McShannon’s Heart Launch Celebration

Last night I marked the release of McShannon’s Heart with a launch party at The Company House, a cosy acoustic music venue in downtown Halifax. Friends and family showed up to help me celebrate: my parents, Everett’s cousin and his wife, neighbours and members of Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada, including Tara Macdonald of Charlie Mac Productions, who along with Frances Leary from Bconnected worked hard on publicity for the event. It was great to see Judith James there, and Julia Smith kindly snapped some photos. Here I am signing Julia’s copy of the book.

Everett, my DH, and Kathy MacGillivary, friend extraordinaire, provided the music, and I chimed in on a few tunes. It’s been a long time since I’ve played in public, but I felt more comfortable than I expected. I felt even more comfortable off the stage listening to Everett and Kathy float through jazz tunes.

Normally I’m nervous reading from my books, but not this time. I guess I’m slowly getting used to it. I enjoyed sharing Chelle and Martin’s first meeting, and the scene from Chance where Beth learns the perils of baking with a wood stove.

I’m blessed to have such a talented partner in life, an equally talented and generous friend in Kathy, and a family that is always there for me. Thanks to one and all for making the evening special.

9 Comments

Julia Smith
March 11, 2011 at 8:06 pm

Not sure if you could hear the audience reaction while you were reading, but there was laughter during the Chelle/Martin first meet and for the Beth wood stove scene. Always a good sign!

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Jennie Marsland
March 11, 2011 at 8:27 pm

I did hear that, Julia. Dang those laws of physics anyway, but I guess Beth, like Bugs Bunny, never studied law.

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Theanne and Baron
March 12, 2011 at 2:51 am

What a lovely send off for your new book!

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Michelle Helliwell
March 13, 2011 at 12:16 am

I'm sorry I missed it Jennie – I will be getting a kobo copy and curling up with it soon! All the best!

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Ann Stewart
March 13, 2011 at 1:35 am

Looks like so much fun, I wish I could have been there Jennie. The trip would have been well worth the drive. Congrats on the release and the super cool release party!
Ann

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Janet
March 14, 2011 at 3:02 pm

Sounds like it was a marvelous time, Jennie – and what a great way to launch a book. Best wishes with the sales – and a toast to many, many more launches in your future 🙂

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Jennie Marsland
March 15, 2011 at 4:00 pm

Julia, thanks again for the pics. You really captured the flavour of the event.

Theanne, thanks for dropping by. We had a fine time.

Ann, I wish you could have been here! Consider swinging by in conjunction with RWA conference. I'd love to see you!

Michelle, I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Heart when you pick it up. Thanks for dropping by!

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Theanne and Baron
March 15, 2011 at 8:41 pm

Hi Jennie, I finally got the review for McShannon's Heart on Amazon.Com written and submitted…and purchased McShannon's Chance!

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Jennie Marsland
March 15, 2011 at 10:12 pm

Theanne, thank you! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed Colin. He's a favourite character of mine. I'd like to write his and Sidonie's story,but it has such a sad ending. There may be someone waiting for him in Colorado, though, when he goes to visit Trey. So many books, so little time!

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