Janet Glaser officially launched her latest memoir, Arranging a Dream. A feel-good story about successfully starting a business while raising an infant, moving to a new town, and not knowing the industry. Janet’s story is exactly what we need to escape for a few hours from the worries and insecurity in our lives.
Blurb
In 1975, budding entrepreneurs Ted and Janet purchase a floral shop and greenhouses where they plan to grow their dream. Leaving friends and family behind in Illinois and losing the security of two paychecks, they transplant themselves, their one-year-old daughter, and all their belongings to Fremont, Michigan, where they know no one.
Will the retiring business owners nurture Ted and Janet as they struggle to develop a blooming business, or will they desert the inexperienced young couple to wither and die in their new environment?
Most of all, can Ted and Janet grow together as they cultivate a loving marriage, juggle parenting with work, and root a thriving business?
Follow this couple’s inspiring story, filled with the joy and triumphs and the obstacles and failures experienced as they travel along the turbulent path of turning dreams into reality.
My review
J.Q. Rose’s Arranging a Dream (BWL Publishing 2021) is a how-to in buying a family business (in this case, a flower shop and greenhouse) in an industry you know nothing about in a town you’d never even visited before all this started, with a tiny support system of unknown provenance–all while raising a family. In Janet’s case, she and her husband gave up solid predictable jobs for the unpredictability of being self-employed. Janet took classes to learn the basics and then trusted herself to solve each problem as it arose. Turns out, with passion, drive, and a clever mind, that works nicely.
This is a delightful memoir of the growth of Janet’s family business and how it fits nicely with her personal dreams. I’d categorize it as a Quiet Memoir (link may not be available yet)–memoirs that deal with more common topics that are made uncommon by the author’s voice. Dorothy Rice says:
“Memories…are often quiet, more echo than boom, more lingering sense than clamor, more subtext than headline.”
In this case, J.Q.’s voice is approachable, friendly, vulnerable, and honest, innately addressing the worries we’d all have if we started a business, or didn’t. See if you agree that Janet’s voice is what makes this memoir truly stand out:
“…for the first time, I was always second-guessing my instincts.”
“We had followed the map’s directions to find our destination. If only we had a map to know if this place was the right direction we should take for our future.”
“…could “Ted-gineer” anything [Ted is Janet’s husband].”
5/5 for this memoir, and a worthy read if your interested in exploring a life well lived with good decisions followed through to success.
BTW, husband Ted is amazing.
–I received an ARC of this book but the opinions are my own.
Where to buy
Pre-order Nook BN.com https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/arranging-a-dream-jq-rose/1138258568?ean=2940164728984
Pre-order SW https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1054054
Pre-order amazon page https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NDZNYQJ
Paperback at amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Arranging-Dream-J-Q-Rose/dp/0228615542/
About J.Q. Rose
Whether the story is fiction or non-fiction, J.Q. Rose is “focused on story.” She offers readers chills, giggles and quirky characters woven within the pages of her mystery novels. Her published mysteries are Deadly Undertaking, Terror on Sunshine Boulevard and Dangerous Sanctuary released by Books We Love Publishing. Using her storytelling skills, she provides entertainment and information with articles featured in books, magazines, newspapers, and online magazines.
J.Q. taught elementary school for several years and never lost the love for teaching passed down from her teacher grandmother and mother. She satisfies that aspect of her character by presenting workshops on Writing Your Life Story.
Based on the lessons taught in her workshops, JQ created a book, Your Words, Your Life Story: a Journal for Sharing Memories to help life storytellers write, publish and market their stories. She decided to take her advice and pen her memoir, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir.
If you would like to write or record your life story/memoir, check out the Facebook Group, Telling Your Life Story and Memoirs Circle for encouragement and ways to spark memories. Click here to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/telllifestories
Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games and travel are the things that keep JQ out of trouble. She and her husband spend winters in Florida and summers up north with their two daughters, two sons-in-law, four grandsons, one granddaughter, two grand dogs, four grand cats, and one great-grand bearded dragon.
Contact J.Q. Rose
Facebook http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor
Amazon Author Page http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/jqrose
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/janetglaser/
BWL http://bookswelove.com/authors/rose-j-q-mystery-romance/
If it is possible to help me get the word out about the book, please let me know when you can schedule my spot and what you would like to do. Thank you.
I would be happy to return the favor this winter by hosting you on my blog during my Readers Circle event, swapping newsletters, or using social media to spread the word about your books.
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Man vs. Nature saga, and the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Laws of Nature, Summer 2021.
Hi Jacqui – JQ seems to have it worked out for us … and I’m so pleased she’s been able to ‘release’ her memoir passion through her writing. I’m sure many will be encouraged with her thoughts … take care both of you – Hilary
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Thank you, Hilary. Encouraging folks to follow their dreams and tell their life stories are my purpose these days.
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Anytime you can read how someone jumped into a business and made it work–what a plus. Good story, definitely.
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Thanks for this wonderful review for Janet’s book. I’ve bookmarked. 🙂
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I bet you got lots of reading done on your break!
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Ha! Not as much as I intended! 🙂
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Jacqui knows how to write a review. I loved it too. I was misty-eyed when she described the book as a Quiet Memoir. Thanks for bookmarking!!
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A wonderful compliment! 🙂
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Great review, Jacqui! Best of luck with the new memoir, Janet!
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Thanks, Sean. She left the door open for a next memoir about how she got into writing. We’ll see if Janet takes that on.
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I should hope so! I love hearing creative origin stories!
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Thank you, Sean.
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I look forward to reading this memoir! I am working on my own memoir of flash short stories-lighthearted and hopefully fun. Sounds like I can learn a bit from this one now! 💕
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It is personal and easy to read. She covers the big stuff that they had to do without losing readers in florist details. Loved it!
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Wishing you the best with your lighthearted stories. We all can use some fun reads these days.
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Congrats to Janet and Ted for pursuing their dream! My S-I-L and her husband took on the same adventure (owning a florist store and greenhouse) and have made a great success of it. I think it’s wonderful when people brave their fears and go for the gold!
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Being around such beauty would be inspiring. Maybe it dampens the challenges. Interesting that your SIL did the same.
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Jacquie-I am so happy to hear your SIL and her hubby made a success of their floral business. Such a rewarding business to be in. The best part is delivering the flowers to the homes. People are delighted to receive the arrangements and plants.
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Isn’t this is a wonderful read?
Lovely to see you featured at Jacqui’s, Cuz;)
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Doesn’t it motivate you to want to start a business? I love this book.
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Thanks, cuz!!
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I can imagine this was very tough at the time, Jacqui. Congratulations to Janet and Ted on their determination and tenacity. The book sounds very interesting.
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Isn’t that the truth? There are so many moving parts in a florist business!
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Robbie, Learning a business and all the hats one must wear, kind of like authors with all their hats, makes for a stressful time. Add being a new mother and the guilt of leaving my baby in daycare was the most difficult part at that time in my life. Thank you for your congratulations!
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Dear Jacqui,
if this story is fiction or non-fiction doesn’t matter. As we see it from your review, the story is well told and that matters for a text, doesn’t it?! The story is exactly what’s just in, like all these articles about successfull women with children etc. in the (better) glossy magazines. Nevertheless, it seems to be worth to read. Your recommendation tells us that it is.
Keep healthy and happy
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Janet was no wilting female. She worked endlessly to get this store working. It’s a good model for young people in general. Thanks for visiting, Fab Four!
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I think the business of writing is enough for me, still learning but well done to Janet and having the courage to step away from teaching and delving into launching a business.
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My home business is my writing so there’s serious overlap there. I am handing off any portion of that I can to those who are smarter than I.
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Good for you, Cav. Enjoy your writing even if it is hard work. Wishing you success with your writing projects.
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Now, that’s a leap of faith!!
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It is! A lot gutsier than I am! The only way I started my home business was without spending any money (which means very slowly). I did reinvest but that was after a while.
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I’m one who needs the security of a regular paycheck.
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A leap of faith. Yes, that’s true. We were young and naive. It’s easier when you think you can do anything!!
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🙂
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I find it interesting to read about chances taken successfully. Nice to meet you here, Janet and congrats on your book:)
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I do too! This is something I never would have done, would have told Janet to avoid, and it worked spectacularly. Humble pie…
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Thank you, DL.
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I’ve always shied away from taking risks. Kudos to Janet for treading the new path she chose and touching the success star! Wishing her success with the book too. Sounds heart-warming.
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That is exactly it–the risk of taking risks. I’m not terribly brave.
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I love “touching the success star!” You made my day with that one. Thank you.
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Sounds good. Great title too.
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Besides the risk of buying a new business, sharing what was behind the curtain is also a big risk. It worked spectacularly here.
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Thank you. I agree Parenting is Funny! Love that.
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I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to take the kind of risk Janet and her husband did, but it’s wonderful how it all worked out. The sounds both inspirational and delightful. All the best to Janet with the book and for continued success!
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My husband and I have talked about it and determined we aren’t that brave. I loved experiencing this vicariously through Janet.
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Thank you, Mae Clair! Not sure if we were brave or just dreamers.
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Dreamers are good. The world needs more of them 🙂
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I’m not sure when I would fit it in, but this story sounds interesting. I spent some time around Fremont, MI when I lived in Michigan (2004-2014). The Pere Marquette River isn’t far from there!
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I’d love to read your memoir about going from teen to minister. I bet that’s quite a tale.
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Aha, I bet you are a fisherman! It is a beautiful area and so close to Lake Michigan. Thanks for stopping by.
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Wow what a touching story and i do love them.. How are you Murray.
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Thanks, Silvester. I think a lot of people have considered buying a business, maybe passed on it. Janet explains why she and her husband didn’t.
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Thank you. I love touching stories. I guess we always write what we like to read, eh?
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Wonderful introduction to Janet and her memoir, Jacqui. Sounds like a fun and inspiring read. Congrats, Janet!
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Definitely both of those. She keeps the story upbeat and positive while sharing enough detail would-be-businessfolks can use it as a bit of a template.
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Thanks so much, Bette.
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I like the term “quiet memoir,” Jacqui. The book sounds like a fun read, especially for those who are considering reworking their lives and taking risks. Thanks for the introduction to Janet and her book, and for the recommendation. 🙂 Congrats to Janet on the wonderful review.
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I am hunting for other Quiet Memoirs–more on that in a few months!
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Thank you. I was unfamiliar with “quiet memoir.” Can’t wait to see what else Jacqui has on it. For the letter Q?
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I catch all her posts. They’re fun and interesting. 🙂
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Go Janet may your book of life’s lessons inspire many.
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She does make it all sound “one foot in front of the other”. I like that.
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Thank you, Grace!
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Congrats to Janet on her book! It sounds like a great story about how her husband and she followed their dreams.
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Thank you, Natalie. I had a great time going back to the 1970s and wallowing in the nostalgia!
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And it was. I am completely impressed that they staid the course, figuring out solutions to problems though they’d never been involved in this industry before.
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Best wishes to Janet. Thanks for hosting her here, Jacqui.
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Thank you, Staci.
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It’s my pleasure. A wonderful memoir that is made even more relevant by the times.
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This sounds like an inspiring memoir.
Thank you for introducing us to Janet, Jacqui. I’ll have to add this to my list.
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Hi Jill. It is my hope this will inspire readers to work toward making their dreams come true!!
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I almost bought a business decades ago but in the end, couldn’t convince myself. I’m so impressed Janet actually did it.
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It takes a lot of courage and confidence to do what this couple did. That’s for sure.
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Thank you. I’m not sure if it was courage, but rather being too naive to be scared to try?
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My current home business required little up-front capital. That’s a huge step, to put your future and savings on the line.
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Thanks so much for reviewing Arranging a Dream. Your description of the book as a Quiet Memoir is appreciated. This story is from my heart. Revisiting the past allows discoveries about one’s life looking through the lens of time. I can’t share the realization I made about that year, 1975-76, because that would be a spoiler!
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It is my pleasure to host you, Janet. This is a memoir that I’m sure will touch many.
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Thank you for your kind words.
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Sounds like a lovely book. It is always inspiring to read about people who have made things work for themselves.
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Thank you, Norah. I hope my book inspires readers to make their dreams come true.
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I’m sure it will do so for many.
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Janet sure did! And a business she and her husband could work together. I really love that.
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That’s adds an extra touch of special, doesn’t it?
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Teamwork and “heart-work.”
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A perfect combination.
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