Kirkpatrick invites you into the lives of five women friends who promise to help each other achieve their life goals. Annie Shaw's goal is far from simple: become famous. But she’s in trouble after quitting her day job to write full-time. Her second novel tanked, and her new editor wants her to re-write the ending of her latest work to ensure this one is more successful. In order to pursue fame and an elusive bestseller, Annie travels to Chicago, acquires a rambunctious dog, and participates in antics better suited to a television reality show than real life.

Barcelona Spain

In 1992, Barcelona played host to the Olympics. Today the city is Spain’s most popular tourist destination. The Mediterranean coast city - Spain’s second largest, after Madrid – draws millions of world travelers.

An Afternoon with Jane Kirkpatrick

An interview by Amanda MacNaughton
(NW Book Lovers is a blog by and about authors, librarians and independent booksellers in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.)

Jane: I don’t let myself check email until 11 in the morning. I write from 8 to 5. I take a break for lunch . . . Sometimes I have to go do something else completely different for a while. I’m always amazed at how quickly the time flies when I’m writing because I’m totally in another world. How many people get to live in that other world and do something they really enjoy?

Read the rest of the interview here.

From the Journal of Adele Marley

"If the labor stalls, consider baking bread. The aroma of it will comfort the mother and allow the process to proceed"
"Be an even stable influence, never cheery one day and morose the next."
“It is good to remember that physicians often find that in delivery, clotting improves for a hemophiliac, perhaps as a natural protection for both mother and baby…”

Praise for Jane Kirkpatrick's Barcelona Calling

"In Barcelona Calling protagonist Annie Shaw throws herself into all the zany ideas for attracting Oprah's attention.  Along the way she forgets for a little while about what is really important and loses herself in schemes for fame and recognition.  This is a funny, entertaining story that brings home the message of being true to yourself."  Deon Stonehouse, Owner of Sunriver Books and Music, an independent Book store in Oregon.

"Jane Kirkpatrick showcased her writing skills on Barcelona Calling, from outrageous to hilarious to inspiring words about the life of a novelist--and those people she touches. Bravo, Jane, for showing us what this life of writing is really all about--touching one heart at a time." Hannah Alexander, author of The Wedding Kiss and The Hideaway series

It's fiction, but it's also the most complete and honest description of the writing life I've ever read: self-doubts balanced with letters from grateful readers; the give-and-take with editors and agents; comments from friends and strangers who 'always wanted to write a book someday' and suggest that you get Oprah to endorse your book. As a writer, I repeatedly saw myself in Jane Kirkpatrick's Annie, whose self-talk and hilarious antics in search of fame reminded me that we write not for fame, but to touch our readers' hearts. Recommended for writers--and readers who want a peek at the writer's life. - 5 stars - Carole Dagg

As a gem, Barcelona Calling is multifaceted. I loved the surface story of Annie's adventures and knew she was "aghast" many times as she had mishap after mishap in trying to attain fame through her writing. Through the trials of Annie's encounters with the publishing world, I could hear Jane's voice describing what a writer must go through. And, then Jane wove through it all, the deeper level of discovering what really matters in life. Is fame really more important than being true to yourself?
I wish I could speak as deeply as Jane's words move me. One of my favorite sentences was, "You're the only one who can decide if the work is worthy and it's worthy if you are staying close to the true Provider of a satisfying life."
This book is a departure from Jane's historical fiction but definately entertaining and thought provoking. I will recommend it to others. - Marea Stone

Reading Jane Kirkpatrick has meant for many of her followers a certain expectation. A sensitivity to historical context, matters of period speech, dress, daily life will be reliable. Accuracy of fact and emotion will be grounded in a Christian base, but not overwhelmingly so. In Jane Kirkpatrick's newest novel, BARCELONA CALLING, I met big surprises, starting with the fact that the settings, story and characters are contemporary....and funny. Annie Shaw, is the author of "cozy romances;" the books without bedroom scenes, bodice ripping or other vivid sexuality. Annie's sales are not going well, nor is the new editor's take on her latest manuscript, the most autobiographical of her four books and the least honest. - 5 stars - Arletta Dawdy (Reader & Writer)