Today my guest is Penny Brandon.
Check out Penny’s recipe for trifle – yum! and hear about her upcoming January new release.
Don’t forget to check out the giveaways.
I love Christmas and always look forward to it. What’s your favourite holiday of the year and what makes it so special?
I actually love Easter because it’s a perfect excuse to eat lots of chocolate!
You need an excuse to eat chocolate? *wink*
Do you and your family/friends have any special holiday traditions?
As far back as I can remember (and that’s a long way back) my family have always opened a present on Christmas Eve. I kept that tradition with my own children, and now with my grandchildren, though we have to make sure they only pick a small present.
We do that too. I was thinking of stopping it now the kids are a lot older, but maybe we’ll just stick with it 🙂 What’s the worst present (Christmas or otherwise) you’ve ever received?
I’ve been lucky. I’ve never received any present I haven’t loved.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
Six Grandchildren.
Aww… grandkids are wonderful. If you could be granted one special gift for the world for the holiday season, what would it be?
That everyone starts the day happy, and ends the day even happier.
Christmas carols. Yes or no?
I love hearing them, but I’m completely tone deaf, and I never know all the words.
Do you watch Christmas movies? If so, what’s your favourite all time holiday movie?
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (With the Griswolds). I can watch that over and over.
Share a favourite holiday recipe.
My Grandmother used to make a Sherry Trifle for Christmas, and even though my children don’t actually like it, I love it, and will make a small one just for me. It’s easy and simple to make if you don’t mind cutting a few corners.
Line the bottom of a bowl with sponge fingers (or cut up a sponge cake)
Pour approx. three tablespoons of Sherry over the top and allow it to sit for about five minutes
Add fruit of your choice (Strawberries and Banana are my favourite)
Make up a jelly of your choice (optional), and pour over the fruit and sponge. (You can even add fruit to the jelly if you prefer) Put in fridge to set.
Pour custard over the jelly (If you haven’t added jelly, then pour over the fruit)
You can add extra fruit or even more sherry soaked sponge at this stage if you wish
Add whipped cream, and then decorate with more fruit or whatever you like.
Eat and enjoy!
The end of the year is often a time for making New Year’s Resolutions. Do you have any you’d be willing to share? After all, they do say you’re more likely to achieve a goal if you share it 🙂
I’m hoping to go overseas and see my family mid 2017, but while suffering a chronic illness I put on loads of weight, so my New Year’s Resolution is to try and lose the weight, so I’ll be slim and trim (well, slimmer and trimmer) when I next see my family.
Good luck with being healthy for next year. What does 2017 hold for you on the writing front? What can your readers expect to see from you?
I’m proud to announce that I have the third installment of the Looking Glass series coming out in January 2017. “His Heart’s Desire”, is Simon’s story. As the mirror’s keeper, it’s his job to show others their heart’s desire, but for years he’s been waiting for his turn. After nearly giving up, Simon gets to meet Alex, but Alex is a punk-assed kid with ripped jeans and rainbow colored hair! As you can imagine, Simon is not very pleased, but if I made the way he finds his heart’s desire too easy, where would be the fun in that?
There are many people who aren’t as fortunate as me and this time of year is always a time where I reflect on how lucky I am. It’s a time for giving back and I do so by supporting my favourite charity (Twenty10 who provide support for LGBT youth) financially and with their Christmas Hamper drive. Is there a favourite charity or not-for-profit organization you’d like to call out and raise the awareness of?
Minus 18 is Australia’s largest youth led organisation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans youth.
Check out one of Penny’s books…
Blurb: Save Me (Voodoo Dolls #1)
From the first moment Steve sees Nathan, he knows he’s in trouble. First, Nathan looked just like the doll he’d found on his bed, and second, Steve couldn’t stop thinking how it would feel having Nathan in his arms and under his body. He’s never desired anyone so strongly before, and he’s reluctant to show it, but then Nathan gives him something he hadn’t been conscious of wanting. Stunned, he craves more, but starts to worry what he feels might not be real.
Alone and vulnerable after being dumped by his ex, Nathan longs for the security of being in a relationship. With no money, no job, and now a Voodoo Doll out to kill him, Nathan doesn’t think things could get any worse, but then he starts falling for Steve. Problem is, it doesn’t look like Steve feels the same way. Even after Steve finally lets Nathan in, Steve unexpectedly withdraws, refusing to explain why.
Unable to cope with another rejection, Nathan succumbs to the evil of the doll. Steve realizes he needs to own up to his feelings, but are they enough to save Nathan?
Buy Links
Loose Id
All Romance eBooks
Amazon
GIVEAWAYS
To enter just comment on this post and a winner will be randomly chosen on after 19th December.
1st prize: $20 Amazon GC, 2nd Prize: $15 Amazon GC (courtesy of Meg Bawden), $10 ARe GC (courtesy of Beany Sparks), and 4th Prize is a bundle of 4 ebooks (1 back list title from Renae Kaye, Penny Brandon’s “His Heart’s Desire”, LJ Harris’ “The Haunting of Angus MacGregor”, and a backlist title from N.J. Nielsen)
About the author
Penny is a complete romantic who believes everyone can fall in love if only they’ll open their heart to the possibility, which is why she writes those hot, erotic stories that will always have a happily ever after. However, it doesn’t mean she’ll necessarily make it easy for her men to get there. A lover of things that go bump in the night, Penny’s imagination can sometimes run riot, and dolls that want to kill is only the beginning.Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/myheartschoice/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennyBrandon
Thank you for the interview Penny. I hope you are feeling better now and good luck with the weight loss. It is always a battle.
Happy Holidays.
Hi Tanya. Thank you, I’ve already managed to lose 7kgs, so I’m on the right track, but with Christmas coming up, with all those lovely mince pies, and Christmas cake, and puddings, and trifles… Um, maybe I should wait until next year. 🙂
That Sherry Trifle sounds awesome, Penny. I shall try it. Thank you for the interview, the recipe and the giveaway, of course.
Hi Susana. I’ve been making (and eating) that trifle since I was a little girl. My grandmother would make me a special one without the sherry in it at first, but I’d keep sneaking spoonfulls of hers until she gave in and let me eat from the big trifle. It’s one of those things that remind you of more simpler days.
Thanks for the interview, Penny. good luck with the travel too
Hi Amy. Travel is one of the best things I love to do. The destination doesn’t usually matter, I just love getting in the car and seeing where I end up. When flying of course, I do know where I’m going, but even that’s an adventure because you never know what’s going to happen to you along the way.
Thank you for the interview, Penny. Best wishes from afar!
And Happy Holidays.
Hi DIdi. I love your profile pic. I’ve just started a book about wolves. Well a wolf shifter with a half vampire half witch boyfriend. I can’t say any more than that, but sign up to my blogpage and you’ll get a notification when I post.
Thank you or the interview Penny. This is the second trifle recipe I’ve come across. I’ve never had one so I’ll have to try them both.Happy Holidays =)
Hi HB. It’s amazing how many people don’t make them, and you can’t usually buy one already made. It’s not difficult, and it doesn’t really matter if it doesn’t turn out right, it still tastes yummy. Good luck with your attempts.
Yes!!!, I love the Looking Glass series, and i have been waiting for Simon’s story. Can’t wait for the release in January 🙂
Happy Holiday’s to everyone.
Hi Angela. Yes, poor Simon, I’ve made him wait far too long, and I have to admit he doesn’t like me for it. I’m hoping we’ll still be on speaking turns when he’s got over his shock. His Heart’s Desire should be out on the 10th, so keep an eye out for it.
The lucky winner is Ami. Penny will be in contact shortly to arrange to get you your prize. Congratulations! 🙂
Congratulations, Ami!