Newfoundland & Labrador – Jennifer's Journal

Sale On My First Novels

Published on November 7, 2025November 7, 2025 by J. Kelland Perry3 Comments

Hey Readers!
For a limited time only, my two-book Young Adult/New Adult Calmer Girls series is now on sale on Amazon. These full length novels are recommended for mature young readers, but are popular with older readers as well.
Both are only .99 each on Kindle and 9.99 in Paperback. They are also available on Audible on Amazon.com.

CALMER GIRLS ON AMAZON

CALMER SECRETS ON AMAZON

Here’s the scoop on the series:

Calmer Girls, Jennifer’s debut YA novel, is a realistic coming of age tale set on the island of Newfoundland in the summer of 1993. Samantha Cross, a sensitive sixteen-year-old devastated by recent losses, discovers first love and a possible escape from her despair when she meets magnetic Ben Swift.

However, there are problems. He happens to be the new boyfriend of her biggest adversary and life-long irritation, her vivacious sister, Veronica. Then she finds out the boy driving the vintage Thunderbird has some complex and mysterious issues of his own.

This realistic Young Adult novel allows an honest and introspective glimpse inside a teenage girl’s self-deprecating, sometimes humorous angst. Navigating the obstacles of individuality, sibling rivalry and parental divorce, Samantha ultimately learns poignant lessons about love, betrayal and sacrifice.

Calmer Secrets, a New Adult novel, picks up the story four years later. Samantha Cross is all grown up, busy with art school, and free of romantic entanglements. That’s how she prefers it, having renounced love ever since Ben Swift came between her and her sister Veronica four years ago, changing their lives forever. But when an old friend turned sexy bass player rocks Samantha into a wild infatuation, she rethinks her abstinence.

While feeling out this intense relationship, Ben barges back into their world with devastating news, sending both sisters into a tailspin. In an explosive climax, Veronica reveals long-buried secrets of her own, secrets that could impact all their futures and any hope of reconciliation between the Cross women—a.k.a. the Calmer Girls.

A Purry Point of View: Gordon

Published on March 6, 2025 by J. Kelland Perry35 Comments

Hi there, friends! My name is Gordon—aka Gordie, and that’s Louie cuddled in behind me.
I’m guest posting for Jennifer today, who has had so much existential dread lately that she can’t seem to get up the gumption to blog like she used to. Fear not, though. I’m sure she’ll be back on track soon.

I wanted to share with you some pics of what my silly “brother by another mother” has been up to since we moved in with Jennifer and Paul back in September. Because I’m three and he is only one, I’ve been trying to have the upper hand, you know, to keep him in line.

But Louie is simply beyond my ability to control. He is always into something! Here are a few examples:

He jumped up to this chandelier until he finally succeeded to grab this:

Then he turned his attention to these starfish on the wall:

…but was unsuccessful because Jennifer scolded him so many times.

But he did manage to make off with this whatchamacallit from the bathroom in the middle of the night (tore it right off the chain!):

Then Louie decided to grab a couple of things that weren’t nailed on, such as this thingamabob:

…and this doohickey from the wall:

In spite of all his antics, we do have lots of fun together…

…and I think we’re going to keep him. 💙

BEST. CAT. EVER. 💔

Published on November 21, 2023 by J. Kelland Perry48 Comments

The time has come to blog about something I’ve always dreaded, and the tears will be inevitable as I write it.
It has taken me a while to accept the heartbreaking fact that, after a brief but devastating illness, our precious Vivian is no longer with us.

Life is too quiet now. Our home will never be the same. Perry’s Point will never be the same. I’m still grieving far too much to make these words eloquent, so just know that our pain and loss is real.

Vivian was our constant companion and our family member for over sixteen wonderful years. Her love and her devotion to Paul and me was unconditional and mutual. She will remain in our hearts forever.

**Her last night on my lap—November 2/23**

My hope is that she is reunited with her sister Maisie, enjoying all kinds of capers, cuddles and catnaps in a sweet kitty afterlife.

🐾 🐾 ❤️❤️ 🐾 🐾

Rest easy, sweet kitty!

I’m sharing Vivian’s first guest post on my blog from 2012 below:

Guest Post: Vivian’s View From Here

Old-Fashioned

Published on June 24, 2015 by J. Kelland Perry40 Comments

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Definition of Old-Fashioned*:
1. a: of, relating to, or characteristic of a past era, in or according to styles or types no longer current or common; not modern.

When we undertook the renovations to our home, one of the features Paul and I emphatically chose not to replace was the stained glass in the two bay windows and in the window over the stairs. These colourful panes were original to the house when it was built in 1923, came special order from England, and bear a trio motif of roses, thistles, and shamrocks.

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Rose of England Thistle of Scotland Shamrock of Ireland

But what is the significance of this trio? As Wikipedia explains:

“Since the 1801 Act of Union between Britain and Ireland, the shamrock was incorporated into the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom, depicted growing from a single stem alongside the rose of England, and the thistle of Scotland to symbolise the unity of the three kingdoms. Since then the shamrock has regularly appeared alongside the rose, thistle and (sometimes) leek for Wales in British coins such as the shilling and crown, and in stamps. The rose, thistle and shamrock motif also appears regularly on British public buildings such as Buckingham Palace.”

031 (1016x1024) So even though nearly everything else has been renovated, replaced or upgraded,
we are happy we made the decision to keep the stained glass. 027 (1024x681) And though they may not be modern or practical…
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…we love the feeling of tradition and heritage they impart,
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…and the beauty they add to our sunsets.

*This has been my take on this week’s photo challenge: Old-Fashioned @ wheresmybackpack.com

To Sea by Virtue

Published on November 26, 2014November 26, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry25 Comments

One sunny afternoon last month, we accompanied friends aboard the Virtue, their Beneteau 400 sailing vessel.
We were only too happy to share in the enjoyment of the October sea and sky.

024 — *Rowing in the little boat to the big boat*

“Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

“I never get tired of the blue sky.” – Vincent Van Gogh

“Roll on, deep and dark blue ocean, roll… Man marks the earth with ruin, but his control stops with the shore.” – Lord Byron

“Long may your big jib draw.” – legendary Newfoundland saying meaning good wishes for the future

“I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea.” – Alaine Gerbault

“How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.”
– Arthur C. Clarke

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
– William Arthur Ward

“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” – Buddha

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau

“I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” – John Masefield

Have you ever gone sailing on a beautiful day such as this?

Cold and Dreary February? Nahh… Part One (Outdoors)

Published on February 25, 2012August 23, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry7 Comments

I have never professed to be a winter-loving person. I don’t ski, skate or snowmobile, and here in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the winter can drag on longer than many of us like.

But it isn’t all bad. I do like to go outdoors on the sunny days for walks, or just to take some pictures of things that catch my fanciful eye. Last week I snapped a few shots of the glittering aftermath of a sleet storm. It is also satisfying to find signs of wildlife…and finding wildlife itself.

(For better viewing, click on the first photo to start the gallery)