Penny Watson's Blog, page 75

It's Not Easy Being Green

Two excellent things are happening on June 17....

1.) It's the last day of school. Summer Vacation!
2.) Green Lantern is out! YEE HAW!

This preview is stupendous. Tremendous. Portentous. Momentous.

Enjoy!







Happy Verdant Monday,
Penelope

Best Indie Author Ding Of The Week

From the Amazon message boards....

"Enjoy your vampire vibrator reading, bodice rippers and Adventures of Sophisticated Yet Romantically Retarded Women In New York.

Good day."

Haaaaaaaaa haaaaa haaaaaaa...

Oh Lordy! I love this one.

You just can't make this sh*t up.



Happy Sunday,
Penelope

Beard Madness

Sometimes I think people do things just for me....to make me happy, you know?

Case in point: there is a "beard madness" tournament going on, and I couldn't be happier. (Especially since I totally sucked at the dabwaha romance tournament.)

For those of you so inclined, you can vote on twitter for your favorite beards. I especially like Conan O'Brien's photo....he has "crazy" eyes!!!! But he is sporting a very nicely shaped stache and goatee. Super fine.

Happy Weekend to All!
Penelope

Beard of the Day Special Edition: Lifetime Achievement Award

Any person doing beard evaluations would certainly be remiss if she forgot to include what amounts to possibly the most stunning, spell-binding examples of bearded beauty in all of the world.
Namely, ZZ Top.
Let's look at the quality of these magnificent specimens of beardiness.
Texture: FrizzyColor: A shade of red not commonly found in the natural worldSize: Freakin' huge and bushyShape: Um. Um. Cylindrical?Style: Includes stache, full side-burns, and Grizzly-Adams length bushy beardSexy Meter: Extraordinary. How could a woman resist a guy like this? Makes you want to strip down to your underwear and dance around an old-timey car. Look at those sexy hats. The bad-ass sunglasses. The Texas-style black jackets. Makes you want to have hot, sweaty, beardy sex and belt out La Grange at the top of your lungs! Makes you remember....
It's APRIL FOOL'S DAY!!!!!!
For God's sake, you didn't think I was serious, did you? 
Criminy. Even Penelope has her beardy limits. And ZZ Top is way over the limit.
In order to erase this disturbing image from your mind, I'll leave you with this photo.....

Eric would like to wish you and your entire family a very happy April Fool's Day!
With love,Penelope

ARC Review of The Reluctant Nude by Meg Maguire

The Reluctant Nude by Meg Maguire





I have been seduced by a most alluring book.

It didn't seduce with flash or bling.

It had no pissing werewolves. No shapeshifting Orca whales. No explosions in outer space.

It had bread and cheese and coffee and wine. Alluring characters who were prickly and real and layered and lovely, seductive in a most charming and subtle way. It had a hero who was French, and sexy, but also quirky and odd and delicious. It had a heroine who was impatient and short-tempered and insecure and vulnerable. Their love developed slowly, as the artist chips away at his model's stony exterior, as she finally opens herself up to be loved. Slowly, seductively, wonderfully real.

I actually felt as though I were falling in love as I read this book. That has never happened to me before. I wasn't merely reading about these characters. I was falling in love just as they were--anxious, uncertain, joyful and happy.

There are not many authors who can capture the simple moments. Mary Balogh can. She can take a simple gesture, a moment, a scene, and transform it into something incredibly powerful, emotional and lovely. Which is why her books are so very romantic and satisfying.

Meg Maguire has this magic, too. She has the uncanny ability to transport the reader into her literary world, seduce us with her story, and make us feel the power of a loving connection. She takes simple moments and imbues them with incredible romantic intensity.

Her hero, Max, is extraordinary. One of the best heroes I've seen in romance. He is not your typical character. He is slightly odd but so charming and endearing, I fell hopelessly in love with him. Her heroine, Fallon, is less appealing. She is a prickly hedgehog. But the way Max coaxes her into opening up for him--in every way--is so wonderful, you are cheering for their happy ending. And worried about what will, or will not transpire, at the end of this book.

The plot is not really important here. It's the characters and their blossoming love that make this story sing. The storyline gets somewhat ridiculous at the end of the book, and unneccessary in my opinion. Max's heroic nature doesn't need to be revealed by any grand gesture. It's revealed in the smallest detail, in the way he loves Fallon.

I am just amazed by Maguire's talent, and by the lusciousness of this story. The ending is superb. I cried with the beauty and balance and perfection of it.

Although I have professed my dislike of contemporary romance repeatedly, I think this author might be swaying me over to the dark side. Her books are addictive, seductive, and powerful. I just can't get enough!

I fell in love with this book. It's going on my Top 10 Favorites List. And Max is definitely going on my Favorite Hero List.

Grade: A+

P.S. This book will be released on April 5!


Blissfully happy and jonesing for a French coffee,
Penelope

In Praise Of Big, Curvy Girls

Let's face it. Most girls in Hollywood look like a bag of bones. They probably rattle as they walk down the street, dressed in their size "0" low-rider jeans. 
How refreshing to see a big, curvy girl embracing her sexiness and beauty. Queen Latifah is one. Love her! Kirstie Alley is another. Although I don't normally watch Dancing With The Stars, I did take the time to watch a clip of Kirstie Alley's debut.
Here it is if you haven't had a chance to see it yet....




Following this adorable debut, George Lopez, Butthead Extraordinaire, made incredibly insulting remarks about Kirstie, comparing her to a pig.

Yep, a pig. (He's a winner, all right!)

Anyhoo, when I first watched this clip, I didn't think, Whoa, she looks big. She looks chunky. How old is she?

Here's what popped into my head...."She looks freakin' fantastic!"

I love that she is wearing a sexy, tight dress. I love that she is self-deprecating, funny, sassy and has some sweet moves. I love that she is a big, curvy girl and still rocking a sexy look.

I have a soft spot in my heart for romance novels about big, curvy girls. For the same reason I love Beauty and the Beast books. True romantic love does not get hung up on physical imperfections or flaws. It is about loving the very soul of another person. Their true beauty will be seen, regardless of scars or size-18 hips.

Night Play , by Sherrilyn Kenyon, was one of the first romance novels I ever read. It made me fall in love with paranormal romance. It made me fall in love with shapeshifting werewolves. Vane Kattalakis is a big, hunky, gorgeous, courageous, loyal werewolf. He falls instantly in love with Bride, a plus-size gal who is self-conscious about her appearance. He doesn't see her as chunky, flawed, or imperfect in any way. He sees a beautiful and desirable woman. I just adore this book. (And the first scene of lovin' in the dressing room is off-the-charts smokin' hot! Whew!).

I like the fact that the standard, traditional "romance" heroine (Barbie Dolls R Us) has been replaced with women of all sizes, shapes and colors.

I'll leave you with one of my all-time favorite movie quotes....from the movie Beauty Shop, starring Queen Latifah.

Gina: Vanessa, do these pants make my butt look big?
Vanessa: Yeah, they do.
Gina: Good!

Brown Is Beautiful

Guess what Penelope is thinking about today? Beards? Nope. Romance novels? Not really. Gardens! Yep!

Finally, the snow has melted, and all of New England is.....brown. But brown is very, very beautiful. Why? Because it's not white. As in, covered with 7 feet of freakin' snow.


The only snow remaining is this dirty, gross pile in my neighbor's driveway. Our yard is finally free and clear!

Color coding for New England in March....

White = Hideous
Brown = Beautiful
Green = Nothing Short Of A Miracle

My courtyard garden is brown.....


My vegetable and herb garden is brown.....


Here is the one spot of green. God bless chives, bad-ass herb!



Here are Penelope's Gardening Plans for 2011....

Transplant potted fig tree into the ground. I'm sick of getting one $%#^* fig per year. I think if I put it in the courtyard garden, I should get a nice yield of fruits.Attempt some new-for-me veggies: sweet potatoes, onions, bok choy or other Chinese veggies.Try my quirky Lemon Extravaganza Garden this year: all yellow and white flowers (some edible, such as Johnny Jump-Ups, etc), lemon herbs, lemon tomatoes, and lemon tree. I've been wanting to try this out for a while.Giant pumpkin patch with mini pumpkins and gourds.Tons of greens (since they are now a major part of my diet): Boston bibb, mesclun mix, etc.Add in: dahlias, star clematis, maybe lilacs (white and dark purple).
In addition to gardening, I am also thinking about Spring Vacation. In just a few short weeks, my family will be going to Captiva, Florida. Which brings up another important application of the phrase "brown is beautiful".....here is the color coding situation for my family:

5 Members of Penelope's Family....

Hubby = Brown (Filipino)Son = Brown (Filipino)Daughter = Brown (Filipino)Dog = Black and Tan (Dachshund)Penny = Pasty White Girl
Sun exposure is clearly not an issue for Lucy, the dachshund.




Last time we went to Sanibel (2009), my husband, son and daughter turned delightful shades of color ranging from honey-dark chocolate.



In preparation for this trip, I will be purchasing copious quantities of SPF 495, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, a big floppy hat, sunglasses, zinc oxide for my nose, and a beach umbrella. I also wrap my exposed skin up in towels, thereby resembling a mummy on the beach. And I watch from the safety of my shady spot while the rest of my family frolics on the sunny beach.
&%*$&#^@^@&$*%*$*%&%&!!!!!!!!
Otherwise, I end up looking like this.....


Brown is Beautiful. Lobster Red is Painful.


Anyone else planning a spring garden? Going somewhere fun for spring break?


Happy Spring,
Penelope

100% Pure Beef

I've been thinking about author branding. JR Ward is the cracktastic brotherhood writer. Annette Blair is the quirky paranormal author. Eloisa James is the lush historical writer. Christine Feehan is the one-lifemate-for-cavemanish-Carpathians-lots-of-velvet-sheaths author.

Initially, I attempted to brand myself as the "Santa Claus" writer....my website looks like a Christmas festival, with holiday decorations, gingerbread, and of course half-naked Klaus brothers. It was a good, solid idea for an initial branding concept, something to set me apart from the masses (since no one else is writing about the five sexy sons of Santa Claus as a long-term holiday series).

Somewhere, over the last year and a half, my "persona" (which is an odd bipolar mix of Penny and Penelope) has morphed into something altogether....different. Yes, I am still the "Santa Claus" author. But I have added a few other characteristics to my "brand."

If I was thinking about getting a brand imprinted on my arse, here are some possibilities.....

Loves BeardsWeenie Dogs ForeverChlorophyll or BustHeart Attack SurvivorI-Hate-Roarke-BrigadeHerbs Are Not Just For SmokingWussy And Proud Of ItGrammar PoliceMartinis For EveryonePromo PrincessHumble Opinions Are For Pansy-AssesI am sort of digging this eclectic mix of personality traits. Yes, perhaps, it is too complex for a nice tight branding concept. But for better or worse, it's who I am. At least for right now.

Any ideas about branding? If it works? Who does it well? Is it even necessary? Maybe 100% pure beef is the only way to go.

Happy Monday,
Penelope

Breaking News: Quirky Lady Victoria Morgan Wins Golden Ticket!

OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! (Hold on a second, gotta catch my breath. I have been jumping up and down and screaming and doing silly dances which are embarrassing my children).

Quirky Lady Victoria Morgan, historical romance writer extraordinaire, defender of Roarke and Outlander, talented artist, and all-around fantastic person, got nominated for a Golden Heart award yesterday. Her novel, Changing Fortunes, has been nominated in the Historical Romance category. This is the highest honor an unpublished author can get from the RWA. I am ridiculously happy and excited and cannot wait for Nationals this year. I have a feeling this golden ticket is going to turn into something very special for Vicki, and hopefully all of you will get a chance to read this magnificent book very soon.

P.S. A word of advice....If you meet Vicki at Nationals, please don't make any disparaging remarks about Roarke or Outlander.

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! GO, VICKI!!!!!!!!!

Just slightly excited,
Penelope

Beard Of The Day

I decided I have been remiss in ignoring men of color for my Beard of the Day post (except for Worf, the African-American/Klingon...hee hee!).  For goodness sake, my own beloved hubby is Filipino (although sorely lacking in facial hair, but he more than makes up for it by being an adorable guy with a big-ass brain.) So, I decided to search for hot Asian dudes with beards. Guess what I found?

Takeshi Kaneshiro, the Japanese/Chinese singer/actor/model who starred in Red Cliff, a movie by John Woo. The top and bottom photos are from the film....he is rockin' the Asian goatee-style beard. Nice!

And, even though this photo has him clean-shaven, I had to include it because he is so smokin' hot while dripping with water. Yowzah!





Happy Beardy Friday,Penny