www.marilynbrant.com

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

DOUBLE DIPPING's Release Day!

Yippee!! Double Dipping is officially out today! For those interested, it's the story of opposites colliding when a dedicated second-grade teacher fights the school’s new financial director to reinstate a much-beloved autumn festival. But there are secrets, ambition, attraction and meddling family members complicating matters in this small Midwestern town. Part light mystery, part romantic comedy and entirely packed with delectable sweets, including a step-by-step recipe for making homemade chocolate-cherry ice cream -- hey, I take my book research seriously -- it's available now on Amazon, B&N and Smashwords for just $2.99! (And there's a full Chapter One excerpt here.) End of commercial -- I do hope that anyone who reads my latest digital romance will enjoy it, though. This story went through a gazillion revisions over the years and was originally critiqued by my wonderful writing friends, Simone Elkeles, Jennifer Stevenson and Sara Daniel (as well as most of the Chicago-North RWA chapter ;), and I am infinitely grateful for their help. 

 In other news, I just found out that On Any Given Sundae was recommended as a Hot Pick in Self-Publishing in the October issue of Romantic Times BOOKreviews!! Thanks, RT! Looking forward to seeing it in print when my copy of the magazine arrives this week. Oh! FYI, there is a Goodreads giveaway going on for A Summer in Europe. Ten readers will get an autographed ARC, so please sign up and spread the word. And, in completely unrelated news, I went to see the film "The Help" this weekend (along with millions of other people), and I thought it was tremendously well done. Who else has read the novel? Anyone else go to the movie? And is it wrong that I now have a serious crush on actor Chris Lowell??! He makes me wish I were 25 and from Atlanta...sigh. Would love to hear what's going on with all of you! Wishing you a great week.

18 comments:

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

Congratulations on what looks like another terrific release Marilyn!

And what great news that Any Given Sundae was chosen as a hot pick!

Off to spread the word and join in that ARC competition

Judy, South Africa

Marilyn Brant said...

Thanks so much, Judy!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your sharing of the news and, also, that you're here celebrating with me today!

Virginia C said...

Congratulations, Marilyn!!!

"Double Dipping" looks dee-lightful and dee-licious : )

Pamala Knight said...

Woot! Happy Rlease Day Marilyn!!! I'm sure that since AGS was such a delectable treat, DOUBLE DIPPING can't be any less yummy. Can't wait to read it.

Also, I took a break from the busy that is my life lately and saw the Help. It was wonderful. I enjoyed it almost as much as I enjoyed the book. And YES, it would be lovely being 25 again, wouldn't it? ;)

Wishing you loads of sales, my friend.

Edie Ramer said...

Squeee! I just bought it. I'm so looking forward to reading it.

Double good news about On Any Given Sundae was a Hot Pick in Self-Publishing! It was such a fun red. I'm sure Double Dipping will be fun, too.

Marilyn Brant said...

Virginia, thank you!!! And I love those extra "dee"s ;).

Pamala, hug!! Oh, I miss you... I was just thinking this morning about how much I'd love to just talk and catch up -- via phone if not in person. Thanks for the good wishes, my friend.

Edie, thanks SO much!! And I remember that your awesome book, Dragon Blues, was featured in the last issue of RT, so I was thrilled to get to follow such a great lead!

Beth Watson said...

Congratulations Marilyn! You're hot! :-) Haven't seen The Help but it's definitely on my list of movies to see. Congrats again on all the great news!

Marilyn Brant said...

LOL, Beth! I don't know about the "hot" part, but THANK YOU!!! xo

Maureen McGowan said...

Congratulations, Marilyn!!! You're such an inspiration.

Joan Reeves said...

Marilyn, you sure make it hard to stay on a diet. I've got my Kindle copy of Double Dipping. I'll try to hold my hand over my eyes when I get to the recipe.

Congratulations on the new release and on the Hot Pick from RT.

Way to go!

Best wishes,
Joan Reeves

Marilyn Brant said...

Maureen!!! Thank you... xox

Joan, you're awesome! Thanks so much for being so supportive -- I really hope you'll like the book ;).

Caryn Caldwell said...

Yay! I'm off to Amazon to download it.

By the way, how many homemade chocolate-cherry cakes did you have to make in order to get the recipe just right for the book? Ten? Fifteen? I know you take your craft (and your chocolate) seriously, but all that taste-testing must have been quite a sacrifice...

Shari said...

Hi! I just found your blog via Caryn's and wanted to say congratulations on the book release!! So exciting :)

Oh, and I could not agree more on the movie adaptation of THE HELP. I positively adored the book and was worried the film wouldn't do it justice, but it just did such an amazing job of staying true to the heart of the story. Loved every minute!

Marilyn Brant said...

Caryn, thank you! I tell you, I really slaved in the name my art... No joke, I *studied* ice cream making when I was working on this novel!! (I will not, however, claim that the research involved wasn't very pleasurable. ;)

Shari, I'm so glad you found me, thank to Caryn (!!) and came over -- it's wonderful to meet you ;). And I agree with you completely on those fears prior to watching "The Help" -- I was really hesitant to go to see it until my friends assured me that they'd kept the spirit of the book. I'm happy you loved it, too!

Robin said...

Congratulations, Marilyn! I'm going to head over to Amazon now...

(I can't wait to read it!)

Marilyn Brant said...

Thank you, Robin!!! I so appreciate how thoughtful and supportive you always are ;). xo

Jennifer Stevenson said...

The ice cream alone was worth this read! YUM!

Marilyn Brant said...

Thanks, Jen!! Hugs to you for all your critiquing insights on this book ;). xoxox