Peggy Jaeger's Blog, page 247

In my own words….

So, this is the first new blog piece of mine since the start of my Goddess Fish tour in October. An entire month of blog posts that were written a month before the tour. Can I just tell you how exhausted I was after that?!!

Lots has happened lately that I haven’t had a chance to talk about. I was at the Fall In Love with New England conference a few weeks ago; I had another book signing for my newest release A SHOT AT LOVE from Lyrical Shine Books; I’m currently gearing up for NaNoWriMo for next month. I’ve been entering oodles of writing contests. Just lots of stuff to keep me busy and involved.

I’ve been storing a few topics in the back of my mind and I’ll be releasing them the next few weeks before NaNo, so make sure you check back here or follow my tweets and social media posts. For now, I’ve gotta go work on my new bridal series….more to come about that in the future.

BUT…. the most important thing right now is that I am a finalist in the NH State Library book Notes. Here is the link. A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is a finalist so if you have a moment and feel the need, I would REALLY appreciate your vote.[image error]Thanks in advance!

If you need to find me I can usually be spotted here:  Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me// Triber// BookBub

Character Interview: At Last in Laguna by Claire Marti #WildRosePressAuthor

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Today I’ve got a real treat for you all. Another one of my favorite Wild Rose Press sistahs, Claire Marti, has a brand new book out, AT LAST IN LAGUNA, and today, she’s brought along her uber-hot hero, Brandt Dempsey, for a sit down chat. Grab a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy hearing about At Last In Laguna and a special someone there….

Brandt Dempsey where are you from? Laguna Beach, California

Tell us a bit about AT LAST IN LAGUNA:

It’s the story of how my best friend Nick’s little sister Alyssa jolted me out of my resolve to treat her like a surrogate baby sister. Little did she know that I avoided her not just because Nick’s the closest thing I’ve got to a family, but I come from a rough past and simply didn’t deserve a beautiful, intelligent, perfect woman like her.

What did you think the first time you saw Alyssa Morgan?

It was more than a decade ago and she was only seventeen years old. She wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous like she is today. She was tall and painfully skinny, with these thick coke-bottle glasses that obscured her striking gray-blue eyes. Almost. I remember making an extra effort to be kind to her because of her shyness and nervousness around me.

What was your second thought?

Once she felt more comfortable around me, I was surprised at her sarcastic sense of humor.

Did you feel it was love at first sight?

I don’t know if I believe in love at first sight. When I saw her again when she returned to Laguna after college, my jaw dropped. The awkward teenager blossomed into an elegant woman. A red alarm sounded in my head: stay away! Her brother Nick is my closest friend and I couldn’t jeopardize our relationship. He’s like an over-protective father from the 1950’s, probably because they lost their parents when Alyssa was only fourteen and he’s her only family. So, I did my best to ignore her.

What do you like most about Alyssa?

That’s a tough one. Her compassion and warmth draw me to her. Her kisses. Well, let’s just say I wish I was kissing her right now.

How would you describe her?

She’s incredible. Her independence and wit impress me and her natural beauty and warmth blow me away. She’s a creative, talented interior designer with an intuitive sense in all she does. I feel like she “gets” me, if that makes sense.

How would she describe you?

The best-looking guy in Laguna. Kidding. More likely she’d say I was a stubborn pain in the butt.

Why are you building Tearmann House?

There’s a whole demographic of people who the system fails. I want to help the women and children who have nowhere to go and/or need a short refuge to get back on their feet again after tough times.

What is your biggest fear?

You’ll have to read AT LAST IN LAGUNA to find out.

Blurb: [image error]

Alyssa Morgan has secretly been in love with her older brother Nick’s best friend, Brandt Dempsey, since she was an awkward, lonely teenager. When she catches the bouquet at Nick’s wedding, she throws caution to the wind and propositions Brandt to a two-week fling. He’s tried to ignore how Alyssa has blossomed into a strong, talented, gorgeous woman because as his best friend’s baby sister, she’s off limits.

 

After they share a mind-blowing kiss, Brandt struggles to fight their undeniable chemistry. His tragic childhood scarred him, but he pushes it deep inside, only allowing the world to see a wealthy, carefree entrepreneur. Forced to work together on Brandt’s latest charitable venture, Brandt and Alyssa’s passion cannot be denied. Alyssa knows he’s the one. Can she convince him they belong together?

Excerpt:

What was his deal this morning?

She’d give him the cold shoulder if it killed her.

And it just might.

He’d rejected her, so why was he opening doors, hovering, and acting like a pest? Practically breathing down her neck. She could swear he’d sniffed her. Sniffed her. He couldn’t conceal his awareness. If he were so attracted to her, he would’ve agreed to her proposition, right? Since he’d shot her down in flames, he could at least have the decency to ignore her today. Rude, infuriating man.

Inhaling a deep cleansing breath, she forced herself to concentrate on the center. Sunlight streamed through the abundance of windows and along with the high ceilings imparted a feeling of freedom and space, perfect for the planned occupants. Because they’d decided to wait to obtain her input for the more specific room layout, the building’s interior remained a shell. She’d add to her brother’s amazing design and ensure Tearmann House’s beauty and serenity.

Serenity. What a concept. Ha.

Buy Links:

amazon //  Wild Rose Press // Barnes & Nobel // Kobo // ibooks

A little about Claire…

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Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.

Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga. At Last in Laguna is the second book in her Finding Forever in Laguna series from The Wild Rose Press.

You can find out more, and connect with, Claire here:

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Goodreads //

 

 

 

A great book at a great price! Author Karilyn Bentley and Demon Lore

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Today, one of my prolific Wild Rose Press sistahs, Karilyn Bentley is visiting. She’s got a little present for you: a book sale!! Join me in welcoming Karilyn….

Thank you for letting me blog with you today Peggy! I’m excited to announce that the first book in my urban fantasy series, Demon Lore, is on sale for 99cents until Thursday the 26th. The series features Gin Crawford, an ER nurse who is also an empath, and her journey as she becomes the world’s newest demon huntress. Needless to say, she’s not too excited about her new job.

In case you are wondering how I came up with the idea for this series, it took a roundabout route. I had this idea of a boy who was clutching a bracelet while hiding under a bed from a serial killer. But I couldn’t figure out the rest of the story. At the same time that idea was haunting me, I was also playing around with this funny scene with a nurse in an ER. I decided to stick the two ideas together and voila, the Demon Huntress series was born. While the scene with the boy hiding under the bed is still in the book, the funny scene (which was the original opening scene of Demon Lore) was cut. I’m now writing the fifth, and last, book in the series. The fourth book should be out early next year.

Blurb: [image error]

Gin Crawford has enough problems dealing with her empath abilities. Finding out she’s the world’s newest demon-slayer is the last thing she needs. Unfortunately, when she slips on a mysterious bracelet she is given no other choice. On the plus side, her new gig comes with Tall, Dark and Handsome, a mage who may or may not have her best interests at heart. Thrust into a power-play between good and evil, Gin must choose a side before she becomes the next victim in the ongoing battle.

 

 

Excerpt:

The evil man-thing stands on my porch, his lips turning in a menacing smile of death. I don’t need to touch him to know he wants me dead. Muscles freeze, trapping my breath in my lungs. Like a rabbit in view of a wolf, I’m immobilized, waiting for death’s blow. Time slows, his gaze locks on mine, trapping me in place.

Move, move, move! My mind screams as the man’s fingers twitch.

But the spike of adrenaline explodes into my limbs too late to stop the backhand blow slamming across my jaw.

I superman it halfway across the living room. Land on the hardwood floor in a thud of pain-ridden limbs. My jaw morphs into a screaming ball of nerves. My head no sooner hits the floor than I hear the bracelet scream, a high-pitched wail quivering through my skin like vibrations from a tuning fork. The bracelet tightens around my wrist, cutting off the circulation, and then it loosens with a pop at the same time I hear the door click closed.

Ohgodohgodohgod, I’m going to die. I don’t want to die. No, no, no, no, no. Pain and terror hold me crumpled on the floor as my mind crawls backward in time.

But I’m no longer a child, fearful of fists and words, cowering on the ground.

I’m a fighter.

My head spins, but I refuse to lie on the floor waiting to be killed, so I attempt to stand. Evil Guy laughs as I ass-plant it. Laughs as a moan escapes my lips. He takes a step toward me, right arm drawn back for a hit. His fist hurls toward my face, but I manage to block it with my left arm. My right arm, the one with the bracelet, shoves forward, slamming into his chest.

His black eyes widen, mouth open in surprise, his hands fluttering to his chest before dropping. I stare at my hand, stare hard, for I’m as surprised as Evil Guy. The bracelet had become a sword, a long, thin spike of metal extending from the silver links, straight into Evil Guy’s heart.

A sword?

Definitely a sword. The flat of the blade rests against the back of my hand, cool metal heating from the warmth of my skin. Small silver links circle around my palm, lending stability to the two-foot long sword.

I’m not sure which scares me more, Evil Guy paying me a visit or the fact the bracelet performed a morphing trick. 

Buy Links for Demon Lore:

Amazon  //B&N // Wild Rose Press // iBooks

A little about Karilyn

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Currently working on her urban fantasy series, A Demon Huntress, Karilyn Bentley blends magic, dark fantasy and romance mixed with a touch of funny that her readers expect and love.

Karilyn’s love of reading stories and preference of sitting in front of a computer at home instead of in a cube, drove her to pen her own works. Her paranormal romance novella, Werewolves in London, placed in the Got Wolf contest and started her writing career as an author of sexy heroes and lush fantasy worlds.

Karilyn lives in Colorado with her own hunky hero, a crazy dog, aka The Kraken, a funny puppy, and a handful of colorful saltwater fish. Find out more about Karilyn at http://www.karilynbentley.com

You can connect with Karilyn here:

Website // Facebook //Twitter // Blog // Goodreads // Pinterest // Newsletter // BookBub

 

 

 

#MFRW author…My first love.

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I know I say this every week, but this topic could definitely go in a couple of different directions. Let me throw a dart on the wall and choose the specific first love I want to write about today.

Hmmmmmm…….

Okay, first book boyfriend love. That’s a goodie.

You may be surprised to know it wasn’t Rhett Butler from Gone with The Wind,

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or Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice

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even though those are the two romance books that set me on my chosen course. Nope. My first book dream lover was Brian Beldon

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from the Trixie Beldon mystery series.

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You all know I grew up in my local library from the time I was 8 years old. My librarian mamas were forever pointing me in the correct age group destination for books for me to read. I discovered Trixie Beldon and her family at the age of 9.

Brian Beldon, the oldest of the 4 Beldon kids, was 16 in the first book. He had movie theater good looks which were described as dark-eyed, dark-haired, and handsome, and he was the kid everyone looked to for guidance and advice. He was the one who always kept a cool head in the storm that was mischievous Trixie and her friends. He was the perfect older brother. I always imagined he would grow up to be a dashing doctor because he was forever giving first aid to his siblings and anyone else who was injured. I dreamed a little girl’s dream of someday growing up and marrying a doctor just like Brian.

To a nine-year-old myopic, overweight, and lonely girl, Brian Beldon was the epitome of innocent boyfriend first love. I was 26 when the series quit production in 1986. As happenstance would have it, in 1987 I married a dark eyed, dark haired… ( wait for it) Doctor.

Life imitating art? Or a really good wish? You decide, but whatever the reason, I have my very own Brian Beldon!

Want to find out who the first loves of some of the other authors in this blog hop are? Click on the links below and visit them.

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Reading, Shaun Cassidy, and Steve




2.
My First






3.
For She Gave all Her Heart and Lost




4.
Reading About My First Love – Robin Michaela






5.
Reading About My First Love – Robin Michaela




6.
My First Love & My Other Obsession






7.
First Love #MFRW




8.
Is this Love (correct Link)






9.
Is This Love




10.
You Never Forget Your First Love






11.
Love Was In The Air




12.
Love (Or Maybe Just Hero Worship)






13.
Call me a prairie vole




14.
#MFRWAuthor. . . My first love






15.
My First BOOK Love

#GoodessFishBlogtour…..El Fine!

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Good Lord! What a month. And it ends today with a post at Long and Short Reviews. Stop by for a final chance at an Amazon GC and for a little more about my journey to publication at the age of 55!

The end is in sight, #GoddessFishBlogTour

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Today’s virtual tour brings me to the Mixed Book Bag. Drop by and see the five places I’d love to travel to learn about the native cuisine.

October 18, #GoddessFishBlog tour…Today’s Stop

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Only 3 more days! Today I’m over at Pen and Muse Book Reviews. Stop by and see what today’s topic is!

Today’s #blogstop….

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Happy Tuesday! I’m over on Readeropolis today with another Q&A. Stop by, Leave love!

A good book, a fab recipe, and a great author…..

I’m so pleased to be hosting one of my favorite authors today, Joanne Guidoccio. Joanne and I share something other than just a love of cozy mysteries and romance books. We both lovelovelove to cook! And swapping recipes with this great cook/author/lady is one of my new favorite things to do.

In her new book, TOO MANY WOMEN IN THE ROOM, Gilda Greco is embroiled in the death of her new business partner in a restaurant venture. After all her guests stormed out of the restaurant, Gilda Greco took refuge in the steaming goodness of Chef  David Korba’s Avgolemeno, a Greek lemon chicken soup that warms up body and soul while releasing endorphins. Packed with protein and Vitamin C, this comforting soup is a staple in many Greek homes throughout the winter months.

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But you don’t have to limit yourself to one season. Avgolemono is a great go-to dish whenever you are feeling under the weather and need a quick pick-me-upper.

Here’s a tried-and-true recipe from Joanne’s mother’s kitchen: ( you’ll want to add this to your “save” files!)

Ingredients

5 cups chicken broth

2/3 cup Italian arborio rice*

1 lemon, juiced

2 large eggs

Salt and pepper, to taste

* Feel free to substitute orzo or any small shaped pasta.

Directions

• Pour the chicken broth into a saucepan and bring it to a boil.


• Add the rice and cook until chewy, but soft. Italian arborio rice will take about 20 minutes.


• Take the pan off the heat and set aside. Let it sit for five minutes. If the rice mixture is too hot, it will curdle the eggs.


• In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until frothy and then add the lemon juice.


• Add the rice mixture, a spoonful at a time, to the egg mixture. Stir well.


• Season with salt and pepper.

Servings: 3-4

Note: Six more easy-to-prepare recipes are featured in Too Many Women in the Room.

Blurb

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When Gilda Greco invites her closest friends to a VIP dinner, she plans to share David Korba’s signature dishes and launch their joint venture— Xenia, an innovative Greek restaurant near Sudbury, Ontario. Unknown to Gilda, David has also invited Michael Taylor, a lecherous photographer who has throughout the past three decades managed to annoy all the women in the room. One woman follows Michael to a deserted field for his midnight run and stabs him in the jugular.

Gilda’s life is awash with complications as she wrestles with a certain detective’s commitment issues and growing doubts about her risky investment in Xenia. Frustrated, Gilda launches her own investigation and uncovers decades-old secrets and resentments that have festered until they explode into an untimely death. Can Gilda outwit a killer bent on killing again?

A little about Joanne:

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In 2008, Joanne took advantage of early retirement and decided to launch a second career that would tap into her creative side and utilize her well-honed organizational skills. Slowly, a writing practice emerged. Her articles and book reviews were published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne writes paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

Connect with Joanne here:Website:  // Twitter:  //Facebook: //LinkedIn: // Pinterest: //  Goodreads:

I love a good book and TOO MANY WOMEN IN THE ROOM was a goodie. Here’s my review: My review

#GoddessFishBlogTour…..week 4, the end is near, I promise!!!

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Just a few more blog stops and then the tour ends!!! Today’s stop is at the Queen of all She reads blog. Stop by and see why I think food and romance are the perfect couple.