Peggy Jaeger's Blog - Posts Tagged "pride-and-prejudice"
What fictional character would you like most to be stuck in an elevator with?
I don’t even have to think about this one. As soon as I saw the question, Elizabeth Bennett’s name popped into my head faster than you could say…well…anyone else!
So here’s the set up. I’m on the elevator and by some time warp bend, Elizabeth Bennett gets on with me. I’m me, she’s…her. Because she was written over 200 years before I came on the scene, we’re a little differently dressed. I’m in jeans and an old Dartmouth hoodie, she’s in the typical garb of her day, parasol and reticule in hand. She nods and smiles pleasantly at me, then turns to face the elevator door forgetting I exist.
No way, Liz.
First and foremost, we need to have a little discussion about Wickham. For someone drawn as the “smart” one in the family, how come you were so blind to his narcissism? I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time at age 12 and even then I could tell he was a loser. You were a whole lot older than me when you first met him. You should have been able to see through his pretty-boy looks and brown-nosing ways. Think of all the heartache you could have saved your family if you’d told them all what a creep he really was.
Second, why oh why didn’t you tell Charlotte Lucas what a humongous mistake she was making by marrying Mr. Collins? You told the world she was your best friend, a compadre for life, and yet you let her lower herself by hooking up with one of the most unlikable, stupid –and by stupid I mean REALLY not smart – characters ever penned. Yes, I understand she felt he was the best she could do in life given her “advanced age and inadequate social status.” But Lizzy, a REAL friend would have told her to stand fast and never settle. Ever. Was it really so horrible she remain unmarried for the rest of her life? I know she didn’t want to be a burden to her parents, but really, Liz, you should have tried hard to convince her to reject his proposal.
Third. Okay, here we’re going to go a little deep. I have always wondered since the first time I read the book, did you fall in love with Darcy because you saw him for the man he really was, or because you wanted Pemberley? I know that’s a mean question because it puts into doubt your feelings for the man, but I really have been in a quandary about your motives. Seeing Pemberely for the first time, and Lydia’s defection, happened pretty much simultaneously. Can you separate the two occurrences? Did you ultimately fall for the man because he truly was the kind of man you wanted? Ask yourself, if Pemberely had been falling into ruin, would you still have wanted Darcy? If you had never seen Pemberely, would you still have wanted Darcy? If Pemberely were say, half the size, would you still have wanted Darcy? If Darcy had been the village cobbler, would you have wanted him? I know these questions are harsh, but I seriously have always doubted you truly loved him for just him and not all that he possessed.
Last, but surely not least. Your mother. Really? Did it never occur to any of you Bennetts to simply slap the s**t out her when she got into one of her ( daily) tizzies? I know medication was sparse back then, but I’d have been slipping laudanum into her morning tea every day and then in a toddy at night. How your poor father didn’t go insane with this woman is beyond me. Divorce was never an option back in your day, I get that. But seriously, she could have been sent away to Bath or anywhere where she could be hidden from public view.
Those are my questions to Lizzy.
What do you think she’d say?
So here’s the set up. I’m on the elevator and by some time warp bend, Elizabeth Bennett gets on with me. I’m me, she’s…her. Because she was written over 200 years before I came on the scene, we’re a little differently dressed. I’m in jeans and an old Dartmouth hoodie, she’s in the typical garb of her day, parasol and reticule in hand. She nods and smiles pleasantly at me, then turns to face the elevator door forgetting I exist.
No way, Liz.
First and foremost, we need to have a little discussion about Wickham. For someone drawn as the “smart” one in the family, how come you were so blind to his narcissism? I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time at age 12 and even then I could tell he was a loser. You were a whole lot older than me when you first met him. You should have been able to see through his pretty-boy looks and brown-nosing ways. Think of all the heartache you could have saved your family if you’d told them all what a creep he really was.
Second, why oh why didn’t you tell Charlotte Lucas what a humongous mistake she was making by marrying Mr. Collins? You told the world she was your best friend, a compadre for life, and yet you let her lower herself by hooking up with one of the most unlikable, stupid –and by stupid I mean REALLY not smart – characters ever penned. Yes, I understand she felt he was the best she could do in life given her “advanced age and inadequate social status.” But Lizzy, a REAL friend would have told her to stand fast and never settle. Ever. Was it really so horrible she remain unmarried for the rest of her life? I know she didn’t want to be a burden to her parents, but really, Liz, you should have tried hard to convince her to reject his proposal.
Third. Okay, here we’re going to go a little deep. I have always wondered since the first time I read the book, did you fall in love with Darcy because you saw him for the man he really was, or because you wanted Pemberley? I know that’s a mean question because it puts into doubt your feelings for the man, but I really have been in a quandary about your motives. Seeing Pemberely for the first time, and Lydia’s defection, happened pretty much simultaneously. Can you separate the two occurrences? Did you ultimately fall for the man because he truly was the kind of man you wanted? Ask yourself, if Pemberely had been falling into ruin, would you still have wanted Darcy? If you had never seen Pemberely, would you still have wanted Darcy? If Pemberely were say, half the size, would you still have wanted Darcy? If Darcy had been the village cobbler, would you have wanted him? I know these questions are harsh, but I seriously have always doubted you truly loved him for just him and not all that he possessed.
Last, but surely not least. Your mother. Really? Did it never occur to any of you Bennetts to simply slap the s**t out her when she got into one of her ( daily) tizzies? I know medication was sparse back then, but I’d have been slipping laudanum into her morning tea every day and then in a toddy at night. How your poor father didn’t go insane with this woman is beyond me. Divorce was never an option back in your day, I get that. But seriously, she could have been sent away to Bath or anywhere where she could be hidden from public view.
Those are my questions to Lizzy.
What do you think she’d say?
An Homage to Lizzy Bennett
It’s no secret Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite romance novel. I’ve written ad nauseam about my love for it. Gone with The Wind comes close, but I always view that book more of a love tragedy than a triumph. One of the reasons P&P is so near and dear to my heart is its heroine, the feisty, intelligent, loyal Elizabeth Bennett. I put her right up there with Xena. Lizzy may not have been a warrior princess, defending land and country with a spear and a wicked drop kick, but she is certainly – in my humble opinion – a kick-ass romance chickita.
I recently read a very good piece titled 9 Reason’s we will always love Elizabeth Bennett. These include:
She never received a formal education, but made sure to educate herself.
She was confident and sure of herself, and even someone as imposing as Mr. Darcy couldn’t intimidate her.
She always put her family first
And would definitely have nothing to do with a man who dared to insult them.
She wouldn’t accept a partner for reasons less than love…
An ideal she stuck to, in spite of the fact that marrying Collins would have given her financial security, something no woman in her time could get on her own.
She understood the importance of kindness over money and a harp tongue
She never, ever took advantage of Mr. Darcy’s feelings for her
And she always, always spoke her mind.
To sum all that up, Lizzy didn’t take anyone’s crap, be it from the snivelingly Mr Collins, who could make her family’s future miserable, or from the snotty Lady Catherine de’Bourge, a high born woman of power and influence. She stayed true to herself as a woman and as a person, believed love conquered all, and that marriage should be for love and nothing else.
See? Kick-Ass romance chickita!
I recently read a very good piece titled 9 Reason’s we will always love Elizabeth Bennett. These include:
She never received a formal education, but made sure to educate herself.
She was confident and sure of herself, and even someone as imposing as Mr. Darcy couldn’t intimidate her.
She always put her family first
And would definitely have nothing to do with a man who dared to insult them.
She wouldn’t accept a partner for reasons less than love…
An ideal she stuck to, in spite of the fact that marrying Collins would have given her financial security, something no woman in her time could get on her own.
She understood the importance of kindness over money and a harp tongue
She never, ever took advantage of Mr. Darcy’s feelings for her
And she always, always spoke her mind.
To sum all that up, Lizzy didn’t take anyone’s crap, be it from the snivelingly Mr Collins, who could make her family’s future miserable, or from the snotty Lady Catherine de’Bourge, a high born woman of power and influence. She stayed true to herself as a woman and as a person, believed love conquered all, and that marriage should be for love and nothing else.
See? Kick-Ass romance chickita!
Books-to-Movie Adaptations
We all have a favorite book that we would just love to see made in to the best movie ever. We can name the celebs we want to star in it, the location, the director and maybe the music composer. I recently did a shout out to my Facebook peeps, asking them to tell me their favorite book-to-movie adaptations. Some of the replies included:
Girl Interrupted
CiderHouse Rules
The Horse Whisperer
The Firm
The Notebook
A Time To Kill
The Shining
Hunger Games
Sense and Sensibility
and my favorite: The Kiera Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice
All of these books were fabulous as were their movies and I saw and read them all, so I have to agree with the choices.
We’ve all read and fallen in love with books that we wish, hope, and dream will be made into a movie worthy of the book. Many times, tho, that dream falls short and dies on the cutting room floor for whatever reason. I think the above movies were such good adaptions of the books they were based on because many things came together well. Great casting, a rich screenplay and a screenwriter who actually got the book and characters, a director who stayed true to the writer’s vision and excellent settings. All of the above films had wonderful casts – I mean, really, Robert Redford, Matthew McConaughey, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Sandra Bullock, Ryan Gosselin, Charleze Theron…..come on. Big screen royalty, one and all. The scripts actually used dialogue from the books ( always the best way to go!), and the directors didn’t try to insinuate their visions into the movie – they took their own and adapted them to fit the book – again, always the best way to go!
SO, what was your favorite book-to-movie adaptation, and why? Let’s discuss….
If they made a movie of my recent book FIRST IMPRESSIONS ( shameless plug, here!) I’d like it to star Matt Bomber as Padric and Julia Roberts during her Steel Magnolias era as Clarissa. Two very hot peeps! Those of you who have read my book – and God Bless you always! – what do you think of my choices??
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Girl Interrupted
CiderHouse Rules
The Horse Whisperer
The Firm
The Notebook
A Time To Kill
The Shining
Hunger Games
Sense and Sensibility
and my favorite: The Kiera Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice
All of these books were fabulous as were their movies and I saw and read them all, so I have to agree with the choices.
We’ve all read and fallen in love with books that we wish, hope, and dream will be made into a movie worthy of the book. Many times, tho, that dream falls short and dies on the cutting room floor for whatever reason. I think the above movies were such good adaptions of the books they were based on because many things came together well. Great casting, a rich screenplay and a screenwriter who actually got the book and characters, a director who stayed true to the writer’s vision and excellent settings. All of the above films had wonderful casts – I mean, really, Robert Redford, Matthew McConaughey, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Sandra Bullock, Ryan Gosselin, Charleze Theron…..come on. Big screen royalty, one and all. The scripts actually used dialogue from the books ( always the best way to go!), and the directors didn’t try to insinuate their visions into the movie – they took their own and adapted them to fit the book – again, always the best way to go!
SO, what was your favorite book-to-movie adaptation, and why? Let’s discuss….
If they made a movie of my recent book FIRST IMPRESSIONS ( shameless plug, here!) I’d like it to star Matt Bomber as Padric and Julia Roberts during her Steel Magnolias era as Clarissa. Two very hot peeps! Those of you who have read my book – and God Bless you always! – what do you think of my choices??
Tweet Me Read Me Visit Me
Friend Me Picture Me Google+ Me
Pin Me
Words...
Everyone who knows me knows I lovelovelove words. My favorite Christmas present when I was a kid? A dictionary. When I’m writing, that old tried and true tome is never far from my side. I know it’s easier to look things up in an on-line dictionary, but in this one case, I am a purist.
words ( click on peggyjaeger.com for pix )
Words give meaning and purpose to my life. When I come up with a dynamite sentence filled with words that just sing to me – one that even I sit back and say “Well done” to – I am in word-writing nirvana.
I think my first favorite word ever came to me when I was 5 years old. Motivation.
The reason motivation was my first favorite word was because it was the theme in my very first favorite book The Little Engine that Could. That little train was so determined to get up and over the mountain he let nothing stop him. I realize he was self-motivated, but to me it’s the same thing!engine
Skip ahead a few years and I’m now 11 and reading Pride and Prejudice for the first of 45 times – and that’s a true statement. I’ve read it every year since I was 11 so that makes me….you figure it out. Anyway, the next favorite word was: Universally, as in “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Love that word because it is all–encompassing. When you read the word you feel a sense of commonality and connection with, well, everyone else! It’s…universal.
The teenage years brought with it new aspects of favorite words – many of them body parts and therefore unmentionable here – but two of my all time favorites were individualistic and oxymoron. Oxymoron, meaning contradictory terms appearing in conjunction, and Individualistic as in independent and self-reliant. As a writer, these two words spawn so many wonderful plot lines and character traits. Jumbo shrimp, clearly misunderstood, deafening silence, dull roar, small crowd. These are some of my favorite oxymorons. And the best part? Most people say them and don’t even realize what they are saying. Love that!
A few decades later and my favorite words are now mother and love. The mother one is easy: I became one and there has been no greater joy in my life. The Love one is also relatively easy: I write contemporary romance. The end product of every romance is a happily ever after ending with LOVE as its dominant force. So, DUH! Of course it’s my fav.
Any words you particularly like or use often? Come on… share. I love learning new words.
words2
And if you’re looking for some new words to read, here’s a book filled with good ones!
THE VOICES OF ANGELS
Love is the last thing Carly Lennox is looking for when she sets out on her new book tour. The independent, widowed author is content with a life spent writing and in raising her daughter. When newscaster Mike Woodard suggests they work on a television magazine profile based on her book, Carly’s thrilled, but guarded. His obvious desire to turn their relationship into something other than just a working one is more than she bargained for.
Mike Woodard is ambitious, and not only in his chosen profession. He wants Carly, maybe more than he’s ever wanted anything or anyone else. As he tells her, he’s a patient man. But the more they’re together, Mike realizes it isn’t simply desire beating within him. Carly Lennox is the missing piece in his life. Getting her to accept it-and him-may just be the toughest assignment he’s ever taken on.
Buy Links: Amazon /// TWRP /// Kobo /// Nook
If you need to find me, you can: Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//
words ( click on peggyjaeger.com for pix )
Words give meaning and purpose to my life. When I come up with a dynamite sentence filled with words that just sing to me – one that even I sit back and say “Well done” to – I am in word-writing nirvana.
I think my first favorite word ever came to me when I was 5 years old. Motivation.
The reason motivation was my first favorite word was because it was the theme in my very first favorite book The Little Engine that Could. That little train was so determined to get up and over the mountain he let nothing stop him. I realize he was self-motivated, but to me it’s the same thing!engine
Skip ahead a few years and I’m now 11 and reading Pride and Prejudice for the first of 45 times – and that’s a true statement. I’ve read it every year since I was 11 so that makes me….you figure it out. Anyway, the next favorite word was: Universally, as in “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Love that word because it is all–encompassing. When you read the word you feel a sense of commonality and connection with, well, everyone else! It’s…universal.
The teenage years brought with it new aspects of favorite words – many of them body parts and therefore unmentionable here – but two of my all time favorites were individualistic and oxymoron. Oxymoron, meaning contradictory terms appearing in conjunction, and Individualistic as in independent and self-reliant. As a writer, these two words spawn so many wonderful plot lines and character traits. Jumbo shrimp, clearly misunderstood, deafening silence, dull roar, small crowd. These are some of my favorite oxymorons. And the best part? Most people say them and don’t even realize what they are saying. Love that!
A few decades later and my favorite words are now mother and love. The mother one is easy: I became one and there has been no greater joy in my life. The Love one is also relatively easy: I write contemporary romance. The end product of every romance is a happily ever after ending with LOVE as its dominant force. So, DUH! Of course it’s my fav.
Any words you particularly like or use often? Come on… share. I love learning new words.
words2
And if you’re looking for some new words to read, here’s a book filled with good ones!
THE VOICES OF ANGELS
Love is the last thing Carly Lennox is looking for when she sets out on her new book tour. The independent, widowed author is content with a life spent writing and in raising her daughter. When newscaster Mike Woodard suggests they work on a television magazine profile based on her book, Carly’s thrilled, but guarded. His obvious desire to turn their relationship into something other than just a working one is more than she bargained for.
Mike Woodard is ambitious, and not only in his chosen profession. He wants Carly, maybe more than he’s ever wanted anything or anyone else. As he tells her, he’s a patient man. But the more they’re together, Mike realizes it isn’t simply desire beating within him. Carly Lennox is the missing piece in his life. Getting her to accept it-and him-may just be the toughest assignment he’s ever taken on.
Buy Links: Amazon /// TWRP /// Kobo /// Nook
If you need to find me, you can: Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//
A stroll down romance book memory lane…
What was the first book you read that taught you about romantic love?
Pride and Prejudice? Gone with the Wind? Wuthering Heights? The Fault is in our Stars? The Notebook? Lady Chatterly’s Lover?
Okay that last one really shouldn’t be included because it was more about repressed sexual urges than really romantic love, but it is a favorite still with many people.
For me – as with a great deal of people – my introduction to romantic fiction was when I was 11 years old and I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I will admit at the time I didn’t know it was about romance, and as an 11 year-old I had some trouble with the flowery prose. But I thought it was a cool story about English history ( hahahahah) and that it had a happy ending, something I knew I liked in a book.
As I matured I realized the book was much more than a simple happily-ever-after story. It was a love letter to the time, craftily weaving a story of personal intrigue and discovery, social mores, and class distinctions. Through Elizabeth, we see the struggles of a woman feeling trapped between doing what is familiar and best for her family ( marry well) and wanting to have a life filled with happiness and joy that only a love match – she feels – will give her. The Bennets will lose everything when their father dies due to the archaic and misogynistic entailment of the property to only a male heir – something not present in the Bennet household. The five daughters must be married off, and married off to hopefully rich husbands. Lizzy grapples with the idea her future is dependent on a rich man wanting her and a romantic notion that she will marry for love and not social and financial gain.
But it still had that happily-ever-after ending I was so found of.
When I began writing my own romantic fiction, the book became much more to me. I saw it as a blueprint- for lack of a better word – in how the classic hero and heroine must go through obstacle after obstacle before they can come together as a couple and find their joined happiness. The romance story must be layered with emotions and discoveries – not only about the love interest, but the hero and heroine themselves must find out who they are and what they truly want in love and in a partner. The story must be peppered not only with situations that keep them apart but also characters who place impediments in their way to being together. Misdirection, unknown facts, secrets and the like, all add dimension and layering to the story to make it a page turner and not a snore inducer.
One of the reasons Pride and Prejudice, written over 200 hundred years ago, is still a favorite with romance readers today is because it is a universal story of boy meets girl/boy loses girl/ boy gets girl in the end.
And it has that wonderful happily-ever-after feel to it.
So, what was the first romantic book you ever read? let’s discuss……
here’s my current favorite romantic novel, and LOOK! – it’s mine!
THE VOICES OF ANGELS
perf5.000x8.000.indd
Love is the last thing Carly Lennox is looking for when she sets out on her new book tour. The independent, widowed author is content with a life spent writing and in raising her daughter. When newscaster Mike Woodard suggests they work on a television magazine profile based on her book, Carly’s thrilled, but guarded. His obvious desire to turn their relationship into something other than just a working one is more than she bargained for.
Mike Woodard is ambitious, and not only in his chosen profession. He wants Carly, maybe more than he’s ever wanted anything or anyone else. As he tells her, he’s a patient man. But the more they’re together, Mike realizes it isn’t simply desire beating within him. Carly Lennox is the missing piece in his life. Getting her to accept it-and him-may just be the toughest assignment he’s ever taken on.
Buy Links: Amazon /// TWRP /// Kobo /// Nook
If you need to find me, you can: Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//
****************
Exciting news, people. I’m having a #goodreads #giveaway of THE VOICES OF ANGELS. Here’s the link to try and get a paperback copy plus one of my hand painted book boxes to house it in.https://www.goodreads.com/…/show/1895...
And pssssst! Want an even greater chance of winning? I’m going to give 2 lucky winners the chance to get a free e-copy of the book if you do one of these things within the next week: ( remember, you must have a kindle in order to win!!)
1. visit my website on Tuesday 6/7 or Thursday june 9 and leave a comment and follow me on WordPress. Here’s my website link:
https://peggyjaeger.com/
2. Follow me on Twitter anyday! : https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger
or
3. Follow me on instagram anyday!:https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/
On June 12th I’ll pick two random winners (so make sure to check back here!) and I’ll get your email addresses, and send a copy of THE VOICES OF ANGELS directly to your kindle, via amazon.
Sound good???
Pride and Prejudice? Gone with the Wind? Wuthering Heights? The Fault is in our Stars? The Notebook? Lady Chatterly’s Lover?
Okay that last one really shouldn’t be included because it was more about repressed sexual urges than really romantic love, but it is a favorite still with many people.
For me – as with a great deal of people – my introduction to romantic fiction was when I was 11 years old and I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I will admit at the time I didn’t know it was about romance, and as an 11 year-old I had some trouble with the flowery prose. But I thought it was a cool story about English history ( hahahahah) and that it had a happy ending, something I knew I liked in a book.
As I matured I realized the book was much more than a simple happily-ever-after story. It was a love letter to the time, craftily weaving a story of personal intrigue and discovery, social mores, and class distinctions. Through Elizabeth, we see the struggles of a woman feeling trapped between doing what is familiar and best for her family ( marry well) and wanting to have a life filled with happiness and joy that only a love match – she feels – will give her. The Bennets will lose everything when their father dies due to the archaic and misogynistic entailment of the property to only a male heir – something not present in the Bennet household. The five daughters must be married off, and married off to hopefully rich husbands. Lizzy grapples with the idea her future is dependent on a rich man wanting her and a romantic notion that she will marry for love and not social and financial gain.
But it still had that happily-ever-after ending I was so found of.
When I began writing my own romantic fiction, the book became much more to me. I saw it as a blueprint- for lack of a better word – in how the classic hero and heroine must go through obstacle after obstacle before they can come together as a couple and find their joined happiness. The romance story must be layered with emotions and discoveries – not only about the love interest, but the hero and heroine themselves must find out who they are and what they truly want in love and in a partner. The story must be peppered not only with situations that keep them apart but also characters who place impediments in their way to being together. Misdirection, unknown facts, secrets and the like, all add dimension and layering to the story to make it a page turner and not a snore inducer.
One of the reasons Pride and Prejudice, written over 200 hundred years ago, is still a favorite with romance readers today is because it is a universal story of boy meets girl/boy loses girl/ boy gets girl in the end.
And it has that wonderful happily-ever-after feel to it.
So, what was the first romantic book you ever read? let’s discuss……
here’s my current favorite romantic novel, and LOOK! – it’s mine!
THE VOICES OF ANGELS
perf5.000x8.000.indd
Love is the last thing Carly Lennox is looking for when she sets out on her new book tour. The independent, widowed author is content with a life spent writing and in raising her daughter. When newscaster Mike Woodard suggests they work on a television magazine profile based on her book, Carly’s thrilled, but guarded. His obvious desire to turn their relationship into something other than just a working one is more than she bargained for.
Mike Woodard is ambitious, and not only in his chosen profession. He wants Carly, maybe more than he’s ever wanted anything or anyone else. As he tells her, he’s a patient man. But the more they’re together, Mike realizes it isn’t simply desire beating within him. Carly Lennox is the missing piece in his life. Getting her to accept it-and him-may just be the toughest assignment he’s ever taken on.
Buy Links: Amazon /// TWRP /// Kobo /// Nook
If you need to find me, you can: Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//
****************
Exciting news, people. I’m having a #goodreads #giveaway of THE VOICES OF ANGELS. Here’s the link to try and get a paperback copy plus one of my hand painted book boxes to house it in.https://www.goodreads.com/…/show/1895...
And pssssst! Want an even greater chance of winning? I’m going to give 2 lucky winners the chance to get a free e-copy of the book if you do one of these things within the next week: ( remember, you must have a kindle in order to win!!)
1. visit my website on Tuesday 6/7 or Thursday june 9 and leave a comment and follow me on WordPress. Here’s my website link:
https://peggyjaeger.com/
2. Follow me on Twitter anyday! : https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger
or
3. Follow me on instagram anyday!:https://www.instagram.com/mmj122687/
On June 12th I’ll pick two random winners (so make sure to check back here!) and I’ll get your email addresses, and send a copy of THE VOICES OF ANGELS directly to your kindle, via amazon.
Sound good???
An homage to Lizzy Bennett….
It’s no secret Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite romance novel. I’ve written ad nauseam about my love for it. Gone with The Wind comes close, but I always view that book more of a love tragedy than a triumph. One of the reasons P&P is so near and dear to my heart is its heroine, the feisty, intelligent, loyal Elizabeth Bennett. I put her right up there with Xena. Lizzy may not have been a warrior princess, defending land and country with a spear and a wicked drop kick, but she is certainly – in my humble opinion – a kick-ass romance chickita.
I recently read a very good piece titled 9 Reason’s we will always love Elizabeth Bennett. These include:
She never received a formal education, but made sure to educate herself.
She was confident and sure of herself, and even someone as imposing as Mr. Darcy couldn’t intimidate her.
She always put her family first
And would definitely have nothing to do with a man who dared to insult them.
She wouldn’t accept a partner for reasons less than love…
An ideal she stuck to, in spite of the fact that marrying Collins would have given her financial security, something no woman in her time could get on her own.
She understood the importance of kindness over money and a harp tongue
She never, ever took advantage of Mr. Darcy’s feelings for her
And she always, always spoke her mind.
To sum all that up, Lizzy didn’t take anyone’s crap, be it from the snivelingly Mr Collins, who could make her family’s future miserable, or from the snotty Lady Catherine de’Bourge, a high born woman of power and influence. She stayed true to herself as a woman and as a person, believed love conquered all, and that marriage should be for love and nothing else.
See? Kick-Ass romance chickita!
I recently read a very good piece titled 9 Reason’s we will always love Elizabeth Bennett. These include:
She never received a formal education, but made sure to educate herself.
She was confident and sure of herself, and even someone as imposing as Mr. Darcy couldn’t intimidate her.
She always put her family first
And would definitely have nothing to do with a man who dared to insult them.
She wouldn’t accept a partner for reasons less than love…
An ideal she stuck to, in spite of the fact that marrying Collins would have given her financial security, something no woman in her time could get on her own.
She understood the importance of kindness over money and a harp tongue
She never, ever took advantage of Mr. Darcy’s feelings for her
And she always, always spoke her mind.
To sum all that up, Lizzy didn’t take anyone’s crap, be it from the snivelingly Mr Collins, who could make her family’s future miserable, or from the snotty Lady Catherine de’Bourge, a high born woman of power and influence. She stayed true to herself as a woman and as a person, believed love conquered all, and that marriage should be for love and nothing else.
See? Kick-Ass romance chickita!
The #book that changed my life…
to see all images, and you rally should see them(!) click on this link:
https://peggyjaeger.com/2017/02/13/th...
The other day I was re-reading ( yes, I do this often!) THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ by L.Frank Baum.
Now, the first question you are probably going to ask yourself is, why in the name of all that’s holy is she reading this when she can watch the movie? After all, it’s a classic for a reason and the time involved to watch it is a mere 2.5 hours instead of days to read the book.
Good question. Trust me, I have my reasons.
You all know I lovelovelove Pride and Prejudice
and Gone With The Wind.
I’ve written several times in blog posts about how those books literally carved a romance writing career out of the dust for me. But, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was the first book I ever remember reading that actually made a difference in my life.
Let me ‘splain it you, Lucy.
Like Dorothy, I was a solitary child, a bit of a misfit ( okay, more than a bit!), and a dreamer. The only child of divorced parents who both had their own issues, I was often left to my own devices and sometimes found it difficult to stay out of trouble. Not bad trouble where the police and child services were needed, but stupid, risk taking stuff that I would absolutely lock my daughter in her room for if I ever found out she did the same things!!
I used to spend every afternoon after school at the local library. Back when I was a kid there were no such things as afterschool care, and my mother couldn’t afford a babysitter to watch her NOT-baby until she came home at 7 after work. So I would walk each and every day after the dismissal bell to the library. Homework was always ridiculously easy for me so I spent the majority of my time reading through the book selections.
Now, if you’ve ever actually read the Oz book you know it’s a little different from the movie. I hate spoilers, so I won’t say how. What I will tell you is the moral of the story, There’s No Place Like Home hit me at a time when I was considering doing something really dumb: run away from home.
I won’t bore you with the reasons why I felt this was a viable option for me. Suffice it to say, I had my reasons. And to me, at the time, they were valid and non-negotiable ones. I’d been planning how to run away, what to take with me, where I’d go, etc..everything that was needed for a successful fleeing. Even back then I was a list maker and had filled page after page with my plans and what I needed to accomplish before I could go and start a new life away from…well, my old one.
My plan was sound. I was going to leave Friday after school. When the bell rang I would disappear. Thursday, though, I was sitting in my usual seat in the library, reading the Oz book, when I finished it. That moral I told you about? There’s No Place Like Home? Yeah, it hit me hard. After reading about all the troubles and problems and terrifying situations Dorothy had gone through, only to discover her heart’s desire was to be right back where she belonged – home – I had a tiny breakdown and a big change of plans.
That book quite literally changed the course of my life. As an adult I can see that my plans to run away were stupid, ill-conceived, and could have ended in potential tragedy. As a child, all I could see was heartbreak and depression. Somehow, I connected with Dorothy and her story. True, it was bald fiction, fantasy at that, but Baum made me feel as if Dorothy knew me. And more, got me.
I’ve never told this story before. It always seemed a little, well, to be honest, stupid. But I realize now that it’s not. I realize now, with perspective and the wisdom of age, that reading saved me, in more ways than one. It not only opened a word of imagination and joy to me, it also helped me appreciate the life I had.
So when people ask me what book changed or influenced my life and why, the answer is an easy one on both counts.
There–really–is no place like home.
‘Nuff said.
I have a home library now, but if you need to find me I can usually be seen hanging out in these places:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//
https://peggyjaeger.com/2017/02/13/th...
The other day I was re-reading ( yes, I do this often!) THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ by L.Frank Baum.
Now, the first question you are probably going to ask yourself is, why in the name of all that’s holy is she reading this when she can watch the movie? After all, it’s a classic for a reason and the time involved to watch it is a mere 2.5 hours instead of days to read the book.
Good question. Trust me, I have my reasons.
You all know I lovelovelove Pride and Prejudice
and Gone With The Wind.
I’ve written several times in blog posts about how those books literally carved a romance writing career out of the dust for me. But, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was the first book I ever remember reading that actually made a difference in my life.
Let me ‘splain it you, Lucy.
Like Dorothy, I was a solitary child, a bit of a misfit ( okay, more than a bit!), and a dreamer. The only child of divorced parents who both had their own issues, I was often left to my own devices and sometimes found it difficult to stay out of trouble. Not bad trouble where the police and child services were needed, but stupid, risk taking stuff that I would absolutely lock my daughter in her room for if I ever found out she did the same things!!
I used to spend every afternoon after school at the local library. Back when I was a kid there were no such things as afterschool care, and my mother couldn’t afford a babysitter to watch her NOT-baby until she came home at 7 after work. So I would walk each and every day after the dismissal bell to the library. Homework was always ridiculously easy for me so I spent the majority of my time reading through the book selections.
Now, if you’ve ever actually read the Oz book you know it’s a little different from the movie. I hate spoilers, so I won’t say how. What I will tell you is the moral of the story, There’s No Place Like Home hit me at a time when I was considering doing something really dumb: run away from home.
I won’t bore you with the reasons why I felt this was a viable option for me. Suffice it to say, I had my reasons. And to me, at the time, they were valid and non-negotiable ones. I’d been planning how to run away, what to take with me, where I’d go, etc..everything that was needed for a successful fleeing. Even back then I was a list maker and had filled page after page with my plans and what I needed to accomplish before I could go and start a new life away from…well, my old one.
My plan was sound. I was going to leave Friday after school. When the bell rang I would disappear. Thursday, though, I was sitting in my usual seat in the library, reading the Oz book, when I finished it. That moral I told you about? There’s No Place Like Home? Yeah, it hit me hard. After reading about all the troubles and problems and terrifying situations Dorothy had gone through, only to discover her heart’s desire was to be right back where she belonged – home – I had a tiny breakdown and a big change of plans.
That book quite literally changed the course of my life. As an adult I can see that my plans to run away were stupid, ill-conceived, and could have ended in potential tragedy. As a child, all I could see was heartbreak and depression. Somehow, I connected with Dorothy and her story. True, it was bald fiction, fantasy at that, but Baum made me feel as if Dorothy knew me. And more, got me.
I’ve never told this story before. It always seemed a little, well, to be honest, stupid. But I realize now that it’s not. I realize now, with perspective and the wisdom of age, that reading saved me, in more ways than one. It not only opened a word of imagination and joy to me, it also helped me appreciate the life I had.
So when people ask me what book changed or influenced my life and why, the answer is an easy one on both counts.
There–really–is no place like home.
‘Nuff said.
I have a home library now, but if you need to find me I can usually be seen hanging out in these places:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//
Books are my thing…
click here to see the images.
https://peggyjaeger.com/2017/06/23/bo...
I can go in so many directions with this blog choice. My favorite books to read over and over; the type of books I like to read; my favorite genres and subgenres. So many avenues to explore. Sooooo, I guess I’ll tackle them all and see what happens.
I. My favorite books to read over and over. I’ve read Gone with Wind 42 times.
I know…I’m a little obsessive. But every time I’ve read it as an adult I find something fresh or a connection I didn’t see before.
I’ve read Pride and Prejudice 27 times.
In fact, I’m re-reading it right now!
I”ve read the Thorn Birds 16 times. I only saw the miniseries once, so that tells you how much more I like the book!
I’ve read each Harry Potter book twice. The first time along with my daughter, the second time on my own.
And because I find reading the JD Robb IN DEATH series is like taking a master class in writing a series, I’ve read each of the 45 books at least 3 times. You do the math on that one!
II. The types of books I like to read. Well romances, of course! Duh! I’m such a sucker for that whole Happily Ever After thing. I love a heroine who’s snarky and a little obsessive; a hard worker, and a strong believer in family. Give me a hero who’s part alpha/part beta; one who can be a leader or a follower or both at the same time! He has to be committed on every level to the heroine – emotionally, physically, spiritually and intellectually. Once he meets her there’s no one else he can envision himself with EVER! The same goes for the heroine. I love to cook and I love to laugh, so witty, engaging characters who eat like normal people and not super models getting ready for a photo shoot are my favorite people! I want to read about folks I could see myself being friends with. Make me laugh, make my cry, and feed my soul and I’m your reader for life.
III. MY favorite genre and subgenre books. This is gonna look a little like an Amazon key-word line! Stick with me here, folks: Romance-contemporary romance- foodie-humor -strong heroine- family. Let me ‘esplan it, Lucy, in better terms.
Favorite genre: romance. Favorite subgenre of romance: contemporary romance. Elements of contemporary romance books – humorous stories about families with strong women. Add a dash of cooking into the mix and serve!
And just for full disclosure here, I also like the erotic contemporary romances of Jennifer Probst and Christina Lauren
and Regency romances ala Lisa Kleypas and Elizabeth Hoyt.
So, there you have it. My reading pleasures.
And because this is blog hop, click on over to these other romance writers to see what they consider their favorite books. You just might find a new author or series you’ll enjoy.
1.
Raine Balkera Author
2.
My Dusty Bookshelves
3.
Happily Ever After Isn’t Just For Fairytale Divas
4.
Valerie Ullmer
5.
Books are my thing
6.
Ready. Set. Read
7.
Magic & Romance & Sarcastic Wit-These are a Few of
8.
A Book is Like An Old Friend
9.
Over and Over and Over
10.
My Keeper Shelf
11.
H Henderson – reading, read, read again
https://peggyjaeger.com/2017/06/23/bo...
I can go in so many directions with this blog choice. My favorite books to read over and over; the type of books I like to read; my favorite genres and subgenres. So many avenues to explore. Sooooo, I guess I’ll tackle them all and see what happens.
I. My favorite books to read over and over. I’ve read Gone with Wind 42 times.
I know…I’m a little obsessive. But every time I’ve read it as an adult I find something fresh or a connection I didn’t see before.
I’ve read Pride and Prejudice 27 times.
In fact, I’m re-reading it right now!
I”ve read the Thorn Birds 16 times. I only saw the miniseries once, so that tells you how much more I like the book!
I’ve read each Harry Potter book twice. The first time along with my daughter, the second time on my own.
And because I find reading the JD Robb IN DEATH series is like taking a master class in writing a series, I’ve read each of the 45 books at least 3 times. You do the math on that one!
II. The types of books I like to read. Well romances, of course! Duh! I’m such a sucker for that whole Happily Ever After thing. I love a heroine who’s snarky and a little obsessive; a hard worker, and a strong believer in family. Give me a hero who’s part alpha/part beta; one who can be a leader or a follower or both at the same time! He has to be committed on every level to the heroine – emotionally, physically, spiritually and intellectually. Once he meets her there’s no one else he can envision himself with EVER! The same goes for the heroine. I love to cook and I love to laugh, so witty, engaging characters who eat like normal people and not super models getting ready for a photo shoot are my favorite people! I want to read about folks I could see myself being friends with. Make me laugh, make my cry, and feed my soul and I’m your reader for life.
III. MY favorite genre and subgenre books. This is gonna look a little like an Amazon key-word line! Stick with me here, folks: Romance-contemporary romance- foodie-humor -strong heroine- family. Let me ‘esplan it, Lucy, in better terms.
Favorite genre: romance. Favorite subgenre of romance: contemporary romance. Elements of contemporary romance books – humorous stories about families with strong women. Add a dash of cooking into the mix and serve!
And just for full disclosure here, I also like the erotic contemporary romances of Jennifer Probst and Christina Lauren
and Regency romances ala Lisa Kleypas and Elizabeth Hoyt.
So, there you have it. My reading pleasures.
And because this is blog hop, click on over to these other romance writers to see what they consider their favorite books. You just might find a new author or series you’ll enjoy.
1.
Raine Balkera Author
2.
My Dusty Bookshelves
3.
Happily Ever After Isn’t Just For Fairytale Divas
4.
Valerie Ullmer
5.
Books are my thing
6.
Ready. Set. Read
7.
Magic & Romance & Sarcastic Wit-These are a Few of
8.
A Book is Like An Old Friend
9.
Over and Over and Over
10.
My Keeper Shelf
11.
H Henderson – reading, read, read again
