Saturday, November 12, 2022 Happy weekend, all. I’m afraid my week went sideways, and I didn’t get any writing done. I was feeling bad about not doing a post today… then it hit me that I could rerun something. I’ve posted this short story from the “Pip-verse” a few times over the years, but it’s … More Weekend Shorts ― Turkey Time for Pip
Friday, February 9, 2019 We went back in time, from the Roaring Twenties to the Victorian Era. This spring, it’s time to get back to the future, if by the future you mean the days of flappers. Coming in Spring… An Uninvited Guest… In Granny Phanny’s Kitchen! Here’s a hint. What “thread” ties this story … More Coming in Spring — Back to the 1920s
Monday, April 9, 2018 Hello, all. Forgive me if you saw this review at Jazz Age Wednesdays last week. Now that Olga Núñez Miret has it on her blog, I had to share. Let’s blouse over to her place — click here*. Since I want everyone to get to know Olga, I have disabled comments here. Olga … More Marvelous Monday Review
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Hi there, Sheiks and Shebas. I’m happy to see you back at Jazz Age Wednesdays. Here we are in the month of March. For many of us, March came in like the proverbial lion. I hope it takes on a much more lamb-like countenance for the remaining three weeks. Good riddance year of … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 25 ― Pip’s a Chicken
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Hello, everyone. It’s Jazz Age Wednesdays here at Teagan’s Books. I’m blessed to offer you another joint post! I have actively sought out collaborations with bloggers who work with subjects that are different from my whimsical fiction. So, I was delighted when Dr. Glen Hepker* agreed to work with me on a … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 24 ― Pip Meets the Master
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 Welcome to Jazz Age Wednesdays here at Teagan’s Books. Last time I posted part-1 of a story that resulted from a collaboration with Fiction Favorites* author John W. Howell*. John did one of his terrific lists of Ten Things Not to Do, and I wrote a story. You can read part-1 here*. I … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 23 ― Pip Meets Tiny (Part 2)
Wednesday, February 14, 2018 Happy Valentine’s Day Happy Valentine’s Day from Jazz Age Wednesdays here at Teagan’s Books! Awhile back I was lucky enough to do a collaboration with Fiction Favorites* author John W. Howell*. He did one of his outrageous lists of “Ten Things Not to Do” and that took me to my short story, In the … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 22 ― Pip Meets Tiny (Part 1)
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Hi there, Sheiks and Shebas. It’s darb to see you back at Jazz Age Wednesdays. It feels like it’s been a long cold winter to me… and it’s only February. Teagan’s Pondering The research geek in me wanted to know how different I might have felt if I lived in the … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 21 ― February Pondering
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 Welcome back to Jazz Age Wednesdays. Last time I posted part-1 of a story I wrote because Hugh Roberts, of Hugh’s Views & News, asked me to participate in his new feature series. (Click here for Hugh’s post.) Writing Process Lately the real world has provided an over abundance of the “s” … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 20 ― Pip and Holding On Part 2
Wednesday, January 24, 2018 Hey, Sheiks and Shebas! It’s pos-i-lutely darb to see you at Jazz Age Wednesdays. I have something to share. When handsome, humorous, honorable, most huggable Hugh Roberts, of Hugh’s Views & News, asked me to participate in his new feature series, all I could say was, “And how!” Here’s Hugh’s description of this … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 20 ― Pip and Holding On Part 1
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 The New Year’s celebration is finally wrapping up, here at Jazz Age Wednesdays. Chris Graham, the Story Reading Ape! collaborated on a story with me that started here. I couldn’t resist keeping the tale going for a few episodes. However, today I present my conclusion. Part-1 (here) began with Chris’ character, Artie … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 19 ― Pip & Artie Meet Again – Part 3
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 I’m still celebrating New Year’s here at Jazz Age Wednesdays. You see, the pos-i-lutely darb, Chris Graham, the Story Reading Ape! collaborated on a story with me. Chris started the tale in which my character Pip, and his character Artie get together. Sharing ideas with “the Ape” was such fun that I … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 18 ― Pip & Artie Meet Again – Part 2
Wednesday, January 3, 2018 Happy New Year to you from Teagan’s Books and Jazz Age Wednesdays! Yesterday I was crowing when I saw Teri Polen’s review of Murder at the Bijou – Three Ingredients 1 (see it here.) What a keen way to start the year! With these Roaring Twenties posts, we’ll be putting on the … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 17 ― Pip & Artie Meet Again – Part 1
Wednesday, December 27, 2017 Update: I have no idea how WordPress managed to post a duplicate of this… I regret any confusion this caused — particularly if you receive my posts via e-mail. The battle of the WP gremlins continues. Now on with the good stuff. Welcome to Jazz Age Wednesdays here at Teagan’s Books. Many … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 16 ― Champagne Tidbit from Murder at the Bijou
Wednesday, December 20, 2017 Hello, everyone! It’s Jazz Age Wednesdays here at Teagan’s Books. I know how busy you must be at this time of year, so I’m even happier to see you. These midweek posts have been a mix of new and re-shared vignettes. Since several of you sheiks and shebas are new here, I … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 15 ― Pip’s Lemony Christmas
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 It’s Wednesday and that means it’s the Jazz Age here at Teagan’s Books. This time I’m not telling a story. I’m just imagining what the holidays might have looked like for Pip and her friends during the Roaring Twenties. I imagined Pip decorating a Christmas tree. Granny Phanny would have had a … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 14 ― Pip at the Holidays
Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Hey Sheiks and Shebas, I’m pos-i-lutely happy to see you at Jazz Age Wednesdays again! I started this short story back when I did a collaborative post with author John W. Howell*. The three things driving that story were “Counterfeiting, Time, and Hollywood.” The ultimate result was In the Pip of Time, which you … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 13 ― Pip and the River Monster
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 Hey Sheiks and Shebas, I’m pos-i-lutely thankful that you’re at Jazz Age Wednesdays! Yes, November is National Novel Writing Month (#NaNoWriMo), even at Thanksgiving (USA). And yes, I’m still woefully behind on my word-count toward drafting a novel of 50,000 words in a month… but I’m so grateful for all of you … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 11 ― Turkey Time for Pip
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Welcome back to Jazz Age Wednesdays! You’re all the cat’s meow, but this 1920s story went to the dogs! Whether it is one dog or four remains to be seen. I shared this short story a while back in collaboration with A Pug in the Kitchen* where blogger-chef Suzanne cooked up some … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 10 ― Pip Sees a Pug
Wednesday, September 6, 2017 Each weekend I give you a new serial episode. I’ve been giving that throughout most of the past four years. However, Teagan’s Books is about more than serial episodes. It’s about my books too. So I’m creating this midweek feature. I added a poll to the last post. Not a majority, but … More Jazz Age Wednesdays 1 — Pip Arrives in Savannah
Ta-dah! I’ve finally finished the technical aspects of book-izing the second of my blog serials. About the Novel Murder at the Bijou – Three Ingredients-I is the second of my “three things” style of blog serials. As with the first serial, The Three Things Serial, a Little 1920s Story, it was a spontaneously written (“pantser”) … More Cover Reveal! Murder at the Bijou – Three Ingredients-I
Great news everyone — we have another guest! Dan Antion at No Facilities agreed to be my next co-conspirator collaborator. This post is already live at his blog for his One-Liner Wednesday feature. So I’m handing things over to Dan to explain. (I also think he should consider a career change to TV announcer. He gave me such a … More Pip & Pancakes with Dan
It’s hump day and I needed a boost to get me through the rest of the week. I avoid midweek posts, but I thought this might give me the lift I need. When this song popped into my head (again) I knew I had to share. Because I’m getting ready, ready, ready for the takeoff! … More The Characters, Murder at the Bijou
Update I finally got around to making Suzanne’s “Creamy Spring Turnip Soup.” I know anything from A Pug in the Kitchen is going to be delicious, but I confess to being lukewarm about turnips. I say that for the non-turnip lovers in the crowd. I always take shortcuts in cooking, so I know my versions … More Back to a Pug in the Kitchen — Granny Phanny & the Giant Rabbit
Back on Track Last time I hit a bump in the road (or rather the railroad tracks). However, the Victorian locomotive is back on schedule and running at full steam. John W. Howell gave us the very first set of “things” to guide the plot of this pantser serial. Happily later he sent a second set of three, which … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 17
Hello everyone, As of Monday evening, most people want to start an all new serial from scratch. If that’s not the option you’d choose, then be sure to cast your vote! The poll will stay open until Friday, January 16th. No need to re-comment on this update unless… Whatever form the new serial takes, I’m going … More UPDATE: New Interactive Serial – What do YOU want?
Forgive me everyone. I tried to send Pip with a message postponing the next episode of The Three Ingredients, but she pouted and wouldn’t even look at me. Yesterday I celebrated a small personal “positive” hoping it would get me back on track, but here I sit, making excuses despite that. I haven’t been able to … More Three Ingredients: The Mess in the “Kitchen”
Granny Fanny was so angry, frustrated, and worried about Pip that she couldn’t take any more. Granny says she’s sending our flapper home to her father! You know… I just realized that last weekend I forgot to add a “ghostly ingredient” from the Jar of Spooky Things. But that’s beside the point. I had an … More Three Ingredients: Granny Is Angry, What Would You Do?
Am I in an odd “place” or is it just the weather? The moon? Solar flares maybe? Could it be this week’s ghostly ingredient from the Jar of Spooky Things? I can’t define it — this odd mood, so I may as well just roll with it. However, be warned that it might make this episode of … More Three Ingredients II – 11: Red Currants, Baked Beans, Polish Sausage
Hello everyone — I’m so glad to see you again! At the end of Episode-7 Andy’s fate was unknown. Whether by design or by accident, the ghost-riders had taken him away. Then last weekend Maestro Martino sacrificed something important to him, without knowing whether or not it would return Pip’s friend. However, that segment ended … More Three Ingredients II – 9: Chanterelle Mushrooms, Gin, Trifle
The other day I sent Pip to give everyone a “heads-up” that I wasn’t sure I could do this weekend’s episode… due to the unfortunate combination of my clumsiness and lots of stairs inside and particularly (the culprits in my misadventure) outside my home… The story nagged at me though, so I’ll try to provide … More Three Ingredients II – 8: Lettuce, Shrimp, Hot Peppers
Welcome back everyone! I’m pleased to tell you that today’s ingredients were sent by a reader who hasn’t always been with us here at Teagan’s Books — Jo Robinson. Jo lives in beautiful South Africa, and has written quite a remarkable collection of stories. She has a wonderful imagination. For instance in her novel “The Shadow People, The … More Three Ingredients II – 6: Turnips, Onions, Sauerkraut
Get behind the wheel! This isn’t a driverless car. Remember the Three Ingredients Serial is driven by you sending me “ingredients” (preferably three food-related things) to include in the story. There’s no telling what road the story will take, until you send the “ingredients” that point the direction. So get your mental wheels turning. Loosen up and let your thoughts flow wherever they may. … More You’re Driving — Three Ingredients
Welcome back to the 1920’s everyone. Since we last met my country had a birthday. Hopefully all of you in the USA had a fun Independence Day. Wherever you are I hope life is just the berries for you! Today’s “ingredients” come to you from the Land of Enchantment (that’s New Mexico) via RC, my inspiring friend. … More Three Ingredients II – 4: Ice, Squash, Goat’s Milk
Oh applesauce! You might think this is a new episode and I don’t want to tease you… Sorry, but it’s not more of the serial – I’m just telling you about something new. Cookbook-II Jar of Spooky Things When I was doing my “Three Things” writing exercise (which inspired our first “interactive” serial) I made a … More Three Ingredients Jar of Spooky Things
Hello and welcome back! I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’ve been patient during the past couple of weeks, while I got ready for Cookbook-2 of our Three Ingredients Serial. The first set of “ingredients” for Cookbook-2 came from Evelyne Holingue. I guess they’re leftovers, because I’ve been hanging onto them. Evelyne sent them just before the … More Cookbook-2 Begins! Cherries, Mascarpone, Marsala
Prepping the Kitchen for Cookbook-2 For the past ten years or so, I’ve felt very lucky to have a work schedule that gives me every other Friday off. In a two week pay period, week-1 has me working four 9-hour days and one 8-hour day. While week-2 lets me work just four 9-hour days. But when … More Prep for Cookbook-2: Interview with Daisy
What’s a writer to do when more than one set of “ingredients” arrive at the same time? Be grateful, that’s what! Which leads me to a big reveal… The following episode brings us to the finale of this storyline. Oh, don’t fret! The Three Ingredients hasn’t “given up the ghost!” I didn’t have the heart to completely end … More Three Ingredients – 25: Finale
It came as a very pleasant surprise when CB sent the ingredients for today’s episode. CB is new to the blogosphere. That information was unexpected, because I think “Better Dressed than Joe” is a great blog, with posts that are quick, evocative, and charming — and delightful sketches too. It’s not something I’d expect from a beginner. I … More Three Ingredients – 24: Aubergine, Thyme, Red Pepper
Don’t stray — Episode-24 is headed your way You’re used to the new episodes of The Three Ingredients culinary mystery serial appearing on Saturdays. This week getting it finished within that self-imposed deadline seemed like a big challenge. I didn’t want anyone to feel abandoned if I didn’t get this post out until tomorrow. So … More Three Ingredients: Stay Tuned for the Parade of Pets
Hello friends — old, new, and as yet unmet! Welcome to this character recap of the Three Ingredients serial I feel huge gratitude for all of your comments and encouragement. The Three Ingredients is the second storyline we’ve done in this “interactive” format. For new reader-friends, I call it interactive because the story is moved forward by … More Three Ingredients: Character Recap
Hello everyone, This vintage illustration of a “Queen of the May” from a bygone day immediately made me think of Daisy, “the dainty dish” mentioned in our previous episode. She has the ethereal beauty of a romantic heroine. The image popped up in a timely way too, because the ingredients for today’s episode were provided by a … More Three Ingredients – 22: Black Olives, Mascarpone, Thyme
Happy May Day Since it’s actually still April (here anyway) forgive me for being early. For a moment I deluded myself that I could do a mid-week episode of our 1920’s serial (and I might add that it’s coming along nicely, if I do say so myself). However, that was more than I can manage … More Happy May Day
I hope everyone had a wonderful week. The characters in our 1920’s story might have been worried though. The “ingredients cupboards” are bare! The main idea behind this serial is to involve you readers, via the food-related things (the ingredients) you send. Now, you wouldn’t want Granny Fanny to worry, or Cracker to stop getting into trouble … More Three Ingredients – 21: Lettuce, Beet, Stew
Hello everyone. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for coming back. You supply the “ingredients” that built the mysteries in our 1920’s story — that’s what makes the serial interactive. Now our story is drawing closer to revealing some of the answers to those questions and mysteries. Without further ado, here is Episode-20. Bon appétit! 20. … More Three Ingredients – 20: Beef Drippings, Dandelion & Burdock, Salmon
? ? ? Hello everyone — Pip here! Say, has anybody seen the Writer? I’ve got to tell you that I’m pretty miffed… She’s left me hanging around for the past couple of weeks with only half of my memory. Worse, when she should be dreaming of things to make my life interesting, she is busy with … More Three Ingredients – ?, ?, ?
Why am I here when I have so much work that really has to be finished today? I saw something that I couldn’t resist — and this doesn’t take nearly as much time as making an episode of our “Three Ingredients” serial. Sometimes things change, beyond our control, when they’d be much better left as they were. … More Create Changes
Hello everyone, I think this is the first weekend that I’ve failed to give you a serial episode since we started this, way back with the Three Things. So I hope you will tune in next weekend to find out what is happening with Pip, Granny Fanny, Cracker the Parrot, and the rest of the … More Three Ingredients – Stay Tuned
Blogs that Bring Me Sunshine Here, it is officially spring… though I’m not sure you could say that spring has truly sprung — especially after seeing the weather forecast. While I’m inside, I know that I really should be writing the next episode of The Three Ingredients. But I think it is still simmering in my … More Sunshine and Spring
Hello all, This weekend I am unfortunately pressed for time. So I didn’t follow my “rule of three” and write about three ingredients. However, I did pick one food and worked into the idea of Pip feeling she is in limbo. Next time I’ll go back to that rule of three. Episode-18 will be about the ingredients … More Three Ingredients – 17: Rutabaga Limbo
Hello everyone. I hope you like the new look for Teagan’s Books. I thought the new theme with the little houses and trees was a good fit for our 1920’s serial. In a way it reminds me of my fictional town, Atonement, TN — so it will do for posts about my novel as well. Episode-16 … More Three Ingredients – 16: Pork, Braise, Fork
What are you supposed to do if you get the same award more than once? Hummm… I’d say the answer to that is… Bend the rules! Here’s a big “Internet hug” to Joe at “Stepping Out with an Agoraphobic” for mentioning Teagan’s Books on his blog with this award. Pay Joe a visit at his … More The Liebster Award Returns
Lucky 13 — that’s how I’ve always thought of the number. There have been cliffhangers in our serial lately. Will Episode-13 be lucky for the characters? Ishita at Kooky Cookyng supplied the “ingredients” today. She playfully threw me a curve with “microwave.” It took a bit of storytelling for me to work that into a 1920’s … More Three Ingredients – 13: Pigeon, Microwave, Prune
With the exception of Pip, our story’s narrator, the character who seems to get the most interest is Cracker the parrot. That amuses me, because Cracker is a character that I never anticipated. That’s the fun part of deliberately not planning this serial and letting the “ingredients” you send drive every aspect of it! I would have … More Three Ingredients – 12: Rye, Pie, Dainty Dish
Today I’m suspending my self-imposed rules. What rules? Well, I promised myself that this blog would always be limited to writing related things. Next I’ve made it a general practice to use the “ingredients” in the order they are received. This time I’m moving up the ingredients from Judith in California, aka Firecook, which were … More Three Ingredients – 11: Garlic, Crepes, Soufflé
Since I started this culinary mystery serial, The Three Ingredients, I’ve been reading a lot of cooking blogs. One of my favorites is Kooky Cookyng, written by Ishita. She was kind enough to provide the three ingredients for today’s episode. Don’t be shy! Leave a comment with three food-related “ingredients” to help keep this story going. … More Three Ingredients – 10: Liver, Za’atar, Sunflower Seeds
The Story Begins I’m posting this especially for those who have requested something longer to read. I’m listening to your comments, and I aim to please! So here is a rather long excerpt from the beginning of “Atonement, Tennessee,” my debut novel, published on Christmas Eve 2013. With our “interactive” serials, The Three Things, and The Three … More Atonement, TN: Beginning
While I waited for everyone to “get back behind the wheel” and send ingredients to drive this story, I wrote this — Episode-9. But don’t fret. Because Ishita at “Kooky Cookyng” sent very interesting ingredients for Episode-10! I hope to have it ready this weekend, so please come back again. Get ready… because today’s episode reveals … More Three Ingredients Serial – 9: Cream, Vanilla, Sauce Pan
You’re Driving Dear readers, it is time once again for me to bid you “Come and dine!” But first, to keep the culinary story going, we need ingredients. Don’t be shy. The three food-related things you send drive the story, and the Three Ingredient cupboards are bare — so to speak. Please leave a comment with three … More Three Ingredients Serial – 8: Peas, Noodles, Lemon
I hope I haven’t kept you waiting too long for the next installment of the Three Ingredients Serial. The “ingredients” for Episode 7 are from Spock’s Sister. She’s an extraordinary mix of creative and scientific knowledge — so these ingredients are far from ordinary! Working them into our culinary mystery was great fun. However, I hope she’ll forgive me for … More Three Ingredients Serial – 7: Burner, E. Coli, Marmite
A truly remarkable friend in Albuquerque supplied the “ingredients” for this episode. Clever of her to think of juniper berries and how they relate to the 1920’s and prohibition! That’s how you drive the story. I’m delighted to have all of you readers behind the wheel, steering this mystery with the ingredients you send. And … More Three Ingredients Serial – 6: Turnips, Parsnips, Juniper Berries
Virginia’s own Provincial Lady graciously supplied the three ingredients for fifth installment of our culinary mystery. Somehow these things took me to what I hope you’ll think is a humorous snippet. As always, you can do catch-up reading at the serial’s homepage. Also, to keep the chuckles coming, there is a cute video at the end of … More Three Ingredients Serial – 5: Butternut Squash, Olive Oil, Cracked Black Pepper
I for one am quite happy to welcome the arrival of 2014. Did you notice that the new year begins on a new moon? To me, that makes today very special. May it bring wonderful new beginnings to all of us. Happy New Year everyone! This time our ingredients are from Alexandra of “A Scholarly Skater.” … More Happy 2014! Three Ingredients Serial – 4: Graham Crackers, Apples, Cream Cheese
Today I feel like we’re getting to sneak a peek inside a Christmas package, because my friend Joye shared with us her semi-secret recipe for Fabulous Five Minute Fudge! You’ll find the recipe at the end of this episode. I wish I had been able to make WordPress fancy-up formatting do the recipe justice… but all I could … More Three Ingredients Serial – 2: Mandolin, Chinoiserie, Wimberries
Teagan's Books 