Book Title: POSITIVELY, PENELOPE
Character Name: Penelope Edgewood
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
Oh, my goodness! I love my family! Mostly. I mean, we all have times where we don’t get along with everybody . . . or when the people closest to us underestimate us (you know what I mean), but for the most part, I have a great family. And Izzy is my cousin, but we adopted her so she’s like my sister too. Josephine can be a little intense (and bossy), but when I took my psychology class in college, I learned that was pretty common for first borns. Luke is the real trouble. He’s always teasing me, which I love . . . until I don’t! I’m really not as silly as he thinks I am. Oh, and my childhood? GREAT!! I mean, after I got therapy for my stutter, learned how to hide my ears with my hair, and started theater, it got so much better!
What was your greatest talent?
Well, I’d love to say that singing is my greatest talent, but I think it’s more of my greatest hobby, which doesn’t necessarily mean talent. But at least it brings me joy, right? I guess I’m good at making others shine. I love to do that. There’s something amazing about helping people see how wonderful they can be. Most of the time it only takes a nudge or two. Or a listener ear and smile. And maybe some blush or the right shoes.
Significant other?
Well, if I tell you the ending of a good story that wouldn’t be very good of me, would it? I’m all for the happily-ever-afters and it just seems wrong to spill all the lovely confetti before even getting to the party! Suffice it to say, he’s dreamy. And wonderful. And the most perfect match for me.
Biggest challenge in relationships?
Hmm, well in my previous relationships, I always felt that one of the most difficult things was being taken seriously. Just because I’m relatively joyful most of the time, I feel as if people think I’m not smart or haven’t experienced difficulties to cultivate a deeper personality, so they’d often treat me as if I was an airhead or couldn’t understand them. I feel as though learning to listen to each other, encourage each other’s strengths, and believe in one another are three of the best things two people who love each other can do.
Where do you live?
I’m assuming that you mean in real life, right? (LoL) I live in Mt. Airy, North Carolina but am working as a theater intern on the island of Fiacla of the Skymarian Islands. It’s LIKE being in a fairytale world.
Do you have any enemies?
Do disgruntled nontheater folks in my hometown count? I do feel as if sea monsters might be my mortal enemies if mortal enemies were in real life.
How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?
(See answer to question 6 for the latter part of this question) Otherwise, I ADORE Skymar. The culture is lovely, the countryside is magical, and . . . the guest house where I’m staying has a TOWER!!!!!! (You know what I mean? A princess tower?) It’s not often that someone gets to actually have a bedroom in a tower, so I feel as though that’s rather noteworthy. Don’t you?
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
I have a cat named Duchess (if you’ve seen Aristocats, you’ll get that reference). Children? Not yet but I hope to some day!
What do you do for a living?
I just graduated with my marketing degree and am currently working as the marketing director at a theater on Fiacla. Actually, it’s more than marketing. It’s like saving an entire theater community from Sleeping Beauty’s curse with a bit of my own brand of magic. I mean, there is probably a kiss or two involved too, but . . . that’s reserved for one of the handsome suitors in this story.
Greatest source of joy?
You mean besides my faith? Hmm, probably being with the people I love. And great shoes. And excellent hats. Oh . . . and the perfect shade of lipstick. But those latter things are not my GREATEST sources of joy. They just provide me with lots of joy. You know? The sprinkle-in kinds of joy on a daily basis.
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
Seriously? Every day is filled with thousands of entertaining things, but my favorite things are music, classic movies, musical theater, shopping, walking in the forest, singing, hanging out with my favorite people, organizing, baking...um...did you just want one? Sorry. Oh! And bicycling is a new one for me. I'm learning how to ride a bike. I know it usually happens when you're young, but...well, I have a whole backstory of why that didn't work for me.
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Well, it may be the one that could possibly happen in my current job in Skymar. If I fail at helping save this theater, I will take it very personally. Overall, I would say my worst character flaws are also some of my strengths depending on the potency of how I use them. Like singing. Or talking. Or pushing people to believe in themselves. Those can all be good...or bad things. Just don't ask Luke to clarify. You really can't trust him.
What keeps you awake at night?
Not being able to solve a problem, mean people, and sea monsters. And SOMETIMES trying to figure out a way to get back at Luke.
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
Well, as you’ll find out, there are two: the theater where I work has a mole who is stealing my marketing ideas and sharing them with the competition, so we’re trying to sort that out. And the other problem is . . . I’m falling in love with someone in my theater workplace. I know! A workplace romance! I never really considered that sort of trope especially romantic, but he’s really changing my mind about it.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have? For yourself or for someone important to you?
Two things: In reference to the object of the workplace romance, I want my own prince charming. As far as number two? I want to find a job where I can use my gifts to encourage a new community of theater folks.
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
I don’t have the first one because . . . hello! Should a girl just throw herself on a guy she isn’t sure likes her in the way she’s beginning to fall for him? After all, we live in two different COUNTRIES! Lots of sacrifices would have to take place if a long-term relationship would even work. And the second? Jobs with my particular interests and skills aren’t always easy to find, especially for someone as young as I am, so (plus, did I mention the fact I’m in love with a wonderful guy who lives in a DIFFERENT COUNTRY to me???)
What is some of your favorite things you tell yourself to encourage yourself when life is hard?
Oooh! I love this question. Well, one this is that I remind myself that, because of my faith, I can trust that I am not alone in the hard things and that God is with me, working through the tough stuff to make me a better person and to help me see those around me in a better way. Another thing is that, well, I can choose how I respond to situations. No one has control of my emotions but me and I would rather choose joy if I can. So that’s what I try to do. Choose joy. And choose to share my joy with those who may need a little extra along the way.
The world could do with a little more kindness and positivity and random acts of singing, don’t you think?
Dear reader,
My name is Penelope, and while I may not be a real-life princess, I’ve been told I possess a certain fairy-tale heroine quality. I wield optimism as my weapon of choice, don amazing shoes and vintage hats whenever possible, and speak in musical references. All of which perfectly qualifies me to succeed in my new role as a marketing intern at the historic Darling House theater on the island of Skymar.
Only . . . it seems this internship position is going to be a LOT bigger than I thought. The Gray family, who owns the theater, has been stuck in a rut of darkness ever since the loss of their matriarchs. Now all that’s left is a dying theater, a reclusive grandfather, three siblings, and an adorable seven-year-old girl who desperately needs some pixie-dust magic.
So that’s what this story is about. My plans to save the theater! (Plans that, somehow, keep being stolen by a local competitor.) And an anonymous online theater troupe. And two single brothers who may be vying for this American girl’s heart . . . until they’re not (or maybe they just want me for my ideas too). And a dream job offer that will require me to make a truly heart-wrenching decision.
I may not excel at finishing stories, but I promise to see this one through to its happily ever after.
Positively,
Penelope
Romance Contemporary | Christian [Thomas Nelson Publishers, On Sale: August 1, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780840715203 / eISBN: 9780840715340]
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus. Her debut historical novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015 and has garnered awards such as Reader's Favorites Award, finalist in the Grace Awards, and shortlisted for the Inspy Awards. Her second historical novel, The Thorn Keeper, released in Feb 2016 and her first contemporary romance, A Twist of Faith, released in April 2016 with a 4 star review from Romantic Times.
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