According to Jane – 2nd Edition Celebration!

It’s here!! It’s finally here!!

After nearly seven and a half years since its original publication, there’s finally a new edition of my debut novel, According to Jane πŸ˜› Β . I’m so excited to celebrate its re-release! In honor of this occasion. β™₯ β™₯ β™₯

For anyone who may not familiar with the novel, it’s the story of a modern woman named Ellie Barnett, who picks up a copy of Pride and Prejudice in her high school English class one day and ends up with the ghost of Jane Austen in her head, giving her dating advice for the next twenty years! I have the *entire first scene* from the novel — where Ellie makes Jane’s acquaintance for the first time — on an earlier blog post (HERE), if you’d like to read it.

My debut book received some very lovely accolades and reviews that still make me proud, including praise from Family Circle magazine and the Chicago Tribune, a 5-star rating from Laurel Ann at Austenprose, and the honor of being named one of the 100 “Best Romance Novels of All Time” on Buzzle.com.Β That list happens to include E.M. Forster’s A Room with a View, Diana Gabaldon’s OutlanderΒ and Austen’s P&P (!!), so I’ll never forget how stunned and thrilled I was when I got that news…

So, I’m really pleased to get to launch this story for a second time, and the truth is that I’m almost as excited now as I was in the fall of 2009, LOL.

 

 

Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend and a very happy end of January/start of February!
xoxo
Marilyn

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The new edition of According to Jane is available now on ebook via Kindle (worldwide), Nook, iBooks, and Kobo, and it’s also sold in paperback at Amazon, B&N, and other retailers!

139 comments

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    • Erika Messer on January 27, 2017 at 12:42 am
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    Oh wow a favorite V-Day memory – well I guess it would be 2007 – I had just had my daughter in November of 2006 and although I was married for 14 years, I only remember one time ever receiving a V-Day gift from my husband. But in 2007 my mother gave me a gift from my Abby which made me feel amazingly special since I had been trying to have a baby for years. Other than that I have actually never had a great V-Day, never been taken out, never gotten gifts, it’s just always been another day for me. My Valentine is always my baby girl Abby πŸ™‚ So thank you for the awesome giveaway and congrats on the printing! Happy Valentine’s Day πŸ™‚ Erika Messer hopefuldelights1 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    1. Thank you so much for all your good wishes, Erika, as well as sharing a memory with me πŸ˜‰ . Your daughter Abby is so lucky to have a mom who loves and cherishes her as you do!! xoxo

    • MeriLyn on January 27, 2017 at 12:49 am
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    My bestie and I have birthdays which bracket Valentine’s Day. Over the years, we’ve always gotten each other birthday and V-day gifts. But my favorite memory was the first year we gave each other valentines: stuffed red devil bears complete with horns and a tail. Through all the upheavals of life, I still have that little bear and it still makes me smile every time I see it. Love comes in lots of forms, and while I’m yet looking for that special romantic Mr. Right, I will always cherish the love of good and true friends.

    1. MeriLyn, there’s something incredibly special about long-lasting friendship like the kind you and your BFF share!! I love the description you gave of that stuffed devil bear, LOL!! Must be so cute πŸ™‚ . As a baby, for my first Valentine’s Day, my dad gave me a little red bear (no horns on mine, though!) and it was *very* well loved. In fact, I still have it, right here in my office. His fur is mostly worn off and he’s slumped by one of my bookshelves, but my heart swells whenever I look at him and think of my dad… <3

    • Karylee Marin on January 27, 2017 at 12:52 am
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    WOW… those are some SERIOUS accolades. I ‘met’ you during a time when I’ve read less than ever before in my reading life… but, boy, this one is On MY LIST. πŸ™‚

    What made you decide on this cover, I’m curious… decisions, decisions…. congratulations on all your success, Marilyn! Exciting!!! xx K

      • Karylee Marin on January 27, 2017 at 12:55 am
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      Oh! I forgot to include the ‘assignment’… πŸ˜‰

      I would have to say… after weeks of adorning our classroom with beaucoup WONDERFUL kid-made decorations, my class and I treated the parents and sibs to an evening of LOVE…. you have not LIVED until you’ve seen 40+ first and second graders swayin, emoting and singing their little hearts out to “What the WORLD needs now… is love, sweet love…it’s the only thing that there’s just… ”

      Not a DRY EYE. sigh.. xxx

      1. This made my day! How sweet is that? And Love Train, too? πŸ˜€

    1. Karylee, I truly, truly hope you’ll like this story!! xoxo
      As for the cover, I got a LOT of opinions before deciding (over 250 people — online and off — weighed in on it!), and I was very close to choosing the one that showed the heroine’s whole head… (Remember that version from FB?) But the reason I went with the cropped version was because of several comments by people who’d read the book and felt that it might appear that I was marketing to a teen audience if I showed her entire face. That the ambiguity of the cropped style would better suit the 20-year age range of my heroine. So that tipped me toward this cover πŸ™‚ .

      1. p.s. Loved reading your story about your classroom and your very sweet students!!! *happy sigh* That’s a beautiful memory…XO

          • Karylee Marin on January 27, 2017 at 1:47 pm
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          You would have loved it… my heart just SOARS, still, picturing them breaking into their enthusiastic sing-a-long of “People all over the world… join hands… Love Train…Love Train… ” πŸ˜‰ Magic. sigh…

          1. I know I would have!! What a wonderful occasion that must have been… <3

        • Karylee Marin on January 27, 2017 at 1:44 pm
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        Interesting! I voted for the full face, but I can now understand that marketing thought. Either cover is cool!

        1. Thank you!!! xo

    • Glynis on January 27, 2017 at 1:46 am
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    I don’t think I can remember any particular Valentines day but I do feel passionate about cuddling my 4 little grandsons and reading JAFF. Congratulations on the new release and I hope it is just as successful this time.

    1. Glynis,
      I can’t imagine much that would be better than the two wonderful things you mentioned!!
      And thank you so much for the good wishes πŸ˜‰ .

    • Schilds on January 27, 2017 at 1:48 am
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    Valentines day is just another day but as far as hobbies go I love to craft. I bought the Jane Austen crafts book and Jane Austen quilt book so that I can recreate some of the things she would have done. Of course I also love to read so I am very interested in your book. Thanks for the great give away!

    1. Schilds, thank you!! I really hope you’ll like According to Jane πŸ™‚ .
      As for crafting — I’m envious of your skill!! I have friends who quilt beautifully, but I should never be allowed near a needle and thread, LOL. I’ll bet your JA projects look beautiful!

    • Ann Garland on January 27, 2017 at 2:00 am
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    Marilyn–I have loved genealogy since I was 9 years old. We were given a Family history of one of my family names, and my name was on the chart within the book. I’ve been working on my genealogy on and off since then…including researching in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

    1. That’s just fascinating, Ann!! I’ve done only a little genealogy work in a serious way, but this past summer I was trying to help my husband trace one line of his ancestry, and it was thrilling. One mystery leading to another and, occasionally, a cool discovery!

    • Cat on January 27, 2017 at 2:07 am
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    What an amazing giveaway. Congrats on your new edition and good luck with it.

    My favourite Valentine’s Day was in 2009. I spent it with my two best friends and a couple of other girls from College doing an ‘Anti’-Valentine’s Day party, because back then all of us were single. We had an amazing girl’s night in, cooking together, drinking wine and watching movies. I’m still smiling thinking back to this night.

    1. Many thanks for the congrats, Cat!
      Loved reading about your “Anti” party!!! That must have been a blast. One of my best friends *hates* Valentine’s Day. I’ve known her for over a decade and, every year, she ranted about it…until she met her new love. They got married over VD weekend last year πŸ˜€ .

    • Betty Campbell Madden on January 27, 2017 at 2:30 am
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    My favorite Valentine’s Day memories are of my, and subsequently my daughter’s and granddaughters’ school preparations and celebrations of the day. I also enjoy remembering the first year we had to have an artificial Christmas tree because of my daughter’s allergies when she was 3. She didn’t want to take the tree down for weeks afterwards, so we didn’t. Finally I convinced her we should remove the Christmas decorations, put on Valentine’s Day ones, and put the tree away after a week. She was so excited!

    1. What a fabulous way to transition between Christmas and Valentine’s, Betty! And aren’t those school activities they do for the holidays sweet? I used to teach 2nd grade and then 3rd grade, and getting to do holiday projects with the kids was one of my favorite parts πŸ˜‰ .

    • Katrin SchΓ€dl on January 27, 2017 at 2:53 am
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    Valentines day is just a normal day here too, but I love to crochet. I crocheted a blanket for each of my kids, but only the one for my 2,5y old daughter is all the way done. My 15 month old boys blanket is still in need of those – eyes rolling – ends to be woven in…. Your question just reminded me I should be doing that soon….before he gets it when hes 18 lol

    Happy re-pub day, Marilyn!

    1. LOL, Katrin!!
      Hey, I’m just impressed that you can crochet! With a great deal of instruction, I made a misshapen potholder once… First and last crocheting project πŸ˜€ . I’m sure the blankets you’ve made — completed or not — are absolutely lovely!

    • Lynn Bischoff on January 27, 2017 at 4:15 am
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    My husband is a real romantic. We met on June 27, 1984 and were married Dec 27,1984. Valentines Day isn’t a big day for me but I have 32 years of cards recieved on the 27th of each month. That’s my dear husband. Thank you for the giveaway.

    1. Ohhhh, Lynn, that’s SO sweet!! You’re right — your hubby is a real romantic πŸ˜‰ . I love that…xox Thank you for sharing this with me!

    • Sue Ames on January 27, 2017 at 7:35 am
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    I personally have never been a fan of Valentines day but my mom is and she will be 94 this year and is in a nursing home so this weekend I plan on finding some great valentine decorations for her room to make her happy and to “lighten it up” . Hope everyone enjoys the day.

    1. Sue, that is such a kind and wonderful gesture on your part. I have no doubt you’ll brighten up your mom’s day/week/month (!!) considerably. And, wow, nearly 94… How much change your mom must have seen in her lifetime <3.

  1. Congrats on the re-release!

    Although I have plenty of fond memories from Valentine’s Day with my husband, my favorite memories are from when I was a little girl and my father would always buy me and my sister a little something so we didn’t feel left out when he gifted my mom with flowers.

    1. Anna, thank you for the congrats!!
      And that is such a lovely memory of your father! What a thoughtful man to do something special for his little girls πŸ˜‰ .

    • Vesper Meikle on January 27, 2017 at 8:01 am
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    I have two favourite hobbies one is reading, and the another is watching tennis especially Federer, which means at the moment I am getting up at 4 in the morning to watch tennis.

    1. LOL, Vesper!! We *love* watching tennis in my family! My dad taught me to play when I was young, and he and I would watch matches on TV together. Personally, I’m a fan of Federer, too. Looking forward to the Australian Open final this weekend πŸ˜€ .

    • Louise Huss on January 27, 2017 at 8:11 am
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    That’s fantastic news on your re-release! So happy for you!

    While there have been many good memories concerning Valentine’s day, my most cherished ones are when my Mom would buy me the big sweet tart candies in the shape of a heart (two to a package). She would let me have one after dinner while watching TV. My Dad would enjoy it also because it kept me quiet!

    1. Many thanks for your sweet words, Louise! Thanks for celebrating with me!!
      And what a cute story about your parents and the sweet tart hearts — LOVE that!! πŸ˜€

    • Nicole B on January 27, 2017 at 8:57 am
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    I don’t have a romantic story but a funny one. Valentines Day a few years ago my DH ran errands and I sneakily got a card and flowers ready and baked his favorite blondies. He meanwhile spoke on the phone with his dad who reminded him of the holiday and discussed the “fact” that he’d get points for remembering if I had forgotten. He returned home to my surprise laden table and his face fell. “Oh you remembered” he said dejected. I’m confused and sad that my surprise wasn’t well received. But then laughed after he explained. Point set matchπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
    Congratulations and the re-release! So happy for you!

    1. LOLOL, Nicole!! That’s a fabulous and hilarious story! Thanks for making me laugh aloud this morning πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ .
      And thank you so much for the congrats on According to Jane. It’s wonderful to get to celebrate its new edition with all of you!

  2. My DH is originally from Eastern Europe; he grew up under communism so had no idea about V-Day. The first year we were married, his work colleagues explained to him that if he didn’t bring me flowers or chocolate or some other sweet gift that he would be in the doghouse well past the *next* V-day. LOL! So he brought me a huge floral arrangement *and* a big box of chocolates *and* a huge V-day card *and* a book I had been wanting. πŸ™‚ Now he brings me flowers every year on V-day altho’ I keep telling him that we don’t need a special day to show that we love each other. So he brings me flowers several times a year on un-special days too!

    Brava and wishing you every success with the re-release of your book — I’m looking forward to enjoying it!

    1. Oh, Janis, how wonderful that your hubby is so demonstrative and determined to show his love for you πŸ™‚ . Warms my heart to read about little incidents of real-life romance like that!! Thank you for sharing it and for your good wishes as well. I really hope you’ll enjoy According to Jane!! xox

    • Lynn Char on January 27, 2017 at 9:42 am
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    I feel like I have read this book but in looking back through my nook, kindle, and book shelf I cannot find it. It’ll be in my possession at some point though, I don’t want to miss this! As for Valentine’s day I have to go back to my first year of marriage. I had mailed a card to our house for my husband and he was home sick that day. He knew he was too sick to go out but didn’t want me to come home to no card. We were newlyweds and didn’t have any tape (that he could find) so he took the construction paper we had, made flower shapes and SEWED them to a handmade thick card board card! Ingenious! I’d still have that card today except he decided to “clean” one day and he threw it away. I’m still sad I don’t have that card. Congratulations on the re-release!!

    1. Lynn,
      What a creative thing for your husband to do!! Very clever! And even though you no longer have the card, you’ll always have that cherished memory. Thank you so, so much for sharing it with me πŸ˜‰ .
      And thanks, also, for your congrats on According to Jane!! It was a thrill to get to see it released again!

    • DarcyBennett on January 27, 2017 at 10:13 am
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    The second date I had with the man who is now my husband was a few days before Valentine’s Day. We lived quite a distance from one another so we met at a halfway point and went out to dinner. Everything was going smoothly until at the end of the date, he gave me a rose. Unfortunately for me I have no poker face and my dislike of the gift must have been evident because his face immediately fell and he asked if I was alright. I did my best to cover and eventually explained that I am allergic to flowers and perhaps because of this have always hated them. He has never given me a flower since and thankfully despite that shaky beginning everything worked out in the end. Congrats for the re-release and thank you for the giveaway!

    1. Darcy, I find it so interesting the way certain personal situations (like allergies) can affect someone’s worldview! Just like you with flowers, one of our family friends told me years ago how much she hated chocolate. I was stunned. I’d never in my life heard someone dislike my favorite food, LOL…Then she explained that she was allergic to it…and, suddenly, her dislike made total sense πŸ™‚ . Glad your date had such a happy ending, and thank you for the congrats!!

    • Elaina on January 27, 2017 at 10:17 am
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    Congratulations! Valentine’s Day and everyday when I see them is when I hug my family, especially my 4 lovely, little and wonderful grandchildren who bring me happiness and joy.

    1. Many thanks for your congrats, Elaina!! And, though I’m not a grandma yet, I can’t dream of anything better than being around our children’s children πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ . Happiness and joy, indeed!!

    • Pam Hunter on January 27, 2017 at 10:25 am
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    My husband is not romantic at all, so any Valentine’s Day present I get from him is nice. πŸ™‚

    Congrats on the book, and thanks for the fantastic giveaway!

    1. Pam, LOL! Yeah, my husband and I only exchanged Valentine’s Day gifts during the first year we were dating, but he usually gives me a cute card, and I always look forward to that πŸ˜€ .
      Thank you so much for the congrats, too!!

    • Linda A. on January 27, 2017 at 10:47 am
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    Congratulations on the re-release – and thank you for the giveaway.

    Valentine’s Day is just another day for me. My long-time BF refuses to buy-in to the “mantik bushih” of sales and marketing. Instead, he lets me know how much he cares throughout the year – much better than just one day a year, if you ask me.

    1. Linda,
      I agree with you completely πŸ˜‰ . Showing love ALL through the year, in a myriad of large and small ways, is the best!! Many thanks for the congrats as well!

    • Ruth on January 27, 2017 at 11:15 am
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    My hobby is and always has been reading. Reading gives me my entertainment and lasts forever. Reading is my passion and is meaningful and I have introduced my love of reading to my grandsons and granddaughters who love books and reading.

    1. Ruth, that’s WONDERFUL!!!
      One of my life’s biggest hobbies is also reading (many writers probably feel that way πŸ˜‰ ), and my son — AT LONG LAST — is finally starting to read fiction for fun. I can’t tell you how much joy I felt just watching him a few stories that he could lose himself in… Nothing like it!

  3. I love According to Jane!! It is my favorite Marilyn Brant book and I love them all!!

    1. Margie,
      *HUG!!!!!!!* πŸ™‚
      You have been unequivocally, amazingly, and so sweetly supportive of all of my novels from the minute According to Jane was released!! Thank you, my kind friend!! xoxo

    • Sheila L. Majczan on January 27, 2017 at 1:26 pm
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    I have read this and a number of other books by Marilyn. I have enjoyed all of them – even those not under the JAFF sub-genre! I read all of them in e-books so if any are given away as paperbacks…count me in.

    I can’t pull out of my memory any one scene…I read so many books and sometimes they blur together. According to Jane was a 5 star review from me, also.

    Valentine’s Day – my husband is one who wants to avoid the long lines so if we do anything it is NOT on that particular day.

    1. Sheila,
      I treasure each and every one of your reviews of my novels! You’re always write such thoughtful commentary on the stories… Thank you again & again!! xoxo
      As for the giveaway, yes! Two of the books are signed paperbacks of mine: According to Jane and You Give Love a Bad Name! πŸ˜€ Fingers crossed for you and for everyone entered to win it!!

    • arjanne on January 27, 2017 at 1:42 pm
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    Now that’s a huge giveaway! Thanks for making it international too!
    I don’t have a favorite Valentine’s Day memory, it’s not such a huge thing here, but I’m always happy to go to a new restaurant and I never say no to a nice gift πŸ™‚
    Congrats on the new release!

    1. Thank you for the congrats, arjanne!!
      And I’m with you on enjoying visiting new restaurants — yum! If only I didn’t gain weight just by reading the menu, I’d try a new place every week, LOL πŸ˜€ .

  4. Congratulations on your re-release, Marilyn; I love the new cover!! πŸ™‚

    We’ve had a Saint Valentine’s Day tradition for the past twenty years in which we drop our kids (and my brother and sister did the same) at my parents’ home on Saint Valentine’s Day, and my parents and all their grandkids have a Valentine’s Day party of their own with pizza, ice cream, and the making of handmade Valentine’s cards. And then the couples get an evening out! When we come back to pick up the kids, we get to enjoy their crafty cards made for us and have an ice cream sundae with everyone.

    We started this tradition because my mom’s dad died on February 14 1996, so in 1997, my mom had this idea so that she could have her family around her on the anniversary of his death, and we’ve done it ever since, including last year when my kids were 23, 20, 18, and 16! πŸ™‚

    This year my parents are leaving for Hawaii (they live there over half the year now) Feb 8th, so this will be the first year without this tradition in twenty years. I don’t know if the kids have figured that out yet, but I have. So we’ll have to do something fun to celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day at home. πŸ˜‰

    Thanks for this wonderful giveaway, Marilyn, and congratulations again on the re-release!!

    Warmly,
    Susanne πŸ™‚

      • Sheila L. Majczan on January 27, 2017 at 2:55 pm
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      Wow, that’s a great tradition!

    1. Susanne,
      WOW!!! What a beautiful and fun family tradition! What I especially love is the way your mom turned what may have been a very sad occasion into one full of creativity and joy πŸ™‚ . That is so lovely… <3 Thank you for sharing this, and for your all of your kind words. I'm so pleased you like the new cover!! Please wish your parents a safe trip in a few weeks, and here's hoping that you and your family will, perhaps, get to have the special Valentine's celebration a week early this year!! xox

    • Maria Clara Pivato Biajoli on January 27, 2017 at 3:36 pm
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    Congratulations on the new edition! Well, about memories, we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day here in Brazil, but we do have something similar called “lover’s day” on June 12th. But my best memory of my boyfriend (now my husband) is the day when he gave me a replica of Austen’s birthstone ring – you know, the one that is at Chawton museum. He actually had a goldsmith make a replica just like the original. I had told him months before that I wanted one, but it was too expensive (they were selling replicas at a JASNA AGM in Montreal, but I couldn’t afford it). So, out of the blue, when he came to visit me in Montreal after months apart, he gave me this tiny box… I opened, the ring was inside… I was speechless, to say the least, and so moved by all the trouble he took to satisfy my wish.

    1. Oh, my goodness, Maria Clara!! What an amazing gift. Not only the beautiful replica of the ring, but the fact that he took the time to make for you something you’d really treasure… I can see why you married that man!
      And thank you for your sweet congratulations and for taking the time to share with me such a special memory πŸ™‚ .

  5. Has it really been seven and a half years? Egads! Lol Congratulations, my friend, on the re-release! And what a fun collection of items for a giveaway, too. Wow.

    Valentine’s day is my brother’s birthday so it’s important to me for that reason. Otherwise, I’m not really big on it. Too much unnecessary pressure and drama!

    I’ve probably told you this before but whenever I think of According to Jane, I always hear Jane in my head saying “what manner of conduct is this?” in her very cultured, affronted British way. It’s such a simple line but for some reason it cracks me up and I’ve been known to use it myself in place of like “what’s up with that?” or something like that.

    I miss you on twitter! We need to have another group watch of a musical or movie – something fun. Lately I’ve sort of let politics take over my feed and it’s draining. Speaking of musicals, are you going to see Hamilton now that it’s playing in Chicago? Are you a HamilFan?

    Hugs!

    1. Monica!!!!
      First of all, thank you for remembering that line from the book! It’s actually one of my favorites, too πŸ˜€ . And I truly appreciate the kind words and your congrats.
      I miss our Twitter chats so much! I’ve been taking social-media breaks more frequently this fall/winter (because, yeah, the political stuff has been overwhelming…), but I would totally be up for another group movie watch with you and the gang!!
      As for “Hamilton,” I’d love to see it live, but I haven’t had the chance yet. I was on the phone and online simultaneously for HOURS (literally) back in June, trying to get a ticket for my son, who’s a HUGE history buff and a fan of all sorts of rap/hip-hop music. If I could have managed to get tickets for all of us then, I would have, but it was the opening day of sales and the lines were jammed. I felt lucky to get one seat for him, which became his 18th birthday present :). He absolutely loved the show when he saw it last month, and we’ve got the soundtrack at home, so we listen to it often. Now that they’ve extended the production, maybe my husband and I can go to it later this year!
      XOXO

    • Linda on January 27, 2017 at 6:35 pm
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    For the first Valentine’s Day after we were engaged and for several years after our marriage my husband had a dozen long-stem red roses delivered to me in my office at work by a young man dressed in a tuxedo. At least my administrative assistant and women I worked with said he was dressed in a tuxedo. Ironically, coincidentally I never saw him. For each delivery I was either in a meeting or off site at the time the delivery was made! When I returned to my office the box of flowers was sitting there.

    1. What a romantic gesture from your husband, Linda!!
      And, perhaps, even though you were the only one in the office to get those beautiful roses, your hubby also managed to give the rest of the staff a little Valentine’s present, too…in the form of that Tuxedo Man πŸ˜€ .

    • Lori on January 27, 2017 at 9:15 pm
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    Congrats! That’s so exciting. Can’t wait to read it.

    My nieces always make me stuff fi Valentine’s Day. It makes being single so much easier.

    1. How sweet of your nieces, Lori!! You must be a very special auntie to them πŸ™‚ .
      And many thanks for your congrats on the book!! I really hope you’ll enjoy the story!

    • Laura H. on January 28, 2017 at 7:39 am
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    Congratulations on the book release. I would very much like to read it. As for memories… the one that stands out as a most romantic memory actually did not occur on Valentine’s Day. My husband and I lived in different states when we were dating so getting together often was a bit tough, to say the least. One October, when I had some time off from work, we made arrangments for me to fly down to visit with him. Well, he met me at the airport in a suit and tie, rose in hand, and limosine ride back to his place. There he surprised me by preparing dinner, complete with candle light. After 20+ years of marriage, it is one of my fondest memories of our courtship.

    1. Laura, thank you!! I really hope it’s a novel you’ll enjoy πŸ˜‰ .
      And thanks so much for sharing your wonderfully romantic story!! You described it so well…I could just picture that airport scene!

    • Carole in Canada on January 28, 2017 at 9:41 am
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    Congratulations Marilyn! Well, Valentine’s Day is not a big deal for my husband and I but February 4th is. That is the first day we ever met(1980). Fast forward 25 years later(2005), my husband, along with the help of my boss, arranged a surprise in our company’s boardroom where I worked. Right down to the exact time he walked into my office, I was told there was an emergency meeting I was needed in the boardroom for. Lo and behold, there he was with one of our favourite songs playing over the sound system and he presented me with a lovely ring. Needless to say, I cried…

    1. Awwww, Carole!! That is SO sweet!
      Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and romantic memory with me — it’s just heart-meltingly lovely!! *happy sigh* πŸ™‚ And many thanks for your congrats, too!! xo

  6. This 14th Feb, I will be in Bologna (Italy). I will meet the places where my other half enjoyed his erasmus year. I also love Italy, that is a plus!!

    1. Ana,
      I’m thrilled for you — and more than a little envious! — that you get to go to Italy in a couple of weeks!! It’s been almost 20 years since my last visit, and I still daydream about going back πŸ˜‰ . Please have some gelato for me while you’re there, and soak up that beautiful Italian sunshine!!

      1. I will definitely have gelato even if it will be still quite cold! πŸ™‚

    • Dung on January 30, 2017 at 5:34 pm
    • Reply

    Congrats on the new edition release! I haven’t had a chance to read this novel, but looking forward to reading the new edition! Thanks for the giveaways!

    1. Thanks so much for the congrats!! And I’ve got my fingers crossed that you’ll enjoy the new edition of the book! πŸ˜€

  7. I am passionate about traveling! I jump at any chance to go on a trip out of town. I love spending Valentine’s Day with my Mom!

    1. Kathy,
      I love traveling, too!!
      It’s been a while since I’ve gone anywhere exciting, but even a simple road trip can be fun πŸ˜€ .

    • George Matusek on January 31, 2017 at 9:21 pm
    • Reply

    Congratulations! In the crowded field of Austen sequels and reworkings it’s not often that one of them gets a 2nd edition.

    1. Thank you so much, George!! I was really excited about this new edition πŸ˜‰ .

    • George Matusek on January 31, 2017 at 9:42 pm
    • Reply

    In graduate school I met a beautiful mathematics student from Argentina. We met while taking a course called “Lattice Theory.” We were both fans of classical music and on a Valentine’s Day date we attended a symphony concert that featured the “Romeo and Juliet” Symphony by Hector Berlioz (the composer who, in real life<, had fallen in love with a Shakespearean stage actress). After we both got our master's degrees, she returned to Argentina. In preparation for a visit to her there, I took tango lessons, thinking to surprise her. It turned out that she did not know how to do the tango — she laughed, "It's such an old-fashioned dance." LOL!

    1. And I *love* your romantic story, George!!!
      Even if she thought the tango was old fashioned, the fact that you took the time to learn it was just wonderful! I really hope you had a chance to put your excellent dance moves to good use on other occasions as well… I envy your lucky dance partners! πŸ˜€

    • Beatrice on January 31, 2017 at 10:52 pm
    • Reply

    I cannot believe it took a whole 7.5 years for the second edition! You write so well.
    I have many Valentine’s Day memories. One year I made a card for my husband that was all mushy on the front cover, then he opened it up, and on the inside there was a beer opener suspended from a row of pop-up hearts and the words closest to his heart – “Have a beer!”
    My daughter has an unusual name, and we always had lots of laughs when she’d bring home valentines from classmates who knew how to pronounce the name Siobhan but clearly had no idea whatsoever how to spell it. Of course that didn’t stop them from laughing out loud at substitute teachers’ mispronunciations of it. Only once in all her years of school did a sub get her name right; the class immediately stood up and gave that teacher a standing ovation. Therefore Valentine’s day and days with a substitute teacher were always special to my little girl, being so full of laughter.
    Once when my children were pre-school, we were making valentines cards together and two young female evangelists came to the door. They were so young and friendly that my kids invited them in, and we all made cards together. No religion was discussed but they did quietly leave us a copy of the Book of Mormon.

    1. Oh, Beatrice, thank you!! Your kind words mean so much to me. xox
      LOL about the fabulous card you made for your husband, and I *love* your stories about the Mormon ladies making Valentines with you and that the kids in your daughter’s class gave the sub a standing ovation for getting her name right — “Siobhan” is beautiful πŸ˜‰ .
      Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful memories!

    • Patricia Finnegan on January 31, 2017 at 10:54 pm
    • Reply

    According to Jane was one of my first austen inspired books to read. It holds a special spot for me.

    1. Patricia, *HUG*!!!
      Thank you! And getting to meet you at the AGM (and do some dancing!) was such a treat for me. xox

    • Heather Murrie on February 1, 2017 at 12:54 am
    • Reply

    This was a while back when I was still in high school and my boyfriend (now husband) couldn’t see each other for Valentine’s Day. He was in college in Florida and I was in Illinois. We decided to have a video chat candlelit dinner. I sent him a package with tea candles, matches, and Mac n’ cheese. We set a time to talk and we had a cute little romantic dinner. It was the best we could do, but it’s one of my favorite Valentine’s Day memories.

    1. Heather,
      That is *so* creative, romantic, and fun!! I can imagine how sweet that Valentine’s memory must be for Drew, as well as for you πŸ˜‰ .
      Thank you so much for sharing it with me! xox

    • Moran on February 1, 2017 at 1:02 am
    • Reply

    Congratulations on the release of the new edition of According to Jane.
    I can’t believe I haven’t read it yet.
    One of the activities I’m passionate about other than reading πŸ˜‰ is working out. I go to the gym 5-6 times a week and I love it.
    I also love to cook and bake so it works out well – I burn calories so I can eat more yumny food with out the guilt πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

    1. Moran,
      Thank you for the congrats and for always being so supportive of my stories!! xox
      I love working out, too, as well as cooking…but I wish I were able to burn a LOT more calories or work out for a LOT longer (!!) because I still eat way more tasty treats than I’m able to exercise off, LOL. πŸ˜€

    • Kelly Braun on February 1, 2017 at 1:10 am
    • Reply

    My favorite Valentine Day memory was having a tea party with all 8 of my children. We made cute little snacks and set up the table and watched Princess Bride… We all had a great time just being together 🌹❀🌹

    1. The Princess Bride!!!! I love that film, Kelly! And what a fun and memorable Valentine’s celebration that must have been with your kids. Bet they still talk about it! πŸ˜€

    • Sarah Johnson on February 1, 2017 at 1:20 am
    • Reply

    The hubs and I never really do anything for Valentine’s day. With three kiddos it certainly makes it difficult. Normally if we’re able to do anything it’s dinner and a movie and then home. I’m not complaining at all. I love our rare nights out together no matter what we do. My favorite moments with my love are often at home. We’re both gamers so when we’re playing our games and sharing stories about what’s going on in our games it makes my heart all melty lol Might be a bit odd to some but it’s moments like that that remind me that we’re meant to be! Also the fact that I’ve been trying to write my book for over three years and he always listens to my ideas and edits no matter how annoying I am makes him a keeper!

    1. Sarah,
      I speak from the experience of being a fiction writer for nearly 17 years when I saw this: Any spouse who’s willing to listen to story ideas and be supportive of one’s writing — especially through all the ups and downs in this industry — is definitely a keeper!! πŸ˜€ Glad you’ve got a good one! And that he shares your love of gaming, too, makes it all the better!

  8. First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on the rerelease! So exciting, I mean I remember when I first read the book and was struck by how massively funny, and sweet the whole story was. Can you imagine? The voice of this particular author in your head, giving advice from her day and age in the here and now… brilliant concept with equally wonderful results. Don’t believe I’d say no to a dose of her wit and wisdom, myself.

    As for the comment, I’m going with passion (since Valentine’s Day hasn’t really been kind to me)… and truly, that passion is READING. I know, surprising, right? πŸ˜‰ Seriously though, it serves so many purposes! From learning to entertainment, a brief moment to smile or an escape from a less than ideal day, an activity to wile away a rainy day or to kick up your feet under a shady spot outside…. it can be enjoyed by all ages, varieties of people, in pretty much any place, and I truly believe there is a book for everyone. So yes, my passion is reading and I’m more than happy to share that with others. πŸ˜„πŸ’—πŸ“š

    1. Gina,
      There are a handful of people I know who have been incredibly and consistently supportive of authors and so willing to share book recommendations and new-release links and FB posts, etc…and YOU are definitely one of them!! I count myself as so fortunate to have gotten to know you and chat with you online from my very first novel onward!! I’m still hoping our paths will cross in person someday so I can give you a long-overdue REAL HUG!! πŸ™‚ Thanks for being so wonderful. xoxo

  9. Congratulations on the re-release, Marilyn. I owned the first edition of According to Jane and I love the story. It has been several years since I last read it so I don’t remember which is my favourite scene or scenes. As you know, I reviewed that book here. Btw are there only changes besides the book cover? I hate it when I already have the first edition but a new edition has edits to the story, etc.

    1. Ohhhh! And you know much much I *loved* your review!! πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚
      I saved it in my special file where I keep reviews that bring me joy… Thank you for that! xo
      As for changes in the 2nd edition — no, the story is unchanged, minus the correction of a couple of typos I was able to finally have fixed and a few places I was able to add in a word or two for clarification. Just a new cover this time around, and short excerpts from some of my books that hadn’t yet been written when According to Jane first came out!

      1. You are most welcome, Marilyn. It was a joy to read According to Jane and I still remember you gushing over my review. Seems like I am not missing much. As I have been away from the Janeite world for some time, what have you been up to? Any new release coming out soon?

        1. You are so kind to ask! Thank you <3.
          I do have a novella coming out in a few weeks — One Night Love Affair — it's the 5th book in my "Mirabelle Harbor" series (Sharlene & Declan's love story). I managed to slip in a few Austen references, of course (!!), but this book is a steamy contemporary romance πŸ™‚ .
          Hope you are well and having a wonderful week!
          xoxo

            • Sheila L. Majczan on February 16, 2017 at 12:08 am
            • Reply

            When is the release date? You know I have been reading those and posting reviews so will jump on it.

            1. Sheila,
              Thank you!!!!!! You are *wonderful*!
              One Night Love Affair is a novella, and the ebook release is planned for the first week of March. (Paperback to follow shortly thereafter.) It’s not up on Amazon yet because it’s headed to my proofreader this weekend πŸ˜€ . But the cover is ready to go, and the story is complete… So just as soon as I’m able to make sure that it’s typo free, it’ll be available! XO

    • Pamela McCrae on February 1, 2017 at 4:41 am
    • Reply

    A lovely memory of Valentine’s Day was when I was working as a volunteer art teacher at my granddaughter elementary school and was presented a wonderful gift. Unbeknownst to me the teacher had each student draw a portrait of me and write a favorite memory and then it was bound together as a book. It was a compete surprise and one of my most cherished mementoes of the appreciation of those sweet children and the great time I had volunteering. Happy Valentines Day!

    1. Pamela, what a precious keepsake!!
      I used to be an elementary school teacher for nearly a decade, and the creativity of the children and my colleagues never failed to impress me πŸ˜‰ . I’m so glad you had such a wonderful experience volunteering, and I’m sure your granddaughter loved having you there!

    • Lauren K on February 1, 2017 at 7:48 am
    • Reply

    My favorite Valentine’s Day memory is in 2012 when a group of friends and I went to dinner and then dancing on what we deemed Galentine’s day. I made a lifelong friend that night that I’ve traveled, cried and laughed with over the years. The tradition has kept going all these years later but none have been as great as that first one.

    1. Lauren,
      First of all, I love that you and your friends called it “Galentine’s” Day — inspired!!
      And how fabulous that you were able to really connect with someone as a result. What would we do without our good friends who are there for us when we need someone to share the ups and downs?! Hope you have a very happy celebration with them this month, too!! πŸ˜‰

    • Brandy on February 1, 2017 at 12:17 pm
    • Reply

    Hmm. I don’t think I have a favorite Valentine memory unfortunately.
    I can’t wait to read According to Jane.

    1. Brandy,
      No worries about not sharing a memory — Valentine’s Day isn’t a big favorite for everyone! (One of my best friends HATES it, LOL.) I always eat too much chocolate, so I kinda wish we could skip right to St. Patrick’s Day this year!
      And thank you!! I’ve got my fingers crossed that According to Jane will be a novel you’ll like! πŸ˜€

    • Menoka Malthoo on February 1, 2017 at 1:44 pm
    • Reply

    Oh Valentines days memory! Even though I love reading romance I am not a romantic person. I was lucky that my husband is also not a romantic guy!
    But my favorite valentines might not be romantic! Last year we decided that we have to it’s time to actually be romantic….like normal regular couples do!
    So we booked a romantic cabin in Vermont in the middle of a forest! There was not much to do so I decided to whip up some French martinis. My husband will never drink them and settle for beers! Now I could let a whole pitcher go to waste so I drank the whole thing and forgot to eat any dinner!
    So I spent the night throwing up while my husband held my hair!
    Finally around 3am the alcohol out of my system and feeling better he helped me clean up! I showed him the fancy lingerie I got and then we both burst out laughing!
    He kissed me and then told me we should just be happy and love the fact that trying to be romantic is not us and we should have stuck to just our normal selves and just prepare dinner and home and have a fun night watching tv and loving each other’s company!
    That valentine made me fall so much more in love with my husband who loves me just for me! I don’t have to light candles and get a coat cabin to enjoy our time together!

    1. LOL, Menoka!! What a wonderful story, and so true to what real love is…just knowing what the other person in your life *actually* needs and wants πŸ™‚ . Having had the great pleasure of meeting both you and your husband, the genuine affection you two share was obvious!! Here’s to a fun-filled (and not remotely “romantic”) Valentine’s Day for you both this year!!

        • Menoka Malthoo on February 1, 2017 at 7:40 pm
        • Reply

        Thanks Marilyn.
        Same to you as well….but romance filled. Love the cover!

        1. XOXOXOX!!

    • Wehaf on February 1, 2017 at 2:38 pm
    • Reply

    As a kid I would wake up on Valentine’s day and there would be a box of chocolates sitting at the foot of my bed. Every year. Thanks, mom and dad!

    1. Wehaf, ahhhh! YUM! I would have loved that kind of present…on Valentine’s Day or ANY day of the year!!
      Thanks for sharing πŸ˜‰ .

    • Caroline Frimston on February 1, 2017 at 3:47 pm
    • Reply

    Hey Marilyn! Funniest V-Day memory from 2010. We’d just had our house extended and moved back in only a couple of weeks earlier. I thought I’d try my hand at making Steak Diane for a special Valentine’s meal and nearly burnt my brand new kitchen down! Eeek! I panicked BIG TIME when the flames in the pan reached right up to the extractor fan! It was only funny way, way, waaaaayyyy later!!! The steak was good, though! LOL xx

    1. Ohhh, no, Caroline!! Nothing says “I love you” quite like a burnt kitchen, right?!! πŸ˜€ Glad to hear that the steak was tasty and that the incident didn’t end up being too serious! xo
      You reminded me of something I haven’t thought about in ages. I tried to make a special breakfast for my mom for Mother’s Day back when I was in 7th grade and nearly set fire to the kitchen… It took about a decade before my parents finally found that funny, LOL!

    • Rita Quante on February 1, 2017 at 4:06 pm
    • Reply

    Since you gave us options, I am telling you about my passion.
    What started out as just doing a few animal transports for those being saved by rescues from animal controls, has become the thing I am most driven to do (no pun intended). Animals, especially cats, are never in an absolutely no kill shelter, and usually it’s first in, first out. Or they are killed. I couldn’t begin to tell you the absolute joy and satisfaction I get when I am tagged to ‘spring’ cats or small dogs (I know my strength at 67). Being retired, this became my job. The meows and purrs and barks as I drive them away from a kill shelter to be vetted or to their next leg or to their rescue is the most beautiful sounds I hear. Sometimes I’ve been at the facility minutes before they closed, taking an animal out, usually cats, that were on their last ‘claw’ and had no time left. A ‘last minute save’ from a rescue made my wheels spin and get them on their way to freedom. A dozen animals I have taken from shelters who were going to be euthanized due to age, sickness, extremes…and I stayed with them at the outside vet that would do it more humanely, so they would pass being held and talked to and knowing love and having a Mom ~ who is me. I foster animals, and I have foster failed several times. I talk to the animals who I am driving and give them my word they are going to be fine, going to a wonderful place; and I have yet to not get a lump in my heart when my turn with them is up because I feel they are ‘mine’ for that short time. I say ‘yes’ as often as possible to get cats and dogs to ‘safety’; and I have also transported a few roosters, bunnies and a turtle as well. The season has slowed because of winter, but shortly that will change when cats(especially)start giving birth; the animal controls will explode with moms and babies or pregnant moms, and networkers will be working 18-20 hrs a day to beg rescues to take them, get them vetted and they need people to transport them. I can’t get there fast enough and my heart fills and my eyes get wet for every animal I am a part of saving. In 2016 I transported, or helped transport, almost 370 animals(mostly cats) putting 6800 miles on my car. As long as I have wheels, they will be for freedom rides!

      • Sheila L. Majczan on February 1, 2017 at 5:43 pm
      • Reply

      I have a friend who has adopted several rescue dogs and they have cost her a lot in vet bills but she says that is why she works. I can’t adopt any as my husband has allergies. But thank you for that service to animals. God bless you.

      1. Seconding Sheila’s blessing!
        πŸ™‚

    1. WOW, Rita!!!!
      You are AMAZING!!
      What you do is a beautiful and wonderful passion, and I’m so thrilled that you took the time to share it with me. I know animals can’t speak to us in words (at least not most of the time πŸ˜‰ ), but I can only imagine the gratitude they must feel having someone as caring as you step in and be there for them!
      xox

    • tammy thayer on February 1, 2017 at 5:03 pm
    • Reply

    i love relaxing and spending the day with my family

    1. That’s a fabulous way to spend any day!!
      Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Tammy πŸ™‚ .

    • Jennifer Brough on February 1, 2017 at 5:48 pm
    • Reply

    Congrats on the 2nd edition! What an accomplishment! I love Jane Austen and while I have not read your book (yet) I think it would be cool to have her in my head. Right now I’m obsessing over Persuasion but Pride & Prejudice is my first Austen love. I would love to win the give-away.

    Thank you!

    Jennifer

    1. Thanks so much for the congrats, Jennifer!!
      I’m a fan of Persuasion, too, but — like you — Pride and Prejudice was the book that made me fall in love with Austen! Her writing is brilliant πŸ˜‰ .

    • Denise on February 1, 2017 at 5:53 pm
    • Reply

    So glad you picked the cover I liked! Wonderful giveaway!

      • Denise on February 1, 2017 at 5:56 pm
      • Reply

      One of my favorite Valentine’s memories was when my husband, then boyfriend, gave me a heart locket to go with the gold chain he gave me for Christmas.

      1. Denise,
        So glad you liked this cover — thank you!!
        And what a lovely gift from your husband πŸ˜‰ . Wishing you both a wonderful Valentine’s Day this month!

    • Beatrice on February 2, 2017 at 7:55 pm
    • Reply

    I already posted but thought of a couple more Valentine’s memories.
    When my son was in grade school, I baked tiny heart-shaped cookies for Valentine’s – some pink, some plain. Then we played checkers with them, eating the playing pieces as they were captured. Best games of checkers ever!
    One year a couple of close friends, the son of one of them, and I heard that a favourite restaurant of ours in a nearby town was offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner. We couldn’t resist. We were the only ones there not as couples. We were also the only ones making any conversation. Sadly none of the couples even looked at each other, much less spoke to one another. But we were very merry and the candle-lit food was exquisite. The menu was all red and white foods except for the heart-shaped steaks – which also had heart-shaped horseradish sauce on top. Most of the food had hearts on it from cream or another sauce or was shaped like a heart. We thought of bringing the special menu home, but didn’t; we planned on attending the same wonderful feast every year. Sadly, that restaurant changed hands the next year, and – under the name “Stormin’ Norman” – didn’t seem inclined to serve romantic dinners.

    1. Beatrice,
      I can just imagine the fun of playing checkers with cookies you could eat during the game!!! LOVE IT!! Your son must have really enjoyed that, too…I know I would have! πŸ˜€
      As for the restaurant meal, that sounded like a festive and fabulous occasion!! Too bad the other patrons didn’t have the evening of fun that you and your friend shared… I’d love it if a restaurant near us would do something like that. Very cool & creative!

    • Deborah on February 4, 2017 at 11:44 pm
    • Reply

    I am not using a Valentine Day memory, but am going to go back nearly 30years are to the day my boyfriend, now husband, proposed to me. We were at my grandparents’ house at the lake and Dan was grilling chicken on the back porch over looking said lake. He had a 3 pronged fork in his hand. I asked him when he was going to ask me to marry him. He said, “How about now?” And with a sly grin and a BBQ fork in hand proposed. A week later he took me to Mystic Aquarium and out to dinner and officially asked me when giving me my engagement ring.

    1. Awwwww!! That’s such a cute proposal story, Debbie!! I love it… Plus, I mean, the guy can BBQ like a pro, while being romantic — an excellent skill!!
      Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful story with me πŸ™‚ . xox

    • Diane Lynne C on February 6, 2017 at 2:18 pm
    • Reply

    My birthday is 3 days after Valentine’s Day so I usually get combination gifts/cards from my husband and the family. But one of my best memories is the one from 2014, the year after my Mother passed away. You see, I was born in a blizzard and my Mother told me the story EVERY year I could remember. Now that I had lost my Mother I thought the story was never again to be told to me. Yet that Feburary of 2014, my Dad appears on my doorstep, bouquet and card in hand. As I open the door his first words are, “Happy Birthday, Blizzard.” Dad tells me his version of the story and reminds me that I was over 6 weeks early and did not have a name for the first 3 days of life. You see, I was supposed to be a boy. Dad found my name on the TV screen that night before his next visit….I’m named for the actress Diana Lynn. (And get this….so is my sister-in-law.)

    1. Diane,
      A family member I dearly love shares your birthday, so I’ve always thought of the 17th as a very special day πŸ˜€ .
      And it’s an even cooler date now that I’ve heard your wonderful story!! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and share it with me!
      p.s. Happy (early) Birthday, Blizzard πŸ˜‰ .

  10. HUGE CONGRATS to the grand prize winner: KELLY BRAUN!!! I’ll contact you to get your mailing address so I can send this package out to you!! I really hope you’ll enjoy it!

    AND…even though I didn’t announce this in my post…since so many wonderful people took the time to comment, I wanted to draw a few more names, so that I could give away 4 PDF copies of the newly released 2nd edition of ACCORDING TO JANE! And those ebook winners are:
    Kathy Kuhl
    Lynn Bischoff
    Maria Clara Pivato Biajoli
    Ann Garland
    I’ll contact you via email or Facebook, but if you see this before I manage to get ahold of you, please email me (MarilynBrant@gmail.com) with the best email address to send your PDF copy of the novel!

    Many thanks to all of you who left comments for me and shared such lovely stories. Hugs & best wishes to each of you!! xoxo

      • Karylee Marin on February 7, 2017 at 3:13 pm
      • Reply

      You’re so fun, M! And generous.

      Congratulations to the winners!!

      1. And you’re a sweetheart, Karylee!!
        Thank you! πŸ™‚ xoxox

    • Sheila L. Majczan on February 8, 2017 at 3:54 pm
    • Reply

    Congratulations to the winners. Enjoy.

    1. Thanks, Sheila!! xox
      πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

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