I’m very happy to have one of my writing pals on the blog today. She’s acclaimed women’s fiction author, Marilyn Brant. Marilyn has spent most of her life immersed in the written word. She’s a former teacher, a library staff member, freelance magazine writer, and national book reviewer. It’s no wonder, then, that she writes award-wining books that are witty, smart, and totally engaging.
Marilyn burst onto the scene with her debut book, According to Jane, which won the prestigious Golden Heart Award from the Romance Writers of America.
Take a gander at the blurb for this book:
It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett’s teacher is assigning Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. From nowhere comes a quiet “tsk” of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who’s teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author’s ghost has taken up residence in Ellie’s mind, and seems determined to stay there.
Jane’s wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the trauma of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually more than her own. Years and boyfriends come and go, but Jane’s counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham.
Still, everyone has something to learn about love — perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie’s head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond all she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending…
Seriously, doesn’t that sound great? Readers can certainly see why reviewers called Marilyn’s debut smart and wildly inventive. Marilyn’s second book, Friday Mornings at Nine, was a Doubleday Book Club & Book-of-the-Month Club Featured Alternate Selection for October 2010. Wow! Impressive, eh?
And here’s what NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles had to say about Marilyn’s books:
“Reading a Marilyn Brant book is like eating a piece of rich chocolate – it gets you excited, it’s deliciously satisfying, and it leaves a smile on your face after you’ve finished it!”
Marilyn’s fans are eagerly anticipating her next book, A Summer in Europe, which will be released by Kensington Publishing on November 29.
This book has already been picked as a Literary Guild & Rhapsody Book Club Featured Alternate Selection for December 2011. How cool is that?
Here’s the blurb for A Summer In Europe:
On her 30th birthday, Gwendolyn Reese receives and unexpected present from her widowed Aunt Bea: a grand tour of Europe in the company of Bea’s Sudoku and Mahjongg Club. The prospect isn’t entirely appealing. But when the gift she is expecting — an engagement ring from her boyfriend — doesn’t materialize, Gwen decides to go.
At first, Gwen approaches the trip as if it’s the math homework she assigns her students, diligently checking monuments off her must-see list. But amid the bougainvillea and beauty of southern Italy, something changes. Gwen begins to live in the moment — skipping down stone staircases in Capri, running her fingers over a glacier in view of the Matterhorn, racing through the Louvre and taste-testing pastries, wine and gelato. Reveling in every new experience — especially her attraction to a charismatic British physics professor — Gwen discovers that the ancient wonders around her are nothing compared to the renaissance unfolding within…
A Summer in Europe has already been getting fantastic reviews, which you can check out on Marilyn’s website. If you like beautiful, warm stories with lots of wit and heart, I think you’ll really love Marilyn’s books. And by the way, while you’re visiting Marilyn’s website, check out her ebooks – two really fun romantic comedies.
For my readers today, Marilyn has graciously donated a copy of A Summer in Europe. Since the book takes place in Europe, let’s talk about that. If there was only one country you could visit on that wonderful continent, which one would it be, and why? One person who comments will win a copy of Marilyn’s book!
Vanessa Kelly Author 