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Thursday, October 11, 2012

New Season, New Book, New Scarf!

While I am about the last person who will actually be ready for the holidays when they get here, I'm definitely looking forward to their arrival this year because I have a new contemporary romance coming out!!

HOLIDAY MAN will be available in all digital formats before the end of November, and it's a story that was inspired by one of my favorite seasonal films, Bing Crosby's and Fred Astaire's classic musical "Holiday Inn."

Here's the scoop on the novel:
Shannon Quinn is the small-town girl who runs "Holiday Quinn" -- a holiday-themed inn/resort based in scenic Door County, Wisconsin. One winter evening, wealthy Minneapolis businessman, Bram Hartwick, blows into town along with the fast-falling snow. The sparks Bram and Shannon create succeed in heating up the chilly Midwestern night, not to mention plenty of holiday weekends in the year that follows... But is their relationship only for special occasions, or might it be the elusive everyday love that neither one thought could be found?

Rebecca Young -- the daughter of my Austen Author friend, Abigail Reynolds -- was the very talented designer who created the cover, and I love it! She's just getting started, but she's already got several designs in her portfolio. You can check out some of her other work on her website.

Speaking of very talented people, I was surprised and thrilled to receive an absolutely lovely gift this week from a reader who has become a friend. Catherine DePasquale has awed me time and again with photos I've seen of her amazing knitting and crocheting projects, but this time I was the lucky recipient of one. I still can't get over how cool it is, and I had to share it with all of you. Using some of the colors from the cover of A SUMMER IN EUROPE, and choosing the pattern and the type of yarn based on a scene from the story, Catherine knit me a beautiful and oh-so-soft scarf!! She describes the process and shows photos on her Ravelry page. It was just so thoughtful...and I felt like I was my character Gwen getting a special birthday present (even though, in my case, it's not my birthday ;).

Thank you so much, Catherine!! This is me wearing it in the picture above, and I'm standing underneath one of the Venetian masks that my husband and I brought home from our first trip to Italy together. I can't tell you how much I've been daydreaming about going back! Ahhh, hopefully someday... It doesn't need to be a summer in Europe, btw. I'd be delighted with a fall, winter or spring there...

On a completely different note, you know that old children's joke: "Why was 6 scared of 7?" Answer: "Because 7 8 (ate) 9." Well, I can't get that out of my head today because the date is 10-11-12. I keep expecting there to be some kind of riddle associated with it, LOL. And with that weird numerical observation still hanging in the cyber air between us, I will say goodbye for now (and not a moment too soon, you're all thinking ;). Wishing everyone who reads this a wonderful rest of the week and weekend ahead!

p.s. YAY!! "The Vampire Diaries" Season 4 premiere is finally on tonight -- squeee!!! More Damon!! Any new shows this month that you've been hooked on? Who else watched "Arrow"?

16 comments:

Edie Ramer said...

Love the cover, the title, the blurb! I'm so eager to read this. :)

The scarf looks lovely. The mask is wonderful, too. I haven't gotten hooked on any new shows yet. I watched a bit of Nashville last night, and though I immediately liked the Connie Britton character, I decided I wouldn't want to watch it every week.

Marilyn Brant said...

Edie,
Thank you! I'm very excited about this new book ;).
As for "Nashville," I've seen a few promo commercials for it but haven't watched it yet. I'll have to check it out...

Pamala Knight said...

Oh I missed the Arrow premiere! I'll have to wait for a replay so I can DVR it.

CONGRATULATIONS on your new release Marilyn!! I can't wait to read it. Rebecca did a fabulous job on the cover and I'm sure that what's between them is as good as ever ;-). ALSO, I met a lady (who actually attended a chapter meeting as a guest) who was a BIG FAN of one Marilyn Brant. I just said, "Lady, we ALL are Marilyn Brant fans." As it should be.

The holidays will be here before you know it and I hope yours are lovely.

*waves*

Kwana said...

The book sounds fantastic and I'm a big Holiday Inn fan. Perfect for the holidays! Congrats.

Jill Thomas said...

OMG! I can't wait for your new ebook! The holidays are my favorite time of the year and your stories are amazing--two great things that go great together--you could be the new Reeses ;) (Funny how good things always bring me back to chocolate!!) Love the new scarf, you look fabulous in those colors!! But, I've found one thing we may disagree on, Soul Sis--I'm Team Stefan!

Caryn Caldwell said...

Congrats on your upcoming book! It looks terrific! And what a beautiful scarf. Looks like your friend is a very talented knitter. And, finally, LOL on 10-11-12. I usually notice those things, but I missed that this year. Thanks for pointing it out! I will now enjoy this special day. :-D

Marilyn Brant said...

Pamala, thank you!!! Rebecca's work is awesome ;). And I'm *thrilled* to know you met someone who liked my books. Thanks so much for telling me that! I miss you, my friend. Hope we can chat sometime soon... xox

Kwana, thank you very much!! I'm so glad you're a fan of "Holiday Inn," too! I could watch it over and over again, even in summer :). Never get tired of Bing's crooning of "White Christmas."

Jill, WHAT?! STEFAN???!!! (We may be just about to have our first fight, Soul Sis, LOL. ;) Okay, in all seriousness, I will confess to *understanding* his allure. He can be very compelling (heh), esp. in his devoted-to-Elena moments, but c'mon. Damon is just so...oh, what's the right word...HOT!! And witty! And dangerous! And...and...more on this later! p.s. Thank you for that Reeses comparison -- I heart U.

Caryn, thank you for the book congrats *and* for sharing in my delight at the date!! I love these odd little things ;). And, yes, Catherine is a wonderful knitter. It was such a lovely present.

Hope you're all having a fabulous day!!

catherine said...

I just can't wait for Holiday Man. The cover is beautiful.

You look lovely in the scarf. I am so glad you like it! The mask behind you is beautiful.

Can you believe I've never seen Vampire Diaries? My latest t.v. obsession is Grimm and the handsome Sasha Roiz. It is not new, but it is new to me. I am in the process of watching the first season on DVD.

Marilyn Brant said...

Catherine, thank you so, so much -- for the scarf and for your kindness ;). And I've heard raves about "Grimm," but I haven't seen it yet. I should! The thing about "The Vampire Diaries" that I like best is the relationship between the brothers. ("Supernatural" is interesting in that way, too. :) I'm always fascinated by sibling dramas and rivalries...but I think you already knew that because of Emerson and Thoreau, LOL.

Preet said...

I'm so excited to hear about your new book! I'm really looking forward to it. I will be searching every day for the preorder link on amazon. :)

Marilyn Brant said...

Chanpreet, thank you!! I'm so thrilled that you're excited about the new book. I'm really excited, too ;). It'll be on sale by the middle of November, so that's coming up fast! Hope you're having a really lovely weekend.

Robin Bielman said...

Oh my gosh! Congratulations on Holiday Man!! I love the cover - it's gorgeous! And the story sounds great! I can't wait to read it!! I want to keep using !, I'm so excited for you! :)

And love the scarf! That *is* a really special gift. Enjoy wearing it!

Only two more days till our next dose of Daemon...

Marilyn Brant said...

Robin,
Thank you!!
And, ohhh, Damon...Damon... Seriously, I don't understand the power of this addiction, but I'm enjoying it ;). Looking forward to getting to chat with you about the latest TVD episode! xo

Unknown said...

What a pretty scarf! I know living in the Midwest one cannot have too many scarves!
Like everyone else, I am looking forward to Holiday Man's release, though you know that!
Speaking of the holidays, I need to start thinking about Christmas shopping, otherwise it will sneak up on me.
Hope your new scarf keeps you nice and warm this winter! :)

RK Sterling said...

Woohoo! New book! I'm looking forward to it. :)

LOL re: Damon addiction. I watched all the previous seasons over the past couple of weeks on Netflix in preparation for the new one. Same for "Once Upon a Time."

Marilyn Brant said...

Jakki,
LOL! You're so right about needing scarves in the Midwest ;). I've already worn mine outside several time and was grateful for its warmth!!

Kate,
Thank you! And, yay, another TVD addict!!! I love Once Upon a Time, too...that was such an intriguing story premise :).