Friday Faves

Miner in Petticoats, due to its five spur review, is in the running for Best Western Romance of 2009 at Love Western Romances. If you read the book and liked it or if you just want to vote for the book please go here and vote. The voting will be up until Jan.11th. Voters will be entered into a contest for a basket of “goodies” and a Barnes and Noble gift card.

My Family Christmas letter is written. I just have to add photos.

My writing newsletter is just about finished.

Galleys for the next two books are back to my editors.

My editor of my contemporary western likes the new title- Bridled Hearts.

Looks like a sunny but cold day.

So what was a fave for you this week?

Wednesday Promo- Miner in Petticoats

Yes, pushing my book. I've received some wonderful reviews the best being my daughters saying it's my best book yet. Which I'm hoping means that my writing is getting better and better.

So I'll leave you with some review snippets and an excerpt.

I adored the chemistry between Aileen and Ethan and I would describe their relationship as finger tingling, it affected me that much. Their growing intimacy was powerfully and realistically portrayed. I also feel the need to mention how well Aileen’s son Colin was characterized as he has seen a lot of tragedy in his short life and I could almost feel the weight of his responsibility toward his mother and sister. Colin is instrumental in an exciting, unpredictable plot that had me well and truly hooked. I understand this is part of a series of books relating to the Halsey clan and I really look forward to reading more. Rose-- Reviewer for LWR Book Reviews

This third in the series is another excellent tale of the old west, values worth living, and dastardly villains who are often wolves in sheeps' clothing. Ms. Jager keeps a level of suspense throughout that has us holding our breath, almost afraid to find out what may happen. The reader will probably hate to put the book down until each problem is solved, some in a surprising and unique way. This is a great read. The Romance Studio

Miner in Petticoats is rich in character and setting and reading it feels a bit like taking a walk through a history museum. I've read a lot of American historical fiction and felt this story was well-researched.
The set up was interesting and believable and the conflict was strong. I felt there was good character development and enjoyed the children's characters. Night Owl Romance

This heartwarming story has some nice twists, including a heroine who’s more experienced in bed than the hero (and in a historically accurate way!), a tortured teen, a murderer (or two?) and more than a few head injuries. Jager keeps you reading until the very end by keeping you on your toes and wondering what’s going to happen next. WRDF Reviewer

Excerpt:
“Mrs. Miller?” he asked, extending his hand. She kept her head tipped forward just enough her
face was shadowed and hidden behind the brim of the hat.

“Who be askin’?” Her voice caught his attention with its deep, lyrical tone.

“I’m Ethan Halsey. My brothers and I have a claim just over the ridge.” It aggravated him he couldn’t see her face and register how she took his words.

“Are ye lost?” The voice vibrated under his skin, causing his body to warm.

He cleared his throat. “No, I’m not lost. I’m looking for Mrs. Miller. I’m assuming that is you,
since you’re the only grown woman I see here.”

“Ah m Aileen. Ah dinnae fancy bein’ called Mrs. Miller.”

This disclosure piqued his curiosity. “Mrs— Aileen. I’ve come with an offer.” Her head tilted, tipping the wide-brimmed hat to the side and revealing a slip of her face.

“And whit may this grand offur be?” He saw the slightest curve on one side of her lips.

“Ma’am, not to sound bossy, but I’d like to see your face as we discuss this proposition.” Her
shoulders dipped slightly before she squared them, stretched her neck to its full length, and
whipped the hat from her head. Copper sparks reflected off her hair as the sun lit her dark locks.
Ethan hadn’t believed the words of a cowardly man like Miles, and he was happy to see there
wasn’t any kind of mark on the woman’s face, at least none put there by the devil. Her skin was
abundantly sprinkled with angel kisses. That was what his mother had called the freckles on her
face. Angel kisses. He’d always had a fondness for freckle-faced women and children.

“Thank you, I appreciate seeing people’s eyes when talking business.” Ethan took a step closer
to the porch, waiting to be invited to the shade.

“And whit be yer business?” The woman didn’t seem inclined to invite him any closer.

“I’ve scouted the land all around our claim. The five acres of your land down where Cracker
Creek drops in elevation is the perfect spot to set up a stamp mill. The side of the canyon has the
right slope and the water is moving fast enough to power the mill.”

“So yer business is askin’ me tae sell ma land?” She clamped work-reddened hands onto
those ample hips and glared at him.

“We’d give you a fair price for the five acres, and you could use the stamp mill to claim more
gold from your mine.” The information didn’t seem to change her opinion. She still glared at
him. “We’re allowing the nearby claims to build rails to bring their ore to the mill. They can use
the stamp mill, giving us a small cut of their profits.” He smiled at his family’s generosity.

“So ye’re doin’ this oot o’ the goodness o’ yer heart? Takin’ yer neighbor’s land and their gold.”
Her light green eyes flashed with indignation.

The book is available in print and e-book at The Wild Rose Press. Or you can order it from your nearest book store of Amazon.com

Friday Faves

Slow today. Had my RWA Chapter meeting last night which put me home at midnight and of course I couldn't go to sleep because I kept thinking of all the things I need to get done today, and we brainstormed one of my next projects which had me what-iffing all the way home and not able to sleep.

The first fave this week- a Top Reviewer Pick from Night Owl Romance. This what the revier had to say:

"Miner in Petticoats is rich in character and setting and reading it feels a bit like taking a walk through a history museum. I've read a lot of American historical fiction and felt this story was well-researched.

The set up was interesting and believable and the conflict was strong. I felt there was good character development and enjoyed the children's characters."

Then a fellow western author asked me to take her spot on the Petticoats and Pistols blog while she attends her daughter's wedding. Way cool!

And I was officially accepted into the Women Writing the West Group.

Oh and I think (fingers crossed my CP likes it) I finally finished Doctor in Petticoats and will get that sent off to my editor in the next day or two.

And I'm blogging at Seduced by History today so stop by and find out about making beds and doing laundry.

So how was your week? What was a fave of yours?

Wednesday Promo- Miner in Petticoats

This Friday my third book in the Halsey brother series, Miner in Petticoats will be released at The Wild Rose Press in e-book. You can already purchase it from Amazon in print.

Miner in Petticoats came about with the title first. I had to keep it in the same venue as the other two books- a male occupation in Petticoats. And since the Halsey brothers live in gold country I decided on a miner. Then I chose the brother-Ethan, the oldest. He’s thirty, never been married, raised his brothers after the deaths of his parents and youngest brother. He’s determined to make the Halsey name something to be proud of and to provide for the future of the whole family. Okay, that was all well and good.

Now, I needed a heroine with conflict- She’s twice widowed with a nasty rumor attached to her that she killed her second husband. She has two children- one from each marriage. And she has land Ethan needs to provide for his family and make his dream of family prominence come true. She will not part with the land, nor crumble at the feet of any man again.

And so the battle of wits begins- Ethan promising things his brothers chide him about and Aileen getting more out of the dealing than she ever dreamed of.

Excerpt:
“Mrs. Miller?” he asked, extending his hand.

She kept her head tipped forward just enough her face was shadowed and hidden behind the brim of the hat.

“Who be askin’?” Her voice caught his attention with its deep, lyrical tone.

“I’m Ethan Halsey. My brothers and I have a claim just over the ridge.” It aggravated him he couldn’t see her face and register how she took his words.

“Are ye lost?” The voice vibrated under his skin, causing his body to warm.

He cleared his throat. “No, I’m not lost. I’m looking for Mrs. Miller. I’m assuming that is you,since you’re the only grown woman I see here.”

“Ah m Aileen. Ah dinnae fancy bein’ called Mrs. Miller.”

This disclosure piqued his curiosity. “Mrs— Aileen. I’ve come with an offer.” Her head tilted, tipping the wide-brimmed hat to the side and revealing a slip of her face.

“And whit may this grand offur be?” He saw the slightest curve on one side of her lips.

“Ma’am, not to sound bossy, but I’d like to see your face as we discuss this proposition.”

Her shoulders dipped slightly before she squared them, stretched her neck to its full length, and whipped the hat from her head. Copper sparks reflected off her hair as the sun lit her dark locks.

Ethan hadn’t believed the words of a cowardly man like Miles, and he was happy to see there wasn’t any kind of mark on the woman’s face, at least none put there by the devil. Her skin was abundantly sprinkled with angel kisses. That was what his mother had called the freckles on her face. Angel kisses. He’d always had a fondness for freckle-faced women and children.

“Thank you, I appreciate seeing people’s eyes when talking business.” Ethan took a step closer to the porch, waiting to be invited to the shade.

“And whit be yer business?” The woman didn’t seem inclined to invite him any closer.

“I’ve scouted the land all around our claim. The five acres of your land down where Cracker Creek drops in elevation is the perfect spot to set up a stamp mill. The side of the canyon has the right slope and the water is moving fast enough to power the mill.”

“So yer business is askin’ me tae sell ma land?” She clamped work-reddened hands onto those ample hips and glared at him.

“We’d give you a fair price for the five acres, and you could use the stamp mill to claim more gold from your mine.” The information didn’t seem to change her opinion. She still glared at him. “We’re allowing the nearby claims to build rails to bring their ore to the mill. They can use the stamp mill, giving us a small cut of their profits.” He smiled at his family’s generosity.

“So ye’re doin’ this oot o’ the goodness o’ yer heart? Takin’ yer neighbor’s land and their gold.” Her light green eyes flashed with indignation.

If you read the book, I'd appreciate your thoughts about it in a review either at the Wild Rose Press or where ever you purchased the book.

Knock on wood- surviving the flu

My company last week and this week are putting a halt on my writing. I've managed to keep up with e-mails and my blog responsibilities, but that's about all the computer time I've had.

My company from Alaska have all had the flu and were generous in sharing- luckily, so far, I haven't caught it. I hope it stays that way. We've plans to go to town today and the zoo on Wednesday.

The weather here is finally sunny and gorgeous though a bit hot. I don't mind the heat when we ease into it gradually but it went from 40-50 to 90 in one day. Your body has a hard time adjusting to that.

I'm still waiting for some reviews to come in for my June Release Miner in Petticoats. And my publisher to say I can order copies.

Tomorrow I'm blogging about riding a train in the 1880's over at Cactus Rose Blog. Come on by and find out about palace sleeping cars, the division of classes, and how they ate while on trains.

Friday Faves

I now have my book signing junket for the summer complete. Not as impressive as a NYT best selling author but it works for me! Miner in Petticoats comes out June 12th. I have a signing in Bend at Camalli Books on June 26th and the next day I'll be at a signing/book fair in West Linn. Then in July I'll be two days at the Miner's Jubilee in Baker City. It doesn't look like much, but in between I have weddings to go to, and eight day junkets of irrigating in Princeton and judging at county fairs. If this summer whizzes by and I ask, "Where did it go?" You'll know why!

May 1st is the start of the Brenda Novak online Auction for Juvenile Diabetes. Be sure to sign up as a bidder and hunt down some good stuff. It's for a good cause and If you hunt around you just might find a barb wire wreath made by moi and up for auction.

I picked up my booster antennae for my internet at Princeton. If there is a post on Monday, you'll know it works.

Sunshine all week! I have been loving the sunshine and warmer weather. I mowed the lawn and watered the flowerbeds. The daffodil's perky yellow faces are wonderful to see when I drive up to the house. There's something about a flower in bloom that lightens the heart.

What was a fave of yours this week?

Wednesday Promo

Today I'm listing several things I have happening this month.

Starting Monday, April 13th myself and 20+ other authors answered questions on Ask an Author These questions will be posted one a week for ten weeks. If you want us to answer a different type of question, just comment and your name will be put in a basket and a winner week will be drawn. You could win books and other goodies provided by the authors participating. Here is a list of the authors.

Patti Shenberger
Paty Jager
Roxanne (RG Willems) Snopek
Michelle Beattie
Terry Irene Blain
Donna Alward
Sherry Lewis
Michele Dunaway
Carrie Lofty
Elizabeth Sinclair
Michele Stegman
Kelley Heckart
Elaine Charton
Shelley Mosley/Deborah Shelley
Kate Alister
Elizabeth L'Inconnu
Nancy Haddock
Jacquie Rogers
Phoebe Conn/ Cinnamon Burke
Ingela F. Hyatt
Bess McBride

On Saturday April 18th I'll attend the Romance Reader's Luncheon at the Governor Hotel in downtown Portland, OR. This event is fun. We sit at tables with readers and visit. There are fabulous gift baskets raffled off. The authors do signings, and we have a multi-talented speaker- Lucy Monroe.

I'm getting anxious for reviews to come in on "Miner in Petticoats". I shouldn't be so anxious, but until readers get their hands on the book, it is the only gauge I have for whether or not I pulled it off.

Friday Five- Good News

This has been a good week for news for not only myself but members of my Romance Writers of America chapter. So my Friday Five are good news items.

1) Karen Duvall, a chapter mate, placed 3rd in the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest. Her entry is also the manuscript she snagged an agent with.

2) Elisabeth Naughton, another chapter mate not only captured an agent and a three book deal this past year, but today announced her publisher, Dorchester offered her another contract on a two book deal. Her first book, Stolen Fury, an action adventure romance will be out December 30th.

3)I received a release date for the third Halsey brother book, Miner in Petticoats. It will be available in e-book and print June 12, 2009.

4)Outlaw in Petticoats is a contender for Best Western Romance at Love Western Romances. Beginning December 1st, if you've read the book and liked it, you need to go to here and vote for the book. If you haven't read it yet, you can purchase it from any bookstore or at The Wild Rose Press in e-book. If you purchase it in e-book form by December 14th, you are eligible to enter the contest at TWRP for the SONY eReader. You can find all the details at The Wild Rose Press home page.

5) I am blogging at Alisha Paige's blog today. She asked me some interesting question. I'd be honored if you hopped over there and checked it out.

The photo: Tink and I cruising on the John Deere. Yep, I think his tractor's sexy! LOL

Miner In Petticoats

I received word today that the release date in both e-book and print for the third Halsey brother book, Miner in Petticoats, is June 12, 2009. So you Halsey brother fans can be on the look out for the next book.

Here is the blurb:

Shouldering the burdens of his family and the mining community, Ethan Halsey devotes himself to providing for his brothers’s growing families.

However, Aileen Miller, a widow, also looking out for her family’s interests, refuses to part with the land he needs. As they battle- one to push his dream to reality and the other to prove no man will hurt her again- their lives become enmeshed and their hearts collide.


And the excerpt:
She slid her arms around his neck and pressed her body against him. “That’s okay. You taught me numbers, I’ll teach you what a woman wants.” Her lips brushed his lightly, back and forth, teasing, tingling. Her wet, warm mouth opened and he surrendered to her instruction.

Aileen owed the man kissing her back passionately, yet, she wasn’t sure how much she was willing to give. She wanted him. Her body wanted him. He’d proven his gentleness and was now proving his desire as his hands roamed over her hips and back up over her bottom and around just brushing the sides of her breasts. The feel of his strong, yet, gentle hands brought back faded memories of being loved. A feeling she thought would never happen again.

She placed her hands on either side of his rugged face and pulled back enough to keep their lips separated as she looked into his eyes. “Ah’ve a hunger fur ye. But Ah’ve bairn to think aboot.” The desire in his eyes didn’t lessen as his lips curved into a smile that dazzled her senses.

“I’ll keep my hands to myself when the children and others are present as long as you promise to slip into my arms when we’re alone.”

She studied his face. Was he willing to not bed her? Even though she knew he was rock hard and had to be hurting.

The first chapter of this book is in the back of Outlaw in Petticoats.