Awards/Achievements

Please try to control your admiration as to 

the heights of glory which 

Jane Marie Malcolm has reached.

Presented to Jane Marie with admiration from Martha Bear, Teddy O, Airbourne, grasshopper advisor, Spew, the vomiting kitty, Art, the bearling who likes to draw on walls, and  all the critters who add humor and delight to Jane Marie's books, short stories and blog.  They want her to continue writing about them,  so gave her this 
one-of-a-kind Elbow Lickers' Award.

Recognized by somebody as one of literature's
best chapter-enders,
Jane Marie proudly wears crown and sash.

Jane Marie featured for four seconds on the
 Entertainment Tonight 
television show, dressed in period gown for
 Gone With The Wind 50th Anniversary costume ball in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jane Marie is a deserving member of the 3 Second Memory Club, featured in
 Amelia Island's Mark of a Man, set in 1898. This club is ever-growing to present day. 

Just another crowning ...

Why and How of Writing

 Goodbye Lie series

Two questions I'm oft times asked at book signings are:

What made you write books?   
     It is always much fun for me to meet new people, especially those who like historical 

fiction. 

     The quick version to why I write is my husband lost his job (the company downsized) and we moved to Arkansas to open a fine dining restaurant with friends with money. (We were the sweat equity.) I was heartsick over leaving Fernandina.  I thought writing a book would be a great way to remember the town. Well, you're supposed to write what you like to read, i.e., historical romance/suspense. Since I'd already taken docent training at the local Amelia Island Museum of History and Victorian Amelia Island was the perfect setting, I began writing one book,The Goodbye Lie to put in my granddaughter's hope chest, for posterity. It was much fun for me and so involving, I had to find out what happened to the other members of the fictional Dunnigan family. That's why I wrote two more with the forth in the works. Oh, after the first book, we moved back to Amelia Island, and my husband, Bruce Malcolm, became the mayor!  

Where do I begin to become a writer?

     So many people have stories to tell and they want to do so, but don't know how. I can only give them my experience, so I simply say, "Just go ahead and give it a try." Begin with short stories. If they are related, they could turn into chapters in a book.  A whole book can be daunting, so try this way.  Find a good friend you trust enough to read your efforts and ask him or her for suggestions on improving your writing and story-line. If you agree, follow their suggestions. If not, and you think the words are best left as originally written, just keep going. Remember, you have to have a thick skin. Remember, too, not everybody will like your style or subject matter.  If you're extremely lucky and determined,  you may eventually get your story out there for the public to discover. But, the bottom line is: Write for the love of the sport. That's what I do.

         

HE IS RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

A Major Award from Peeper!

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida, a sittin' on the Atlantic Ocean, USA

Late 1880s
     Grandmother Peeper writes:  I am Peeper Clegg. I am one a the favorite stars a readers a Jane Marie Malcolm's old- timey, ta her, Goodbye Lie books.(Jane Marie calls 'em novels in a series.)  They are writ about where I live now and where she lives in the future, the 21st century, sakes alive!  
     So, I must be truthful, here. 'Twas Jane Marie who begun the 3 Second Memory Club 'cause she's always sayin' how she don't recall nothing.  That ain't entirely a fact.  She remembers enough ta write good books.  I'm certain sure she cain't never forget my glorious and very interestin' ways, so that helps her fill up her pages.  
     Anyhow, she told me ta tell folks ta click right where it says Join 3 Second Memory Club  ta find out all about the club, but here is a sample: There are no applications, no rules, no meetings, no dues, just a kindred of like-minded souls with great long term memories and next to zero short term memories. Warning! If you remember the name of the club,  you’re over qualified but you can still read Jane Marie's blogs and books until you lose your memory.  
     Since Jane Marie is oft times busy writin' her next book in the series, she's acallin' it Sand and Sin, and makin' her recipes, many a them she gets from me, I  gave her the guilts by telling her she was lettin' folks down fur not havin' a official proof a membership to the 3 Second Memory Club.  So, whilst the peach cobbler was a-coolin', she slowed down and created her own certificate and had me ta sign it. My friends want ta be members and are askin' for somethin' ta frame and hang on their wall. Once again, ol' JMM came through fur us.  She said ta copy, paste and print the picture below then fill in your own name. Spread the word cause there are lots of us forgetters out there in this century and in Jane Marie's time, too. 
     Now where did I put my sewin' basket?   

Hands of Love plus Goodbye Lie Diaries-Entries by "The Girls"

Present Day
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida

     To me, this is a perfect picture of love.  It came about when I saw my Bruce's hand print on our blanket where he had straightened the bed covers, smoothing the wrinkles in the nap. Like a refreshable Etch A Sketch, our granddaughter, Ava, and I have drawn pictures in this same nap, at our annual Grammy Camp. And so it came to me to place my hand on this most impressionable blanket, along side that of my dear husband's.  I had to photograph the result and share with you other romantics out there.  💑  Jane Marie

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*The Goodbye Lie Diaries

Late 1880s

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Breelan

Breelan writes - At the sight of this powerful image, romance with the man I love fills my entire being.

Carolena

Carolena - To discover his hand print and then compliment it with your own, tells a story of love for a lifetime. 

Marie

Marie - Ahh ...  I want a good man of my own ...




****************************

     The Goodbye Lie Diaries on this blog are written by the  The Goodbye Lie series characters, themselves, and what characters they are! Set in the late 1880s on Amelia Island in north Florida, these girls are siblings in the Irish Dunnigan family. Each sister has a distinct personality and look and each has a novel telling her own story as part of the series.  Read the tales of the Dunnigan girls as follows: 

Breelan- The Goodbye Lie
Carolena - Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow
Marie - Amelia Island's Mark of a Man
             (brother Pat shares this novel)

   The Dunnigans welcome you to their family. Hang on tightly! There's a whole lot of bouncin' goin' on!
                        -Jane Marie Malcolm (author and close friend to the Dunnigan clan)

More Decorating with Jewelry

     As I say with so many things, "Why not?"  And so it goes with these pretty bracelets, made for me by my  wonderful sister and expert jewelry maker, Nancy Kamp.  Since I only have two arms, this is a reasonable and most perfect way to display them to myself, family and visitors.  I change out decorative jewelry around the house all the time.  It's far batter than letting it sit in the dark of jewelry box.  Thank you, Nancy!

P.S. Note the crown on the top of the lampshade. My granddaughter, Ava, and I made it at our last Grammy Camp. Fun, fun stuff!  Click on the link for instructions to make your own crown. ->Grammy Camp- Crowns Abound

Spring's Frying Pan

     As you may know, I seasonally change what I hang on the gate of our Stately Martha (Bear) Manor.*  While some hang flowers or seaside verses, I  say, "Off with the shamrock and up with the frying pan!"  The paint has chipped a bit, here and there, but it has endured the brutal Florida sunshine and not faded too much.  The best part for me is visitors recognize my tall decorative sticks as the palm trees they are supposed to be! 

****************************************

Martha Bear (who sees with her heart because she has no eyes), Captain Fancy Patch, himself, and Swiney, his piggy companion

     *Martha Bear is a featured player in my Goodbye Lie  historical romance series set in the late 1800s in Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida.  She makes cameo appearances in the books and is also the star of The Great Amelia Island Sniff Off, a 15 minute story read by Captain Fancy Patch of the Rosie Freckle, anchored off the northern tip of the island.  Click on the link to enjoy the family friendly silly story!

The Irish Dunnigans Approve

     The Dunnigan family in my Goodbye Lie series highly approves of me sharing with readers a photo of my very own  Saint Patrick statue, actually made from peat*! (I have to brag that we got it in Dublin, Ireland! What a treat of a trip that was for us.) Michael Dunnigan, the patriarch in the novels,  is second generation Irish, so Saint Paddy's day is one of his favorite holidays.  

label on the bottom of the statue

*Peat- I had heard the word peat, but didn't know exactly what it was.  Wikipedia says: Peat, also known as turf, is an accumulation of partially  decayed vegetation or organic matter.  It is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs.  It is often cut out and dried for use as fuel and in gardening.


Many an Irish cottage burns peat in the fireplace. I was given incense-like cones made of peat to light. They made our own seaside cottage smell with the realism of an Irish home. Very, very cozy.

God Never Fails to Impress plus Goodbye Lie Diaries - Peeper

Dancing Girls

(Impatiens Bequaertii)

Laughing Bumble Bee Orchid

(Ophrysbbomyblifora)

Swaddled Babies

(AnguloaUniflora)

Parrot Flower

(Impatiens Psittacina)

Flying Duck Orchid

(Caleana Major)

An orchid that looks remarkably

like a tiger

Happy Alien

(Calceolaria Uniflora)

And his friends…

Angel Orchid

(Habenaria Grandifloriformis  )

Dove Orchid Or Holy Ghost Orchid

(Peristeria Elata)

White Egret Orchid

(Habenaria Radiata)

The Darth Vader

(Aristolochia Salvadorensis)

An Orchid That Looks Like A Ballerina

Monkey Face Orchid

(Dracula Simia)

Hooker’s Lips

(Psychotria Elata)

Moth Orchid

(Phalaenopsis)

What a wonderful world!

A friend sent these beautiful photos to me by email and I had to share. If anyone knows who created this email, please tell me at graciousjanemarie@yahoo
 and I will happilycredit them. 👍

***********

The Goodbye Lie Diaries

Peeper

Late 1800s

Fernandina on Amelia Island

Florida

Grandmother Peeper writes:   Them is some perty flowers there, Jane Marie. I hope whoever made them pictures steps forward sos they get the high praise they deserve.  Aunt Noreena, next door, keeps ordering them orchid flowers from somewheres about once ta year and once ta year she kills 'em dead.  She needs ta stick to plantin' weeds.  They will grow - even fur her.

(Peeper and Aunt Noreen, aka Noreena to Peeper, are recurring characters in my Goodbye Lie series.  Their constant, and often funny, squabbling has gone on for so long, nobody can remember who began the fussing. -jmm

Hollywood Hearts - Groucho Marx Quotes

     If you don't know, I love clever things. Here are some quotations from the great slapstick comic, Groucho Marx.  Thank you, Groucho

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. 

Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?

Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others.

From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down I was convulsed with laughter. Someday I intend reading it. 

I must confess, I was born at a very early age.

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.

Amelia Island Book Festival 2019

Characters from 
The Goodbye Lie series
 bestowed the title, 
Scene Queen, upon me!

Those same characters are shameless. They love me to tell their stories and like to flatter me so I will show them in a beautiful light.  I only tell the truth about them.  Just sayin'... 😉

I had another enjoyable day meeting authors and the public at the Amelia Island Book Festival, here in Fernandina Beach, Florida.  Thank you to everyone who makes this annual event in February happen!

Popeye, Am I Too Analytical?

Now I ask you, am I too analytical?  Someone said that to me recently. I have never been accused of such before this.  However,  I take it as a high complement because I think of scientists and mathematicians as analytical, and they're really smart people. Just because I commented on Popeye having wee knees, do I deserve this title? Sure I do  Hey, maybe if I continue said analysis of life, might I be Jeopardy worthy?  Nah

( Image found on Pinterest.  If anyone knows the source, please contact me and I will give credit, of course. graciousjanemarie@yahoo.com)

St. Francis Mission Church Tea, Yulee, FL

copied from St. Francis website

     I was invited to speak at this lovely Ladies Tea the Sunday before Valentine's Day.  What with the frilly lace table clothes, floral patterned dishes, colored glasses, a light lunch of chicken over biscuits, grape and yogurt salad, strawberry shortcake and sharing tidbits about my novels, I was in my element.  The women were friendly and chatty and I will remember their sweet hospitality always. 
     Oh, they gave me a gift basket containing, in part, a St. Francis member-created cookbook, chocolate bars and movie tickets! 

Jane Marie Malcolm and crafts which tie into her Goodbye Lie series

Miss Ella, Breelan, Carolena Marie, Grammy, Peeper and even Aunt Noreen  from the late 1880s in  my Goodbye Lie series told me they would approve because they have similar teas quite often! -jmm

Ladies in hats! (photo by Lyndan)

Valentine Cracker Candy- Goodbye Lie Diaries - Miss Ella

Yes, there are crackers under the chocolate!

Late 1800s                     Fernandina on Amelia Island Florida

Miss Ella's diary entry:          You know how I love tradition, Jane Marie. When I move on to my Heavenly home, I want my children and grandchildren to remember the sweet treats we made together, the ones I have to hide from my husband, Michael. 

Miss Ella

   Here is my recipe for Valentine (or any time) Cracker Candy. It is very easy to make with handy ingredients. As usual, please translate my recipe, from my time into your

modern time, so your readers understand the proper preparation.

***

Jane Marie responds: Thank you, Miss Ella. My modern changes are listed in blue below. Ava, our granddaughter, helped me make your delicious crackers. You were right about hiding them.  I had Ava hide them from me! 

Miss Ella's Cracker Candy

Miss Ella is the Dunnigan matriarch in The Goodbye Lie series set on

 Amelia Island, Florida in the late 1800s. 

Crackers, plain (Saltines) - enough to cover your baking sheet in a single layer (one sleeve)
1/2 cup butter, melted 
1 cup sugar and a smidge of molasses, mixed (Or we used brown sugar alone with no molasses.) 
1 spoonful vanilla (1 teaspoon)
1 to 2 cups chocolate - shaved (1 bag of chocolate chips)

Miss Ella Dunnigan

Grease your baking sheet (with non-stick spray).  Cover your flat baking sheet with a single layer of crackers. Melt the butter. Add the sugar with molasses (or brown sugar)and boil while stirring for 2 minutes, maybe 3, as it thickens a bit.  Stir in your vanilla.  Drizzle over the crackers.  Bake in a hot (425 degrees Fahrenheit ) oven for 3-5 minutes. While still hot, sprinkle the chocolate over top and spread evenly as it melts. Let cool and break into pieces.   


*Did you know the name cracker, the edible kind, came about when a baker in 1801 in Massachusetts named Josiah Bent burned the biscuits and they made a crackling noise as they blackened! 

* Origin of the name cracker found online at tripsavvy.com - Crackers: Invented in New England. Thank you, tripsavvy.com - jmm

Goodbye Lie Diaries -Breelan's Idea for Valentine's Day

Late 1800s                                                               

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Breelan Dunnigan's diary entry for February: Here is a simple idea for your special Valentine or perhaps an anniversary gift.  The only cost to you is that of your time spent thinking about your favorite someone. Man, woman, child, friend, relative or grocer, if you want to get that personal, make a list of the top twenty, or as many as  you want, random things you know about your wonderful one.  Write then down in your best handwriting on a lovely piece of stationery.  Roll it up and tie with a ribbon. It will be a keepsake for a hope chest, too, for generations to read and get to know the person honored.  And there you have it.   

Happy Valentine's Day from my time to yours.

Breelan Dunnigan