Tag Archives: Kobo

wonS ?

Leave a reply

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!

Leave a reply

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!

Leave a reply

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 ….!

1 Reply

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’s New Year!

Leave a reply

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

At the Vets & New Novella

Leave a reply

*** “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.

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty and the Beast!

1 Reply

Beauty and the Beast that would be me, Miss Penny speaking! As you can see, a bad hair day that’s the beast part and after the groomer the beauty part. Pet Agree on Castlefrank Road in Glen Cairn and it is across the street from Susan’s daughter’s house, a bonus as we got to visit Rose. She has the perfect little backyard to run in and out. It was raining, so it didn’t do the hairdo much good and that was followed by a windy walk in Britannia Park.

It has been a busy week. Susan and I launched the new romance novel When Love Ends Romance Begins, the book thing was good but for me, it was the visitors. I’m quite popular and spent the afternoon going from one lap to the next, lots of cuddles and tummy rubs. If you missed the launch, we still have some copies; call us or email. Yesterday we did a book signing at Coles Billings Bridge on Riverside Drive. Susan likes that store, the staff are awesome and they work hard for local authors. I need to clarify, it’s not really, we as I’m not allowed in shopping malls. I can’t imagine why but I was left at home. That’s all from me today over to the boss.

Where to find all of Susan’s Books:

Susan’s stock at The Britannia  – Coles Bookstore Billings Bridge – Amazon  ,com/.ca/.Uk etc. see specific titles below. Kobo also has free short story downloads

Writing Updates: Keep your fingers crossed, it looks as though Christmas at Lavender Cottage will be ready for Dec 1. It is at the editor’s and the cover is almost ready. I enjoyed writing this book, its light, romance with a bit of adventure and a lot of suspense. Katie tries to get a perfect Christmas together and as we all know is often a recipe for disaster. Speaking of recipes, I had fun browsing the old recipe books and have included a few, including my coveted shortbread recipe.

Book News: I am not normally a fan of political intrigue but a friend sent me this headline The author is a respected writer and form journalist. HIs identity is being kept secret in order to protect the source of the ideas that inspired this novel. The title of the book The Kingfisher Secret A Novel Author Anonymous. We live in such troubled political times, full of secrets and untruths; I have become jaded and suspicious even of the politicians I once thought I could trust. Is this why this new book appealed to me? Am I searching for the truth? Will I find it in a novel? By definition a novel is fiction, but it is also the perfect way to expose true facts.

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: I am reading The Daisy Children by Sophia and to honest I’m notsure about this book. The story is based on the true story of a school tragedy in New London Texas in 1937. It has some merit and I will finish it but not sure I would recommend it.

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.

Visiting

Leave a reply

Do you see those creatures?

Miss Penny Speaking! Well, I am glad to be back. I was ignored last week, I was quite hurt, but Susan is busy this week so I get to write the blog. Visiting!  We did a lot of visiting last weekend because it was Thanksgiving weekend. As a precocious one-year-old, I get excited about all these new things. First, we went to eldest son’s girlfriends for a family Thanksgiving. I’m very cute so I got lots of fuss, chin tickles and admiration from the family. I was then introduced to this furry thing that twitched its nose, his name was Romeo—maybe he should be in one of Susan’s romance novels. I was scared of him, which seemed to amuse everyone and didn’t impress me. Susan liked him and petted him but I declined and clung to Susan.

Next, we went to the family in Stittsville, they have the huge dog Preston; he likes to play but he’s too big and he makes me jealous because he is much to and of Susan. I cannot argue when I’m the size of his head. Now, these other creatures called cats are interesting, I’ve mentioned them before. They are my size but not friendly and it’s quite unnerving as they as stalk around me. I jump and play trying to get some life into them but it doesn’t work. And, you should hear the noise they make, it’s not even close to a bark or growl but it’s this loud hissing noise usually accompanied by a paw slapping my face. I’ve given up on these cat creatures they are just rude. That’s it for today.

Writing Updates:  Christmas at Lavender Cottage continues at a much faster pace. Olivia the evil antagonist has developed into quite the character as it’s a Christmas story redemption is coming.

Book News: I love it when I get a package in my mailbox, it’s usually a book and this week it was Kate Morton’s new book, which I had pre-ordered, The Clockmaker’s Daughter. If you are a Kate Morton fan take a trip to the bookstore. I am a big fan of Kate Morton and so looking forward to reading this, but I have to be patient as I already have two books on the go.

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: As an author, I often read books similar to those that I am writing because I like to experience how other writers write, especially if it is a genre or subject I haven’t written in before. So, I put the contemporary thriller to one side to read a Christmas romance. Well, it is so bad. I will not name the author or the book, beyond it is a well-known romance writer and a Christmas romance.  So far the story has nothing to do with Christmas and the silliest plot about a young woman blogging. I wonder who would read it. Needless to say, this book was not much help.

Nonfiction: Nothing this week

Writing Courses:  Big sigh! I have put these on hold until after Christmas. I don’t have time to market or work on Course 2 & 3 as I prepare my novels for Christmas Craft Fairs and signings. Get Rid of Page Fright & Write – Course 1 will still be available at the discounted price of $58 at http://just-for-writers.teachable.com More updates will come at the end of this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

The Blue Pendant Book1 Anna’s Legacy Book 2 and Sarah’s Choice Book 3. E-books and print  at all online retailer

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

A gift of an e-book Ruins in Silk prequel to the trilogy. A perfect summer afternoon read. And the opportunity to sign up for Susan’s Reader’s Group.  

“Her mother’s death sets a path of tragedy; betrayal, misguided love and even murder ” 

  Click to download your gift of a free e-book   

Broad Enough Shoulders!

2 Replies

I sometimes wonder if I have broad enough shoulders to be a writer. Criticism from professionals, well-meaning friends and acquaintances is all part of the writing process. But it is perhaps an oxymoron for introverted creatives whose work becomes an intricate part of themselves. Creating anything whether it is painting a picture with words or an artist’s brush, weaving clothes or baskets, scrapbooking or making jewelry, the result is a unique and personal invention open to perception from every eye that sees it. Oh, I agree, there is a right way and a wrong way to do things and the English language, although it has many versions, is perhaps more rigid than most. And I quote from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “Therein lies the rub,” an obstacle which storytellers like me have to get over if they want a perfect book. Unfortunately, and I can only speak for myself, it can appear as criticism, which it probably is not. This week I have had a double whammy as my latest book is being proofread and I designed the cover. First, a quick cover in an easy program called Canva, (in last week’s blog). After listening to it’s a nice cover but… and stifling my unreasonable reaction of indignation, I decided to brush-up on Adobe InDesign and create a professional looking cover. You guessed it, I still had comments, a little more encouraging, I like it but… at first, I am unrealistically hurt but I need to suck it up and get back to the canvas. There are days when my shoulders are broad enough and days when they are not but most days, I put on the big girl panties and get on with it, knowing I have done my best. At the end of the day, I am lucky enough to have people around me who care enough to critique my creative prose. Thank you to everyone.

Writing Updates: All writing suspended to make way for cover design.

 

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: I finished Gill Paul’s Another Women’s Husband which I enjoyed. I still have an issue about Princess Diana’s part but the Wallis Simpson story was excellent. I can highly recommend this book. My latest read is Susanna Kearsley’s The Winter Sea a 1706 time-slip romance about a writer who disappears into her story (now that’s a familiar place to be), I was hooked from the first page. Ms. Kearsley’s description of Slain Castle and the rugged coast of Scotland is enthralling, the characters I love and liked from the very first chapter. I am so looking forward to reading this book.

Nonfiction: Nothing this week.

Writing Courses:  First Sentence to First Sale – Course One – Get Rid of Page Fright opens for registration next week, at noon (EST) on Wednesday, Sept 12, 2018

https://just-for-writers.teachable.com

 

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

The Blue Pendant Book1 Anna’s Legacy Book 2 and Sarah’s Choice Book 3. E-books and print  at all online retailer

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

A gift of an e-book Ruins in Silk prequel to the trilogy. A perfect summer afternoon read. And the opportunity to sign up for Susan’s Reader’s Group.  

“Her mother’s death sets a path of tragedy; betrayal, misguided love and even murder ” 

  Click to download your gift of a free e-book   

The Squirrel Syndrome!

Leave a reply

The Squirrel Syndrome! Did I read that correctly? Miss Penny speaking. Oh, boy! This will be a good blog today. I love squirrels. When we go for our morning walk, I try to catch them. I want to play chase; up trees, down fences and across roads, although that’s a bit dangerous. Unfortunately, Susan keeps my leash tight so I can’t catch them… get this, they run up trees and chase each other around the tree trunk. Wow, would I like to do that? As good as any mid-way ride. And before you know it they are off in another direction and I’m confused; where did the squirrel go? Um… are you wondering what squirrels have to do with writing or reading. You have a good point, I’ll ask Susan.

The squirrel syndrome or sometimes known as the next shiny thing is about distractions. The most prevalent distractions today are the bings, peeps and buzzes from electronic devices, a message here, a text there and we feel compelled to answer, in fact, the sender now has an expectation that a reply is imminent. Like the squirrel darting from tree to fence to road, we find our minds jumping from our current occupation, which for me it is writing and breaking concentration to answer messages or deal with unrelated tasks; the result is a busy day with little to show for it. As a writer, I find this particularly disheartening and frustrating because accomplishing my writing goal depends on the number of words I write per day. The solution is simple; it is called a Do Not Disturb button. When pressed, like magic, the bings, peeps and buzzes go away, no more squirrel distractions. Try it, it works!

 

Writing Updates: Squirrel distractions seem to have grasped my creativity and this week. Perhaps because I have been working on the romance book cover—here’s a sneak preview—I thought about book two in the series and I have outlined a Christmas story for the Narrowboat Romance Series. That, of course, means that Sophie has taken a back seat for a while, but she’ll be back.

 

 

Books I’m Reading: Fiction – Gill Pauls’ Another Women’s Husband a time-slip novel, is turning out to be interesting. I’m on the fence about the believability of the protagonist’s association with Princess Diana but the Wallis Simpson story is engaging and interesting.

Nonfiction: – Nothing this week.

 

Would you like to write? I hear this comment all the time. “I want to write a book?” But few people actually write. First Sentence to First Sale is an online writing course that helps you decide if writing is for you and gets you started on your writing journey.  Due for release soon, we’re a little behind schedule so please stay tuned Click here for details

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

The Blue Pendant Book1 Anna’s Legacy Book 2 and Sarah’s Choice Book 3. E-books and print  at all online retailer

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

A gift of an e-book Ruins in Silk prequel to the trilogy. A perfect summer afternoon read. And the opportunity to sign up for Susan’s Reader’s Group.  

“Her mother’s death sets a path of tragedy; betrayal, misguided love and even murder ” 

  Click to download your gift of a free e-book