Tag Archive | Penelope Marzec

Oliver’s Opinion: Love’s Gift (Book Review)

Mar7
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Oliver’s Opinion: Love’s Gift (Book Review)

My mom told me that there is a rogue dog in this Penelope Marzec’s latest novel, Love’s Gift. This dog loves to eat flowers. I’m not sure why because flowers don’t seem that appealing to me. Having said that, a book with a dog in it is always aces in my opinion!

I learned something new reading this historical novel set in 1903 in the United States. There was a Chinese Exclusion Act that President Chester A. Arthur signed in 1882 that forbid the immigration of Chinese laborers. It was the only law that ever excluded one ethnic or national group from coming here.

The main character of this book, Amaranth, is of Chinese origin but born in the United States. Because of this law, however, she lives in fear of being deported to a country with a culture and language foriegn to her. She was raised by nuns as she had been abandoned at birth. Now as a young adult she’s stepping out into the real world to face the discrimination and trying to have a job to support herself in the midst of strong bigotry against anyone Asian.

Amaranth is hired by Mrs. Tildon of Sea Haven, New Jersey, as a secretary. She soon discovers there are deep secrets in this family including a rude maid who is never fired for her words or behavior, a degenerate father, a brother who appears out of nowhere, and the oldest son, William who is obsessed with helping his mother’s asthma and concerned about status.

A lot of things go wrong as Mrs. Tildon, a leader of a suffragete movement, is vilified and other tragedies occur. Amaranth holds to the faith she was raised with in spite of it all and prays for this family she is now a part of, even if only as an employee. Can God heal the divisions in this family? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

The sweet dog, named Tulip, isn’t a horrible dog, but a sweet one. I won’t tell you what happens with her but I loved her character in the book.

I highly recommend this historical novella. It is timely given the current discussions and debates over immigration and the fears that some might have about being deported even if they were born and have lived her all their lives. While that fear may not be rooted in truth now (and yes, some might debate me on that, but remember, I’m a dog), it gives the reader a sense of what that might be like but also how faith can preserve even in the midst of real and imagined fears. I recommend Love’s Gift and give it five bones, because I’m a dog and I don’t have thumbs.

This is me, Oliver, keeping watch so my mom can read these great books (and write awesome ones as well!) It’s what dogs do.

Oliver’s Opinion: Making Christmas Again (Book Review)

Nov15
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Oliver here! I’m so excited for Christmas because last year I was too small and in an Amish puppy mill so I didn’t understand all the colorful lights and the tree and gifts! That’s why reading Penelope Marzec’s book Making Christmas Again is compelling, because sometimes Christmas just doesn’t feel like Christmas. Have you ever experienced that? Obviously I did last year as no one even told me there was such a thing.

Celeste has a lot going on. Her mother died so she’s gotta leave a challenging job situation to go home to settle affairs. She’s the only remaining person in her family which is terribly sad. She also had broken up with a menacing boyfriend/boss and had uncovered his embezzlement and was a whistleblower, only her employer doesn’t realize this yet. She also left her mother’s faith behind her, focusing more on numbers than the intangible.

She arrives home to find someone living in her mother’s basement. Make that two someones! I’d be barking my head off! Especially since one is a little boy whom I would love to play with. This little boy has Down Syndrome which her deceased sister also had, so now she’s missing her mom and her sister and there’s a snowstorm.

Sawyer is the father to this precious little soul and is also grieving Mrs. Greenfield’s death as she had been so helpful to him with his son after his wife died and had encouraged him in his business, even renting her basement space for his work. Celeste hadn’t been told. Now he has a new landlord who can’t see past her own grief and challenges to trust, much less celebrate the faith her mother held dear.

Death, upheaval, an extra chromosome, snow, and other challenges face these two characters as they find their way through each day to understanding each other and maybe even falling in love. But will Celeste stay in town or will she return to her employer leaving Sawyer’s heart broken?

Through all the twists and turns, challenges, and snowstorms, these two people might find a miracle yet and Christmas might once again be cherished and celebrated.

Mom loves Penelope’s writing so you should give her a try if you haven’t before. Buy Making Christmas Again. I give it five bones because I’m a dog. Oh, and leave her a nice review after you’ve read it, it really does help an author out.

Oliver’s Opinion: The Keeper’s Secret (Book Review)

Oct11
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hi, Oliver here again with another book. Guess I keep getting up to too many shenanigans so she wants to keep my paws busy here instead of bothering my sister, Minnie (maybe mom will put Minnie to work sometime instead of saddling me with all of these reviews). A dog can only hope.

This time the book is by Penelope Marzec called The Keeper’s Secret and it is a delightful and suspenseful romance filled with faith, trauma, and victory in the end for our two protagonists (aren’t you amazed I even know that word? I’m only one you know!).

Our town has a lighthouse but not with this kind of history or action going on around it as this story takes place in Shucker’s Point, New Jersey. Anyway, lighthouses are cool and a nice backdrop for this tale.

Evie is the keeper of the lighthouse and things are not going well for this woman. Her husband was missing and he was a famous research scientist, so any suspicion of foul play natural falls to the wife, Evie. She has secrets she’s keeping close.

Unfortunately for her and her daughter, the investigator, Bryce, is her old love from high school who harbors some ill will toward Evie while simutaneously struggling with those long lost loving feelings. She protests her innocence while he’s trying to arrest her.

Once upon a time Bryce wanted to marry Evie but after she did something impulsive and technically illegal he shunned her. Since those days past, he’d walked away from God and she has embraced faith in Jesus. So not only do they clash regarding a crime she didn’t commit, but their faith is at odds as well.

I don’t want to give spoilers but this book keeps you guessing the who done it part which makes it a thrilling read. Penelope Marzec digs deep into the trauma, loneliness, dark nights of the soul of her characters and their respective hurts and struggle to believe God can work it all out.

I highly recommend you read this romantic suspense, The Keeper’s Secret. It gets five bones from me.

Spatzle Speaks: Angel of the L Train (Book Review)

Aug12
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Mom has enjoyed the writings of author Penelope Marzec and her latest release, Angel of the L Train was exceptionally well done if you were to ask Mom. But that doesn’t matter because as her dog I rule this part of the blog so only my opinion really counts.

Thea Ahern is recently hired by a New York City gossip rag called LetSlip. She’s eager to work and earn money to support her mother’s nursing home care, but in the process has to hide her heritage. After a tragic incident on the subway, she assists a man who was brutally attacked and saves his life. Now the papers dub her the Angel of the L Train. Suddenly her anonymity is challenged as people see the resemblance between her and her mother who used to be a famous actress.

John is asked to shadow Thea because his boss believes her to be a way to uncover the truth about what happened to Thea’s mother. John understands the desire to hide from the past and he seeks to protect her from media scrutiny. When the CEO of LetSlip is murdered while John is in the building, his own dark past is revealed. How can he protect her and keep his job? Can Thea ever forgive him when she discovers his past–and his true reason for watching over her?

This is an excellent read filled with adventure and obstacles for the characters to overcome, but also heart as Thea and John both care deeply for family and would sacrifice to protect those they love. I give it five bones because I’m a dog and that’s how I roll.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

Spatzle Speaks: Patriot’s Courage (Book Review)

Sep11
Reading Time: 2 minutes

If you like historical novels Patriot’s Courage by Penelope Marzec might be one you would enjoy. Although there are no dogs in it, my mom seemed to like the story very much.

Ryan McGown has lost his brother in an Indian rampage and vows to kill every Indian can. His views are challenged by his belief in God and a beautiful, independent young woman who has lived with them.

Màxkchulëns was adopted by the Lenape at four years of age. She has adapted to life as an Indian in spite of her red hair and white skin. When here husband is killed in battle she is captured and brought to the fort where Ryan is commanded to teach her English. Raw grief and a longing for her home war with attraction to the young soldier.

Ryan is equally attracted but his faith is challenged when he discovers Màxkchulëns, also called Red Bird, is with child. A Lenape child.

Red Bird struggles to understand English and the faith of her parents from long ago as Ryan instructs her. What is grace? How can she understand this? Life gets confusing for her when once again her white heritage clashes with her Indian upbringing.

I don’t want to give any spoilers away but Penelope Marzec weaves tale full of twists and turns and you won’t want to miss any of it! I give this book five bones, becuase I’m a dog and I don’t have thumbs.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

Writer Wednesday: Penelope Marzec

Dec4

Reading Time: 4 minutesPlease welcome Penelope Marzec to Writer Wednesday! She’s written some fabulous books and I’ve had the honor of working with her on several of them.

When did you decide that you would be an author? Was it something you fell into, felt called to… ?

I decided to be an author at the age of nine. That summer I wrote a book—in green ink on yellow legal paper and I illustrated it, too. In the story, the heroine came from another planet and could fly, which wasn’t a very original idea. However, the experience of writing enthralled me and I vowed I would eventually become a published author. Still, I didn’t want to suffer from starvation so I went to college and became an early childhood educator, which was a terrific job because I got to read and reread all my favorite children’s stories, sing songs, play, do craft projects, and teach the alphabet to lots of youngsters so they could grow up to be readers. Though I came home exhausted everyday, I wrote. It may have taken me longer to get published than some writers, but in the meantime I collected plenty of ideas for stories.

What’s your pet peeve?

I get very annoyed when someone who is not a writer informs me that if I want to be a famous author then I should write a bestseller. There are people who will not read books unless they are on the bestseller lists. They are missing a lot.

What was your most embarrassing moment as a writer?

I’ve endured several embarrassing moments as a writer, but I suppose one of the most humiliating occurred at a conference. I intended to take notes at a workshop with my trusty iPad, but for some reason the keyboard wasn’t working. I fiddled around with several settings until several of the other writers in the room called out my name. I glanced up at the presentation on the screen. Somehow, I had tapped into it. I turned off my iPad and wished I had an invisibility cloak handy.

What has been your most difficult challenge as an author?

When my daughters were younger and I was working, my most difficult challenge was carving out time to write. When my youngest joined the Explorers so she could become an EMT at an early age, I drove her back and forth twice a week so she could become certified. During her two hour lessons, I sat on the floor in the hallway writing. It turned out to be worth every minute of sitting on that cold, hard floor because I sold the book and it won an award.

How do you process rejections and/or negative reviews?

Getting rejections never bothered me much. As a member of RWA and the local NJ chapter, I learned about the process of submitting and the odds of getting rejected. A rejection to me seemed more like a badge of honor—proof that I possessed the determination to carry on despite the obstacles. After all, some writers had far more rejections than I did. However, negative reviews hit me hard at first. I found it difficult to understand how someone could read my book and decide it didn’t measure up to their personal standards. Sometimes, I wondered if the reviewers actually read the book. They could be so cruel!

My writing friends helped me get over the hurt. One of them pointed out how some of our favorite books had gotten terrible reviews. When I looked up the reviews on many of my most loved classics, I was appalled. There’s no accounting for taste as the old saying goes. Now I treat negative reviews with far more aplomb.

What do you feel is the best success so far in your writing career?

Being published by Pelican Book Group has been the high point of my career as a writer. Before that, I went from one small publisher to another. Several companies folded and I was left with orphaned manuscripts. I consider myself very fortunate to be writing for a company with solid Christian values.

What is your current work in progress?

I’m still debating with myself what to use as a title for my current work in process, but I’ve enjoyed writing it. It’s the story of a young woman who grew up in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey where nobody knew her mother was a once-famous, award-winning actress. When the young woman gets a job in New York City and helps save a man’s life, she is caught up in a media frenzy. One of her new coworkers comes to her aid, but his own dark secret will threaten them both.

Clear as Ice (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) by [Marzec, Penelope]Bio:

Penelope Marzec grew up along the Jersey shore. She started reading romances at a young age and fell hopelessly in love with happy endings. Two of her inspirational romances won EPIC’s eBook Award and another was a finalist in that contest. Her paranormal, Irons in the Fire, was a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award.

Website: www.penelopemarzec.com

Newsletter:  Sign up at http://penelopemarzec.weebly.com/contact-me.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penelopemarzecbooks/

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/penelopemarzec

Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Penelope-Marzec/e/B002BLQGA4

Latest book release: https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Ice-Christmas-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B07YSXW85Q

Spatzle Speaks: Christmas Extravaganza Book Reviews

Nov15

Reading Time: 3 minutesI’m back! It’s been a while since I’ve posted. Mom doesn’t usually want me playing on her computer. She’s afraid I’ll post something embarrassing on Facebook as if I could do better than she does with that?

Next week three fabulous Christmas novellas are releasing and they are already available for preorder so get yours now!. Well, to be honest, there are more, but these are the only three I’m personally acquainted with, and since mom is so nice, I’m even including hers on this list.

Clear As Ice by Penelope Marzec

Marzec takes Haylie, a former Olympic ice skater with a stalker and a fear of dogs and matches her up with Ethan, a paramedic with serious issues with Christmas and God. The dog, Rufus, is the real star of this story as he is the ultimate matchmaker for these two. This immediately gains it five bones in my book, because I’m pro-dog because I am a dog. Haylie is afraid of relationships but finds that the handsome paramedic keeps showing up in her life, mostly because of his dog. Can Ethan break down the barriers to her heart and can Haylie help restore his faith in God and the wonder of Christmas in his?

Crazy Creek Christmas by Lisa J. Lickel

Leah Hane’s is without roots. She finds a job working as a cook at the Rocking J Ranch in Crazy Creek, Wyoming. This ragtag bunch of cowboys need more than good meals though. She quickly finds herself needed and helping them in a variety of ways as they strive to save the ranch from being sold.

Noel Johnsen is the legitimate heir to the property, or so he thinks. His family was lost in a horrific accident and Christmas brings up bad memories of that loss. He wants to ditch his family’s homestead but his brother-in-law who had been running the place is reluctant and the new cook they hired keeps butting her nose in where it’s not wanted. Soon more than the land is at stake…but his heart as well.

I love this ranch story. I love the outdoors and running around outside so I was for them keeping the ranch. You’ll have to read the story to find out what they do. I loved it.

Sugar Cookies and Street Lamps by Susan M. Baganz

A young woman, Noelle, hates Christmas and is paired up with an investment advisor in creating a magical gala for his company. He loves Christmas and soon finds himself attracted to the woman he’s helping out in creating his companie’s big holiday event.

Boy do I know about Wisconsin winters. I love the snow and we’ve already had plenty for me to jump around it. Mom thinks it’s funny becuase I can’t stand rain, or a bath. Regardless, this Christmas romance is sweet and mom included the family sugar cookie recipe at the end and I personally can vouch for how tasty those are.

My perspective:

All of these stories are worthy reads, so get them now and then do your dog a favor and snuggle up with them for a good Christmas reading time, hot chocolate optional. I give each story five bones, because I’m a dog and and I don’t have thumbs.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

Spatzle Speaks: Hoping for Joy (Book Review)

Dec16

Reading Time: 2 minutes51sbsfx7llPrism Book Group has released another book in their “Love is…” series of romances based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.  Hoping for Joy by Penelope Marzec is about love always hoping.

Hannah isn’t your typical blushing bride-to-be. She’s beginning to wonder whether her fiance will ever marry her. He’s preoccupied with helping his father care for his niece, Joy and keeping Joy’s mother, his sister, out of jail as she repeatedly gets in trouble with her addictions.

While Hannah understands the challenges he’s facing, she’s feeling a tad neglected and as if she’s not important to him. He’s not even a believer.

Logan is overwhelmed with responsibilities and really doesn’t think of his fiancee all that much until she’s attacked and almost killed by his sister during a robbery. But how can he balance the needs of Hannah with those of a little girl, a lost sister and a father who’s health is failing. How can he salvage his relationship with Hannah in the midst of all that?

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that's how we roll.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

This is a story of lost hopes and dreams giving birth to new ones and as a dog, I adore children so little Joy was my favorite part. That and she has the same name as someone in my house! A romantic suspense that will warm your heart. I give it five bones, because I’m a dog and I don’t do stars.

5 bones for blog

Spatzle Speaks: Cowboy Christmas Novellas (Book Reviews)

Nov18

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Prism Book Group is releasing several Christmas novellas about cowboys–just in time for the holidays! Since they all release today, I had no choice but to give them to you all in one post.

A Love Valley Christmas

Mary Ball has written a sweet story of love and faith with A Love Valley Christmas. Susie Aleman is a widow running a mercantile in Love Valley called Spurs. When she’s not working she’s raising her sixteen-year-old son, Zam. Life is comfortable with her work, friends, and faith. When newcomer Ty Porter strolls into her store Susie’s heart beats faster.

Ty’s not looking for a love connection. He’s made his mistakes in his past and faith isn’t something he understands. But it’s just possible that Christmas, a sweet woman, and her son might just hold the life he’s been searching for.

When Susie Aleman isn’t running Spurs, a mercantile in Love Valley, she’s raising her sixteen-year-old son, Zam. She’s content with life and relies on no one but God. Then Ty Porter moves to Love Valley and stampedes into her heart.

This isn’t your young love story – but is a sweet tale of reluctant love over the holiday season.

Crazy Woman Christmas

In Crazy Woman Christmas, author Renee Blare brings us a unique Christmas tale. Bianca Kolceski has made her share of mistakes and after running away from her parents in shame. Having turned her life around, she’s finally decided to return home to Texas for Christmas. A blizzard in Wyoming forces her off the road.

Devon Dawson doesn’t do Christmas as he grieves the loss of his parents. The cowboy is on his way home to hunker down during the storm when he spies a little car buried in the snow. Helping out Bianca he has no other option than to take her to his ranch.

Life is hard in the blizzard and two strangers with painful pasts learn about faith and love during the Christmas season.

 

 

Hats Off!

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Nancy Bolton has given us a wonderful story in Hats Off. This cover is different from the others because it is historical taking place in Oregon in the 1920’s. Kay, a widow, has moved there to be with her brother and his wife. She works making shirts and the lining for custom hats. She’d known love once but could there be a second chance for her?

Aaron is a quiet man who does his job but one night gets drunk and is discovered by Kay who gets her brother Philip to care for the man. He intrigues her in their fiew shy interactions. She steps out and tries new things including challenging the quiet man with his own dark past. Their brief interactions ignite sparks quickly.

Love bloom in the cold of winter as both learn that sometimes, hope at Christmas, is a powerful thing if one is willing to reach for it.

 

Hill Country Homecoming 

61-yqchy2zlJulie Cosgrove’s latest release is a Texas story that takes place in Hill Country Homecoming. Sarah Mansfield is used to living large on her daddy’s dime. The only reason she’s returning home to the ranch is for the annual holiday party and announce her engagement to a rich man, Trey Simpson. The down side is having to see her father’s ranch manager, Travis Wallace, a guy who she sees as a loser. As her dreams are about to come true a harsh reality snatches it all away as responsibility for the ranch falls to her.

Travis sees the beautiful Sarah as beautiful but impossible. But when push comes to shove her perseverance in learning the ranch business begins to earn his respect. As he answers questions about the true meaning of Christmas, he begins to wonder if Sarah might not be the girl for him after all. But only a miracle will convince him of that.

A Christmas love triangle filled with suspense, faith and love.

Mixed-Up Christmas

61fixigogxlDixie Jo Jarchow gives us a sweet tale in Mixed-Up Christmas. Mix Malone is done riding bulls. He’s broken too many bones, suffered too many head injuries to ride anymore in spite of the fame and fortune it has provided for him and his family. He pulls into town in the middle of a snow storm and stops at the Outlaw Cafe.

Blossom Deavers isn’t quite sure what to do with the beaten up cowboy who passes out in her empty cafe. When his family begins to threaten him as she simply befriends the cowboy and listens to his own dreams as hers are falling apart, she decides maybe it is time to move on. Christmas isn’t about dreams anyway, is it?

This is a story about broken dreams, broken families and the hope of Christmas and courage.

 

The Cowboy’s Miracle

61mwix1nxqlPenelope Marzec brings us The Cowboy’s Miracle. Rodeo star and veterinarian, Seth Holmes is running from men who are hunting him down, due to his father’s crimes. He searches for a home that might belong to grandparents he didn’t know he had but instead finds Gariella Cavallo.

Gabriella has been living on the farm of a woman who had been like a grandmother other and Seth threatens to upset the security of her future in raising alpacas, managing a greenhouse and carriage house that she rents out.

When someone targets the alpacas, Seth’s veterinarian skills come in handy. But can Seth penetrate the wall of fear around Gabriella’s heart while protecting her from those who are pursuing him?

Love, suspense, and alpacas. A great Christmas read.

If you like novellas with cowboys during the holidays, any and all of these novellas will fit the bill. I give each one five bones because I’m a dog, and that’s how I roll. 5 bones for blog

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that's how we roll.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

 

Patriot’s Pride (Book Review)

Jun19

Reading Time: 2 minutesPatriot's pridePatriot’s Pride is author Penelope Marzec’s fabulous sequel to Patriot’s Heart. 

It is now post war and America is a free nation, but Margaret needs to travel to England for the reading of her grandfather’s will. Although they never knew the Earl of Bancroft, she is eager to learn more of her mother. And she carries with her a deep grief. As a simple baker who clings to her faith, she learned healing arts through the struggles of war.  Confronted with the puffed up consequence of Doctor Fortune aboard ship, attraction and conflict over their opposing belief systems keep them at odds.

Dr. Derrick Fortune can’t understand why anyone would doubt science but even he struggles with the cost of his limitations in understanding how to heal the human body. On ship to further his education as well as to hopefully heal his wounded soul, the feisty milkmaid fights and tempts him at every turn.

Tragedy forces them to band together to ensure the successful conclusion to their trip and in spite of their differences they form a bond that continues once they dock on England. But can the Earl’s granddaughter ever really love a man like Derrick? And could Derrick ever humble himself enough to recognize that God is the greatest healer of our hearts and win the hand of Margaret?

This tale is filled with adventure and conflict and woven well with history. The high seas and British society challenge both characters to grow in ways they never imagined and a far greater gift awaits both Margaret and Derrick. Faith is handled well and it is fun to see Margaret, a secondary character in Patriot’s Heart, get her own story and see her lost dreams redeemed in surprising ways.