like what you saw in movies or social media. So many lights, and tall buildings with billboards everywhere you turned, snow, alot of places still had their Christmas decorations. When we got to our hotel, we divided ourselves into three rooms! Parents in one, brothers in the second and sisters in the third. It was a little complicated for the boys because there were more of them but they made it work lol. Our parents told us we were in New York to watch the ball drop. To end it here, we went to go see it, and in my opinion it was okay. I didn’t really care to see the ball drop, I wanted to explore New York though. Which is what we got to do during our time there! We had our very first snowball fight, which by the way taking snow to the face kinda stings. It was a really fun and unforgettable experience, until this day no one aside from my mom knows that I knew about going to New York.
Besides waiting to tell people I was pregnant with my kids. Knowing my sister was pregnant and not telling the extended family.
I think not saying anything about when my husband got a job in our home state not too far from where our families were until everything was solid. This was when he retired from the Navy so we could move back home.
I am thrilled to find out that you’re starting a new series! I’ve been watching and waiting to see “What’s Next”!
I love happy secrets! I am one who will wait to open my gifts just to prolong my own happy secrets from myself- : )
But one of my favorites was when we had surprised our daughters with a trip from NJ to NC to pick up a puppy! They thought we were surprising them by joining my husband on a business trip, with a stop to see his college friend on the way (neither of which were actually happening). I’d say that was definitely one of my favorite ones that we pulled off!
I have a love of writing a poem as a hint to the surprise gifts for my family. Everyone in my house knows if its a poem from me something exciting is about to happen.
There have been many over the years and I hope many more to come.
The only thing I could really think of was when my stepdad asked my sister and I ahead of time for our permission to ask our mom to marry him. We couldn’t say yes fast enough and then it was all about keeping quiet until then!
So Exciting. Love your work.
Live every book and looking forward to what comes next. Truly enjoy Bones take on his relationship with Cat
My happy secret is I have a surprise guest who will be visiting us this summer…
My husband’s sister, who is a nun. She’s a cloistered nun and has lived in the
convent for a few years. He has no idea. I was about to burst to tell someone!
Now don’t you tell. He hasn’t seen her in so long.
My pregnancy with my only baby was my hardest to keep, most wonderful secret!
I had to wait to tell my husband that I didn’t have breast cancer after I got my biopsy results yesterday. He was driving to work so I had to wait to hear back from him, and an hour felt like forever. I didn’t want to tell him while he was driving because of safety. He was freaking out with happiness, so I am glad I waited.
I am so happy for your great news!
Can’t wait for this new world.
My happy secret was being offered a job with better pay and closer to home! I had to keep it a secret for weeks until the contract came through. I love where I am now, and it has been amazing.
Congrats on the new Publishing! I’m excited to see what you’ve got up your sleeve next 🙂
My happy secret was my daughters then boyfriend came and asked for her dad’s and my blessing to propose. Then he proceeds to ask me to help him pick a ring that she would love. It was the longest 2 months ever. Not to mention having to be very careful not to send him messages with rings while they were home. I could have ruined everything with her handing him his phone asking why her mom was texting him😜 (side note they had a beautiful wedding this past April)
Having to keep a surprise party a secret was killer for my mom a few years ago!
So excited for your new book!
I’ve had to keep a secret from my daughter that my husband was getting home from his deployment a little earlier than she expected— she didn’t know we were going to the airport to pick him up at the time!
Super excited about the new series! I can’t wait!
Looking forward to the new series.
I understand keeping secrets. When you work in an environment that requires you not to release information it gets easier. However, when your children tell you that you are going to be a grandmother for the first time you want to tell everyone. Luckily, it was only a couple of weeks and we could share but those 2 weeks were torture.
My husband and I had retired to Texas and were missing friends from “back home”. My happy secret was that they told me that they bought a house nearby and would be moving soon, but I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone (especially my husband because he can’t keep a secret to save his life!). It was a long 3 months before I could share.
I am so excited to read your new series! Also, I secretly like Bones’ POV even more than the originals, and the OUTTAKES! OMG. ❤️
Congratulations on the upcoming series! I cannot wait.
Congrats on the new series. That’s so exciting! I don’t think I’ve ever had a surprise that I’ve had to keep silent about. Or maybe I was just too excited and shared anyway. LOL
I guess, like several other women, my happiest secret was getting pregnant with my daughter. I could hardly wait to let my friends and family know. I haven’t managed to read any of the Bones p.o.v. books yet. My TBR pile has grown too big for it’s britches, and is going to require a home of it’s own pretty soon. They are somewhere in there…and as soon as I find them, I’ll read them. Probable binge, one of these weekends.
I think the only happy secret that I’ve had (that I can think of) is getting my first real crush (at the grand age of 18) and I didn’t tell anyone for 2 months because I was too scared they would make it obvious that I like that person. Hope you have a great week!!!
I can’t hold ANYTHING back, lol. But for my friends’ secrets, there is an unbreakable vault! When my BFF got pregnant, she (who tells no one anything) told me right away but vaulted the knowledge until she was 4 months preggers!! FOUR MONTHS! I was bursting by then. Man that was hard!
Most recently, I new my daughter’s boyfreind was going to propose and couldn’t tell anyone. It was soooo hard to sit on that one.
Im only posting it here cause he will never see it! I recently started dating someone long distance, i’ve known him for over a decade. It’s a fairytale, literal dream come true that he is giving me this chance, he went above and beyond for my birthday this year. The first in many anyone has put so much thought into my birthday. He enlisted the help of my best friend to get my gifts to me. Called me while he was at work to be there when I opened them and everything. He doesn’t know I’m returning the favor. Getting custom gifts from across the world that I will be painting to match one of his favorite games and a sappy love poem I wrote to go with it. I have to stop myself from telling him about it for the next 3 months.
My biggest secret was when I found out I was having twin boys and my 3 year old daughter told me in no uncertain terms that she did not want any brothers!
A secret I had to wait to tell was me secretly getting married. Only my daughter and the person who officiated my wedding knew. I had an ugly Christmas sweater party that turned into a wedding. Then we posted the pictures and all that on Facebook. We literally told NO ONE. Lol! Needless to say EVERYONE there was surprised lol!
Congratulations! I can’t wait for the new series. I absolutely love Bones’ POV, but I’m happy you have a new series too.
My happy secret would have been when I was pregnant with my first child. We were afraid I would have problems carrying a child so we waited for almost 16 weeks before we shared the news! Lots of tummy bugs and upset stomachs were happening to cover the morning sickness.
Love your books.
I remember wayyyy back when I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to tell everyone but I had to wait to keep the secret until after I told my mom first. And I couldn’t find her so I couldn’t let anyone know until she did!
Thank you so much for the new book secrets and for the awesome giveaway!
Surprises for people are my favorite secrets! Trips, gifts, activities…I love planning behind the scenes to surprise people.
Hi Jeaniene!
I hope this email finds you well. If I remember correctly, my “omg, I need to tell someone” moment was finding out a friend was pregnant by going to use her bathroom, and finding the pregnancy sticks in the trash. (Don’t ask me why I was in the trash. You’re in someone’s bathroom, the right thing would be to snoop! It’s the law! Lol) I lied to myself because I promise I wouldn’t say anything but as I was coming out the bathroom, I bumped into a mutual friend of ours, and I ended up telling her making hand signals at my belly instead of words, (so technically I keep my word.) Unbeknownst to us, she called other friends over to tell us all together. I forgot that the friend that I told, can’t hold water, so she ended up telling everyone before they could sit down. Thank God our pregnant friend announced it before anyone could congratulate her, but we all had to sit there with the fake “we are so surprised” face!
Well that’s my story. I hope you have a fabulous day. -Erica 🧡
My son loves orcas and we are going to California for summer vacation. We are going to do a whale watching expedition.
He carries around a plush orca that he’s named Orcie. I think he’s going to lose his mind when I tell him about it!
I have listened to the majority of your books on audiobook and LOVED Tavia Gilbert as the narrator!! I have very much enjoyed your books and look forward to more!!
Thanks for all your books. Old and new.
So excited about this new series! I love everything you have written so far so I know this will be amazing!
Hmm. My secret is my daughter found out the gender of her bs y and isn’t telling anyone but me. It’s a girl! 😊
I had to wait for nearly a month before telling anyone about a promotion.
Hi,
I don’t feel like I’ve ever had to keep a happy secret and honestly, if I did, I probably epically failed ! I am the WORST at keeping secrets. I have kept sad secrets from close ones though, as to not worry them.
Anyways, thank you for the opportunity, I love J. Frost’s books!!! So excited!!
A new series?! I. Can’t. Wait!
Happy secret I had to hold was when my daughter became officially engaged, she didn’t have her ring because it was immediately sent in for sizing after she got it, (AFTER she showed me 😊) and she wanted to tell everyone at an upcoming family get together that was occurring after she got the ring back to have on her finger.
I had to keep it a secret that I was moving to another state. I couldn’t tell anyone until it was official.
Can’t think of any happy secrets I ever had to keep or any length of time
I waited three months to tell everyone I was pregnant. I got pregnant quickly after we got married because my grandpa said “He was living on borrowed time” and I wanted to give him a great grandchild. Of course when she was born all my mom’s friends were counting the months on their fingers trying to figure out if I was pregnant when I got married.
Congratulations and so excited to read it when it comes out!
I am so excited to read your new series! I am not good at keeping secrets at all😂 My family and friends know and avoid telling me secrets to keep LOL.
With my second baby, whom was a very happy surprise, we had to wait and couldn’t tell anyone until I was well into my 7th month along!! My now husband’s brother’s girlfriend was pregnant and my husband (back then new partner) did not want to “steal” their thunder so we had to wait until their son was born in late July & we were due in mid October of the same year!! Gosh! That was a hard one to hold in!! But we did waiting until a few days AFTER their son was born. Looking back now I think that was silly & if I could get a re-do I definitely would NOT have waited. Love ALL your different series, have read them all hundreds of times, Bones & Cat have definitely been a comfort helping me get through some hard times. Can’t wait for the third installment of Bone’s side & for this new happy secret series coming up too!!!
My husband collects Pokémon cards and has never come across a card with his favorite character, Snorlax. We moved across the country last year and there’s a couple gaming shops in town – one sells Pokémon cards. One day we went over there, and as my husband wandered off looking at other stuff, I asked the guy behind the counter if they had any Snorlax cards? They had four DIFFERENT ones, so I bought one of each to give to my husband for Christmas. I bought these in August! The cards probably aren’t worth much (I don’t think they’re rare), but my husband was happy and still put them in protective sleeves right away.
So excited about the new book! Can’t wait!!
My happy secret – we’ll, you could say it was driving me batty with excitement! 😄 Being originally from Transylvania, I had this fang-tastic plan to surprise my then boyfriend (now husband) with a trip to Dracula’s Castle. I kept it under wraps longer than Dracula stays in his coffin during daylight! The hardest part was not letting out a maniacal laugh every time he mentioned wanting to visit Romania and meet my family. When I finally revealed the secret, he looked at me like I just told him he was the heir to the vampire throne. Let’s just say, he was thrilled to sink his teeth into that adventure! 🦇 To this day, he keeps mentioning that holiday and how amazing it was.
I am excited for the new series!
No Happy secrets but lots of Unhappy secrets, but thats fine because I was never able to keep a secret anyway.
Julie
I am very happy to hear about a new Serie. I am sure I would love it just the same. Regarding my secret I shared it with you via email. Not comfortable to share it on the wider audience.
Wish you all the best and looking forward to the new books. It’s always the greatest experience to read great book for the first time!!!!!
Such exciting and wonderful news. I’m always looking for new series to read and compare them all to Cat and Bones!
I’m so excited for the new series! I love all your books. I’m not good at keeping secrets. But I was able to pull off a surprise birthday party last Fall that was so fun!
Thanks for the contest!
Congratulations!! Can’t wait to read it.
I had to keep a new job under my hat until it was official. Agonizing, in a good way(:
I’ve had a few actually! Between sharing the genders of my boys (we were mostly a girl family) and deciding to pursue a nursing degree at the age of 38! Both were exciting!! I can’t wait to read this new book! I love mythical creatures and can’t wait to see your take on one of my favorite stories!!
My husband and I read the Night Huntress series together. I’d read it out loud while he listened. It was so much fun. Cat and Bones are old friends we visit from time to time. We look forward to reading your new series.
So excited about your new series! I’m terrible at keeping secrets about important things in my life, so I don’t have any!
Woohoo- a new series to look forward to.
Thank you for the surprise.
Wow! Can’t wait for the new series!
Happy secret was each pregnacy!
When I had to be quiet about the engagement ring my brother got his now fiancé last year as he wanted to totally surprise her when they got home to Florida.
Pregnancy
Long story short, we got pregnant, which was much-anticipated (5 years married). Got my mom a sweatshirt that said “Sexy Grandma” to tell her and had to listen to her talk about friends of hers for 10 minutes after driving down to see her. Finally just interrupted her and told her to open her gift. She was happy.
That was 22 years ago.
Just the plain old boring “baby on board” news.
My best friend was pregnant her husband was deployed and not due home for leave (vacation) for 2 months. She wanted to tell him in person. I had to keep her happy secret for 8 long weeks not only from her husband who I saw on FaceTime at least once a week but all our friends and family. It was well worth it. So horrible, the waiting. I later found out that I was the only one that managed to keep the secret 🤐. She leaked the news to all her family and friends. We went to the 4 month ultrasound while her husband was home. I was the only one trusted with the gender for the reveal party 😎.
I’m still waiting on the happy secret I believe, but will work on that. Really looking forward to the new series!!!
Can’t wait for the next book to come out. All Jeaniene’s books are easy reads. The problem is, I read them to quickly and have to wait patiently for the next book to come out.
I am now lucky enough to work in a bookstore and an author I love was coming to do an event at my store but it wasn’t announced for a long while so I couldn’t tell anyone.
Thank you for this contest & opportunity!
Amazing books & I look forward to the new series!
I have a hard time keeping secrets…so needless to say my friend and family usually tell me last. So I can’t think of a happy secret that I had to wait to get to tell.
Looking forward to your new book!! I’m not good with surprises because I don’t want to wait!! It happens too when I
buy an early bday gift or
Christmas gift I’m excited about. Thanks for the chance!!
Sounds amazing!
My secret was in the military & I had been dating my husband, who was an officer (I was enlisted, a big no no) & after I followed him to Desert Storm after 3 weeks he showed up 3 days after I arrived & proposed to me under the Saudi stars w/half a dozen different colored roses & we were engaged during the whole war. I wanted to tell everyone but we had to keep it under wraps b/c my husband could have gone to Leavenworth. We got back from Saudi on the 10th of March & got married on the 18th of March b/c you could marry an officer, you just couldn’t date one! There were 6 people at my wedding including me, Randy (my hubby) & the minister! It was perfect! 33 years later & it was totally worth it, he is still my favorite person to be around!
I too had to keep the fact that I was dating away from anyone who knew the two of us because we had met in the synagogue that both families belonged to and until we were sure we would marry letting my date’s Mom know meant letting EVERYONE know because she couldn’t keep a secret at all and I would have everyone asking “so, when’s the wedding?” until I got completely nuts. This would have been unavoidable because I lived within two blocks east of my mother and an equal distance south of his parents. This worked and once we told people we were able to tell them the date that the wedding was going to be -just three months later. Now, 40 years later, I can finally get a good laugh about the whole thing.
A best friend swore me to secrecy and darn it I kept my mouth shut!!!
A new series is so exciting!
I am stoked!
I can hardly wait for your new series………. If its as great as Cat & Bones we’ll all be hooked forever.
Squee, new books to look forward to!^^
My latest happy secret would be when I kept quiet about my return to home from my parents and siblings. Their reactions were worth all the tiredness of going through 18h flight (with another extra 2h flight + 1h bus ride to hometown) from the city where I am currently studying =D
I think it would have to be when I suspected that I was pregnant with my youngest. I wanted to be sure before saying anything.
Thanks for having this contest!
My best kept secret was my brother running off to get married lol his wife didn’t even know it was cute and adorable.
My story: I have a friend that has been going through a hard time lately in all aspects of her life, both work and home… She has also been upset because she feels some of our friend group just don’t care or make an effort when it comes to her.
Side note, she loooove Taylor Swift. She had kept telling me she wanted the 1989 cardigan… So I spent a couple months watching sites to find one not ridiculously overpriced. And FINALLY! I bought it! And theeeen gave it to my friend as a (3 month early) birthday gift. (I couldn’t wait until her birthday to give it to her, haha!)
She was so excited that she cried! Like literally balled her eyes out. She said it was the nicest thing anyone had done for her. I kind of sympathetic cried…. Because that is what I do when I see people crying…
I know lots of people said this already. But my happy secret was waiting to tell people that I was pregnant. Couldn’t wait until the first semester was over!
So a couple of years back my then boyfriend proposed to me and I of corse said yes! My best friend knew it was coming but didn’t know when, but what she didn’t know was coming was the secret I had been keeping from her which was I didn’t want a traditional wedding I just wanting a little ceremony with a person I knew that could officiate and my maid of honor as our witness. When I told her I was officially engaged she was so excited. But when I asked her to be not only my maid of honor but my witness and social guest she sobbed. She was the only person my husband and I could think of having there with us. It was hard to wait to tell her everything and ask in person but her reaction was so pure and full of love it was worth it! (And my mom being mad bc she wasn’t indicted was icing on the cake, but that is a story for another time 😉)
My reading life is not complete without the next Frost book to look forward to. My husband knows when I get a new Frost book, he shouldn’t bother me lol.
Happy secret? Getting tickets to see Mean Girls on Broadway for our family ( we can all quote the movie verbatim). Did you know for every situation in life there is a line from the movie that fits? Haha.
A new book series sounds very interesting! I look forward to hearing/reading more about it!
Happy secret: My college buddy called me right after he bought the engagement ring for his girlfriend, and I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. He proposed on Christmas eve. Spoiler: they just celebrated their 30th anniversary! 🙂
Can’t wait to read the new books!
A happy secret I had to keep was when my sister was seeing someone and it was getting really serious, but they were very private about it, so when relatives asked about her, I had to pretend she wasn’t about to get engaged 😅
They’ve been married for several months now ☺️
My big secrets that I have to wait to reveal all involve presents, because generally I can’t keep a secret.
My secrets are about things I buy people and then I am so excited about what is coming I can’t keep it secret.
Cant wait!
My Happy secret was to buy something my husband had wanted for a long time and then to come up with creative ways to hide it till his birthday. He knew something was up and checked random nooks and crannies every now and then, trying to reveal the surprise. So it had to be a new place everyday. We turned it into a game.
A surprise Disney Cruise for my boys! I was so excited almost couldn’t keep the surprise
My favorite secret was when my brother’s girlfriend was pregnant and I was the first person to find out!
My mother and I live in separate countries now, so we do not get to see each other often. My happy secret is when I surprise her and tell her I am visiting. It is great because it is a joy for both of us
I’ve written 5 funny, twisted fairy tale radio plays that I’m excited to see be performed live, hopefully next year.
A happy secret I had to keep was surprising my husband for his 30th birthday by inviting his best friends down for a weekend from out of state. He was disappointed because it was during the pandemic, no one was going anywhere, and we moved out of state. He was missing social interaction. I told him we’d be doing stuff around the house all weekend and he was totally convinced. Then the night before his birthday his friends arrived and we all had a great weekend celebrating him. It was fun to plan even though it was difficult to hide everything (private dinner cater, ice cream cake etc). It’s been his most memorable birthday yet which makes it all worth it.