Festive Holiday Reading Recommendations

Happy December!

Time for a few holiday recommendations...

1. The Seven-Course Christmas Killer by Rosie Genova

I just discovered the Italian Kitchen Mystery series by Genova this year, and I inhaled all three books within days. It is an adorable cozy series with a writer heroine, a family restaurant, lots of fun characters found on the New Jersey shore, sexy romantic tension, and plenty of delicious Italian dishes. This series is full of win! This holiday novella is a quick festive read. It has the perfect balance of Christmas cheer, tasty Italian recipes (like Nonna's Wedding Soup and Shrimp Scampi), and suspense. Treat yourself to the whole series! (The novella is only 99 cents!)


2. A Hanukkah Miracle by Julia Barrett

My friend Julia has released a very sweet Hanukkah novella this season. It includes "mature" characters, an interfering Jewish mother, and an unexpected romance. If you're looking for a lovely Hanukkah story, this is it. I loved it! On sale right now for only $1.99.


3. I read two fabulous books by Barbara Wallace recently, Winter Wedding for the Prince and Christmas Baby for the Princess. These are both part of the Royal House of Corinthia Series. Wallace always does a superb job capturing Christmas magic, and these two novels really got me in a festive mood. Both have plenty of romance and wonderful happy endings. Happy sigh.


4. Melting Mr. Frosty's Heart by Liz Fielding

This was my first read by Fielding, and it won't be my last. I was super impressed with her writing. She really packs it into this quickie story--gorgeous writing, characters who pop off the page, and vivid imagery. Now I want to read the rest of the series.


5.  An American Mail-Order Bride Christmas Collection by E. E. Burke

Burke is an author who does not get nearly enough attention...I am always impressed with her books. These stories were perfect for the holidays...charming, sweet, romantic, and filled with great historical tidbits. This is an excellent deal for only 99 cents!


More books to come...

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Love, Penny

Delighted About Culinary Delights!

Am I still in the midst of a mid-life crisis, as the 50th birthday approaches?

Yes.

Am I getting a bit better about things? More philosophical? More settled? More at peace with the world?

Yes.

Recovering from bilateral pneumonia--a relapse--and the cough-from-hell definitely helped out!

Am I SUPER excited about my bucket-list trip to Iceland coming up in August?

YES!

Mr. and Mrs. Puffin say hello!

Am I still searching for "my people"...aka, readers who like mature characters, a good story, real romance, and aren't turned on by dialogue like "I'm gonna bang you so hard, baby!"

Yes.

So, what to do? How to find new readers?

Well, I have news for old readers and new readers!

For old readers/fans/people-who-put-up-with-my-rants, folks-who-like-Tom-Hiddleston, etc...

New content is coming soon. I am working on two books, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF JOHN B. HAMILTON AND THE BLUEBERRY PIE. (Check out fun Pinterest board!)

And the other new project is SWEET DESTINY, the final Klaus Brothers book, which will be released next Christmas (2016). (Check out fun Pinterest board!)

Now, for the NEW readers...

I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR YOU, FAR AND WIDE! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?

Don't be afraid. I'm not as scary as I look...

My eyes aren't always this crazy, I swear!

I decided a fun way to find some new readers would be to offer a sampler collection of my work...and it would be REALLY fun to do this with Julia Barrett, who also writes award-winning foodie fiction stories.

So...Julia and I put together a collection of foodie romance, all previously published stories...

A TASTE OF HEAVEN (Watson) --full-length novel

BEAUTY AND THE FEAST (Barrett) --full-length novel

APPLES SHOULD BE RED (Watson) --novella

DINNER WITH A HIGHLAND GHOST (Barrett) --novella

We are offering this collection for an awesome introductory price...$2.99 (digital only). Here is our cover, blurb, and all purchase links.

If any of my loyal readers have friends who might enjoy Scottish chefs, cussing, delicious recipes, grumpy old men, gnomes, sexy ghosts, and a sensual feast in the Napa Valley, send them our way!

Here are purchase links, cover, and blurb! Carry on!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iBooks

Kobo

Inktera

Scribd

Blurb:

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Award-winning authors Julia Barrett and Penny Watson are thrilled to present a sampler collection of foodie fiction.

If you like Top Chef, Julia Child, the romance of the Napa Valley, and the mystery of the Scottish highlands, then you will love CULINARY DELIGHTS: Four Delectable Foodie Romances.

CULINARY DELIGHTS includes previously published content (two full-length novels and two romance novellas).

***Collection includes ten original recipes by Julia Barrett***

A TASTE OF HEAVEN by Penny Watson

Forty-seven-year-old widow Sophia Brown enters a cooking competition determined to reinvigorate her life, not expecting to find a giant Scottish obstacle blocking the path to victory. Elliott Adamson has one goal in mind...winning. But a smoldering attraction to his amateur partner may derail his plans.

“Lots of humor, romance, and a touching story of second chances.” (KIRKUS REVIEWS)

Best of 2015 Lists at Babbling About Books, Heroes and Heartbreakers, Smexy Books, and Fiction Vixen

BEAUTY AND THE FEAST by Julia Barrett

Eva Raines is an uncomplicated country girl about to embark on a new adventure as a personal chef in the Napa Valley. Wealthy entrepreneur Gabriel Abbott has no idea the sound of a woman's voice and the taste of her decadent food hold such seductive powers. When they finally meet in person, the chemistry between them is hot enough to ignite a barbecue.

“Spicy, sensual, and masterfully woven.” (MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW)

Amazon #1 Bestseller, Annual Dixie Kane Memorial Contest 3^rd Place Winner

APPLES SHOULD BE RED by Penny Watson

What happens when prim-and-proper Beverly and cranky curmudgeon Tom are forced to spend Thanksgiving together? A beer-can turkey, a stolen gnome, and some unexpected chemistry...in and out of the kitchen.

“Sexy and heart-warming.” (NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS)

2015 CoRWA Award of Excellence Finalist, 2015 DABWAHA Finalist

DINNER WITH A HIGHLAND GHOST by Julia Barrett

Restaurant-owner Emma Steen leaves scorching Arizona behind and arrives in Scotland hoping for a much-needed breath of fresh air. She never expects to encounter another living person on her first hike to Loch Ness, let alone a kilt-wearing bare-chested Highland hottie.

Pity he's also dead.

"Get ready for a romance story that will give you goose bumps in the best possible way...within the pages of Dinner with a Highland Ghost is one of the most complete, heartfelt, romantic and beautiful stories I've read in a while." (LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS)

The Jewish Collection (Contemporary Romance) by Julia Barrett

My good friend Julia Barrett has a new book out this week! The Jewish Collection--Contemporary Romance Volume 1. I met Julia on-line after I saw a review for Beauty and the Feast. I read it, loved it, emailed her, we started a long-distance correspondence, and we became great friends. I talk to her every day on the phone, and we have visited each other in Napa and Boston. She is an incredibly talented writer, as well as a loyal friend and lovely person.

Her background and education are fascinating and impressive. At the age of 17, she went to Israel and lived on a kibbutz for a year. She became fluent in Hebrew. When she returned to the U.S., she attended and graduated from the University of Iowa, where she majored in creative writing and minored in Jewish Studies. Her Jewish identity is an important part of her life, and it's reflected in many of her stories. This collection is the first volume and it includes three of her books that I really enjoyed...

Beauty and the Feast...a sexy award-winning foodie romance set in the Napa Valley (See my full review here). This book manages to combine mouth-watering recipes, the romantic backdrop of Napa, and a super sexy romance.

A Matter of Taste...a sweet quickie novella about a woman who inherits a cookbook from her Jewish grandmother and finds a magical recipe for love.

Pushing Her Boundaries...an awesome survival-adventure romance based on a real life experience. (Full review here)

I highly recommend this book as a great introduction to Julia's talented writing and storytelling abilities.

Purchase links...

iBooks

B/N

Kobo

Amazon

For more information about Julia Barrett, check out her website.

Here's a photo from a few years ago when Julia visited me in Boston. Yep, that's Ming Tsai hanging out with us at Blue Ginger!

 

HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO JULIA!

Love, Penny

Penelope's 2014 Top 20 List

It's that time again! Time for Penelope's TOP 20 LIST! 

Get ready for hipster cats, psychotic mermaids, 

chocolate-y goodness, caveman heroes, 

and much much more...

1. Best Debut Collection of Short Stories...RIVER TALK by CB Anderson

This is a wonderful collection of short stories. Anderson's writing voice is at times sparse, lyrical, jarring. I adored the bittersweet snippets of life in Maine. Highly recommend this one!

2. Most Blood-Thirsty Mermaid Who Scared The Living Bejimminies Out of Me...Nomia in WAKING THE MERROW by Heather Rigney

WAKING THE MERROW also wins my favorite debut novel for 2014! This book totally rocked my boat. It's a cross-genre, horrifying twist on the mermaid legend that hops back and forth between current times and colonial times in coastal Rhode Island. Scary as hell, great writing, lots of humor, and the promise of more excellent things to come in this series. A HUGE winner!

3. Second-Most Embarrassing Reading Addiction for the Year (Includes Billionaires, Secret Babies, and Wide-Eyed Innocent Heroines)...HARLEQUIN PRESENTS

Thanks to Lexxi Callahan, I may have developed an unhealthy addiction to HP books. I think I read about 200 of them? I'm not counting, because A.) I'm in denial, and B.) I don't want to think about how much money I spent on secret babies this year. Anyway, it's almost impossible for me to pick just one favorite, but I think I've read THE BILLIONAIRE'S PREGNANT MISTRESS by Lucy Monroe about two dozen times. AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER! *whimper*

HELP ME! I CAN'T STOP READING THESE!

4. Most Adorable Tea Time: BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY...Pinkies Up!

I took my daughter to the afternoon tea at the Boston Public Library, and it was delightful! We had cucumber sandwiches, Mutan White tea with lemon-vanilla and pink rosebuds, and delicious little sweet treats. If anyone is searching for a highly civilized activity in Boston, I highly recommend this ritual.

PINKIES UP!

5. New Favorite Series Filled With Lusty Love and Chocolate-y Goodness...LAURA FLORAND's The Chocolate Series

I have a weakness for foodie books and for authors who make the setting jump off the page. Florand does both with exquisite care. You can practically taste the cinnamon-dusted chocolate as her luscious heroes pull them off the parchment paper. And forget about getting that ticket to Paris. Just read one of her books, and you will be happily transported to the most romantic city on earth--immersed in the sights, the scents, the charm. These books were created for true romance-lovers. Just lovely!

6. New Favorite Cocktail That Packs A Punch...THE MOSCOW MULE

What do you get when you combine icy cold vodka, ginger beer, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and mint in a copper mug? NIRVANA, BABY!

7. Favorite Historical Romance...THE PIRATE'S SECRET BABY by Darlene Marshall

Marshall has the perfect balance for me...lusty romance, humor, flawless writing, colorful characters. I always love her stories. And you can't beat the title--score another point for secret babies!

 

8. Best Quirky Hipster Romance...GEEK WITH THE CAT TATTOO by Theresa Weir

Oh boy, did I love this book. A smart-ass cat with a POV, a beautifully-written story with music and humor and amazingly romantic moments. I am a HUGE fan of Theresa Weir. I adore authors who take risks and write outside-of-the-box...and then hit a gigantic home run. And this book hit it out of the park for me. Swoony.

9. Favorite Newly Discovered Horror Movie With A Twist...THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

This film came out in 2012, but I didn't watch it until this year. Holy canastas! This was brilliant. A fabulous play on horror victim vs. viewer, mixing up the cliches and expected characters with humor and great cinematography. LOVED!

10. Favorite New Hollywood Cutie Pie...CHRIS PRATT

Coz this...

 

And this...

And this...

Case closed.

Thunk.

11. Favorite Pilgrimage of the Year/Most Inspirational Author Talk EVER!...LOUISE PENNY

My pal Bobbi Ruggiero and I were lucky enough to hear Louise Penny speak in Norwich, Vermont this past summer. Not only is she an incredibly talented author, she is also gracious, lovely, professional, kind, and thoughtful. I bow down to her greatness. And also give her T-shirts! Hee hee!

12. Favorite New-To-Me Author Writing Irish Small Town Romance...ZARA KEANE

I got a big kick out of LOVE AND SHENANIGANS, an adorable, quirky, funny and romantic story set in a small Irish town. Bravo, Zara Keane!

13. Stupendous New Super Hero Series...VIXEN by Julia Barrett

Totally unexpected mix of crazy-good writing, twists on the super hero concept, and even a spot of romance. I'm eating these up like sour cream-and-onion potato chips. I NEED MORE!

14. Most Embarrassing Neanderthal Hero Addiction I Just Can't Quit...LYNDA CHANCE

There are alpha male heroes...and then there are Lynda Chance alpha male heroes. Basically, a Lynda Chance alpha male hero makes a regular old alpha male hero look like a politically correct hipster who knits and has pet kittens. Lynda Chance alpha male heroes are cavemen who are crude, rude, sexy as all hell, and jacked on testosterone like a lab rat. This is without a doubt my #1 MOST EMBARRASSING ROMANCE ADDICTION for 2014. If I had to pick one favorite it would be SEDUCED BY THE AMERICAN MILLIONAIRE. The characters are a bit older, which I always like. And the hero is...I can't even...OUT OF CONTROL!

15. Favorite Beard of the Year...TOM MISON

Colonial America never looked so good. 

16. Best Furry Urban Legend...YETI

Is he cute and cuddly? Does he like to decapitate people? Depending on whether you adhere to the "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" version or Syfy "Yeti: Curse of the Snow Demon" version, you'll either get a super snuggly dude or a furry killer. Take your pick.

 

Yeti, Girls Gone Wild version

17. Favorite Inspirational Story...THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE by Lena Goldfinch

I don't read a lot of Christian inspirational stories, but this one was lovely. It included several of my favorite topics--mail-order brides and loggers! Goldfinch has a really gorgeous writing style and it was a perfect fit for this adorable book.

18. Most Ridiculous Over-Hyped Concept I Already Discussed Two Years Ago, People!...LUMBERSEXUAL

I think there have been about 4,972 articles about "lumbersexuals" in the last couple of months. My blog post from two years ago...WEENIES IN A PLAID SHIRT

Hipster + Plaid Shirt + Skinny Jeans = NOT A LUMBERJACK! I know for a FACT this guy can't use an axe to save his life.

Just say no to hipster lumberjacks!

19. #1 Most Embarrassing Book I Read This Year...CABIN BOUND SUBMISSION: BRED BY THE LUMBERJACK

In my defense...never mind. I have no defense. I spent $2.99 on this book and the tenses were skipping from present to past from sentence to sentence. And the lumberjack's name was Paul. And...*Penny hangs head in shame*

 I can't post the real cover. It's too embarrassing. Sigh.

20. Favorite Book Read in 2014...THE ROSIE PROJECT by Graeme Simsion

This book was actually published in 2013. I have a weakness for super smarty pants-characters, especially those who are awkward and totally lacking in social skills. Don Tillman fits the bill. He is a professor searching for a wife, in the most systematic, rational, reasonable way possible. But as we all know, love rarely follows our well-planned efforts. This book was a breath of fresh air--quirky, funny, adorable, sweet...and of course, romantic. I always embrace books willing to take a chance on a different kind of hero. This was fantastic.

Best of all, the sequel--THE ROSIE EFFECT--will be released soon. Yippppeeeeeee!

I hope you enjoyed the 2014 list. What was your favorite book this year?

Penny

Summer Updates and Awesome New Reads!

Louise Penny in Norwich!

You're probably wondering where I've been! Well, it's been a super busy summer. I was here...

...at the Newport Kite Festival!

And then I was pickling vegetables...

And then I went to Northern Vermont...

And then I went to Central Vermont...

 

And then I went back to Vermont with Bobbi Ruggiero to see Louise Penny in Norwich...

 

 

 (more about this incredible pilgrimage later---)

And then I saw this owl at VINS...

 

And then I got this totally appropriate soap in Vermont...

 

  Yes, you are right. I'm having a very Vermont-y summer!

Okay, now onto the BOOKS!

I read two amazing books recently. Completely different, and both wonderful.

 

1.  LOVE AND SHENANIGANS by Zara Keane

 New-to-me author Zara Keane has created an adorable, quirky, funny, and romantic world in a small Irish town. I was totally charmed by this first book in her series. The characters are colorful, the humor is spot-on, the setting pops off the page, and the second-chance romance is oh-so-satisfying. 

She has a lovely novella coming out soon (in August), and more full-length books in this series. Check out her website for more information.

I highly recommend this book if you love small town romance, quirky characters, fun comedy, and settings that make you want to get a plane ticket to Ireland!

2. VIXEN by Julia Barrett

I was NOT expecting this.

To be honest, I had no idea what this was.

Since Julia is a friend of mine, I knew she had a new quickie out, 

but she didn't really tell me what it was about.

Well.

Well. 

Well.

I FREAKIN' LOVED THIS STORY!

I love fiction that is unexpected, and unique, and well-written, and intriguing, and fun, and has twists you don't see coming, and has the promise of more to come in the future that is exciting and new.

VIXEN is all of these things and more.

It's a VERY quick read, an amuse-bouche that will whet your appetite for more stories in this brand new world created by Julia Barrett.

It mixes comic book-style superheroes with medicine and science, with intrigue and suspense.

It's bloody, bloomin' brilliant.

I think it's being categorized as sci fi-fantasy.

Starting TODAY it is also FREE!

GO DOWNLOAD THIS BABY!

So, that's my quickie update. Vermont and pickles and kites and Louise Penny 

and two awesome new books.

My August project...

 Hee hee!

Ciao,

Penelope

I Would Just Like To Thank The Academy...

For everyone who told me how gorgeous I looked at the Oscars...thank you. I know. I looked freakin' fantastic in this sparkly silver dress.

✯

To everyone who told me how delicious these lemon thumbprint cookies turned out, thank you. I know. They kicked ass. I made them with Julia Rachel Barrett's home-made lemon curd. Also, I started Julia's Daughters of Persephone series, and I loved the first story! Great combination of sci fi and romance. It's FREE right now at Amazon.

✯

To everyone who recommended Jayne Ann Krentz's book ALL NIGHT LONG, I would like to say thank you. I loved it! This is a great suspense novel, with a super sexy and eccentric ex-marine, a determined and quirky heroine, lots of great chemistry and humor, and a nice mystery thrown in for good measure. The intervention scene is hilarious!

✯

To Duncan, the 4 year old boy who read LUCY THE WONDER WEENIE and said "It's alarious" I say...thank you. I know. It is alarious. And I'm super glad you liked it!

✯

To all of you, I say...

Have a great day!

Penelope