The rather unusual cover of 'Romance Novel' cannot fail to catch the eye...and with this in mind, I asked PJ how her humourous take on the romance genre has been recieved so far.
PS- As part of her awesome blog tour, PJ is kindly offering a $15 Amazon eVoucher to one lucky person who leaves a comment during the tour - the name to be drawn at random - so why not leave a comment for a chance to win?
Over to you PJ!
How this very different ‘romance novel’ has been received
In my past life, I’d published five romances, all of which received great reviews. This time around, my premonitions about how well ROMANCE NOVEL would be received ranged from cautious optimism to doubtful disparagement. Though close friends and critique partners encouraged me to publish ROMANCE NOVEL, I was still doubtful that everyone else would ‘get it’.
Luckily, so far, most people have gotten my unorthodox and sometimes crude sense of humor.
In addition to the awesome critic reviews, RN has also picked up some great reader reviews and some AWESOME personal letters from readers who seriously ROCK.
One such reader actually called me ‘brilliant’. Really? Me brilliant? In all honesty, I’d always envisioned myself as someone of average intelligence whose brain occasionally farts out sage nuggets of boorish, though somewhat comical, one-liners. Though I’m not rushing to fill out that MENSA application, I truly appreciate the compliment, and will certainly store it away in my memory to use whenever I need to win an argument against my husband.
So in a really long, drawn-out, painful, complicated round-about way of saying things, yes, ROMANCE NOVEL has been received very well thus far. Why thank you, Grace, for asking.
And just to prove I wasn’t blowing smoke up your fannies in this vague and rambling interview, here’s some SUPER-AWESOME links to some SUPER-AWESOME critics who loved ROMANCE NOVEL. Thanks to everyone who stopped by today, and thanks, readers, for loving RN and totally making me feel all sparkly inside and out, just like a vampire, only way more sparkly. PJ
PJ Jones began writing Romance Novel in the spring of 2009 when she was seriously ill, thinking that this book would be her last dying legacy for mankind. After you read this book, you will probably wonder if she was trying to seal her fate in hell. Who knows? But PJ Jones has conquered her illness and is much better now. But you probably don't care, as long as her writing is funny. PJ Jones is also an avid reader of real romance novels. So why does she poke fun of them? Consider it comic relief.
AND FOR YOUR DELIGHT AND DELECTATION HERE IS AN EXCERPT:
“I wouldn’t drink that poison if I were you.”
He spoke with a slight accent, reminding Smella of a lonely soul from another place, another time. Or maybe just a British guy trying to sound like he was from nineteenth century Boston .
Smella’s eyes widened. Her gaze shot to the beer, then back to the stranger. “What poison?”
“You can’t pin anything on me!” The bartender hollered while stumbling backward, before falling against a shelf of beer mugs.
Locked in the stranger’s dark gaze, Smella ignored the sound of crashing glass. She was more interested in his perfectly kissable blood red lips and the cold, impenetrable aura that radiated off his stony features.
“Alcohol destroys your kidneys.” The stranger flashed a subdued smile, revealing pearly white, jagged teeth.
“You’re right.” Turning down her lips in disgust, Smella pushed away the offending glass. “Thank you for berating my choice of beverage. Throughout this novel, you may occasionally behave like a total control freak, but I know you are only concerned for my well-being, and because I am a woman, obviously I’m too stupid to act in my own best interest.”
Somewhere in the darkest recesses of her mind, she thought she heard the obese bartender scream, “Help me! I’m bleeding everywhere!” But she refused to let him ruin the romantic tension that she was trying to build with the tall pasty stranger. Leaning toward him, she playfully batted long lashes while twirling a lock of hair around her finger.
But the stranger didn’t respond to her flirtation. He was too busy pinching his nose and making a gagging sound.
She scooted back. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” He spoke through a wheeze. “I have to go.”
In a flash, he was gone.
Smella was confused, bewildered, frightened, rejected, vulnerable, hurt, self-conscious and irritated.
But never mind her PMS.
She was more concerned about her awkward encounter with the kind stranger.
Links you want to include: http://pjjonesramblings.blogspot.com/
My FB page:
GRACE: - Thank you for visiting PJ! Romance Novel certainly looks an excellent holiday read - as long as you dont mind people staring because you're laughing so hard!
Dont forget - leave a comment for a chance to win an eVoucher!
Gx
Hi, Grace. Thanks so much for hosting me today. PJ
ReplyDeleteLol...love it! Congratulations on the great reviews .....gotta love a heroine named "Smella".....
ReplyDeletejunegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com
*L* that was a great excerpt, so descriptive, can picture everything. Thank you for the laughs.
ReplyDeleteskpetal at hotmail dot com
Thanks, Jean and Maria! PJ
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to reading Romance Novel-- it sounds AWESOME!
ReplyDeletejustforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I like your sense of humour and I totally get it! Laugh out loud funny, who couldn't use that in their life? I'm glad to hear ROMANCE NOVEL is getting a warm welcome.
ReplyDeleteCambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Chelsea, thanks so much! I hope you enjoy reading Romance Novel. PJ
ReplyDeleteHey, NS, thanks for 'getting it'. So far, surprisingly, people are getting it. I'm sure I'll be getting some baaaad reviews from fans of that other vampire romance. LOL!
ReplyDeleteRomance Novel is a fun read, but also at pop culture and stereotypes will definitely leave you laughing.
ReplyDelete