Saturday, January 31, 2015

Meet the Author- Peggy Jaeger

Good morning readers, I'm happy to introduce you to budding author Peggy Jaeger. 
Peggy has several books coming out this year, read on to find out more and to learn how you can support her!


Peggy Jaeger’s love of writing began in the third grade when she won her first writing contest with a short story titled THE CLOWN. After that, there was no stopping her. Throughout college and after she became a Registered Nurse, she had several Nursing Journal articles published, in addition to many mystery short stories in Literary Magazines. When her daughter was born, Peggy had an article titled THE VOICES OF ANGELS published and reprinted in several parenting magazines, detailing the birth and the accident that almost turned this wonderful event into a tragedy. She had two children’s books published in 1995 titled THE KINDNESS TALES and EMILY AND THE EASTER EGGS, which were illustrated by her artist mother-in-law. While her daughter grew, Peggy would write age appropriate stories for her to read along with, and finally, to read on her own. Her YA stories are mysteries involving smart and funny 12-13 year old girls and an unusual collection of friends and relatives. They all take place in the 1980’s.

She has a Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration and had several articles published on Alzheimer’s Disease when she ran an Alzheimer’s In Patient care unit during the 1990’s

In 2005 she was thrilled to have an article on motherhood placed in the CHICKEN SOUP FOR EVERY MOTHER’S SOUL edition. She has won several awards in various Writer’s Digest short story and personal article categories over the years. Recently, she has placed first in the Dixie Kane 2013 Memorial Contest in the Short/Long Contemporary romance Category, and in the Single Title Contemporary Category, and third place in the ICO Romance Contest for 2013, and in 2014 she was a finalist in the Put Your heart in a Book contest.

A life-long and avid romance reader and writer, she is a member of RWA and her local New Hampshire RWA Chapter.

Peggy has embraced the techno age and writes for three blogs, all detailing events in her life. One titled, 50 pounds for 50 years is a personal blog about weight loss, one about her life as an EMPTY NESTER and her most recent one MOMENTS FROM MENOPAUSE, a humorous and informative guide through this time in a woman’s life.
She also has her own website http://peggyjaeger.com where she writes about everyday life and how it relates to writing. Twitter is her current obsession, but she is never far from her Facebook pages.

In 2015 she will have her first two contemporary romance novels published by The Wild Rose Press: Skater’s Waltz, book 1 in the MaQuire Women Series, and There’s No Place Like Home, book 2. Four more are in the works for this series, in addition to her Cooking with Kandy series.



LINKS:
Visit Peggy at her website “Writing is my Oxygen” http://peggyjaeger.com

Follow her on Twitter: @peggy_jaeger

Like her on Facebook: Peggy Jaeger, Author

Pin her on PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger


BLURB

Figure skater Tiffany Lennox is busy with rehearsals for an upcoming ice show when the only man she’s ever loved comes home after a two-year overseas stint. She needs him to see her for the woman she’s become and not the child he knew to ensure he stays home, this time, for good. With her.

For all his wanderlust and hunger for professional success, Cole Greer comes home wanting nothing more than to rest, relax and recover. He is delighted in being Tiffany’s hero and has a special place in his heart reserved for her. But faced with the oh-so-desirable woman she’s become, he starts questioning his determination to keep their relationship platonic.

When forced by the television network to go back on assignment, Cole - for the first time in his life - is torn between his career and his heart.


 COMING SOON




Thursday, January 29, 2015

Author Interview- Sydney St. Claire

Happy Thursday readers, 
join with me in welcoming back author Sydney St. Claire as she brings us her latest release.


Welcome Sydney. Before we get to your new work of art, I've got anfew questions.
 Are you self- published or with a publishing company (if so, which one?)?

I’ve done both. I started out with Dorchester Publishing. 12 books under Susan Edwards before they went under. I then sold 11 of the back list to Carina Press and self published the remaining book and wrote 2 more in my two series. Now I’m with Wild Rose Press as Sydney St. Claire, writing erotica novellas. I’m hoping to have some good news about my self-pubbed books being offered in print by a publishing company in the next few months.

 What for you is the best part of writing? What is the worst?

The best part of writing is allowing your imagination to run free and play the “What If” card. I love to create worlds and series, as I love myself to read a good series and stay with the characters and settings I come to love. I also love creating characters. Taking bits of me or others or creating someone I’d love to call a friend.  Even better are villains. My erotica series really has no bad guys like my historical’s and I find I really miss having a good, bad, villain.  Very good therapy too! Create a villain and get revenge on the not so nice people you run into.  Same goes with themes and messages. Writing and creating are great ways to share what you think and even believe without really saying so. Another great aspect of writing is being able to write wearing whatever you want. No dressing up, no make-up. Just me and my computer and all my animals and they don’t care what I wear as long as they can be with me.

The worst is also being your own boss. It’s sometimes hard to have so many distractions around you. When the writing isn’t going well, even cleaning the toilet seems like a fun thing to go take care of. Animals tend to interrupt, family, etc. Then there are the silent offenders like email, social media etc. We have to take care of those aspects but sometimes we have to say  no and keep writing yet that leads into another aspect of writing and that’s the business part. For me, I’d rather just write but that’s not the way it goes unless you can hire an entire staff to deal with the business aspect of sending out reviews, websites, blogs, trailers, etc. Some of that I love doing, like trailers yet it also takes away from writing time. So there you go. The good and the not so good.

Is there a process you stick to, or do you just write as it hits you?

I always start with a synopsis. Not always detailed. Then I have to have characters. I usually start writing the first few chapters in a full length novel to get a feel and themes before really filling in my character sheets or bibles. When I wrote White Christmas (as Susan Edwards), I knew the heroine was a previous child in one of my White Series books so I knew her age, looks, and her past conflicts that were a part of the adult woman she became. I knew she had a grandfather looking for her but nothing else. I started that book with the hero, a friend of the grandfather. Didn’t even have his name. Just started writing and in that first scene, I had his conflicts and personality which would work with hers.
If the book is part of a series, as that one was, I’m a couple steps ahead of the game as much of the tone and characters are already created. Once I fill in the information I need, I seldom look at it again as it’s pretty much set in my mind and I let the story take cover at that point. For the novellas, I just have the synopsis and I just start writing and go. I find the short length doesn’t need a lot of planning.
I do use Scrivener to write as I like having the ability to have all my files in one file. My research, characters, bibles are all in one file. For Once Upon a Dom series, all the books are in one place so if I need information, it’s all there. No searching for, or opening multiple files.  I do need to be organized in my writing

What is the ultimate goal you have for your career?

One of my goals has been to make a bestseller list and it still is. With the downturn in the economy, the loss of my publisher, I lost a lot of ground so I’m working to remake/rebrand myself, both in the erotica genre and historicals. I’ve also got a contemporary series in the works. So my goal is to get my career back in full swing and make a list or two. And okay, I have to admit to wanting to make lots of money <g>. Don’t laugh…

When not writing, what can you be found doing?

Gardening,  sewing, crocheting and knitting mostly although right now, painting the inside of the house has taken priority. We started in the kitchen over the holidays and have moved to the living room January. New floors go in this week/weekend and then I get to organize and put my house back in order. Next up is the entry way and dining room.  You can also find me with a cat or two on my lap along with two dogs. I love animals and spend a lot of time with my babies. And soon, like any day, I’ll have my first grandchild, a little girl. I hope to spend a lot of time with her.

 Favorite writer, book?

I love reading a series and starting at the beginning and rereading. Right now I’m on book 27 of JD Robb’s In death series. March sees book 9 in Modesitt’s Imager series and I’m looking forward to that. I also love many of Nora Roberts trilogies, as well as Harry Potter and Christine Feehan’s Drake sisters & the series that was spun from that as well as her other series.

When writing, which do you prefer to write with, computer or paper and pen?

Oh, I have to write on a computer. My creativeness dies with pen and paper as I do so much editing as I go, that all the scratching out is too distracting—fragments my concentration.  I have to be able see clearly what I’ve written.


Such great answers Sydney, thank you.



Title: Snow & Her Huntsman
Series Name: Once Upon A Dom
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance
SubGenre(s): Erotica, BDSM
Rating:  (R) 
Page Count: 117
Digital Price: 3.99


Blurb

Rylee Kincaid’s business is about to go under. Lucky for her, she’s found an investor. Ready to sign papers, she learns her knight in shining armor is Hunter Finnegan, the man who once gave her multiple orgasms then crushed her young, tender heart. Her world comes crashing down as it becomes clear the rich businessman intends a hostile takeover and to cast her out. Then he agrees to discuss a new deal, but only if Rylee will play Snow to his Huntsman at a BDSM fairy tale event.

Hunter has never forgotten the weekend of kinky sex he shared with Rylee in college. Unfortunately, he had to let her go to keep peace in his family. Now he’s back to claim the only woman he’s ever loved. He’ll stop at nothing to make the black-haired, fair-skinned beauty hear the truth of what happened so long ago, even if he has to tie her up. And that’s exactly what he does. But as the Huntsman reawakens the submissive in Snow, Hunter isn’t so sure he can do the same to Rylee’s heart.

Excerpt  PG13

Rylee couldn’t believe what she’d done. She’d totally lost control, something she’d never done with another man but Hunter. Sex between her and her husband had never come close to the heat level between her and Hunter. Her hands dropped from his shoulders to his chest. Palms flat, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to push him away or bunch her fingers in his shirt and draw him even closer. God, what must he think of her? One kiss, and she’d gone up in flames, like a desperate and hungry woman.
Which was true. But to show it and behave in such a manner horrified her. “I…” She didn’t know what to say.
Hunter stepped away, she assumed to give her time to adjust her clothing. He picked up the invitation from the gray carpet. “My limo will pick you up at two on Thursday.”
“Thursday?” Damn, her mind and body felt as though she were swimming through a thick gel.
Handing her the invite, along with a large envelope he snagged off his desk, he held her gaze. “I’ll see you at Pleasure Manor. Your costumes will be delivered to your office this afternoon.”
He tapped the envelope. “Instructions and rules. I suggest you go get your bloodwork done this afternoon. You’ll need to bring the results with you.” Hunter handed her the briefcase and her purse and hustled her to the door.
Rylee blinked in confusion. Damn the man for being in complete control while she was a quivering mass of need. Her orgasm hadn’t eased her ache for this man. But she hated being manipulated, and he was a master. He’d lured her in with hopes and dreams of saving her business and probably used Glorie to make her mad enough that she’d confront him. Now, he’d had the nerve to use her own body against her. “Dammit, Hunter, I never said—”
Hunter halted her with the single lift of his brow. “Your body spoke for you.” He lowered his head and kissed her hard, swallowing her protests. “Thursday. And don’t bother wearing panties.”




Buy Links


Wild Rose      KINDLE           Nook         KOBO             IBOOKS


CELEBRATING THE RELEASE OF SNOW WITH A NEW CONTEST



Tote Bag  --  Fairytales Your Mother Never Read You
Nice large roomy bag
Also included: 4 GB Flash Drive, Key Ring Light, Notepad & Pen, Mug
And assorted other goodies



SYDNEY'S BIO

Sydney St. Claire is the pseudonym of Susan Edwards, author of 14 Historical Native American/Western/Paranormal romances and the author of the popular “White” Series.
Sydney loves writing and sharing stories of love, happiness and dreams come true with her readers. She credits her mother for her writing success.  Encouraged to read as a child, she always preferred happy endings which meant romances were her favorite genre.  Sydney takes her readers into the world of erotica romance where her characters come together in explosive passion as they solve life’s problems and find true love along with the best sex our hero and heroine have ever experienced.
Sydney’s office is quite crowded with three dogs at her feet and five cats to keep her company while she writes. Three cats always insist on beds on her desk, barely leaving enough room for her monitor and keyboard. Life gets fun when all five insist on supervising…
When not writing, she enjoys crafts of all sorts including quilting, sewing, cross-stitch and knitting. She and her husband of 30 + years are avid gardeners. He takes care of the veggies, and Susan is in charge of the ‘pretties’. Her medicine wheel garden is in a contact state of war: flowers vs. weeds. Sadly, right now the weeds are wining…
While writing, she listens to a wide variety of music. Her current favorites are Blackmore’s Night and David Lanz.

Contact Links           

Email: 

Trailer:          

Website: 
http://susanedwards.com

Twitter: 

Facebook: 

Blog:

Goodreads:    

Pinterest:        



Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Author Interview- Diana Rubino

Good morning readers, join me in welcoming author Diana Rubio to the blog. 
We have a quick interview followed by an excerpt of her book, 
A Bloody Good Cruise (love the title), and a glimpse into the mind of Diana's heroine, Mona.
*   *   *
Hi Diana, Tell me three words that describe yourself starting with A, B, and C.

Ambitious, Bodacious, Curious

What are your three favorite things?

A warm sunny day at the beach on Cape Cod, a roaring fire on a cold night, cuddling with my husband.

Are you self- published or with a publishing company (if so, which one?)?

I have two publishers—The Wild Rose Press and Solstice Publishing.

What for you is the best part of writing?

The historical research.

What is the worst?

Thinking that it’s no good and nobody will want it.

Is there a process you stick to, or do you just write as it hits you?

I write from an outline, but it does change as the story evoloves.

Music is a big influence on my writing. I have certain songs that inspire each chapter, or the whole book. What helps to inspire you?

Some of my books have song titles. But what inspires me is real historical figures who’ve made a big difference in the world. I like to write about them as much as possible.

Will there be more books in your series, or can you tell us about any previous books?

This isn’t a series, but I do have a series that TWRP is considering: a trilogy set in New York City starting in 1894 and ending in the 1960s.

When not writing, what can you be found doing?

Reading, playing golf or racquetball, reading on the beach in summer, working out in my exercise room, walking, hiking, or playing my piano.

Favorite item of clothing in your closet?

A gold lamé jacket I call “my Mozart coat” because it looks like something he would’ve worn!

Favorite writer, book?

The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George. It transports you back into Henry’s time, so beautifully written, even if you know how it ends!

When writing, which do you prefer to write with, computer or paper and pen?

Both—sometimes writing in longhand in first person helps me ‘channel’ the character I’m writing about, as if I’m him/her, since the people I write about are historical, they didn’t have computers, so it’s easier to pretend I’m him/her.

and on Twitter @DianaLRubino.




EXCERPT

Mona forced a dose of cheer through her jangly nerves. Vampire hunters wouldn’t have the balls to attack Fausto and his friends on this ship. Security was tight. “Well, you’re here, so does that mean you’ve been going out, and aren’t confined to your house any more?”
Fausto shrugged. “Almost. I couldn’t wallow in self-pity forever. And I knew seeing you would make it worthwhile.”
She smiled and gave him a genuine Italian cheek pinch. “I’ll cheer you up, faccia bella, you can count on that. You must feel safe.” She gestured at the tacky duds. “I mean, relatively speaking.”   
“Don’t let this scare you, but –” He glanced around over the rims of his shades. Uh-oh. Whenever he said “don’t let this scare you,” it scared her. “I got an ominous message at the doctor’s office earlier.”
“What—” She swallowed a lump. “What kind of ominous message?”
He looked away, shaking his head. “Nothing to get alarmed about. The hunters just want me to know they’re here. After the initial jolt wore off, I said, ‘okay, I’m being stalked again.’ But I’m used to it. It doesn’t make me constantly look over my shoulder like in the old days. My family’s murder gave me a reality check. If they want me, they’ll get me. I can’t let it interfere with my work, or what little leisure time I have here. And you shouldn’t either.” He gazed at her adoringly and cupped her cheek. His hand was surprisingly warm. “But you’re still scared. All the blood’s drained out of your face, and not in a good way.”


A Bloody Good Cruise is available in:
Kindle Version: www.amzn.com/B00ILXYAI6
Paperback: bit.ly/1k8Vlrs

 A BLOODY GOOD CRUISE is a fun-filled blend of the vampire world and luxury cruises, starring romance author Mona Rossi and Fausto Silvius, a full-blooded vampire. The popularity of cruises and vampires make it a unique blend, but a very fun setting.

My stories are romances set against a backdrop of political upheaval, court intrigue, poverty general drama of the surroundings, and at times a splash of the paranormal. What I’m trying to get across in my stories is that love can prevail no matter what the conflicts and obstacles, earthly or not.

Coffeetime Romance says in its review, “A Bloody Good Cruise is a high seas adventure with twists and turns around every corner. The lively cast spins non-stop excitement with thrills and enough snags to keep the pages turning.”

I’m a longtime a member of Romance Writers of America, the Richard III Society and the Aaron Burr Association.

I wanted to combine Italian vampires, comedy and cruising in one package, so I hopped on my imaginary ship The Romanza to get my characters in all kinds of trouble. I envisioned the hero, Fausto, as actor Vincent Irizarry (Dr. Hayward on All My Children). 

That made my job so much easier. He is THE perfect vampire. Italian vampires and hunters (the Vampire Ball Busters) leave the field wide open for comic relief, and I had plenty of chances in this story. Since I'm hooked on cruising and I'm Italian, I didn't need to do that much research. The name Fausto came from an Italian woman I met in the 1980s, Fausta. I knew I had to use some version of that name in one of my books.

My husband and I are hooked on cruising, and my very first cruise was on the Eastern Mediterranean, beginning in Rome and ending in Istanbul. The ports of call included Rhodes, Cyprus, Santorini, and Egypt. Because I love Italy and cruising, I wanted to combine those passions with a humorous story about vampires and how they face prejudice in the human world.





An Interview with Mona Rossi, heroine of A Bloody Good Cruise

You, the Heroine . . .
Readers love to know about their favorite heroines, and this is your chance to make them feel close to you.
If you have 2 hours free time tonight, what would you rather do? Why?

Soak in my hot tub overlooking the Tuscany Hills with a chilled glass of Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from right there in Tuscany. Fausto bought me a
case of this for our one-year anniversary. It’s a  deep ruby red with intense
aromas of notes of leather and cherry. Upon sipping, you get an astringent taste.

At $389 a bottle, I splurge when I sell a book—then I buy another bottle when the book sales hit the 1,000 copy mark.

But when I can’t be so decadent I drink Beaujolais Nouveau, produced in the Beaujolais region of France. (sorry, Fausto, it’snot Italian.) It comes out once a year, and goes on sale the third Thursday of November. If you don’t get to a store in time, you can miss out. It sells out fast. Distributors deliver it to stores at 12:01 a.m. local time. I’ve seen people in line waiting for it. I’d do that for a Springsteen concert, but not
for a bottle of wine!

Yes, I’m a Springsteen fan, and that’s something else I’d do with two free hours—go to one of his shows or blast his CDs and dance like crazy.
But along with the wine, I’d have Sinatra or Dean Martin playing in the background, with a vanilla candle. And if I’m feeling indulgent, I’ll bring three white chocolate truffles, and eat them fast so they don’t melt.



What kind of books do you love to read? Why?
The same kind of romances I write—suspense, where the heroine gets into one mess after another. I read out loud, it improves my diction for when I speak at writers’ conferences. I also like to browse cookbooks. I take a snapshot of the recipe in my head, then go and improvise.
My favorite author is Linda Howard. She writes such pulse-pounding suspense. And I know this sounds hokey, but when I met Fausto, I began reading Anne Rice. Fausto and his family aren’t the same kinds of vampires she writes about, but it gave me some perspective. To me, the original book Dracula, by Bram Stoker, was scary as hell. But I do consider it one of my favorite books because it was so innovative. I never believed in vampires before that book, and look where I am now!

     I like to go to Goodreads to seek out new titles. I don’t read the reader reviews, though. Too many of them have misled me. I just read the book summary and make up my own mind.
What is your stress buster?
A Pilates class or watching my favorite shows while working out on the elliptical trainer—I watch comedy working out, certainly not the news—I want to bust stress, not increase it. I have DVDs of some classic sitcoms:
I Love Lucy, the Dick Van Dyke Show, All in the Family, Seinfeld—and some live standup: Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Richard Pryor, the pioneers, the greats. No comedians working the clubs today come close to those legends. Moving for an hour to comedy—or music—is the best way to relieve stress and work it all off. When not on the elliptical, I’ll get out my iPod, close the door, pull the shades and torch some calories dancing to my cardio mix—a scientifically engineered mix of songs that burn 450 calories—one of my warm up songs is Scream by Usher, one sprint song is Pump It by Black Eyed Peas, a recover song is Goin’ In by J.Lo, and a cool down song is Halo by Beyoncé.

What is your favorite food? What food do you seek when you’re sad, sort of a comfort food?

Cheesecake made with cottage cheese—it’s healthy and low fat, and tastes every bit as good as ‘real’ cheesecake but much lighter. I also make honey balls, “Struffoli” which is a Christmas treat, but I make them year round. I added the recipe below. Every morning I make a healthy smoothie with almond milk, coconut milk, yogurt, either spinach or kale, cinnamon, and protein powder. If I use chocolate powder, I also add peanut butter. You can’t even taste the spinach or kale, but it does turn the smoothie green. I also do some creative things to oatmeal—top it with cinnamon or nutmeg. I make it with a green tea bag instead of plain water for a healthy boost.
Describe yourself in one word.
Determined.
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Being turned—but it was a matter of life and death. I trusted Fausto with my life, and here I am.
What makes you happy/sad/disappointed/frustrated/hopeful/angry? (Pick one)
What makes me angry is intolerance. After I went through with Fausto and his family, I saw first-hand what someone different must go through to gain acceptance. I’m trying to change that by giving talks about vampires, explaining who we really are, so someday prejudice against us—and anyone else the ‘majority’ deems ‘different’ will be an ugly thing of the past.
What are your wildest dreams/fantasies/kinks/quirks?
My wildest dream is to live a week in Ancient Rome, as a Senator’s mistress.
What do you most want out of life, and what’s its opposite?

I most want social acceptance and its opposite is to disappear in the crowd, to be an ordinary citizen.

What would you never say, do or think?

I’d never insult someone just to show I’m better or smarter.
I’d never let anyone boss me around.
I’d never think I’m inferior to anyone because of my new status as a vampire.

What are some of your faults?

I’m too assertive at times. I still worry about what people think of me. I overcompensate to get them to accept and like me. I make a mess after cooking and don’t clean it up right away. This drives Fausto nuts. He’s a neat freak. Another fault that also drives him nuts is that I put off going to the doctor. We’ve been granted eternal life, but we do have to get checkups along the way!









Monday, January 26, 2015

Book Reviews


Congrats to these TWRP author and their books on their great reviews.



Better than a Present
 Spy Games by Mia Downing.
 Shift Happens
 Grave Shifter
 Undiscovered Angel
 Warrior Lord
 A Man for Annalee:
Audrey's Promise.
Tequila Dirty
Sniper Fire
Double Wedding, Single Dad
Sniper Fire
Double Exposure
Favorite Fantasies
The Beginning Comes Quietly
Her Hometown Fantasies
Death Rub
Under Starry Skies
 Heavenly Desire
 Physical Therapy

Despite the Fangs

Help Wanted Wife

Secrets of Ugly Creek

The Wrong Drawers

A saved Woman

Don’t Let Go
 Sterling's Way
 Sweet To The Taste
 Rowena’s Hellion
 Hell’s Bounty
 The Marriage Trap
 Red and her Big bad Dom
 Double the Risk
 Blue heat

A case for Calamity
Coyote Heat
Reckless Abandon
Piper’s Piping
Red and her Big Bad Dom
 Lady Adel's Captain 
 Despite The Fangs
 Resorts, Regrets And Returning To Love
 A Daughter’s Promise
 Untamed Heat
Captive Bride
A cottage Christmas
 A Ghost of a Clue 
Sour Cherry
 Dane’s Restraint
 A love of his Own
 Night Stars and Mourning Doves
 Red and her Big bad Dom

Pandora’s Jar

Silent Deceit

Under the Covers

Lethal Abandon

Close Encounter with a Crumpet

Law of Attraction

Shift Happens

Second Nature



Witch's Tattoo

Escaping Christmas
Under the moon Gate
Once There Were Sad Songs.
Cook County Cowboys

Sterling’s Way

Sweet to the Taste

The Dressmaker’s Duke

Heart Shifter

The kerr Construction Co

Resorts Regrets and Returning to Love

Heart of the Phoenix

30 Seconds

Embraced by Fire

Reality Re-do

Dangerous Paradise

Dragon Wife

Paris Rose

The Maid’s Secret 

Call Down the Moon
 Highland Troth
 Love Caters All
 Piper’s piping
 Dickens of a Death
 The Sleepover Clause