Author Archives: Peggy Jaeger

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About Peggy Jaeger

I've been many things in my life,but the most consistent is WRITER.

RWA15, continued

Day 2. The Goodie room is now open and can I just say YEAH! Free stuff and SWAG!!

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heres my contribution:

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Hey! Who doesn’t like  candy??!!

So I’m sitting in the hotel bar/restuarant area watching all the famous, infamous, and want to be both ( or either!) walk by. Every time someone looks at me and they are wearing an RWA lanyard I smile because you never know who it is smiling back. Could be my dream agent…could be the author I love most in the world ( Are you listening Nora Roberts??!) Could be my new best friend. Okay, those last two sound a little creepy, but you know what I mean…

The Nora Roberts Foundation for literacy is sponsoring the author signing this afternoon that unfortunately I couldn’t get into…next year for sure!!!.. but I’m volunteering at it so I will let you all know who I see and everything about the event.

BTW here are some random New Yorkers just walking around on a sunny day.

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Filed under Author, Contemporary Romance, NHRWA, RWA, Uncategorized

RWA15!!

Well after a longlonglong drive from home, that included traffic stopped dead in Connecticut and then a truck not fitting under an overpass in NYC, I MADE IT! It is unbelievably hot here. 92  today and NYC humid. I will be staying in the hotel, folks, for most of the visit, that is for sure.

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Here’s the Swag Bag for this year and the host of books included it in. Yes – even hard cover books are given for free!

20150721_174705Here are a few random pix of NYC I took today while I walked around and sweated! Things go into full swing tomorrow and I will be sure to blog if I see any of my fav authors. I’ve already had two fan-girl moments so far: saw Nora Roberts AND Jayne Anne Krentz in the hotel tonight. Hyperventilating is the least of what I did!

20150721_153001Minions everywhere!

 

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The Famous FlatIron building

 

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The view from my room of 42nd st

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Filed under Author, Contemporary Romance, NHRWA, Romance, Romance Books, RWA

Synopses and Blurbs and Word Count, oh my!

Okay, so book 3 in the MacQuire Women, FIRST IMPRESSIONS, is in final production right now and I’m hoping it will be released in September, since it’s a fall themed book. This is the cover.

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I know!

Gorgeous, isn’t it? I love my artist at the Wild Rose Press, Rae Monet. She’s done all three covers for me so far and – please, Jesus – she will do the rest.

But I digress.

It isn’t enough just to write the story any longer. Along with the story a writer must also pen the dreaded SYNOPSIS and (gulp!) the official BOOK BLURB. The synopsis is a detailed (or not) outline of the plot of the book. For most authors, writing a synopsis is tantamount to being tossed into the ninth circle of hell for all eternity. And that’s not an exaggeration. The blurb is that little mini description the publisher places on the back of the book or for hardcover books, on the inside jacket cover. It’s supposed to be the tease that lures the reader into wanting to purchase and read your book.

Until I had my first book published I never knew the author was responsible for writing this. You’d think it would be easy. Just sum-up the book’s main theme, right?

Ha!

It’s about as easy as putting together a car from scratch without directions, diagrams, or pictures. Or any outside help, mechanical or human.

Not kidding.

First of all there are word count restrictions of between 100 and 150, maximum. I am a verbose writer. And by verbose I mean I write A LOT of words. The task of paring down the storyline into what amounts to about 10-15 sentences is torture. Add that you must hit the high points of the story, identify the hero and heroine, describe them and the conflict resounding around their relationship ever coming to fruition, PLUS make it sound exciting and buy-worthy, well…this is why I’m sweating right now as I write this piece. Writing a blurb gives me more indigestion than Crispy Crème donuts – and I had to have my gall bladder removed after eating just one of those suckers. I really did.

But I digress. Again.

Back to the blurb. I have been told by manymanymany people in the publishing realm that a blurb can make or break a sale. Pressure, much? When I wrote my first one for SKATER’S WALTZ I thought I really did a great job. I was proud of it and the hours it took to do, so I sent it in and just knew it was perfect.

Not so much.

It took three back and forth trials between me and the burb committee (yes, there is one, and it is made up of WONDERFUL and SMART PEOPLE!) before the blurb was deemed publishing-worthy.

For THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME, I took everything I learned from the first blurb debacle and did my best not to make the same mistakes. I must have done something right this time because it only came back to me once.

For book 3, FIRST IMPRESSIONS, I let myself get cocky and knew – knew! – there was no way the blurb I wrote was coming back this time.

Yeah, no.

It took two tries, but I think they did a fabulous job guiding me in the right direction. Read for yourselves, this is the official blurb:

Family Practice Doctor Clarissa Rogers’ first impression of Padric Cleary is biased and based on gossip. The handsome, charming veterinarian is considered a serial dater and commitment-phobic by his family and most of the town. Relationship shy, Clarissa refuses to lose her heart to a man who can’t pledge himself to her forever.

Pat Cleary, despite his reputation, is actually looking for The One. When he does give his heart away, he wants it to be for life. With his parent’s marriage as his guidebook, he wants a woman who will be his equal and soul mate in every way.

Can Pat convince everyone – including Clarissa – she’s the only woman for him?

I truly can not wait until the book is released. It’s my favorite so far – and I know every writer says that when they’ve got something new coming out, but this one really is. Pat and Clarissa’s story was an absolute pleasure to write and I’m thrilled I get to share it.

I’m currently editing the 4th book, The Voices of Angels, and I am putting off the blurb until I absolutely need to submit it. Trying to come up with something that will wow the reader is much too exhausting right now. Better I write the story down and get that good and right. Then and only then will I tackle the blurb.

I’ll also have to make sure I have a couple bottles of Rolaids handy as well when I do.

 

 

 

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Filed under Author, Contemporary Romance, Family Saga, First Impressions, Life challenges, MacQuire Women, Romance, Romance Books, Skater's Waltz, There's No Place Like Home

Worst pick up lines…

Ever been to a bar during happy hour? A ball-game (any kind)? The hot new club that just opened downtown? A concert for your favorite band? The grocery store? The Laundromat? The gym?

See the connection yet? No? Well, they’re all places guys try to pick up girls.

And they’re all places where every girl who’s ever tried to get picked up – and those of us who were just there for the concert/drinks/workout/to do our laundry – have been hit on and have heard some of the world’s worst pick up lines.

Recently I blogged about two of the worst first – and subsequently last– dates I’d ever had. I asked a lot of girls/women/moms/aunts/females while I was writing that blog, what were some of the most God-awful pickup lines they’d ever been tossed. Here are the ones I absolutely loved – and by loved I mean really hated – the most.

  • “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”
  • “Wait. I need to get my sunglasses on. You’re beauty is blinding me.”
  • “Nice legs; what time do they open?”
  • Do you have a map? ‘Cause I just got lost in your eyes.
  • Is it hot in here, or is that just you?
  • Somebody better call God, because he’s missing one of his angels
  • Hey, I lost my phone number … will you give me yours?
  • If I told you you had a great body, would you hold it against me?
  • Something’s wrong with my cell phone…your number’s not in it.
  • I will volunteer as tribute for you.  ( I have to admit, this one I like!!)

As a writer, I try to shy away from my characters using cheesy pickup lines except if the character’s personality calls for it. I never want a reader to dislike one of my characters unless – again – my goal is to make them unlikable. And believe me, if any of my male characters said anything like the above, they would be unlikeable.

Pick up lines can be written with humor – or not! They can make you laugh or cringe; giggle or gag. A well written one will stick in your memory. But then again, a bad one will as well.

So. Worst pickup lines you’ve ever heard…let’s discuss….

 

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Filed under Author, Contemporary Romance, Dialogue, Romance, Romance Books

First Kisses…

Think about your favorite fictional first kiss. That’s right – not your own, but two characters in a book you were reading, where you just thought this was the best kiss ever. EVER. It had passion, tenderness, desire; it made your heart beat faster, your hands shake a little and your insides get all swirly, and boy-oh-boy did you wish you could be kissed like that in real life.

Okay, so you’ve got the image of the kiss in your mind. How did the author make you feel so good about that kiss? What language did she use? What words? Where they descriptive? Sexy? Raunchy? Was the emotion of the kiss put on display? What about the characters who were kissing- did the author show you their feelings, emotions, internal thoughts when it was happening?

Was there a buildup to the kiss? Tension and suspense around it happening – or not? Anticipation isn’t only a Carly Simon song; it’s a tried and true way of a writer getting you sucked into the characters and what’s going to happen to them.

Personally, I’ve always liked fictional kisses that took a long time coming. The buildup, the expectation, the hope for it to come about is what makes a first kiss so special to me.

Here’s the first kiss between Moira and Quentin from my new book There’s No Place Like Home, Book 2 in the MacQuire women. It uses the buildup and the expectation I mentioned, but the added bonus is the surprise that fills Moira’s mind about the kiss:

Her first and last coherent thought was her best friend was going to kiss her goodnight. After a heartbeat, she forgot the best friend part and knew down to her toes friendship had nothing to do with this.

His lips slid across her mouth, soft and gentle, testing, tasting. Moira’s mind went blank as she succumbed to the sensation of them, hot and hard, pressing against hers in a kiss like none he’d ever given her before. Slowly, he traced her bottom lip with the tip of his tongue, silently asking her to open for him. When she did, he entered her mouth and began to explore, each movement becoming more demanding, more insistent. Moira fell against him, fisting his jacket lapels to steady herself. When she felt his heartbeat pounding under her hands, she grew lightheaded with need. Quentin framed her face with his fingertips, softly tugging down on her chin, changing the angle of the kiss.

She’d been kissed before, but never, never with such all consuming need and longing. She heard a deep moan and was shocked to realize the sound had escaped from her. One of Quentin’s hands left her face to slide down her back. When he pushed against her backside and molded her body to his, Moira’s stomach jumped. This time, though, it wasn’t with the painful contractions she’d come to expect, but with a heart-stopping craving.

A craving for him.

She unfurled her hands from his jacket and, without thought, wound them upwards, weaving them over his shirt collar and up through his hair. She grabbed onto the ends, pulled his head down closer, and held on fast.

All aspect of time was lost. Nothing mattered but the delicious feel of his strong hands caressing her back and the taste of him as his tongue mated with hers.

This couldn’t be happening. It had to be a dream.

But no dream had ever made her want like this, feel like this. When he skimmed his lips across her jaw and down her throat, stopping to take her lobe into his mouth, Moira knew this wasn’t a dream.

They’ve been best friends forever, but everything changes the moment Quentin makes his true feelings known to her in that kiss.

I’ve got a new novella coming out for Valentine’s Day 2016 and the first kiss in this one – 3 Wishes – is told from the first person’s viewpoint of the heroine, Chloe. Here’s a little of what’s going on in her head when she’s kissed for the first time by the hero – a guy she knows nothing about – including his name.

…And, holy Mother of God, what a kiss. My toes curled, my thighs wobbled, and my girlie parts went zing. If I was never kissed by another man for the rest of my life, I would have died a happy little Italian girl right then and there.

You can read all about Chloe next year ( Now, that’s an anticipation tease isn’t it?)

So, back to your favorite fictional kiss. What book was it, who were the characters, and why was it your fav? Let’s discuss…

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Filed under 3 Wishes, Alpha Hero, Author, Contemporary Romance, love, MacQuire Women, Romance, Romance Books, Strong Women, There's No Place Like Home

Conference time again…

In less than 2 weeks I will be going to the National Romance Writers of America 2015 conference. For those of you who were here with me in the blogosphere last year, it was my very first time attending Nationals and I blogged about the experience while I was in San Antonio. This year it’s in NYC – my hometown – and I go a very different person and writer than I was in 2014.

Some of you may recall that at last year’s conference I found out from the person who would soon be my editor, my first book SKATER’S WALTZ was going to be published by the Wild Rose Press. I was speechless, terrified and excited all at the same time. I couldn’t tell anyone I knew at the conference because I hadn’t signed the contract yet and I didn’t want to jinx myself. Let’s face it, try as I might I can’t get away from my Irish Catholic mysticism thoughts. I had to hold that enormous news inside me until the contract was signed, sealed and delivered and it was a legally done deal. Then and only then did I let my crazed exuberance free!

This year, when I attend, I am no longer an RWA conference virgin, nor am I another unpublished author dying to network and get someone to read my work. I go this year as a published author with two books currently in release (Skater’s Waltz and There’s No Place Like Home ) with a third (First Impressions) coming out this Fall.  I’ve also contracted for a Valentine’s Day novella  3 Wishes releasing early in 2016. I know vastly more than I did last year about the process and business of writing, publishing, and marketing. Plus, I’ve now got street cred because I’ve walked the walk of the published romance writer.

Having said that, I still have oodles left to learn, which is why this conference is so wonderful for any romance writer to attend. There are dozens upon dozens of workshops with topics that cover the craft of romance writing, to marketing, to independent publishing, and even how to write great sex scenes ( a personal fav of mine.)

In addition, RWA hosts the Readers for Life Literacy Autographing session where over 400 romance authors are available for a meet and greet and book signing. This year, I am a volunteer at this event and I can’t wait to meet all my fav authors and snap a couple of selfies with them.

The week culminates in the Rita and Golden Hearts awards ceremony on Saturday night and this year is extra special for me because one of my NHRWA chapter sistahs is up for a Golden Heart award. I’m so happy I’ll be there when she wins – nothing like a little cocky self assurance, eh?! LOL

So stay tuned and I’ll be blogging from NYC come July 21. And if you’re in NYC on July 22, drop on down to the Marriott Marquis from 5:30 until 7:30 for the author signing.

If you see me, give me a shout out!

 

 

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Filed under 3 Wishes, Author, Contemporary Romance, NHRWA, Romance, RWA, Strong Women, There's No Place Like Home

What was the worst line you ever heard on a date–first or last…date, that is!

Writing date scenes takes patience, perseverance, and let’s face it: humor. First dates can quickly turn to seconds, thirds, and marriage; or they can end at the door…or in a restaurant with say, the heroine tossing a drink over the not-so-hero’s head.

A great deal about first dates is communication. How the two potential love interests speak to one another can be a key factor in how the story-and their romance-moves forward…or dies a gristly death.

A lot of what I write is made up from my imagination. But not all. I’ve had a few (read A LOT!) pretty horrible first-and subsequently last -dates. One of the worst ended right in the restaurant when the guy I was sitting across from asked me – after we’d ordered, mind you – “So, my friend told me nurses put out ‘cause they’re horny from seeing naked people all day long. True?” The jerk actually wiggled his eyebrows up and down like Groucho Marx when he said it. Speechless is something I almost never am, but I couldn’t put a sentence scathing enough together at that moment, so I just grabbed my purse from the chair next to me, stood, and stormed out. Damn. I really wanted the steak I’d ordered, too.

Second worst line from a first date came a few months later. The guy was fairly nice, if not a little boring as he droned on and on about the Yankees. I was a die-hard Mets fan back then…but anyway. At my apartment door he leaned in and gave me the most disgusting kiss I’d ever received. Truly. His breath smelled like the pepper and sausage pizza he’d just had, mixed with beer. Stale and overpowering. I was so surprised, I opened my mouth in dismay and his snake-like tongue forged right in, dancing a serpentine tarantella in every corner of my mouth.

Yuk.

My eyes were watering from gagging, and I felt a ball of intense nausea undulate up from my stomach. Fearful I was going to vomit on my front door step I pushed against his chest and broke the contact between us. Ever so suavely – not! – he leaned against the doorjamb, grinned smarmily and said, “So, let’s together for breakfast.” Before I could tell him I had to work; have a root canal; or even an appendectomy (all of which would have been preferable to seeing him again), he grinned and added, “what time should I roll over and kiss you awake?”

Holy Mother of God, I never knew I could move so fast. I bolted into my apartment, slammed the door in in his astonished face, ran to the bathroom and gargled with Listerine for an hour.

Double yuk.

From girlfriends, I’ve heard some of the worst first date lines ever. They include:

“Don’t worry, it’s not infectious anymore.”

“My real hair is brown.”

“Do you know a good tax lawyer?”

“Wow, your cousin described you as much hotter. And way thinner.”

“I’ll be right back. It’s my check-in time with my PO, and he’s a dick if I miss a call.”

“I’ve got a two-for-one coupon, so don’t order anything it doesn’t cover.”

“The anti-depressants have really been working.”

I can safely say none of these lines earned a second date. I think one even lead to a punch in the face from the girl it was spoken to. I’ll let you figure out which one.

So…worst lines you’ve ever heard on a date. Let’s discuss…

 

 

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Filed under Alpha Hero, Author, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Dialogue, love, Romance, Strong Women

If you could define yourself in a song, what would it be?

Many of the writers I know personally are big into play lists. They have their favorite music streaming while they write; they even come up with individual play lists for each book they pen.

Not me. Not so much. I NEED peace and quiet when I write. The one noise I love to listen to while I’m at the laptop is the sound of the rain as it comes down outside my attic loft writing room. Rain in the ultimate white noise for me. If I’ve got music on in the background, I tend to sing along and never get anything written. I envy those writers who can compose written lines while listening to background noise. Their brains work so much better at compartmentalizing than mine does.

Having said all that, I love music – of any kind. Classical to rock; rap to hip-hop; Elvis to Eminem. When I’m not writing, I listen to my playlists on my i-Pad. My favorite song of all time is Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers. I just got distracted and listened to it 3 times while I uploaded it to this post. See? This is why I can’t listen to music while I write.

So, that’s my favorite song. But to answer the question in the title of this blog, the song that defines me is Survivor by Destiny’s Child. Although, the Gloria Gaynor I will Survive is a pretty close second. The fact I have survived many horrible things in my life and have come out in the light instead of turning to the dark side, is a testament to my faith, my determination, and  that I believe like Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” 

Now, the things I’ve survived in my life may not be as horrible or as life changing as many others have lived through. But they’ve been pretty brutal to me. I survived a fall out an apartment window when I was 18 months that all the doctors said should have killed me. It left with a face full of scars and a terrifying fear of heights. I lived through a childhood rife with functional poverty, ( for those not acquainted with this term, it simply means we lived a hair above the poverty line but could never qualify for any “assistance”),  a horrible adolescence filled with bullying, an eating disorder that still plagues me sometimes to the day, profound emotional abuse from someone I loved and trusted, family psych issues. I almost lost my daughter – twice!- and I’ve fought  melanoma. Again, others have gone through and come through much, much worse than all this. But this is what defines me.

So, Survivor is my  musical anthem…what’s yours?

 

 

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Filed under Author, Contemporary Romance, Life challenges, Romance, Strong Women

July 4th…

This uniquely American day of celebration is filled with fireworks, grilled food, patriotic home-town parades, and pride.

It’s a day in which we remember the reasons for our freedom, the battle for our country’s independence, and the history we made as a fledgling nation.

We sing our National Anthem-although half the population doesn’t even know or understand the words; we show the world how proud we are to be Americans; and we enjoy a day free from working at jobs most of us complain about.

We attend baseball games, backyard barbecues, and pool parties. Our children wave handheld flags, sit in lawn chairs along  parade routes to see firetrucks, hear home town bands, and wave at local dignitaries reveling in their one small hour of the public spotlight.

Most of us- but not all- have the day off from our jobs, employers understanding the need for their workers to have a day to celebrate this holiday.

How many of us remember – really remember – the reason we celebrate the fourth of July? We all learned it in school, taught to us at a very young age.  In its simplest form, today was the official day our nation declared independence from a sovereign nation. Today was the date in history the leaders of our young t0-be nation all signed their names in blood to the Declaration of Independence. Today again, simply, we told the world we demand to be free. To have the rights God instilled in all men allowed to us.

Today, we became what we were meant to be. As a nation; as a people; as a symbol for all humanity.

Ad we’ve been fighting to protect that freedom ever since.

So, today when you’re having a ‘burger, or waving the flag as the parade marches by,  and watching the spectacle of another outstanding fireworks show, take a moment and remember the AMERICANS who risk their lives daily – every hour of every day – to keep us free. Our men and women in uniform don’t have today off to celebrate our freedom. They are working to guarantee it.

God bless you all and God Bless the United States of America. Happy July 4th.

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J.L. Sheppard

                              Heavenly Desire, Elemental Sisters III

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Will he sacrifice his wings for a woman he loves but can never keep?

Today, I have fellow WILD ROSE PRESS author J.L.SHEPPARD on my blog, giving me a literary tease and a present. The tease is an excerpt from her Paranormal Romance HEAVENLY DESIRE, ( keep reading, below) and the present is for me and all of you, because it’s  on sale from June 26 thru July 10th! Follow the links after you read a little of this “heavenly” book.

ON SALE – $.99 Cents June 26 thru July 10th

By: J.L. Sheppard

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length/Pages: 324

Blurb:

Clyde, an angel, battles the one thing he believes will lead to his fall from heaven—his new found emotions, forbidden among his kind. Nonetheless, the Angel Lords promise to promote him to warrior when he completes his last assignment—to find Jade. When he does, emotions he never knew possible arise. For the first time in two thousand years, he cursed his existence. Knowing she can never be his, will he sacrifice his wings for a woman he loves but can’t keep?

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Excerpt:

He bent toward her, wrapped one arm around her waist, the other around her back, then buried his face in the crook of her neck and inhaled.

Relishing the feel of her body melded against his, he forgot the worries consuming him. She soothed his ache with a mere touch, with a mere embrace.

Exactly what he’d wanted, exactly what he needed.

She then pressed her full lips against his cheek, kissing him lightly.

An innocent kiss. There was no passion behind it, but an unconscious consuming need, one he’d never felt, swelled inside him—desire. It was exciting, overwhelming and terrifying, blocking logic and reason.

All he wanted now was a single kiss. All he could think about was how her soft lips would feel pressed against his.

Marvelous, he concluded.

It was absurd to want what he did and feel what he felt, for he was an angel. Carnal desires even as insignificant as kisses were for others, for all others except his breed, and yet he felt it so deeply it seared him.

The desire that gripped him didn’t release him even after she unhooked her arms from around his neck, and the warmth of her body melted away.

There he stood, immobile, battling the desire she’d sparked. He didn’t want to leave yet knew he had to before he’d acted out his longing.

He willed his body to move. Finally, he placed one foot behind the other, stepped back and strode away praying the yearning he had no right to feel for a woman who would never be his would soon subside.

HD-6

“The author brings the story to life with well written scenes that capture the imagination while the suspense and drama draw the reader into the story and the characters are strong, bewitching and ensnare the readers from the very beginning.”
Night Owl Reviews, 5 Stars
 
“…Love this series… [Heavenly Desire] is full of romance, surprises and secrets… If you love paranormal romance, do not miss this series.”
 BIO:

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J.L. Sheppard was born and raised in Miami, Florida where she still lives with her husband and son.

As a child, her greatest aspiration was to become a writer. She read often, kept a journal and wrote countless poems. She attended Florida International University and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors in Communications. During her senior year, she interned at NBC Miami, WTVJ. Following the internship, she was hired and worked in the News Department for three years.

It wasn’t until 2011 that she set her heart and mind into writing her first completed novel, Demon King’s Desire, which was published in January of 2013.

Besides reading and writing, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.

Other Works:

Demon King’s Desire, Elemental Sisters I: January 2013

Burdened by Desire, Elemental Sisters II: January 2014

Awaiting Fate, Fated Immortals I: March 2015

Contact:

http://www.JLSheppard.com
http://www.facebook.com/JLSheppardAuthor

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6894176.J_L_Sheppard

J.L. Sheppard
Demon King’s DesireAvailable Now

Burdened By DesireAvailable Now
Heavenly DesireAvailable Now
Awaiting Fate. Available Now
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Amazon GoodReads Shelfari

 

 

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Filed under Alpha Hero, Author, Romance, Romance Books