February 1, 2017 · 9:48 am

A visit with Kat Doran and Keenan Rossi #CandyHeartsRomances

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Today I am pleased to have fellow Candy Hearts author, Veronica Lynch, visiting. She’s brought Keenan Rossi, from For Keeps, with her. (By the way, For Keeps was recently awarded 5th place in the International Digital Awards contest out of Oklahoma Romance Writers. Placing 5th is a huge deal as the number of contest entries went into triple digits.)

Keenan Rossi. Yeah?

Sorry to interrupt your nap, Detective. We’d like to know a bit about For Keeps. Yeah, okay. I’m awake now and don’t mind talking about my Meggie [Meghan Muldoon], how we met and how, through events beyond my control, she decided to ‘keep me’.

What did you think the first time you saw Meg? It was at the beginning of the monthly Crime Stats meeting, where reps from all local law enforcement agencies meet to discuss crime trends and share information on like crimes. This tall, leggy redhead walked in and my tongue hit the floor—along with every other guy’s in the room. Then I dribbled hot coffee down the front of my shirt. Not a pretty picture.

What do you like most about her? She’s not intimidated by men who wield their power with a club—or other body parts located below their belt buckles. I don’t mean that she’s a ball buster, but she knows what she wants, how to get it and isn’t afraid to go for it.

Why do you think that is? She spent a lot of time with the US Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations. Not an easy road for a woman but she held her own among some pretty nasty situations.

How would you describe her? Smart, savvy and compassionate. With legs that go clear to her ear lobes.

How would Meghan describe you? Career-focused, intense, and if things don’t go my way I tend to get grouchy. Truth be told, I haven’t pouted in at least five days.

What made you choose law enforcement for a career? Like Meggie, I spent a few years with the military though I was a lowly MP. After I mustered out of the service, police work seemed like the natural course. I’ve never regretted the choice.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? My current terrific three are Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers, both written by John Sandford, and Walt Longmire, created by Craig Johnson. I like Davenport’s humor and wouldn’t mind having some of his money [he’s the richest cop in Minnesota]. I envy Virgil’s easy manner with women. And I appreciate Walt’s commitment to the community. Wish he’d find a woman though. Bad thing when a man spends his golden years alone because he’s too damn stubborn to do something about it.

Last question, Keenan: when you want to romance Meg, what do you do? That’s an easy one: I turn on “Heavenly”, her favorite Johnny Mathis CD, pour her a big glass of Merlot and drop a couple dozen yellow roses in her lap. Watch out.

What a softy. Anything else you’d care to add for our visitors? The powers that be at Wild Rose Press tell me For Keeps is on sale, 40% off, at the TWRP bookstore from now through Valentine’s Day. Be there, folks. This one’s got a pisser of an ending. Heh heh.

Now, we have a few questions for Veronica. What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? As a teenager I read Mila 18 by Leon Uris and was so touched, I checked Exodus out of the school library. In my adult years, Mr. Uris continued to affect me with QB VII, Trinity and Redemption. They knocked my socks off.

As for movies, I have an eclectic list: Miracle; Steel Magnolias; The Official Story [this is about the consequences of Argentina’s Dirty War]; Defiance; The Stoning of Soraya M; Major League and Veronica Guerin. More recently, last year’s Oscar winner, Spotlight, kept me riveted.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the story? For more years than I can count I was closely involved with our local rape advocacy program. Forming effective, positive working relationships with police officers was often like patrolling the DMZ, watching my back and keeping an eye out for land mines. It was. . . the best of times—but for many reasons, not the most healthy for me personally. The phone call between Keenan and Meg early on in the story really happened, minus the sexual innuendos. I still get a smile on my face when I think about the cop who scared himself.

Tell us a bit about your publisher. I have been associated with The Wild Rose Press almost since its inception. I was previously published by Wings Press. After I saw the way editors at TWRP operate, I obtained the rights to the books I had with Wings and brought them over to TWRP. I’ve never regretted the move. I have a great editor, Nicole D’Arienzo, who knows the ins and outs of good editing. I appreciate her insight and ideas for making my writing stronger.

What project[s] are you working on now? Writing as Kat Henry Doran, I was honored to be part of the Maine Romance Writers anthology, Welcome to Serenity Harbor with my romantic novella It Had To Be You. I hope to be involved with the second edition. The first line is already committed to paper: “I’m pregnant.”

What are you reading right now? Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine n Mayhem at America’s Most Storied Hospital by David Oshinsky. It’s fascinating.

What’s up next for you? Writing as Kat Henry Doran, I’m working with six indie authors on an anthology of stories set in and around a resort-casino in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls New York area. This is going to be a lot of fun to pull off.

Blurb:

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Meghan Muldoon is at a cross-roads in her life: struggling to balance the demands of a high stress vocation as an advocate for victims of violence with her feelings for Keenan Rossi, a man who wants to make their relationship permanent.

On Valentine’s Day, a series of routine crises force Meg to question staying in a profession which fulfills her both professionally and spiritually—or devoting the rest of her life to the one person who completes her.

Which one is For Keeps?

EXCERPT

“Crime Victim Services. How may I help you?”

The caller’s voice was low, husky, and exquisitely male. “Do you know the difference between a barracuda and a victim advocate?”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Lip gloss.”

“Well damn,” Kee muttered. “You already heard it.”

“An oldie but a goodie, pal.”

“Aren’t we all. How you doin’ on this gorgeous February day, gorgeous?”

Bringing his handsome face to mind took no great effort. They had worked together for more years than either cared to count. When the relationship progressed beyond professional Meg felt they should keep things under the radar. At first Keenan agreed, claiming he wasn’t in the mood tor any crap from his peers about exploring his feminine side. But after a while he began to push for something more permanent. And she wasn’t so sure she was ready for that, especially marriage. Meg liked being able to come and go as she pleased, responsible only to herself, and for herself.

Even though she heard the tease in his voice now, she was still smarting from last night so proceeded with caution. “Not too bad. How’s by you?”

“Lemme tell you, cara. If I was any better, I’d scare myself.”

To learn more about Veronica Lynch and Kat Henry Doran and the stories they create, go to:

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www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com

Facebook // Amazon // Goodreads //

To purchase For Keeps, [on sale] go to:

Wild Rose Press 

 

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January 31, 2017 · 10:07 am

The #Tao of NGUNGI

Strange title, right? Don’t worry, I’ll explain it.

See this picture?

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My wonderful NHRWA Chapter President gave me that little tag. It says BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS. I keep it taped on my office bookshelf and look at it every so often as a reminder. Currently, I’m editing 2 books for 2 different publishers and starting to feel a little, shall we say stressed, about things like deadlines and plotholes, so I’ve moved that tag to my laptop ( as you can see in the picture) as a constant reminder of why I must press on despite wanting to play hooky or go watch a Housewives marathon for the day.

And that leads me directly to the Tao of NGUNGI. Remember a few years – okay, several years – back when The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff was published?

taopoohAt the time the literary world praised Hoff’s use of the word Tao, which means: (in Chinese philosophy) the absolute principle underlying the universe, combining within itself the principles of yin and yang and signifying the way, or code of behavior, that is in harmony with the natural order.  At its core, Tao, literally, means The Right Way. In describing Winnie the Pooh’s life as the end all be all of happiness ( and I’m taking a little literary license in describing it this way), Hoff showed the world that it’s okay to simply…be. Be who you are; be what you are. Pooh goes through life with a simple mission: get honey. Everything he says, does, and feels; every friend he makes and interacts with,  revolves around that goal. And he is happy. Eternally, internally, fundamentally, happy.

Well, I’ve developed my own Tao over the years and it’s gotten me through some pretty miserable, soul-sucking times and events: the Tao of NGUNGI, which means Never Give Up Never Give In.

Too many times in my 56 years I’ve been faced with decisions that required me to choose between two opposing thoughts or ideals. If I walked one path, my personal happiness would be forfeited; if I chose the other, the happiness and well-being of those around me would suffer. The Tao of NGUNGI has helped me center my decisions by showing me that by never giving up a desire/dream/wish and never giving in to criticism/skepticism/ridicule, I can–ultimately–have everything I want without sacrificing my ideals, desires, principles, or the happiness of others.

Do you know how powerful that makes me feel? And I don’t mean it externally. No, it’s internal power I’m referring to. I have a favorite saying that people who know me get a little tired of hearing, but it’s a reminder of how I  keep the TAO in perspective: “Sometimes, you have to draw a line in the sand, and sometimes, you have to cross over it.” The TAO has helped me know when to do which.

So, reading this back I realize it’s getting a tad lofty and out-there-y which wasn’t my intention with this post. No, my true intention was to get you to see that no matter what your dream/heart’s desire/wish in life is for yourself, you should never, ever, EVAH give up on it. Don’t give into the external nay-sayers. Don’t give in to the internal voice that tells you your wishes are pipe dreams that won’t come true. And never give up. Ever. EVAH.

The Tao of NGUNGI.

‘Nuff said.

When I’m not waxing existentially, you can usually find me here:Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

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January 30, 2017 · 10:12 am

#NoraRoberts, #WritingAdvice, and #MondayMorningQuarterbacking…

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First, a disclaimer: this is not a post about football. I would be the last person on the planet to ever post about a game I know nothing about. I can’t even bulls**t my way through a discussion on it, so there.

Now. I was listening to a podcast recently about advice. How to give it, how to take it, when and why you should offer it. For the record, I don’t like to give advice routinely simply because I don’t like getting unsolicited advice. There’s always THAT person who thinks they know everything that will make your situation better and easier, and believe me, they are usually wrong. Having said that, there are two pieces of advice that I’ve heard throughout my writing career that I’d like to offer. One, I listened to.

First, the good piece of advice. I heard this at my very first RWA conference in San Antonio in 2014 from a chat with mega-wonderful Nora Roberts. Her advice to the following question,  “How can I find the time to be a prolific writer like you?” was simply the best thing I ever heard anyone say. It was:

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See how good it is – someone made a Pinterest board for it!

Added to that advice was this little gem which I remind myself of daily:

advicenora

Words for a writer to live by.

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Now to the worst writing advice I’ve ever received. Here’s the backstory: I entered a contest and this was part of one judge’s critique. “If you change the name of the heroine, make her younger and give her a tragic background, you MAY ( and yes, she put may in capitals!) have the beginning of a decent story here.  Otherwise, I don’t see this book ever getting published. I also feel your hero is dumb.”

And I paid to enter that contest. Last one I ever entered, that’s for sure!

Well, the laugh is on her,  because I took none of her advice and that book, COOKING WITH KANDY, is coming out in April from Kensington/Lyrical Shine and I didn’t change a thing about the book/characters/backstory.

So here’s the Monday morning quarterbacking mentioned in the title to this blog in the form of my own writing advice- completely unsolicited.

                                                 Write for yourself, first.

I don’t have a Pinterest block to put up on that one, so I just bolded it in the hope that it makes a statement. YOU are your first reader.  If you don’t write something for you, that you love, that sings to you, it won’t do so for anyone else. Remember that. I do. Everyday.advice4

‘Nuff said.

When I’m not giving out unsolicited advice, you can find me here:Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

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January 26, 2017 · 10:10 am

On #gym disasters, #rockmusic, and #earbuds

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A little disclaimer. I go to the gym 5-6 times per week. Sometimes I just walk on the treadmill and watch mindless television shows on my iPad for an hour, racking up my steps on my FitBit Charger HR. Others, I work out with machines and weights and then speed walk on the treadmill to fast rock music. I tell you this boring stuff so you have a head’s up about what’s to come next (!)

The other day was a weight/machines/fast walk day. I  was just finishing up the cool down on the treadmill, getting my heart rate back to a normal, non-galloping rate, and enjoying Prince’s WHEN DOVES CRY as my cool down song. I’d put a link here to it on you-tube, but because of proprietary laws, his estate has removed them. prince5

Anyway.

I finished, pressed my Fitbit to stop recording my timed workout, then shut off my iPod and yanked my earbuds out of my ears. Here’s where the day turned-almost-to a disaster.

Apparently, I yanked so hard I caused a suction buildup between my inner ear and my earbud. This is what it looked like:

earbuds

Notice there is a white safety piece on one side and not the other. Where was that piece, you ask? Well, I think you can guess. Yup. Still stuck in my ear.

I tried to pull it out but it was lodged so securely ( suction, remember) and I have little ears, that I couldn’t dislodge it with my fingers. The more I tried, the further into the canal it went. Funny thing? After about a minute of fiddling with trying to get it out, I couldn’t hear as well. I’m deaf in my left ear due to a childhood accident and the piece was lodged in my right ear. Yeah. Not a good situation.

What to do? I mean, my options were to continue to try and remove it with my fingers, but that was proving impossible, take myself to the ER where I’d be charged a gazillion dollars for a stupid visit, or try and garner some help. The last one was the one I was most worried about. I mean, really. Would you want to stick your fingers in a stranger’s ear? Ungloved?

I went out to the front desk at Planet Fitness and stated my plight. As I was disclosing my stupidity I had a thought, so I asked if they had an emergency kit. They did. I asked if there was the typical plastic tweezer included in it. There was. I asked if I could borrow that said tweezer and attempt to remove this hearing-impairing, pain in the a** piece of plastic. They said yes.

So. Armed with the tweezer – and it wasn’t your typical little metal one. tweezersNO, it was a big, honking, blue and ugly plastic thingie that was way larger than my ear canal opening – I went back into the changing room and attempted to get the stupid thing out. Not easy. Not by a long shot. I couldn’t see what I was doing because they only have regular, stationary mirrors, and not makeup mirrors you can move around. I stuck the giant tweezer into my ear – blindly – and tried to grasp the edge so I could get it out. After a minute or so ( seemed like an hour!) I started to sweat because this wasn’t easy. I am not coordinated on the best of days and this was certainly the kind of procedure that required someone with three eyes. Or two people.

But.

After a few minutes, success. I pulled the offending piece of s**t out and tossed it in the garbage. Then I washed the tweezers and returned them to the front desk. I offered to pay for replacement ones because they’d just saved me about $ 1000.00 in ER fees and how much could the plastic ones be, anyway? About 2 bucks, tops? But they were so gracious and told me since they were plastic, I didn’t need to. They’d see to getting a new pair for the emergency kit.

Moral of this story- Oh, my God, there are sosososo many. But the main one is this: be careful of the types of devices you put anywhere in your body. Something even as innocuous as an ear bud piece can cause problems. Now I have the official iPhone earbuds for when I listen to music:

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Notice how they have no plastic coverings. I clean them every day after use with peroxide and water on a cotton ball.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness and safety.

‘Nuff said about my ears.

When I’m not getting into trouble at the gym you can typically find me here: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

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January 25, 2017 · 10:07 am

An #Interview with #author Brenda Whiteside.

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One of the best parts of being a blogger is that I get to read and introduce you to great authors and their work. Brenda Whiteside is an example of that. A fellow Wild Rose Press sistah, Brenda is a multi-published, successful author who not only writes romantic suspense but pens 2 blogs as well. The links for those sites are listed below. In December 2016, she had her newest book THE POWER OF LOVE AND MURDER released by WRP and after today’s interview she’s giving you a little bit to whet your reading appetites – and believe me: you’ll be hungry for more!
Sit back and learn about Brenda, the writer, and the regular gal.

Brenda, The Writer 

  1. What drives you to write? Good question, but I’m not sure I have a definitive answer. I think we all need some sort of creative outlet. I’ve been story telling ever since I have memories. I also drew and painted, and thought that was my main thing which led to a major in college. But a creative writing class turned that upside down. Now, if I go a day or two without writing, I feel less than whole.
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why? Romantic Suspense is my current genre. I grew bored with straight romance. Villains are extremely interesting to write. Coming up with new devious behavior and various hero/heroine ways to deal with it keeps me writing.
  1. What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? I read suspense, romantic or otherwise. And for the same reason I write it…the combination of good vs. evil, villain vs. hero/heroine.
  1. What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday? I’m up at least three hours before my husband, FDW. Part of that time is spent writing and part dealing with promo and email. Once he’s up, and if he’s not fishing, we eat and run errands or walk. By mid-morning I’m writing again. I intend on writing every day, but it doesn’t always happen. Holidays really put a kink in my schedule.
  1. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? We’re full time RVers right now. If FDW is around, I normally write in the bedroom. If he’s fishing, I sit in the living room looking out on the forest.
  1. Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnelvision? Mostly, I need quiet, yet if I’m really into it, I can go deaf to my surroundings.
  1. Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? No. Music is one thing that distracts me. I find myself singing!
  1. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? I’m on book five of the series and the last planned book. I love creating characters (or letting them create themselves) and this series is character driven. When I set out to write a series, I wanted romance but also heavy suspense. I brainstormed the first book with FDW, and the rest of the series spun off those first characters.
  1. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? Character. I don’t really know why. Maybe I need the character to reveal the plot to me.

Brenda, The Person 

  1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I used to belly dance.
  2. Who was your first love and what age were you? I know there were little boys before my teen years, but I’d say my first love, I thought was love, was Ted Harpchak when I was fifteen. He was a base player in a band. He didn’t feel the same, and I shed many tears!
  3. If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and…. The first time I set eyes on and held my son. ( Peggy here: Awwwwwwwwww!)
  4. Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Briefs but not TOO baggy.
  5. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Liquid makeup
  6. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? I can’t possibly answer this because I’ve never watched Jimmy Fallon. Am I weird? ( Peggy here: NO!!You are not weird!!)
  7. If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it by, why, and what would you do together? Lucas Davenport of the Prey series by John Sandford. I was so hooked on that series. I would love to be able to keep a storyline going with the same character who grows and changes over years. Lucas is a hunk, a good cop, but not perfect. I would want to follow him around and learn enough to write such a well-rounded character.

Bonus round

I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:

  1. Favorite sound My granddaughter’s laughter.
  2. Least favorite sound Football on TV
  3. Best song every written Smooth
  4. Worst song ever written Mustang Sally
  5. Favorite actor and actress Matt Damon and Meryl Streep
  6. What turns you on? A good laugh
  7. What turns you off? braggarts
  8. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) You’re awfully forward, aren’t you?
  9. What’s your version of a perfect day? Up early. Two hours of intense and fruitful writing followed by breakfast cooked by FDW. Then a hike with FDW. In the late afternoon, a patio meetup with friends and wine. In the evening, dinner and a favorite show on TV, with FDW of course

Blurb: The Power of LOVE AND MURDER

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For thirteen years, Penny Sparks has managed to hide from the political powers who murdered her family. When she unwittingly exposes her true identity, not only is she marked for death, but the people closest to her risk meeting the same fate.

Jake Winters is out of rehab and coming to grips with his demons. When he meets his sister’s roommate, Jake believes Penny might be that someone who can help him find life after rock star status…until her secrets blow up his world.

With a government agent turned hit man closing in on her, Penny and Jake race to expose the presidential contender behind the murders of her family. Even if they win the race with death, the murder that stands between them could end their hope for a new life.

Excerpt:

Jake nodded, but all he could concentrate on were Penny’s last words before the officer appeared. When they were alone again, he threw up his hands. “What do you mean, go back to Phoenix? Why the hell would I do that?”

She turned her back on him, went to the open door of the bathroom, and lifted her clothes from the hook. Beneath the thin, hospital gown her spine was straight, her movements tight, as if coiled and ready to spring.

“Penny, I know how much she meant to you.” How much she meant to both of them. He wanted to hold her, share their loss. “I’m not leaving you.”

Untying the gown, she let it drop around her feet, and sidestepped out of the heap. She pulled the dark gray sweater over her head then stepped into black velvet jeans, refusing to make eye contact or speak as she sat on the green plastic chair.

This was killing him. The need to hold her, help her with her pain—his pain—rushed through him. Haltingly, he made his way to her, touched her head, and waited while she zipped her boots. “Penny.” She resisted, but he tipped her chin, forcing her to look up. “Come on, baby. You don’t have to worry about me leaving you.”

“You will.”

“No—”

“When I tell you the truth, you will.”

Buy Links: Amazon  Wild Rose Press   Barnes&Nobel

ABOUT BRENDA

brenda

Brenda and her husband are gypsies at heart having lived in six states and two countries. Currently, they split their time between the pines of Northern Arizona, the desert of Southern Arizona, and the RV life. Wherever she roams, she spends most of her time writing stories of discovery, suspense, and the tangled relationships of life.

Visit Brenda here:

website // Facebook // Twitter //Roses of Prose Blog // Personal Blog //

Amazon //Goodreads

 

 

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January 24, 2017 · 9:52 am

Does it make a difference where a #writer writes?

I live a solitary existence during the day. I write from home. It’s quiet, I can hear myself think, I don’t have to get dressed if I don’t want to, and I can talk out loud in my character’s voices when I’m creating dialogue without the fear someone will call the crazy police and have me carted off.

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I know writers, though, who actually write out in the…wilds. Or in this case, civilization. In coffee bars,  sandwich shops, at the local library. Places that have, you know, people, milling around. I’ve never written anywhere that wasn’t isolated and private. Even the library with its noise restrictions is too loud for me because…you know…whispering!

I’ve got a scientific background, so one day I thought I’d put it to rusty use and do an experiment as see how this other creative faction, well, creates.

I actually got dressed – makeup too! – packed up my laptop and ventured north to a popular gathering place in my neck of the northland: Panera.

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 I’ve been in Panera any time of the day and I know it’s always crowded, so the time I began my experiment didn’t factor in. Just for transparency sake, though, I got there a little before 10:30 am. After the morning coffe/bagel rush and before the lunch crowd pressed in.

The place was – as usual – packed, but I found a single booth off in one corner under a window overlooking the busy parking lot. Because I couldn’t just sit there and observe without eating something, I ordered a bagel and a soda and when it was ready, settled down to try and do some work. I was at a critical point in a WIP  plot line and needed to get through some emotional dialogue.

Laptop on and file opened, I took a sip of soda, a bite of bagel, and then put my fingers over the keyboard, ready to see what magic I could make.  Ready to see if I could make some magic without getting distracted, in actuality.

Know what?
Yeah, you’ve probably already figured it out. No magic.

Just when I thought I had an idea, I got distracted by the loudly whispered argument ( well, fight really) going on in the booth behind me between two college-somethings. It was a little difficult to navigate through all the college slang speak of you’s knows, and multiple likes every other word. Plus. neither of them knew how to complete a phrase without adding f**king to the word descriptors. I was able to get the gist of their heated dissertation, though, after a few minutes. Apparently, Freshman A hooked up with Freshman B’s main squeeze at a drunken frat party and now  both these young women had  a date at the school health center for “tests.”

Just when I thought punches would be thrown, one of them got a text and then they both zipped out of there right after.

Back to writing, Or trying to.

I got an entire paragraph down before I heard the squealing, high-pitched scream of someone being vivisected. Or at least I assumed that’s what was happening to the toddler  I spied out of the corner of my eye. He’d thrown himself down on all fours, writhing and pounding his puny fists into the faux marble decorated flooring, his lungs proving he’d have a busy career as an opera singer one day.  tantrumHis gaunt, anorectic looking mother,  red-cheeked and mortified, stood over him coaxing and cooing  him to stop. The more she tried to comfort him the louder his wailing pitched. All patron eyes were zeroed in on these two, rubbernecking the tantrum, myself included. I wondered why no one came to the poor woman’s help and dragged the little brat up by his Baby Gap jeans, giving him a good tongue lashing at the same time, but then I realized that most well-intentioned people didn’t get involved these days because of frivolous lawsuits and backlash.

Eventually, the little bugger got tired and momma was able to pull him up ( I would have yanked!) and led him out of the eatery.

Back to writing – or trying to.

Ten minutes later a very loquacious and vivacious group of three women around my age and garbed in what looked like workout wear ( spandex leggings that barely came to ankles; multicolored track sneaks over tiny socks, and skin tight racer back tops) sat down in the booth in front of mine and proceeded to talk.

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A lot. Like, non-stop. They spoke over one another, trampled on each other’s sentences, guffawed at what they were saying-loudly!- and generally seemed to be enjoying one another’s company. They stayed for over an hour, much longer than the time it took them to eat their salads, just…talking. About anything and everything.

I’d now been in Panera’s for over two and a half hours and had written exactly 76 words. My usual rate for that amount of time is at least 1000-1500, easy. At this point, I felt it was safe to conclude I wasn’t one of those lucky writers who could block all extraneous noise and commotion from my creative subconscious. I wrote better-certainly MORE- when I was alone, it was quiet, and I had no distractions, so I went back home and proceeded to write 10 pages by dinner time.

And even though I proved my hypothesis ( I can’t write with distractions!) I will admit this: being out in the wilds, er, civilization, even for an abbreviated time, helped me hone in on varying speech patterns for age-appropriate dialogue, gave me a new appreciation for how well behaved my daughter had been as a child ( I need to call her to tell her how much I love  her!) and made me thankful I have girlfriends like those 3 women I listened to who- just when I need it the most- kidnap me from my self-imposed isolation and hermit-dom, and bring me back into the living fold.

Now, back to writing. Alone.

When I’m not doing social experiments you can usually find me here: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

 

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January 23, 2017 · 10:22 am

On #Snowydays and being a #hermit…

snowday

 

We’ve been having quite a few snowstorms of late here in the northland. Accumulation has taken on a whole new meaning this year with regards to the snow mountains we’ve already amassed. And it’s only January.

It’s wintry days like this when I’m glad I write for a living. As I watch the continual downfall of white cascading from the sky, I take real pleasure in the fact I am sitting at my laptop clad in my pajamas even though it’s two in the afternoon. My hair is up in a messy knot, devoid of even the thought of a brushing. I wear no makeup, just moisturizer with anti-aging stuff ( hey! I’m on the southside of 50…I need it.) My feet are warm in my fuzzy, faux-leopard print slippers. Eventually, I will shower. And by eventually I mean sometime before my husband returns from work and I have to start dinner.

I’ve mentioned several times before I could so be a hermit if need be. Stormy days go by where I don’t leave the house once, even to get to the gym. At those times I use the treadmill and weights we have stored in the basement. I go without speaking to anyone but my husband for a few minutes before he leaves in the morning, to nothing more until he returns back home later that evening. I don’t answer the phone, leaving the old-fashioned machine to do the honors. There are days when I’ve said about 20 words in 24 hours. A solitary existence, perfect for the creative mind.

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And you know what? I love it. Love the isolation. Love the quiet. Love the natural beauty I can look upon through my window.

So. Snowy days and being a writing recluse….they’re good things.

At least for me, anyway.

While I’m being a hermit you can usually find me–if you need me–here: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

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January 20, 2017 · 11:03 am

A #Goodreads #Giveaway…

I’m just tickled pink to share this with you: Kensington/Lyrical is having a GOODREADS giveaway of my soon-to-be-released novel COOKING WITH KANDY, book 1 in the Will Cook For Love Series. The giveaway starts on January 30, so you know I’ll be mentioning it frequently to remind everyone to enter!.

Here’s the link to enter the giveaway: GOODREADS GIVEAWAY

And here’s a little sumthin’ sumthin’ to whet your appetite for the book:

Sugar and spice and everything sexy make the perfect recipe for romance in this brand-new series by Peggy Jaeger. Look for exclusive recipes in each book!

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Kandy Laine built her wildly popular food empire the old-fashioned way—starting with the basic ingredients of her grandmother’s recipes and flavoring it all with her particular brand of sweet spice. From her cookbooks to her hit TV show, Kandy is a kitchen queen—and suddenly someone is determined to poison her cup. With odd accidents and threatening messages piling up, strong-willed Kandy can’t protest when her team hires someone to keep her safe—but she can’t deny that the man for the job looks delicious…

Josh Keane is a private investigator, not a bodyguard. But with one eyeful of Kandy’s ebony curls and dimpled smile, he’s signing on to uncover who’s cooking up trouble for the gorgeous chef. As the attraction between them starts to simmer, it’s not easy to keep his mind on the job, but when the strange distractions turn to true danger, he’ll stop at nothing to keep Kandy safe—and show her that a future together is on the menu… 

Excerpt:

“Editing is the tedious part of the job,” Kandy told him in the elevator. “Prepare to be bored.”

Josh nodded. “Boredom is a state of mind.”

“Brawn and brains,” she said, eyebrows lifting, eyes widening in a mocking motion.

When his lips twisted into a full grin, Kandy’s heart started to tap dance against her chest.

Since meeting him in Stacy’s office, Josh Keane had made her pulse trip more than it had in some time.

If ever.

Seated across from her cousin, his long legs splayed out in front of him, Kandy knew even before he stood he would tower over her. No easy feat for most of the male population she came in contact with. When he’d stood, she found herself staring up into the greenest pair of eyes she’d ever seen. The color of moist grass, deep and verdant, they possessed a forceful intensity she assumed perceived much more than the average man.

Kandy suspected this was a guy who set pulses on race mode to every female he encountered. Shoulders that went on for yards tapered into a narrow waist and slim hips, set in what she recognized as expensive trousers. The black crew neck shirt he wore matched the color of his hair.

All in all, a man a girl could lose her head over.

 

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January 19, 2017 · 10:09 am

The final tally in #Predators&Editors

Finished in 5th place!

Finished in 5th place!

So, for the past several weeks, the Predators and Editors 2016 readers poll has been in effect. I will tell you truthfully, I was lobbying hard for a  place in the ROMANCE SECTION and after all my arduous begging – I mean– hard work(!) I tied for 5th place. Not too shabby, considering the hundreds of entries.

I had a few people who are not involved with writing, publishing or anything related to either, ask me why I pushed so hard for a place in the contest results. I don’t get any prize money, or anything lucrative for coming in the top ten;  I don’t automatically have an influx in my books sales. The answer, though, really is a simple one.

I wanted to come in as high as I could because of the exposure an event like this has. I am still a relatively unknown author. Yes, I’ve had 7 books published in 18 months and I have three more due out this year. I have begun to build my — for lack of a better word — following. But I still need to grow more readers and a good way to do that is with global exposure such as the P&E poll. Hopefully, since I did finish so high up, people who don’t know my work will take a chance and order the book that came in 5th place – A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. And if they like that one, they might try the others, as well.

The snowball effect of finding a new author is a proven thing. When I discovered Jill Shalvis 3 years ago I went out and bought as many of her backlist as I could find and now I have all her new stuff on pre-order. I don’t think I’m the only reader who does this. In fact, I know I’m not, after talking with other readers.

So, thanks to all who voted for me. I promise I won’t hound you anymore. Well, at least not until next year when P&E rolls around again!

For those of you who haven’t read A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, here’s a little sumthin’ sumthin; to whet your appetite and — hopefully — you’ll want to read the rest!

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Blurb:

With Christmas just a few weeks away, Gia San Valentino, the baby in her large, loud, and loving Italian family, yearns for a life and home of her own with a husband and bambini she can love and spoil. The single scene doesn’t interest her, and the men her well-meaning family introduce her to aren’t exactly the happily-ever-after kind.

Tim Santini believes he’s finally found the woman for him, but Gia will take some convincing she’s that girl. A misunderstanding has her thinking he’s something he’s not.

Can a kiss stolen under the Christmas lights persuade her to spend the rest of her life with him?

Excerpt:

His back was to me and he was carrying a table, but after he put it down and turned around I got a good look at the front of him.

And Holy Mary, Mother of God, what a front he had.

Close cropped military style hair the color of wind blown wheat topped a head which stood – truly – head and shoulders above everyone else around. The guy had to be six-three at least. Sharp, etched cheekbones God cut with a knife, sat under oval eyes which looked deep and dark from where I stood. His face was a composite of planes and angles, the carved cheeks meeting up with a chiseled-from-stone chin. Hardened concrete looked softer than this guy’s jawline. His nose was perfectly fixed in the center of his face, the slight aquiline bend at the tip bringing to mind Michelangelo’s David, the cupid’s bow under it deep and pronounced. Clean shaven, his mouth was full and thick and – God help me – looked utterly kissable.

I could tell even with the chunky vest covering his torso, he was closer to thin than stocky, but if I could guess from the way his biceps pulled against his sleeves, he had some muscle to him.

And some pair of legs. They went on forever, from heaven to earth in a full, hard line.

I don’t know how long I stood there, just gawking with my mouth open looking like a cannoli waiting to be filled, but I’m being truthful when I say I couldn’t move. My feet were frozen to the ground, my knees had locked, and my hips weren’t taking me anywhere soon.

This was one beautiful man.

Buy Links: Amazon //  Wild Rose Press //  Nook

When I’m not begging people to vote for me, you can probably find me anywhere here: Tweet Me//Read Me// Visit Me//Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

 

 

 

 

 

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January 18, 2017 · 10:23 am

A Visit with #HistoricalRomance #writer Clair Brett

One of the nicest, most talented writers I know is releasing her debut novel, DEALING WITH THE VISCOUNT at the end of this month and I have the privilege of introducing her to you today in anticipation of that wonderful event. I met Clair Brett 3 years ago at a romance writing meeting and was instantly capitated by her quick wit, her intelligence, and her kindness. Plus, she’s a helluva good writer. So,  sit back and get to know the writer I call a friend ( and I’m always so pleased to say those 2 words in the same sentence – writer and friend!)

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Clair, The Writer 

What drives you to write?

I have written since I can remember. As an only child, I would create stories in my head. Now, as an adult, I love the feeling of bringing my characters to life and since I am a pantser at heart, even though I do plot in my own way, I want to see how the story will end. I write the stories for me first.

What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why?

Right now I am writing Historical Romance set in the Regency period with a spatter of suspense because that is what I love to read. When I started reading for pleasure again after college, I was teaching full time, had two babies 12 months apart and we were a typical young struggling couple. I liked the historical romance genre, because it was so far removed from my own life and let me step into a world that was glitzy and glamourous, but not familiar. I believe reading for pleasure should be an escape. I do have a couple of contemporary ideas and even a YA dystopia retelling of a childhood classic, oh and there is that Scottish Highland hero who keeps raising his hand now and then…

What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why?

Obviously, I love Historical romance, but find when I am writing a new book, I can’t have another historical writer banging around in my head. I also love a good romantic suspense. I am also fortunate enough to edit for some writers so I get to read a variety of genres then as well. One of my goals for 2017 is to read more. As a writer I find I have less and less time to just read, not to mention I feel guilty when I sit down to “just” read. I am starting my list of books for 2017 on goodreads and I am trying to branch out.

What’s your writing schedule? Do you write every day?

Ha, funny. Seriously, I am still working on that. It depends on the day and my workload from the day job. My goal is to write or edit every day, but I haven’t gotten there yet. I try to get emails and some marketing out of the way when I first sit down, because my brain is too scattered with everything that I have to do that day, but once I have been able to settle my mind, I usually open the MS mid-morning and I will set a timer to make sure I don’t get distracted. Once I begin writing, I already know where that scene has to go and I can bang out 2000 words fairly quickly. I work away from home two days a week, and don’t usually get much writing done on those days. My goal is to get to the point where I can write in the morning, earlier than I do now, and then work on edits in the afternoon, with the other business stuff stuck in between.

Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table?

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When I got done teaching 5 years ago now I had a wish for an office. For a while I moved into what I thought of as our dining room, but was not being used as that, at the time. Two years ago, my contractor husband finally agreed to move forward with some major remodels on our house and we closed in the middle part of our wrap around porch and created a very cozy office for me. I will eventually have sliding pocket doors for more privacy, but it has a bank of windows to let in the sun and warm breeze in the summer, and it is just big enough to fit my desk, an over-stuffed chair for editing and reading, and my two bookcases. It is by far my favorite spot in our house now! Before we put up the drywall, my daughters and I went around on the studs and wrote inspirational messages, one of which above the doorway says “bestsellers are written here”, so I feel like I am surrounded by positive thoughts.

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Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnelvision?

I am fine with normal “noise”, but when people are talking, or yelling as teenaged girls are prone to do, I can’t get into the scene. That is why I can’t wait for my sliding doors. I did find recently at a writers’ meeting when we did a write in for NaNoWrimo that I also am calmed by the sound of clicking keyboards. Yes, I am letting my geek flag fly. I went home and I now have a download of clicking keyboards that I can play when I don’t want to listen to music.

Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not?

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I usually play instrumental music. I choose classical most days because I am not familiar with any lyrics, because if it is a song I know I have caught myself singing it in my head. I have a writing and editing playlist I listen to on Spotify and it helps me settle into the mood of writing, since I only listen to it when I am writing or editing.

How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP?

My current WIP is the second book in my debut series Improper Wives for Proper Lords. The hero, Lord Breakerton was meant to be a secondary character in Dealing with the Viscount, which debut’s on January 31. Instead he tried to take over every scene he was in. I knew he needed his own book and was trying to figure out his story. At a writers’ meeting we learned how to use tarot cards to help plot a story. During that workshop I kept getting cards with swords and like a lightening bolt I got a scene of my hero having a sword fight with the heroine and just like that I knew she was a highwaywoman dressed as a man, and he was sent to apprehend, or kill the highwayman, and a story idea was born.

Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?

That is a hard question. My first reaction would be to say character, but usually I get a full scene, which may or may not end up in the book, but it is the main character, sometimes hero, sometimes heroine doing something, from there I start asking questions and might just sit and journal freestyle for a bit to try and get a handle on what I saw. Then, I will have to find the romantic interest. Sometimes as I am writing one story I have a character, like Lord Breakerton, who screams for their own story, then I will try to learn about them as they evolve throughout that story. My stories are, as most romances, character based and so I would guess I have my characters and try to figure out their stories, instead of coming up with a plot and sticking a character in to fit it.

What 3 words describe you, the writer? Determined. Scared. Perfectionist.

Clair, The Person :

Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing!

My nickname growing up was Charlie. I didn’t always like it and the first day of first grade I hit an older boy in the chin with my metal “Sigmund the Sea Monster” lunchbox for calling me by it. (he still has a little scar). I grew into it however, and there are still people in my little town, and family that only call me Charlie. (My dad used to call me Charlie Brown and it got shortened)

Who was your first love and what age were you?

Donny Osmond, and I was 6 or 7 maybe younger. (Peggy here – I lovedlovedloved Donny Osmond!!!)

If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and….

Ooo, this is tough… I would have to say the second day of my honeymoon. We were officially married and unpacked at the hotel. We had two weeks of vacation ahead of us, with no worries and plenty of money for tropical drinks. No worries, oh and his snoring didn’t yet drive me nuts. lol

Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando?

I like a little mystery, so I’m going to say boxers. They have a tendency to be a bit more fun with the patterns lending to a laid back feel, and I am not a fan of commando. A girls like a little mystery. Wink, wink.

If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be?

Hair dryer. Without it my hair is curly, and not the “oh, look at her beautiful curls” curly, more like “Is she trying to create dreads?” curly.

What three words describes you, the person? Loyal..Reserved (some would say repressed. =) ).Focused

If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be?

“My Fight Song” is my current favorite song. But I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, so I hope I never have to do that!

If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it by, why, and what would you do together?

It is no secret that I have an unhealthy love of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, so I would pick Elizabeth Bennett, because she really was very modern for her time and out spoken. To have a woman that self-possessed during that time period was unique. I would like to sit with her, have tea, and talk about the topics of the day to see how they affected her and her sisters, and also to get her thoughts on how life should be.

Bonus round

I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:

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Favorite sound; Rain, or ocean waves, but water definitely!

Least favorite sound: An alarm clock

Best song every written: “Light My Fire” by the doors (love all Jim Morrison’s lyrics):

Worst song ever written: Any of the “screaming music” if it sounds like you need a laxative or an ambulance, it isn’t music.

Favorite actor/actress  Gerard Butler// Kate Hudson

Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead)

I would like to be Eloisa James, Historical romance writer extraordinaire, for a day. She is wildly talented, and she is married to Italian aristocracy. She gets to travel all over the world, and she just always looks so elegant and composed. I would love to be her and then take what I learn to get myself to where she is.

What turns you on? Humor and thoughtfulness

What turns you off? Cockiness or conceit

Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) “You remind me of my ex.” Ok, it is 6 words, but you get the idea. =)

What’s your version of a perfect day?

Summer, a warm breeze comes off the ocean and floats into my bedroom waking me with the sounds of ocean waves and birds chirping. My hardworking husband brings me a cup of tea and we sit and talk enjoying the sunrise and the warm weather. Then I get dressed and go to my obscenely opulent patio and have the entire day to write, with no marketing, advertising, or “business stuff” to do because my assistant has that under control. In the afternoon, after my massage and a snorkeling session, I would stroll into town and sit at a café eating something rich, but non- caloric. I would end the evening with my hardworking husband, and a dinner of lobster and steak with champagne, and maybe a chance to curl up in the moonlight and read a good book, before we go to bed…

Have you ever thought of going into intelligence gathering, Peggy? What a list of questions. Lol!

Love ya! Clair!

Peggy here: Love ya, back!!!

 

And now……

DEALING WITH THE VISCOUNT

 Blurb:claire1

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 Kindle:    Nook:    Kobo:   Apple:

 

A Little about the author:clairebanner 

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

Website:    Facebook:   Twitter  Goodreads:   Amazon Author Page:   Pinterest:   Newsletter signup:

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