Hope's Dream Archives - Tena Stetler

Nov 5th Interview Peggy Jaeger Author of Hope’s Dream

Happy Book Birthday to our guest today! Give a big welcome to Peggy Jaeger, author of Hope’s Dream. A Deerbourn Inn novella released today!

Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see what Peggy’s new release Hope’s Dream is all about. Thanks for joining us!

What inspired this particular story?

Sometime in 2018, during one of the Tuesday night Wild Rose Press chats, the call went out for a new series that would be set in a fictional town of Vermont and revolve around a two centuries-old Inn. The WRP powers-that-be wanted stories from any time period, any genre, and any heat level, but the stipulation had to be that one of the protagonists be a visitor at the DEERBOURNE INN. The minute I read the series bible, which described the tiny New England town, I knew I had to write a story for the series, because I live in what could be Willow Springs’ doppelganger. I live in a tiny New Hampshire town that I swear is the town the WRP powers-that-be decided to depict their fictional one on, straight down to the town square gazebo. Once I decided I needed to submit a story for consideration, I spent the rest of the night outlining it and by Wednesday morning I had my synopsis written and ready to submit – which I did.

Why did you choose the cover concept you did?

Since Hope Kildarie is a ski instructor in Willow Springs, and my story is a contemporary romance about forgiveness and acceptance, I knew I wanted a ski scene on the cover, and that I wanted it to be a happy one because so much of Hope’s recent life has been sad. She had to give up on her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner; her lost her father in a horrific car crash; her mother is an invalid who lives at home. So many things that could make the story – and Hope – a downer, but didn’t. I wanted the cover to reflect her happy mien.

What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?

You know, I wish it was a secret cure, but it isn’t. I simply keep typing. Even when what I’m writing I know isn’t good, I keep going until I need to take a break. Then I go back and reread the dredge. Typically I can find one gem to pull from it. Walking away from the computer is never an option for me because I consider this my job. My occupation. You can’t simply walk off a job if you’re not feeling it one day, or if a co worker is being a pain. SO when my blocking becomes a “pain” I barrel through it just as I would at an office.

What do you want your readers to take away from your books?

That everyone deserves their own Happily ever after and that hope, faith in yourself, and the strength of your family can get you through anything life tosses at you. The good, the bad, the really ugly! My tagline is I write about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them. That sums up my philosophy on my book themes in a nutshell!

Do you find it easier to write from a male or female point of view?

Great question. When I write first person, I only write female. When I write in third person, I do both male and female POVs. Why? Obviously, I’m a girl and I think like one, so the first person female POV is easy for me. I have a hard time speaking like a male character in first person, but not in third. I can’t explain why this is, but in third person male, I’m a little removed from the actual mind of the hero, so I can assume what he is thinking and what he will say. I know that sounds wonky, but hey! It’s me we’re talking about here. Wonky is my Confirmation name!

SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:

Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>

Favorite movie: GONE WITH THE WIND
Favorite book: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Last book read: LEAN IN
Favorite color: GREEN
Stilettos or flipflops: STILETTOS
Coffee or tea: TEA
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: EBOOK
Pencil or pen: LAPTOP!

Favorite song: SECRET AGENT MAN

Streak or not: NEVER

Favorite dessert: CHOCOLATE CAKE

Favorite junk food: PEPPERMINT PATTY CANDIES

Favorite thing to do to relax: READ

Champagne or gin: NEITHER – I DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL

Paranormal or Historical: REGENCY

Wonder Woman or Top Model: WONDER WOMAN

Favorite TV show: I LOVE LUCY

Hot or cold: COLD

POV: THIRD

I’d die if I don’t have: DIET MOUNTAIN DEW EVERYDAY

Review or Not: REVIEW

Tell us a little about Hope’s Dream

Hope Kildaire gave up her dream of becoming a nurse practitioner when a car accident killed her father and left her mother an invalid. Working two jobs and caring for her mother leaves the twenty-seven-year-old with no time for fun or relationships. When a law firm representing her paternal grandparents sends her several letters, Hope ignores them. She despises the family who disowned her father and wants nothing to do with them.

Lawyer Tyler Coleman’s job is simply to obtain Hope’s signature on a legal document. Getting it is harder than planned, though, when an unexpected attraction blossoms between them. If Ty is honest with Hope about why he’s in Willow Springs, he’ll fulfill his assignment but may risk hurting her.

The opportunity to have everything she’s ever desired is at Hope’s fingertips. Will her dream come true at the expense of Tyler’s love?

A sneak peek between the pages of Hope’s Dream!

Hope stood behind the bar, filling two glasses with draft beer. She hadn’t spotted him approach, so he took the moment to observe her unawares.

A reserved smile graced her face as the guy waiting for his order chatted her up. Early twenties by Tyler’s guess, the kid stared at Hope with a serious case of attraction. He knew how the younger man felt.

During their lesson her hair had been woven into a braid. In the lodge, when she’d removed her hat, he’d likened the colors to butterscotch and honey. Now with it unbraided and freely floating down past her shoulders, the colors burst into life. Gold and red highlights shimmered from the waves framing her face, as if each strand had been hand painted for emphasis. In the tavern’s subdued lighting, Hope was a bright, vibrant beacon, sparkling with health and life.

Tyler was drawn to her light, her vitality, as if he’d spent his existence until that moment in perpetual darkness.

Hope turned, reached for something behind her, and caught his eye.

For a moment her body froze, her hand still outstretched, her eyes widening in surprise when they lit on him. She dipped her chin and regarded him from under her eyelashes as she finger-swiped the hair falling across her face behind her ear. A quick head bob his way indicated she’d be right with him.

With an expert’s finesse she uncorked a bottle of Jameson’s, poured a thimbleful each into two shot glasses, then added them to beer-guy’s order. He slid a bill into her hand and then waved off the change she tried to give him back. He scooped the drinks, then carried them back to his table. Hope slid the change into one of the jelly jars behind the bar marked with several names, hers among them, and made her way over to him.

“Hey, New York.” Sweet laughter warmed with surprise rang in her voice. “How are the legs?”

Tyler groaned and stretched them out in front of him. “Better after a long, hot soak, but I’m betting they’re gonna feel worse in the morning.”

She tossed him a quick, sympathetic look. “Make sure you take some kind of analgesic before going to sleep tonight. It’ll help. Trust me.”

“Will do.”

“What can I get you?”

He spurted off the name of one of the draft beers.

She pulled it and then brought it back to him. “Anything to eat? I know the inn doesn’t serve dinner.”

He glanced up at the selection board again and asked, “What do you recommend?”

“The soup’s hot and fabulous. Comes with a salad or fresh bread. The burgers here are always great, but I’m biased.” Her open smile charmed him.

“Sold.”

“So,” he said after she came back from placing his order, “you’re a woman of many talents. Ski instructor. Bartender.”

The brighter colors in her hair glistened when she shook her head. “We in the business prefer the term mixologist.”

Buy Links:

AMAZON THE WILD ROSE PRESS NOOK ITUNES

About the author:

Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance writer who writes 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 topics of daily 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.

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.

In 2017 she came in 3rd in the New England Reader’s Choice contest for A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS and was a finalist in the 2017 STILETTO contest for the same title.

In 2018, Peggy was a finalist in the HOLT MEDALLION Award and once again in the 2018 Stiletto Contest.

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

You can find her at the following social media sites.

Website/Blog: http://peggyjaeger.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/peggy_jaeger

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00T8E5LN0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peggy-Jaeger-Author/825914814095072?ref=bookmarks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/peggyjaeger/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13478796.Peggy_Jaeger

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mmj122687/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peggy-jaeger

It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Hope’s Dream!