Best Quote of the Week: "I Like My Boobs. They've Always Served Me Well."

1. Best Quote of the Week: Oh, how I love Jennifer Love Hewitt! Ever since the time she took credit for the stretched-out-sweater-cuff look (I read an article where she said she felt flattered that young teenage girls were all wearing their sweaters stretched out with the cuffs hanging down their hands, since she invented that "look"...hee hee), I love her. I especially enjoyed this quote....

"...I like my boobs. They've always served me well. They're good."

Heeeeeeee!!!!!! Boobalicious!

2. I have been following the heart-breaking story of Lola the Dachshund, an adorable 10 week old doxie who was thrown out of a 3rd story balcony. She almost died, but luckily she has survived and Natty and I really, really, really, really want to adopt her. Really. We are ready to jump in the car and drive to Alabama to get her. Unfortunately, so are 10 million other people, thanks to People Magazine! I filled out an adoption application, but I'm pretty sure my chances are hideously bad. :^( But at least Lola is on the mend!

3. I am so excited for The Avengers movie, I can't stand it! It's coming out May 4th....here is a link for the trailer!

4. Cool new website alert! Coffee with a Canine. Lucy and I will be interviewed there soon. I will be sipping a cup of French roast coffee. And Lucy will be sipping a latte with cinnamon on top.

5. I decided to read Casino Royale by Ian Fleming for my Penelope Project this month. It doesn't have a heroine named Penelope, but it does have Miss Moneypenny, which is just as good. It's the very first installment of the James Bond series by Fleming. And it doesn't hurt that I keep imagining Daniel Craig in boy short swim trunks. Schwing!

6. I also added Avi Steinberg's book Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian to my TBR pile. As you may recall, Avi wrote an article about porno librarians, and my book Sweet Magik was casually mentioned as a soft-porn selection. (*waiting for laughter to stop.....still waiting...Christ, it's not that funny already*) Anyhoo, I decided some payback was in order. So, I'm going to read his book. Which I am pretty sure is not pornographic. But it is about a librarian.

7. Well, that's a wrap for today. I'm off to plan my workshop for conference.

Ciao,

Penelope

The Secret

She reached up to stroke the side of his face with her fingertips.

"What are you doing?" He captured her hand but didn't push her away.

"Touching you," she answered. She tried to sound nonchalant, yet she knew she hadn't managed the feat. The intensity in his expression made her heart take notice. "I was curious to know what your whiskers felt like." She smiled. "And now I know." She pulled her hand away from his and let it drop back into her lap. "They tickle."

She felt like a fool.

(The Secret, Julie Garwood)

There's nothing quite like travelling to the Scottish Highlands via Julie Garwood's romantic tales. Just finished The Secret and now I'm ready to eat the rest of the potato chip bag. 

Hope all of you have a lush, green, Highlandy Tuesday,

Penelope

Uhhhh.....

I think I ate too much ham yesterday. (And couscous, focaccia, devilled eggs, cake....never mind).

It's gonna take me a while to get functioning again. My kitchen is filled with dirty dishes and I'm just drinking my coffee.

My only update is that I'm re-reading The Secret by Julie Garwood right now and totally loving it. (Thanks to Julie at Outlandish Dreaming...she just did a review of Honor's Splendour, and we are having a bit of a chat about JG's books. Stop by and join in the fun!).

It's hard to find your coffee cup when your eyes are closed. Cripes.

One more week until Spring Break. Here we go!

Have a nicely caffeinated Monday,

Penelope

The Martini Club Special Easter Edition

As I commenced the grueling research on Easter cocktails, one thing became immediately apparent.

Easter cocktails are pastel-colored.

Pink, blue, minty green. Like a bunch of Easter eggs gone bad. 

Anyhoo, I decided that the Blue Cottontail is sort of the quintessential Easter cocktail. Here's the recipe just in case you're in the mood for something fun to go along with the ham, devilled eggs, and gefilte fish. (I know. I'm mixing my holidays. But since we have a multi-cultural, multi-religious family, I'm making an eclectic menu for today).

Blue Cottontail

1 and 1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz triple sec

1/4 oz blue Curacao

Orange peel for garnish

Shake, shake, shake! Serve in a festive martini glass and add garnish. Happy Easter!

For more fun pastel-colored drinks, check out this site. 

And if you're really in the mood for a party, check out this fun project....Peep-Stuffed Jello Shots. (These contain yogurt, gelatin and candy cotton vodka....haaaaa!)

Happy Sloshy Sunday, Peeps!

Penelope

What's Up Saturday?

Some totally random stuff.....

1. First, check out this cool pic my sis took in Xinghai Square, Dalian, China. She has been sending me crazy photos, including tanks filled with live frogs at the grocery store (tastes like chicken!). I am trying to convince her to do a post for me about her experience in China. Funniest bit this week....my sister looks freakishly similar to Tina Fey. She said folks keep asking to take photos with her, but are ignoring her husband. I'm wondering if TMZ will soon be reporting about Tina Fey's trip to Dalian...hee hee!

2. I started a Tumblr site. I really have no clue what to do with it. Here it is. 

3. I came up with an idea for a children's book that has a super-hero weenie dog named Lucy. :^)

4. An observation from The Walking Dead. If everyone is infected, then why didn't Dale turn into a zombie after he died? Because Daryl shot him in the head? That doesn't make sense to me. Just curious. Ideas?

5. I am going to crush the competition at the tiara contest during the NECRWA Spring Conference. Yes,  perhaps I went a bit overboard with my tiara purchase at Etsy, but once I saw this one, I knew I had to have it....

You can call me Titania, Queen of the Fairies. Big thanks to Josie at Angelyques Trinkets for this gorgeous piece! Can't wait to see it in person.

6. I finished my new website design. It is mod, baby! Turning it over to my web designer, and hopefully it will be up soon. I'll let you know.

7. I watched Cold Case last night. One of the best things about that show is the old music! Love it. They played this song, Plush by Stone Temple Pilots. Enjoy!

Don't forget to stop by for The Martini Club tomorrow, where I'll discuss pastel colored Easter cocktails.

And I feel it,

Penelope

Beard of the Day: The Sunshine Award

Big thanks to Jamie Brazil for the Sunshine Award! She gave it out to 10 bloggers, and I'm supposed to answer 10 questions about myself and award it to 10 other bloggers, etc. I decided to try and answer 10 questions about beards, and surprisingly, I could! Also, since I just posted a piece about my favorite sites, I think I'll merely mention a few of my favorite author blogs (not reviewer blogs, just authors letting it all hang loose!). My favs right now are....

1. Gail Carriger, who has lots of fascinating tidbits about vintage clothing, steampunk stuff and tea.
2. Carolyn Crane, who has a wicked funny sense of humor and often posts hilarious drawings.
3. RJ Silver, whose self-deprecating humor always makes me laugh out loud.
4. How To Write Badly Well, by Joel Stickley, which is pretty much self-explanatory.
5. For more author blogs and other fun sites, see this post.

And now for 10 questions about beards....I did it!

10 Questions About Beards

1. Stache or no stache? Mustache must be accompanied by a beard. Stache by itself....ugh!

2. Goatee or full-on Paul Bunyan? Paul Bunyan, baby! Wild and woolly!

3. Salt and pepper or dyed black? I love salt and pepper. See exhibit A....

4. Who has the best legendary beard? I'm going with Santa Claus.

5. Who has the best celebrity beard? I'm going with Hugh Jackman.

6. Who has the best scruff? I'm going with Daniel Craig. See Exhibit B.....

7. Who has the best fu manchu stache/beard combo? Chow Yun Fat.

8. Who has the best beard in a romance novel? I'm going with Ian in Virgin River Christmas...it's big and red! Yee haw!

9. Who has the best western beard? Clint Eastwood.

10. How do I feel about accessorizing beards? If it's good enough for Brad Pitt, it's good enough for me. See Exhibit C....

Thanks again to Jamie Brazil for this special edition of Beard of the Day!

Hope you all have a nice weekend. I will be hosting The Martini Club: Easter Cocktails on Sunday. Coz nothing says Easter Sunday quite like a pastel colored alcoholic beverage!

Ciao,
Penny

Penelope's Top Romance Novels Of All Time

How do you like that melodramatic title?

Someone recently asked me for my top recommendations. This is a toughie. There are many books I still have not read, and probably never will. Especially in the contemporary romance category, which is not my favorite.

So, let's rephrase: Here are Penelope's Favorite Romance Novels! This is a mix of mostly historical and paranormal (my favs), as well as a couple of extras (steampunk, contemporary, etc). I am going to add this as an extra page on my website, and will add/detract as my opinion changes.

1. WARRIOR by Zoe Archer

An extraordinary adventure. Packed with beautiful imagery, larger-than-life characters and a mystical storyline that takes you on the journey of a lifetime.

2. SKIN GAME by Ava Gray

I think this might be the only contemporary in this list. It blew me away. Totally unexpected, extremely sexy. Probably the most brilliant contemporary I've read.

3. SOULLESS by Gail Carriger

An incredible mix of historical humor, creative steampunk inventions and paranormal antics. Absolutely one-of-a-kind, quirky and enjoyable read.

4. THE FEVER SERIES by Karen Marie Moning

A departure from her earlier historical romance novels, this series is an epic fantasy. A thrilling first person narrative that combines horror, suspense and romance in an unbelievably riveting tale. Highly recommended.

5. THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE by Jennifer Ashley

The plotline wasn't perfect, but the hero is the most unique character I've ever seen in an historical romance. Ashley has created a truly fascinating, flawed, intense and sexy character in Ian Mackenzie. This book is amazing.

6. DREAMING OF YOU by Lisa Kleypas

The ultimate historical showcasing how opposites attract. Derek Craven has lived a brutal life, Sara Fielding is a sheltered writer from the country. Their love story is a classic.

7. A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER by Kresley Cole

This paranormal series has its ups and downs, but this first installment is almost flawless in my humble opinion. Cole knows how to punch up her stories with pop culture references, smoky hot sex scenes, and an astronomically cool paranormal world.

8. MORE THAN A MISTRESS by Mary Balogh

This is my favorite by Balogh (with Simply Love in close second place). Balogh's voice is so beautiful, balanced, sensual. It's the perfect vehicle for an historical romance, and this story is fraught with emotion. It's a DIK.

9. HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE by Jeaniene Frost

This book blasted me into a fabulous paranormal series when I least expected it. Frost dishes out crazy high octane action, super intense sex, and fantastic characters. I recommend the entire series.

10. RAVISHED by Amanda Quick

I'm a JAK fan of epic proportions. These historicals are like sour cream and onion potato chips. You can't eat just one. You want to read every single freakin' book, in chronological order, and save all the old print copies until they disintegrate in the basement. This book is a fabulous twist on the Beastly hero. It's got Quick's signature quirky heroine, intellectual and grumpy hero, an intriguing storyline, and a lovely romance. Win. (With This Ring gets honorable mention).

11. THE ENDEARMENT by LaVyrle Spencer

A stunning example of LaVyrle's storytelling. This American frontier historical has one of the sweetest, most satisfying endings I've ever read.

12. LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase

This historical romance is absolute perfection. I love every scene, every twist and turn in the plot, every nuance of the hero and heroine's development.

13. DARK LEGEND by Christine Feehan

I'm one of the die-hard fans of this Carpathian vampire series (although I have skipped a couple that were too violent for me). Dark Legend is my favorite. Feehan knows how to create an immortal bonding that is so romantic and intense, you crave your own tortured soul. Gabriel is the ultimate immortal hero.

14. THE BRIDE by Julie Garwood

Once you read Garwood's Scottish heroes, you'll be addicted. Her romances have been accused of being less than historically accurate, but I couldn't care less. This book showcases her talent with characterization....there is no way you will read this book and not fall madly in love with Alec Kincaid. No. Way.

15. NO TRUE GENTLEMAN by Liz Carlyle

This is part of a series, but No True Gentleman can be read alone. It has absolutely phenomenal chemistry between the heroine and hero, a really lovely formal voice which lends itself so well to the historical genre, and beautiful prose throughout. I adore this book, and Maximilian de Rohan is one of my all-time favorite heroes.

16. A DUKE OF HER OWN by Eloisa James

After I finished reading this the first time (I have re-read it many times since then), I felt giddy with happiness. The same way I felt after finishing Lord of Scoundrels. This book is sublime. Eloisa James does not always hit it out of the park, but when she does, she writes extraordinary books. (I also adored When Beauty Tamed The Beast, another incredible novel by James).

17. JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte

This is my favorite "classic" romance. Jane is probably the greatest heroine ever written....I love how she is a mixture of strength, courage, practicality and a loving heart. And the drama and tragedy and redemption in this novel (all through the power of love, of course) is so romantic it's ridiculous.

18. ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE by Steve Kluger

This is a "non-romance" romance. It's funny, quirky, kooky, and bloody brilliant. It's my litmus test book. It's a pot of gold at the end of a gay rainbow. :^)

19. TO BEGUILE A BEAST by Elizabeth Hoyt

This is another one with a beastly hero (obviously one of my favorite themes in romance), and Hoyt has crafted a gorgeous story. This is a very emotional and earthy love story, with one of the most sweet and wonderful final scenes.

20. THE NIGHT OWL by Emma Holly (novella in Hot Blooded anthology)

This is my favorite novella. Emma Holly totally nails this paranormal quickie...it is lush and sexy and a great introduction to her upyr series. The perfect amuse-bouche for paranormal romance fans.

HONORABLE MENTION.....

FAVORITE MYSTERY WITH ROMANTIC ELEMENTS: The Liam Campbell Series by Dana Stabenow

This is not technically a romance, but this mystery series is so fabulous, I wanted to mention it. The relationship between Liam and Wy is integral to this storyline, and these books bring Alaska to life.

OTHER FAVORITE AUTHORS:

Stephanie Laurens, Jacquie D'Alessandro, Karen Hawkins, vintage Julia Quinn

So, at this moment in time, I consider these my favorite romance reads. I would love to hear your opinions (as if I could stop you, hee hee!).

Happy Romance Reading To All!
Penelope

Wednesday Morning Updates

1. My To-Do List is shrinking. But still has enough stuff on it to make my hair stand on end.

2. My schedule looks vaguely like this....

APRIL: NECRWA conference, entertain Julia, Spring Break with the fam, finish website redesign

MAY: Revise and edit LUMBERJACK IN LOVE

JUNE: Publish LUMBERJACK IN LOVE? 

JULY: Go to Hawaii and drink a frozen mango margarita while watching the sunset

AUGUST: Take kids to pool and hide under an umbrella with a romance novel

SEPT-DEC: Kids back to school. Work on new top-secret work of fiction that will change the history of the world

3. My bulbs are all up....daffodils, squill, Spanish bluebells. It's a crazy spring in Boston! Yesterday I cut fresh chives from my herb garden. Oregano and lemon balm are also sprouting. 

4. My new website will hopefully be launched soon. Yesterday I researched quotes....here are two good ones that might turn up on my new site...

"Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot." Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes

"Penny....Penny....Penny...." Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory

5. Have a great Wednesday!

Penny....Penny.....Penny

I Want A Wedgie!

Salad.

I want a wedgie salad. Which is a wedge of iceberg lettuce, drizzled with blue cheese dressing. And sometimes topped with bacon and tomatoes. Sometimes a bit of red onion.

But basically, it's iceberg, blue cheese and bacon, which all fall under the heading "Not Healthy Salad Items." Let's face it, the wedgie salad is like Good Salad's evil twin brother. It has no redeeming nutritional value. Iceberg lettuce is the equivalent of eating cardboard. Bacon is...bacon. And blue cheese dressing is filled with fat.

Sigh.

Nevertheless, I ate two of these yesterday--one for lunch and one for dinner. (I put avocado and walnuts on one, trying to move it from the "What The Hell Are You Thinking, Cardiac Girl?" category to the "Well, Avocados Are Good For Your Heart" category.)

Although I do love creamy blue cheese dressing, I opted for a vinaigrette dressing with blue cheese crumbles on top to alleviate a small sliver of guilt. And it worked! (I hardly felt guilty at all as I consumed this totally crappy salad.)

Bon appetit!

Wedgie Salad ala Penelope

Iceberg lettuce cut into wedges, otherwise known as "wedgies"

Chopped tomato

Blue cheese crumbles

(if you are horrified by the lack of nutrition here, you may add avocado, cuke, walnuts, etc)

Dressing:

3 t white balsamic vinegar

1 small shallot chopped

1 t. Dijon mustard

1/2 c. good olive oil

blue cheese crumbles

salt

freshly ground pepper

Whisk together vinegar, oil, shallot, mustard....and then add a tablespoon or so of the blue cheese, and a bit of salt. Whisk until it is a nice creamy dressing.

Put a wedgie on a plate (hee hee!). Then sprinkle with some chopped tomato. (If you are not a heart patient, please feel free to add some crispy bacon bits---Penelope shakes her fist at the sky, "Curse you, Old Man Jenkins!"). Drizzle salad dressing on top with a few extra blue cheese crumbles. Add freshly ground pepper, too, if it makes you feel better.

Eat with a fork and knife.

Happy Wedgie Munching (that sounds bad, doesn't it?),

Penelope

A Tale Of Three Heroes

I've read three books recently, and all of them had amazing heroes. One was sexy and sweet. One was moody and sexy. And one had a Southern twang that made me want to smack him over the head with a cast iron skillet and drag him off to my cave. Where he could serve me iced tea and say things like "Here ya go, darlin."

First up.....Weekend Agreement by Barbara Wallace. (How adorable is that cover?) I have read a few books by this author, and this is by far the best. I love how Wallace always includes a New England setting in her books, how she manages to create an understated heroine with backbone and resolve, who is also sweet and kind, and how her heroes are moody, brooding and sexy. And this book is no exception. The story pairs an academic (historian) with a cynical billionaire for a weekend party, and their love and trust develop beautifully and believably. This story has a wonderful and satisfying HEA. Loved it! Grade: A

Next up....One Tasty Night by Amber Skyze. Normally I don't go for cougar stories or BDSM. But this one worked for me. I've read another book by this author, and I really like how she mixes sweet and loving with naughty and sexy. Her erotic stories are always grounded in a loving and affectionate connection. For the record, it's not really that cougarish (there is not a huge age difference here), and also for the record, I would call this BDSM-Very Light. The cover of the book looks pretty wicked, but the story itself is mild. The hero, Shane, has been in love with Taylor for a long time and he is willing to indulge her erotic fantasies and show her how much he cares. This story is sexy and sweet, and the hero is adorable and devoted to the heroine. This is my kind of erotica! Grade: B

Finally....Suite Assumptions by JW Manus. I read a romantic suspense by this author, and this book was quite different. (Although I thought it was going to turn into a romantic suspense, but she was just fooling me). It still has a lot of deep POV and self-reflection by the characters (a brittle heroine with something to prove and an adorable Southern hero who is sweet and kind and sexy and talks like this..."Darlin'...I keep thinking about that bed.") Yowzah! Anyhoo, this is a short novel, with a suspense plotline-that-actually-wasn't, a grating heroine who finally lightens up, a kooky hotel with a honeymoon suite, and the most delicious Southern hero ev-ah. Sign me up for some of that sweet potato pie! Grade: B

Three great heroes, three fun books. What's up for this week? A paranormal romance by Joseph Mazzenga. Looking forward to it!

(ETA: Evidently my fav word of the day is adorable....hee hee!)

Happy Monday,
Penelope

The Martini Club: Round Pond Cocktails

Welcome to this edition of The Martini Club! Today I am sharing some delicious cocktail recipes from Round Pond Estate in Napa, California. I had an amazing experience at this estate when I was visiting Julia. We had an olive oil tasting....just the two of us! First we had a tour of their facility, which is a small, family run operation. Then we were treated to an olive oil tasting. They set up lovely glasses of their different olive oils--an Italian Varietal, a Spanish Varietal, a Blood Orange olive oil, and a Lemon Meyer olive oil. They are all unique and wonderful, and were served with wine, fresh bread, cheese and produce from the Valley. This was a divine treat, and suffice it to say I came home with a large stash of their products. 


In addition to the olive oils and wine, they also produce two types of citrus syrups--a Blood Orange Syrup and a Meyer Lemon Syrup. These syrups had very intense, fresh, bright flavors, and as soon as I tasted them, I knew they would be fabulous in a cocktail. So of course I emailed Round Pond and asked them to send me some recipes. And they did! 


Here are four tasty cocktails using these syrups....enjoy!

Round Pond Estate Citrus Syrups

Cocktail List

Meyer Lemonade

2 – parts – Charbay Meyer Lemon Vodka

2 – parts – San Pellegrino

1 – part – Round Pond Meyer Lemon Syrup

6 – Lemon Verbena Leaves

( muddle the six leaves at the bottom of a pint glass – add ice – all of the liquid ingredients )

( then transfer the entire contents into an empty pint glass, and back again )

( garnish with a Meyer lemon wheel )

Blood Orange Manhattan

3 – parts – Makers Mark Bourbon

1 – part – Punt a Mes Sweet Vermouth

1 – part – Round Pond Blood Orange Syrup

2 – dashes – Pechaud Bitters

( fill a martini shaker with all liquid ingredients and ice then shake gently for ten seconds )

( pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a blood orange twist and a brandied cherry )

Meyer Lemon Sidecar

3 – parts – Remy Martin VSOP

1 – part – Round Pond Meyer Lemon Syrup

1 – part – Fresh Meyer Lemon Juice

( fill a martini shaker with all liquid ingredients and ice then shake gently for ten seconds )

( pour into a chilled martini glass with Demarara sugar on half the rim )

( garnish with a Meyer lemon twist )

Blood Orange Negroni

3 – parts – Charbay Blood Orange Vodka

1 – part – Campari

1 – part – Round Pond Blood Orange Syrup

2 – dashes – Angostura Bitters

( fill a martini shaker with all liquid ingredients and ice then shake gently for ten seconds )

( pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a blood orange twist ) 

Yum! Who's ready for Happy Hour? Huge thanks to Round Pond for providing these luscious recipes.

Happy Sloshy Sunday,

Penelope

1980s Video: The Pleasure Principle

Happy Saturday! I decided to go with a classic Janet Jackson vid.....The Pleasure Principle from 1986. I love this song, and I love this video. Janet is adorable. She is curvy, athletic, sexy and fierce. Rock on, Janet!

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for The Martini Club. I am posting some cocktail recipes from Round Pond Estate, including a Blood Orange Manhattan and Meyer Lemon Sidecar. Shake, shake, shake!

Happy Day,
Penelope

Anthony Of The Day

I know. Normally I post Beard of the Day on Fridays. But to be honest, I'm not finding a lot of great beardy shots with Anthony. (That's Anthony LaPaglia for anyone not recognizing this super hottie Aussie actor-without-a-beard-but-still-looking-fine-anyway.)

Let's face some facts here. Anthony doesn't need no stinkin' beard. This guy has got it going on, even with a clean-shaven face. Some cool tidbits about Anthony....

1. He was born in Australia in 1959.

2. He was a goalkeeper in the Australian National Soccer League.

3. He did the voice for Boss Skua in Happy Feet.

Anthony looks good bald.

Anthony looks good playing soccer.

Anthony looks good with scruff and glasses.

Anthony looks good in his younger days with fingerless gloves.

Anthony looks good with his FBI vest (in the TV show Without A Trace).

Anthony looks good with a tie.

Anthony always looks good! Hope everyone has a great weekend. On Sunday I will be posting some tasty cocktail recipes from Round Pond Estates for The Martini Club.

Happy Friday (pretend Anthony is saying that with an Australian accent....there you go!),

Penelope

Gnome Alone: In Search Of Nectar By Kirkus MacGowan

Another quirky and unexpected discovery: Kirkus MacGowan. Tom Stronach mentioned him on his blog, and so I decided to check out one of his stories. In Search of Nectar is very short, very strange, and very free right now on Kindle. (In other words, right on the Penelope Chuckwagon--thanks to Tom for revising the "bandwagon" to the "chuckwagon"). 

All I will say about this wacky little ditty is that it describes a ridiculous quest by an easily manipulated bachelor, who is convinced by a violence-prone talking garden gnome to find a life-saving elixir. It is also well-written, clever and hilarious. And I freakin' loved it. And I'm going to read his other books.

Grade: A

(It's so short it's not even an amuse bouche. It's more like a couple of crumbs from a Primanti Brothers sandwich. Which is a famous sammie in Pittsburgh where they stuff everything on the bread....the fries, the coleslaw, everything. It's fabulous!....see below.....)

And here is the ridiculous cover for the book.....haaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another startling discovery by Penelope.

Happy Thursday!

Penny Who Now Has A Hankerin' For A Primanti Bros Sammie

"Books Are A Uniquely Portable Magic"

Who said this quote? Was it...

A) J K Rowling
B) Ernest Hemingway
C) Charlotte Bronte
D) Stephen King

Guesses? Well, if you answered "D" you are correct!

What's so cool about this quote, beside the fact that is an amazing way to look at books?

Well, it's the theme for the 2012 NECRWA Spring Conference this year. And I want to talk about conference a little bit today. I did a guest post for Romance Novel News this week...Penelope's Top 7 Reasons Not To Miss The 2012 NECRWA Spring Conference. I discuss the inspiring speakers, helpful workshops, charming locale, excellent pitch opportunities (you get to submit 10 pages of your WIP for a critique, not just an oral pitch like most conferences), the cocktail party, the ghost hunt, the book fair, and of course the most important part of all...the schmoozing.

I love this quote by Stephen King. Because it's true. Books are magic. They transport us to a different time and place. They provide us with comfort, excitement and adventure. And if we're lucky enough to be romance lovers, they inspire true romance and love.

I believe that every author is a magic-maker. That's what we do. We offer this gift to our readers. But the journey for us is much more complicated and difficult. We have to worry about rejection and mastering our craft, how to keep up with new trends in the publishing industry, and who to trust to watch our backs. And that's what I find the most magical about this conference.

When all is said and done, this writing journey, for me, is about people.

People we've known since the beginning who support us. Strangers we meet after a few (okay, maybe 11) cocktails. Folks who write everything from multi-orgy erotica to sweet, rated G Amish books. But what binds us all together is a dream. To write. To make magic. And hopefully this journey will be magic for us, too.

All of the Quirky Ladies are involved with conference this year. And it's hard. We have supported each other through all sorts of difficulties, in both our professional and personal lives. The best part of my critique group, and all of my friends and colleagues at NEC, is that we will not let each other fail. Even when we feel like we are not reaching our goals or self-imposed expectations, even when we feel like life is overwhelming, we are there for each other.

This is extremely humbling to me. This is why I'm on this journey. It's not really about the hunky Klaus Brothers (although they are adorable and fun, of course). This is about finding other kindred spirits on this path that is at times isolating, painful and ego-crushing. People who bolster each other and fan the flames of our magic.

This conference is a coming together of family. Young and old, experienced and newbs, cynical and bright-eyed. It is magic. Being with so many talented and supportive people. You just can't help but feel inspired about your writing journey.

I hope to see many of you there in April. I'll be the one wearing the tiara at the registration table.

Off to read some more portable magic,
Penelope

Off The Bandwagon

As soon as I see a million people flock to something, I run the other direction.

Not sure why, I just tend to lose interest.

I'm always looking for something a little different, a little bit quirky, something off the beaten path.

Sometimes I join in the fracas (The Walking Dead, for example). But most of the time I run far, far away.

At the moment, I couldn't care less about that Grey book, the Hunger Games movie, JR Ward's latest book, basketball March Madness, the romance novel brackets, and Linsanity (much to my hubby's chagrin).

For some of them, I fell off the bandwagon. For some of them, I was never on the bandwagon. I just don't care.

Right now I'm into Dalian, China, the Iditarod, winter-hardy Mediterranean plants, tiaras, flash fiction, quirky indie books, and Anthony LaPaglia.

Coming up on the reading horizon: One Tasty Night by Amber Skyze, Actions Speak Louder by Rosemarie Naramore, Doughnuts for Amy by John Malik, In Search of Nectar by Kirkus MacGowan, and Prince Charming, Inc by Jamie Brazil. I already started Prince Charming, Inc, and I love the bit about renovating the San Francisco Victorian mansion. Great stuff!

For those on the bandwagon, and for those who have fallen off------
Have a great reading day!
Penelope

p.s. My To-Do List in now in double digits. I am cranking, baby!

Excuse Me While I Smoke This #2 Pencil.....

I have pencils on the brain for two reasons.

#1) My son has his MCAS test this week, so we loaded him up with #2 nicely sharpened pencils.

#2) I have a to-do list with 103 items on it. Yes, you read that correctly. One hundred. And three. Items. Now, to be fair, some are high-priority (take Lucy for rabies shot...TODAY!) and some are low-priority (take down the backyard fence that has been disintegrating for the last 5 years). Other items on this list include purchasing a tiara for NEC Conference, entertaining Julia Barrett when she visits Boston in April, and prepare promo workshop titled "Penelope Channels Miss Manners: How To Promote Yourself Without Peeving Everyone Off." Stuff like that.

I have the to-do list sub-divided into WORK, HOUSE, KIDS, FINANCES, HEALTH, VACATIONS/CAMP, etc. Also, color-coded.

What does this have to do with pencils? Well, I'm slightly stressed out about the fact that I have over one hundred items to get done in the next month. When I'm stressed, I miss smoking. When I miss smoking, I "smoke" a #2 pencil to take the edge off. Does it work? Hell no, it doesn't freakin' work! (Other things I do to alleviate stress include snuggling with the weenie dog, guzzling red wine and walking around the neighborhood like a maniac).

Here's a pic of what I look like at the moment. (Note: "Crazy Eyes," Ariel tiara, and totally unsympathetic weenie dog licking my face).

Lucy is unimpressed with my To-Do List. In her humble opinion, the list should include only three things....

1. Feed weenie dog.
2. Snuggle with weenie dog.
3. Allow weenie dog to lick me for 17 straight hours until my skin falls off.

Hopefully, I will be able to cross off at least a couple of things from this list today. Maybe I'll get the list into double-digit territory! I CAN DO IT!

Oh My God It's Monday Already Somebody Help Me,
Penelope

The Martini Club: Julia Rachel Barrett's Lemon Drop

I'm obsessed with lemon. I love lemon desserts. Lemon-scented soaps. The color yellow. I grow lemon basil, lemon verbena, lemon balm, lemon mint, lemon scented geranium, and any other type of lemony herb I can get my hands on. Lemon is fresh. It's light. It's the perfect flavor, in my totally-lacking-humility opinion. 

I am pleased as a peacock to welcome Julia Rachel Barrett to The Martini Club. Julia and I enjoyed a wide array of tasty beverages when I visited her in Napa...including incredible wine and delicious cocktails. She is sharing her favorite cocktail recipe with us today--The Lemon Drop. This one is right up my lemony alley!

While sipping your tart treat, you might want some excellent reading material. May I recommend for your reading pleasure....

❧ Captured -- a fabulous sci fi erotica

❧ My Everything -- a super intense romantic suspense

❧ Incorporeal and In the Flesh -- 2 related ghostly love tales

❧ Pushing Her Boundaries -- a great contemporary based on Julia's harrowing real-life canoe trip

(I also loved Beauty and the Feast, which will be available in May.)

So, let's get to it! Cocktail time......Here's Julia!

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I’m not much of a cocktail drinker, but when I’m celebrating something special, my go-to drink is either a Trifecta Lemon Drop from Cole’s Chop House here in Napa, or a down and dirty gin martini with five – count ‘em – five olives.

The Trifecta Lemon Drop -- Ketel One Citroen, Lemoncello, Fresh Meyer Lemon Juice, Sugared Rim

Since the above recipe is a guarded secret, here’s one for the usual, and excellent, Lemon Drop:

1 ½ ounces vodka

½ ounce triple sec

1 teaspoon superfine sugar

¾ ounce fresh lemon juice

4 -5 ice cubes

superfine sugar, for the martini glass rim

lemon twist

Directions:

Chill martini glasses in freezer for at least 10 minutes prior to serving.

Place Vodka, Triple Sec, lemon juice and sugar into a cocktail shaker with 4-5 ice cubes and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Run the lemon twist around the edge of the chilled martini glass and dunk in a small amount of sugar for a coated rim.

Pour the strained martini into the chilled glasses and serve.


--Julia

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Thanks so much, Julia! That cocktail looks fab. (Also, I totally support the 5-olive minimum). I was so inspired by this recipe that I put together an Etsy collection called I'm So Tart. I even found an adorable lemon drop pendant made by JeanMarie Talvo Jewelry Design. Love it!

Huge thanks to Julia for visiting today.

Happy Sloshy Sunday!

Penelope

ETA: For Casey.....a lemony wedding cake! Look at that bride, c. 1990!