Peggy Jaeger's Blog, page 278
November 30, 2016
RELEASE DAY!!
I think it’s a little serendipitous that today is the last day of NaNoWriMo and the day my newest book gets released into the world from my publisher.
A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is here! I’ve been waiting for sosososo long to share Gia and Tim’s story. I’ve read it so many times over the past few months, waiting, just waiting until it could be released as a holiday novel that I’ve got pages of it memorized!! The San Valentino family is one I’d like to call my own for so many reasons. They laugh loudly, live broadly, and love unconditionally. Who wouldn’t want to be a member of such a clan??!!
SO if you like romance/love stories centering around family and you need a little comedic break during these busy holidays, you’ll love this story.
Here’s a little sumthin’ sumthin to whet your book reading appetites. Since I never had a sister to share with and learn from, I created sisters who mean the world to one another, Chloe and Gia:
Excerpt:
Sometimes living in such a close-knit family was a little suffocating and lot of claustrophobic.
How to be a good Italian, lesson 3: family comes first, last, forever, and you do everything together. Always.
“Gia,” Chloe said, breaking into my thoughts, “come and help me with your goddaughter. She needs to be changed.”
She rose, as did I, and grabbed the diaper bag sitting in the living room with one hand, her other hand holding her two-month-old. “Lorenzo, be a good boy for Nonna and Papa,” she told her two-year-old son with a kiss to his head.
Up in Gianni and Paolo’s old bedroom, which now served as an all-things-bambino warehouse, Chloe held the baby up to me and said, “Here. You do the honors.” Once she handed her over, she plopped down into the rocking chair Mama had rocked all six of us in and let out a sigh that tugged at my heart.
I laid Arianna down on the changing table Nonna had brought over from Italy with her seventy-five years ago and tickled her little belly. Her toothless grin stared up at me. She was already a heartbreaker and owned my own heart and soul completely.
“Okay, baby sister.” Chloe folded her hands across her stomach. “Spill. What’s up?”
“What do you mean?” I popped open the crotch of the onesie, pushed it up to Arianna’s tiny waist, and bent down to kiss her soft, swollen, little baby belly.
“Your face went the color of Mama’s tomatoes when they started discussing the new priest. What gives?”
Chloe is nine years older than I am and one of the smartest women I know. At times she’s been more of a mother to me than our own, like during the horrible two years Mama went through chemo treatments for breast cancer when I was eleven. Chloe was the one who helped me buy my first bra, taught me about my period, and listened to me when I had questions about boys, sex, and what constituted appropriate dating behavior for girls who came from families like ours: overprotected.
BUY LINKS: Amazon// Wild Rose Press// B&N
A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is here! I’ve been waiting for sosososo long to share Gia and Tim’s story. I’ve read it so many times over the past few months, waiting, just waiting until it could be released as a holiday novel that I’ve got pages of it memorized!! The San Valentino family is one I’d like to call my own for so many reasons. They laugh loudly, live broadly, and love unconditionally. Who wouldn’t want to be a member of such a clan??!!
SO if you like romance/love stories centering around family and you need a little comedic break during these busy holidays, you’ll love this story.
Here’s a little sumthin’ sumthin to whet your book reading appetites. Since I never had a sister to share with and learn from, I created sisters who mean the world to one another, Chloe and Gia:
Excerpt:
Sometimes living in such a close-knit family was a little suffocating and lot of claustrophobic.
How to be a good Italian, lesson 3: family comes first, last, forever, and you do everything together. Always.
“Gia,” Chloe said, breaking into my thoughts, “come and help me with your goddaughter. She needs to be changed.”
She rose, as did I, and grabbed the diaper bag sitting in the living room with one hand, her other hand holding her two-month-old. “Lorenzo, be a good boy for Nonna and Papa,” she told her two-year-old son with a kiss to his head.
Up in Gianni and Paolo’s old bedroom, which now served as an all-things-bambino warehouse, Chloe held the baby up to me and said, “Here. You do the honors.” Once she handed her over, she plopped down into the rocking chair Mama had rocked all six of us in and let out a sigh that tugged at my heart.
I laid Arianna down on the changing table Nonna had brought over from Italy with her seventy-five years ago and tickled her little belly. Her toothless grin stared up at me. She was already a heartbreaker and owned my own heart and soul completely.
“Okay, baby sister.” Chloe folded her hands across her stomach. “Spill. What’s up?”
“What do you mean?” I popped open the crotch of the onesie, pushed it up to Arianna’s tiny waist, and bent down to kiss her soft, swollen, little baby belly.
“Your face went the color of Mama’s tomatoes when they started discussing the new priest. What gives?”
Chloe is nine years older than I am and one of the smartest women I know. At times she’s been more of a mother to me than our own, like during the horrible two years Mama went through chemo treatments for breast cancer when I was eleven. Chloe was the one who helped me buy my first bra, taught me about my period, and listened to me when I had questions about boys, sex, and what constituted appropriate dating behavior for girls who came from families like ours: overprotected.
BUY LINKS: Amazon// Wild Rose Press// B&N
November 28, 2016
Home stretch…NaNoWrimo, Week 4
It’s hard to think that November is almost gone already and with it, NaNoWriMo. On November 30th at midnight, not only will the month end – giving us 25 days until Christmas, but for the millions of writers around the world who are participating in this year’s annual event, it means we can all breathe a little easier, take a little break from the laptop ( a very little break!) and see where we are in our current works in progress ( WIP). Hopefully, many of us will have reached that brass ring of 50,000 words ( or more!) and be declared a WINNER by the NaNo team. Many of us will not have reached it, but that doesn’t make us any less a winner. Just devoting yourself to writing something any day is winning in my book.
I happened to make it to the golden number a while ago. Don’t hate me. I knew what I wanted to write, and my life is such that I can devote it to writing for long stretches if I so desire. I did. I realize I am one of the lucky ones who can do this.
But even if I hadn’t reached my goal I would still have considered my efforts winning-worthy. There’s an old saying that it’s not the destination of a journey that is important, it’s the journey itself. I sosososo agree.
Just attempting to do the NaNoWriMo challenge is empowering. Getting in the habit of committing your words to your laptop everyday fosters that continual need to do so, so that, long after November is a memory, you are still devoting yourself to the thing that gives you such joy, namely, writing.
Take these last 4 days of the challenge and pour your heart and soul into it. Get those emotions, those worlds, those characters, settings, and plots from the depths of your imagination to the confines of the page.
The world needs your book.
And you need to give it to them.
When I’m not participating in NaNoWrimo, you can find me here:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+
About these ads
I happened to make it to the golden number a while ago. Don’t hate me. I knew what I wanted to write, and my life is such that I can devote it to writing for long stretches if I so desire. I did. I realize I am one of the lucky ones who can do this.
But even if I hadn’t reached my goal I would still have considered my efforts winning-worthy. There’s an old saying that it’s not the destination of a journey that is important, it’s the journey itself. I sosososo agree.
Just attempting to do the NaNoWriMo challenge is empowering. Getting in the habit of committing your words to your laptop everyday fosters that continual need to do so, so that, long after November is a memory, you are still devoting yourself to the thing that gives you such joy, namely, writing.
Take these last 4 days of the challenge and pour your heart and soul into it. Get those emotions, those worlds, those characters, settings, and plots from the depths of your imagination to the confines of the page.
The world needs your book.
And you need to give it to them.
When I’m not participating in NaNoWrimo, you can find me here:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+
About these ads
November 23, 2016
One Week Countdown
to see original message, click on this link: https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/23/on...
I’m all aglow because in just 7 days ( the time it took God to make the world!!!) I get to introduce you all to Gia San Valentino and Tim Santini. My new Holiday/Christmas novel A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS releases on 11.30.16 and I am sosososososos thrilled the time is near.
akissucl_850-1
Gia could, truthfully, be one of my best friends if she were, you know, real! I loved writing about her and how she deals with her crazy family. As you all know, family is a big topic for me when I’m penning a story, and a loud, loving, full of life family is one I just love to write about.
Families are a complex network to deal with, navigate through, and survive! Truth, no? The San Valentino family lives hard, loves even harder, and they are a loyal bunch who put the welfare of one another ahead of everything – and everyone – else. Gia, the “oops” baby in the clan, the last of 6 – five planned and, well, you figure it out(!) is the last kid left at home. At the age of 24,she longs for a home of her own, filled with bambini she can spoil and love, and a man who will love her unconditionally.
Into her life walks a man who just might fill the bill. Tall, dark, ridiculously good looking. And best of all: Italian/American and Catholic! But…. he’s forbidden to her, in every conceivable way.
Or, is he? You’ll have to read the story to find out, but I’ll tell you this: love can find you anywhere – even under a set of glowing and festive Christmas lights.
Preorders are available here: Amazon //The Wild Rose Press // B&N //Kobo
Here’s a little sumthin’ to whet your romance reading appetites:
At twenty-four I still lived under my parents’ roof, had no full-time paying job other than helping my father with his business books and those of a few of his business associates, and my love life was nonexistent.
It wasn’t that I didn’t get asked out or date. I did. Often. Plus, I was perpetually being set-up by the aunts and uncles. I’d had a steady boyfriend all through high school, but we went our separate ways when we each left for college. My choices had been limited in recent years to guys I met in college–who were all looking to score, not forge a life-time commitment—and then in accounting school who were, for lack of a better word, boring and absorbed either in numbers theory, finding jobs after graduation, or in just getting into my pants. The men my extended family routinely set me up with were mostly thick-necked, uneducated, wise-guy wannabes who wanted a conventional Italian bride they could keep barefoot, pregnant, and cooking.
So. Not. Me.
I needed to make some decisions about my life and make them soon. First, pass the exams and get licensed. Then, look for a real job so I could afford to live on my own. This one might be the hardest to accomplish since my parents were old-school thinkers who believed girls should stay home until they were married. They couldn’t understand why I didn’t want to go from their house to a husband’s house, and never experience what it would be like living on my own.
Lastly, I wanted to find the one special guy I could commit to. A guy who’d be family oriented like me, want kids, the minivan, a house in the ‘burbs, the whole family-comes-first-and-always mentality I’d been breastfed on.
I wasn’t too picky. Obviously, I didn’t want him to look like a troll, but nice looking wouldn’t hurt since I’d be spending eternity staring across the kitchen table at his face. A good-paying job would be nice in a career where I didn’t need to worry he’d make one wrong move and wind up as fish food in the Meadowlands marshes.
Don’t laugh: have I mentioned my Uncle Sonny?
See? I love families and all the crazy that goes with them!
When I’m not basking in this glow of new release-dom, you can find me here:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+
I’m all aglow because in just 7 days ( the time it took God to make the world!!!) I get to introduce you all to Gia San Valentino and Tim Santini. My new Holiday/Christmas novel A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS releases on 11.30.16 and I am sosososososos thrilled the time is near.
akissucl_850-1
Gia could, truthfully, be one of my best friends if she were, you know, real! I loved writing about her and how she deals with her crazy family. As you all know, family is a big topic for me when I’m penning a story, and a loud, loving, full of life family is one I just love to write about.
Families are a complex network to deal with, navigate through, and survive! Truth, no? The San Valentino family lives hard, loves even harder, and they are a loyal bunch who put the welfare of one another ahead of everything – and everyone – else. Gia, the “oops” baby in the clan, the last of 6 – five planned and, well, you figure it out(!) is the last kid left at home. At the age of 24,she longs for a home of her own, filled with bambini she can spoil and love, and a man who will love her unconditionally.
Into her life walks a man who just might fill the bill. Tall, dark, ridiculously good looking. And best of all: Italian/American and Catholic! But…. he’s forbidden to her, in every conceivable way.
Or, is he? You’ll have to read the story to find out, but I’ll tell you this: love can find you anywhere – even under a set of glowing and festive Christmas lights.
Preorders are available here: Amazon //The Wild Rose Press // B&N //Kobo
Here’s a little sumthin’ to whet your romance reading appetites:
At twenty-four I still lived under my parents’ roof, had no full-time paying job other than helping my father with his business books and those of a few of his business associates, and my love life was nonexistent.
It wasn’t that I didn’t get asked out or date. I did. Often. Plus, I was perpetually being set-up by the aunts and uncles. I’d had a steady boyfriend all through high school, but we went our separate ways when we each left for college. My choices had been limited in recent years to guys I met in college–who were all looking to score, not forge a life-time commitment—and then in accounting school who were, for lack of a better word, boring and absorbed either in numbers theory, finding jobs after graduation, or in just getting into my pants. The men my extended family routinely set me up with were mostly thick-necked, uneducated, wise-guy wannabes who wanted a conventional Italian bride they could keep barefoot, pregnant, and cooking.
So. Not. Me.
I needed to make some decisions about my life and make them soon. First, pass the exams and get licensed. Then, look for a real job so I could afford to live on my own. This one might be the hardest to accomplish since my parents were old-school thinkers who believed girls should stay home until they were married. They couldn’t understand why I didn’t want to go from their house to a husband’s house, and never experience what it would be like living on my own.
Lastly, I wanted to find the one special guy I could commit to. A guy who’d be family oriented like me, want kids, the minivan, a house in the ‘burbs, the whole family-comes-first-and-always mentality I’d been breastfed on.
I wasn’t too picky. Obviously, I didn’t want him to look like a troll, but nice looking wouldn’t hurt since I’d be spending eternity staring across the kitchen table at his face. A good-paying job would be nice in a career where I didn’t need to worry he’d make one wrong move and wind up as fish food in the Meadowlands marshes.
Don’t laugh: have I mentioned my Uncle Sonny?
See? I love families and all the crazy that goes with them!
When I’m not basking in this glow of new release-dom, you can find me here:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+
November 21, 2016
I'm visiting Norah Bennet today
here's the link to see it on her blogsite.
http://www.norahbennett.com/blog/auth...
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING PROFESSIONALLY?
Since 2014.
WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?
Contemporary Romance, but I am dipping my writing fingers (and toes!) into Romantic Suspense.
IF YOU COULD GIVE NEW WRITERS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I love this question. If you are a new writer and are consumed with the need to get words down on the page, or just have to write down the stories drifting around in your brain, then, like NIKE says, JUST DO IT!! Don’t give up. Don’t listen to naysayers, critics, or people who don’t believe in you. Just keep writing. I heard Nora Roberts once equate writing with a muscle. If you don’t pay attention to it, exercise it constantly, you start to loose tone, mass, and strength. I think that’s very profound!
IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE BOOK FOR ALL WRITERS TO READ WHAT WOULD IT BE?
This may just be the hardest question I’ve ever been asked, because there are so many great reference and tool books out there. I guess the best book for any writer – whether pro or not, is, THE BLUE BOOK OF GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION. Writers need to write WELL! This book teaches you how to avoid common pitfalls that will send an editor or literary agent to toss your work into the delete pile.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH REJECTIONS FROM PUBLISHERS AND EDITORS?
Badly. I usually have a Pepperidge Farm Layer cake and a bottle of soda after I get one. Then I go walk for two hours to burn all those wasted calories off! And then…I just get back to writing.
MANY WRITERS ALSO WORK OTHER JOBS, DO YOU?
I’m living my dream. I retired in 2015 and have been able to write full time since then. Please don’t hate me!!
HOW DO YOU MAKE TIME TO WRITE?
I have a set goal of 2500 words per day. I have to get that done before I do anything else. When that count is achieved I then do the stuff I need to do: grocery shopping, laundry, exercise (see how I put that one last!) Then if I have any more time left over, I write again. I’m lucky to be retired, but my husband still works full time so he is gone all day, affording me the privacy to write.
WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE?
I write in an attic loft in my house that overlooks my property. This winter, though, I am refurbishing another room where I’m going to set myself up.
TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE TO READ AND WHO?
So of course, my all time favorite author is Nora Roberts and her twin sister JD Robb. Any of the JD Robb IN DEATH books are fabulous, but if you haven’t read them then start with the first, NAKED IN DEATH.
Jill Shalvis is always a winner in my house, and her LUCKY HARBOR books and her newest series HEARTBREAKER BAY are wonderful.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?
Really, it’s just something I’ve always loved doing. I read at a very young age – I finished all the kids books in the local library by the time I was 7. The librarian was a little leery about letting me read the older, teen books at that time, but I did it anyway! I think when you love reading as much as I did—and do—you just kind of naturally fall into wanting to be a writer. At least that’s how it worked for me. And since I LOVELOVELOVE to read romance, that’s what I write. My website tagline is WRITING IS MY OXYGEN. Can’t say it any plainer than that.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNACK WHEN YOU WRITE?
Oh, God!! What isn’t???! Hahahaha.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WRITING HABITS. WHEN DO YOU WRITE, HOW OFTEN? GIVE ADVICE TO NEW WRITERS ON HOW TO ORGANIZE THEIR DAY AND WRITING HABITS.
Again, I’m a lucky one because I get to write full time. But like I said above, I write 2500 words, 5 days per week, before I do anything else. I suffer from chronic insomnia, so most of those words are usually written between the hours of 3 am and noon. After that, I do the life stuff. Many afternoons I plot out my books, or make my vision boards for each story I’m doing. Pinterest has been a God-send for this.
Most writers also have a day job. So if you do, the best thing to do is find that one hour or two a day that is just yours. Write when you get up before you go to work. Or if you get home before your spouse/children/significant other, type a few pages. If you can spend an hour watching the mindless junk on television these days, you can devote an hour to your writing by eliminating that tv hour. And just think how much happier you will be!
DO YOU HAVE A GREAT WEBSITE, SOFTWARE, BOOKS…SECRETS THAT HELP YOU WITH YOUR WRITING?I have a full library of REAL books I use for reference/secrets. I’m not a mean girl though, so I’ll share!
THINKING LIKE A ROMANCE WRITER by Dahlia Evans
MASTER LISTS FOR WRITERS by Bryn Donovan
THE ROMANCE WRITERS’ PHRASE BOOK by Jean Kent and Candace Shelton
THE EMOTION THESAURUS by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO CHARACTER EMOTION by Sherry Soule
NAUGHTY WORDS FOR NICE WRITERS by Cara Bristol
And the above mentioned Grammar Blue book
DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR? HOW DO THEY AFFECT YOUR WRITING?
I do not.
WHAT'S THE FIRST BOOK YOU HAVE WRITTEN?
SKATER’S WALTZ published by The Wild Rose Press in 2015
Wild Rose Press: http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/a...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Skaters-Waltz-...
HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?
To date, 39. 6 have been published, 3 more are due out next year. The other 30 are just too horrible to let the book buying public read!!!
WHICH BOOK DID YOU ENJOY WRITING THE MOST?
That’s like asking which child is your favorite!! The book I have coming out this November, A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, I wrote in 2 week and laughed the whole time I was writing it, so I guess that was the most enjoyable writing experience.
WHICH WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT?
The next one….
TELL US ALL ABOUT YOUR WIP.
A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is a mistaken identity story. My heroine, Gia, thinks the hero, Tim is something he’s not. I won’t spoil the plotline with telling you what she thinks he is, but believe me, you’ll think the same thing as Gia until all is revealed.
This story was a complete labor of love for me because it is the sequel to my 2016 Candy Hearts Romance, 3 WISHES. That book told Chloe’s story, and this one tells her younger sisters’, Gia’s. I LOVELOVELOVE this family, the San Valentinos. They are a large, loud, and loving Italian/American clan who live big, and love bigger.
OPEN COMMENT: TELL YOUR FELLOW AUTHORS, NEW AUTHORS, AND INTERESTED READERS ANYTHING YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I DIDN’T ASK YOU.
Wow! This could be a loaded question! I’m taking this directly from my website – the 10 things you need to know about me:
10. My favorite book is THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD
9. I lovelovelove scary movies — the scarier, the better.
8. My favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz, because there really is no place like home.
7. My left eye is smaller than my right eye.
6. The best decision I ever made was to marry my husband — a man who can’t live without a strong woman!
5. The best gift I ever received was my daughter, who’s now 27 but whom I will always refer to as “my baby”.
4.My favorite song is Secret Agent Man by Jonny Rivers.
3. I’ve been on a diet in some form for the past 45 years.
2. I’m very direct and don’t suffer fools, false prophets, or suck ups.
1. Writing is my oxygen!
Norah- thank you so much for letting me visit with you and your readers today! I am so happy I met you at the NJRWA conference!!! You are, truly, a gifted writer and an amazeballs woman!
http://www.norahbennett.com/blog/auth...
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING PROFESSIONALLY?
Since 2014.
WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?
Contemporary Romance, but I am dipping my writing fingers (and toes!) into Romantic Suspense.
IF YOU COULD GIVE NEW WRITERS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I love this question. If you are a new writer and are consumed with the need to get words down on the page, or just have to write down the stories drifting around in your brain, then, like NIKE says, JUST DO IT!! Don’t give up. Don’t listen to naysayers, critics, or people who don’t believe in you. Just keep writing. I heard Nora Roberts once equate writing with a muscle. If you don’t pay attention to it, exercise it constantly, you start to loose tone, mass, and strength. I think that’s very profound!
IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE BOOK FOR ALL WRITERS TO READ WHAT WOULD IT BE?
This may just be the hardest question I’ve ever been asked, because there are so many great reference and tool books out there. I guess the best book for any writer – whether pro or not, is, THE BLUE BOOK OF GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION. Writers need to write WELL! This book teaches you how to avoid common pitfalls that will send an editor or literary agent to toss your work into the delete pile.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH REJECTIONS FROM PUBLISHERS AND EDITORS?
Badly. I usually have a Pepperidge Farm Layer cake and a bottle of soda after I get one. Then I go walk for two hours to burn all those wasted calories off! And then…I just get back to writing.
MANY WRITERS ALSO WORK OTHER JOBS, DO YOU?
I’m living my dream. I retired in 2015 and have been able to write full time since then. Please don’t hate me!!
HOW DO YOU MAKE TIME TO WRITE?
I have a set goal of 2500 words per day. I have to get that done before I do anything else. When that count is achieved I then do the stuff I need to do: grocery shopping, laundry, exercise (see how I put that one last!) Then if I have any more time left over, I write again. I’m lucky to be retired, but my husband still works full time so he is gone all day, affording me the privacy to write.
WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE?
I write in an attic loft in my house that overlooks my property. This winter, though, I am refurbishing another room where I’m going to set myself up.
TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE TO READ AND WHO?
So of course, my all time favorite author is Nora Roberts and her twin sister JD Robb. Any of the JD Robb IN DEATH books are fabulous, but if you haven’t read them then start with the first, NAKED IN DEATH.
Jill Shalvis is always a winner in my house, and her LUCKY HARBOR books and her newest series HEARTBREAKER BAY are wonderful.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE?
Really, it’s just something I’ve always loved doing. I read at a very young age – I finished all the kids books in the local library by the time I was 7. The librarian was a little leery about letting me read the older, teen books at that time, but I did it anyway! I think when you love reading as much as I did—and do—you just kind of naturally fall into wanting to be a writer. At least that’s how it worked for me. And since I LOVELOVELOVE to read romance, that’s what I write. My website tagline is WRITING IS MY OXYGEN. Can’t say it any plainer than that.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNACK WHEN YOU WRITE?
Oh, God!! What isn’t???! Hahahaha.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WRITING HABITS. WHEN DO YOU WRITE, HOW OFTEN? GIVE ADVICE TO NEW WRITERS ON HOW TO ORGANIZE THEIR DAY AND WRITING HABITS.
Again, I’m a lucky one because I get to write full time. But like I said above, I write 2500 words, 5 days per week, before I do anything else. I suffer from chronic insomnia, so most of those words are usually written between the hours of 3 am and noon. After that, I do the life stuff. Many afternoons I plot out my books, or make my vision boards for each story I’m doing. Pinterest has been a God-send for this.
Most writers also have a day job. So if you do, the best thing to do is find that one hour or two a day that is just yours. Write when you get up before you go to work. Or if you get home before your spouse/children/significant other, type a few pages. If you can spend an hour watching the mindless junk on television these days, you can devote an hour to your writing by eliminating that tv hour. And just think how much happier you will be!
DO YOU HAVE A GREAT WEBSITE, SOFTWARE, BOOKS…SECRETS THAT HELP YOU WITH YOUR WRITING?I have a full library of REAL books I use for reference/secrets. I’m not a mean girl though, so I’ll share!
THINKING LIKE A ROMANCE WRITER by Dahlia Evans
MASTER LISTS FOR WRITERS by Bryn Donovan
THE ROMANCE WRITERS’ PHRASE BOOK by Jean Kent and Candace Shelton
THE EMOTION THESAURUS by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO CHARACTER EMOTION by Sherry Soule
NAUGHTY WORDS FOR NICE WRITERS by Cara Bristol
And the above mentioned Grammar Blue book
DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR? HOW DO THEY AFFECT YOUR WRITING?
I do not.
WHAT'S THE FIRST BOOK YOU HAVE WRITTEN?
SKATER’S WALTZ published by The Wild Rose Press in 2015
Wild Rose Press: http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/a...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Skaters-Waltz-...
HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?
To date, 39. 6 have been published, 3 more are due out next year. The other 30 are just too horrible to let the book buying public read!!!
WHICH BOOK DID YOU ENJOY WRITING THE MOST?
That’s like asking which child is your favorite!! The book I have coming out this November, A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, I wrote in 2 week and laughed the whole time I was writing it, so I guess that was the most enjoyable writing experience.
WHICH WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT?
The next one….
TELL US ALL ABOUT YOUR WIP.
A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is a mistaken identity story. My heroine, Gia, thinks the hero, Tim is something he’s not. I won’t spoil the plotline with telling you what she thinks he is, but believe me, you’ll think the same thing as Gia until all is revealed.
This story was a complete labor of love for me because it is the sequel to my 2016 Candy Hearts Romance, 3 WISHES. That book told Chloe’s story, and this one tells her younger sisters’, Gia’s. I LOVELOVELOVE this family, the San Valentinos. They are a large, loud, and loving Italian/American clan who live big, and love bigger.
OPEN COMMENT: TELL YOUR FELLOW AUTHORS, NEW AUTHORS, AND INTERESTED READERS ANYTHING YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I DIDN’T ASK YOU.
Wow! This could be a loaded question! I’m taking this directly from my website – the 10 things you need to know about me:
10. My favorite book is THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD
9. I lovelovelove scary movies — the scarier, the better.
8. My favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz, because there really is no place like home.
7. My left eye is smaller than my right eye.
6. The best decision I ever made was to marry my husband — a man who can’t live without a strong woman!
5. The best gift I ever received was my daughter, who’s now 27 but whom I will always refer to as “my baby”.
4.My favorite song is Secret Agent Man by Jonny Rivers.
3. I’ve been on a diet in some form for the past 45 years.
2. I’m very direct and don’t suffer fools, false prophets, or suck ups.
1. Writing is my oxygen!
Norah- thank you so much for letting me visit with you and your readers today! I am so happy I met you at the NJRWA conference!!! You are, truly, a gifted writer and an amazeballs woman!
November 20, 2016
The power of PEOPLE who care…
I’m going to go off the NaNoWriMo blog bandwagon for a moment because I want–need–to tell you about an event that happened in my little town yesterday that still has me weeping.
The problem of hunger, homelessness, and economic disparity in this country is nothing new. Go back to the Great Depression and you can practically mimic some of the events that happened during those devestating years with what is happening in our country today. Hunger, especially, has always been a big concern of mine. I’ve mentioned before I didn’t exactly grow up in the Leave It to Beaver or Brady Bunch version of a family or household. We were, by today’s standards – poor. The term bandied about nowadays is working poor. My mother and stepfather had jobs, but they didn’t quite make it paycheck to paycheck every month and there were times when the easiest thing to let go was the food bill. I ate a lot of mayonnaise sandwiches growing up, and in a weird way, its kind of like a comfort food for me today.
But I digress…
As I said, hunger and people going hungry have always been a concern for me. I happen to live in a community that has a food pantry, a Saint Vincent DePaul society, and a community kitchen. In October, our local newspaper published a piece about the community kitchen and their struggles to keep available food on the shelves for its recipients and clients. The kitchen had barely enough food to last through Thanksgiving and if their food coffers weren’t filled, they would need to close down right after Thanksgiving. The Community Kitchen serves a large number of families and individuals in this area who–for whatever reason–are not able to adequately feed themselves. The holiday season is an especially difficult time for some families to cope with paying bills, trying to bring some kind of Christmas cheer to their children, and in general, just getting a meal on the table. To have the kitchen close its doors – and at the holiday season – was a grave concern.
Well, enter MOMS On A MISSION.
Yesterday, in an empty storefront in the center of Keene’s busy downtown, these wonderful women organized what was originally billed as 1000 cans in 1000 minutes. Facebook publicity, word of mouth, and in every way they could, these women got the word out that they would be manning this store all day to accept any and all food and monetary donations for the Keene Community Kitchen to aid them in keeping their doors open to the people who so need them.
That 1000 can goal quickly switched to 2000…then 10,000… then 20,000. And when it looked like they might be done, they issued another challenge: why not 25,000 cans/boxes of food?
Final tally last night when they officially closed their donation doors? 25,860 cans/boxes of food raised by the grassroots efforts of 8 Moms who know that no child or family or person of any age should know hunger in this day and age.
I love living in a small town because of unifying events like this. When you really know your neighbors, know their struggles, their strengths, the foundation of their circumstances, you know yourself as a human being in ways you’d never consider in a more urban, non-individualistic, less neighborly area. And you can see the benefits of generosity firsthand.
These women epitomize the good neighbor principle.
I just want to add one more thing before I finish. Yesterday in Mass, my Pastor spoke a homily extolling the virtues of living the Corporeal Code of Jesus as Catholics and Christians. One of the codes for Christian behavior Jesus asked of us is to feed the hungry. These women, by the virtue of their actions, the love in their hearts, and their spirit of giving, have shown our community what it means to be generous, selfless, and charitable. They have truly shown us what it means to walk the walk and talk the talk of neighbor-helping-neighbor.
The power of a Mother on a Mission is one of the greatest and most powerful forces in the universe. I am so proud of these women. Proud to know them, proud to honor them, and proud to tell you about them.
No child, or any person really, should ever know the ravages of a hungry belly. Not at Christmastime or any time of the year. I ask you to be that good neighbor; that community spirited and minded person; that honorable human being. Take care of your neighbors as you’d take care of your own family. Put yourself in the body of someone who doesn’t have enough to eat and see what it feels like to them to know hunger when all around them are full. And, if you’re like me – someone who knew the horrors and pains of hunger and who now lives a full, better life – pay it forward.
A generous spirit, and a knowledge of how to make someone else’s life better make us all better human beings. I live this and I believe this with all my heart and soul.
To support our local Community Kitchen and other Food based charities in our area, click here:
Keene Area Food Pantries
The NH Food Bank
to ensure you get the links correct, click on to my website for them: https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/20/th...
The problem of hunger, homelessness, and economic disparity in this country is nothing new. Go back to the Great Depression and you can practically mimic some of the events that happened during those devestating years with what is happening in our country today. Hunger, especially, has always been a big concern of mine. I’ve mentioned before I didn’t exactly grow up in the Leave It to Beaver or Brady Bunch version of a family or household. We were, by today’s standards – poor. The term bandied about nowadays is working poor. My mother and stepfather had jobs, but they didn’t quite make it paycheck to paycheck every month and there were times when the easiest thing to let go was the food bill. I ate a lot of mayonnaise sandwiches growing up, and in a weird way, its kind of like a comfort food for me today.
But I digress…
As I said, hunger and people going hungry have always been a concern for me. I happen to live in a community that has a food pantry, a Saint Vincent DePaul society, and a community kitchen. In October, our local newspaper published a piece about the community kitchen and their struggles to keep available food on the shelves for its recipients and clients. The kitchen had barely enough food to last through Thanksgiving and if their food coffers weren’t filled, they would need to close down right after Thanksgiving. The Community Kitchen serves a large number of families and individuals in this area who–for whatever reason–are not able to adequately feed themselves. The holiday season is an especially difficult time for some families to cope with paying bills, trying to bring some kind of Christmas cheer to their children, and in general, just getting a meal on the table. To have the kitchen close its doors – and at the holiday season – was a grave concern.
Well, enter MOMS On A MISSION.
Yesterday, in an empty storefront in the center of Keene’s busy downtown, these wonderful women organized what was originally billed as 1000 cans in 1000 minutes. Facebook publicity, word of mouth, and in every way they could, these women got the word out that they would be manning this store all day to accept any and all food and monetary donations for the Keene Community Kitchen to aid them in keeping their doors open to the people who so need them.
That 1000 can goal quickly switched to 2000…then 10,000… then 20,000. And when it looked like they might be done, they issued another challenge: why not 25,000 cans/boxes of food?
Final tally last night when they officially closed their donation doors? 25,860 cans/boxes of food raised by the grassroots efforts of 8 Moms who know that no child or family or person of any age should know hunger in this day and age.
I love living in a small town because of unifying events like this. When you really know your neighbors, know their struggles, their strengths, the foundation of their circumstances, you know yourself as a human being in ways you’d never consider in a more urban, non-individualistic, less neighborly area. And you can see the benefits of generosity firsthand.
These women epitomize the good neighbor principle.
I just want to add one more thing before I finish. Yesterday in Mass, my Pastor spoke a homily extolling the virtues of living the Corporeal Code of Jesus as Catholics and Christians. One of the codes for Christian behavior Jesus asked of us is to feed the hungry. These women, by the virtue of their actions, the love in their hearts, and their spirit of giving, have shown our community what it means to be generous, selfless, and charitable. They have truly shown us what it means to walk the walk and talk the talk of neighbor-helping-neighbor.
The power of a Mother on a Mission is one of the greatest and most powerful forces in the universe. I am so proud of these women. Proud to know them, proud to honor them, and proud to tell you about them.
No child, or any person really, should ever know the ravages of a hungry belly. Not at Christmastime or any time of the year. I ask you to be that good neighbor; that community spirited and minded person; that honorable human being. Take care of your neighbors as you’d take care of your own family. Put yourself in the body of someone who doesn’t have enough to eat and see what it feels like to them to know hunger when all around them are full. And, if you’re like me – someone who knew the horrors and pains of hunger and who now lives a full, better life – pay it forward.
A generous spirit, and a knowledge of how to make someone else’s life better make us all better human beings. I live this and I believe this with all my heart and soul.
To support our local Community Kitchen and other Food based charities in our area, click here:
Keene Area Food Pantries
The NH Food Bank
to ensure you get the links correct, click on to my website for them: https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/20/th...
November 17, 2016
Thankful Authors
Since it’s the holiday season and it means so much more than just running around and trying to find the perfect gift, fellow author — and writing friend — Angela Hayes has invited me to post a blog to her ThankFul Authors website. Angela hosts a wide variety of authors each year who try to express just why they are thankful for all the blessings in their lives. Here’s the link to my post for today. It kind of explains why I write about the strong women I write about. And why I will continue to do so….hopeyou enjoy it.
here’s the link: THANKFUL AUTHORS 2016 : http://authorangelahayes.blogspot.com...
here’s the link: THANKFUL AUTHORS 2016 : http://authorangelahayes.blogspot.com...
November 15, 2016
Introducing Clair Brett
to see images please click on the link:
https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/15/in...
Today I get to introduce you to one of my favorite people, Clair Brett. We are RWA chapter mates, fellow dog lovers, writing enthusiasts, and lovers of Regency romance. Clair’s debut novel DEALING WITH THE VISCOUNT drops in January 2017 and you’re getting a first look at the beautiful cover today and a little tidbit about the plot. Claire is about to embark on a publicity tour for the book, but she graciously agreed to let me give you a little look at her soon-to-be-released-book baby.
DEALING WITH THE VISCOUNT
After making a wager of marriage to settle her father’s gambling debts, Ella Bowen-Thorn Renwick escaped the husband she foolishly began to fall for and disappeared into the Scottish countryside carrying a secret. Four years later, and the owner of her own bakery, she is still not free of the demands of men when a violent and anonymous blackmailer threatens her, her livelihood…and her daughter. And then, there is him…
Viscount Renwick still mourns the wife he began to love before her untimely death–that is until he discovers her alive and well living in Scotland. Now, Devon’s face to face with the wife he thought he’d buried and the daughter he never knew existed. He’d like nothing more than to welcome Ella back into his arms, but mysterious and troubling incidents and a history with an unloving father have Ella trusting no one.
But, if Renwick convinces his wife he’s the husband she always dreamed of and the father their daughter deserves, will the scandalous secret the blackmailer is holding threaten their future together once more?
Buy links Amazon // Barnes and Noble // Kobo
Bio
Dragon keeper and historical romance author, Clair Brett lives in NH with her hard working husband, and two teenaged daughters. Her office staff during the day consists of Cinta, a black cat and the matriarch of the fur babies, Mojo, a yellow kitten who spends his day holding Clair down in her seat to get her word count in, a boxer/beagle mix puppy named Willow, who sleeps next to her chair to make it hard to do an Oreo run without doing a pee run as well, a hermit crab who keeps to himself, and a bearded dragon, who is kind of upper management.
A former middle and high school English teacher, Clair has had a lifetime love affair with reading. Once she read Pride and Prejudice as an extra read in high school, she was hooked. Clair began pursuit of publication when she was a new mother in need of a hobby. Her oldest daughter will be graduating in 2017, so you do the math. Clair is a firm believer that a reader finds a piece of who they are or learns something about the world with every book they read. She wants her readers to be empowered and to have a refreshed belief in the goodness of people and the power of love after reading her work.
Visit Clair on the web here:
Website // Facebook // Amazon authors // Twitter
https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/15/in...
Today I get to introduce you to one of my favorite people, Clair Brett. We are RWA chapter mates, fellow dog lovers, writing enthusiasts, and lovers of Regency romance. Clair’s debut novel DEALING WITH THE VISCOUNT drops in January 2017 and you’re getting a first look at the beautiful cover today and a little tidbit about the plot. Claire is about to embark on a publicity tour for the book, but she graciously agreed to let me give you a little look at her soon-to-be-released-book baby.
DEALING WITH THE VISCOUNT
After making a wager of marriage to settle her father’s gambling debts, Ella Bowen-Thorn Renwick escaped the husband she foolishly began to fall for and disappeared into the Scottish countryside carrying a secret. Four years later, and the owner of her own bakery, she is still not free of the demands of men when a violent and anonymous blackmailer threatens her, her livelihood…and her daughter. And then, there is him…
Viscount Renwick still mourns the wife he began to love before her untimely death–that is until he discovers her alive and well living in Scotland. Now, Devon’s face to face with the wife he thought he’d buried and the daughter he never knew existed. He’d like nothing more than to welcome Ella back into his arms, but mysterious and troubling incidents and a history with an unloving father have Ella trusting no one.
But, if Renwick convinces his wife he’s the husband she always dreamed of and the father their daughter deserves, will the scandalous secret the blackmailer is holding threaten their future together once more?
Buy links Amazon // Barnes and Noble // Kobo
Bio
Dragon keeper and historical romance author, Clair Brett lives in NH with her hard working husband, and two teenaged daughters. Her office staff during the day consists of Cinta, a black cat and the matriarch of the fur babies, Mojo, a yellow kitten who spends his day holding Clair down in her seat to get her word count in, a boxer/beagle mix puppy named Willow, who sleeps next to her chair to make it hard to do an Oreo run without doing a pee run as well, a hermit crab who keeps to himself, and a bearded dragon, who is kind of upper management.
A former middle and high school English teacher, Clair has had a lifetime love affair with reading. Once she read Pride and Prejudice as an extra read in high school, she was hooked. Clair began pursuit of publication when she was a new mother in need of a hobby. Her oldest daughter will be graduating in 2017, so you do the math. Clair is a firm believer that a reader finds a piece of who they are or learns something about the world with every book they read. She wants her readers to be empowered and to have a refreshed belief in the goodness of people and the power of love after reading her work.
Visit Clair on the web here:
Website // Facebook // Amazon authors // Twitter
November 14, 2016
The benefits of writing sprints….
On my last NaNoWriMo post, I told you a dirty little secret about how I bribe myself to continue writing when I’m getting tired/bored/unfocused. I give myself little incentives –aka BRIBES — to keep going and then reward myself when I’m done.
Another way I’ve found to keep myself motivated and typing when I really want to do something else — like watch a Real Housewives marathon or dive into the new J.D. Robb book on my Kindle — is to do timed writing sprints.
They don’t have to be very long, 15- 30 minutes at the least and 60 at the most ( mainly because there is no way on God’s green earth I can sit still longer than 60 minutes without imploding!) During these timed writing sprints I write as much as I can, knowing that I may have to stop in the middle of a sentence or a thought when my cell phone signals the time is up. I can justify this by knowing that the next time I get set to write I am prepared with what I want to say, how I want to say it, and how to carry the scene/dialogue/plot onward. Plus, this process keeps my body fresh and my mind sharp.
Knowing that my time is limited I can stay focused and set on getting my thoughts down on the page and not worry about spelling, tense, format, etc. I can always go back and fix that later on. The most important thing is getting everything I want to say, SAID, ( or written, in this case) before the time runs out.
If you’re one of those enviable people who can sit for long stretches of time, composing on end, without a break, know first that I hate you, and second, you are blessed! I have too much energy to sit still for long periods, which is why I hate to fly long distances or drive anywhere for more than an hour before I need a break to stand up, stretch, and realign my body and soul. Writing in timed sprints allows me to do what I have to do – namely, get the words on the page – but also lets my body have a respite from sitting for too long.
Truly, my a** is big enough – I don’t need to expand it further it by spending hours on end on it.
SO, writing sprints: they’re a good tool to use for NaNoWriMo.
When I’ not sprinting you can find me here:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+
to see images click on the link https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/14/th...
Another way I’ve found to keep myself motivated and typing when I really want to do something else — like watch a Real Housewives marathon or dive into the new J.D. Robb book on my Kindle — is to do timed writing sprints.
They don’t have to be very long, 15- 30 minutes at the least and 60 at the most ( mainly because there is no way on God’s green earth I can sit still longer than 60 minutes without imploding!) During these timed writing sprints I write as much as I can, knowing that I may have to stop in the middle of a sentence or a thought when my cell phone signals the time is up. I can justify this by knowing that the next time I get set to write I am prepared with what I want to say, how I want to say it, and how to carry the scene/dialogue/plot onward. Plus, this process keeps my body fresh and my mind sharp.
Knowing that my time is limited I can stay focused and set on getting my thoughts down on the page and not worry about spelling, tense, format, etc. I can always go back and fix that later on. The most important thing is getting everything I want to say, SAID, ( or written, in this case) before the time runs out.
If you’re one of those enviable people who can sit for long stretches of time, composing on end, without a break, know first that I hate you, and second, you are blessed! I have too much energy to sit still for long periods, which is why I hate to fly long distances or drive anywhere for more than an hour before I need a break to stand up, stretch, and realign my body and soul. Writing in timed sprints allows me to do what I have to do – namely, get the words on the page – but also lets my body have a respite from sitting for too long.
Truly, my a** is big enough – I don’t need to expand it further it by spending hours on end on it.
SO, writing sprints: they’re a good tool to use for NaNoWriMo.
When I’ not sprinting you can find me here:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+
to see images click on the link https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/14/th...
November 13, 2016
3 Christmas Stories worth reading and giving…
to see images click on the link:
https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/13/3-...
Today I’m giving you a real treat! Christmas is my favorite time of the year and it would take days to explain why. But one of the reasons I sososos enjoy the holiday time is because of the wonderful books that are published each year during the Holiday season, and about the Holiday Season, so today I’m giving you a gift: three new Holiday/Christmas books from The Wild Rose Press. My own Christmas novel, A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS releases on 11/30, but more about that later.
First….
May I present to you author TENA STETLER and her soon to be released book, A WITCHES HOLIDAY WEDDING.
Here’s a little sumthin’ sumthin’ about it:
Blurb:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.
When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
Excerpt:
A strong arm whipped around her waist, the air whooshed out as she squealed. Pepper balled up her gloved fist as a large warm hand wrapped around her wrist. “I’ve seen you defend yourself. Not going to chance it.” A deep voice chuckled behind her.
“Lathen — I’m going to…”
He spun her around and covered her cold lips with his warm ones. Werewolves run several degrees warmer than most of the population, one of the many things she loved about him. She relaxed into him, their parkas making a wisping sound as the material rubbed against each other. “That’s better,” he murmured against her lips.
All at once the lights in the town square blinked on. Low positioned red and green laser light decorations sparkled over the snow-covered ground and onto the gazebo complementing the white lights. From the other direction, a blue laser sprinkled tiny snowflakes across the building. Evening fell quickly in December.
“This is absolutely beautiful,” She breathed against his chilled cheek and whirled out of his hold taking in all the lighted decorations not visible earlier. Then she pointed toward the bulletin board. “I’ve been reading the town’s holiday events, Lobster Cove really embraces Christmas.”
“Told you.” Lathen said smugly. “Even some of the boats docked in the harbor are decked out with colored lights.”
Peggy here: doesn’t that sound delicious??!!
Buy Links: Amazon// Amazon UK // Amazon AU// Amazon Canada// KOBO// ALL ROMANCE// The Wild Rose Pres
Some fun facts about Tena:
Tena Stetler is a paranormal romance and cozy mystery author with an over-active imagination. She wrote her first vampire romance at the age of thirteen, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Colorado is home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-year-old box turtle. Any winter evening, you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them.
Find and interact with Tena here:
website//blog//Facebook//Twitter//Pinterest//
Now meet author, K.K. Weil and read a little about her new book BETTER TO GIVE
Blurb
For most people, the holidays are a time of warmth, happiness and celebration. But to Jenna Samuels, they mean only one thing. Mounting debt. A single mother, Jenna struggles to make ends meet and to her, it’s a season of excess and distress.
James Garrison is in over his head, too. His ex-wife said he wasn’t equipped to take care of his twins, and now that he’s got joint custody, he fears she was right. They’re wild, spoiled, and always fighting. When they knock Jenna’s daughter into the “Gifting Tree,”—a part of their town’s charity collection—the parents are immediately attracted to each other. But James has had his fill of cold women and Jenna won’t make the mistake of falling for another man who disappears when life gets too heavy.
As their paths cross, James and Jenna must decide whether first impressions are accurate, or if sometimes, people are not what you assume at all.
Excerpt:
I needed some air. I just attacked a man for no good reason. Sure, one of his kids almost send Nora tumbling into a tree, but I could tell he was overwhelmed and I pounced anyway.
While his kids fought, the guy covered his face with his hands – the international sign for losing parental control. As he removed his hands, though, an awful thing happened. I got a good look at him and heat ran through every crevice of my body. No one should be as handsome as that guy was. Plus, I always had a thing for guys who were in over their heads, and he was definitely drowning with those kids.
I hadn’t reacted that way to a guy in a long time and I didn’t want to. My life was on track. I didn’t need some annoyingly smoky-hot, anti-super-dad screwing up my plans.
It was a problem because he clearly enjoyed the view, too. I knew what guys were thinking when they looked at me, and spoke to me, that way. When I mixed the way he was engrossed in me with my reaction to him, plans got derailed and things like Nora happened. Those smouldery guys don’t stick around once the Noras of the world arrive. So even though they’re still scorching hot, they no longer act like you are.
They disappear.
At least that was my experience. One I didn’t intend to repeat.
Amazon – http://Amzn.com/B01M16JTPS
Here’s a little more about K.K. Weil
K.K. Weil grew up in Queens, but eventually moved to New York City, the inspiration for many of her stories. Weil, who attended SUNY Albany as an undergrad and NYU as a graduate student, is a former teacher. She now enjoys writing her own dramas and lives near the beach in New Jersey, where she is at work on her next novel.
You can find K.K. here:
website //Facebook // Twitter // Blog
My third introduction today is author Pam Binder and her new release Match Made in the Highlands.
Blurb: Logan Mackinnon, confirmed bachelor, has put his life on hold to help his father care for his mother and honor her dying wish to tour Stirling Castle. Sparks fly when Logan meets Irene Redmond on the tour, and they are both transported back in time to the thirteenth century. But their budding romance is tested when they learn the conditions needed for their return to the twenty-first century. The castle is enchanted and only a marriage between two people who truly love each other will break the spell.
Irene Redmond expected to unravel family secrets, instead she meets Logan Mackinnon, a man who awakens long-ago dreams of a happily-ever-after. But are their feelings strong enough to break the castle’s enchantment?
Excerpt:
Strong arms wrapped around her. “Don’t worry,” Logan said. “I’ve go you.”
She clung to his neck as he gathered her closer. She could feel his heart beat against her chest, or was that hers? Random thoughts popped in and out. How had he reached her so fast? Did he think she was clumsy? Too heavy?
Pathetic. He’d saved her, and all she could think about was her weight. Still…
She squirmed in his arms. “Thank you, but you can put me down.”
“And blow my one chance to rescue a beautiful damsel in distress? Not a chance. Besides, we’re almost there.”
Although the bagpipes were louder and she could hear the haunting notes of a flute, the mist was as dense as ever. “How can you tell?” She said.
She felt a rumble of laughter rise in his chest. “It’s a guess. I haven’t a clue.”
Buy links: Amazon // Wild Rose Press
BIO:
Pam Binder is an award-winning Amazon and New York Times bestselling author. Publishers Weekly has said: “Binder gracefully weaves elements of humor, magic and romantic tensions into her novels.” Drawn to Celtic legends and anything Irish or Scottish, Pam blends historical events, characters, and myths into everything she writes. Pam is also a conference speaker, writing instructor, and president of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. http://pambinder.com
So there you have it. 3 reasons this holiday season is going to be so much better!!
And here’s a 4th reason: my book A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS releases on 11/30 everywhere!
https://peggyjaeger.com/2016/11/13/3-...
Today I’m giving you a real treat! Christmas is my favorite time of the year and it would take days to explain why. But one of the reasons I sososos enjoy the holiday time is because of the wonderful books that are published each year during the Holiday season, and about the Holiday Season, so today I’m giving you a gift: three new Holiday/Christmas books from The Wild Rose Press. My own Christmas novel, A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS releases on 11/30, but more about that later.
First….
May I present to you author TENA STETLER and her soon to be released book, A WITCHES HOLIDAY WEDDING.
Here’s a little sumthin’ sumthin’ about it:
Blurb:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.
When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
Excerpt:
A strong arm whipped around her waist, the air whooshed out as she squealed. Pepper balled up her gloved fist as a large warm hand wrapped around her wrist. “I’ve seen you defend yourself. Not going to chance it.” A deep voice chuckled behind her.
“Lathen — I’m going to…”
He spun her around and covered her cold lips with his warm ones. Werewolves run several degrees warmer than most of the population, one of the many things she loved about him. She relaxed into him, their parkas making a wisping sound as the material rubbed against each other. “That’s better,” he murmured against her lips.
All at once the lights in the town square blinked on. Low positioned red and green laser light decorations sparkled over the snow-covered ground and onto the gazebo complementing the white lights. From the other direction, a blue laser sprinkled tiny snowflakes across the building. Evening fell quickly in December.
“This is absolutely beautiful,” She breathed against his chilled cheek and whirled out of his hold taking in all the lighted decorations not visible earlier. Then she pointed toward the bulletin board. “I’ve been reading the town’s holiday events, Lobster Cove really embraces Christmas.”
“Told you.” Lathen said smugly. “Even some of the boats docked in the harbor are decked out with colored lights.”
Peggy here: doesn’t that sound delicious??!!
Buy Links: Amazon// Amazon UK // Amazon AU// Amazon Canada// KOBO// ALL ROMANCE// The Wild Rose Pres
Some fun facts about Tena:
Tena Stetler is a paranormal romance and cozy mystery author with an over-active imagination. She wrote her first vampire romance at the age of thirteen, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Colorado is home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-year-old box turtle. Any winter evening, you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn. Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them.
Find and interact with Tena here:
website//blog//Facebook//Twitter//Pinterest//
Now meet author, K.K. Weil and read a little about her new book BETTER TO GIVE
Blurb
For most people, the holidays are a time of warmth, happiness and celebration. But to Jenna Samuels, they mean only one thing. Mounting debt. A single mother, Jenna struggles to make ends meet and to her, it’s a season of excess and distress.
James Garrison is in over his head, too. His ex-wife said he wasn’t equipped to take care of his twins, and now that he’s got joint custody, he fears she was right. They’re wild, spoiled, and always fighting. When they knock Jenna’s daughter into the “Gifting Tree,”—a part of their town’s charity collection—the parents are immediately attracted to each other. But James has had his fill of cold women and Jenna won’t make the mistake of falling for another man who disappears when life gets too heavy.
As their paths cross, James and Jenna must decide whether first impressions are accurate, or if sometimes, people are not what you assume at all.
Excerpt:
I needed some air. I just attacked a man for no good reason. Sure, one of his kids almost send Nora tumbling into a tree, but I could tell he was overwhelmed and I pounced anyway.
While his kids fought, the guy covered his face with his hands – the international sign for losing parental control. As he removed his hands, though, an awful thing happened. I got a good look at him and heat ran through every crevice of my body. No one should be as handsome as that guy was. Plus, I always had a thing for guys who were in over their heads, and he was definitely drowning with those kids.
I hadn’t reacted that way to a guy in a long time and I didn’t want to. My life was on track. I didn’t need some annoyingly smoky-hot, anti-super-dad screwing up my plans.
It was a problem because he clearly enjoyed the view, too. I knew what guys were thinking when they looked at me, and spoke to me, that way. When I mixed the way he was engrossed in me with my reaction to him, plans got derailed and things like Nora happened. Those smouldery guys don’t stick around once the Noras of the world arrive. So even though they’re still scorching hot, they no longer act like you are.
They disappear.
At least that was my experience. One I didn’t intend to repeat.
Amazon – http://Amzn.com/B01M16JTPS
Here’s a little more about K.K. Weil
K.K. Weil grew up in Queens, but eventually moved to New York City, the inspiration for many of her stories. Weil, who attended SUNY Albany as an undergrad and NYU as a graduate student, is a former teacher. She now enjoys writing her own dramas and lives near the beach in New Jersey, where she is at work on her next novel.
You can find K.K. here:
website //Facebook // Twitter // Blog
My third introduction today is author Pam Binder and her new release Match Made in the Highlands.
Blurb: Logan Mackinnon, confirmed bachelor, has put his life on hold to help his father care for his mother and honor her dying wish to tour Stirling Castle. Sparks fly when Logan meets Irene Redmond on the tour, and they are both transported back in time to the thirteenth century. But their budding romance is tested when they learn the conditions needed for their return to the twenty-first century. The castle is enchanted and only a marriage between two people who truly love each other will break the spell.
Irene Redmond expected to unravel family secrets, instead she meets Logan Mackinnon, a man who awakens long-ago dreams of a happily-ever-after. But are their feelings strong enough to break the castle’s enchantment?
Excerpt:
Strong arms wrapped around her. “Don’t worry,” Logan said. “I’ve go you.”
She clung to his neck as he gathered her closer. She could feel his heart beat against her chest, or was that hers? Random thoughts popped in and out. How had he reached her so fast? Did he think she was clumsy? Too heavy?
Pathetic. He’d saved her, and all she could think about was her weight. Still…
She squirmed in his arms. “Thank you, but you can put me down.”
“And blow my one chance to rescue a beautiful damsel in distress? Not a chance. Besides, we’re almost there.”
Although the bagpipes were louder and she could hear the haunting notes of a flute, the mist was as dense as ever. “How can you tell?” She said.
She felt a rumble of laughter rise in his chest. “It’s a guess. I haven’t a clue.”
Buy links: Amazon // Wild Rose Press
BIO:
Pam Binder is an award-winning Amazon and New York Times bestselling author. Publishers Weekly has said: “Binder gracefully weaves elements of humor, magic and romantic tensions into her novels.” Drawn to Celtic legends and anything Irish or Scottish, Pam blends historical events, characters, and myths into everything she writes. Pam is also a conference speaker, writing instructor, and president of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. http://pambinder.com
So there you have it. 3 reasons this holiday season is going to be so much better!!
And here’s a 4th reason: my book A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS releases on 11/30 everywhere!
November 12, 2016
Bribery…and why it works so well during NaNoWrimo
So this is a totally ridiculous, narcissistic blog post today. I’m going full honesty here and tell you how I stay motivated to write so much during the NANOWRIMO challenge. Be prepared…you may learn something that clouds your opinion of me forever.
Okay…Taking a huge, cleansing breath…Here goes.
I bribe myself to keep writing.
I know! How awful is that?? I should be writing because I want to, not because I’ll get a reward if I do. The 50,000+ word book SHOULD be the reward. The ONLY reward.
But no, it’s not.
I start off with a mountain of motivation each morning as I sit at my laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard, giving full vent to all the thoughts and scenes and dialogue that have been running through my brain for the previous 8 hours – the time I should be sleeping but, well, you know. Chronic Insomnia. The brain that never shuts down. That’s me.
Anyhooooo….
I start off like a speeding train and about hour 2-3 I start to get a little fatigued, a little distracted, a little, well, bored. I know I have many more words to write – can feel them jumping out of my fingertips in their efforts to break free from my mind – but I start to wane. To keep myself glued to my chair ( figuratively, folks) I’ve developed little bribery rewards for my diligence. Here are just a few of the things I pamper myself with for my perseverance at the laptop:
If I get another 1000 words down, I’ll have a cup of tea and a Peppermint Patty
If I finish this chapter I’ll troll thru Amazon and look for new books to read
If I hit my 2500 minimum daily word count, I’ll schedule a facial this afternoon
If I can get this dialogue perfect in the next 20 minutes, I’ll go get lunch at Panera.
If I exceed my daily goal I’ll go shopping for makeup/skin care products/perfume, in other words, I’ll go to Sephora.
See how this works???
And isn’t it ridiculous? I didn’t raise my child to do what’s right in life by bribing her. I would have never even thought of that. Her father and I taught her to do what is correct simply for the reward of getting it right. We didn’t say, “do you your homework and you’ll get a cookie. Get an A on a report and I’ll take you shopping.” We never even gave cash for good report cards. The end result – the good grades – was its own reward. None other was needed.
Why can’t I, then, as a fully formed and functioning adult, heed that wisdom?
See? I told you your opinion of me would get clouded.
Le sigh….
When I’m not ruminating on my hapless state or bribing myself to go on, you can find me here:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+
Okay…Taking a huge, cleansing breath…Here goes.
I bribe myself to keep writing.
I know! How awful is that?? I should be writing because I want to, not because I’ll get a reward if I do. The 50,000+ word book SHOULD be the reward. The ONLY reward.
But no, it’s not.
I start off with a mountain of motivation each morning as I sit at my laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard, giving full vent to all the thoughts and scenes and dialogue that have been running through my brain for the previous 8 hours – the time I should be sleeping but, well, you know. Chronic Insomnia. The brain that never shuts down. That’s me.
Anyhooooo….
I start off like a speeding train and about hour 2-3 I start to get a little fatigued, a little distracted, a little, well, bored. I know I have many more words to write – can feel them jumping out of my fingertips in their efforts to break free from my mind – but I start to wane. To keep myself glued to my chair ( figuratively, folks) I’ve developed little bribery rewards for my diligence. Here are just a few of the things I pamper myself with for my perseverance at the laptop:
If I get another 1000 words down, I’ll have a cup of tea and a Peppermint Patty
If I finish this chapter I’ll troll thru Amazon and look for new books to read
If I hit my 2500 minimum daily word count, I’ll schedule a facial this afternoon
If I can get this dialogue perfect in the next 20 minutes, I’ll go get lunch at Panera.
If I exceed my daily goal I’ll go shopping for makeup/skin care products/perfume, in other words, I’ll go to Sephora.
See how this works???
And isn’t it ridiculous? I didn’t raise my child to do what’s right in life by bribing her. I would have never even thought of that. Her father and I taught her to do what is correct simply for the reward of getting it right. We didn’t say, “do you your homework and you’ll get a cookie. Get an A on a report and I’ll take you shopping.” We never even gave cash for good report cards. The end result – the good grades – was its own reward. None other was needed.
Why can’t I, then, as a fully formed and functioning adult, heed that wisdom?
See? I told you your opinion of me would get clouded.
Le sigh….
When I’m not ruminating on my hapless state or bribing myself to go on, you can find me here:
Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+
