Tuesday, November 17, 2015

First Impressions by Peggy Jaeger (VNBtM, guest post, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) GFT









It is my pleasure to host one of the Roses from The Wild Rose Press, Peggy Jaeger, who shares her answer to my question...



What is one of your hobbies and how has it enriched your writing?

PJ Creativity is very important to me, whether I’m writing, cooking, or crafting – all three of which I love to do. One of the best ways I’ve found to relax my mind when I’m writing is to decoupage. In fact, it helps with my writing if I’ve fallen down a plot hole or if a character is being obnoxious, by taking my conscious mind away from the work and focusing it on something else. All the while, my subconscious is trying to work through the writing issue and every single time I find my way.

I started decoupaging as a child during a school art class. For Mother’s Day one year my class was assigned the task of creating a decoupage jewelry box for our Moms. We were provided with small wooden boxes, reams of magazines and newspapers, and told to find pictures that “spoke to us.” As a nine-year-old, not much spoke to me, but I shuffled through the paper and found a lot of what I thought were images my mother would like.

Next came the actual artsy part of the project. Once the images were chosen, we had to arrange them around the box so they would fit and “tell a story.” Again, as a nine year old the only story I could think to tell my mother was the “I love you, Mom” one, so I just arranged the images in a collage that I thought looked pretty. They were glued to the surface of the box and then polyurethaned over until a seal was formed.

My mother loved that box and still has it to this day. Maybe it was the positive affirmation I received from her for the gift; maybe it was the fact I liked telling a story with pictures and not only words. Maybe it was even the subtle high I got from inhaling polyurethane (kidding!), but I found I enjoyed the art of decoupage.

In college I was given an old footlocker, bent, battered, and scratched, to hold my bed linens. I decoupaged it with pictures of my family so I wouldn’t miss them so much while I was away.
Recently, I’ve  completed three new projects: a storage steamer trunk for my daughter’s apartment, a cedar chest for myself with the theme of successful women and icons, and one for a dear friend covered with images of her family. During those three projects, I’ve simultaneously written 3 books. Each project in some way helped me with the corresponding timed novel, to the point I actually printed off miniature versions of my book covers and used them as photos for the projects.

These days, decoupage has been elevated to an art form. Any arts and craft stores or hobby centers, will have everything needed from specialty glue called ModPodge, to brushes specifically made so no brush-streaks will show up on the finished project. You can also find vintage paper now sold to help form a background and a base for your projects. And virtually anything can be decoupaged. I’ve done large items such as steamer trunks, but I’ve also done miniature earring boxes, photo album covers, glass wear and desktop items. All you need is the desire and a theme to start.

Whether I tell a story with actual words, or through the interpretation of decoupage projects, my desire to create always has an outlet, something I am so happy for. Writers are more than just the sum total of their words. Their world of imagination can stretch to other branches of creativity as well, be it art, crafting, cooking, sculpting – you name it.  Just s long as it’s fun!




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First Impressions

by Peggy Jaeger

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Family Practice Doctor Clarissa Rogers’ first impression of Padric Cleary is biased and based on gossip. The handsome, charming veterinarian is considered a serial dater and commitment-phobic by his family and most of the town. Relationship shy, Clarissa refuses to lose her heart to a man who can’t pledge himself to her forever.

Pat Cleary, despite his reputation, is actually looking for "The One." When he does give his heart away, he wants it to be for life. With his parent’s marriage as his guidebook, he wants a woman who will be his equal and soul mate in every way.

Can Pat convince everyone – including Clarissa – she’s the only woman for him?


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EXCERPT

She sent a quick text, thinking he would read it when he woke in the morning.
Home. Long day. Sorry I couldn’t text before now.

When she plugged her phone into the charger, it pinged.

Patient okay?



She typed back: Thankfully, yes.
 

Are you? He immediately replied.

“I would be, if I could get you out of my head,” she muttered.

Tired. She typed.

I missed you after you left. Everyone did, but me most of all.

“What are you doing to me?” she asked the phone.

Crawling into bed now. ’Night.

Get some sleep. Talk 2morrow.

Clarissa snuggled under the comforter, and as she was about to close her eyes, the phone pinged again. She reached for it and laughed out loud.

What are you wearing?


Pat. Go. To. Sleep.


I can’t. I keep seeing you whenever I close my eyes.

“Oh, dear Lord.” A seeping warmth dropped through her system.

I am not sexting you. I’m too tired right now.

Does that mean you’ll sext me some other time? He added two emoticon faces with smiles, their eyebrows rising up and down suggestively.

Stop. Please. I need sleep and you’re making me laugh.

My intent was to make you as frustrated as me, not laugh. My ego is bruising again, Clarissa. Want to come over here and kiss it better?

“The man is too much,” she told the empty room.

I’m powering down now. Go to sleep. Friend.

She waited a minute to see if he’d reply. When he didn’t she put the phone back into the charger. Exhaustion took over, and she was asleep almost instantly.



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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance author who writes about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can't live without them.

Her current titles, available now, include Skater's Waltz and There's No Place Like Home, books 1 and 2 in her 6-book The MacQuire Women Series, published by The Wild Rose Press.

Tying into her love of families, her children's book, THE KINDNESS TALES, was illustrated by her artist mother-in-law. 

Peggy holds a master's degree in Nursing Administration and first found publication with several articles she authored on Alzheimer's Disease during her time running an Alzheimer's in-patient care unit during the 1990s.


In 2013, she placed first in two categories in the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest: Single Title Contemporary Romance and Short/Long Contemporary Romance. 

A lifelong and avid romance reader and writer, she is a member of RWA and her local New Hampshire RWA Chapter.


Website/Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads


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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The tour dates can be found here
 

55 comments:

  1. What kind of phone was your first cell phone?

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    1. I actually don't use a cell phone, Mai. I can't stand them! Thanks for visiting!

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  2. You know, it's been so long, I can't remember. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. E.L.F. thanks so much for hosting me today. Hope I find some other gals an guys who like to decoupage a such as I do.

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    1. Hi, Peggy! Sorry to take so long to greet you. I'm fighting a cold and really behind on everything. I love that picture of the trunk, and you almost make me believe it is something I could do (although, knowing me, I would end up with my hair glued everywhere, lol). Good luck on the tour and thank you so much for taking the time to interact with my visitors!

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    2. E.L.F. - do you honestly think I don't wind p with glue in my hair as well?LOLOLOLOLOL! and in other parts?? Be well and take care of yourself! See you on the chat circuit.

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  4. So talented...definitely a crafty lady! And an excellent author. I enjoyed reading and highly recommend FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Best of luck with sales, Peggy :)

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    1. Joanne -as always - thanks for being so supportive and for being such a good writing friend and writer yourself

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    2. Great to hear the kudos, Joanne. Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment!

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  5. Replies
    1. Betty - you're most welcome and thanks for stopping by today.

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    2. Glad you liked it, Betty. Thanks for popping in!

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  6. Beautiful work, Peggy! I tried that once and ended up with glue blobs all over. Just not my thing, I guess.

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    1. Please, Bona, I can't tell you how much modge podge gets on me during a pasting! It's gotten so bad, I've just thrown the clothes away. Now I'm a little smarter and wear clothes I don't care about wrecking. Thanks for stopping by today.

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    2. That would be my fear, Ilona! Thanks for dropping by to visit!

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  7. I had forgotten completely about decoupage. I too did it as a child and young adult. My mom had a project I made for her hung on her wall until she passed several years ago. I have it now. Thanks for bringing back all those wonderful memories! I might just have to try it again. You book sounds intriguing. Going to put it in my must read pile on my ipad. Good Luck! Have a wonderful day!

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    1. Tena, thanks. Isn't it funny how now matter where we grew up, we did a decoupage project of some sort in grade school? They must teach it as an age appropriate skill for art teachers to do with kids. Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Excellent, Tena, glad you were intrigued. Thank you for visiting!

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  8. This sounds like a great book, I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Victoria, thanks for stopping by today. Enjoy!

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    3. Happy to hear that, Victoria. Thanks for the visit!

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  9. I enjoyed the post and the excerpt, sounds like a terrific read, thanks for sharing!

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  10. Love the trunk you decoupaged. I'm not very crafty myself but I can appreciate the efforts of others. :) Best wishes with your release, Peggy!

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    1. Angelina - I used to tell myself that too but you know what - I really think creativity is a global thing within us. You're a great writer - I bet you'd be a great painter or crafter or knitter or...you fill it in. It's all right brain thinking!

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    2. I have a bad habit of starting projects but not finishing them, Angelina! Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment!

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    1. Rita - it is! LOL> Thanks for stopping by today. Enjoy

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    2. I've enjoyed the story I have read by this author, Rita. I hope you will too! Thanks for visiting!

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  12. Oh goodness that trunk came out so good. I tried my hand at decoupage one time a few years ago when I did a few Christmas ornaments for my 4 brothers and sister. I made such a mess. The ornaments came out nice though.

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    1. So see, Mary? Who cares about a mess - the ornaments came out great!! You should see the mess my room gets into when I do one of these projects. Paper cuttings everywhere, magazines littering the floor, glue brushes fall on the floor.
      It's not pretty. But the end result is. Thanks for stopping by

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    2. I think handmade gifts add that special touch, Mary! Thanks for coming by and commenting!

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  13. The book sounds as great as ever. I love the trunk, but wish a could she how you do glassware. Good luck Peggy!

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    1. Glasswear is something I paint, Sandra. You can decoupage it, you just have to use a non-water based glue and then bake it in the oven. Too time consuming for me so I paint them instead!

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    2. Wow, that sounds fascinating, to decorate glassware. Thanks for coming by, Sandra!

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  14. Your trunk looks beautiful. Sadly, I have no crafty skills whatsoever. You're very lucky to be talented in several areas. Loved the excerpt!

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    1. Jana don't sell yourself short...creativity comes in all ways.

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    2. Glad you enjoyed it, Jana. Thanks for the visit!

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  15. Love the excerpt. It's so nice to hear writers have other creative outlets they focus on when they need to relax.

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    1. I thought it was a cute excerpt, Judy Ann. Thanks for taking the time to read it and comment!

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    2. Judy Ann - i'm not quite certain I would call decoupaging relaxing for me!!! Sometimes, it seems more stressful than at others, but it is a rewarding hobby, that's for sure. Thanks for stopping by,

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  16. I love how your mother-in-law illustrated your book. A fascinating bio.

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    1. Mary - want to hear the woowoo thing about my MIL? Her name is peggy jaeger, too and we are both married to larrys. Fate? You betcha! Thanks for stoppingby.

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  17. Love the excerpt!. Great post, Peggy.

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    1. Thanks Starr! Thanks for stopping by ttoday, too

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    2. Thanks Starr! Thanks for stopping by ttoday, too

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  18. Enjoyed your guest post today. I have to say, I'm not a crafty person. I tried decoupage years ago and while I made something I thought was nice and would look good in my house at the time, it is not something I would care to do again. Just not me.

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    1. Karen - I believe everyone has their own, special talent. Decoupage is not for everyone. I'll bet you have your own hidden talent. Thanks for stopping by today,

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  19. Crafting and writing are related, of course. Writing is a craft, too! I crochet, sew, and make yummy food (also a craft!). They all help the mind to focus!

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    1. Susabelle - I agree - all right brain thinking! Writers are the original crafters.

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  20. I think I want to start with the first book of this series! I can't wait to begin!

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