Penny Watson's Blog, page 44

And The Winner Is.....

From the 2012 NECRWA Conference......

1. Nicest Person In The World Award goes to Lena Goldfinch. Lena (A) has the patience of a saint, (B) is the Zen Master of Disaster, and (C) has a totally cool last name.

2. What Have You Done For Me Lately Award goes to Bobbi Ruggerio. Who starts doing that sassy head-shaking thing like Queen Latifah when she's pissed off. (note to self: don't piss off Bobbi Baby) Alternative award: Minion With The Mostest

3. Best Tiara Award goes to Myretta Robens. As much...

Review of The Hostage Bargain by Annika Martin

Review of The Hostage Bargain by Annika Martin
There are some books that have a premise that is so ridiculous, you just can't resist. (At least I can't). As soon as I saw the blurb for this book--a sheep farmer who is abducted by three bad-ass bank robbers and subjected to super pleasurable sexcapades, I thought--"I have to read this one!" 
So, even though I normally don't read a lot of ARCs, I actually begged Annika Martin to read hers. And I must say that I was more or less blown out of...

The Martini Club Welcomes Barb Wallace & The Preppy Gin and Tonic

I have a confession to make. I hate gin. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law love gin and tonics, and have tried to get me to jump on that bandwagon. But sadly, I was already firmly in the "I love vodka" wagon, which I must say is a very festive place to be.

Nevertheless, the G&T is a classic and deserves to be in The Martini Club spotlight for sure. So, huge thanks to romance author Barbara Wallace for treating us to a nice little history of this preppy drink. I especially like the whole...

Whips and Kicks

Me last night: 4 Whips and Kicks
Me this morning: Tylenol and coffee
Guess who won Most Regal Tiara? hee hee.....


Bow down, minions! :^)

Off to breakfast,
Penelope[image error]

Off To Conference!

Julia Rachel Barrett and I are heading to Salem today! Hope to see some of you at the NECRWA Spring Conference this week. Don't forget about the book fair on Saturday.

Julia and I were lucky enough to enjoy a fabulous dinner at Blue Ginger, and guess who stopped by to say hello (and who is totally adorable and gracious)? Ming! Thanks to John Malik for putting in a good word for us with the celebrity chef.

(Just in case you were wondering, I had a lychee martini. It was delish).

I may or may not...

Tales of a Craft Show Drop-Out & Book Fair Announcement!

Many moons ago, I was a florist.

I decided to start my own business when I lived in Vermont. I made dried wreaths, gift items and wedding stuff. My house looked like a bunch of flowers exploded on the second floor. (My hubs was super nice about the whole thing). Anyway, during this time of my life, I decided to participate in one of the most dreaded undertakings known to mankind.

Yes....The Craft Show.

(Hubs likes to call them The Craps Show).

Anyhoo, I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for my fir...

Review of Ride With Me by Ruthie Knox

Review of Ride With Me by Ruthie Knox

There are a lot of reasons I don't love contemporary romance. Too much reality. Recycled plot ideas. Lack of excitement. The ones that resonate with me usually have a real sweetness to them. Very romantic moments. I don't care about the sex as much as the love connection, baby.

Unfortunately, when I first read the blurb for this book, I thought to myself.....I'm never gonna read it. It just wasn't appealing to me. But because a lot of folks were chatting ab...

Review of Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

This book, which was the first installment of the James Bond series by Ian Fleming, was published in 1953. (Interesting fact: Fleming chose the name "James Bond" for his protagonist from an ornithology guide--author's name). My introduction to 007 was through the films, not the books, and so this novel came as quite a surprise to me. The films are very tongue-in-cheek, packed with humor and extravagant thrills and spills, and very little real suspense. It's pretty...

The Martini Club Welcomes Heidenkind and Winston Churchill

I am thrilled to have Tasha (Heidenkind) from Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Books as a guest today. Not only does she have a wicked entertaining book blog, but she also has a tumblr site called Liquid Persuasion that is a fantastic taste test for all kinds of cocktails. Recent drinks include a whiskey sour, martini, hot buttered brandy, and brandy sour. Tasha takes a funky close-up shot of the drink, then tries out a new recipe and gives her assessment. Here's a snippet from Martini Take 2: "I'm...

A Music Video For A Crazy Fan Girl

This one's for you, Bobbi Baby!

Bobbi Ruggiero, who is a very nice person and an excellent writer, was recently strong-armed by certain unscrupulous folks (me and Ruthie Knox) into reading Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley. Now I am feeling sort of guilty because she's being tortured by writing errors, clothing descriptions, and visualizing Joe Manganiello as Tate.

To make her feel better, since she'll probably be reading that sucker until 2015 (it's seriously the longest book in the world), I am...