So….way back when Amazon had Kindle Vella, I published — in serial form — a lot of my mystery/suspense works that had never seen the light of a reader’s day. One of them was The Jane Austen Murders, which I have updated and am releasing for the very first time in print on September 1, 2026.
Blurb:
Homicide Detectives Elizabeth Bennett and Frank Churchill are called to Longbourne College when the body of student Charlotte Lucas is found bludgeoned to death. Charlotte, a scholarship student, had a healthy supply of designer clothes, jewelry, and a safe deposit box loaded with cash. Where did she get them?
During Lizzy’s investigation into Charlotte’s life, she discovers the student had an antagonistic relationship with her English professor, Dr. Darcy. Word on the street is they couldn’t stand one another and the night before she was killed, the duo had a loud, contentious argument in front of the entire class.
When more clues start popping up about Charlotte’s extracurricular activities, Darcy becomes the primary suspect.
But did he do it?
So…why write a book using the entire cast of Jane Austen characters in this day and age?
The idea came to me one day when I was re-reading Pride and Prejudice for what had to have been the fifteenth time. To say I love the story is too tame a descriptor.
I wondered, as an author will, what the characters would look like in modern times. Would the passion between Lizzy and Darcy hold up across the centuries? What scenario would force them together, because I didn’t think a woman on the hunt for a man to marry and take care of her would fly in these times.
Plus, Lizzy always reminded me of a woman born before her time – a badass; a feminist; a gal out to make her own way in the world, unapologetically.
Giving her the occupation of homicide detective seemed appropriate. Once I had that, the story unfolded itself.
This version was originally published under the Kindle Vella platform and it got such great traction there I decided to publish it as a standalone novel once the criteria and rules of Vella were completed.
Back in my 20s and 30s, before I ever thought to write romance books, I was fascinated by crime, true crime, and serial killers. I grew up in the era of Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and Son of Sam. All my books up on Kindle Vella show that fascination, this one included.
I hope you liked reading about Lizzy and Darcy in this format. Who knows? Maybe I’ll make them a crime-fighting duo in a series. Heehee
Last weekend I did an author event/booksignig at a brewery. Yes…where they make and sell beer. 8 other authors/vendors and I were at Litherman’s Limited Brewery on a Saturday afternoon, and I sold a ton of books.
Truly. In a brewery. The people were welcoming, the readers amazing.
Today, I did a solo book signing at my local Barnes & Noble, a bookstore I love, love, love.
Didn’t sell one book.
Not a single one.
I couldn’t get anyone to engage with me. I tried saying hello…people walked by with a fast semi-smile or ignored me altogether. It’s rare that I feel unseen, but I could have been invisible. I was supposed to stay until 4pm, but since no one — no one– who came into the store, despite my engaging – even spoke to me, I left early. It was demoralizing enough for 2 hours. 4? Yeah, I don’t have an ego, but that would have been too much for even me.
Comparing the two events. One was with other authors, in a non-bookstore type location on a Saturday afternoon. The other was a solo event in an actual bookstore on a Sunday afternoon.
Which, in theory, should I have sold more books at? Conventional wisdom says the bookstore.
I have never been what anyone would call conventional.
So… what have I learned from this? Well, this is at least the sixth bookstore signing ( not all in B&N. The others were indie bookstores) where my sales were zilch. Zero. Zip. I think I can safely say bookstore signings are not for me, based on this empirical data. I don’t have a big enough name, and I am mostly indie-published now, so I don’t have a publisher’s backing to garner me bookshelf space and fight for me..
I do better at much smaller events with more than just me as the author.
Thankfully, I have several of those coming up this summer. Just take a look at the graphic below to find me in July and August.
Here’s hoping I make a few new readers and sell some books at those.
Honestly… this business isn’t for the faint of heart, kids.
And they’re meant to stay for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
I’ve met so many amazing people in my short 11 years as a published author. other authors who inspire me, readers who amaze me, publishers who gave me a chance when I didn’t think they would.
One of the people I’ve met is a woman who inspires me with her grit, determination, business savvy and just plain smarts, and that’s Carlie Emma Ballou.
My relationship with Carlie started as a reader (her) to an author (me). We met at a book event, she liked my stories, and we forged a bookish friendship from there that has grown into a real and lasting friendship.
You’re probably wondering why I’m singing Carlie’s praises in a blog post. Well, it goes back to the fact that she’s an amazing businesswoman. Carlie, because she loves reading and authors so much, has started a PA ( Personal Assistant) business for writers.
Her company is called. Book Lady Co. and she offers a variety of PA services and a wide range of pricing for everyone from pre-published authors to more seasoned authors, like me.
If you’re an author and hate traversing the social media world, or just don’t know where to put your advertising dollars, or even if you just need some help with a book launch or an event, go ahead and give Carlie a call.
Award season isn’t only for actors. There are a plethora of writing contests that I enter every year and some of the winners have already been announced.
Successful Chef Anton Saparosa had the perfect life. Great marriage; beautiful and adoring wife; trendy, SoCal restaurant frequented by celebrities – many of them his friends.
Then Covid hit.
Anton’s perfect life dissolved before his eyes. With nothing left to keep him in California, he starts an itinerant cross-country journey searching for something to give his life meaning again.
Happenstance lands him in the tiny town of Dickens just as Dorrit’s Diner is thrown into chaos.
Literary Agent Portia Avon needs a rest. A messy divorce has her craving quiet and the company of her friend and client A.B. Cards, nee Abra Bree. She comes from the western heat of California to the eastern cold of Dickens and plans to do nothing but rest, relax, and read during her holiday stay.
When Portia spots a familiar face in Dorrit’s, she’s confused. Why is Anton Saparosa, one of the most recognizable chefs in California, working as a fry cook in Abra’s mom’s diner, and going by the name Tony Smith?
A question Portia wants an answer to, but one Tony isn’t willing to share, especially with a woman he can’t stop thinking about.
I have two more current contests where I am a finalist. Once those results are announced, it’s back to the writing board for me for next year’s releases and contests.
As I said yesterday, if you know me, you know I love scrolling on TikTok. And what I’ve been loving watching recently are all the posts from people who have never been to this country before and are now here to watch the World Cup matches. I am tickled pink at seeing this country through the eyes of their experiences, what they’ve been told about America, and then experiencing our country through a new lens and mindset.
Yesterday was a bit of a snarky, backhanded Proud to be an American post because I lamented about the bigger, better, even bigger mentality of overconsumption America possesses. The visitors I’ve been watching have been in awe of the size of restaurant meals and the portions. They are thrilled about the free refill policy of so many eateries for drinks because they don’t have that where they live. They have gone into Walmarts and Costcos and been gobsmacked at not only the variety of items you can purchase, but the variation. One Brit was dumbfounded that Walmart had thirty-seven ( he counted) varieties of different cereals. Then he counted the brand variations, like Special K with strawberries as opposed to just Special K, and came up with over 75 varieties.
Yeah. Dumbstruck at something that I don’t even notice.
But what really got me thinking were the posts where the tourists were visiting our landmarks.
Sedona at sunset, the majestic oranges, reds, and yellows beautifully shining against the lowering sun backdrop.
Their first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and all her majesty in New York Harbor.
The Golden Gate Bridge.
Mount Rushmore.
The US Capitol.
Boston Harbor exhibits.
The St Louis Gateway Arch.
The Grand Canyon.
They are all in awe at things I take for granted.
So today, I’m stopping that.
America the Beautiful is not only a song (which I feel should be our national anthem!) but also a truth. Our country is gorgeous from the natural beauty of our national parks, the functioning waterways and bodies of water, to the man-made structures erected to exemplify the glory of this land.
I am proud to be an American.
There is one South African guy who is in Alabama, and he came upon a city park that had an open-air gym in the center of it, where you could work out. He marvled that there was no graffiti; that the equipment was all working and not vandalized; that it was free and open to anyone who wanted to use it, including a humble visitor from South Africa. He said in his country, something like this wouldn’t survive a day. It would be vandalized and corrupted upon completion.
How sad.
But just another reminder about why I love this country.
And yes, I can love my country and despise the morons running it right now.
If you are on TikTok, do yourself a favor and find some of these posts. You won’t be sorry. You may even laugh or shed a grateful tear or two for living in such a magnificent country.
I love scrolling through videos of dogs and cats acting weird; love the beauty makeovers; love the gym workout transformations.
My newest obsession and love-to-scroll posts are centered on visitors to America for the first time who are watching World Cup matches. People who have never before experienced the American culture in our own backyard and their reactions to things are hysterical, make me feel proud of my country, and also are a mite…upsetting.
Let me explain.
A few videos have shown Europeans getting their first view of places like Cosco and Walmart. A few chaps from Germany were stricken dumb when they saw that Walmart sold food like 10-pound ground beef loaves and frozen pizzas. An English family experienced Chick-fil-A for the first time, and they couldn’t even talk – all they wanted to do was eat. When they were done, the dad asked the mom and kids have you ever tasted anything so good, to which the boy, probably around 8-ish, replied that he wanted to move to America.
Pizza slices and their size have taken up a lot of Australian and South African posts. People can’t believe all the different toppings or the actual size of a pizza.
One group of Italians was awestruck when they got free refills of soda at a local Olive Garden. The guy filming stated he already had three refills of his 20-ounce soda.
Starbucks iced coffees are a favorite of Irish lasses; as mentioned, the pizza is a hit with The Aussies.
I laughed out loud at the awestruck words and faces while visiting a local Dallas High School football stadium. The chap couldn’t believe a school stadium was so large when he comes from only professional sports arenas that are as large.
All this is fun to watch, but then I started to think…we are, as Americans, a nation of overconsumers, both in food and “things.”
Our food portions are ridiculous. I know the ADA says to base calories on a normal daily intake of 2000 calories, but that’s 2k over three meals and two snacks, not one double cheeseburger plate with fries at 1950 cals for one meal.
Those Big Gulps look like fun at 7/11, but if you are getting a regular soda filled one, that’s 32 ounces of sugar and caffeine all at once – in just one serving. The calories are upwards of 400.
One Englishman touring Costco came up on a stack of large bath towels, 12 for S$8.99. His response? Why do you need 12? It’s just me and my wife and we use a towel for 2 showers each. Why do you need so many? Another girl from Ireland couldn’t believe that you could buy your groceries, everything you need for your house, even tires for your car, and get an eye exam all at Walmart.
Americans do love their convenience shopping, don’t we?
A man from Switzerland was in Walmart and made a post detailing all the American flags hanging from the ceiling. He said, I wish we did that in Switzerland, showed our pride in our country by hanging flags everywhere. He was in Dallas. I’m going to admit I’ve never noticed my own Walmart ( because I won’t shop there) ever having hanging flags from the ceiling.
All of these videos are hysterical – every single one. But as I said, when you get down to the nitty gritty of what they are really showing us and their viewers, Americans are a country of overconsumers, big eaters, and proud of it.
So yeah, that’s why this post is posed as a question.
If you are making your weekend plans and you are anywhere near Litherman’s Limited Brewery this Saturday, please stop down and say hi, grab a brew, buy a book!
I’ll be with 7 other Bookish authors and vendors!!!
I was honored to attend the debut event this year, 2026, and am beyond thrilled to announce I am an attending author again for 2027!
In 2027 the event will be held at the historic Mount Washington Omni hotel on April 24-25. If you’ve never visited this amazing hotel ( my daughter was married there!), you are in for a treat. Beyond beautiful and majestic, it’s…haunted. No lie!! Attend this event,and you just may “see” the resident ghost(s).
There’s a Queen of Hearts dinner and ball at the end of Saturday’s festivities. This is a must- attend if you want to give your dancing shoes and your costume skills a workout
The 2026 event was one of the best I’ve ever attended, and I can only imagine it being even better in 2027, so don’t miss out! Get your tickets, grab a bunch of book-loving friends, and make your reservations today!
Oh, and bring some cash because you’re going to want to purchase a bunch of books from the amazeballs authors who are attending!
So I’ve bitched and moaned a lot over the years about how going to book events is exhausting, costly, and draining physically, mentally, and financially.
Sorry about all the whining, kids. Truly.
But…
I’ve promised myself I will keep doing them, only on a different scale both financially and physically. To that point, on June 20th, 2026 from 11 am until 5 pm ( and yes, that’s a long day!) I will be at LITHERMAN’S LIMITED BREWERY in Concord, NH, at TALES AND ALES BREWERY BOOK NOOK TAKEOVER sponsored by Your Book Besties Book Nook.
I am reminded of the scene in Sweet Home Alabama where Reese Witherspoon sees her childhood friend, who has a new baby, and says, “Look at you. You have a baby…in a bar!)) LOL!
I actually think having a book event in a brewery is a unique way of getting my books – and those of the other authors participating – in front of new readers.
So, if you are in the Concord, NH area on June 20, stop at Litherman’s. Have a bite to eat…a beer…and buy some books.
That’s going to be my motto for the day… a bite, a beer, and a book!
I’m excited to let you know that on Sunday, June 28th, Barnes & Noble is hosting a book signing for my current book, “My Love to you all.” A daughter’s journey through grief.
The event is from 12-4 pm, and I will have copies available for purchase from B&N to sign. Or ifyou already have the book ( BLES YOU!) bring it and I wll sign it for you.
This book was a three-year labor of love, grief, tears, and ultimately, a path to healing for me, navigating through my mother’s death and everything that came thereafter with my stepfather.
“Grief comes in waves, tsunamis, and droplets.”
When her mother died unexpectedly, Peggy Jaeger used her writing blog to help her navigate through her grief. Detailing her mother’s tortured life – and their oftentimes contentious relationship – allowed her to understand the decisions and events that comprised her mother’s 87 years and made her the woman she’d grown to be. With brutal and at times painful honesty, Peggy details her mother’s life; one that knew suffering, heartache, supreme loss, mental illness and paranoia.
This is the story of how two women – mother and daughter – learned the power behind the gift of forgiveness and helped Peggy come out on the other side of her grief a stronger, wiser, and more understanding person.
If you’re around on the 28th, I hope you’ll come see me.
Three NERFA 2026 Finalists in Contemporary Romance 🌹 Congratulations to our extraordinary finalists from @firstcoastromancewriters: ✨ The Magical Tea Shop — Aimee O’Brian *(no TikTok handle found)* ✨ Just the Way You Are — @nikarhoneauthor ✨ Perfect Match — @peggyjaegerauthor Winners announced next month. Find all three books at the links in bio. #NERFA2026#ContemporaryRomance#RomanceBooks#BookTok#RomanceReads#FCRW
With June upon us, I thought I’d take a beat and tell you where I’ll be appearing summer 2026. It’s not as extensive a list as it’s been past summers because…I’m old and tired and money is tight.
All true.
But…
I will be a few places you can come see me and other authors to talk books, buy books, learn about books.
The date for the August Bigelow Library event is 8/15
So, if you’re in the vicinity of any of these places, drop down and say hi.
Recently, I put one of my books up on Kindle for free for a week. I also added it to KU, both as a means to garner new readers who would – hopefully – purchase others of my books if they liked this one.
I posted about the free sale daily on TikTok, Instagram, and my fb buisness page.
And I tracked the downloads for free and the KU page reads.
These are the results: 89 KU page reads
37 free downloads.
This is actually pretty pathetic for a free book.
This tells me a couple of things, potentially.
nobody wanted the short story book even for free
people don’t like short story books
people don’t like the genre ( horror) in short story books
Let’s analyze those points:
Nobody wanted the short story book, even for free. WHY? is it points 2 and 3? Is it that they don’t like my writing? Is it that they didn’t want to be bothered even getting a free book because either the subject or the author ( me) wasn’t palatable?
So many questions with no answers.
It’s becoming even more exhausting trying to garner new readers every day in this economy. Billionaires don’t read. Not the stuff I write, anyway. My books are read by women, mostly, usually above the age of 30 with kids, grandkids, jobs, and responsibilities. In this economy, they are already stretched as far as they can go, so buying books has become a luxury they can ill afford.
I hear this and feel it so profoundly.
My husband asks me routinely why I still do this. Why do I make myself sick with trying to come up with new ways to market my books, find new writers, and discover new ways to get people interested enough to read my work?
The answer is really very simple: it brings me joy.
Despite it being a time suck and at times anxiety producing, not doing it would be worse because then I wouldn’t have any joy.
So… the struggle is real and exhausting, but the joy offsets all the misery for me.
I’d really like to seel some books and get new readers, though.
And, as a gift to you, I’ve made one of my books FREE on Kindle until May 23rd.
A few years I put together a collection of short stories I’d written over 20 years and titled the collection DEATH BETWEEN THE PAGES. A few of the stories won writing awards from small publishers and all of them were at one time or another, published works, whether in literary magazines or horror fiction publications.
From today, May 19th, until May 23, you can get a KINDLE copy as a free download.
The reason I’m making the book free is,
I’m nice that way ( LOL)
If you’ve never read my suspense books, Retribution and Vendetta, this will be an easy way to introduce you to the crazy way my mind works when it comes to death, dying, revenge plots, and serial killers.
It’s a short story collection so you can devote, literally, an hour to it, and finish it. No 700-page tomes for me.
So…Happy Birthday to me and here’s a gift for you.
Here’s the backstory. I read my reviews. Always have, always will. But I started to notice something on Amazon and Goodreads about two years ago. Every time I have a new book release, there’s always one 1-star rating. No review – just the 1-star.
Every single book. Every single time.
So I can only guess, surmise, muse, (KNOW!) this is either:
1. a fellow author who didn’t like a book review I did on one of their books and this is retaliation ( I really don’t want it to be this one)
2. someone who really just hates me as a writer ( okay, I get it. My books aren’t for everybody, but if you read one and give it a 1-star, why would you read another by the same author? I don’t. If I DNF a book, I never read that author again.
3. someone who really just hates me as a person living on this planet. ( this is probably the right answer.)
I can’t fathom why else someone would consistently – EVERY SINGLE TIME – give me a one star. NO review, so I really don’t even know why the reader hated it so much. This leads me to surmise they simply hate me.
Any suggestions on how I can find out who this person is or why they would hate me so much?
I’ve been a full-time published writer for 11 years. 75 books, a few anthologies, a few novellas.
I’ve had 4 publishers that I actively sought out because I had no literary agent.
Let me repeat that: I’ve had 4 publishers, over 75 published works, and no agent.
It’s not like I haven’t tried to get an agent. I have tried. Or, rather, I had tried.
After too many form rejections, one person should shudder through, I was able to pitch to an agent at the RWA 2017 conference. You had to send 3 chapters of your WIP prior to the meeting so she would know the work you were pitching.
My appointed time came, and we met, shook hands, and then I introduced myself and reminded her which was my work because she was seeing people every 15 minutes for 2 hours. The very first thing out of her mouth was, “Oh, yes. I didn’t like your voice.”
I’m sorry…what?
She didn’t like my writing voice, so the appropriate assumption was that she didn’t like the work I’d sent either; that assumption was proven correct when her next sentence was, “I didn’t like the pages you sent.”
Okay. So…what now? I’ve got a 15-minute pitch session with this woman who absolutely shut me down before I ever said a word. Do I stay and talk about the weather? Politics? How ’bout those Yankees?
Yeah…not happening. Can you spell awkward?
What would you have done?
I’ll tell you what I did. Blinked a few times and took a few breaths so I wouldn’t go postal on her, then stood back up, plastered a fake as a three-dollar bill on my face, put out my hand and said, “Have a nice day.”
And then I turned and left. She never stopped me. Never said, wait, tell me about something else you’ve got. What else are you working on?
Nothing/Nada/zilch/zip.
Nice, right? ( insert sarcasm)
Ever since then, I haven’t pursued getting a literary agent. Why would I? I mean, a masochist I am not.
But…
About a year ago, I started writing a book that I truly feel is my best writing to date. Layered characters, a great backstory, a present-day situation anyone can relate to. And I thought, do I really want to self-publish this one? Wouldn’t it be nicer if I could get it trad pubbed?
Yeah, I answered. It would.
So…last week I reactivated my Query Tracker account and started searching for agents.
I know…am I crazy? Like I said…masochistic? Or just plain stupid to even try?
The one saving grace for me in using this tool (QT) is that I don’t have to sit through a face-to-face rejection. It will come in the form of an email. So much easier to stomach. At least for me. I don’t have to pretend my heart isn’t breaking or put on a good show face when I’m told, in person, “I didn’t like your story.” A faceless, speechless encounter is about all I can stomach at this point in my life.
You would think after all the writing awards I’ve won ( and you know they’re a lot! -No brag, just truth.) and the number of books I’ve had indie and trad published, someone, SOMEONE, and by someone I mean a literary agent, would want to take a chance on me and my story.
Most of the agents I queried have a response time of 8-12 weeks, so I’ll be debating with myself until the end of summer if this was a good idea or not. Until then, I’m perfecting the story and if I get nothing but rejections, it’s going live immediately!!
So this is the fourth year I don’t have my Mom on Mother’s Day. This day hits harder than all the other “holidays” for me since her death. It’s the one day (and really, it should be every day!) that we, as a society, collectively celebrate the women who bore us, pushed us out, loved us unconditionally, and helped us grow into the beings we are.
One day.
Honestly, it’s not enough, but like I said, this one hits harder. probably because it’s an individual reminder of the loss for me. I’m pasting the blog I wrote for the first Mother’s Day she was gone – barely 2 months from her death, here. It’s included in the book I wrote about my grief journey, “My Love to you all” A daughter’s journey through grief, and I am amazed that the feelings I was going through that first year are exactly what I’m experiencing today. No real change.
Grief is hard. It lives, breathes, and hits you at the worst and most unexpected times.
I miss my Mom. Tortured though our relationship was, I miss her.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY?
I’m not going to lie. This has been the hardest day of my life to date.
In 62 years I’ve lived through a lot.
A lot.
So that’s saying something about the agony of today.
Chronic pain; numerous surgeries; life-changing accidents; rejection; multiple types of skin cancer with subsequent disfiguring surgeries.
It’s a lot.
But it’s all paled in comparison to the unstoppable ache in my soul today.
This is the first Mother’s Day I’ve ever had without my mother.
The sadness surrounding me is like a cloak made of a heavy black depression that weighs more than anyone should bear.
Even during the times our relationship wasn’t perfect, Mother’s Day was always something I never forgot. Cards, small tokens, even just a phone call, were all she ever wanted, just a reminder from me that she was my mother and I loved her.
My mother wasn’t one of those moms who demanded and expected hearts, flowers, and expensive gifts.
She was a simple woman with simple tastes and desires.
One of her favorite gifts, and the one she commented on every year on Mother’s Day, was a ceramic house I made her in third-grade arts and crafts class in school. I’ve looked at this item over the years and have always wondered, why the hell did she love it so much?
I know the answer now. At least, I think I do.
We lived in apartments from the time I was born until I was in the sixth grade. That year, my mother and stepfather bought their first home. It was a tiny one-bedroom bungalow in a beach community on Staten Island. Low rent district, because it was in a flood zone, but a real house nonetheless.
And yes, I said one bedroom. They slept in it, I slept in the living room on an old Castro convertible – remember them?
The entire house couldn’t have been more than 750 square feet. It had a small fenced-in backyard that abutted a wooded area. The houses were separated from each other by three feet ( 1.5 feet on either side), which meant you could hear and see everything going on in the next house. Railroad track houses they were called. One room falling into the next.
I don’t know how much the house cost in 1971 but they had a sizable mortgage for the time. That I do remember because money was really tight during those years. Those were the times when we didn’t eat vegetables because we couldn’t afford them, powdered milk was the only kind they could buy because of the cheap price, and we ate boiled potatoes five times a week and plain macaroni as our main meal on the weekends.
My mother loved that house.
Why? I think because it was the first real one she ever lived in. Her entire life until that moment had been spent in apartments. First as a child, then as an adult.
This was the first home that was truly hers and not owned by someone else.
I’m not gonna lie and say everything was honky dory in that house. It wasn’t.
The water pressure was practically nil, which meant taking a shower and actually getting soap and shampoo off you took five times longer than it should have. And the water was never really…hot.
The stove was an old burner flame one and the pilot light went out routinely 3-4 times a week. I learned how to light an oven at an age no child should. And with matches, not an electric lighter.
The walls were paper-thin, which meant no privacy. In the bathroom…in the bedroom.
You get the idea.
There was one thermostat to control the heat and it was in the living room so that meant in order for heat to register in the bedroom the temp had to be turned up high. I never went to bed without sweating.
And forget air conditioning. They couldn’t afford one. Summers were…difficult.
But my mother loved that house, despite all the issues.
And I think that’s why she loved that ceramic house I made her so much.
At the time I made it, we were still living in apartments where roaches were our roommates, junkies looking for a fix roamed outside the front doors, and crime lived in the lobbies.
That little ceramic house was my mother’s hope for the future; her dream where we would live one day. Safe, sound, and far from crime and urban squalor.
The funny thing is, that very first home in the beach looked an awful lot like the ceramic one.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, moms-to-be, aunties, sisters, and step-moms. If you’ve still got your mom with you, call her, give her a hug, tell her you love her.
Title: “My love to you all.” A daughter’s journey through grief
Author: Peggy Jaeger
Genre: Grief and loss; memoir
Book Blurb:
“Grief comes in waves, tsunamis, and droplets.”
When her mother died unexpectedly, Peggy Jaeger used her writing blog to help her navigate through her grief. Detailing her mother’s tortured life – and their oftentimes contentious relationship – allowed her to understand the decisions and events that comprised her mother’s 87 years and made her the woman she’d grown to be. With brutal and at times painful honesty, Peggy details her mother’s life; one that knew suffering, heartache, supreme loss, mental illness and paranoia.
This is the story of how two women – mother and daughter – learned the power behind the gift of forgiveness and helped Peggy come out on the other side of her grief a stronger, wiser, and more understanding person.
Excerpt:
My mother died, unexpectedly, last night. And I didn’t make it in time to say goodbye.
Measure of grief? Inconsolable.
Measure of guilt? Incalculable.
She’d just turned 87 last week and joked many times in the past few years that she never expected to “live this long.”
I always quipped back, “I didn’t either.” The first time I said it, she got mad. 2very time after that, she laughed.
My mother was a severely complicated, emotional, mentally broken woman.
She was also the strongest person I’ve ever known.
She survived the sudden death of her father when she was nine years old, leaving a crater in her heart that never healed. She barreled through the suicide of her oldest sister when life became too much for the woman, and the death of her own mother 9 years ago, a woman who admitted she neither loved nor liked her middle daughter. Rust a few months ago, she suffered the loss of her youngest sister.
She lived through a world war and three other wars that saw her lose childhood friends, the tail end of a worldwide financial depression, numerous stock market crashes and recoveries.
She survived a mentally debilitating first marriage to my father, and the censure of the Catholic Church when they excommunicated her for leaving him. This was prior to Vatican II, before things got a bit laxer. Mother Church refused her petition of an annulment, and her second marriage was then “tainted” by her strict family, who saw it as her basically living in sin with my stepfather, even though they were legally married.
My mother was the most devout woman I’ve ever known. She lived her life with her faith even though the practice of it was denied to her.
She never graduated from high school because she had to drop out to help support her ailing mother and her younger sister. She never earned her GED, either. And despite the lack of education, she had extremely important jobs in her lifetime.
She worked on Wall Street as a stock transfer clerk in a time when there weren’t many women in the job. And she made 51 cents to every dollar the men in the same position made.
During the financial crisis of the 80s, she was let go (women were fired first and subsequently changed career paths. She cleaned houses for very wealthy people for a while to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads. She babysat for several couples who absolutely adored the way she cared for their children. Then, in her fifties, she became a licensed home health aide. She went into the homes of the people she’d cleaned for, now relegated to sick beds, and cared for them until they died.
During her 87 years, she suffered a miscarriage, two emotional breakdowns that left her anxious and paranoid, two broken hips and the subsequent surgeries to repair them, and broke with her husband’s family when they accused her of a crime. They, like my grandmother’s family, felt she was living in sin with their brother and wanted her out of the family.
She was a gregarious person right until the end and I can’t remember the number of times I asked her to stop speaking so I could tell her something important.
Today I wish I’d never tried to silence her.
It’s a complicated relationship between a mother and daughter, especially when the daughter has lived through the highs and despairs of the parent. My mother was not what anyone would call a book-smart woman, but she was the wisest person in my life, and no matter how many arguments we had or tears we shed over them, she always, always had my back.
The relationship between a mother and daughter is like no other. From the moment a daughter is born, there exists a dynamic that is experienced with no other child with that mother. While I’m not the first daughter to ever lose her mother, I am the only daughter to ever lose MY mother. This book explores the tortured relationship mothers and daughters have.
Peggy Jaeger writes contemporary romances and rom coms about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them.
Family and food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes 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, Peggy brings all aspects of life into her 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 she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she has created the families she wanted as that lonely child.
As a lifelong diarist, she caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com where she blogs daily about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go “What??!”
So if you’ve been anywhere on social media, read a newspaper ( do they still exist?) or watched the news on TV since Saturday, May 2, you’ve seen something about the 152-year running of the KENTUCKY DERBY,
The winner was a long shot named Golden Tempo who, LITERALLY, came out of last place to win the race. If you watched it, were you like me? Screaming at the TV “Go! GO! GO!” and then crying when you found out everything about this horse and his trainer?
It’s 4 days later and I still cry whenever I see footage of the race, the trainer’s reaction, and the interview with the jockey after his winning ride. I’m starting to tear up writing this!
Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo’s trainer, is the first female trainer to win a KD. The first. She was brought on to be a trainer by the owner of the horse, who is also a woman, Daisy Phipps. Daisy is related to the first woman who ever owned her own stables and produced a generation of winning horses. This win was very female-centric in a sport…that is not.
The jockey who rode him, Jose Ortiz, is a seasoned veteran of horse races. He knew what was inside GT’s soul; that he had the heart of a champion and the legs to match it, and he let the horse prove himself to the world. That, my friends, is a genius move.
Before the race began, Golden Tempo had odds of something like 56-1 because he’d lost his last 2 races. No one, other than Cherie, Ortiz, and GT’s groom, Jose Hernandez, had any expectations for this horse.
And you know what? I simply love that.
Why?
Because all my life I’ve rooted for underdogs; the one nobody believes in; the one people scoff at and say lacks potential; the one who will never amount to anything; will never win. I am not the person who jumps on the bandwagon and praises, dances, and espouses anything or anyone who is popular, or the flavor of the moment. Routinely, I back dark horses in political races, listen to music by artists BEFORE the world makes them popular, and read books by authors who are not bestsellers and publicly well known outside the reading community.
These are my people. Why, you ask? Because they are the faceless, hardworking, nose-to-the-grindstone individuals who are toiling daily to make their lives and the lives of others better. Only a nameless few support them and root for them, but those nameless ( to the world) few, are the reason they toil so hard; they are their impetus to keep going when they don’t believe in themselves; their motivation to keep on keeping on.
Underdogs are not typically popular. Hence, the name, underdog: “a competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest; a person who has little status in society.” ~ Webster’s Dictionary
Golden Tempo was not considered a winner on Saturday, May 2, at post time. The odds placed on him prove that. 2 minutes after the startbell dinged, the gate opened, and the horses began pummeling the turf, the world learned he was.
Golden Tempo is, in the very basic sense of the word, an underdog.
I am one, too.
My entire life, people have underestimated me. Because I was fat as a child, relatives and bullies would tell me I didn’t matter and would never get far in life because of my weight. Because of the scars on my face from my accident, my own father told me I would never be rich and famous unless I got them fixed. Because I was always considered the smart, nerdy, fat girl in school, my peers ( and I use the word very loosely) said I’d never find a guy to love me.
Did all that hurt? Damn straight it did.
Did I let it stop me from succeeding in life? Not even a little.
When I decided I wanted a writing career after entering my 50s, people told me it was a pipe dream. I was too old, had nothing to say that anyone wanted to read, and was just setting myself up for failure. When I told my husband the moment I got a publishing contract i was quitting me job, he said, “Okay,” with a face and tone that toldme he thought I’d be working forever.
The moment I got a publishing contract, I reminded him I was quitting, and he said, “Wait…what?”
Being underestimated- and by virtue an underdog – has been my motivation to succeed in life.
And I think I’ve done pretty well so far.
Go watch a replay of the Kentucky Derby 2026 if you need any kind of motivation to keep on keeping on despite what people believe about you. Trust me: you will think about your life very differently.
I feel like 2026 has been a year so far where I’ve posted a great deal about book releases… mine!
Well, here’s another, lol!
“My love to you all,” officially released today over all platforms, Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple, etc. I put it in 3 versions: hardback copy, paperback, and ebook so anyone could read it at whatever pricepoint and platform they wanted. The ebook is only 99 cents because I figured most people would read it on their device anyway,
The photo on the cover is my mother’s high school graduation picture – an event she never celebrated because she had to drop out with six months left to go in her senior year. The reasons are detailed in the book, but that decision followed her the rest of her life and, I feel, added greatly to her adult mental health issues.
This book started out by me blogging about my mother’s sudden death and how I was trying to cope with my grief while simultaneously taking care of my stepfather’s issues, selling their home, dealing with insurance and government forms, and establishing myself as my stepfather’s POA and POMD. I was never really allowed anytime to sit with my grief during that first year because there was so much going on. Blogging about my struggle became a way for me to move forward and, with the hope others would read it and offer some advice.
Those blogs turned into a book that details my mother’s life, her decisions, the ones that carried her through her life, and her issues with mental health, self-worth, and paranoia. Discovering who she was, finally gave me the grace to accept what happened and to move through the loss.
My hope with publishing this book is to help anyone else placed in a similar situation by explaining the things I learned during this time; to use it a guideline or yardstick on what should, should not, and will probably happen. I am part of the so-called sandwich generation – a generation that is gaining in numbers. We take care of our aging parents and our children. We are, literally, sandwiched between the two, making decisions we never thought we’d need to; learning things we didn’t know we’d need to know. There is no college course on how to deal with your aging parents, their financial issues, legal issues, mental issues, social ones, too – and there should be. I volunteer as tribute to teach it! I consider myself somewhat of an expert after surviving these past 3 years.
Mother’s Day is next week and it will be the third year I am without my mother.
The loss never goes away, don’t let anyone tell you that. Time just makes it more manageable.
If you read the book and get anything positive out of it, please let me know through either a review or a private messege.
I don’t brag. Ever. It’s not in me. I can’t even take a compliment without negating it, verbally.
But stay with me for a moment because 2 monumental things happened yesterday and I am bursting to share them.
Most of you know I am a big contest enter-er. I love me a good writing contest.
Well, I entered a few over the past 8 months. I was a finalist in two already – didn’t win, but was happy just to make it to the finals.
And now…I’m a finalist in 2 more. And not just ANY two contests. Two ultimate, prestigious, amazeballs contests.
The Holt Medallion is a romance writing contest put on by the Virginia Romance Writers. When I say prestigious, I really mean it. Any romance writer would love to win one of the fabulous medallions. My book, YOU’RE MY MATCH is a finalist in the Long Contemproary category along with 4 other authors who are all amazing!!
If that wasn’t enough to drive my ego up into the stratosphere, I also got word that I am a finalist in the most prestigious romance writing award of all for published romance writers, THE DIAMOND HEART from RWA. My book, A CHEF’S KISS CHRISTMAS is a finalist in the contemporary category.
These are two very different romances, and yet…they each speak to an issue I am very vocal about: mental health. You’re My Match deals with mania and hoarding behaviors of the MMC’s mother, while A Chef’s Kiss Christmas deals with grief, loss, and ( a word I hate) closure. The MMC’s wife dies during Covid and he is stuck and unable to move through his grief. It is only as I am writing this post that I realized how much mental health played in both these stories.
Maybe that’s what resonated with the reader/judges?
I may never know, but just to be a finalist in these two amazing award categories is enough to make me stop and take a few deep breaths.
Somedays it really pays to open your emails, kids.
When my mother died suddenly and unexpectedly 3 years ago, I was, to put it simply, emotionally lost. But I couldn’t drown and wallow in my grief like I wanted to because there was so much to do concerning her death and with taking care of my stepfather.
So to help me navigate through the quagmire of all that was coming at me faster than a comet crossing the atmosphere, I started blogging about what I was feeling at that moment in time, that specific day, that hour, on my website blog. Doing this was a way for me to remember what I was going through, how it was affecting me, and how I handled it. There was so much to do after she died: sell the house, dismantle and get rid of their possessions; all the paperwork and government crap that comes with a death.
It was a lot.
A lot.
As her only child, it fell to me to take care of everything because my stepfather was in a rehab center after he broke his hip. So I moved through each day and each new challenge and THING that came up. I had to do.
Let me tell you, there is something to be said for being 63 years old and having to learn a plethora of new things. Hello, Medicaid applications, POA forms, and insurance applications. There were times my brain could only hold so much new info. But I got through it and I think my brain may be stronger for it.
Yes, I got through it and I think the only real reason I did was because I wrote everything that was going on down on my blog, and evaluated my feelings.
Those blog pieces gave me a great deal of insight into the reasons why I was having such a difficult time allowing my grief to settle. And, ultimately, they led me to the other side of the process, allowing me to understand why my mother and I had such a tortured relationship.
I learned a great deal about myself with those posts when I looked back on them: you can teach an older person new things; I’m stronger than I ever thought I could be; I’m a wonderful advocate for others; and one final thing that may be the most improtant: I learned and vowed that I will never leave my daughter in the same positiohn I was in when my mother died. I knew nothing about my mother’s finances, her day to day life, or the extent to which she covered up for my stepfather’s growing dementia. I promised myself then and there that I will make everything known to my daughter before I die and take care of all issues so that she doesn’t have to do anything but grieve once my time has come.
That is the one most important gift I’ve learned from this entire moment in time: Prepare for your death so the ones you leave behind will not have to do anything but grieve your loss.
I’ve taken all those blog pieces and the wisdom I gleaned from that time and put them into a book that details more extensively my grief journey and explores my mother’s life, why she made the decisions she did, and how she came to be the woman she was. It’s out now in all iterations – print and digital. Mother’s Day is next week and I can’t help but think this would be a good present for moms to get them thinking about future plans. No one likes to talk about death, but it’s part of the human experience, so…
But that’s always the case when I get back from a reader/book event. I’m not 22 anymore – and not really sure I had much energy then, either.
But I returned home last night from a great event that I am so happy I decided to join, the NEW ENGLAND BOOK BALL.
I was one of about 45 authors and book vendors who had tables at this two-day event, and it was very reader-centered, which I absolutely adore. Held at the historic Mountain View Grand resort and spa in Whitefield, NH,
The event was loaded with not only authors and vendors promoting and selling their books and wares, but author panels, a Yankee Book Swap, a book bedazzling event, and an amazing Dinner/Ball that took place Saturday night.
I was on two panels – Mental Health in Literature and Behind the scenes, and they had a great turnout from readers.
It was wonderful communing with my author friends, who I don’t get to see enough because — life, and writing! – and I so enjoyed meeting scores of new-to-me readers.
It takes an awful lot of work for the organizer(s) to put on an event of this scope, and my hat goes off to author/coordinator Marilyn Harper and her amazing team of workers, volunteers, and family who put this event together and had it running so smoothly and seamlessly. I joked when leaving the event that I was going to give her 5 stars on YELP! But if I could – I would!
Debut author events are either good, fabulous, or go bust for so many reasons. This one was fabulous because of the organization, thoughtfulness of the coordinators to make things easy for readers and authors, and then the support of the reading community who came out in droves, both days, to buy books, meet their fav authors, find some new ones to enjoy, and to support the most fundamental element of our society – reading and free speech.
Oh, and the part I forgot to mention? The event had a huge raffle to benefit Autism, something near and dear to Marilyn’s heart, and it went very well from what I could see. Just another example of authors and readers giving back where it counts.
Here are just a few of the participating authors and vendors I managed to snag pictures of during the event.
All in all, an outstanding event and I look forward to going again!
When writer and paranormal investigator Chase Seacort comes to spend a few weeks at a friend’s Hampton getaway, all he wants is to be alone, finish his current book about East Coast hauntings, and try to put the horrid events of his past year behind him.
All thoughts about a quiet respite alone vanish when he meets his quirky, gorgeous neighbor. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty captivates him with her perpetual smile and free and easy personality.
Merry June lives a quiet life in her beach house, devoting herself to her two loves – art and photography. Once she discovers Chase’s identity, she can’t wait to introduce him to her great-grandaunt Davinia. But Davinia rarely shows herself to others.
You wouldn’t either if you were a ghost trapped between this world and the next.
Today I need to pack, a chore that always gives me angst.
This Friday, I’m heading to the New England Book Ball up at the Mountain View grand resort and spa for two days of books and more books!
Today I have to pack my books, swag, and my clothes, including my ( wait for it…) Ball Gown! This is one event I will make sure to take pictures at! And you all know what a lousy picture taker I am!
I am on two panels for the weekend, Mental Health and one called Behind the Scenes, which is a bird’s-eye view into the author process. In addition, there’s a two day booksigning, and I never ever know how many books to bring or what’s going to sell. I will have my newest, VENDETTA, plus all my romantic suspense books. I am truly hoping this isn’t as heavy a romantasy crowd as previous book signings because I don’t write in that genre and I don’t want this weekend to be a financial bust.
If you’re attending, YAY! My book order form is still live so if you want to ensure you get the book(s) you want, preorder them today and I’ll have them ready for you.
So much fun coming our way!! And I promise: I will take pictures!!
I waited on writing this for a few days because I wanted to sit with what I was feeling and analyze the why of the feelings.
And just in case you’re worried – no, this isn’t going to be a deep analytic session where I explore my psyche and past trauma, lol. Just some thoughts.
So I was lucky enough to be awarded a two-hour book signing spot at the RWA booth at this year’s BookCon, the first one they’ve had in over six years. I didn’t know what to expect, but I went in excited and hoping to sell some books. It’s beena rough year for sales for me and my bank account has suffered.
So I am a lousy picture taker – you all know this – so I don’t have any pictures to show you what I saw when I rolled up the Javits center, but suffice it to say – IT WAS AMAZING!
The line snaked out in two directions, from the front doors down to 31st street and around the avenue to the harbor, TWICE. Then from the front doors down to 35 street and around to the harbor, twice!! IF you’re on tiktok you can go ahead and do a search of bookcon to see the posts of the people standing in line waiting to get it – your jaw will drop. These were 20k+ READERS!!! My people, lol.
SO when the doors finally opened, mass hysteria and overcrowding started. I want to discuss the poorly managed things first, then give a few shoutouts and kudos.
the lines for arcs – why publishers did this was annoying to me – there was no actual queuing manner, just people snaked back and forth, standing in front of author and vendor tables, waiting to get their free stuff. My RWA table was situated next to one of these small presses and they were giving out arcs every hour with the author signing them. So my table had hundreds of people BLOCKING my table, so you couldn’t see me or the other fabulous author I was with.
Food prices. $6.00 for a bottle of soda. Enough said.
Indie alley was situated in the basement and all the signs for vendors and arcs and booths directed you to floors 2 and above. Now, I happened to visit indie alley when I first arrived because I had some time to kill and there were readers down there, but most of them were checking to see the times TRADITIONAL authors were doing their book signings – the ones the readers paid to get into see.
Lack of signage. My RWA table was 559, and the signs above the sections simply labeled them in the 100s, like 400. 600, ext. No actual mapage about where our table was.
because of the lines snaking in front of our table for the freebies being given out next door, I sold a total of 2 books and I think one of them was really a pity sale. I am so glad I didn’t decide to stay in NYC the night before befcause I would have wasted hundreds of dollars on a hotel room and not made a cent in recovery. I paid $26 for my metro north ticket and $16.oo to park for the nday in the New haven station, With the $30 I made on book sales, I didn’t even break even.
The good…
1.Romance Writers of America is the BEST organization I have ever belonged to.The support, camaraderie, intelligence and just plain love that the members show for one another and others is simply awesome. If you are a dedicated writer of romance, you really should join the organization. There are so many benefits.
2. The readers. My heart actually swelled when I saw the thousands of readers waiting to get into the Javits Center. That so many people are dedicated to their favorite authors, their favorite books, even the genres they read, fills my heart to no end.\
I met a few people on the train going down to the event and they were so excited to be going, even if it was for the day. Some had panel tickets, some weren’t so lucky, but they were all simply tickled pink to be part of this wonderful event.
Am I glad I went? yes.
Did I learn a few things? Yes, especially that people want more free stuff than are willing to pay for at cons. That may seem a little cynical, but it is my experience, so don’t come at me.
Will I go again if given the opportunity? This one is hard because if I had a bigger name or was sponsored by a publisher, the answer would be yes because it would guarantee some book sales. But as a small, unknown indie? Probably not, unless again an opportunity arose like this year with RWA and I could go without having to pay a $5000.00 table fee.
6 teenage girls have been kidnapped, brutalized, and murdered in the Washington DC area and the FBI’s SPCD Unit – the Sexual Predators of Children Profilers – are nowhere close to finding the monster responsible. How are the victims chosen? How does the killer find them, contact them, lure them into his sick web? Questions the team has no answers for.
When a high-ranking US Senator’s daughter is the next victim, SPCD team leader, Tucker Petrie, is forced to call upon retired profiler — and his last partner — Kella O’Brien for help. Kella’s been out of the game for 10 years, but her expertise and insights into a serial killer’s mind are unparalleled. If anyone can discover who this madman is, it’s Kella.
But as the team rushes to prevent another young girl’s death, clues the killer leaves behind have Kella wondering if his endgame is all about…her.
My dear friend, author, painter, social media influencer and sour dough officiado, Susan Hutchinson, has a book on sale today I am highly recommending you get, read, and devour. It’s an intimate look at a mother’s love, grief, and moving forward after tragedy strikes.
For the majority of us, life runs a normal course of ups and downs. For some, it’s a career that makes us happy. For others, it’s family. For the lucky ones, it’s both. Everyone goes through times when something will throw you off course. But what happens when life doesn’t merely throw you a curveball, but a bomb?
This is the story of an average woman who was thrown not one bomb, but two and how her extraordinary well of good humor and positivity got her through the loss of two daughters over a five-year time span. The author takes you on a journey laced with humor and wit through a life that normally wouldn’t have distinguished itself from anyone else’s but gave her the strength to get through any parent’s worst nightmare — twice.
“This isn’t a book which tells you how to get to the other side. This is a book which tells you that you can.”
Susan has made the book FREE on kindle today to commemorate the anniversary that changed her life forever.
I read this book when it was first released and I am being truthful when I tell you I ran through a gamut of emotions. Anyone who is a mother, will. Anyone who has ever lost someone dear to them, will.
DO yourself a favor and download this book today. And then tell your friends to do the same. You won’t be sorry you did. You may ugly cry, believe me – I did, but you won’t be sorry you did.
Today’s first book line comes the first book in my MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN SERIES, DEARLY BELOVED from The Wild Rose Press.
” 9-1-1. Colleen, I’ve got a 9-1-1- in the Bawl room!”
DEARLY BELOVED Colleen O’Dowd manages a thriving bridal business with her sisters in Heaven, New Hampshire. After fleeing Manhattan and her cheating ex-fiancé, Colleen still believes in happily ever afters. But with a demanding business to run, her sisters to look after, and their 93-year-old grandmother to keep out of trouble, she’s worried she’ll never find Mr. Right.
Playboy Slade Harrington doesn’t believe in marriage. His father’s six weddings have taught him life is better as an unencumbered single guy. But Slade loves his little sister. He’ll do anything for her, including footing the bill for her dream wedding. He doesn’t plan on losing his heart to a smart-mouthed, gorgeous wedding planner, though.
When her ex-fiancé comes back into the picture, Colleen must choose between Mr. Right and Mr. Right Now.
On April 17, the Carolyn finalists should be announce and my heart is racing and hoping that I am one of them. This is a prestigious award and even being a finalist is something to really brag about. Not that I brag, mind you. But still… lol
On April 18, the Golden Leaf awards will be announced. I am a finalist in the Long Contemporary category with my Dickens Holiday Romance A CHEF’S KISS CHRISTMAS
Unfortunately, I can’t go to the award ceremony because I will be at BookCon at the Javits Center in NYC. But again, I am so excited about this award because it is a very prestigious and coveted one in the romance writing world.
Som,keep you fingers crossed for me kids that I have something amazing to report in the next few weeks. I’, hoping April is an award-winning month for me.
Just popping in with a reminder and a few more facts about my appearance at my very first ( and hopefully not last) BookCon event in a few weeks.
I will be appearing at the Romance Writers of America booth, # 559, in Hall 3 from 1230 until 230 on Saturday, April 18. Can you spell excited? I am beyond at this point. I will have the rebranded book of DIRTY DAMSELS with me to sell. The cost will be $15.00 for each copy. Since I am traveling down to NYC that morning via train, I will have a limited supply of books and swag with me, so if you want to be assured of getting a copy and you are attending, go ahead and preorder the book using my website pre-order form: BOOK ORDER FORM
I was so honored to be chosen to attend and I want to make this a worthwhile appearance for anyone who likes my books. If you’re attending, please try and stop my at my alloted time. I am so looking forward to this event and meeting new readers!
What happens when a modern day Cinderella has a one night stand with a man named Prince?
Cynderella Jones, Ella to her friends and family, owns a thriving and successful cleaning service called Dirty Damsels. 32, single and a self imposed recycled-virgin, Ella is looking to keep her company private. But when her business manager tells her he’s heard scuttlebutt about a takeover, she realizes she needs a plan to protect her business. Before she can, she has to navigate through a week where sick calls and marriages lighten her work force. When she goes out on a cleaning call for a very influential client, she meets a man so hot, so exciting, she literally comes out of her exiled celibate-state and has a one-night fling with him.
But when Cynderella discovers he’s the front man for the supposed takeover, she scrambles to protect her company…and her heart.
My first line firday for today comes from AIDEN, book 2 in the PRIDE OF BROTHERS Series from Wild Rose Press
Tired, hungry, and itching to get home, Aiden bit into his preflight burger and all but sighed.
A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: AIDEN
Lexi Buckley wants answers about her younger sister’s death. The police have labeled it a suicide, but Lexi doesn’t believe it. Stymied in her investigation, she doesn’t know where to turn next. After a chance encounter with a private investigator, she thinks her prayers have been answered.
Aiden Keane has never been an answer to a prayer before, but he agrees to help Lexi. A quirky combo of brains and beauty, the pixie blonde makes him feel things no professional ever should for a client.
When their investigation puts Lexi’s life in jeopardy, her safety becomes his number one priority. The hard part is not falling for her.
I would really like to know what you think of the book if you’ve read it. If you liked, it, hated it, were bored, were disappointed. I have no ego when it comes to reviews ( have you seen my 1 stars???!). I just want to know if I hit the reading for enjoyment mark or not. I write every book for me. And then I put it out in the world where not anyone else is like me. Kind of sounds defeatist, doesn’t it? But I really do enjoy feedback because it only help me grow as a writer.
So, it you read it, BLESS YOU.
If it’s on your TBR, BLESS YOU.
Hit me up with your thoughts and reviews. And remember, the best way to help a writer is to write a review and post it on goodreads, amazon, fable, bookbub, someplace where other readers can see it and discover the author.
of things I’ve got going on, or that are coming downe the pike.
My head spins sometimes with everything I need to do, organize, write, and take care of at one time, just so I don’t forget it all, or forget to let people know about it.
So, here goes with what I’ve got going on right now.
“MY LOVE TO YOU ALL.” A Daughter’s journey through grief, is available on BOOKSPROUT for those of you who do read and review. This book is a raw accounting of what happened to me after my mother died, suddenly, and how I couldn’t deal with my grief at the time because of the million other things going on simultaneously. Here’s the link for those interested: BOOKSPROUT. If you’re not a reviewer, the book comes out on 5.4.26 right in time for Mother’s Day 2026 and YES, I did time it that way.
Book 2 in the FBI Profilers series, VENDETTA, drops tomorrow, March 31, 2026. It’s a standalone suspense concerning a family annihilator and a revenge murder plot. The pre-reviews have been amazing (GOODREADS ) and I’m so pleased. Here’s the link if you want to get it digitally, VENDETTA but you know you can always get it from me via this website.
On April 18, 2026 from 1230 until 230 pm I will be at BOOKCON at the Javits Center in New York. I’ll be at the RWA booth, # 559 in Hall 3 and I’ll have copies of the rebranded DIRTY DAMSELS with me for sale. Plus, of course, I’m gonna have swag, so if you were lucky enough to get tickets to Bookcon, come see me! PLEASE!! LOL
The following weekend, April25/26 I will be at the NEW ENGLAND BOOK BALL up in Mt. Washington, NH. There’s so much that’s going to be happening during this event. I’m on several author panels, including one on mental health, plus there is a Book Cover contest, and a Ball!!!
Many of you aleady know that I signed up to be a RAMP Mentor this year through RWA. I have been working diligently with my Mentee, and we are having a lot of fun getting her first romance book in good enough shape to submit for publishing. This has been an amazing experience for me. I have always beleived we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and I fully intend to be stnadonable shoulders for someone else who loves to write as much as I do.
I will be attending RWA 2026 in Albuquerque this July. and I as giving a workshop on writing the Happily Ever Holiday Romance – here’s the twist : the holidays aren’t just the ones that come in December1
I see that there are a bunch of book signings this year that I really should be trying to get into, but as I said at the beginning of this year, I’m tired and those signings cost way more money than I ever make, so…
So it’s hard to believe I’m already starting to promote another book when I’ve got VENDETTA coming out this Tuesday, but I decided to let everyone know that I’ve put “MY LOVE TO YOU ALL.” up on Booksprout. So if you are a subscriber, here’s the link: Booksprout
and a little about the book…
“Grief comes in waves, tsunamis, and droplets.”
When her mother died unexpectedly, Peggy Jaeger used her writing blog to help her navigate through her grief. Detailing her mother’s tortured life – and their oftentimes contentious relationship – allowed her to understand the decisions and events that comprised her mother’s 87 years and made her the woman she’d grown to be. With brutal and at times painful honesty, Peggy details her mother’s life; one that knew suffering, heartache, supreme loss, mental illness and paranoia.
This is the story of how two women – mother and daughter – learned the power behind the gift of forgiveness and helped Peggy come out on the other side of her grief a stronger, wiser, and more understanding person.
If you read and review on Netgalley, I’ve got that link coming in the next few days. It takes them longer to get everything set up.
The book releases on May 4th just in time for Mother’s Day.
RICK is the first book in the PRIDE OF BROTHERs Series from WILD ROSE PRESS, and if I’m being honest – he’s a fan favorite, lol.
First line:
“Maybe you want to slow down the champagne chugging, Abs,” Gemma Laine sad, her tone more suggestive of a parent than a sibling, as she lowered her camera and regarded her older sister.
Elite bodyguard and P.I. Rick Bannerman’s job is to protect. He doesn’t get emotional with his clients, but when a woman from his past is threatened, his next job becomes personal.
Family lawyer Abigail Laine is the target of a client’s vengeful husband, but refuses Rick’s offer of protection. He walked away from her four years ago, and she swore to forget him.
Now her reluctance to accept his help could cost Abby her life.
I don’t usually post things like I am about to do here. I try to bring positivity and light to my blog writing because there is enough darkness and negativity in the world right now and I don’t want to be a purveyor of those same things.
But…
A few days ago I received an email that sent me down a rabbit hole of research and I want to tell you all about it, what I did, and the resolution.
As a writer, I get between 15 and 20 emails and phone calls ( how they get my number I will never know!) a day from individuals claiming to be book marketers, book club presidents, even PR people who want to HELP me promote my books and get them into the hands of readers for reviews. Or they want to interview me on their podcast for a “nominal fee” to cover sound booth costs. If you’re a writer these days, you’ve seen, received, and heard about these book scammers. I usually read the email, block the sender, then hit delete and go on my merry writing day.
But as I said, the other day, I got an email that was so different from all the others that I actually thought it might be a real, true, request. Notice I say, MIGHT. That’s because I’m nothing if not a doubter. I came out of the womb questioning everything from the harsh overhead lighting to the reason I needed to smacked on the butt by the doc.
Anyway.
Here is the email I received, in its entirety, just as it appeared in my email box:
Mon, Mar 23 at 11:46 AM
Dear Peggy Jaeger,
I hope you’re having an inspired week.
My name is Priyal Agrawal, and I am a Commissioning Editor at HarperCollins Publishers. I recently came across your novel The Sheriff and the Psychic: Welcome to Renewal Book One and was immediately drawn to its engaging blend of romance, mystery, and small-town intrigue.
At HarperCollins, we are always interested in contemporary fiction that combines suspenseful storytelling with rich character development and emotionally compelling relationships. Your portrayal of Police Psychic Silvestra Coeltrain navigating both personal challenges and a mysterious series of events in Renewal, Oklahoma, alongside Sheriff Caleb Blackbear, creates a captivating narrative that balances romance, tension, and small-town charm.
What specifically stood out to me in The Sheriff and the Psychic:
Strong, Enigmatic Protagonists Silvestra and Caleb’s chemistry, combined with their individual complexities, provides readers with relatable and compelling characters whose interactions drive the story.
Blend of Mystery and Romance The intertwined plot of livestock deaths, a murder, and personal stakes creates suspense, while the romantic tension adds depth and emotional resonance.
Vivid Small-Town Setting Renewal, Oklahoma, comes alive through your detailed depiction of its landscape, community, and unique inhabitants, enriching the narrative and grounding the suspenseful events.
I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about your inspiration for writing The Sheriff and the Psychic, your process in developing both the mystery and romantic elements, and any additional projects you may currently be working on.
Next Steps: If you have a literary agent, please feel free to put us in touch. If you are currently unrepresented, I would be happy to continue the conversation directly and discuss potential possibilities for your work.
Thank you for sharing such an engaging and suspenseful story. I look forward to the possibility of connecting.
Looks legit, right? The Publisher logo; the links. And I’ve heard of indie writers whose books were picked up by trad publishers before, so for a moment I thought…is this happeneing to me??
Then my logical brain took over. Because I am such a good researcher ( thank you Nursing career), I immediately went into spy mode. I didn’t click on the links at the end of the email because doing so could have engaged a virus – something my computer geek squad tells me about ad nauseum. But I did Google the HarperCollins website. I typed in the individual’s name into the “about us” link. No info. Them I scrolled around on the site and found something interesting. This, at the bottom of their first webpage:
The last two links is what I found interesting When I clicked on the first one, I found this:
Publishing Fraud Alert
We are aware of reports that scammers impersonating HarperCollins staff or claiming to be literary agents are targeting authors with false book acquisition offers. These individuals request that the author pay them or provide sensitive financial information in exchange for literary services, to facilitate a publishing agreement, or even to arrange a film or TV deal. Their emails sometimes include letters purporting to bear HarperCollins logos, imprint names, and staff signatures.
These communications are fraudulent. They do not come from HarperCollins and are not associated with our editorial processes.
Interesting, no? So I did what a good little spy would do and emailed them at the fraud link provided.
This is what I sent and what I got in reply:
Me: Goodmorning. I received this email this morning from someone claiming to be a HCP representative, and believe it may be fraudulent. Please advise. Peggy jaeger
HC: Hello Peggy,
I hope you are well. This is not a legitimate offer from HarperCollins Publishers. You may be the victim of a scam. As HarperCollins is unable to report crimes on your behalf, we encourage all targets of publishing scams to report the matter their local law enforcement agency, the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center, and the FTC’s fraud reporting website.
Thank you.
Robert Smigielski
Manager, Contract Operations
HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007
So, my instincts were correct. Always good to get the reassurance.
My next musings concern whether or not to notify the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center and the FTC. I’m still mulling that over.
But, Kids, I have no remorse naming this scammer. I think he/she/they gave away their right to privacy once they sent that fraudulent email to me. Save this post and if you receive anything that looks like the email I received, do your due diligence and call it out.
So, if you’re a writer – newbie or seasoned – trusts your instincts. If it sounds too good, it probably is. Do your homework. Do your reaearch.
Now, I asked myself, what if I’d sent that email to HCP and it turns out the person was legit? An actual editor was reaching out to acquire my already published indie book? Would I have killed any chance of being offered a contract by questioning the editor’s validity? And you know what my answer is? Okay.
Yeah. Simply, OKAY.
I still would have had selfrespect for deep diving into an issue that is plaguing one too many authors these days.
in exactly 14 days, this little book releases into the book reading world and I couldn’t be more excited – nervous, but excited.
I never intended to write another FBI book after Retribution, but…things happen and plans change. And now that they have – and with the ending of this book, well, book three is in the plotting stages.
What can I say? I like the serial killer/crimefiction genre, lol.
The ebook is just 99 cents across all digital media, including amazon plus you can purchase print copies on line and from my website order form.
My nerves are always shot when I have an imminent book release, so the next 2 weeks are going to torture for me, lol. Keep my in your prayers.
I am a signing author at the first New England Book Ball next month and to ensure I have enough books with me for the expo, my preorder form is now live, here: PREORDER
I will not be bringing all the books listed on the form because I only have 1 table, so if you want a specific book, now is the time to ensure you receive it by preordering. I am taking orders and will send out the invoices 1 week prior to the event to make sure you still want the book(s).
This is going to be an amazing event! I can’t wait!
Since I’m 100% Irish, I love celebrating this day.
When I was in college/Nursing school at Hunter College/Bellevue School of Nursing, the nursing student leadership was always awarded a spot in the NYC St. Patrick’s day parade each year. In my senior year, my friends and I were lucky enough to participate and be at the start of the lineup.
This is a horrible picture, but the only one I have, copied from my yearbook, so it needs to suffice. In the top photo, holding the banner, I am the second one from the left. If you can recognize me, I am the short haired, glasses, chubby one looking upward.
It was raining and 32 degrees that day as we started the parade. It only got colder as more and more people got drunker and happier, lol. But it was a top five memory for me and still is to this day. I was a proud Irish American in 1982 and am now, in 2026!
And I will be until the day I leave this mortal coil.
(Happy St. Patrick’s Day) Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit.
This is a dream come true for me. I will be signing my updated version of DIRTY DAMSELS at the RWA booth during BOOKCON. It takes palce at the Javits Center in NYC. I am signing on SATURDAY, 4/19 from 12:30 until 2:30 at the RWA booth # 559 in Hall 3. I fyou have tickets or are planning to come, please come visit me. Buy a book. Get some swag and take a picture. This is gonna be a top 5 day for me, kids, as a writer.
This past Sunday, hubby and I were in church and prayers of intention were sent up for a woman who had died recently, whom we knew. She was, in fact, my daughter’s fourth grade teacher and a lovely, amazing, loving woman and educator. I hadn’t known she’d died. Since I don’t read the newspaper anymore I never see the obituaries. I used to read through them religiously when I worked to see if my patients had died, but since retiring…not so much.
Anyway. I was really sad to hear of her passing and it got me thinking.
Hubby and I are at that age now when our parents, aunts, uncles, and even our friends, are starting to die. Whether from old age ( parents) or illnesses ( friends), it has made me pause and reevaluate my life as it is right now.
I’ve never been in a place where I have people getting ill and dying on both side of my age group before. When I was a kid, all the people I knew who died were old old, like in their 80s and 90s. Great aunts and great uncles. Elderly neighbors. No one younger that 80. Certainly no one in their 40s, 50s or 60.
That’s changed, radically, in the past 2 decades.
Now, I know people in their 40s who have been afflicted with life threatening illnesses. I know people in their 50s who have succumbed to heart attacks.
It’s enough to give you a few moments of pause and make you reflect.
I had a bone density scan the other day as part of my routine care and it showed I have osteopenia. Not osteoporosis – not yet – but inching that way if I don’t take measures now to prevent it. The upper limit to slip into osteoporosis is 2.4. I scored a 2. I need more calcium, more water, a diet rich in green leafy veggies, no soda ( this one will be the hardest). Calcium supplements with Vitamin D, which I have been religiously taking since my mother broke her first hip 7 years ago have been a staple of my life. But since I have thyroid issues, that calcium doesn’t seem to be gaining any leeway. Strength training, which I already do. All things to prevent the possibility of fractures as I age. And believe me, after seeing what my mother and stepfather went through with two broken hips each, I never want to go through what they did. But that’s only one concern of my aging process.
Cancer, melanoma ( which I’ve battled for years), kidney disease, heart disease, stomach issues, bowel issues. All these things increase as we age. Now, I could just as easily be involved in a car crash and die as from any one of these disease states, but still. The end result is death.
I have friends who, like me, take care of themselves. But that doesn’t rule out something occuring to strip us of the life we have left.
Aside from the physical implications of disease states is the mental toll illness takes on not only the person suffering through it, but the people surrounding them as well. I know from my own experience how depression gripped me in its hold after my mother’s sudden death, when everything, all the responsibility, all the care, all the followthrough was placed on me to care for stepfather, and to manage my mother’s financial affairs. At 63 I had to grow up fast. And believe me, it was hard.
Death makes you grieve. It makes you think. It makes you reevaluate relationships. It makes you take stock of your own, present life.
If something were to happen to me and I would die tomorrow, I would do so with so much still lef tto do in my life. When that osteopenia result came in, the first thing I thought about was my grandkids. I want to live to see them grown, get through school, start careers, find life-partners. I want to be a part of that as a fully functional ( mind, body, spirit) Grandma. And I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that happens.
Take care of yourself, people. If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for those you love.
So I was watching a tiktok video the other day from a book creator who said she is disgusted with her arc readers because they haven’t been keeping up their end of the bargain.
What bargain, you ask? Well, this one: When you make an arc signup list, send it out into the cyber ether and people sign up to read your book prior to publication, there is an unwritten rule ( shall we say) that you will read the book in a timely fashion and post a review to any of the review sites. Now, Goodreads, Bookbub and a few others will let you post a review of an advanced reader copy ( ARC) prior to publication while amazon will not until after the publication date and then a verified purchase of the said book, in most cases.
This author was disgusted because she approved and sent out 200 arcs of her newest book and only 2 people have posted reviews.
Let’s unpack that…
First: 200 arcs???!!! I don’t even sell a quarter of that amount of books when I publish a new book, much less give that many away, because that is what an arc book is: a gift. You will make no money from it as an author. In fact, you lose money because you have to pay for the physical copy ( an author’s proof), then pay for shipping. Now some places and people only do e-copies as arcs, Netgalley comes to mind and some indie authors. But the majority do physical copies. So…loss, loss, loss. I am not in this business to lose money, kids.
Second: Unless stated in the sign- up form explicitly stating that the arc reader MUST post to certain sites on such and such a date, the author can’t complain that things weren’t done in a timely manner.
Third: If such dates and sites were listed as a requirement to getting the arc copy, and again, it’s FREE to the reader, the only recourse the author has is to never give another book to that reader again. You can’t sue them, or publicly out them for not doing what they agreed to because that’s slander and could open you up to a litigious situation. Having said that I’ve seen tiktoks where authors have done this and they have been censured, vilified, and canceled for “outing” their arc readers in a poor light.
This is why I choose not to give out public arcs. I barely have time to do my media marketing, much less chase down people who aren’t posting reviews for my books.
I use Booksprout exclusively for my arcs from people I don’t know because Booksprout has a verified and true system for making sure their readers do what they are supposed to, namely, read and review in a timely fashion. I have a selected few readers of my own whom I will always send a new book to for review prior to publication because I trust them to be honest ( even if they don’t like the book) and post their reviews in the time frame I ask. I trust them which is more than I can say for stangers. I will continue to use these readers as long as they want to read my words, which, hopefully, is forever.
I have been told by other authors that I am missing out on reviews by not sending out multiple arcs to people, especially book influencers. To that I say, bologne! First of all, I don’t have a big name in the industry (yet!) and big name book influencers don’t have reputations for reading authors who aren’t big names. They want to get traction for their videos and reviews and big name authors give them that. Second, I don’t have the money to be sending out books to people all over the world. Paying for author copies and then postage is cost prohibitive to me. I had one author say to me, well, that is a way for you to get your work seen. Sure, but at what cost? I am paying for the book, then the cost to mail it, and with no real guarantee spending that money will get me anywhere, career and publicity-wise. The response I got to that was “it pays to take a chance.” Not when you don’t have the money to begin with and I am not putting myself in debt on the odd chance I’ll get a 5 star review that will not garner me any new real organic readers.
Do I sound bitter? I don’t mean to. It’s just that with the advent of AI – where people are shoving out books by the ton daily that are computer written – and tiktok influencers, it is harder than ever for an author to gain any traction and find new readers.
Now, more than any time in recent memory, we as women need to stand up, fight, protest, be heard and be our own advocates because it’s obvious there are powers that are trying to silence us, strip us of our freedoms, and tell us what we can do with our bodies.
Today is International Women’s Day. D something today to celebrate the day with your daughters, nieces, gal friends, mothers and co-horts. Call your local representatives and make sure they are supporting women’s rights. If not, vote them out.
We need to lift one another up, back each other up, and show up for one another in every way possible so that we can protect our rights as human beings. We are half the population of this earth. We deserve a place at the table – a prominent place – and it is our right as human beings to be seen, respected, revered, and heard.
Peggy Jaeger, Author