Mariana wrote a fictionalized memoir by "Veronica Bennett."  Her readers enjoyed Veronica so much, Mariana claimed her protagonist and went on to pen two more novels following Veronica through love, deceit and accidental crime.  In the first of the triology, the story describes a woman desperate to save her home from foreclosure. Suburban housewife, Veronica Bennett, attempts a con-job while balancing inattentive husband, delinquent teen and celebrity lover. Sexy, funny, touchingly poignant, Bridget Jones meets Bridges of Madison County in the San Fernando Valley. Veronica decides to place an ad in an upscale magazine. She needs to make some money quick.

Excerpt from Happy New Year, Darling!

Plan now for a fantasy dream come true. Bring in the New Year at a lavish resort, but don't stop there! Spoiled in luxury, you will be joined by your estranged lover. You know, that special one and only that should be with you on this the most romantic night of the year. We can provide that certain woman, who until now has been unavailable to you. Is a family part of your holiday magic? We will recreate the loving family you deserve. Call Veronica for a discrete consultation.

I'll write a loose script based on the information given to me by the client, then hire an actress who matches the physical description and is strong at improvisation.  How hard could that be?  I only need one client.

Praise for Happy New Year, Darling!

I am not sure which I loved more in this book, the wonderful romance, the tug at your heart drama or the great humor! Either way, Veronica bennett can write it all!! What a talent!! I do hope "Happy New Year, Darling!" becomes a movie!! I would love to see this story on the big screen!! Jamie Shaheen

Veronica Bennett manages to capture the heartache, heartbreak and headache of middle class suburbia housewife. With Desparate Housewives, we are used to conniving women trying to have it all. Happy New Year, Darling! does those suburban menopausal nymphs one better by actually getting it all -- but on her own terms. Altho I found this book to be a very good read, let me tell you it is not for everybody. I talked to my boyfriend about it, and he thought it sounded like 'just another soap opera.' Soap opera perhaps, but in the tradition of Jackie Collins, Danielle Steele and Erica Jong. If you get a chance you should pick up this book since it is rich fantasy walking on the water of harsh reality. Veronica Bennett is one tough broad who has the brains (and the balls) to go for it and make her own dreams come true.
Kat Hutchinson

Desperate Housewives Poster Child, By Penny Bernal Juror for Elle Letters, Elle Magazine Following in the footsteps of other Chick-Lit trailblazers, first time novelist, Veronica Bennett puts a spin on the genre with her infusion of con artist hijinks gone awry in Happy New Year, Darling. Beyond a shocking romantic love triangle, Ms. Bennett has deepened the froth with a secondary story line about a get-rich-quick scheme involving a hooker, a hypnotist and a Mormon housewife reminiscent of a bad bar joke. She concocts a “romantic fantasy” for hire to forestall the impending foreclosure of her mortgaged to the hilt home. While this storyline is not remotely plausible, Ms. Bennett’s storytelling abilities allow us to merrily roll along laughing at her one-liners and prolific imagination. Chapter headings like,”Not Everyone Loves Raymond,” and one-liner retorts to her husband’s laments of her shoddy housekeeping, “You can eat off our floor, and at least on our floor you could get full” keep the reader grinning. Her writing pops with reinvented clichés like “going out on a twig” and “24 hour nagathon” describing her less than successful attempts at parenting the delinquent Devin. All in all, a chick book for chicks who prefer their comedy edgy. Get ready to get caught up in the zany world of desperate housewife, Veronica Bennett.
Penny Bernal

Not only does Veronica capture the desperation so many women are feeling in their marriages, but she adds the twist of a con job and an illicit affair to tease us into loving this book. The sophistication of the story, set in the world of entertainment, adds both a light and dark edge that Veronica manages with her quick wit. I loved this story, and I know you will too.
Kat Marusak

Hard to believe this is a first time novelist. Miss Veronica has the wit and wisdom of an old soul,the sexy bounce of a joyful troublemaker and a voice that's absolutely unique. More please!! This one has my appetite drenched.
H.K. Wood

In her first novel, Veronica Bennett captures the angst of the modern housewife, trying to please her demanding self-centered husband, trying to reign in her out of control teenager, and trying to find a little happiness for herself in her secret affair with her married celebrity lover. In the meantime, she is trying to make ends meet by running an entertainment booking business and comes up with an almost impossible task, planning the ultimate New Year's Eve for her client. You will empathize with Veronica as she struggles to stay afloat and keep everyone in her life happy. Bonnie Hoy

While reading "Happy New Year, Darling!", my first "chick book" I wore a construction worker's hard hat at all times in case my wife discovered me, secretly reading it. My rationale was that if she caught me blubbering, I would still LOOK macho in any case. No worries, I managed to keep control of my softer side as I enjoyed this bittersweet romp through the roller-coaster life of Veronica Bennett. Some good laughs, some hard life lessons and a memorable upchucking scene in the linen closet, and I was ready for the denouement. Congratulations Veronica, not only on the publication of your first novel but on your personal c celebrated composer, whose positive energy she basks in like “a cat on a windowsill.” As the big night approaches, surprises abound. Bennett does cartwheels with the language, turning clichés upside down and inventing words like “anecdote-a-thon” and “perkadelic.” Her chapters lead off with wise and often amusing quotations. Her narrative style is fresh and pungent. Writing from inside the entertainment business, she knows how to entertain. I look forward to her next book.
Tom Puckett

This is a great chick lit summer reading book. It's fun and the characters are fascinating and real. I felt like I was getting a glimpse into a real family, albeit not an average one. I'd recommend this book to anyone with some sunshine and a cool beverage in their future- it's poolside or beach reading at it's best.
Katie Kane