Working with Curtis and P.S. Literary Agency has been a wonderful
experience. My first book is about to be published, and I look forward to a
bright future. Much success to a great group!
Writing as Marian Vere for women's fiction and Julianna Scott for YA, the author spent the majority of her educational
career convinced she would be a musician. However, after receiving her music degree from Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania, she realized that she'd been born in the wrong era for her dreams of singing jazz to adoring fans clad in
zoot-suits and flapper dresses to come true, and began to wonder if her true calling might be elsewhere.
While she had always excelled in writing throughout school, she'd never considered it a career possibility until about
three years ago, when she'd gotten her first story idea and decided to go for it. She grabbed her laptop, started typing
away, and has never looked back.
She lives in Chicago.
About the Book:
Fiction: Young Adult 85,000 Words.
17-year-old Becca has spent her whole life protecting her brother - from their father leaving and from the people who say
the voices in his head are unnatural. When two strangers appear with apparent answers to Ryland's "problem" and details about
a school in Ireland where Ryland will not only fit in, but prosper, Becca is up in arms.
She reluctantly agrees to join Ryland on his journey and what they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination.
Little by little they piece find out information about their family's heritage and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for-but, they are all,
especially Becca, in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind.
Accolades:
"[The Holders is] an engaging, well-paced story. Julianna Scott is a fresh new voice in the paranormal
romance genre." --Juliet Marillier, Award Winning Fantasy Author of Shadowfell and the Sevenwaters Series
"A fierce and intelligent heroine, a sibling with a challenging destiny to discover, a heart-warming romance, and an X-Men type school for special powers in the Emerald Isle, all add up to a superbly gripping tale.
I loved Becca and can't wait to read more of her world. A fantastic read!" --Suzanne McLeod, Author of the Spellcrackers Series
"Unexpected betrayal, fascinating twists in the story, and the attraction between Becca and Alex makes his story an incredible read." --Page Turners Blog
"The Holders is an enticing mix of an ancient legend, Irish countryside and interesting characters. Definitely a promising start to a brand new YA series!" --Escape in a Book Blog
"It had a gripping plot, plenty of exciting twists and turns and some pretty fantastic characters which all combined to keep me glued to the pages." --A Dream of Books Blog
"Every element of The Holders kept me reading until the very end; it was one of those books that you just can't set down." --Book Labyrinth Blog
"A mash up of Harry Potter and X-Men type stories, The Holders is a captivating tale of supernatural powers." --The Reading Addict Blog
"In the end, The Holders took me quite by surprise. It was an interesting look at family relationships, at growing up, and at letting go, mixed which a huge dollop of paranormal powered adventure and
sweetened with a wonderful romance. While for now the story has reached a point of equilibrium where everyone can catch their breath and prepare for the future, this story is far from over and I really look forward to continuing The Holders' tale." --A Fantastical Librarian Blog
About the Book:
Fiction: Women's Fiction 75,000 Words. Once Upon a Second Chance is a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion.
Julia's life seemed to be falling perfectly into place. She had burgeoning job prospects in the finance industry, an
exciting life in New York City, and a wonderful fiancé, Nick Kerkley, who she was totally in love with. Nick however,
while being completely devoted to Julia, did not have the career potential or financial stability to be worthy of
someone like her-or at least that's what she came to convince herself. Hesitantly, Julia ended the relationship,
forcing herself to believe it would all be for the best. Little did she know, that one decision would lead both
their lives to spiral away from each other, only to converge again.
What happens to your fairytale when you let someone else wave the magic wand? Will your dreams of love and enchantment
still come true, or will your 'happily ever after' pass by without you?
Accolades:
"Smart and deliciously satisfying, Once Upon a Second Chance delivers irresistible characters and deft plotting.
Peppered with self-deprecating banter, the reader feels Julia Basham's pain as Jules is forced to face her greatest fear:
seeing Nick Kerkley again. Heartstrings are tugged, while Vere weaves a stylishly fashioned love story based on
Jane Austen's Persuasion." --Regina Jeffers, Author of The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy