My Bucket is empty....

 This month's topic made me think.

Really think.

What are your bucket list trips...

I am a homebody by nature. I like nothing more than being in my own house, sleeping in my own bed, and using my own shower. I have all the things I love and need surrounding me in just the place I want them. I know where my toiletries are without thinking; I can pull the correct pot I need from the cabinet without even looking; my clothes are always in the right place. I don't need to go out to eat a meal - I just open the fridge and cook something.

My television is pre-programmed to the shows I watch routinely.

See? Homebody!

I grew up in New York City and the first time I was ever on a plane was when I was 21, Vice President of my College's student nurse organization, and I had to fly to Minneapolis for a convention. 

I couldn't wait to get back home.

Over the course of my 62 years, I've been to Ireland ( twice), England (twice), Barcelona ( once) Acapulco ( once), 20 US States, Montreal and Quebec ( once, each), Bermuda ( twice) the Bahamas ( once), Nova Scotia ( once) and Hawaii ( once - this was my favorite trip and the only one I cried over when I had to come home!) Iceland( once - worst trip ever!)

Each trip was lovely and except for Hawaii, I couldn't wait to get home again.

I think I've traveled enough.

My husband is a traveler. If he could, he would travel 6 months of the year. I have never had the desire to be away from home.

Maybe it's because I had such a disruptive upbringing. We moved multiple times - sometimes 2-3 times in a year - because money was scarce and rent was high, sometimes impossible to pay. 

I never felt like I belonged anywhere permanently. Some would think because of this itinerant upbringing I would be a natural traveler. 

Nope. Once I found my forever home I vowed to stay put...forever. 

So, my bucket travel list, for now, is empty. I am content to sit at home, play with the dog, visit my grandson, and simply bask in the familiarity of my life.

Happy Blog-O-Versary!!!! By Peggy Jeager

Wow, 10 years!! That's an amazing run in the blog-o-sphere! A heartfelt congratulations to the ROMANCING THE GENRES hosts for all the informative, fun, and worthwhile blog posts over this past decade.

So, I had to come up with something denoting "10" for this month...and you know what? It wasn't hard, heehee. Since this is a blog about writing, writers, and books, an idea popped into my head without any thought - and I lovelovelove when that happens because it's so rare.

I love a good top 10 list, but unlike Letterman, I don’t like going backward. Here, in no apparent or meaningful order, are my top 10 favorite books (who just so happen to have been written by my favorite authors.) The books I love to read are as eclectic and varied as the books I love to write!

The Little Engine That could – best book about self-motivation and self-actualization ever written.

Naked in Death – the first JD Robb book. 50+ books later the futuristic police procedural romance series is still at the height of its game.

Pride and Prejudice – This one needs no explanation!

Gone with the Wind – Dated for these times, I know,  but in its time it was a true masterpiece at explaining the once ( horrible) southern way of life.

Under the Banner of Heaven – A detailed look –through a modern murder mystery – of the origins of the Mormon Church. Fascinating and terrifying.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil – Take a true crime story, add in a plethora of quirky characters and a setting almost as diverse as its occupants, and this book is a social treatise on American culture: Separate but equal is never truly separate or equal.

New York to Dallas – Another JD Robb story in which the heroine confronts her tortured past, kicks it in the ass, and moves forward with the love of Roarke by her side. This is my favorite in the entire In Death series and the only one without the IN DEATH tagline.

To Have and to Hold – The first book in Lauren Layne’s Wedding belles series. And the first time I was introduced to this amazing author.

Wife by Wednesday book 1 in the Weekday Bride series by Catherine Bybee – Just love a quirky woman in a powerful occupation and position.

The Bible – I mean, come on! It’s filled with love, murder, family drama, social mores and political intrigue. What more could you want??!!

DO you have a top ten list of books? I can truly admit that most of these books I've read more than once. Some, more than 3 or 4 times ( New York to Dallas). And yes, I know it's hard to name only 10!!!! Hee hee

Happy Anniversary, ROMANCING THE GENRES! I'm so happy to be here.

I've got a new Holiday Novella dropping on June 7.

SANTA BABY ( A Dickens Holiday Prequel - Dorrit's Diner) is a short, heartwarming story about a diner owner, a cop, and a baby abandoned on Christmas Eve. You can preorder it right now here: UniLink

It’s Christmas Eve morning in the tiny New England town of Dickens.

Santa’s arrival is imminent, and a hint of snow is in the air.

Amy Dorrit is just about to open her popular diner for the breakfast rush when she discovers an abandoned baby on her back doorstep.

Amy knows she should call the authorities and turn the infant over to them, but she just can’t. Thoughts of her own abandonment as a baby flood through her and she wants to keep the little one out of the hands of the authorities until the mother – hopefully –returns.

But will the mom come back? And if she doesn’t, what is Amy prepared to do about the baby who has, already, claimed her heart?

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Until next time, peeps ~ Peg