Christmas is around the corner and I am a huge holiday movie fan. Not the Hallmark channel movies, but the kind you see first in a movie theater with a tub of heart attack-inducing popcorn, a soda big enough to cause kidney failure, and enough candy to put you in a hyperglycemic crisis.
I typically watch the same holiday movies every year when they roll around on television, this year, no different.
In no real order, these are my all-time favorite Christmas/Holiday movies.
LOVE, ACTUALLY
DIE HARD ( do not argue with me about this. IMHO this is a holiday movie)
Calling all holiday-themed readers! We’re celebrating Christmas and the holidays all month long at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven’s Christmas and Holiday Book Festival. 30 holiday-themed books featured plus a chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card.
I’m thrilled to be a part of this event. My book, MISTLETOE, MOBSTERS, & MOZZARELLA is featured today! Each author shares a family holiday tradition, including me. You won’t want to miss it.
Finding a body in the freezer of the family deli isn’t the way Madonna San Valentino planned to start her day.
Adding insult to injury, the investigating detective is the one guy she’s never been able to forget. After seven minutes of heaven in the back seat of his car when they were teenagers, Tony Roma skipped town without so much as a thanks for the memory.
Just when Madonna thinks the present situation can’t get any worse, Tony is ordered to go undercover at the deli to ferret out a killer. Forced to work together, she vows to keep their relationship cool and professional. But with the sexy, longing looks he tosses her at every turn, Madonna’s resolve is weakening.
With Christmas drawing closer and Tony’s investigation taking an unexpected turn, Madonna is at her wit’s end. Can she really be falling for him again? And will he wind up leaving her brokenhearted and alone like the last time?
And just as an added bonus – MISTLETOE, MOBSTERS, & MOZZARELLAis just #99cents until the end of 2022! A great book at an even greater price.
So excited to announce I’ll be at the TOADSTOOL Bookshop in Keene next Sunday, 12.4. from 2-4 pm signing books and talking about all things Christmas romance related.
I would love to see you!!! If you’re out holiday shopping, stop by, sit for a while and chat and, of course (LOL) buy a book for yourself or someone on your holiday romance reading list.
here are the deets:
KEENE ~ Hosts local romance author Peggy Jaeger!
Sunday, December 4th at 2pm
Peggy Jaeger
She will be at the Toadstool presenting her Christmas titles along with her 2022 book releases!
I’m a #contemporaryromance writer who writes #RomComs about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them. If I can make you cry on one page and bring you out of tears rolling with laughter the next, I’ve done my job as a writer!
#Family and #food play huge roles in my stories because I believe there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, I bring all topics of daily life into my stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents I longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through my books, I’ve created the families I wanted as that lonely child.
As a lifelong diarist, I caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit me at peggyjaeger.com where I’m blogging about life, writing, and stuff that makes me go “What??!” daily.
I’m a social media junkie! You can visit me at all these sites any day and I’ll probably be there.
Since the pandemic I have shunned in-person shopping as much as I can, opting for home delivery when it’s available – or other online ways to get what I need.
This holiday season is no exception for me. The thought of being crammed into a mall with coughing kids and grumpy shoppers is not my idea of undiluted pleasure.
If you’re like me ( yay!), have a romance book reader on your Holiday list – or even if it’s you, and want to get them something special, take advantage of my 2022 Holiday book store this year. All the books listed are in print, $11.00 a piece – a sizable discount even from the ‘Zon, and shipping/handling is cheaper than the post office.
Why am I doing this? Simple – I want to make it easy for people to get my books without spending the horrible markups you see in retailers and online distributors. With the economy still in recovery mode, this is the very least I can offer to my readers.
Bet you thought this day would never come, huh, since I’ve been talking about it FOREVEH!!! LOL
I am so happy SASHA’S SECRET SANTA is finally available. Did you preorder it? If so, thank you from the bottom of my writer’s heart!!! Hopefully, it’s on your Kindle right now! I’ve also made is available in Kindle Unlimited, so if you’re a subscriber…enjoy!
The early reviews on the story have been amazing and OH MY GOSH i want to cry happy tears at them!
InD’Tale Magazine says SASHA’S SECRET SANTA is a …”delectable holiday-themed book wrapped with emotions and finished with a big red bow on top!” And it was awarded a CROWNED HEART!
Mistress of Reviews says that …”this installment of a Dickens Holiday romance delivers all you could want in a love story.”
An Amazon reviewer said: “Sasha’s Secret Santa truly delivered all the feels. This was a captivating read that had me running the gamut of emotions but left me feeling warm and fuzzy at the end!”
Can I just say….wow!!! I am truly humbled. I hope you enjoy the book, too, and if you do, please let me know! My little ego needs recharging every now and again and the best way is when a great review gets posted.
Enjoy!
And then there’s this review from NN LIght’s Bookhaven that just about did me in, emotionally!!! These tears are such happy ones!
I’m getting very excited! SASHA’S SECRET SANTA ( A Dickens Holiday Romance: Dorrit’s Diner) releases into the book reading world in a little over one week! Here’s the last snippet to whet your book-reading appetite!!! Enjoy.
The diner was, blissfully, empty for the moment after a mad breakfast rush so Sasha slid across the booth from her sister and let out a sigh.
“Busy morning?” Abra asked peering over the edge of her mug.
“Aren’t they all?”
“For you, maybe. I’m just sitting around the house all day hoping not to explode.”
Sasha’s gaze drifted to Abra’s belly. If it were possible it was larger than the week before. “You sure there’s only one baby cooking in there?”
“Unless he or she is hiding right behind the other, yeah. One baby on ultrasound. I swear it’s gonna come out knowing how to walk.” She glanced around. “Where’s mom?”
“Took the day off to go shopping with dad. I almost couldn’t believe it when she told me yesterday she was actually going to be away from the diner during daylight hours for an entire day.”
“Dollar bet she’s back here before three, unable to take a full day off.”
“I’m taking that bet.”
Abra put her cup down and cleared her throat.
“Here it comes,” Sasha said.
“What?”
“The reason you’re here, in the middle of the morning, when I know for a fact your deadline is tomorrow and you haven’t finished the book yet.” When her sister lifted her brows, Sasha said, “Colton was in yesterday for lunch.”
“That man.” Abra’s eye rolls were legendary within the family and Sasha was always impressed they didn’t give her sister a major headache when she executed them. “When I met him he never spoke more than three words if one would suffice. With the advent of this pregnancy he’s become Chatty Charlie.”
“Okay, so out with it. What’s up?”
Another eye roll. “I should have asked this before but my life is such a crazy reality show right now and yours isn’t exactly calm, either.”
“Truth.”
“But, well, Colt and I realized last night that with the baby due any second now, we need to get some things done beforehand. So, on my list today is asking you something I should have asked a few months ago, but…well.”
“I wasn’t in exactly the best head space a few months ago.”
Abra’s reluctant nod agreed. “But now you are and I need to know, will you be the peanut’s godmother?”
Tears formed and a smile she couldn’t contain broke free over Sasha’s face. “You know the answer without me uttering a word. Of course I will. I’m honored to.”
Nodding, Abra said, “There’s more. Colt’s the one who brought this up and it makes sense. He and his first wife discussed it when she was alive concerning their boys and now with this one due,” she ran a hand over her stomach, “we need to get it settled, legally.”
“Abs, what are you asking me?”
“We want to make you guardian of the baby should anything happen to us.”
“Oh, my heavens. Really?”
“You’re the most logical and best choice for so many reasons my head spins thinking about them. So, yes, really, we want you.”
She stretched a hand across the table and Sasha met it, halfway. “Nothing’s going to happen to Colt or I, God willing,” she knocked on the table with her free hand, “but if it does, we’d feel better knowing you’d be the one to look after our child.”
Pleased and honored were good words but they didn’t come close to what Sasha truly felt. Her throat now choked with emotion, she could only squeeze her sister’s hand and nod.
Abra smiled. “Good. That’s two things off my list for today.” Her theatrical sigh pulled a grin from Sasha. “Only ten thousand more to do.”
“Let’s start with getting you and baby some lunch. Be right back.”
Today’s little something extra comes from my upcoming addition to the Dickens Universe, SASHA’S SECRET SANTA, which releases into the Dickens-loving universe on 11.7.2022.
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?
TEASER:
Sasha.
Thinking of her compelled him back to the diner. It was lunchtime after all, and a man had to eat. Especially one who’d skipped breakfast so he could get in a fast run at the gym before starting his work day.
The moment he came through the doors he spotted her. The lunch crowd was brisk, every stool at the counter in use and not one booth empty. Luckily, he was the only one waiting, so when he spotted a couple leaving one of the back booths and Sasha quickly moving to bus it, he shot to it.
“Almost done,” she said without lifting her attention from the task of wiping down the table.
Steve slid out of his coat, tossed it carelessly on the seat, and then settled himself in. When Sasha finished her task she pulled her order book from her back jeans pocket, popped it open and finally made eye contact with him as she said, “What can I get—you.”
It took all of his willpower to stifle the wince from her greeting.
“Hey,” he said, inserting as much warmth into the word as he could.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. It didn’t take a body language expert to read the suspicion and caution galloping across her lovely face. Shoulders squared and locked, back straight as a plank, her entire body looked poised to bolt. Chin raised, eyes squinting, she was the polar opposite of happy to see him.
“Hopefully, getting some lunch,” he said. “I’m starving. I missed breakfast and it’s been a heck of a morning.”
Some of the distrust eased from her shoulders. Some, not all, proven when she asked, “And you just happened to pick my station to sit at?”
He smiled and picked up the menu she’d dropped on the table. “I won’t lie. I hoped I’d be at one of your tables. And as luck would have it…” He lifted his hand in a what-can-you-do gesture. “Here we are.”
Pursing her lips, she shook her head, then glanced down at her order book with a sigh. Pencil poised she asked, “So. What’ll it be?”
After he rattled off his order she left him with the promise to bring his coffee right out.
He watched her move to the counter, place his order, then grab the coffee carafe from the back counter, a cup and saucer with it. She tossed a few creamers onto the saucer and brought everything back to him.
As she filled the cup she avoided any kind of eye contact. Steve figured she was embarrassed about how she’d bolted from him in the store. Should he say something about it? Ask her if she was okay?
Feeling indecisive wasn’t an emotion he usually experienced. In his normal dealings with people, his natural confidence and self-assurance proved beneficial. Not with Sasha, though. He worried anything he might say would have her running away again.
After she’d finished pouring, she placed his cup back down and without looking at him, said, “I’ll bring your order out as soon as it’s ready.”
She moved to another table before he could thank her.
With her other customers she was decidedly different than with him. She smiled; established eye contact; joked. He’d give anything if he could figure out a way to get her to act that way with him.
Hope that whet your holiday book reading interest!! You can preorder the book now, here: AMAZON
just in time to read it or gift it for the holiday season!!
Are ya ready to see the lovely book cover for my 2022 Holiday Romance SASHA’S SECRET SANTA? I’ve been holding on to this cover for MONTHS!!!!! and I’m so excited to finally show you. I almost revealed it last week on National Kissing Day, hahaha
Here’s a little about the book, first:
After a terrifying incident derails Sasha Charles’ career and her 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?
Okay, ready?
Drumroll, please…. TA-DA…..
When you read the book you’ll know EXACTLY why this cover is perfect for the story. And I can’t wait for you all to read it!!!
Release day is 11.7.2022 and I’ll have preorder links soon. For now I’m just gonna bask in the loveliness of this cover!
Visit me over at NNLIghts Bookheaven where Mr and Mrs N are hosting a cover reveal party for me: NNLIGHT
If you’ve been following me on Facebook or Instagram lately you know I’ve been obnoxiously promoting tomorrow’s release of ANGEL KISSES & HOLIDAY WISHES, heehee
This story was originally part of the CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS anthology in 2020 and now that we’ve been allowed to, I’m releasing it in print and Ecopy as a Christmas in June precursor to this year’s Holiday book, SASHA’S SECRET SANTA which will release on November 7, 2022.
The ecopy is only 99cents, the print copy is $8.00.
Can a first love be rekindled when the past is filled with heartache?
After a personal tragedy, Sage Hamilton left the town she’d grown up in and the boy she’d given her heart to. With a vow never to return, Sage forged on with her life in order to forget the sadness of her past.
Keith Mills loved Sage from the first moment he spotted her ambling down the hallway of their middle school. And she’d felt the same about him. Or so he’d thought until she’d walked away from everything they’d meant to one another with a tearful and rushed goodbye.
But now, eighteen years later, she’s back and, as the town’s new doctor, it looks like she’s staying. Can Keith put the hurt of Sage’s dismissal to bed for good? And will she want to rekindle the love that had burnt so bright all those years ago?
One of my favorite people – and authors – Bonnie Edwards has a new addition to her RETURN TO WELCOME Series, CLAIMING SHANDY and she graciously allowed me to help her get the word out. Check out the wonderful cover:
She thought her divorce was final…
Welcome WA, where rumor, gossip, and old grudges endure long past their best before date.
Justin Camden wants his life back. His wife back. His son back. And he’s returned to Welcome to get them. Justin has a plan for the Christmas season and moving in with his ex and his boy is just the beginning.
Shandy Camden is stuck. Her big oaf of an ex-husband has finagled his way into her home for the entire month of December. He claims to want an old-fashioned family Christmas with their son. She’s forced to let Justin stay because refusing will break her son’s heart.
Slowly, Shandy sees that her ex may have another agenda. But she doesn’t believe in the magic of Christmas the way their son does. Helpless and forced to live with her ex, Shandy struggles to overcome her growing attraction to the only man who’s ever left her. The only man she’s ever loved. But Justin left once and if he leaves again, she’ll never recover, and neither will their son…
When the truth comes out, Shandy and Justin may well have discovered that more than anything, Christmas is about love.
Warning: This book has lots of groveling in it. If you don’t want to read about a divorced man making things right, then this romance isn’t for you.
December 1 Welcome WA
Justin Camden was no quitter. Never had been and he wasn’t about to give up now. But first he had to do battle against the dragons breathing fire in his gut. He’d never been this scared. Not even at fourteen when his dad caught him out driving his mom’s car at midnight.
He parked outside the Welcome Bar & Grill and called his buddy, Jake Morrow who was inside with a group of friends. Friends who included Justin’s wife, Shandy.
Everything he wanted to accomplish tonight hinged on whatever BS line Jake had come up with. “It’s me. I’m here. What did you tell her?”
In the background, Justin heard happy people greeting each other over the distant sound of a Christmas song. The season had begun. He climbed out of his car while he heard Jake excuse himself to take the call.
“Bedbugs.”
The background noise had receded, but Justin couldn’t have heard right. “What?”
“Every hotel in the area’s infested. Didn’t you know?” Jake said with a smirk in his voice.
“She’ll never believe that.” He had his hand on the brass door pull. Yanked it toward him.
“I believe she does believe me.”
He shook his head. No way. Shandy was the smartest woman he’d ever met and for the past three years, she’d been made of stone. He had to make her crack, but nonsense about bedbugs wouldn’t do it. The flame-thrower in his belly belched. Maybe he should turn around and leave.
“Plus, I told Shandy how much Brianna and I are enjoying our honeymoon period,” Jake was saying. “She can’t force you to stay with us. She has to let you stay at her place. She’ll have no choice.”
“Our place.” The home they’d bought together, to raise their family in. “You ass. Bedbugs?” He was inside the vestibule now, looking through the stained-glass partition, searching the restaurant side of the building. “I see the table.”
Jake stood a few feet away from the group. “Don’t worry, you got this,” he said, looking right at him through the multi-colored pane.
“My best and only shot.” He ended the call, plastered a smile on his face and made his way through the tables to where Shandy sat beside an empty chair. If this crazy bedbug story worked, he’d have a chance to get her angry. He needed her angry.
If she were angry with him, it was a sign that she still cared. That he could still make her feel something for him.
An angry Shandy was honest, and open. Angry Shandy was not a stone angel, cold and remote, the way she’d been for too long. He needed honest and open or his plan to return to Welcome and be the husband and father he wanted to be would fail.
Justin Camden was no quitter. He doused the flames in his gut.
Bonnie Edwards has been writing all her life, starting with a poem about Santa suffering with gout. She was seven, Santa was a thousandteen years old. Delighted with writing, she went on to write family sagas, humorous contemporary romance, romantic suspense, erotic paranormal ghost romances and more.
She may jump around within romance, but all her stories come with a tear, a laugh, and a happy ending. Published by Kensington Books, Harlequin Books, Carina Press, and Robinson (UK) Bonnie’s stories stretch from short stories to novellas and novels. Now, she’s happy to be publishing her work herself.
With 40 titles to her credit, she has been translated into several languages and sold books worldwide. Aside from standalone romances, she has 6 romance series that include Christmas romances and beach reads. Contemporary family sagas find a home in Return to Welcome. Learn about more exciting releases and get a free romance by subscribing to her newsletter, Bonnie’s Newsy Bits
Peggy Jaeger, Author 