Louise Penny

I have just heard some wonderful news!

I'm a person who loves hearing wonderful news.

Especially when it concerns someone I know.

Especially when it concerns someone who deserves every accolade, every award, every single nice thing said about her and her work.

Louise Penny's  THE LONG WAY HOME will debut at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list the week of Sept 14th.  (you can  read my review here - http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2014/08/louise-pennys-long-way-home.html)

She has just ended her tour with an event in Vancouver with over 700 people in attendance.


Seven.

Hundred.

People.



How amazing is that?!


I have followed Louise's work and i have followed her star right to the top.  I have cheered her every step of the way and I'm as proud as if I were the woman's mother, for Lord's sake!


I met Louise in Baltimore.  It was the first Bouchercon I attended.  I could not wait to tell her how much I loved her books.

She was beautiful, sweet, kind, funny, gracious and so approachable.



I next saw her in Indianapolis.  Bouchercon, again.

Still beautiful, sweet, kind, funny, gracious and so approachable.



Then I got to see her again at Malice a couple years ago.  I love this picture.  Oh, how I love both these women.

Louise Penny, me, Hank Phillippi Ryan

Still beautiful, sweet, kind, funny, gracious and so approachable.  

Now, Louise Penny is celebrating her second novel in a row hitting the New York Times Bestseller List at Number One.

And the whole point of my post, in addition to sending out a huge virtual congratulatory hug to Louise Penny, is to post pictures of me with her  (the heck with dropping names, I'd rather post pics!)

I can't help it.   

I love my life.  

I have had opportunities to meet and get to know some of the most amazing people.  

I am grateful, and humbled, and proud as punch.

If you're one of the few people left on God's green earth who has not read Louise Penny's Three Pines novels - now is the time.  

Go!

But - start with #1, okay??  You'll thank me for this.

Here they are in order:

Still Life

A Fatal Grace (also published as Dead Cold in the UK)

The Cruelest Month

A Rule Against Murder (also published at The Murder Stone in the UK)

The Brutal Telling

Bury Your Dead

A Trick of the Light

The Beautiful Mystery

How the Light Gets In

The Long Way Home



Louise - If you're reading         -       
YAY, YOU!!!!!!!!         
xxoo

Louise Penny's THE LONG WAY HOME

I read an advance copy of Louise Penny's THE LONG WAY HOME. Then I sat down to write my own pitiful version of a review. But instead, I did what I sometimes do. But only with books that have touched me deeply. I turned back to page one and read it a second time. But I'm still having a very difficult time writing a review for this book. Mostly, I think, because I'm so lacking in review writing skills, but also because many of you might find  my words empty and false for the simple reason that I think I have said every single one of Ms. Penny's books are "exquisite." I think I have said each leaves me "breathless" and that I always wonder how she could continue to surpass herself with each addition to the Three Pines series. Well, guess what - I'm saying it again. She has taken us on a journey that was quite difficult for our beloved Three Pines residents, and therefore difficult for the readers who love them. Taken us to places of beauty and of beautiful desolation - both geographically and emotionally. Like no one else can, in my opinion. Heartbreaking, but still sprinkled with subtle humor. She always finds a way to make us laugh out loud in the midst of pain. The conversations ring real and true - and could only happen among dear and close friends sharing outrageous and irreverent quips, teasing and taunts with those they love enough to feel safe in doing. And a perfect ending. I always feel magic in Louise Penny's words and I love being able to allow them to caress my heart, while at the same time poke my mind into seeing and feeling all the things I'm not observant enough on my own to see and feel. She is, without a doubt, a master of observation and has an understanding of people that is simply amazing - their needs, their wants, their strengths and weaknesses. This series is, I believe, a long long way from running its course. I hope it lasts forever. Disclaimer:  an arc of The Long Way Home was provided by the publisher.  No review was promised and the above is my unbiased opinion.