Wolf is Here! SWEET DESTINY IS NOW AVAILABLE!

SWEET DESTINY IS HERE!

Purchase Sweet Destiny at...

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

KOBO
The print edition will be out in a couple of weeks.

HO HO HO!

Happy Holidays To All!

Love,

Penny

Cover Reveal, Blurb, and Prologue for SWEET DESTINY

1. Cover Reveal!

Huge thanks to Lena Goldfinch for this gorgeous cover. Hey! There's a person on my cover. Where's the fruit?



2. Book Blurb for SWEET DESTINY



-->

Wolfgang Reinhard Klaus, Director of Charitable Donations for the family business, is the last unmarried Klaus brother. While his four siblings have fallen in love and started their unconventional families, Wolfgang has been crushed by his heart-breaking obligations. The once affable Wolf has become a bitter and tormented man. All he has left is a nimble vision of loveliness who haunts his dreams. Is she enough to restore his faith in humanity?

Belinda Kiefer is a one-of-a-kind being, embraced by the winter forest and the woodland animals. Half-human, half-fairy, she flits between two worlds, searching for a place to belong. Her secret crush on Wolfgang is both a blessing and a curse. It will help her to soothe him in his darkest hour, but the outcome may cost her everything.

When Santa is injured before Christmas, the Klaus family is forced to take action. The Day of Reckoning is finally upon them, and one of the siblings must take responsibility for the beloved holiday. Which brother possesses the true heart of the Weihnachtsmann? Who will be the one to fulfill this long-awaited destiny?

3. Here's an (unedited) sneak peek at SWEET DESTINY, Klaus Brothers Series #5, coming in December 2016.

If you'd like to add it to your TBR pile, here's the Goodreads link.

EXCERPT:

-->

Listen to the wind,

It talks.

Listen to the silence,

It speaks.

Listen to your heart,

It knows.

Native American Proverb

  

Prologue

Wolfgang heard two things.

His breath.

And the wind.

His breath was rhythmic and shallow. Like a metronome, steady, keeping him grounded. His fingers grasped the rough granite ledge, and he pulled himself closer to the cliff wall.

The wind was behind him. Below him. Beside him. It started slow like a puff of air, gentle and prodding. And then it grew. The gusts built to a crescendo until it roared in his ears. Rattling leaves became percussion, unique to each tree, shaking violently on the branch.

     And then...silence.

     He focused on his breath and tried to ignore the thoughts banging around his head. Thoughts about hungry children and crying babies and the scent of death. Thoughts about family and obligation. His knee gripped the rock wall, bruising the skin. This moment required his full and undivided attention, as he searched for the next crevice, propelling himself higher. One slip—one bit of distraction—could be deadly.

     Perspiration dripped down the side of his face and into his beard. He licked his lips and glanced at the ledge. So close to the peak. Would it be enough? Would it banish the dark thoughts and bring him peace? He’d spent months searching for tranquility. In the deepest sea, diving into murky waters, finding no clarity. In the jungle, but the noise there was deafening. On back country roads and in bustling cities. And now he searched in the dense Vermont forest, free-climbing a mountain wall into the clouds. Wolfgang knew a million places and a million people. But no matter where he went, he couldn’t escape the realities of his life. Those thoughts haunted his dreams and every waking moment.

     Wolfgang Reinhard Klaus, third son of Alena and Nicholas Klaus, was Director of Charitable Donations for Klaus Enterprises. At first, he’d loved his job—traveling around the world and providing money for needy causes. He’d built schools in third world countries, raised funds for pediatric hospitals, volunteered his time at shelters. At first, he saw smiling faces of grateful children. Tears of joy from appreciative parents. At first, he felt like Klaus Enterprises was making a difference.

     At first.

     But somehow, slowly, over the years, he began to see another side of his job. Communities ravaged by war. Children suffering. Families crushed by drug addiction. And some patients—a little girl dressed in pink who fought to the bitter end—did not have a happy ending. They never left that hospital ward. They died there, and with them, so did Wolfgang’s hope.

     It had taken weeks and months and years, and now his optimism was crushed to dust, blown away by a forceful gale of wind and replaced by bone-deep cynicism. His heart had hardened to protect itself from more disappointment. And unlike his brothers—who had found love and happiness with a partner, joy with their children, a future with their family—Wolf was alone.

     Even though part of him still loved his family deeply, another part—an ugly part—was consumed by jealousy. Why were his brothers so lucky? So deserving? Why were they allowed to find love and he could not?

     He bent his head and watched a stream of sweat pour onto his shirt. He swallowed nervously. He needed to focus and pull himself up to the break. His arms strained with the effort of holding himself in place.

     He tried to clear his head, to block out everything.

     His job.

     His family.

     His destiny.

     He needed to concentrate on this moment. There was no past, no future. No magik. No elves. No Christmas carols belted out in off-key enthusiasm. No gingerbread cookies iced with grandma’s love.

     He peered at the flat rock in front of him. He searched for the next ridge to clasp. But instead, he saw the face of a little girl who haunted his dreams, asleep and awake.

     Drawn, pale, and strangely still hopeful until her last breath. He could not escape her, not even on this craggy wall of granite.

     Wolf shut his eyes. What would it take to forget? There was nowhere left to go.

     And in that moment, as his fingers clutched the minuscule ledge that kept him tethered to the rock and to his life, his hand flexed. His fingers slipped.

     And with an utter sigh of defeat, Wolfgang dropped from the rock and into a pit of darkness.

What's Going On...Iceland Adventure, Book Sales, and Cocktails!

Happy Labor Day!

Here are some updates from the world of Watsonville...

1. ICELAND ADVENTURE

My family went to Reykjavik in August. Here are some highlights from our trip. The weather wasn't great--cold and gray and raining a lot of the time--but we still had a lovely time. The city is festive and welcoming, the geologic trips were incredible, and I highly approve of Viking beer. Hee!

 Viking Beer...yum yum!

 Hubby enjoying lunch in Reykjavik

 Geysir erupting...wow!

 Gullfoss Waterfall...stunning

 Gorgeous architecture at Harpa Opera House

 Diverging tectonic plates at Thingvellir. Wicked cool!

Puffin!

My kids at Mount Esja

Overall, I would highly recommend this trip. The city was very walkable and filled with interesting cultural spots. More highlights: The Golden Circle (includes Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss), a puffin-watching boat trip, and the Reykjavik Cultural Festival. Excellent!

2. BOOK SALES!

I have some specials coming up...

APPLES SHOULD BE RED is on sale for 99 cents in September, A TASTE OF HEAVEN is 99 cents in October, each Klaus Brothers book will be 99 cents in November, and SWEET DESTINY should be out in December. Still working on it!

All book links are on the book page.

Some more exciting news...A TASTE OF HEAVEN is a finalist in the NERFA contest sponsored by First Coast RWA chapter. Yippppeeeeeee!

3. What am I reading?

Currently reading KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL by Anthony Bourdain. He is a curious mix of asshole, intelligence, talent, and profound observations. I sort of love this guy.


Also, one of my favorite discoveries this year is now out in paperback!

THE INTROVERT'S GUIDE TO DRINKING ALONE by Tasha Brandstatter is now available in paperback...Here's the purchase link.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for a friend, colleague, your mother, old college roommate, check this out! I recommend getting a copy of this adorable and clever book and putting it in a gift basket with a good bottle of vodka, couple of jars of olives, a martini shaker, and maybe a shot glass or two. PERFECTION!

Here are some of Tasha's suggestions for introverts who find themselves at a bar...

1. Do not order a fancy drink...it attracts too much attention.

2. Bring a book, phone, or fake wedding ring to deflect unwanted advances.

3. Do not make eye contact.

All excellent ideas! Order your copy now. Also perfect as a coffee table book.



4. Finally, I'm working on SWEET DESTINY...

And so Belinda drifted between two worlds, like a shadow flitting across the ice. 

A world of magik and snow, and a world of human compassion.

Hope everyone had a great summer.

The Penny Watson

EMBRACE THE QUIRK!

What's Coming Up In 2016!

What's Coming Up In 2016?

1. A new website, HAPPY HEART READS, with Lex Callahan and Laura K. Curtis. A positive perky hang-out place with Happy Hour every Friday afternoon. Stay tuned for more information...the website will be up and running on January 8.

We are hosting a Facebook Launch Party on January 8 (Happy Hour) from 6-8 pm. Please add it onto your calendar and stop by to chat about favorite comfort reads, post pet pics, and win prizes!

2. Some new books...

 

 THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF JOHN B. HAMILTON AND THE BLUEBERRY PIE

--inspired by Twitter conversation and the book BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL

 --atypical NA/YA story with a hint of paranormal

 TIPPING THE BOAT

--romantic comedy novella

--in SILVER BELLES, an over-40 anthology coming Christmas 2016

 --with lots of other amazing authors...I can't wait!

--curated by Laura K. Curtis

SWEET DESTINY

Klaus Brothers Series #5

The Final Chapter

--holiday romance

--the final installment of the Klaus Brothers Series

--Wolfgang's story

--set in Cranville, VT, the same town where Ami and Marcus live (from LUMBERJACK IN LOVE)...get ready for appearances from some favorite characters!

3. Some events...

NECRWA Conference
April 29-30, 2016
Burlington, MA
Workshop Presenter

Warm Up Your Heart with a Little Romance Author Panel
Mount Kisco Public Library
February 13, 2016

LET'S GET READY FOR 2016!