Mariana's Novels

A bored, underappreciated housewife needs $30,000 to stave off foreclosure on her California home.  She hits on a wild scheme: take out a personals ad offering "the woman of your dreams" on New Year's Eve-for a fee of $30,000. 

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Also available at Amazon!

Singer Veronica Bennet performs for a season at a lush resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Putting on a 4th of July talent show, is when things go south. Veronica is forced to meet the ransom of a crime as murky as the Carolina coastline. When you are a stranger in town, who can you trust?

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Also available at Amazon!

Wince-Worthy Tales

The wince is one of the most under-rated expressions to grace a face. Do we always have to fall back on a smile and frown; the salt and pepper of emotions? How about a blanch of surprise? A trace of disgust, bob your head slightly, narrow your eyes, shudder with sympathy, retreat with discomfort, stiffen with envy. FINALLY a CD for those who need to... sit back and wince.

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To order Wince-worthy Tales CD, send $10 to
Creative Entertainment Options
1077 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Seal Beach, CA, 90740
(includes shipping and handling allow ten days - be sure to include your address).

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About Mariana

Wife of Oscar and Grammy award-winning Hall of Fame songwriter, Paul Williams, Mariana Williams has carved out her own niche. Working as a pianist/singer, she’s traveled the US, Japan and even Casa Blanca. In 2003, she traded the piano keys for alphabet keys and put her life experiences to paper, beginning the Veronica Bennett series with Happy New Year, Darling! (her pen name, Veronica Bennett) and followed up with the sequel, Stars or Stripes 4th of July, which won a 2011 National Indie Excellence Award for Chick Lit. Her life experiences as a musician and comedy promoter prepared her for writing three novels in the series. (Easter Week at Camp Obnoxious comes out in 2012.) Falling into accidental crime, always on the verge of a scheme, and ready for love, Veronica keeps the reader on the edge of her seat; however, Mariana takes on topics more poignant than are generally found in “chick lit.” An ongoing element is Veronica’s continuing struggle with her teenage son. Her problems in grappling with addiction, authority and boundaries are all woven into each plot. Never preachy, always witty, Mariana’s observations keep the reader turning pages; each novel ends with a surprising dénouement. In March of 2010, Mariana was a Moth Grand Slam finalist in the acclaimed story-telling competition held in Los Angeles. Her life experiences have led her to pen Wince-worthy Tales—True Stuff That Happened To Me, which is recorded live and available on CD. She lives in Southern California with Paul, and fills the empty nest with two cats. Mariana says, “I draw inspiration from my husband’s lyrics and humility from my two kids’ antics. Mainly, I’m honored to be a part of all three of their lives.”

Stars or Stripes 4th of July, 2011 National Indie Excellence Award, Chic-lit

Mariana's Readings and Appearances

Events

Thurs., December 29th, 7-9pm.
"Long Beach Searches for the Greatest Storyteller” will be on the Long Beach Playhouse main stage with celebrity Alan Kalter, "Big Red," the announcer from The Late Show with David Letterman, as one of the four judges. Also on the show, guest storyteller, Oscar and Grammy-winning songwriter, Paul Williams. Jonathan Schnack, NIA President, Harry Saltzgaver, Editor of Grunion Gazette will also be judges.

Our show features stories on any subject from the top winners from our Spring, Summer and Winter shows. They are: Joey Low, Bobby Lux, Pam Hummel, Jeanie Firas, Jared Wilson and Hitoshi Hosoda. $100 prize for First Place, donated by Belmont Music Studios. Also, thanks to our sponsor, Grunion Gazette.

"Long Beach Searches for the Greatest Storyteller”
5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA (2 blocks west of PCH), EZ parking in back. Producer, Mariana Williams. www.lbplayhouse.org


Book Signings

BOOK SIGNINGS FOR STARS OR STRIPES 4TH OF JULY
"Veronica and Patrice" aka, Mariana and Patricia, look forward to meeting with readers and comparing truth vs fiction about hijinks along the Carolina coastline.

Friday, Sept. 2nd, 4-6 p.m., Crowne Plaza Resort (Lobby in front of Latitudes)
130 Shipyard Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC.
Saturday, Sept. 3rd 4-6 p.m., FACES Day Spa,
1000 Wm. Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, SC

Sat., Sept. 3, Faces Day Spa, 3-5p.m.
1000 Wm. Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head Island, SC.
"Veronica and Patrice" aka, Mariana and Patricia look forward to meeting with readers and comparing truth vs fiction on the South Carolina coastline.

Storytelling

Sun., Sept. 25th Wince-worthy Tales/South Bay
Storytelling, Mariana Williams, Producer
Tammie's Corner House Cafe, 7-9 p.m. in the patio. (No cover) 190 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, 90254. (At corner of 2nd St) 310 372-4712. It’s been easy to find great stories in this land of creative people. Rules: 5-minute, true story that happened to you, read or said. (Bring quarters for the meters) Hosted by Mariana Williams and Leila Martinez.

Sun., Oct. 9th, "Long Beach Searches for the Greatest Storyteller in the 562"
COME ON EVERYBODY IN THE 562, IT'S YOUR TURN TO SUBMIT A STORY FOR OUR SHOW! PLEASE ENTER BY GOING ONLINE TO: lbplayhouse.org, then click on "everybody has a story." WRITE OUT A FEW LINES ABOUT THE TALE, EMAIL IT AND 5 STORIES WILL BE SELECTED TO BRING THE AUDIENCE THE WIDEST EXPRESSIONS OF EXPERIENCES, MALE, FEMALE, WHATEVER AGE, FUNNY, POIGNANT, SHOCKING. OUR LAST CONTEST WINNERS BOTH TOLD DRAMATIC TRUE TALES, WE LOVE THE FUNNY ONES TOO. YOU NEVER KNOW! REMEMBER, Sun., Oct. 9th. 7-9 p.m. $100 prize for best story of the night. $5. admission. Five pre-selected tales from website, 2 from audience. We're looking for a true, 5-minute story that happened to you, read or told.
Visit: www.lbplayhouse.org/storyteller to sign up.
5021 E. Anaheim St., 2 blocks west of PCH. PH. 562-494-1014

Sun., Oct. 30th Wince-worthy Tales/South Bay
Tammie's Corner House Cafe 7-9