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

Penny Discovers An Unexpected Gem: AIRE by Lena Goldfinch

Sometimes I think when I tell folks "I love romance" they don't really understand what I'm talking about. Romance is not sex. Romance is not marriage. For me, romance is love. True, everlasting, heroic love. It's also a moment in time, the touch of a hand, the scent of lilacs, a tiny bouquet of violets fit for a fairy queen...

Romance is about hope and courage and strength and loyalty. It's about simple acts of friendship. It's about forgiveness. It's about sacrifice. 

Can a book have a heart and soul? Not just the characters, but a story? Yes, of course it can. Anyone who has clutched Harry Potter to her chest knows that truth. There are not many storytellers who can truly tap into that gift. You have to have the soul of a poet. You have to believe in the power of love.

And if you're a romance author, you need to believe in the HEA. Happy Ever After. It's not just a trite abbreviation. It's huge. It's the difference bewteen being cynical and bitter and hopeless and believing in happiness.

Let me just start this review by saying I don't read YA. In fact, I like much more mature characters, 40s and even 50s and beyond. But there are some things that defy age. Like friendship and courage and love. Goldfinch's story AIRE weaves fantasy and characters and setting and suspense into an extraordinary tale. Her writing is beautiful, the story is engaging, the suspense builds perfectly. But it's the romance woven into the story that brings it to sparkling life. And I realized, as I read this, that sometimes the most satisfying love stories don't need graphic sex. They just need longing and trust...and finally happy endings. 

There is one thing I remember about The Language Of Souls --Goldfinch's first book that I read a long time ago. It's the kiss. The whole story leads up to one, perfect kiss. And it was filled with so much romance and love I was just amazed. This book has that same quality. I have never seen an author make a kiss so touching, and tender, and lovely, and perfectly satisfying. Like that little bouquet of violets. Sometimes our romantic moments don't need to be big or over-the-top or graphic. Small and simple and perfect are better.

After I finished this book I cried. For a long time. Goldfinch treats us to many happy endings in this story...for primary and secondary characters. I was charmed. I've never read a book that ensured ALL the characters were so well taken care of. It's my dream-come-true! Charming and adorable.

I am always on the look-out for something different and unique and special. This book surpassed all of my expectations. It is a gem that is so far my favorite read for 2013. 

Grade: A+

Blissfully, blissfully happy,

Penelope

Making Assumptions Makes An Ass Out Of...Well, Not You, Just Me

Once upon a time, I made an assumption.

That folks might be sick of the same old-same old-book covers and enjoy something different. Quirky. Funny. Outside-of-the-box. 

Whoops! You know what happens when you make an assumption.

To be fair, some people did enjoy the quirky book cover...See Exhibit A:

Exhibit A

It's a parody of a bodice ripper-Fabio book cover from the 1980s. In block-print style.

And I personally think it's hilarious and cute.

Unfortunately, I had many readers give comments like these...cheesy, horrible, amateurish, cartoony, if you can't afford a real cover artist please don't make your own covers, etc. Obviously, they didn't get the humor or appreciate the fact that I hired a professional artist to do this fun cover.

Oh well. Live and learn.

I decided to stick with the cover. And then I saw that many readers were reluctant to download this book as a freebie because of the cover. 

God Good Almighty! Turning down a free book that was recommended because of the cover? I had to make a change.

So, here's what I decided to do. I am keeping the original quirky cover for the print books. And I had Lena Goldfinch design a gorgeous new cover for the e-books...still available at Amazon, soon to be available at Barnes and Noble and Kobo. (See new cover above...LOVE it!) If you're looking for a totally kick-ass, amazing designer for a book cover, I cannot recommend Lena highly enough. She is fabulous!

Anyhow, that's my cover melodrama in a nutshell. 

In other news, The Wild Rose Press is having a Black Friday sale today. Sweet Magik, #2 of the Klaus Brothers Series, is on sale for $3.89!

And finally, the most important news of all. I made the cranberry mojitos yesterday for Thanksgiving dinner, and they were absolutely delish! See Exhibit B.

Exhibit B

I have lots of books to discuss, which I will get to on Monday. Hairy books, DNF books, innocent virgin mistress books, and my first inter-racial story which I loved.

Hope all of you have a great weekend!

Penny

Review of The Language Of Souls

I can't imagine anything more challenging for a writer than to create a fully-realized story, complete with world-building, emotional drama, conflict, symbolism, romance and wonderful characters, and pack all of that into 76 pages. I consider most "quickie" stories an amuse bouche....something quick and tasty, but not a full meal. Usually when I finish a short story I am craving more, feeling somewhat gypped by the length of the novel.

The Language Of Souls by Lena Goldfinch is short, sweet, romantic and completely and utterly satisfying. It felt like a full course meal packed into 76 little pages. Incredibly well-written pages, I might add. Goldfinch has created a stunning work for her debut "novellette" and I can't wait to read more of her stories.

The beginning evoked Island of the Blue Dolphins, one of my favorite childhood books. Goldfinch does a remarkable job with the world-building in this story...the setting really comes alive. This little book has everything I desire in my romance novels....fascinating characters, just the right amount of conflict/tension, and a satisfying HEA. It also had wonderful layers of symbolism, from the soul-containing "votifs" to the extraordinary kiss. I actually kept repeating "Oh! Oh! Oh!" after I finished the final page of the story. I don't remember the last time I read such a romantic scene, and I love the fact that a simple kiss was elevated to something so powerful and emotional. Especially for us jaded romance/erotica readers...I think we sometimes forget about the power of a simple kiss. Lena Goldfinch reminded me, and it was a beautiful thing.

Grade: A

(For a blurb and excerpt, see this Penelope post.)

Penelope

Coming Soon! The Language Of Souls

I am really looking forward to this book. Lena Goldfinch, who is a fellow NECRWA member, has her debut novel coming out October 20. It looks great! Here's the book blurb and an excerpt for this sweet quickie. (It's published under the Faery Line with Wild Rose Press, which is the same line as my Klaus Brothers Series). How gorgeous is this cover! Lucky duck!

Book blurb for The Language of Souls...

Actions speak louder than words...

Solena, a young healer with a generous heart, is desperate to heal her dying grandfather. When she ventures into a hostile territory to find a rare herb, she finds out just how much she’s risked when she’s captured by the enemy and accused of being a spy.

As a soldier, Rundan has struggled all his life to please his father, a ruthless army commander, but when he’s ordered to take the beautiful trespasser to the royal courts, where she’ll be summarily tried and executed, he’s plagued by the most inconvenient desire to protect her at all costs.

Though terrified and anxious to escape, Solena is confused by the handsome young soldier who cruelly captures her and then displays uncommon kindness. When he risks his own life to save her, she discovers she may have risked more than her life… she may have lost her heart.

EXCERPT:

Rundan continued watching her as he ate. When the food was gone, he took a votif stand from his things and set it carefully by the fire. Then he untied his votif from his belt and, after removing its cork, began breathing prayers over it. Solena watched his every inhalation and exhalation in rapt attention. She couldn’t have moved or looked away if she’d wanted to.

After placing his votif in the stand, he glanced at her from under the sweep of unexpectedly dark lashes. After some hesitation, he removed the cork from her votif as well and breathed a quick prayer over it. He reached to place it in the votif stand, stopped mid-reach, and then replaced the cork and tied it again to his belt. With this done, he rubbed the back of his neck for some time and avoided her eyes.

Solena opened and closed her mouth with a snap.

He’d prayed over her votif?

The action was so unexpected, so shocking, she could barely connect her thoughts. What he’d done was the most intimate of acts. What a father might do for his child. Or a husband for his new bride.

Rundan’s unusually pale eyes met hers briefly and the flash of vulnerability in them disconcerted her. The expression fled as quickly as it had come and the cool mask he always seemed to wear slid into place. He was again Rundan: captor, soldier, enemy.

Solena moistened her suddenly dry lips and stared into the fire, desperately trying to make sense of her thoughts—and of the strange tightness in her chest.

Happy Thursday,

Penelope