*This episode is brought to you by Kensington’s newest title, Unstable by Alexandra Ivy.

The Novel: Penelope's Paths (What If... #1)

The Author: Isabelle Peterson

The Guest: Rosemary Watson, Host of Curated Conversations

The Synopsis: Is there only one path to a Happily Ever After? Is one choice, or path, better than another?

After a humiliating divorce, Penelope Pierce is about to try her luck in the dating world for the first time in years. Luckily, she has her two best friends to help her face the singles scene.

Laura, single and loving life, wants to bring Penelope to the club scene. Drink. Dance. Have fun. Nothing serious. Her married friend, Shannon, on the other hand, wants to set Penelope up with a guy from her husband's legal firm insisting he's “perfect” for Penelope.

Should Penelope go on the blind date? Or hit the clubs?
It’s up to YOU, the reader.

If you choose for Penelope to go on the blind date... When handsome, confident, British William makes a risqué and daring request, does Penelope rise to the challenge? Or does she retreat? And then what?

Or, If things get hot and heavy at the dance club with the full-lipped, floppy-haired musician, Mitch, will Penelope lean into her desires? Or does she run and not look back! And when she encounters a curious noise in the night…then what?

You, the reader, will make Penelope's choices, and you will determine which kind of risks Penelope takes and what kinds of romances Penelope gets. Your choices will bring about a wide range of favorite romance tropes and adventures. Most are happy endings, however - as in life - things don't always work out.

But one of the best parts about Penelope's Paths... When you get to the end, you can go back, make different choices, and enjoy an entirely different story.

1 heroine... 9 potential heroes... 10 unique endings.

Show Notes:
- Sponsored ad for Demon Hunting with a Southern Sheriff by Lexi George (00:00:05 - 00:01:14)
- Keep up to date with our announcements about Tit Talk and Slick Summer Nights...
- Introducing Rosemary Watson, host of Curated Conversations and founder of Artisan Creative & Media Agency
- Shoutout to a previous podcast guest (and the almighty hype woman) Heidi B.
- Taking the "old school" Choose Your Own Adventure novel and giving it a romance-spin
- Romance, the ever-evolving genre
- Today's read, Penelope's Paths - a "choose your own romance" novel (00:14:53)
- A throwback to our Live Show read of My Lady's Choosing (another "choose your own romance" novel)
- A brief - and somewhat unconventional - synopsis for today's read (00:23:10)
- Give your panties to a stranger? How about your partner?
- Exploring a few paths Rosemary and I chose... oh, the variety!!
- Pubic hair... in multiple stories
- A shift from the traditional CYOA point of view (00:38:30)
- The map of possible outcomes, courtesy of the author
- Showcasing a different side of LGBTQ+ male characters
- So many different possibilities for future books!
- A few steamy sexcerpts (00:48:53)
- Reading romance for the full escape vs. reading for heightened (and better) versions of reality
- When did pancakes become sexy? (00:55:45)
- A solid recommendation for "noobie" romance readers
- Heart, Humor, & Heat Ratings (00:59:44)
- A few words about returning books vs. returning books WITH Kindle Unlimited
- Judging a book (or wine) by the cover/label

Books & Other Media Mentioned:
- A few childhood favorites: Nancy Drew and The Boxcar Children
- The new Batman movie, "The Batman" (that's way too long)
- The "Schitt's Creek" analogy for pansexuality
- Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger

Links:
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