On submission! It's official.

I'm headed to Jim Thorpe to work on my next manuscript.

Hi all! It's official. I'm on submission with Pining for You (PfY). What does that mean? It means that editors at publishing houses are considering the manuscript for publication. Cross your fingers, y’all.

In honor of going on submission, I’ll share the elevator pitch for the book:

PINING FOR YOU is a contemporary romance inspired by real events about a mature romance author who finds love with a rugged woodsman in the idyllic Pocono Mountain town of Jim Thorpe, but when past heartbreak causes him to walk away, she pours her heart into a novel, writing her own happily-ever-after in the hopes of winning back the love she’s always dreamed of.

Now, let’s get to the fun post for today. I’d like to share another great spot in Jim Thorpe that inspired a location in PfY. There are numerous scenes that take place in a bar in downtown Jim Thorpe. The fictional spot is called Brew and Bite, but the real place, that inspired the bar in the book, is called Notch Eight Craft House. Notch Eight is a great place for amazing bar food featuring some of the best tacos, craft cocktails, including a campfire old fashioned with a toasted fire-y marshmallow, and a rotating variety of local beers on tap. There’s primarily bar seating only and it's for 21+, but well worth it if you’re of age and can find an open seat. Here are some pics of the amazing food and beer I’ve had. Also, as you can see, I often can’t wait to sip my brews before I can take a pic. That’s because it’s so delicious! Also, I’ve usually spent the morning writing and it’s a well-deserved reward.

Now, why is the bar relevant to PfY? It’s a spot that Nicole and Everett go to on their first date, it’s where Josh, the secondary love interest (see previous blog post) works as a bartender, there’s a book-ish event held there, and Nicole eats lunch there all the time after she moves to Jim Thorpe in the second part of the book. So, yeah, it’s a prominent location for the book. The real-life bartenders are awesome too! I’ve included a pic of two of them dressed up for Halloween. I love Reno 911! and, apparently, they do too. Aren’t they silly? They’re great bartenders too.

So, if you’re ever in Jim Thorpe, you’re 21+, hungry, and thirsty, it’s a must-stop joint. AND—if you’re ever there on a Friday at 1pm, you’ll likely see this author camped out on a bar stool enjoying a beer and some tacos. Feel free to say hello.

Until next time!