(MONMOUTH BEACH, NJ) -- Barrie Levitt Knee, Author of her first novel "Plain Jane", celebrates her one year anniversary of her book release and pays tribute to NJ Marathon 2016. It's a great "Marathon Season" read for runners, moms and BFFs. The book includes a sixty-four song playlist for rock & roll aficionados and marathon runners to enjoy. It is an energetic playlist for those that run a ten minute mile like Jane. Upcoming marathons on the East Coast include RunAPalooza Relay Marathon in Asbury Park on Saturday, April 16th and the NJ Marathon on Sunday, May 1st.
"Plain Jane" is the story of Jane Ellen Weiss Cooper, a forty-something wife and mother who has kept a big secret from her family for almost seven years. Jane has forever considered herself to be plain. Her BFF Gaby is the exact opposite. Following a night of countless margaritas, Jane and Gaby make a secret pact because that's what friends are for. Now Jane has less than a week to tell her family what she has done. The secret is revealed over a four and a half hour time period while Jane is running a marathon. The story is told in Jane's head. Each chapter begins with a song that Jane is listening to while running. The lyrics tie into the secret and many other stories that Jane tells about Gaby, her family, and mostly herself. "Keep moving Jane! You can do this!" This is Jane's running mantra throughout the book. The physical and emotional journey of running a marathon is continuously felt.
About the Author: Barrie Levitt Knee is married with twin daughters and lives in New Jersey, enjoying her summers on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth Beach and her full time dwelling in Short Hills. Her interests include reading, running, yoga and long walks with her two dogs. Barrie started running 8 years ago at age 40 when she was training for her first Jersey Shore sprint triathlon. She has finished two half marathons and would love to run her first full marathon in the near future. Her mother, who is an avid reader, inspired her to write "Plain Jane" after she shared a dream about the big secret that is woven into the storyline in the book. "I think that especially for a first book, authors tend to write what they know. Like Jane, I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, lived in NYC, and have twins", Barrie says. Barrie spent over 15 years working in Internet Advertising. Barrie also invented a product called Kover-Ups (www.kover-ups.com) which are decorative covers for children's bed rails. The product won an iParenting Media Award. Barrie is currently working on her second book and hopes to complete her first draft by Spring 2016.
