Happy Halloween!

Hope you get all your favorite candy!

Happy Halloween,

Penelope

A Typical Dinner At Penelope's House

Date: Tuesday Evening

Time: 7 PM

Place: Penelope's Kitchen

Cast of Characters: Hubby (Filipino), Son (Filipino), Daughter (Filipino), Penelope (White Girl), Weenie Dog (black-and-tan with white whiskers)

Meal: Home-made Chicken Stew with Dumplings



Our drama begins...


Penelope: Look everyone! I made a delicious, wholesome home-made meal this evening!

Natty: I hate it!

Penelope: You don't even know what it is yet.

Natty: I still hate it.

Hubby: What is that?

Penelope: Home-made chicken stew with dumplings. It's really good.

Hubby: Oh great (said with sarcasm). My favorite (also said with sarcasm). *pulls soy sauce, hot sauce, Caesar's salad dressing, Worcestershire sauce, and other assorted bottles out of the pantry*

Cristian: This looks like white-people-food. Why did you make us white-people-food?

Penelope: Because I'm white? What are you talking about?

Cristian: There are potatoes in there. White people eat potatoes.

Penelope: *silence*

Natty: That looks like brains. Or snot.

Penelope: It's not brains. It's a dumpling. It's delicious! Try some.

Natty: *eats one molecule* *makes dramatic gagging noises* I hate it!

Hubby: *gets out can of tuna fish, dumps it on top of chicken stew*

Penelope: Would anyone like a beer? *pours herself a beer*

Kids: May we please be excused?

Penelope: *finishes beer* Yes. I refuse to cook anymore meals for you ingrates! What do you want?

Natty: McDonald's!

Cristian: Pizza!

Hubby: Steak.

Penelope: Fine. Tomorrow I will make brown-people-food. Steak and rice. Happy?

Hubby and children cheer! Weenie dog waits patiently for some food to fall on the ground.


The End


Off to purchase steak,
Penelope

That's Dr. Snooty To You, Bubs

In November, I am attending a literary writer's conference with one of my best buds. I have been advised NOT to divulge the fact that I write...ahem...romance novels. Apparently, this is an extremely "snooty" conference, and romance is frowned upon. 

Accordingly, I'm trying to decide how to introduce myself, in case anyone asks what I write.

Please vote on your favorite!

Hi! I'm Penny Watson and I write...

A) Kinky Mindfuckeria (many thanks to Victoria Morgan for this gem).

B) Veinerschnitzel Fiction (if asked to elaborate on this, I will respond "lumberjack veinerschnitzel and dachshund-ish veinerschnitzel").

C) My writing cannot be defined by any genre. It will BLOW YOUR MIND.

D) Elfin-inspired fantasy fiction, sort of like Lord of the Rings, only actually nothing like that. But it could be.

E) A book about Santa Claus (if asked if I write children's fiction, I will respond..."Is it okay if Santa has sex?" and see what happens).

F) Turfgrass Manuals.

G) Zombie apocalyptic fiction.

I'm hoping any of these will make a good impression with the snooty crowd. And of course I'll be wearing my tiara, which should elevate my status to "super" snooty.

Any favorites? Other ideas? Let me know!

Happy Week To All!

Penny

Someone Watching Over Us

Most mornings as I get the kids ready for school, swig down my heart meds with a cup of coffee, and feed the weenie dog, I forget about this guy. Saint Nicholas. He is perched above my kitchen window, looking down on us every morning. Every afternoon. Every evening. 

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children, among other things. And more importantly, he was known for his extreme generosity, which is how he came to be associated with Santa Claus, the gift-giver.

This morning I flipped on the light switch over the sink, and suddenly I remembered him.

Generosity of heart, generosity of spirit, giving gifts. What could be more important?

And I'm not talking about Legos. Gifts come in many packages. A gift of kindness. The gift of friendship. Listening, offering comfort.

I had a great time at the New Jersey RWA conference this weekend. My friends and colleagues have many gifts to offer: support, friendship, advice. I appreciate them all.

Including the passion punch cocktails. (Come on. You knew that was coming.)

My favorite bit of advice was not about POV or publishing or the state of the industry. It was about karma.

Be generous and free with your gifts, and good things will happen.

Icon of St. Nicholas perched over my kitchen window.

✵✵✵

Speaking of generous spirits, Liberty Blake has a new release this week. Well, really a new old release. 

She published this cute novella in an anthology last year. Now it's out on its own, just in time for Christmas. It's the perfect shortie holiday read...sexy, sweet and sassy all rolled into one. I loved it!

$1.99 at Amazon

Smashwords

Still Moments Publishing

✵✵✵

I hope I have time to write up reviews for all of the books I've been reading. Kinky erotica, shocking mysteries, sexy firefighters, tedious reality, and hilarious Greek tycoons. I'll try! In the meantime, I'm prepping for my talk this weekend at the NECRWA October meeting. It's called Reach for the Stars: The ABCs of Romance Reviews. I'm speaking with Jen Porter from Romance Novel News. We'll be discussing the different types of reviews, how to use them to promote your books, and how not to behave when you get a bad rating. (Hint: Sticking voodoo dolls with pins is not encouraged).

Hope to see some of you there! The meeting is in Bedford, MA at the old town hall.

Happy Reading,
Penelope

Fun Links Today!

1. One of my most favorite gals, the excellent, talented and wonderful Liberty Blake, has interviewed me on her blog, Liberty's Spells. We discuss my love of beardy dudes and I share the lumberjack-inspired cocktail recipe for Jack Me Off (hee hee...bad!). She is giving away a free copy of LUMBERJACK IN LOVE to one lucky commenter. Just let her know your favorite beardy guy!

Stop by Liberty's Spells and leave a comment to enter.

2. Bestest Walking Dead Beard of the Day: Andrew Lincoln, aka Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead. 

Check out this Tumblr site. RICK! I would risk infection from a horde of hungry zombies just to spend one moment in your beardy presence!

3. Most delicious looking soup recipe. *slobber* Check out this recipe for Italian Wedding Soup at Full Fork Ahead. 

4. Just finished reading Firefly Mountain by Christine DePetrillo. Bearded and scarred firefighter hero. Set in Vermont. Romantic. Awesome HEA. Perfect pacing, couldn't put it down. Review coming soon. If you're looking for a super satisfying and romantic story, READ THIS BOOK!

5. For a good time, check out this youtube video of the Riff Off in Pitch Perfect!

Happy Day!

Penny

Pitch Perfect: A Movie Review

It could be argued that Penelope has juvenile tendencies.

1. I love Britney Spears.
2. I wear sparkle nail polish and I'm 46 years old.
3. I love mindless teen flicks, particularly romantic comedies, filled with immature humor and fun music.

It's because of #3 that I went to see Pitch Perfect on Friday, dragging along two good-natured Quirky ladies who didn't seem the least bit embarrassed that I....

1. Clapped and cheered out loud.
2. Sang out loud.
3. Tapped my toes through the whole movie.

For those of you who might not be up on your mindless teenage musical films, Pitch Perfect is a movie about an all-girl's acapella singing group and competition.

Good stuff about the movie:

1. Near-perfect pacing.
2. Adorable singing and dancing routines.
3. Fabulous cast, especially Fat Amy.
4. Hilarious jokes.

Bad stuff...

1. Puking.
2. One scene that dragged a bit, with the touchy-feely stuff.
3. A few character inconsistencies.
4. More puking.

In a nutshell: This movie was close to mindless teenage film perfection. The pacing was spot-on, except one little part where the girls got touchy-feely and started to discuss their feelings. It slowed down the pacing, and I didn't buy that Beca, the female lead, suddenly got interested in everyone's deep, dark secrets. On the positive side: We got to see Lilly do snow angels in a pile of vomit. (I know that sounds hideous, but it was absolutely hilarious. Just ask Quirky Lady Sam Wayland...I was screaming with laughter).

The song and dance numbers were fun, adorable, manipulative in a typical Hollywood manner, and crazy entertaining. The cute little romance was super sweet and satisfying. And the supporting cast, including the requisite lesbian, crazy Asian girl, nerdy Star Wars guy, and emo male lead with a love of The Breakfast Club, was fabulous.

How much did I love the reference to the 1985 movie The Breakfast Club? And Simple Minds song?.....

THIS MUCH!

I am IN LOVE with Fat Amy, played by actress Rebel Wilson. She absolutely stole the whole show. Perfect comedic timing. Her solo in one of their competitions was the funniest thing in the whole movie. Anna Kendrick, who plays the lead Beca, was cute as a button and has a lovely voice.

Bottom line: This movie kicked total arse.

Grade: A

I'm going back to see it again. At least 3 more times.


A few more notes:

1. Please stop by Carolyn Crane's blog today to check out our hysterical interview. We discuss Pa Ingalls, gilette razors, and an analysis of epic beards in art history. (Some are extremely painful!) Carolyn will be giving away a copy of LUMBERJACK IN LOVE and one of my fun promo mugs.

2. My new favorite comment about LUMBERJACK IN LOVE, from a recent Goodreads review..."Momma loves her hairy men!" Yes she does.

3. I read a book about an agoraphobic virgin musician in love with a billionaire Greek tycoon. And I loved it! Review coming soon.

Happy Monday!
Penelope

Quirky Is As Quirky Does

About the book cover for LUMBERJACK IN LOVE...

1. My book is a romantic comedy.

2. The cover is romantic comedy.

3. The book is about a lumberjack/woodworker.

4. The cover looks like a wood-block print.

5. I lived in Vermont. I love Vermont. I wrote about Vermont. I adore Mary Azarian, a Vermont artist who does primitive-style block art, such as this....

6. So I asked Anne Nydam, a professional block-print artist, to make a cover for my book. Same style, to tie in with the Vermont woodsy setting.

Here are some other amazing pieces Anne has created...

7. The book is filled with jokes, puns, comedy. So I thought it would be funny to do a cover that was a joke. Over the top. Silly. Cheesy.

8. Wouldn't it be funny to do a take-off on the 1980s bodice ripper style romance covers? With Fabio looking down at the heroine, who is clutching his leg and staring up at him adoringly?

And substitute my contemporary characters, a lumberjack and slick city gal. Ridiculous, right?

I know. It's supposed to be ridiculous.

9. Oops. I guess some people don't get the joke. Oh well.

10. I like the little chipmunk in the front left corner.


So, live and learn. Some folks like different and quirky. Some like naked dudes on the cover. Some want a stock image from a photography site. And some want a pretty girl in a purple, ruffly dress.

Love it or hate it, this cover is attracting a lot of attention.

Bottom line: The cover fits the book. LUMBERJACK IN LOVE is light-hearted and funny. So is the cover.

(And it's now available IN PRINT! $5.50 at Create Space. Will be available at Amazon and other bookstores soon!)

Happy Reading!
Penelope

Penny Watson: Etsy Shopping Ho

I might have a wee little shopping problem over at the Etsy site.

Heh heh. Heh. Ahem.

Anyhoo, I made up these super fun promo items for LUMBERJACK IN LOVE! They contain...

1. Totally cool mug.

Front:

Back:

2. Twiggy pencils!

3. Vermont maple syrup lip gloss...which is delicious!

4. Candy.

5. Plaid bookmarks and Klaus Brothers romance trading cards.

I'll be giving them away at book-signings, for contests, on street corners, etc. In fact, Carolyn Crane and I had a hilarious interview which she will be posting Friday on her blog, and she'll be offering a copy of my ebook and one of these naughty mugs. Stay tuned for more info! By the way, check out the gorgeous new book cover she just posted for her latest book, MR. REAL. I love it!

Hope everyone has a great day. I'll be attempting to fix the proof for my Create Space version of LUMBERJACK and hopefully won't pull all of my head-banger hair out while I do it.

Biting my nails,

Penelope

In The Mood

So you're in the mood for...


...the romantic conclusion to the Soul Series by Julia Rachel Barrett? You're in luck! Stay is out, and it's a wonderful finale to the series. Romantic, sexy, with a fascinating portrait of life on a ranch, and an absolutely delicious cowboy hero I want to lasso up and take home with me. I really like how Barrett incorporates paranormal elements into a reality-based contemporary story, and it flows seamlessly and believably. Grade: A (I cried at the end...hee hee!) Purchase here.

...a story about a billionaire's pregnant mistress? How about trying the aptly named The Billionaire's Pregnant Mistress by Lucy Monroe. Of course the billionaire is Greek. Of course the pregnant mistress is hiding a BIG SECRET. Of course...well, it's a Harly. You get what you get, and you don't get upset. Grade: B/B- Purchase here.

...a stunningly wonderful mystery series than transcends the genre? Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache Series is full of surprises. Unexpected dialogue, unique characters, a mesmerizing protagonist, and layers and layers of lovely prose, startling revelations, and immersion into the most seductive small town I've ever read. I just finished #4 in the series, and I'm about to read #5, The Brutal Telling. I have a feeling when I'm done with this series, I will sob like a little baby. It's brilliant. Grade: A+++ Here's a list of the full series.

...a tycoon-y book (yeah, I just made up the word tycoony, so what?) with a pompous gorgeous rich Greek guy, an adorable secret baby, a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps sort of gal, and lots of misunderstandings, including illnesses, gay friends, etc etc., then you might want to give Pregnant by the Greek Tycoon by Kim Lawrence a shot. It's surprisingly entertaining. Grade: B Purchase here.


Happy Reading!
Penelope

Penelope Is In Love

"But the scent she longed for, and caught as she leaned into her husband, was sandalwood. It was more than his cologne, he seemed to exude it. It was how every season smelled. It was how love and stability and belonging smelled. It was the perfume of friendship and ease and peace."

✯

"Grief was dagger-shaped and sharp and pointed inward. It was made of fresh loss and old sorrow. Rendered and forged and sometimes polished."

✯

"You asked what I count each evening and each morning. What I counted each day in prison while better men withered and died. Do you know the sums that I do?"

Gamache stood still, in case moving would scare this man off and he'd never have his answer. But he knew he needn't worry. This man was afraid of nothing.

"I count my blessings."

✯

Quotes from A Rule Against Murder: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #4) by Louise Penny.  I'm ready for #5. This series is stunning. Beautifully written. Full of surprises. I'm in love.

Happy Monday,

Penelope