Book Clubs, Novel Reviews & International Websites...Oh, My!

Mary, Carol, Lynn, Beth, Mary Julie, Cynthia and me...
with wine!

Oh, this has been an action-packed week!! A large and very happy part of it was writing-related, but there were some events that pulled me offline for longer than I would have liked... My wrist, for instance, which I managed to injure a few days ago. I've still got it in a brace for much of the time, but I'm grateful it's healing. (Can't say it's helping my typing any, though, LOL.) And the school district strike we had going on for three stressful days -- now, thankfully, on the verge of being officially resolved. (Teachers are awesome people, btw, and my son has some especially terrific ones this year.)

Janet and Mary at the table packed with treats!

However, there were several fun, fun, fun things that have happened in the past seven days, too, and one of them was getting to meet a fabulous local book club last Tuesday!! The Merry Readers and I spent the evening chatting about A Summer in Europe and travel and Andrew Lloyd Webber music and fitness and much, much more... It was just delightful. And, this likely goes without saying if you've taken a peek at our pictures, but it was also delicious!! Salmon-wrapped melon, multiple types of chocolate, Oreo Truffles, savory quiche, cheese/crackers, FIVE different flavors of gelato (!!) and, of course, wine to last more than one night ;). Thanks to all of you ladies for such a warm and wonderful evening!

Speaking of A Summer in Europe -- it found its way to a virtual bookshelf on Florence, Italy's Official Tourism Website!! Check out Firenze Turismo. Makes me want to talk about travel and eat gelato. Oh, wait...I just did that...well, IMO, this is reason to do it again.

Today, I have the pleasure of visiting the blog of my friend Robin Bielman to talk about my new short contemporary romance, Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match -- plus, there's an ebook giveaway! This digital story has gotten some really lovely reviews so far, including this one below from Kimberly Denny-Ryder at Austenprose:

"Brant couldn’t have done a better job at pulling me into the story and keeping me hooked until the end. I loved how her work was different enough that I felt really out of my element at first but then brought back to the themes of compassion, forgiveness and love that really hold Darcy and Elizabeth together. This was an amazingly smart move that left me more than satisfied at the end of this work. I liked this book so much that I delayed watching the season 3 premiere of Downton Abbey!"

I'm looking forward to being part of an online book club for this novel next month, too. The always kind and generous Deb Haupt has chosen it for the B&N General Fiction Book Club's "Nook Feature" for February!! Looking forward to chatting with readers about the story... ;)

So, now you're all caught up on what's been happening here. Please fill me in on what's been going on with you! Has there been any special highlights for you in January? A new book or movie you'd recommend?? Who else can't wait to see tomorrow night's episode of "The Vampire Diaries," hmm?!