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Guest Blogger: Kathleen Irene Paterka (Contest)
Monday, June 11th, 2012

Evelyn is the winner of the free download. I’ve sent Kathleen her email address!
Thanks everyone for playing! ~DD

* * * * *

LET’S TALK CHOCOLATE

Delilah, thanks so much for inviting me to stop by your blog today. I’m excited to be here! I think we all agree that it goes without saying that Delilah is a master (mistress?) when it comes to erotic romance. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about myself. I concentrate on Women’s Fiction, and you’ll find my books much tamer than Delilah’s. In fact, I only recently lost my virginity (when it comes to blog-writing, that is!).

Fatty Patty is my debut novel, released on May 15th. Patty Perreault is the overweight heroine whose childhood nickname was Fatty Patty. Though she’s now an adult, Patty still remembers the cruel childhood taunts from the very same school playground where she’s now a teacher. The novel deals with Patty’s struggle to confront her self-esteem issues, put down the fork and give her heart a try. But poor Patty has a real problem with food… specifically, chocolate.

So, let’s talk chocolate. It’s like a wonder drug, a magic elixir that tastes great. Chocolate soothes. Chocolate calms. And chocolate can also magically add an extra layer of fat to your thighs overnight. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about. When I was in high school, I weighed 300 lbs. People back then said ‘You carry it well’, but I suppose that’s because I’m 5’11” and the pounds were spread over a larger frame. But facts are facts, and the fact is that for years, I wore size 28+ pants. I lost the extra pounds more than thirty years ago, and now easily fit into a size 10. How did I do it? I loved chocolate so much, I decided I’d be better off if I gave it up for good. But it wasn’t easy saying goodbye to one of my favorite foods. According to my research, chocolate is the number one food American women crave. Chocolate stimulates endorphin production, triggering happiness and pleasure. It also contains serotonin (an anti-depressant), theobromine and caffeine (stimulants), plus it’s loaded with antioxidants (protecting against aging).

Here’s a little excerpt describing some of Patty’s inner turmoil when it comes to dealing with chocolate.

EXCERPT FROM FATTY PATTY:

I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs. If chocolate is like a drug, I probably qualify for Chocoholics Anonymous. But first, I’d have to be willing to give it up. Which I’m not. I’m not an addict. Besides, everyone deserves a treat now and then. And I’ve been good for so long—how many days now?— and I’ve only lost four pounds.

Tyler offering me that cookie on the playground earlier this morning started the ball rolling. All day long, I couldn’t let go of the thought of chocolate. And instead of hitting the pool on my way home from school, I detoured to an out-of-the-way party store on the other side of town where I grabbed a six-pack of my favorite candy bars. Why? There’s got to be a reason. But at the time, I didn’t want to think about the why. I didn’t want to think, period.

I just wanted the chocolate.

The first candy bar was gone as soon as I hit the car, before I even fastened my seatbelt. I barely tasted it as it slid down my throat and it only whetted my appetite for more. I ripped into the lush caramel and rich dark chocolate of the second one as I nosed the car out of the parking lot. I gnawed through the third wrapper with my teeth as I pulled into traffic.

And now that Priscilla’s finally off to bed, the other three are waiting.

I creep up the stairs, school bag in hand, and slip through my bedroom door. I throw the lock, then flop on the bed in the darkness. Moonlight filtering through the window is my only witness as I peel the wrapper off the fourth candy bar, settle back in the pillows and savor the lush sweetness filling my mouth. I’ve deprived myself far too long. The second gooey bite is even better than the first. Chocolate bliss. I’ve died and gone to heaven.

Polishing off the fifth candy bar takes a little longer. The craving is gone and I force myself to finish. I’m in no rush to unwrap the sixth candy bar. My stomach feels queasy. Maybe it would be better to stash it somewhere and save it for later. But if I don’t eat it now, that one last candy bar will be staring me in the face tomorrow morning… a big gooey reminder of what I’ve done. I rip off the wrapper and stare at the chocolate. Tomorrow, I promise myself. Starting tomorrow, I’ll put myself on a brand new diet. Starting with breakfast.

Food. Ugh. My stomach lurches and I drop the candy bar. My breath reeks of chocolate and I stumble into the tiny bathroom off my bedroom. I use my toothbrush like a weapon, attacking the enemy sugar on my teeth, scrubbing away the contraband. I swish water back and forth under my tongue, around my teeth, spit it in the sink. Somehow I find the courage to face myself in the mirror. It’s not a pretty picture. Hollow, bloodshot eyes; mascara staining my face. I don’t recognize this person.

What is wrong with me? Why in God’s name did I do this? What happened to my resolve? What happened to my dreams of being thin?

What would Nick think if he saw me like this?

No more chocolate. Never again.

I pull off my clothes, drop them in a heap on top of the bathroom scales. Pulling a cotton nightgown over my head, I shuffle back into the bedroom, flop on my bed, and set the alarm. School again tomorrow. If only I didn’t have to go.

If only…

If only I hadn’t given in. Why did I crack? Now I have to start all over again.

What a horrible feeling.

But not as horrible as knowing when tomorrow dawns, there’ll still be that one leftover candy bar taunting me from the bedside table. Suddenly I grab it, crinkle the wrapper around the candy so I won’t smell the chocolate, then toss it in the trash, burying it under some used Kleenex and an old magazine.

I hit the light and try to settle down. Nick’s face dances in the darkness. What is it with him? Why is he being so nice to me? I don’t know anything about men. The three guys I dated in college turned out to be losers. So what do I do now? I’ve never chased a guy in my life. And Nick isn’t just any guy. He’s gorgeous and available—the type who attracts women wherever he goes. Nick is in the big leagues and way beyond my reach.

Isn’t he?

I punch the pillow and flop on my side. If only I looked like Priscilla. If only I could lose ten pounds. If only I had the courage to try.

But I’ll never find it if I don’t get myself back on track.

And back on a diet.

Brand new diet. Brand new beginning. Brand new me.

Starting tomorrow.

I sit up straight in bed. Damned if I want to wake up tomorrow, knowing that last candy bar is hanging around to haunt me.

I fumble through the wastebasket in the darkness. My fingers snag the wrapper, then curl around the candy. I take one bite, force down another. The craving is gone. I’ve already brushed my teeth and the chocolate tastes like chalk. I choke down the last bite, throw away the wrapper, and head back into the bathroom for one more bout with my toothbrush.

This hasn’t been the best day. I’ve broken my diet, upset Priscilla, shamed myself… and all for what? Why did I buy that chocolate in the first place? It’s not like I even wanted it.

What I really wanted was cookies…

Amazon.com: Fatty Patty (A James Bay Novel) eBook: Kathleen Irene Paterka: Kindle Store
BARNES & NOBLE | Fatty Patty by Kathleen Irene Paterka | NOOK Book (eBook)
Smashwords — Fatty Patty — A book by Kathleen Irene Paterka

So, what about you? When it comes to chocolate, do you find it easy to merely ‘have a little taste’ and then stop? Do you turn to chocolate to help you cope when you’re having a bad day? Or do you indulge in other methods, such as a glass of wine, or maybe taking to your bed and throwing the covers over your head? I’d love to hear from you! Anyone who stops by and comments today will be entered in a drawing to win a digital copy of Fatty Patty. The winner’s name will be posted in the comments section at midnight tonight (eastern time).

Also, be sure to stop by my website http://www.kathleenirenepaterka.com, or connect with me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KathleenIrenePaterka. I love chatting with readers and fellow authors!

9 comments to “Guest Blogger: Kathleen Irene Paterka (Contest)”

  1. Catherine Chant
    Comment
    1
    · June 11th, 2012 at 10:20 am · Link

    Chocolate is such a weakness of mine! But I try to be “good” and stick to the dark (healthier? LOL!) kind and only in moderation. Ghirardelli 72% are my favs. Just one square is a tempting “carrot” I use when I have to get some writing done and am more inclined to procrastinate.

    LOVE the last line of the excerpt. All she wanted want the cookies. Poor Patty!

    GREAT BOOK!!!!!

    Cathy 🙂



  2. Theresa H
    Comment
    2
    · June 11th, 2012 at 11:27 am · Link

    Can’t do without chocolate. I’m also a former fatty, but I lost weight when I didn’t have money left over from bills to buy food, not even chocolate. Now I weight in at my marriage weight but still enjoy chocolate while reading.



  3. Kathleen Irene Paterka
    Comment
    3
    · June 11th, 2012 at 12:56 pm · Link

    Cathy, thanks for stopping by and chatting today! You’re right about the dark chocolate being healthier for you… just more reason to indulge, correct? I lived in Belgium for nearly two years, and Belgian chocolate is to die for… especially the dark chocolate!

    So glad you enjoyed the excerpt from FATTY PATTY… and glad you enjoyed the book!

    -Kathleen



  4. Kathleen Irene Paterka
    Comment
    4
    · June 11th, 2012 at 12:59 pm · Link

    Theresa, thanks for stopping by today! Sorry to hear about the financial issues, but at least it turned out happily-ever-after when you lost the weight!

    Indulging in chocolate while reading is like having two tempting treats right in front of you, isn’t it? 🙂 One of the things I used to love to do when I was at my heaviest was eat big bowls of ice cream while thumbing through diet magazines. I know… crazy, right? But then again, I’m crazy when it comes to food.

    Have a great day! And happy reading!

    -Kathleen



  5. Evelyn DK
    Comment
    5
    · June 11th, 2012 at 5:06 pm · Link

    “former” chocoholic …..alot of prayer to get me to stop….and a
    fatty liver, really! Got an ultrasound to check this. I can’t wait to get your book! Thanks again for your honesty!
    Evelyn



  6. Kathleen Irene Paterka
    Comment
    6
    · June 11th, 2012 at 6:09 pm · Link

    Hi Evelyn! Thanks for stopping by today!

    Sorry about the health diagnosis. I never knew you could have a ‘fatty liver’. Hmmm. I thought liver (nasty stuff that it is) was something you ate in order to get lots of iron and keep you healthy.

    All the best, and hope you feel better soon (without the chocolate)!

    -Kathleen



  7. Jen B.
    Comment
    7
    · June 11th, 2012 at 9:30 pm · Link

    I try to control my chocolate eating but sometimes I just need chocolate. I am a stress eater and chocolate is one of my first stops on the munchie train!



  8. Kathleen Irene Paterka
    Comment
    8
    · June 12th, 2012 at 5:19 am · Link

    Hi Jen! Thanks for stopping by and chatting re: chocolate!

    Lord knows we all have stress in our life, and everybody chooses their ways of coping. Chocolate certainly helps to smoothe over the rough edges, doesn’t it? Must be all those endorphins. 😉 Plus, it’s a nice smooth taste in your mouth.

    Happy reading!

    -Kathleen



  9. Kathleen Irene Paterka
    Comment
    9
    · June 12th, 2012 at 5:24 am · Link

    Drumroll… Announcing! The winner (by random number generator of the free download of FATTY PATTY is … #5: Evelyn! Evelyn, please send me an email so we can arrange delivery of your free digital copy of FATTY PATTY!



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