Tag Archives: contemporary romance writer

August 13, 2015 · 11:41 am

Power = Social Media

I freely admit to all who ask that I am no techie-savant. I don’t have the gene instilled in my DNA like the kids these days do; I find most factors related to computer knowledge NOT to be intuitive to me; and the term “User Friendly” has no baring on my capabilities. So when I entered this wonderful world of published author-dom I had to learn how to be effective on social media in order to self-promote myself and my book.

It has been a loooooooooooog journey.

Initially when my website went live I – in my naivete – thought, “If you build it, they will come.” Yeah, no. You not only have to possess the site, you must introduce it to the masses and keep doing so in order for your site to have traffic and stay relevant. This is the cyber sphere’s version of Word of Mouth. Who knew? Not me, that’s for sure. So, to do this I started listing my recent blog entries on facebook .This helped…some. It was my daughter who suggested I start using Twitter, google+ and Pinterest to broaden my approach. This is one of the reasons I keep her around: her marketing brilliance.

Again, this only went so far because you can’t tweet/face/post/pin/google just ONCE during the day. You have to do so repeatedly to compete with the nine gazilliongillion other posting/tweets/etc uploading every millisecond. One of my New Hampshire RWA sistahs likens Twitter to a “drive by shooting.” Kids, I just don’t have time to stop what I’m doing every hour and post something new. Not only is it time sucking to do this, my memory isn’t what it used to be ( frickin’ menopause!) and I forgot more times than I remembered to post.

Again, brilliant baby told me about a program that could help called HootSuite which allows you to schedule all your postings on social media sights so you can basically click it and forget it. ( Ron Popeil reference, anyone?)

Again, who knew??

I use Hootsuite everyday. It’s one of the first things I do when my insomnia drags me from bed. I set up Twitter, Facebook author page, Instagram and Pinterest post/alerts for alternating hours of the day. I spend from 15-20 minutes doing this in the morning and then basically forget about it the rest of the day, enabling me to devote my time to what I want to do, namely, writing.

My life is so much better now since I don’t have to worry about getting on my social media sites every 30 minutes. Don’t get me wrong – I still check stuff during the day. I love to retweet posts from authors I know, and God help me, I need to see what’s going on on facebook, but as far as my marketing promos go, Hootsuite has been such a blessing.

Check it out and see if it’s for you. It’s free, easy ( must be if I can do it!), convenient and non-time sucking.

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

Tagged as contemporary romance writer, Facebook, Hootsuite, Instagram, NHRWA, Pinterest, RWA, Social Media

August 11, 2015 · 9:18 am

How does your Hero smell?

I know… that’s a horrible title. LOL. It conveys so many negative images, doesn’t it?

What I really want to know is, what –for lack of a better word – smell or scents do you use to describe your male characters?

I’ve read heroes defined as smelling like sandalwood, natural musk, earthy, woodsy, piney, and like leather. Okay. So he smells like he’s been tramping about in the woods or forest. These are okay descriptions for lumberjacks and Men in Kilts. I’ve also read descriptions stating the hero smelled like cigarettes, booze, hay, horse sweat, and even “like a farm.” None of those descriptions made me want to jump into fictional bed with the guy.

I read a very old romance novel once that said this: His clothes had the odor of the fish he’d caught that day on them. Right away I knew I wasn’t going to finish this book. There was no way a hero should smell like stale-or even fresh-fish.

Ugh.

Sensory descriptions are mandatory when you write romance novels. All five of the senses need to be explored. Sight, taste, and touch have their own separate categories and I could blog for days on just those three alone. Sound is also important to put in a narrative or a descriptor. But smell; smell can form an instant recognition and connection of your character with your reader.

Everyone knows what grass, lemons, and the beach smell like. They are sensory memories stored in your brain and olfactory system for life. So if I describe a hero’s aftershave as cool and lemony, you have an immediate reference and knowledge for what it smells like. If I say my hero brought the smell of fresh cut grass in with him, again, you have an allusion to what I am trying to convey. The line he smelled of sand and sea is fairly synonymous with the fresh smell of a beach. (Note, smelling like the sea is NOT the same as smelling like fish!) These are pleasant scents that, when we read them, elicit pleasant memories.

I’m not big on guys wearing cologne. I’ll put that out there and suffer the wrath of every woman who loves her guy doused in Polo. I tend to favor – and be stimulated by (okay: turned on by!) more natural scents. I love a guy who’s right from a shower and smells clean and fresh; I don’t even mind the normal odor of a sweaty guy – if he’s doing something sporty or physical and working up a nice, decent sweat. This is the smell I usually think of when I hear someone smells manly, or like a man. And there’s something about a guy who’s grilling and the aroma following him that makes my mouth water.

Okay, now that I think about the last one, it could just be the smell of cooked meat I’m getting aroused by.

Speaking of meat, a few years ago there was a study done by some big company about what smell men are most attracted to on a woman. It wasn’t roses, or any kind of flower. It wasn’t the clean, dewy, fresh-out-of-the-bath fragrance either. It was – are you ready for it?- bacon.

I know!

I seems cooking isn’t the only way to a man’s heart. All my single girlfriends out there – invite a guy you like to a meal and then make him something with bacon in it. It’s almost like a guaranteed proposal. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what that proposal should be.

So, when you’re doing due diligence and incorporating those 5 senses into your writing, remember to include something that will stimulate a positive olfactory memory.

And stay away from descriptors for fishy smells.

Best male smell descriptions you’ve ever read…let’s discuss…

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Filed under Alpha Hero, Alpha Male, Author, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Romance Books

Tagged as alpha heroes, Alpha males, Contemporary romance, contemporary romance writer, descriptions, manly men, scents, Sense of smell

August 7, 2015 · 11:59 am

What is- or what would you like- your superhero power (to be)

I was asked this when I did an interview and I think it’s such a great question for discussion, along the lines of who is better – Batman or Superman? I’ll tell you who I think it is at the end of this.

Would I like to go invisible like (duh!) the Invisible Man? The thought makes me a little light headed. Have a rope of truth like Wonder Woman (well, what woman wouldn’t want that? Especially if she thinks her honey is fibbing to her??)

Does Thor’s hammer of strength appeal to me? Not really. What about Hawkeye’s deadly bow? Not so much. Captain America’s shield? Um, no.

Spiderman’s spidey sense – can’t even consider this one. I hate spiders. Even super heroes who act like them. Yuk. I might like to control the weather, but then I think about how everyone hates the weatherman and renege on the thought.

X-ray vision might be cool, but then I think about all those man-thong wearers out there and I cringe in disgust.

I would have to say my superpower would be (and in reality, is) my ability to make people laugh even when the situation I’m in is highly charged and emotional.

I’m the type of gal who gets hit with the giggles at inappropriate times. During a funeral once I found something the eulogizer said funny and laughed out loud. I was the only one. I’m that female who always says the wrong thing for the wrong reason due to nerves. At a wake once I was telling a story and said, “Oh, my God, I was so embarrassed I almost died. “ Yes. At a wake. Where there was a dead body a few feet away. And yup, I’m the one who is usually making other people blush with my bluntness because I always feel the quickest way to say something is the way that causes you to get the most bang for your buck.

But even with all that, I make people laugh.

I once had an extremely irate patient yell at me for what seemed like an hour straight but was probably about 5 minutes. I let him rant, never saying a word. When he finally ran out of speed, after telling me all the things that had been done to him and what he was now doing – which BTW weren’t making him any better – I cocked my head at him and said, “How’s that going for ya?” He was so flabbergasted, he laughed. Out loud. A full belly shake. And then I helped him with the problem he was having. When he left my office sweetness and light surrounded him.

I watched a waitress get reamed by a very hostile and drunk customer once. She kept her cool, never once defending herself or yelling back at him. When she came to the table where my friends and I were, she was visibly shaking and had a painful smile on her face, but she was lovely to us and trying to pretend nothing had happened. When she asked if she could help us, I asked back, “Want us to go and beat that guy up? We can do it so no one sees us. Really. My uncle is connected. I know what I’m doing.”

She stared at me for a second and then smiled. The smile turned into a grin, which turned into laugh. When my entire table of people was done laughing, she said, “Thanks, but it’s okay.” When we left I noticed she had comped our drink order so we all pitched in and left her a $100.00 tip.

The Reader’s Digest used to have a column titled, Laughter is the best medicine, and it’s so true. Anytime you can use laughter to diffuse a situation, relieve someone’s embarrassment, or for any reason to make them feel good, it’s worthwhile.

So. Superman or Batman? For me it’s always and forever going to be Superman. Hey, he can fly, has super hearing, sight and smell, is uber-strong and can stop bullets in his hand. Plus he’s a writer like me (Clark Kent anyone?) Batman, not so much. Cut him he bleeds, hit him he falls. Yeah, he may be a mega rich playboy, but he needs a whole cave of techie stuff to get the job done. Unlike Superman who is all-natural.

Besides: Batman looks like…well…a bat.

Thoughts? Let’s discuss…

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Filed under Alpha Hero, Author, Contemporary Romance, Friends, Romance, Strong Women

Tagged as Batman, contemporary romance writer, laughter, Laughter is the best medicine, Spiderman, Superheroes, Superman, Thor, Wonder Woman

August 3, 2015 · 9:18 am

What book would you bring to a deserted island if you were stranded and could only have only one?

(And I’m not talking about bringing the Kindle here, loaded with millions of titles. It’s a real, paper and ink book we’re discussing today.)

Tough question? Yes, it is, that’s why I’m asking it. You need to dig deep here, kids.

Answers could include everything from the Bible to War and Peace; David Copperfield to Gone with the Wind; Harry Potter book 1 to The fault is in our Stars.

Depending on what genre you like to read, it could be a non-fiction bestseller, an autobiography, a sports book or even Camping for Dummies (hey, you ARE stranded on a deserted island, you know.)

For myself it’s a no-brainer. I’d bring Pride and Prejudice.

Why would I bring a book whose story is over 250 years old, you ask. Well, I’m glad you did.

As a lover of romance novels – and a writer of the same – Pride and Prejudice for me is the penultimate story of love. It has everything a romance book should have: a strong female lead; a tortured, romantic hero, miscommunication, drama, betrayal, several black moments, a wonderful story-line, and most of all a happily ever after ending that endures for all time.

I think I’ve read this book – no lie – two dozen times since I was 11. The first time I read it the language gave me a bit of difficulty – hey, I was a tween! – and I had trouble understanding some of the plot. I did think Mr Collins was odious, though, even at that tender age, a thought I still have to this day.

I read it again for high school English. This time around, though, I was able to gleam more about the plot and I remember wondering why Lizzy didn’t try to talk Charlotte out of marrying Mr Collins. If she was a true friend, she should have. I also remember it was at this time in my life I began to see Darcy for the hunkadoodledoo he was.

College brought the next reading and by now I loved Lizzy for her strength of character and her loyalty and – even though I knew the end of the story – I prayed she would wind up with Darcy and not the narcissistic Wickham.

The next several times I read the book were after relationship breakups. I’d read the book cover to cover while inhaling cartons of Milano cookies and Pepperidge farm layer cakes. Then I’d watch the BBC rendition with Colin Firth as Darcy. This always made me feel so much better and got me through the downside of the breakups.

After I was married and the Kiera Knightley movie version came out, I read it again a few times and was impressed with how easy it now was to understand the language. Much more so than when I was 11 and had an untrained English lit ear.

Through all of the re-reads, though, I have never once been disappointed with the story. I know some of the page dialogue by heart and can quote Lizzy’s infamous dismissal speech to Darcy verbatim. The story stands up to time and differing cultures, class and age group demographics.

If I could only take one book to read on that island until I was (hopefully) rescued, it would always be Pride and Prejudice.

And in the event I could take two…..

My most recent book, THE VOICES OF ANGELS.

Blurb:

Love is the last thing Carly Lennox is looking for when she sets out on her new book tour. The independent, widowed author is content with a life spent writing and in raising her daughter. When newscaster Mike Woodard suggests they work on a television magazine profile based on her book, Carly’s thrilled, but guarded. His obvious desire to turn their relationship into something other than just a working one is more than she bargained for.

Mike Woodard is ambitious, and not only in his chosen profession. He wants Carly, maybe more than he’s ever wanted anything or anyone else. As he tells her, he’s a patient man. But the more they’re together, Mike realizes it isn’t simply desire beating within him. Carly Lennox is the missing piece in his life. Getting her to accept it-and him-may just be the toughest assignment he’s ever taken on.

Buy Links: Amazon /// TWRP /// Kobo /// Nook

If you need to find me, you can: Tweet Me// Read Me// Visit Me// Picture Me//Pin Me//Friend Me//Google+Me//

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Filed under Author, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Family Saga, First Impressions, Life challenges, Literary characters, Romance, Romance Books, RWA, Strong Women, The Voices of Angels, The Wild Rose Press, WIld Rose Press AUthor

Tagged as Beach reading, Colin Firth, contemporary romance writer, Jane Austen, Kiera Knightly, Life challenges, NHRWA writer, Pride and Prejudice, Romance, RWA, SUmmer reading, SUmmer reading list, vacation reading, vacation reading lists

August 2, 2015 · 10:03 am

Who is your favorite Villain?

The person we love to hate; the man we’d like to see incarcerated for life; the woman who needs to be bitch-slapped right now. These are the characters we call Villains.

The true definition of a villain is: the person or thing responsible for specified trouble, harm, or damage.

In romance novels the villain can be:

the old flame who comes back into the hero’s life, flooding the heroine with doubts about his love
an ex-spouse, or co-worker, or a boss
a parent or family member who wants to break the hero and heroine up for any number of selfish reasons
ANYONE who has a vested interest in pulling the love interests apart.

Some of my favorite characters are what could be termed villains. They are all self -serving, narcissistic and (mostly) devoid of principles.

Here are a few of my favs:

Caroline Bingley, Pride and Prejudice. The quintessential bitch in a ball gown.

Rochester’s first wife, Jane Eyre. Truly, one insane biatch.

Briony Tallis, Atonement. (most people won’t agree with me on this one because Briony sets out to atone for her acts, but for much of the novel, she’s the bad guy, and therefore a villain in my mind.

Mrs. Danvers, Rebecca. The original psycho-bitch.

Iago, Othello. Master manipulator and jealous creepazoid.

The best villains I’ve ever read, though, are those characters everybody likes and would never suspect are performing acts of villainy. The good ‘ole southern girl in who’s mouth butter wouldn’t melt, while she’s backstabbing the s**t out of our heroine; the charming rake with a grin a soccer field wide who’s stripping the company’s bankroll bare. Walt Disney had this thing for step-mothers cast in the role of villains – a true mommy complex if there ever was one. Ever see Dangerous Liaisons? Best villains EVER.

And of course the best part of reading a book with a good villain is the scene where he/she gets their comeuppance. I live for Karmic payback scenes, absolutely live. Since I’m not quick on the witty repartee comeback ( I need to think and think…and think some more before it’s absolutely a perfect zinger), I appreciate people who are. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than seeing someone get what’s coming to them if they’ve been a rotter to our dear H/H. Remember the last scene in Dangerous Liaisons when Glenn Close gets booed and hissed at during the opera? I booed and hissed at the television right along with the pretend French people in the movie. I know…I’m a little off the beaten track, but hey: I’m happy.

So, dig into your memory banks. Who’s your favorite villain and why? Let’s discuss…

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Filed under Author, Characters, Contemporary Romance, Literary characters, Romance, Romance Books, Strong Women

Tagged as Caroline Bingley, contemporary romance writer, Dangerous Liaisons, Glenn CLose, Jane Eyre, Mrs Danvers, Pride and Prejudice, Rebecca, romance writer, Villains

July 10, 2015 · 9:20 am

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

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

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

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

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

Yuk.

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

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

Double yuk.

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

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

“My real hair is brown.”

“Do you know a good tax lawyer?”

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

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

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

“The anti-depressants have really been working.”

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

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

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

Tagged as Bad dates, contemporary romance writer, First date disasters, First dates, romance gone wrong

June 18, 2015 · 11:27 am

An interview with Pretty-Hot.com…

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been many things in my life but the number one favorite is being an author. I’ve written 27 books from children’s tales, middle school stories, mystery to romance. Currently I’m focusing just on contemporary romance novels. I had my first romance published this year by The Wild Rose Press, titled SKATER’S WALTZ

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
There’s No Place Like Home is the second release in my series The MacQuire Women. It tells the story of Moira Cleary and Quentin Stapleton, lifelong friends, who realize they are nothing without the other.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Actually, no.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influences are Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Jill Shalvis and Lisa Kleypas.
When I was a kid I was fascinated with The Nancy Drew books and Agatha Christie.

What are you working on now?
Books 4-6 in the MacQuire women ( book 3 is in copy edits)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Twitter and my facebook author page the most.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing no matter how hard that first sale is. If you have something to say, say it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Put your butt in the chair and write. No excuses – Nora Roberts

What are you reading now?
Sherryl Wood’s “Vows” Series

What’s next for you as a writer?
Book 3 First Impressions comes out this summer. I’m going to the RWA conference in July and I’m trying to find an agent.

What is your favorite book of all time?
The Little Engine that Could because it’s the best book about self actualization and motivation ever written.

Author Websites and Profiles
Peggy Jaeger Website
Peggy Jaeger Amazon Profile

Peggy Jaeger’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

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Filed under Alpha Male, Author, Contemporary Romance, Family Saga, love, MacQuire Women, Romance, Romance Books, Strong Women, There's No Place Like Home

Tagged as Author, Author interview, contemporary romance writer, Pretty-Hot.com

June 15, 2015 · 1:50 pm

Who’s your audience?

This past weekend my darling daughter helped me with a marketing and promotion plan for my current books and the ones being released soon. I will admit, my head was spinning when we were all said and done, but we got a great deal of work finalized and many things updated and changed.

One very vital question she asked me -among the hundreds she did – was “Who is your target audience? Who are you trying to reach to sell your books to?”

My first thought was “Romance readers,” but she quickly convinced me that was too broad an audience for what I write. And she’s correct. There are so many sub-genres of romance fiction that I know I don’t appeal to all of them. I don’t, for instance, write paranormal, werewolf sagas, erotica, or Y.A. I write contemporary romance stories about strong women. Most of the ages of my heroines fall between the 23 and 45 year old age group. I try to write heartfelt, funny, and emotionally wrenching stories that lead to the ultimate H.E.A. that every person wants and desires.

Her response to that was, “That’s your target audience.”

I swear, the best gift God ever blessed me with was this child.