When I was 8 years old my favorite present from Santa that year was a Webster’s Dictionary. Yeah. I know. I was that kind of kid, but let me run with this thought, okay?
So.
Dictionaries aside, BOOKS have always– and will always–be my favorite holiday present.
The year I got six brand new Trixie Beldon books I didn’t come out of my room for weeks on end.
The year Santa left the first four Nancy Drew Mysteries, I pretended to be sick when vacation was over so I didn’t have to go back to school. I wanted to stay home and just keep reading. My mother didn’t agree.
The year I graduated from college I gifted myself a set of Classics that included The Jane Austen novels, Gone With The Wind, and The Great Gatsby.
Needless to say, books are my go-to gift to get and give. When my daughter was small her “toy” pile was comprised of dolls and books. The older she got, the more books she received each year.
Giving a book as a gift – whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, a cookbook or a biography, means the person receiving the gift will have innumerable hours of reading pleasure. Flowers fade after a few days. Jewelry is nice, but aside from wedding rings, do you want to wear the same piece daily? Clothing is essential but how many of us really get pleasure out of an outfit after it is worn a few times?
Books can be read, re-read, re-appreciated, and re-evaluated. And they never get old. Paper may fade, but that’s the reason we have e-readers. Books impart wisdom and knowledge. Books can make you laugh, cry, get you angry, or make you happy. And books know no age limit to be gifted. You can give a baby a book that their parents will read to him/her, or you can give a senior citizen a book.
Books as gifts: it’s a good thing for the Holidays.
And (Shameless plug coming) if you’re looking for some books to give as gifts and your gift-ee is a romance reader, give them one of mine ( or more!!!) You can find them all here: My Books
It’s the holiday season in the tiny town of Dickens and pilot Michael Charles is home for his annual visit. His wanderlust has him itching to get back up in the skies as soon as possible, especially since he’s got a full schedule of rich and famous clients waiting to be transported to warm, exotic locales for the winter.
When his heavily pregnant sisters present him with a plan to give their workaholic mother some time off from managing the family diner, he balks. But one look at how tired the woman who took him into her home and heart is, and Michael agrees to run Dorrit’s Diner for a month so Amy Charles can get some well-deserved rest.
He’ll be back in the skies by the New Year.
The diner staff functions like a well-oiled machine, most of them long-term employees. The exception is new waitress Julia Maryland. The beautiful blonde has a past filled with heartache, a charming six-year-old daughter, and a smile Michael could spend the day getting lost in. But starting a relationship with her wouldn’t be wise because his visit is temporary and Julia seems like a permanent kind of girl.
When a family emergency requires him to rethink and reassess his life, Michael wonders if it’s time he becomes a permanent kind of man.
You can watch the trailer here to learn more about the book: DMWTM
Second, because the book doesn’t release until 11.1, I’ve put the two previous books in the Dorrit’s Diner series on sale for just 99 cents so if you haven’t read them yet, you can before the new one is out, and at a reduced price.
Christmas has never filled writer Abra Charles with undiluted pleasure. If you’d been left on a doorstep on Christmas Eve morning, you might have a few issues with the holiday as well.
Abra’s avoided her hometown of Dickens for the past twenty Christmas seasons, but now she’s returned in an attempt to get her writing mojo back. Twice divorced and with her third engagement ending in heartbreak, anger, and blackmail, Abra is now six months behind on submitting her current book. She hopes renting Copperfield House and immersing herself in solitude will cure her writer’s block and get her life back on track. The house she rents isn’t helping her achieve her goal, though, as one thing after another breaks, collapses, or floods.
Colton Bree, Dickens’ very own Mr. FixIt, can’t help but wonder if the new resident of Copperfield House is cursed. After being called to repair a broken window, he’s then needed to fix an exploding coffeepot, an overrunning toilet, and a washing machine that has a mind of its own. Bree doesn’t mind all the unexpected repair jobs, though, because the sexy renter is something to look at despite being a little neurotic and a whole lot of snarky.
Can Abra get her book done with all the distractions and craziness of her life, the biggest distraction being the flannelled hunk with the bedroom eyes and scowling yet oh-so-kissable mouth? Or will Dickens’ Mr FixIt have to step in and save the day and in so doing, fix Christmas for Abra forever?
and last year’s addition, daughter Sasha’s story, SASHA’S SECRET SANTA. I just realized I don’t have a trailer for here, LOL, so I’ll have to go make one.
Until then:
After a terrifying incident derails Sasha Charles’ career and confidence, she moves back to her hometown of Dickens to heal, reorganize, and start over.
The only problem? The paralyzing panic attacks that plague her whenever she thinks about going back to nursing. Sasha is mentally, and emotionally stuck, and has no idea how to move forward.
Steve Caldwell is the new Director of Services at Dickens Memorial Hospital. After witnessing her save the life of a local resident in Dorrit’s Diner, he knows Sasha would be perfect for the new trauma center he’s planning. When she refuses his job offer outright, he sets out to change her mind.
But Sasha has thick, protective walls erected around her so Steve must first break through them. With patience and kindness, he does. As the two grow closer, each begin to have second thoughts on what their futures should look like, until idle, small-town gossip threatens to derail their budding relationship.
With the imminent arrival of Christmas, will Steve be able to convince Sasha he has her best interests at heart?
All 3 books can be read as standalones,but why wouldn’t you just read them all? LOL!
It’s not often I can brag ( and I hate that word, but…) about more than 1 good thing at a time, but this week, I’ve got three!
A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK is a RONE NOMINEE this week and voting is open right now. If you’d like to vote for it ( pretty please!!!) here’s the link: RONE AWARDS.
My second good thing is that WOKE is going into wide digital distribution next week. This will be the second book I’ve managed to get into all outlets online and I’m super excited. Here’s the PREORDER link if you don’t have a kindle and haven’t read it yet: UNIVERSAL LINK
Nell Newbery has trust issues. It’s hard to trust when you’re the daughter of a fallen financial scion who bilked people out of billions. Nell’s done everything in her power to keep away from men who see her as their ticket to fortune and fame. All she wants to do is run her ultra-successful business, HELPFUL HUNKS, in peace.
But it wouldn’t hurt to find a guy who doesn’t know a thing about her father’s felonious past; one she can give her heart to and trust it won’t come back to her battered, bruised, and broken.
Is Charlie Churchill that guy? On the surface he seems perfect, all polished manners and quiet mirth. Nell’s convinced he knows nothing about her, other than she likes superhero movies and views junk food as a food group.
Can she trust him to be what he appears to be? Or is he just pretending?
For Nell, trust is everything in life…and in love.
Well, you had to know I was going top up a little sumthin’ sumthin’ from my current book sale, didn’t you? Hee hee.
A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is on sale right now for 99cents at Amazon // iBooks // Nook. It’s a great little story to gift to the romance book lover on your Holiday list – or for yourself if you’re looking for a fun RomCom with a message to escape with for a few hours.
This scene is when Gia meets the guy who she believes is her new parish Priest.
He came toward me and I could see every ripple of muscle, every action and reaction of his gait, every blink of his eyes, as it happened. Detailed, distinct, delicious.
The bright sun shone low due to the hour, but it haloed around his form, bathing him in light.
He looked like an angel.
A dressed-all-in-black angel, but an angel, nonetheless.
“Need some help?” he asked when he was within a foot of me.
I still hadn’t moved, my fingers cemented around the ladder rungs. I couldn’t feel them anymore. Merda, I couldn’t feel anything I was so numb from just looking at him.
But I could hear. My blood, as it river rafted crazily through my temples; my heart drumming like a heavy metal band in my chest.
And his voice. Mio Dio, his voice.
When I was six I had a terrible chest cold. Wheezing, choking on phlegm, unable to cough anything up. The doctor told mama to keep me warm and hydrated and the cold would ride itself out in time. Nonna Constanza, ancient even when I was a kid, scoffed and prescribed her own old world remedy. She sat me in her lap, cooing to me with her singsong voice and held a tiny shot glass up to my lips coaxing, “Tu bevi, Gia bambina. Tu Bevi.”
Drink, Gia baby. Drink.
She tilted the glass back into my mouth and I did. I drank every drop.
I don’t remember much after. Daddy told me later I slipped into a mini-coma for about sixty-two hours, bombed out of my head from the anisette nonna had dosed me with.
But this is what I do remember. The amber colored liquor slipped down the inside of my mouth to the back of my throat and onward into my belly, tasting of melted marshmallows and warming each place it touched like a million little hits of heat popping everywhere inside me. When it reached my tummy it settled and dug in, filling my senses with the sweet flavor of mama’s Sunday morning caramel rolls and sugar.
That’s what his voice sounded like: warm and sweet, thick, delicious, and soothing.
My entire body relaxed when I heard it. My paralysis flew and my frozen-in-place digits melted.
He’d held my stare the entire time, never wavering, never becoming distracted by something else. He looked straight at me; just me. Like a missile dead-eye-aimed for a target.
“Here,” he said, moving in closer, so close I could make out the actual color of his eyes now. I’d thought they were dark and from far away and they were. But seeing them now, face-to-face, I spotted little flecks of yellow and slivery shards of gold mixed into the center and surrounded by a ring of deep, rich, mink.
If his voice was warm and soothing, his eyes were hot enough to singe, and mama mia, I wanted to be burned.
Intrigued? Hee hee. I am and I wrote it!!! Buy links are above if you are.
Well, this year is the first time I actually finished ahead of my goal before December 31! The funny thing is, I have read so many more than 103 books so far this year. The ones that made it to this list were mostly Netgalley and author review request books that I was required to write a review for and document that I’d read the book. But I have read a bunch of new authors in book/print formthis year that I never added to my Goodreads stats. Why you ask? Laziness is the main reason, hee hee.
Do you ever record the number of books you read in a year? A month? Even a week? I bet if you did you’d be surprised at the number you actually finish. I know I was. The first year I took the challenge I read 150 books. Year 2, the same. Last year I put 150 down as my goal and actually managed to finish with 168 in the queue. This year I made my goal a little less because I remembered what a struggle it was last year to finish at the number I did. I’m happy, too, that I lowered it because this year I read only books I wanted to read and not those I was suggested or asked to read.
SO, how many books a year do you manage? Any? Less than 50? More than 100? The number of books pledged on this years Goodreads challenge is: 261,287,175. That’s over two hundred million books!!!! The average number pledged is 63. MY little writing heart hopes some of those pledges include my own books!.
Heehee
I saw this horrible graphic a few years ago on FB that gave me pause ( Okay, I get it was on Fb and MOST stuff there should give you pause and make you think twice about believing it!)
I started digging because I didn’t feel this could be true. And you know what? It isn’t. Not even close.
This article debunks the entire premise that people don’t read after they graduate high school. In fact, the article states:
“Recent studies have actually shown that readership is up in the United States, with young people reading more than older people. A 2014 study by the Pew Research Center found that “millennials are quite similar to their elders when it comes to the amount of book reading they do, but young adults are more likely to have read a book in the past 12 months.”
Now, that’s more like it!
The advent of ereaders, like Kindle and Nook, have made it so much easier for people to take what they are reading anywhere with them. It’s a whole lot easier to cart around a tome like Lord of the Rings on a kindle than it is to lug the print book to and fro. Reading on the subway while on the way to work, or the bus, or even on a plane during vacations and long flights is easier. In fact, every time I fly I see more and more passengers reading books on their phones, devices and even computers.
Can I just tell you how much I simply adore that!
I’m trying to decide how many books to set next year for my goal. 150 was tough. 100 not so much. Should I average it out and say 125? I’ve still got a few weeks to decide.
I seriously think you should consider doing a reading challenge. It’s fun, competitive without being hard ( hey, you’re reading!! Not climbing a mountain in the rain barefoot and naked!) and reading is such a great way to keep your mind and soul refreshed and young.
I write. Two little words that mean so much more than they can ever convey.
I write books. Three words that define me.
My books are available in many formats, not only print. That sentence is monumental. Why? Because I can reach so many more people/book/story lovers who aren’t able to read a standard print book.
My books are available in digital format – on phones, kindles, nooks, and tablets.
My books are available in audio form to be listened to and enjoyed for those people who can no longer read the written word.
My books area available to purchase, to loan ( in libraries) and for free in a subscription program called KU ( Kindle Unlimited.)
So many choices that just make my heart go zing!
For those who like to listen to books while they drive to work, fly, or simply relax and close their eyes, in audio ( on Audible) my titles include:
For those who subscribe to Kindle Unlimited the following titles are available:
When I was a kid, print books were the only way to satisfy my story love. Then came books on tape, and now, the digital revolution.
It’s an amazing time to be a book lover, a story teller, and a romance fan, isn’t it??
Happy reading/listening/watching.
Until next time ~ Peg
OH, and please don’t forget – one of my WRP books, FIRST IMPRESSIONS is on sale right now in the digital format in Amazon /// Nook /// Ibooks for just 99 cents.
Books I loved but never wrote reviews for is today’s #L&SR topic. I had to think about this one. Really think.
In no order, here are the books I loved, wished I’d reviewed, but didn’t — for whatever reason!
The Little Engine that Could. Best book about self motivation ever published.
Write Naked, by Jennifer Probst. A very well written, detailed road map on what not to do – and do! – in the publishing business. I carried the print book copy with me from NH to a Denver conference just so Jennifer could autograph it for me.
New York to Dallas. JD Robb. In my humble opinion the best IN DEATH book. Why I never wrote a review is a mystery, considering I’ve mentioned it in about 50 blogs as being my favorite addition to the series!
Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. My first “adult” romance, i.e. one that had SEX in it!
Click on the Long and Short Reviews Wednesday Blogging challenge to see what the other authors in this challenge have to say: L&SR
I’m off the internet for a few days, but I wanted to repost a few blogs I thought were fun. Here’s one from 2017 on my…voice. My real one, not my writing one! hee hee!
Today’s prompt was a thinker for me. We had to come up with 10 unusual things about ourselves. I actually think I’m the most boring person on the planet, so this was kinda tough to write. I had to dig really deep and even go back to high school days to come up with anything. So, here goes: 10 unusual things about me ( the most person alive!)
10. I love scary movies
9. my left eye is significantly smaller than my right ( 2 cataract surgeries, and 2 retinal detachments, plus facial fractures as a baby from an accident)
8. I have vocal cord polyps, which is why I sound like a big smoker when I’ve never had a cigarette in my life.
7. I can name every movie made in 1939 ( being a lonely kid made me a big TV movie watcher)
6. I can recite the entire Wizard of Oz movie along with it
5. I have a heightened senses of taste and smell because of an accident I had as a baby
4. I got a perfect English score on the SAT
3. I can sit in full Lotus
2. I can’t whistle, try though I might
1. I’m a great mimic
Let’s see what some of the other authors in this blog challenge have that’s unusual about them: L&SR
And when I’m going about living my normal, boring days, you can find me here:
Peggy Jaeger, Author 