So I did a little interview on BookGoodies about A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK and it’s up today.
There are a few typos in the article – just thought I’d point that out so you wouldn’t think I glazed over the piece, hee hee.
Stop by and give it a quick read.
Until next time, peeps. Keep on self isolating, wash your hands, and keep hydrated ~ Peg
*** I’m social isolating, but you van find me – virtually! – here:Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me// Triber// Book Me
Filed under A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK
Filed under One Scoop or Two
The weirdest thing I learned reading fiction is today’s topic.
Hmmm…..this one requires real thinking on my part- something I’m not known for ( hee hee)
Okay, in THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES I learned all about making honey, bee anatomy, and just how precious bees are to our environment and food supply.
Other than that I can’t think of anything WEIRD I’ve learned reading a book.
Now doing research for a book is different. For my own book, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME, I learned that cows have 4 stomachs, I learned a horse has a gestation period of 11-12 months, and that emotional abuse can take many forms.
Let’s see what some of the other authors in this challenge have learned – and I can bet it’s way more than I have!! L&SR
Until next time ~ peg
and if you’re looking for me I’m out trying to learn stuff from reading here:Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me// Triber// Book Me
Filed under Long and SHort Reviews
I’ve been so lucky to meet writers during my writing journey who astound me with their talent and inspire me with their bravery. When I decided to publish my very first indie romance, it was to writers like today’s guest, Claire Marti, to whom I looked and learned.
Claire has a new book out today, the third in her Pacific Vista Ranch series, and she graciously allowed me to talk the book ( and it’s predecessors) up !!!
FOR THE LOVE OF YOU by Claire Marti
For a French soccer icon, and a gifted artist, a fake engagement is the perfect solution for their current dilemmas. But when last summer’s fling slips from lust to love, their pretend relationship becomes too hot to handle.
Gabriel DuVernay is heir to one of the oldest wineries in France, but his passion is playing soccer, not tending vines. When he signs a multi-million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy, he’s able to postpone his unwelcome duties and help his younger sister convince their old-fashioned father she should be their family’s first female winemaker. Another bonus of moving to California is reuniting with the striking redhead who snuck out of his apartment after the hottest night of his life.
Last summer, artist Dylan McNeill’s life on her family’s Southern California horse-breeding ranch was thrown into chaos and she escaped to Paris. One electrifying night with a gorgeous playboy athlete helped her forget her problems. She’s never forgotten Gabriel, but aspiring artists trying to break into the elite art world don’t have time for romance. She’s determined to get discovered without trading on her family’s famous name.
When Gabriel suffers a career-shattering injury, he needs to buy some time to figure out how to remain in America and choose his own future. His influential mother can open important doors in the art world and help Dylan fulfill her dreams ––for a price. A fictitious engagement seems like the simple answer until living at Pacific Vista Ranch and pretending to be in love starts to feel real.
Can last year’s one night stand and this year’s fake engagement turn into true love forever?
Get your copy here: Amazon // Kobo // Apple books ( ibooks) // B&N
EXCERPT:
Hands linked, they ascended a single flight of broad wrought iron stairs. When he opened the large door, her lips parted in wonder at his home’s simple classic beauty. Wide honey-colored plank flooring set off the soaring ceiling, stark white walls, and midnight navy couch and loveseat. Nothing distracted from the main attraction: enormous glass doors revealing the unobstructed view of the wide golden sand beach melting into the cobalt blue Pacific Ocean.
“Wow. So I guess you signed on the dotted line the minute you saw this view?” Dylan drank in the beauty of the late afternoon sky.
Gabriel’s laugh was a low purr in his throat. “Exactly. Come.” He slid the French doors open and led her out to an immense deck.
Immediately, the warm, salty breeze caressed her skin and the shriek of seagulls filled the early twilight sky. Streaks of mauve and raspberry and tangerine turned the horizon into a watercolor tableau worthy of its own canvas. She leaned against the white wooden railing and sighed with pleasure.
“This is amazing. When did you arrive and do you get to spend much time here?” The Major League Soccer season ran from March to December. Professional athletes didn’t get much downtime, even in the off-season.
He was close enough that the clean fresh scent of soap and shampoo tickled her senses. His hair held a hint of curl and glints of chestnut and caramel. He angled his head toward her. “The transfer came through a few months ago, but I finished up my contract with Barcelona. I was at practice the morning after I arrived. So, no, I haven’t spent enough time here yet.”
“Thanks for sharing it with me.”
He reached for her hand again, lacing their fingers together. “Let’s have some wine and choose something to order for dinner. What are you in the mood for?”
“Italian or maybe French?” Her cheeks flamed. No innuendos there at all. Nope, not a one.
He waggled his eyebrows. “That can be arranged.”
Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms and lowered his head. He paused a few inches from her lips and slid one hand up her back to clasp her head. His minty breath mingled with hers and her lips parted in anticipation. His pupils dilated, his eyes black. With a growl, he captured her mouth and stroked and swirled his tongue with hers.
She melted against him, her knees buckled, and only his powerful embrace saved her from sliding to the deck in a boneless heap. She wove her arms around him, gripping the thin material of his t-shirt.
“Get a room!” A shout from the boardwalk below doused them like a bucket of freezing water. Gabriel’s hold softened and Dylan stepped back.
She exhaled a shaky breath and smoothed back her hair. Worked to slow her thundering heartbeat and gather some composure. When she’d agreed to come over to his house, she’d been anticipating flirtation and conversation, but nothing could have prepared her for experiencing the intensity of their chemistry again. They’d only spent one night together, but he’d left an indelible impression on her. Apparently, it was mutual.
Gabriel flashed a cheeky grin. “I’ve got several rooms inside, care to join me?”
“Aren’t you the clever one? Maybe we should slow things down and have that drink. And I am hungry.” Everything about him was seductive and she was inexorably drawn to him. If she didn’t at least gently tap the brakes, they’d be in bed before dinner. Or instead of dinner.
A little about my friend, Claire Marti:
Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.
Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga.
Her award winning debut novel, Second Chance in Laguna, was a Finalist for Best Contemporary Romance in the prestigious Stiletto Contest, won best unpublished contemporary romance in the Heart of the Molly and third place in the Maggie. Book two in the Finding Forever in Laguna series, At Last in Laguna, and Book three, Sunset in Laguna, are available everywhere. Sunset in Laguna was a Golden Quill finalist.
Claire’s exciting new Pacific Vista Ranch series set on a horse-breeding ranch in exclusive Rancho Santa Fe, California, launched in September 2019.
When Claire’s not writing, she’s teaching yoga. You can find her teaching at studios in sunny San Diego or enjoy fifty online classes on the international website www.yogadownload.com. A breast cancer survivor, Claire is a sought-after speaker on the power of yoga and meditation. She’s been published in numerous magazines with articles on wellness and is the author of a memoir, Come Ride with Me Along the Big C, on her experience beating breast cancer.
Claire is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Contemporary Romance Writers, and the San Diego Romance Writers.
You can find Claire here:
Website // Facebook //Twitter // Instagram // Goodreads // Bookbub // Amazon
Read books 1 and 2 in the PACIFIC VISTA RANCH SERIES now
A smoking hot stuntman. A fiery horse breeder. And a 220-acre ranch too small for both of them.
She’s avoided Hollywood for years…
When an arrogant Hollywood stuntman struts into Samantha McNeill’s breeding barn, sparks fly. She doesn’t care how mouthwateringly gorgeous he is, not when he assumes Pacific Vista Ranch’s resident horse breeding manager must be a man. Not to mention his job threatens to pull her family back into the paparazzi filled world they escaped from over a decade ago.
Now it’s at her door––wearing faded jeans and a wicked grin.
Holt Ericsson can tell the beautiful redhead hates him on sight and the feeling is becoming mutual. But he will call in a favor and convince Sam’s legendary director father that Pacific Vista Ranch is the only suitable place left in California to film an epic Western. Holt’s invested all his savings in the movie and his entire career is riding on it. No way will he allow one irritating, sexy woman to stand in his way.
Sam intends to fight him at every turn…if only her heart didn’t race when they’re together. Holt does his best to steer clear of her…except all he wants to do is hold her close. The sizzling attraction between them is either going to burn up the sheets or burn down the ranch…
A perfectionistic equine vet. A gorgeous fireman. An unrequited high school crush blazes hot twelve years later.
Reliable Amanda McNeill’s world toppled last summer when Hollywood invaded her family’s horse breeding ranch. Everyone’s moving onward and upward, but she’s in a massive rut. Weary of her label as the dependable older sister, she yearns to throw predictability to the wind and embrace spontaneity. She can be impulsive, even wild, and a hot fling with Jake Cruz might be the sizzle she needs to jumpstart her life.
When firefighter Jake Cruz rescues a dog from a hit-and-run, the nearest vet is none other than his high school tutor, Amanda McNeill. Face to face with his former crush, he finds her to be even more beautiful than he remembers, and her charming blushes and heated glances tell him she notices him this time around. While Jake longs to discover if this Amanda matches the girl who starred in his adolescent fantasies, his desire to become fire captain, and earn his family’s pride, requires he focus on work, not passion.
Could his dream woman become his real love or will his professional ambitions extinguish their chances? Once the smoke clears, will Amanda realize Jake isn’t a fling but her hero after all?
Filed under Romance
Had to do it…sorry for the shameless selfpromotion….
Filed under It's a trust thing, Uncategorized
Panic, it appears, has infected the globe.
While I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to take all these precautions against spreading and/or catching the corona virus, most people are not used to being isolated in their home, unable to go outside to do anything for a minimum of 14 days JUST IN CASE they have the virus. Most people are social beings and need to be around others to talk, interact, bitch and gossip.
I’m not like most people. I self isolate routinely.
I could use the excuse it’s because I have a solitary career, being a writer and all, but that’s only half of it. I like being alone. I truly do.
So because I am used to being sequestered in the house, where sometimes a week can go by and I have only left it once to grocery shop and care for my parents, I know how to survive the long days where you may feel as if you are the only person on the planet. Here are a few tips so you don’t go crazy.
And now I just want to get a few things off my chest about this panic and why people are making me insane.
Truly the most important thing you can do to get through this trying time is not panic.
Panic benefits no one.
Listen to the suggestions and isolate at home, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and cough or sneeze into your elbow.
This, too, will pass. And it will do so much quicker if we all use common sense and take necessary precautions.
And above all else STOP HARDING TOILET PAPER!!!!!!!!
Rant over…until next time, peeps ~Peg
Filed under Uncategorized
This week, a few lines from TODAY, TOMORROW, ALWAYS, in which Nanny Fee speaks the plain truth to Cathy.
After getting her settled back into her room, I bent and kissed her cheek telling her I’d call her later on.
With an impatient wave of her hand, she said, “Don’t be worrying about me, lass. It’s fine, I am. Get along to work now. I’m sure you’re as busy as your dear father always was.”
“More,” I said, leaning in for a hug. “But never too busy for you.”
A soft and bewitching grin bloomed on her face. It was easy to see the beauty she’d been in her youth when she smiled this way.
“There’s a darlin’ girl, you are.” She lifted up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “Oh, now, before I forget. Olivia Joyner stopped by the other day.”
“Olivia? What was she doing here?”
“Her grandmother was admitted after breaking a hip in a fall last week. She’s down the hall, and Olivia spotted me name outside the door and came in for a chat. She’s always been such a delightful girl.”
Olivia was the same age as me, and we’d gone from kindergarten through Heaven High together. I wondered if my grandmother referred to me as a girl when she spoke to others.
“Is her grandmother okay?”
Nanny waved a hand and grinned. “Right as rain, she is, but the doctor wanted her looked after until he’s certain she can get up and about by herself again. Olivia wanted to care for her at home, but it was too much with her business and her daughter finishin’ graduate school and movin’ out, and all.”
“I didn’t realize Freya was old enough to have finished college, let alone grad school.” I should have, because Olivia gave birth to her when we were seniors in high school. Time, as I’ve often thought, goes by ridiculously fast.
“Aye. She’s leaving the nest, but Olivia says she’s ready.”
The corners of Nanny’s eyes slitted a bit as she regarded me. Uh-oh. Whenever Nanny tossed you a slanty-eyed glare, it meant you were gonna have a come-to-Jesus lecture. She opened her purse and pulled something out of it. “Before she left, she asked me to give ya this when I saw ya again.”
“What is it?”
“Her business card.” She handed it to me. “Said to give her a jingle when ya got the chance.”
Olivia’s name was written in beautiful calligraphy, her occupation listed below it, and her business phone number in the bottom corner of the card.
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry as day-old burnt toast. “Why does she want me to call?” I asked, even though I had a sneaking suspicion about the reason.
I hoped I was wrong, and she merely wanted a little legal advice.
“Well, lass, why do you think she wants to speak to ya? Wants to set you up, doesn’t she, being a matchmaker and all?”
Nope. It seems I wasn’t wrong at all.
Olivia Joyner was a fourth-generation matchmaker, and the fact she wanted me to call her about a possible set up was…uncomfortable to say the least. There were a few other words—like embarrassed and pitiful—I could add.
“It’s time, lass,” Nanny told me, her eyes softening as she stared up at me. “Time to move on. You’re still a young, beautiful, desirable woman. It’s time a man came into your life and brought some happiness along with him into it. Gave you babies to love. A fulfilling life. Olivia can help ya with that.”
I tucked the card into my coat pocket. “I have a full life, Nanny. Believe me.”
“Aye, lass, it’s busy you are with your career. But wouldn’t it be nice to come home to someone who loved ya? Who warmed your bed at night? You’re a healthy, vibrant woman. Ya’ve normal needs, you do, I’m sure.”
My earlobes burned with heat. There was no way I was having this conversation with my grandmother, a women old enough to have forgotten everything about needs, desires, and anything else sex related. Unfortunately, because this was Fiona, the four times married woman who’d been able to fit in love affairs with royalty between her marriages, there was no way she’d forgotten anything need or desire laden.
Intrigued? If so, thanks! And you can get your own copy at these fine online retailers in Ecopy or Print: Amazon // B&N // Applebooks // Rakuten-Kobo // google play // Books-a-million //
Also available at the TOADSTOOL BOOKSHOP in Keene, NH
If you’re looking for me, I’m usually here: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me// Triber// Book Me
Until next time, peeps ~Peg
Filed under A Match Made in Heaven, Today Tomorrow Always
I’ve got a guest post over on Romancing the Genres today about a meet cute for one of my book couples, Nell and Charlie from IT’S A TRUST THING. Hop on over and give it a gander!
Enjoy your weekend ~ Peg
Filed under Romance
I’m not kidding.
Not even a little bit.
There is so much bad news in the world right now with the Covid 19 pandemic, that sporting events and anything public-oriented is being canceled. School kids are told to stay home; colleges are having virtual classes; most companies that can are encouraging their workers to work from their living rooms.
People are isolating themselves in their homes to prevent getting sick, waiting to get sick, or are currently sick and waiting to get better.
You can only watch so much TV before your mind turns to uncongealed jello, folks, so I’m proposing a radical idea to help pass the time, with the added benefit of giving you hours of pleasure: READ A BOOK. Preferably, one of mine ( shameless plug)
I have so many fabulous author friends, and I saw a post on Facebook from one of them, Cheri Allan, asking for book recommendations for people who are forced to stay home for the next two weeks or month.
What an amazing and unselfish request!
So you know I had to steal it.
If you are reading this and you are an author friend of mine- or even if you are not – go ahead and place a link for your current book in the comments section below. ONE WORD OF CAUTION: I don’t like to feature erotica on my blog because it is a PG safe place, so no erotica links please.
I’ll start us all off. Here’s my latest, A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK my very first romantic suspense (lite) book.
I sincerely hope my author friends take advantage of this idea and pass it on to their own readers!!!! It’ll spread like, well…..the corona virus. Only in a healthy, non-lethal way!!!
Until next time, peeps. Stay well and Read ~Peg
Looking for me out and about in the wild? Here I am
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Filed under A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK
Today’s topic ONE SKILL I WISH I HAD BUT DON’T.
There are so many ways I could go with this.
I can’t: read a map, speak French, weld, powerlift, ski, hit a baseball, write poetry, home-brew beer, change a tire.
I’ve tried ( and failed at) making a souffle, knitting a sweater, snowshoeing, garden design, leaning to speak Spanish, adding washer fluid to a car ( don’t even ask about this one!).
I have no desire to: sing, act in play, write anything other than romance, learn ballet, deep sea dive, cliff dive.
So, since I’ve ruled everything else physical out, it makes the most sense that the skill I wish I had but don’t is the ability to keep my mouth shut and think before I speak.
This inability has lead to some hairy situations throughout my life, none of which I feel confident sharing on this platform. Suffice it to say, learning this skill would greatly benefit my life.
Let’s see what some of the other authors in this challenge have to say: L&SR
Until next time ~ peeps
You can usually find me here :Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me// Triber// Book Me
Filed under Long and SHort Reviews, Uncategorized
Peggy Jaeger, Author 