THE LAST WORD - renaming my Blog

I can barely believe two months have slipped by since I last wrote a Substack/newsletter/blog. It seems like a lifetime ago. Here are the last two months, in brief…

Sit back and imagine a background percussion of bongo tapping, light and relaxing at first, then an annoying, deafening pounding. As the story begins, David and I head to Italy (light, lovely tapping against unspeakably gorgeous vistas and ‘food of the Gods’), launching MAYHEM IN THE MOUNTAIN while in Rome (faster, faster, learning how to do live video reels – fun but I was a bit self-conscious), returning home and three days later landing in the emergency room with acute belly pain (level 10… pounding, excruciatingly loud banging on the bongos, blinding pain).

This is followed by two weeks convalescing (pounding slowing down), book launch trip in the Catskills (light, happy tapping, health good, great people), second, local launch with friends and family (silly, I’m high as a kite tapping as I glow), fabulous invites for talks pouring in, then the hospital follow-up: biopsy of belly (low level tapping – could have been worse, but my interventional radiologist was absolutely adorable and very funny) and the finale, PET scan this am. Now, back to my steady state.

Breathe, Jane, just breathe and DON’T MOVE. That’s what the Rad Tech told me as she pressed the magic button and my bench slipped into the PET scanner for 22 minutes this am. Compliant is one thing I am — I fell asleep. Fastest PET scan I’ve ever had.

So, can you blame me for changing the blog/newsletter name to “The Last Word?” My cancer may have amped up for another lap and new treatment. It’s never a good time to stare down that insipid Devil of a disease, but after 17 years, what can I expect? Rather than dwell, I get back to work. I’ll be very satisfied if I finish the final novel in the series, MICHIGAN BLUES, a thriller based on my inner self and my years at the University of Michigan in the early ’70s. I’m almost done with my first draft and think you’ll love this novel. It’s the last episode of the Isaacson series, then on to new projects.

MAYHEM’S reception has been extraordinary. Here’s what my readers have said on Goodreads and Amazon:

“The beauty of following the development of the characters through the series is that you find yourself cheering for them, hurting for them, and crying with them because they have become part of your soul. Jane Loeb Rubin is an extraordinary storyteller who draws you into an historical yet personal experience that is easily identifiable to those who have been part of her characters’ story.”

“Following the courageous Ella, this coming-of-age tale balances emotional family dynamics with encounters involving notorious figures and local challenges. It is a rewarding read that blends historical detail with an uplifting narrative. I love following this family!”

“Jane Rubin has written a wonderfully entertaining historical fiction novel in "Mayhem in the Mountains." It is clear to me that she researched the history she incorporated into this novel beautifully and accurately and wove it into a very enjoyable melding of facts and a very enjoyable storyline. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves the Catskills, history, or just plain enjoyable reading.”

“The author labels each chapter with the name of a character who speaks in the first person, giving this story immediacy and life. Rubin's research and experience in medical settings provide a basis for her rich and meaningful descriptions of medical institutions and professions, adding authenticity to this fictional, nicely crafted story.” 

“Rubin brings us to the Catskill Mountains in 1924 in her riveting and action-packed new novel, Mayhem in the Mountains.”

Hey, who better to listen to than other readers!

And the end of the summer, fall lineup is getting prettier by the day!

Thank you all – for reading, for supporting me through this journey and for sharing the good word about the Gilded City series: THREADBARE, IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN, OVER THERE, and MAYHEM IN THE MOUNTAINS

UPCOMING EVENTS!

July 13th - 5:30

Launch Event - by invitation only 

MAYHEM IN THE MOUNTAINS

MOUNTAIN RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB​​​​

YouTube interview with the brilliant writer, Mally Becker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu5lirruC2A&t=1392s

​July 10 | WRITERS IN THE MOUNTAINS

Discussion of Mayhem in the Mountains

The Catskills, Upstate NY - more to come

July 23 | book presentation and signings

MARGATE PUBLIC LIBRARY -

Bloom Center, Margate, NJ - 7pm

July 26 (Sunday) 6:30-8 | book signing

BETHANY BOOK STORE - Bethany Beach, DE, 6:30-8

August 6 | 7p presentation

Clubhouse

TRADITIONS OF AMERICA AT GREEN POND

Bethlehem Township, PA

September 10 | 6p  

THUNDER ROADS BOOKS - Springlake, NJ

Presentation and Book Siigning

​​September 19th | noon

HEIDI'S PILATES STUDIO, Summit, NJ

Mayhem in the Mountains - Book Discussion

September 23 | 6:30-9:00

SPARTA BOOKS, Sparta, NJ

Discussion and signing of Mayhem in the Mountains

September 30 | 6:30-8:30

TEMPLE B'NAI 0R, Morristown, NJ

​The Gilded City: Beyond the Golden Door, From the Lower East Side to the Catskill

​October 17th | 12:00

Harrison Public Library

Harrison, NY

9th Annual Meet the Authors - Panel Discussion

KATZ JCC, Cherry Hill, NJ

November 5th (interview with Paula Eiselt producer of: We met at Grossingers) and November 6th - 10am

Presentation of Mayhem in the Mountains - the Catskills before the Borscht Belt hotels

November 15 | brunch - Keynote Speaker

TRADITIONS AT THE LINKS

Fundraiser for Hope for Heather and OCRF

Syracuse, NY

November 17

National Council of Jewish Women

THE CLUB AT IBIS

West Palm Beach, Fl