FINALLY!! Here it is- the book I’ve been talking about non-stop for months! LOL. And what would release day be without a day fraught with issues??!!
Here’s the major one: the file that I uploaded to Kindle was an older version and rife with typos. Unfortunately, that version went out to the people who pre-ordered the book. As soon as Amazon allows me to, I am going to upload the correct file. If you were one of the people who preordered and don’t want to read a book with a bunch of typos in it, please notify me via Facebook messenger and we can discuss what to do.
OTHER THAN THAT CATASTROPHE…. Remember, I have my FB event going livelivelve at 1:30 pm EST this afternoon. I’ve got 15 authors who will be celebrating with me, so tune in. Here’s the link: FBEvent
And the reviews have been coming in. Check them out here: BB
There is SOSOSOSOSOS Much going on this month for me that I needed to take a breath for a sec before I posted this #SundaySnippet.
Okay…breath taken. Nerves calmed.
So…one of the 2 releases I have this month is as part of a Holiday Romance Anthology titled CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS. My addition is ANGEL KISSES and HOLIDAY WISHES. This little bit is from an interaction between two former lovers who are rediscovering their forgotten love for one another.
Enjoy…..
“I haven’t been here since I’ve been back,” she told him hours later as they sat across from one another in Dorrit’s Diner. “I don’t think Amy has changed a thing since we were kids.”
“Not even the menu, thank goodness. I’ve been craving a cheeseburger smothered in bacon and mushrooms with a plate of fries, for days. Here, at least, I know I’m getting real heart-attack meat and grease.” He took a huge bite of his burger, closed his eyes and sighed as the first familiar and satisfying flavors hit taste buds.
Sage’s free and open laugh dragged his eyes back open.
“I hope you have a good cardiologist where you live. And I just realized I don’t even know where that is.”
Her grin was as delectable to his senses as the food.
“Manchester, and my heart is fine, thanks.”
“Now. Keep eating like that”—she pointed her lettuce-laden fork at his plate—“and it’ll be another story. Has your physician even discussed nutrition with you?”
“I don’t have one. I’m never sick.”
“What? Keith, that’s being irresponsible with your health. You need to take care of your body. If not for yourself, then think of your son and how he would feel if anything happened to you. How…destroyed, he’d be.”
A shadow crossed her eyes and, automatically, he reached a hand across the table and threaded his fingers into hers. When she didn’t pull them back, or even startle at the contact, a swell of contentment surged through him.
“You’re thinking about your dad.”
The shadow flew when her beautiful eyes widened. “I guess I was. Sorry.” She shook her head.
“Don’t be. You care about people, Sage. And it shows. His loss was horrible for your family and a defining moment for you. Remember: I was there. I know how much your lives changed when he died.”
“Then you know I’m being truthful when I say you have to take better care of yourself so the people who love you can have you around for a long, long time.”
You used to be one of those people who loved me.
She unfurled her hand from his and lifted her water glass. To lighten the mood he said, “Maybe I’ll move back here and you can be my doctor.”
Her brows rose and, oh, how he wished that was hope crossing in her gaze.
“But your business isn’t here. Don’t you need to be where, well, I guess the work is?”
“I can work anywhere as long as I have a laptop and a drafting table.” He took another bite of his burger then downed it with some of his soda. “Corrine is going to need on-going care, at least for a while. Maybe permanently. I’d rather be closer to oversee it in person instead of by phone. Besides…”
“Besides, what?”
He leaned across their table, grinned, then with his voice lowered just for her ears said, “If I move back here you can take me on as a patient. Make sure I eat the right things and take care of myself.”
Her mouth curled in the corners and her eyes danced with laughter. “Why do I have the feeling you’d be a terrible patient? Never listen to a word of advice? Fight me on every healthy change I’d want to make?”
He shrugged. “For what it’s worth, I’d be the perfect patient.”
“There’s that arrogance again.”
When he nailed her with a glare he knew was filled with heat and intent, he got a strange sense of satisfaction when she squirmed a bit.
Lifting her free hand again he brought it to his lips and bussed her knuckles. His reward was the sweet, heightened color invading her cheeks.
But she didn’t look away from him or scan the crowded diner to see who was watching, what tongues would be wagging about his blatant display. No, her gaze stayed right on his and glowed with emotion.
“I would. Have no doubt. I’d be the perfect patient, Sage, because”—her eyebrows lifted again—“I’d really like playing doctor with you.”
Intrigued? Here’s the universal code to preorder the entire anthology for only 99cents CC2D and when you do, please download the FREE cookie companion, IT’S A DICKENS OF A COOKIE, as a gift to you from the authors.
You can follow the anthology and the authors on our Facebook page.
With just 1 week to go before Mistletoe, Mobsters, & Mozzarella releases into the book reading world, I figured I’d give you one last look between the pages to whet your Holiday reading appetites! hee hee. In this scene, Uncle Sonny proves why he’s such an intimidating – yet lovable – character.
Angelo pulled back his shoulders and gave my uncles what I figured was his I mean business cop glare as he walked back out.
“Ange is actin’ too big for his britches these days,” Uncle Joey said once we were alone.
“What’s going on here?” Uncle Sonny asked, adopting his typical intimidating stance: his knee length wool coat drawn to his sides as his hands shot into the back pockets of his trousers, shoulders tight, chin dropped, and rocking back and forth on his feet. I’d witnessed this power posture often while growing up, usually when one of my brothers or cousins needed to be taken in hand and Sonny was the adult in the room in charge of dishing out discipline.
Tony ignored the question, his attention, instead, focusing back on my father.
“I assume you called them?” he asked.
“I did,” I said, wanting my father to be absolved of all blame and therefore not subjected to scrutiny. Tony said he knew I hadn’t killed Chico, but he never said anything about my father not being a suspect, though, only that he was honest. Honest people commit murder the same as crooks do. Given enough incentive, anyone could.
“After I told her to,” my father said, shunting a steely eye my way.
“Daddy—”
“I don’t hear nobody answerin’ my question,” Sonny said. I had to stifle a giggle at the sixty-something bear of a man sporting a petulant pout like my toddler nephews did when they didn’t get their way.
It was apparent in the way he continued to ignore my uncle Tony wasn’t a man easily intimidated. With his attention still on my father, he asked, “You’re sure Chico never got any visitors here at the store, anyone he had to, say, go take a break with? Something out of the ordinary like that?”
My father shook his head.
“Donna?”
“Nothing. Like I said, he was a good worker, never gave us any trouble, and I didn’t know anything personal about him.” Which, considering the current situation, now felt so sad to me.
“Okay. I’m gonna have to ask you to leave the store after you show me that parking lot footage. The crime techs need to sweep the place and we don’t want anyone trampling on any evidence more than already has.”
Uncle Sonny looked as if he was going to say something, but I cut him off before he could. There was something I wanted to give a voice to.
“When can we open the store? I know it sounds a heartless, but we are running a business here and people are depending on us.”
“That’s not gonna happen today. For now, you two need to know the deli has to stay closed at a minimum three days—”
“We can’t afford to stay closed for three days during the holiday rush,” I cried.
“You’re gonna have to. Your store is an active crime scene and can’t be released until I know what’s what. I’m sorry, but that’s it.”
“You don’t sound sorry at all,” I said, then mimicked my uncle’s pout.
“It is what it is, Donna. Now, do you two want me to have an officer escort you home?”
“We’ll take them,” Uncle Joey said. “They should be with family.”
“Come on, little girl,” Daddy took my arm. “Get that footage for Tony, then we got calls to make and we’d better get started.” To Tony he asked, “You’ll keep us in the loop? Let us know when we can reopen?”
“That’s a promise.”
And I knew that statement for the lie it was.
He’d made me a promise he’d call me after those seven minutes of heaven in his back seat.
My phone had never rung.
Intrigued? you’ve got a few days left to preorder it!!!! Let me make it easy…here ya go: MMM
And did you know I’ve also got A Goodreads Giveaway for 1 of 3 print and autographed copies going on right now? You can enter here: MMMGoodreadsGiveaway
Only 6 more sleeps until my Holiday RomCom Mistletoe, Mobsters. & Mozzarella releases!! I’m getting really excited. Have you preordered your copy yet? There’s so much going on with regards to this book:
Multipublished, talented author CHRYS FEY joins me today to talk about Christmas music, holiday parties, and her newest book FROZEN CRIMES, book 5 in the Disaster Crimes series.
Here’s Chrys…
I love Christmas music! With Frozen Crimestaking place during the winter season, I was able to write about a Christmas party Beth and Donovan have at their house. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to mention a couple of my favorite songs, such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by The Carpenters and “Where Are You Christmas?” by Faith Hill.
During one specific scene, I had to find a fun song with a beat that could get pregnant Beth and her sexy husband Donovan moving and dancing together. I didn’t want to use “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree,” because, well, I don’t like that song. (Sorry.) I was listening to my Christmas playlist on Spotify when “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey came on. I started to bopped around in my chair while writing about the Christmas party. I was having fun and knew right away that song was the answer. Picturing my characters dancing to that number and having fun made me smile.
EXCERPT # 1
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” came on next. When the beat picked up, Donovan rocked back and forth to it. Beth laughed. This wasn’t exactly a great song to dance to in someone’s arms, with its fast tempo, but Donovan had some moves, and her belly didn’t even deter him. She bopped to the music, moving her shoulders, lifting her hands into the air, and shook her hips back and forth. Laughter bubbled out of her mouth.
Mariah Carey, the diva herself, and Donovan’s dance moves were the two things that could get Beth out of her funk. The lyrics were perfect, too. All she wanted for Christmas was Donovan. Him and only him. This Christmas and every Christmas after it. Forever. And ever.
EXCERPT #2:
Later that evening, after snacking on delicious hors d’oeuvres and chatting with their guests, Beth went looking for a free seat to take a load off. Literally. She rubbed her belly. Her feet were killing her, even barefoot. Plus, another one of her all-time favorite songs was on—“Where Are You, Christmas?” by Faith Hill—and she wanted to be able to lip-sync and act it out like a fool where no one would be able to see her. She headed for the dining room, where not many people had been all evening, planning to plop down in one of the chairs around the table and fake belt out this epic song.
Songs Mentioned in Frozen Crimes:
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by The Carpenters
“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Michael Bublé
“Where Are You, Christmas?” by Faith Hill
Other Christmas Songs I Listened to while Writing Frozen Crimes:
“Carol of the Bells” by August Burns Red
“Happy Xmas (War is Over)” by John Lennon
“Last Christmas” by Wham!
“Do You Hear What I Hear” by Carrie Underwood
“Carol of the Bells” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
“Carol of the Bells” by Mannheim Steamrollers
A QUESTION FROM CHRYS: What are your favorite Christmas songs?
FROZEN CRIMES…..
When disasters strike around every corner, is it possible to have a happily-ever-after?
BLURB: Beth and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…until a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages and unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far.
Hoping for a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature drops below freezing.
Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face. Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child. Will they survive, or will they become a frozen crime?
To get the exclusive prequel to the Disaster Crimes series, sign up for Chrys’ newsletter. By signing up, you agree to receive Chrys Fey’s newsletter. After you confirm subscription, you will receive an email (so check your inbox and spam folder) with directions on where to snag your eBook copy of THE CRIME BEFORE THE STORM.
Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com
I feel like I got a very early Christmas present this year, heehee! I am so lucky to be included in a fabulous new Holiday Anthology titled CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS. Along with 9 other award-winning and best-selling authors, my story ANGEL KISSES and HOLIDAY WISHES is a small town holiday romance of the sweet variety out just in time for your holiday tbr list-building.
Welcome to Dickens—a quaint New England town bustling with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. We have the annual tree lighting in the town square, a snowman building competition, ice skating on Grosvenor’s Pond, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. You’re welcome to cut down your own Christmas tree at Gridley Meadows, or join in the caroling on the Common.
Dickens offers an abundance of heartfelt wishes, a few much needed miracles, and—quite possibly—a touch of magic! Families reunite, new friends are made, and old flames take a second chance at happiness. All while celebrating this most joyful time of the year.
Join us as our best selling and award winning authors fill your holiday stocking with ten brand new novellas ranging from sweet to sassy, including:
Millie’s Awesome Holiday Miracle by Top 100 Author Nancy Fraser ~ She’s an overworked single mom struggling to make ends meet. He’s the handsome CEO who’s come to Dickens to save—or close—the toy factory. Can one precocious little girl bring a couple of much-needed miracles to the people she cares about most?
Miracle At Holly Hill Inn by Top 100 Author Maddie James ~ Ariana is looking for the perfect Christmas village. Instead, she finds the town Scrooge. Will two days snowbound together at Holly Hill Inn bring them closer together, or send them each on their merry way?
Holiday Hearts by Top 100 Author Caroline Clemmons ~ Laura Jordan’s beauty and sense of humor are more apparent than her sharp mind, soft heart, and strict code of right and wrong. Ward Callahan has avoided romantic complications to throw himself into building his ad agency. Once he meets Laura, he falls hard but must convince her that dating her boss is not inappropriate. Can he convince her he doesn’t want her heart only for the holidays, but forever?
The Tinsel Tango by Best Selling Author Bonnie Edwards ~ Brenna needs some R&R over Christmas in Dickens. Tango lessons from mysterious Jett…Smith? may bring her everything her heart desires, but his secrets may kill the love they find.
Wisdom of the Heart by USA Today Best Selling Author Liz Flaherty ~ They were best friends who fell in love, but that was high school. Life and families and other loves had happened since that dear and distant time. They’re friends again, comfortable with each other and having so much fun at Christmas time in Dickens. They’re not still in love, but…wait…could it be happening again?
Operation Snowball by Best Selling Author Kathryn Hills ~ Returning to small town life is hard for Army veteran John Gridley. The last thing he expects to find is love with the beautiful widow, Heather Murphy. Can the perfect Christmas tree and a missing cat named Snowball bring them together despite meddling townsfolk?
Angel Kisses and Holiday Wishes by Best Selling Author Peggy Jaeger ~ When Sage left town 18 years ago, she left Keith’s heart in tatters. Now she’s back, and he’s wondering if they can put the past behind them and rekindle the love they lost.
Holly’s Wish by Top 100 Author Kathleen Lawless ~ What if the girl who got away is actually standing right in front of you? Years earlier, Nico and Holly shared one magical Christmas Eve. She never stopped wishing he’d find where she left her number.
When he does, is it too late?
Holiday Heart Wishes by Award Winning Author Lucinda Race ~ On her way into Dickens to visit family, Vera picks up Tony, a stranded motorist. Rather than part ways when they arrive, they discover their loved ones are intent on getting married. Can they slow down the older couple’s rush to the altar? Or, will holiday heart wishes come true for everyone?
Santa’s Wish by Best Selling Author Jan Scarbrough ~ Will Christmas magic help them overcome Roz’s career ambitions and Cooper’s grief, and bring them together for a second chance at love?
All those wonderful stories in one collection for just 99cents!!!! What a gift to give yourself – or the reader of romance on your list!
But wait – that’s not all!! The authors, believing that the holiday season is not only made for reading, but baking also, have complied a companion cookie recipe book titled IT’S A DICKENS OF A COOKIE, featuring 20 delicious and decadent holiday cookie treats.
Honestly, I think Santa is giggling with glee up at the pole right now!!
It’s been a busy week over a chez-Jaeger with multiple projects and writing events. Here’s a recap of my Goddess Fish tour blog stops for the first week of my MISTLETOE, MOBSTERS, & MOZZARELLA tour. Just in case you didn’t get a change to drop by any of the sites and leave a comment. If you do, you are entered in an Amazon GC rafflecopter!!
Peggy Jaeger, Author 