Category Archives: Miss Penny Speaking

wonS ?

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wonS, I bet you can’t guess that word? Miss Penny Speaking, I’m not good at spelling, I know living with an author I should be able to spell but remember I am a cute dog and cuteness does not predispose me to spelling. And, don’t tell anyone but Susan’s not that good at spelling. You should see the size of the dictionary that sits on her desk,  it’s bigger than me. Still wondering what that word is? Its snow spelled backwards because we had a whopping snowstorm this week, more shovelling, snowbanks as high as mountains, impassable roads and sidewalks and very cranky people and I suspect just the word *#!* is a four letter word. Unless, you enjoy winter sports or tobogganing and then snow will be your favourite word. 

We didn’t get out much this week, but I had an adventure, that’s me, nose in the snow, it felt good; I didn’t need my coat and boots. I hate wearing boots. Guess where I am? I’m on the balcony. I haven’t worked out how to get to ground level. Susan panics when I stick my nose through the opening, but she need not worry, even I can see it is a long way down.

Susan’s been busy working behind the scenes, updating the website and various marketing things. I’m amazed at the work Susan has to do to get noticed, let alone sell books. I’m trying to figure out how to help and I think cuteness is the answer, Susan needs to practice putting her head on one side or walk around with a stuffed toy in her mouth, people love it when I do that. Um… perhaps not.  Oops! I almost forgot Susan will be signing ….

Book signing!  Coles in Carlingwood Mall Saturday March 9th 11am – 2 pm

 

 

Please note: Books I’ve Read and Work in Progress is now featured in Susan’s Readers Group News.

Quick Reference:

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

 My books – Synopsis and Where to buy

Contact Susan – susan(at)susanajennings.com

 Susan’s YouTube Channel All videos – click here  

YouTube video serialized version of The Blue Pendant

Excerpts from Lavender Cottage Romance Series(formerly The Narrowboat Romance Series). Readings from the book launch

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe  

Latest edition of Susan’s Readers Group News

Cabin Fever!

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Miss Penny Speaking, I’m bored! Susan says we have cabin fever. Odd, because I feel quite well, no fever and we don’t have a cabin. Susan explained cabin fever is when we can’t get out of the house, like i said, same as being bored. It has been a challenging week as far as walks go. I’m cranky because the snow is too deep to walk, there isn’t a blade of grass to be found and even when I wear my coat and boots, we still don’t go far, I’ve had one decent walk all week. Susan is the problem, even when she wears her boots and coat like me, she won’t walk far. She does this shuffle like a penguin because of the slippy ice. I don’t slip or shuffle, but I have four legs and I’m only nine inches tall, not far to fall. The other day we were hovering in the laneway and I looked up at Susan, she’s a long way from the ground. I thought to myself, how do you stay upright on only two feet? But it explains why we got caught up with work. Another episode of The Blue Pendant recorded on YouTube, The Sackville Hotel Trilogy Box Set, uploaded and approved by Kobo and Amazon and Susan released the February edition of Susan’s Reader Group News.

That’s it for today, like I say boring and from the sound of the howling wind outside, it’ll be another day of slow shuffling walks. Dreaming for spring. How I yearn for green grass!

 

Please note: Books from Susan, Work in Progress, Books I’m Reading and General Book News is now featured in Susan’s Reader Group News. 

Quick Reference:

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

 My books – Synopsis and Where to buy

Contact Susan – susan(at)susanajennings.com

 Susan’s YouTube Channel All videos – click here  

YouTube video serialized version of The Blue Pendant

Excerpts from The Narrowboat Romance Series. Readings from the book launch

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe  

Latest edition of Susan’s Readers Group News

Whacky Words!

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Whacky Words! Miss Penny Speaking that might seem odd coming from a dog because I can’t talk, I can bark although I don’t do that very often, the noise scares me. I may not speak but I understand several words. Hungry means dinner’s on the way, Ah, she’s so cute means some loving is coming, good girl means I’ve done you-know-what in the right place and I get treats. Oh yes, and treats means a milk bone or tasty morsel. Where’s your baby, means go fetch my pink lamb that’s usually at bedtime. So, why am I talking about words? Susan has been embroiled in words this week, 352 thousand words that’s how many words there are in The Sackville Hotel Trilogy Boxset, three books in one (e-books). However, last night just as they were being uploaded Susan discovered some chapters in the wrong order, talk about words… well, the words I heard were not for my young ears… it was not a pretty sight. Susan’s okay now and the boxset will be ready later today. By the way, body language works just as well as words. I get most of what I want by looking cute. Susan says to tell you the next edition of Susan’s Readers Group News will be out this week. Bye for now!

 

 

Strong, beautiful Anna as clever as any man, defies society, challenges marriage but loves passionately twice. Survives betrayal, bullying, even murder that almost breaks her. An epic saga that spans five decades from Edwardian Britain to the 1960s Cold War. Heartwarming and at times heartbreaking. Kobo.com

 

 

Quick Reference:  

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

My books –

Susan’s Readers Group News –

YouTube

The Blue Pendant – Serialized episodes

 The Narrowboat Romance Series.- Readings from the book launch

Please note: Books I’ve Read and Work in Progress are now featured in Susan’s Readers Group News.

Wind up my ….!

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Miss Penny speaking as promised I’m back, well, I know I never went away, but I had to share my spot with Susan’s Readers Group News. Me, the star! I’m over it now.

Maybe not!

I’m cold!

I’m told mid-January to mid-February is the coldest time of the year in Ottawa, no kidding! The ground is covered in 80cm of snow and we experienced, -40c with the wind chill. And about that wind; Susan and I are out for a walk and I squat—to you-know-what—and suddenly the wind catches my back legs and I’m doing a handstand Cirque de Soleil style, very disconcerting and then, I’m just trotting along and the wind catches me again and whips me around in a circle. That’s it, enough of that, time to go inside, especially when Susan started laughing. I gave her the look and hustle my butt inside. I wonder if Cirque de Soleil hires dogs? Just a thought as it seems I have acrobatic talent.

I’m just figuring out what a box-set might be. Susan’s been working on this all week, which means I get ignored, just so you know I notice these things. She is putting all three books of The Sackville Hotel Trilogy – The Blue Pendant, Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice into one e-book. Wow! That’s one big book 365,000 words a marathon read launching in February.

I almost forgot I need to ask a favour because Susan is too shy to ask. Plain and simple, please ‘like’ the blog, Facebook page and YouTube videos. It makes a big difference in Susan’s rankings. And if you have a moment to comment or write a review, this has an enormous impact on Amazon, Indigo and Google, rankings. Thanks! Bye for now until next week!

Please note: Books I’ve Read and Work in Progress is now featured in Susan’s Readers Group News

Quick Reference:  

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

 The Narrowboat Romance Series.- Readings from the book launch

Susan’s Readers Group News –

My books –

Miss Penny Speaking!

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Well, I am upset! Susan has pre-empted me. Me, the star. Saturday at 4 p.m. is my blog time and guess what, Susan is releasing the January edition of Susan’s Readers Group News at the very same time. Huh!

So I decided to rip this cushion apart. It’s quite therapeutic.

Susan tells me the newsletter should have been released on Wednesday but the constraints of time pushed it today. A likely story! No more cuddles for you Susan. I could run away from home, isn’t that what kids do when they are upset with parents? That’s not a good idea. It cold outside. I’ll chew the cushion.

Here is the link to today’s edition  Susan’s Readers Group News just give it a click. Although I am miffed, it is an interesting publication and I do get a very brief mention.

Don’t despair I will be back next week with a good story.

Quick reference:

Susan’s YouTube Channel – Subscribe

 YouTube video serialized version of The Blue Pendant Episode 1 

YouTube Excerpts and launch readings of The Narrowboat Romance Series.

Susan’s Readers Group News  Subscribe News and updates about books, readers, authors 

My books  View Books You will find a list of all Susan’s books and where to buy them on this page

Contact Susan  Just one click She loves to hear from you, questions, suggestions and comments

A Star is Born!

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A Star Is Born, Miss Penny speaking, How do you like that title? I’m told there is a good movie playing with the same title, not that I’m allowed in movie theatres but I hear stuff. As I am the star of the blog today, I thought it was a good title.

We live in Ottawa, Canada—no we don’t live in igloos—but it is cold -26c today. Keeping the temperature in mind, picture this. I weight 7 1/2 lbs and I’m 9 1/2 inches tall. I know, I’m skinny, but stars are supposed to be slim and graceful. I’m definitely star material with my soft black and silver grey coat, a very cute face with long furry ears and tail, which wags at lightning speed. Anyway I digress, I have to go out for walks, because I’m a dog (most of the time) given the above information at -26c it is very cold for me. Susan wraps a warm doggie coat around me and it feels pretty good. I’m usually carried until we get to the garden and then I can run in the snow, bury my nose, and then it strikes— freezing pain in my paws. Can you imagine having an ice-cream headache in all four feet? Oh, I forgot humans only have two feet so that doubles my pain, and of course, I’m a dog so I have no idea what an ice-cream headache feels like but I know what freezing paws feel like. It is not a pretty sight as I lift my paw from the snow, I can manage two off the ground at the same and three on occasions but as hard as I try I cannot get all four in the air without falling on my butt. Not very elegant for a star! By this time I am shivering until my teeth chatter and I have lots, did I tell you I have many more teeth than I need, the vet always comments with envy, ‘all those teeth’ and an under-bite that is unique and very cute.  The shivering brings Susan to my rescue and she wraps her arms around me and we return to the warm apartment.

Are you asking about Susan and writing? The reason I’m the star today is that she is committed to her new plan. She’s been writing Sophie all week, marketing and making videos. My instructions are to tell you that the January edition of Susan’s Readers Group News will be out Wednesday, January 15th. This will include reading and writing update, giveaways plus more. If you haven’t already subscribed click here. Susan does not spam, one or two editions a month.

Quick reference:

Susan’s YouTube Channel – Subscribe

 YouTube video serialized version of The Blue Pendant Episode 1 

YouTube Excerpts and launch readings of The Narrowboat Romance Series.

Susan’s Readers Group News  Subscribe News and updates about books, readers, authors 

My books  View Books You will find a list of all Susan’s books and where to buy them on this page

Contact Susan  Just one click She loves to hear from you, questions, suggestions and comments

 

Miss Penny’s New Year!

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Miss Penny speaking. I’m not sure what all this chanting Happy New Year is all about, but as much as I love the excitement, I had to hibernate for a while. I thought the Christmas thing was fun because we did a lot of visiting and I was usually the star—I just love being the centre of attention. I say usually because at Frank’s place (Susan’s son) I have to compete with a large dog, Preston who is friendly but one paw flattens me and then there are these other creatures; just about my size but they growl under their breath, very rude, and make weird hissing sounds. They are cats. I mentioned them once before and they still don’t have manners or have improved their social skills. One of them, a chubby black and white cat has quite a temper and swatted at me with her paw, she thinks she’s a princess. Of course, she has no idea that I’m the real star.

Anyway, back to the New Year thing, it is a time to reflect and plan. Susan has been at the dining room table for two days writing lists and plans in a gold-colored book. I am ignored, even jumping up and giving my cute side-to-side look made no impression. This seems important and from what I understand there are three maybe four books planned for this year. Wow, that sounds ambitious and as Susan’s assistant, I will be busy too. I think there will be one or two more romance novellas—Susan says they are fun to write and her romance fans love them. The Sophie Series is back on track. Book one will be out this spring. And, watch out for the giveaway that is coming, a free book tracking journal, later this month. For more details subscribe to Susan’s Readers Group.

Oh, hold on, Susan is giving me instructions. The featured section of Books I’m Reading with book reviews and Work in Progress will now appear in Susan’s Readers Group News if you have subscribed it will appear in your Inbox on or near the 15th of the month. Please, rest assured Susan does not spam, one or two issues per month, nothing more. This allows Susan to be more detailed especially with reviews and keep you up to date with the general, book and author news and Susan’s progress with writing. Your comments regarding the change are not only welcome but encouraged. Your feedback is important and will influence Susan’s writing choices.

This is Miss Penny signing off and wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2019!

New & Coming in 2019:

Serialization of The Narrowboat Romance Series on YouTube, listen or watch at your leisure, new episode on or near the first of the month. If you subscribe to Susan’s YouTube channel, you’ll receive automated notification of new episodes.

Susan’s Reader Group News upgraded with monthly useful interesting articles.

Giveaways:

A downloadable Book Tracking Journal to keep track of books you’ve read.

A free copy of Ruins in Silk the prequel to The Sackville Hotel Trilogy and the new Sophie Series. Ruins in Silk is unique in that it links the two series together. It tells the story of a young Sophie, how and why she joined the staff at The Sackville Hotel and the Sophie Series continues Sophie life after she leaves the hotel to become a nurse.

Books: I have two copies left of Christmas at Lavender Cottage in stock and a good supply of When Love Ends Romance Begins Contact me 

For a complete list of Books and where to buy them go to My Books

The Evil Eye!

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Miss Penny

Yes, I am giving you the evil eye. Miss Penny speaking. I am being ignored and I want to play. Susan is busy with Christmas stuff; there are boxes and bags, curly ribbon and crinkly paper all over the dining room. Baking smells from the kitchen are tempting as another pan of shortbread comes out of the oven and gets packed into gift boxes. The phone keeps announcing visitors that is exciting, I love visitors, but they don’t stay long. They pick up a book or gift box, say hello and leave again. Susan’s latest Christmas at Lavender Cottage is going fast, I’m guessing that’s because it’s Christmas, who doesn’t like a warm, cozy romance, hot chocolate and an opportunity to make shortbread (Susan’s recipe is in the back of the book) Of course, I’m a dog so I know little about any of that, except it occupies Susan’s time, which means less cuddling and playtime for me. And, because of the cold and even some freezing rain my walks have been cut short. As you can see, I’m suffering here. Perhaps you could do me a favour and put a word in Susan’s ear, the evil eye didn’t work. Over to the boss.

My Work in Progress:

Not much writing going on these days, but did you know that most authors plan books in their head long before they start writing. It is subconscious; I don’t even realize I’m planning a story in my head until the words flow on the page and I wonder where it’s coming from. Right now, I’m thinking about, Sophie at nursing school and Zeppelins over war-torn London and it won’t be long before the words are flowing again. 

Book News: 

What next! Did you know there is an award for… wait for it… Bad Sex in Fiction Award – Interestingly, these scenes are the worst sex scenes in non-pornographic, non-erotica fiction. The award winning scene is selected for a long-list, short-list and some lucky or unlucky author gets the award.

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: 

I finished Kate Morton’s latest The Clockmakers Daughter I am giving it four stars; the book is amazing and I highly recommend it but the story is complicated. My next read is Maeve Binchy, Chestnut Street, a light read about ordinary people, characters who live on or have connections to Chestnut Street. The late Ms. Binchy had a knack of drawing you into the house place and feeling that the characters are your neighbour, friend or even the odd enemy. Her husband Gordon Snell put together this collection of Ms. Binchy’s stories. something she had talked about before her death.

Special offers!

Christmas at Lavender Cottage – A warm feel-good holiday romance  10.00 (in stores may be more)

 Romance and Christmas spirit are on the brink of disaster. A troubled, deceitful and prickly guest arrives atLavender Cottage just days before Christmas.  A missing necklace and false accusations threaten the joyful holiday. Eager to share Christmas with the man she loves, Katie struggles with uncertainty. Will justice prevail? Can true love flourish?

Gifts for you or your favourite person.

Relax, curl up nice and cozy and enjoy this gift pack. Includes A copy of Christmas at Lavender Cottage plus a matching coffee mug full of shortbread.

Price 15.00

Contact Susan 

Deluxe Package 

Deluxe Gift pack – Two books, When Love ends Romance Begins and Christmas at Lavender Cottage with two matching mugs one filled with shortbread and one filled with hot chocolate mix.

Price 29.99 

Contact Susanhttps://susanajennings.com/?page_id=25

Where to buy Susan’s books.

Gift packs are only available from  Susan please contact her directly.

In Ottawa Coles Billings Bridge or Susan directly

Online retailers, Amazon, Chapters/Indigo, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and many more stores around the world. All Susan’s books are availbe through your local libray if you can’t find them please make a request to the librarian they available to libraries through OverDrive. Check out Book Page for more details

At the Vets & New Novella

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*** “I’m not sure I’ll like that!

Miss Penny Speaking. I don’t remember going to this place before, it’s called The Vets. I’m not sure I liked it. Oh, the people were nice and I put on my charm, who can resist me, but I was prodded about and then unexpectedly poked with two needles and it hurt and Susan seemed to think it was okay. I thought it was rather rude. Susan said it was my vaccinations and the vet said I was too skinny, I thought that was rude too. Anyway, the skinny part is good because I now get some very tasty food — meat in gravy — that was good for a couple of days but now I’m full. Susan is fussing because I’m not eating enough. Let’s see what she tempts me with next. And… can you believe I was left alone all day, well not quite, grandson, William came to look after me in the morning and Sheila came in the afternoon. You may have noted that the blog is a day late because Susan was selling her books at the Hintonburg Craft Fair. I had better, pass you over to Susan as she has some book news.

More Romance is in the air! I have excellent news, Christmas at Lavender Cottage click here – A Christmas novella in The Narrowboat Series is available from a variety of online retailers as an e-book and both e-book and paperback are available from Amazon. Link to your retailer of choice. Or if you prefer to wait, I will have paperback copies $10 on Dec 8th. Did I mention that this novella includes recipes and I broke down and I am sharing my coveted, yummy, Scottish Shortbread recipe in this book?

If you didn’t get your copy of When Love Ends Romance Begins I still have copies. I think the two books would make great Christmas gifts? As a bonus, I have matching coffee mugs to give away. (pick-up only. Sorry postage is too expensive and unreliable) Live on Youtube; readings coming next week

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: I finished  The Kingfisher Secret the headline that sucked me in — The author is a respected writer and former journalist. His identity is being kept secret in order to protect the source of the ideas that inspired this novel — was not deceiving but I found the story lacked something, perhaps because of all the secrecy and anonymity. It definitely was not in the James Bond category for a spy novel. If, and I understand this was the target, it was written to reveal the political truth and point fingers at a governing president and his wife, it succeeded in the sense of similarities of characters and some events, but I fail to see the intended impact. Perhaps if the reader can read more into the political intrigue they might enjoy it more than I did.

The books are available at online retailers. Click the title, make your choice

The Blue Pendant Book I     Anna’s Legacy Book II    Sarah’s Choice Book III

First in series The Blue Pendant  on sale on  $4.99

Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice E-book at all online retailers $4.99

Check out the synopsis on My Books page. A great Book club read

Writing Courses: I have put the marketing of these course on hold until after Christmas, Get Rid of Page Fright & Write – Course 1 is available at the discounted price of $47 at http://just-for-writers.teachable.com More updates on the other courses will come at the end of this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Humdrum Week!

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Miss Penny speaking! Life has been humdrum this week, no visitor and we didn’t go anywhere but we’ve had some amazing walks in Britannia Park. Out of season, the By-law officers don’t patrol as much so we get to walk down to the beach and along the Britannia pier, which is nothing more than a bunch of rocks. But did you know that back in the day there used to be a pier going out into the bay and steamboats took passengers up the river? There are no steamboats today and as the winter approaches even the sailboats are gone, leaving the bay full of Canada Geese, noisy Canada Geese, preparing to take flight to warmer climates. I almost forgot to mention that Susan updated her website this week and she added a teaser, Click title to download When Love Ends Romance Begins. if you like it, grab the e-book for FREE this weekend. Well, that’s it from me today, over to the boss.

Writing Updates:  I’m right on schedule as I complete the last chapter of the story part of Christmas at Lavender Cottage. Because the Christmas celebration comes from my own family Christmases I have shared some of our family traditions and recipes. So next week I will search for the old recipes from my mother and grandmother.

Book News: Are you an Elizabeth Gilbert fan? Even if you haven’t read the book or seen the movie most people have heard of Eat, Pray, Love, the movie starred Julia Roberts and one I have watched many times. My all-time favourite book is Ms. Gilbert’s novel, written several years ago called The Signature of All Things a historical novel set in the 1800s in America and Tahiti. It is an unusual love story about a botanist and well worth a read. However, Ms. Gilbert recently announced her new book City of Girls coming June 4, 2019. Quoted from Elizabeth Gilbert’s website – a delicious novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, about a young woman discovering that you don’t have to be a good girl to be a good person. Now that sounds interesting. www.elizabethgilbert.com

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: My reading time was diminished this week because my eyes wouldn’t stay open. I read at night before I go to sleep; depending on how tired I am, dictates how much I read. I hasten to add it has nothing to do with the book I’m reading but everything to do with my fatigue. My current read The Address by Fiona Davis is a historical time-slip novel, 1885 and 1985. The story is about an upscale apartment building in New York. I’m enjoying the 1885 part but I’m not sure about the 1985 part. I’ll update when I finish the book.

Nonfiction: Searching for family recipes.

Writing Courses:  Although I have put the marketing of these course on hold until after Christmas, Get Rid of Page Fright & Write – Course 1 is available at the discounted price of $47 at http://just-for-writers.teachable.com More updates on the other courses will come at the end of this year.

 

New release: This weekend When Love Ends Romance Begins e-book is free on Amazon this weekend  Get your copy today

 

 

 

 

 

 

The books are available at online retailers. Click the title, make your choice

The Blue Pendant Book I     Anna’s Legacy Book II    Sarah’s Choice Book III

First in series The Blue Pendant  on sale on  $4.99

Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice E-book at all online retailers $4.99

Check out the synopsis on My Books page. A great Book club read.