Accidental Sire (Half-Moon Hollow #6) by Molly Harper-a review

ACCIDENTAL SIRE (Half-Moon Hollow #6) by Molly Harper-a review

Accidental Sire

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 24, 2017

In Molly Harper’s newest paranormal romantic comedy, Ben, Gigi’s old boyfriend, must find a way to save his new love after a freak Ultimate Frisbee accident. But will she want to live after she finds out how Ben had to save her?

In this exciting addition to Molly Harper’s beloved Half-Moon Hollow series, the focus is on Gigi’s ex-boyfriend Ben. When his new girlfriend is killed in a freak Ultimate Frisbee accident, he’s determined to save her, no matter the cost, even if it means bringing her into the darkness of vampire life!

••••••••••

REVIEW: ACCIDENTAL SIRE is the sixth full-length installment in Molly Harper’s contemporary, adult HALF-MOON HOLLOW paranormal, romantic comedy series-a spin off from her Jane Jameson series. This is Ben Overby, and Meagan Keene’s story line. ACCIDENTAL SIRE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion, backstory and the characters’ histories.

Told from first person point of view (Meagan Keene) ACCIDENTAL SIRE follows the unconventional human death and vampire re-birth of University of Kentucky co-eds Meagan Keene and Ben Overby. Following a freak Ultimate Frisbee accident Meagan lay on the verge of death and the only possibility of survival was through a vampire turning. But only twenty-four hours would pass, unlike the usual seventy-two, wherein our story line heroine would wake up a more powerful and hybrid version of the ‘normal’ vampire. What ensues is the accidental turning of Ben Overby, and the search for the person responsible for the new breed of vampire with above average abilities.

As new vampires, Ben and Meagan will fall under the guidance of Jane Jameson-Nightingale, leader of the local chapter of the World Council for the Equal Treatment of the Undead, and a powerful vampire in her own right. Locked down and treated like fledglings just out of the nest, Ben and Meaghan struggle within the confines of the vampire rules and newbie regulations. But someone wants Meaghan and Ben for nefarious purposes, and on more than one occasion our leading couple find themselves caught up in someone else’s plans.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many of the previous story line couples, as well as a number of couples from the author’s Jane Jameson series. Meagan is introduced to a world of vampires, shifters and werewolves, as well as a plethora of information about her new life as a supernatural creature of the night.

ACCIDENTAL SIRE is a story of family and friendship, and the struggle for two young people to acclimate into the world of the supernatural. Molly Harper weaves humor, fun, romance and conflict into a paranormal story line where creating the ultimate vampire is akin to creating a more perfect human being. The premise is entertaining and enjoyable; the characters are colorful, energetic and sassy; the romance is sweet, sexy but mostly implied. Molly Harper’s ACCIDENTAL SIRE is a heartwarming story that will captivate your attention with its’ lighthearted look at the supernatural.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell – a Review

Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell – a Review

 

 

 

Meet Me At Beachcomer BayAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Love is in the air in St Carys, but you’d never know it – the people of this seaside town are very good at keeping secrets…

The man Clemency loves belongs to someone else. She has to hide her true feelings – but when she ropes in an unsuspecting friend to help, wires start to get crossed.

For the first time in Ronan’s life his charm has failed him in winning over the woman he wants. Loving her from afar appears to be his only option.

Belle seems to have the perfect boyfriend, but something isn’t quite right. And now a long-buried secret is slowly rising to the surface.

The truth has a funny way of revealing itself, and when it does St Carys will be a very different place indeed…

 

Review:

Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell is a sweet chic lit romance.  We meet our heroine, Clemency at the start, when she boards a plane and sits next to a man who immediately draws her attention.  Sam, our hero, is distant at first, but our bubbly charming Clemency is hard to ignore for too long.   When they arrive at their destination, Sam quickly disappears and Clemency catches up to him to learn that he is married.

Three years later, they will meet again, as Sam comes to St. Carys, on the arm of Clem’s sister Belle.  Both are shocked to see each other again, and though she learns that Sam’s wife died, Clemency has to keep her distance, since Belle is now engaged to Sam.  We also get to meet Ronan, another hero in this sweet story.  Ronan is a long time friend of Clem and they work together as real estate agents.  Because she is determined not to interfere with Belle’s relationship with Sam, Clem will get Ronan to help pretend that they are a couple.  Clemency was a great heroine, always fun, caring, romantic and loyal to her friends and family. 

Ronan meets Kate during a showing, and they become friends.  In a  short time, he will begin to realize that he is falling for Kate.  This was a another romance that mingled with the main characters, and the fun people of St. Carys.   The only one I wasn’t crazy about was Belle, who came across as snobby, arrogant and bitchy.  Towards the end, this will change somewhat to make her more likable.  I loved the close friendship between Clem and Ronan, which made this story so good, as they were fun,  humorous, with witty banter.    The relationship between Sam and Clem was quieter, since it doesn’t really happen til later in the book. 

This was a very nice romance, with wonderful characters, small town atmosphere, and a few very nice background stories.  The other good characters besides, Clem, Ronan, Sam, Belle, Kate were Josephine, Verity and Marina. The story with Marina was very good, and emotional.  Jill Mansell does a wonderful job writing a fun story line that also touched series subjects, such as cancer, adoption and gay relationship.  I wholly recommend Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay as a book for you to read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella – a Review

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella – a Review

 

My Not So Perfect LifeAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.

Ok, so the real truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn’t really hers.

But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren’t they?

Until her not-so perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie’s hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.

Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams? Or try to get her job back? Does Demeter – the woman with everything – have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems.

And what’s wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway?

 

Review:

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella is a standalone novel.  Katie Brenner, our heroine, has just started a new dream job in London.  Katie grew up in a small town, where her father has a farm.  She is determined to make a successful life in London, which she has always dreamed would be her perfect life; which at this point is not so perfect.  Katie, who uses the name Cat, hates her daily train commute to work, since she can’t afford the rent in London.

She is the new girl on the job at a marketing firm, where she finds herself totally in awe of her boss, and naïve as to the politics of the workers and management.  Her co-workers befriend Cat, and constantly complain about the boss, Demeter, who is somewhat of a bitch.  However, Cat sees in Demeter everything she wants for her future; successful high paying job, designer clothes, celebrity acquaintances, lives in a mansion, and has a happy family life. Cat feels if she works hard, she can attain the same life.  But nothing is always as it seems.

Just when she gets to impress Demeter with some of her ideas, and meets hot Alex, one of the owners of the firm, Cat is shocked when she is fired.  When she is unsuccessful in finding another job, Katie (back to her real name) is forced to go home; secretly telling her father that she is on sabbatical in order to help him with starting his new Glamping business on the farm.  Katie uses her wonderful marketing savvy to do a great job in setting up a website to promote the new business, utilizing an Instagram site for pictures, and other unique ideas. After a short time, Katie is shocked to see Demeter arrive on their farm for a family vacation.   Katie is still angry at Demeter, and goes out of her way to disguise herself somewhat and make life a little crazy for her ex-boss.  In a short period, Katie will see Demeter in another light, which turns out to be a not so perfect life. Once Katie learns more about Demeter, the book does take a turn, which for me I enjoyed much more.  I found the first half of the book a bit slow, and especially a little ditzy when she was doing those crazy antics to Demeter; but I really loved the last third of the book.

What follows is a nice story about learning that what you see in front of you is not always reality.  Katie begins to see how Demeter, living the perfect life, has many of her own problems; her marriage is suffering; she works long hours in a demanding and competitive job; she doesn’t spend much time with her children, who are somewhat distant with her.  Slowly, when Demeter finally recognizes and remembers Katie, things change with their relationship.  Katie privately gets Demeter’s kids to understand their mom better, and to be nicer. Demeter learns more from Katie about how the office staff hates her, and wants to make amends.  However, soon Alex arrives on the farm and Demeter knows he is here to fire her, since everything on the job was crumbling around her.  It will take Demeter and Katie to join hands to discover the truth about what was happening behind the scenes.

I really liked Alex, who was considered a womanizer, and whom Katie finds herself falling for, but she  thought  that he was having an affair with Demeter, which turned out to be another untrue fact.  When Alex shows up at the farm, their relationship begins to turn into a very nice romance.  There were some very good characters that Kinsella has created besides Katie, Demeter, & Alex.  Especially, Katie’ s Dad and Stepmom, Biddy were a lot of fun, and Demeter’s two kids.

As I have noted before, the last third of the book was great, with Katie rising up to help save Demeter, and her nice romance with Alex.  Katie herself used the time on the farm to prove that she was very talented in marketing and working with customers.  Her not so perfect life was a fun motto on her Instagram page, which added to the fun at the end.  This was a good and humorous story that I feel you should be reading.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Good at Games by Jill Mansell – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Good at Games by Jill Mansell – Review, Spotlight & Giveaway

Good at Games cover

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / BAM / The Book Depository

Description:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell captivates with a madcap tale of the games lovers play.

Who will make the next move?

How does one become accidentally engaged? That’s what Suzy Curtis thinks when she suddenly finds herself very publicly engaged to handsome Harry Fitzallan, local town hero. Harry wants famous rock star Jaz to be his best man—only he’s Suzy’s ex-husband and a recovering alcoholic. Suzy’s half sister Lucille loves getting to know the family she’d never met, but she can’t help her attraction to Jaz, nor can Suzy quash her entirely inappropriate feelings for Leo, Harry’s engaged brother!

With all these wild players at the table, mayhem is bound to ensue. As each new piece comes into play, everyone has more to lose, and the only way to win is if you’re good at the games of love…

 

Review:

After reading the back cover of Good at Games by Jill Mansell, I got totally confused when I started reading the book.  It took a few chapters and a few rereads, but please persevere as it is well worth it. There are lots of characters, and they all get their say, all in their perspectives, and it does bounce around a lot. But I persevered, and I’m glad I did, it’s a very funny book, and worth the read.

Most of the action happens around the ex-rock star and former alcoholic, Jaz Dreyfuss. We meet him, his ex-wives, and the current love in his life (or current bubble-head, as she is described), as well as a selection of their relatives and friends.Everyone has an opinion, and everyone is as mad as a hatter.

Suzy is the heroine of this tale. She is a feisty, wise-cracking, ex-wife (she is number two). She is an estate agent extraordinaire.

The hero was harder to pin down, I thought it was either brother. And at one point, I didn’t think she would settle for either.

Suzy’s mother, who recently died, has left Suzy and her siblings to discover a skeleton leaping (literally) out of the family cupboard.  Good at Games was an excellent, witty story;  full of likeable and wacky characters.

I really enjoy this wild and wacky story by Jill Mansell.

Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Publisher

 

About the author

Jill Mansell photo

 

With over 10 million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible and funny, poignant and romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella and Jojo Moyes. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

 

If you want to learn more about Jill Mansell, you can click on the following links.

Website: / FacebookTwitter: / Goodreads

 

excerpt

 

Could there possibly be anything nicer in the world than a Curly Wurly?

Alone in the office, Suzy lovingly peeled off the wrapper and admired the dappled chocolate covering. Then she bit into it, her teeth sinking through the toffee, her head twisting from side to side in order to bite off that first heavenly mouthful…oh, and they were sooo much better straight from the fridge…

“Ahem.”

Suzy’s eyes snapped open and she spun around guiltily. Damn, she’d been so carried away she hadn’t even heard the door open and close behind her.

And, double damn, it had to be Leo Fitzallan.

“Mmff…shorry…mmergh…”

“Bitten off more than you can chew?” inquired Leo with a slight smile.

Suzy’s mouth was full—OK, overfull—and the toffee was welding itself to her teeth like quick-setting cement. Waving her hand apologetically, praying the melted chocolate wasn’t about to spill out and dribble attractively down her chin, she chewed and swallowed, chewed and swallowed, threw the rest of the Curly Wurly onto her desk and chewed and swallowed again.

Oh dear, not at all like the girl in the Cadbury’s Flake ad. In fact, more like Waynetta Slob guzzling a pizza.

“Sorry,” said Leo. “I obviously interrupted a special private moment.”

And swallowed again.

Hooray, didn’t even dribble!

“There.” Suzy executed a quick curtsy. “All gone. Now, how can I help you?”

He was wearing Givenchy aftershave—none of your Tommy Hilfigers or Calvin Kleins for Leo Fitzallan, thank you very much—and an expensively cut dark suit. Suzy wondered if he had chosen the bottle-green shirt and blue and amber tie himself, or whether Gabriella had picked them out for him.

Probably Gabriella. A man who drove a gray Volvo would never be that adventurous. And the dark blue in the tie exactly matched his eyes.

Definitely Gabriella.

“I thought maybe we should call a truce,” said Leo. “How does that sound to you?”

Blimey, Suzy thought, like a miracle. Quick, give the man a bottle of water and see if he can turn it into Chardonnay.

Aloud she said, “So what’s brought this on?”

“My brother’s happy with you. By Christmas you and I’ll be related. The last thing I want is a family feud. Easier all around if we bury the hatchet now,” Leo said easily. “Put the bickering behind us. What d’you say?”

He was even more attractive, Suzy realized, when he was in a good mood. During the last few days all he’d seemed to do was scowl, sneer, and generally radiate disapproval, which was sexy enough in its own way, of course, but it really was amazing the difference a few laughter lines could make.

“I agree.” Her mouth curled up at the corners. “That’s it then. From now on we’re going to be completely lovely to each other. And I’ll just have to find someone else to bicker with.”

“So long as it isn’t Harry,” said Leo.

“Harry isn’t the bickering kind.” Suzy smiled sunnily at him and perched on the edge of her desk. “This feels quite weird, actually. I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do now. If this were Friends we’d be giving each other a group hug.”

For a split second something indefinable flickered in Leo’s eyes. The next moment it had gone. He pushed his fingers through his ultra-straight dark hair, heaved a sigh and shrugged as if searching for inspiration.
 

 

 

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#TripleX by Christine Zoldenz and Angelisa Stone-a review

#TripleX by Christine Zoldenz and Angelisa Stone-a review

Triple X

Amazon.com / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 18, 2015

Does size really matter?

Two women spin a tale of comedy and new beginnings after they wake up and find themselves in a jail cell over 3000 miles away from home. Rehashing their adventure in front of a less-than-sympathetic judge, they give a laugh-out-loud and extremely detailed story of a road trip that finds them in a ton of trouble.

Battling age, weight, and their own personal demons, not only do they discover the open road and a life they misplaced somewhere in their 20s, they also find themselves. From breakups and stealing cars to blurry memories of something that might have happened in New Mexico, these two women will take you on a real journey, full of fun and, well, situations that people only write about and never really do….or do they?

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: #TRIPLEX is a wonderfully funny storyline that follows two forty something women-wives, mothers, writers, overweight and feeling lost-as they trek across country on their three month journey of enlightenment and realization ending in Vegas where our heroines find themselves in jail with a story to tell. Angelisa and Christine fight the battle of the bulge, issues of self esteem and insecurity, and a desire to once again feel needed and loved. #TRIPLEX is a humorous and entertaining look at self-discovery for two women whose lives have revolved around only family for far too long.

If you are over forty and married with children there are many scenarios that will be familiar, heartbreaking and right on the money.

Told from alternating first person points of view, the storyline follows Angelisa and Christine-two online best friends and writing partners-who have yet to meet in real life. When Christine finds her husband having sex with a much younger and slimmer ‘Malibu Barbie’, she pulls Angelisa onto the road, heading across country where their final destination (three months later) is a writer’s convention in Las Vegas. Along the way, our duo will rediscover their inner child, a slimmer self, and the women they had lost so many years before. There is plenty of author name dropping, a blogger or two, and a series of books and number one best sellers.

Zolendz and Stone combine the mundane with the extraordinary resulting in a hilarious and humorous storyline that will have you both laughing and crying at the same time. There are moments of disillusionment followed by realization that perhaps you are the only one responsible for your own happiness and no one else. From pink unicorns to killer yoga, frat parties and sex clubs, cupcakes and M&Ms, Angelisa and Christine find themselves in laughable situations where in the end two women will find friendship when they needed it the most. Size really doesn’t matter as long as you accept yourself for who you are.

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Best Man by Ana Blaze-a review

THE BEST MAN by Ana Blaze-a review

The Best Man

Purchase Link:  Entranced Publishing / Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble/

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 29, 2013

Beth Chase is too busy planning perfect weddings to worry about the lack of action in her own love life. But if she was looking for a man, she wouldn’t be looking at Colin Pratt. Her boss swears that Best Man Colin is a quiet scholar and science fiction writer who couldn’t possibly cause a fuss at his own brother’s wedding. He’s clearly never met the man in question. Snarky, sexy and more than a little inebriated, Colin is the final obstacle between Beth and the last perfect wedding she needs to make partner. Of course, when she helps him into a taxi at the end of the night she has no idea that he’s only just begun to poke holes in her professional exterior. Colin might have the skills to seduce a romance professional, but can he convince her that he’s the best man to share her happy ever after?

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE BEST MAN is a contemporary romance storyline focusing on wedding planner Beth Chase and Colin Pratt-a self proclaimed quiet Scottish professor who, but for the quick actions of Beth, almost destroyed an entire wedding ceremony before it ever began. As the best man at his brother’s wedding, there is more to Colin than meets the eye.

The storyline follows as Colin endeavors to apologize to Beth for his recent behavior at his brother’s wedding. A quick series of mishaps will force the couple together and out of guilt, Beth invites Colin to stay at her place for a few days. Colin and Beth are instantly attracted to one another, and Beth tries but fails, to keep Colin at arm’s length. Beth doesn’t do relationships-although we are not privy as to ‘real’ reason why- and Colin wants more from Beth than a couple of days of relaxation and fun- he wants forever.

Colin is a man possessed-possessed by the need to be loved and find a woman who will accept him. There is plenty of humor as we watch Colin seduce his way into Beth’s bed on numerous occasions. Colin’s backstory is revealed and we learn that he really is the quiet, nerdy professor. And Beth-she is a strong, independent, successful woman, who is afraid to lose everything to the man who has stolen her heart. But she may be too late when she finally realizes that Colin is the man for her.

THE BEST MAN is a fast paced, short story and humorous look at one week in the life of Beth Chase and Colin Pratt. From Colin’s first drunken stumble to his last declaration of love, he is the man who would find his way into Beth’s heart and her life. Ana Blaze has written a cute storyline that pulls you into the hectic life of a successful wedding planner who is reluctant to find love in a quirky Scottish professor.

Copy supplied by the publicist.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Ineligible Bachelor by Kathryn Quick-a review

INELIGIBLE BACHELOR by Kathryn Quick-a review

Ineligible-Bachelor

ORDER LINKS:  Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release January 8, 2013

Frederika “Freddy” McAllister has loved Logan Gabriel since…well, forever. Unfortunately, she’s spent most of forever in the dreaded “friend zone,” harboring what has to be the longest-running crush of all time. But now Freddy has a plan to make Logan see her as more than just the girl next door: She’ll enter him in Elan Magazine’s Eligible Bachelor Contest, then swoop in to soothe his bruised ego when he loses.

There’s just one tiny problem: Logan wins! And that means he’s headed to a mansion in New Jersey where six beautiful women will vie for his affections on reality TV. Making matters worse, the producers want Freddy to tag along and help choose his ideal match. Suddenly her perfect plan becomes a perfect nightmare, as Freddy scrambles to outwit conniving contestants and convince the man of her dreams that the woman of his has been by his side all along

**********************

REVIEW: INELIGIBLE BACHELOR is a contemporary romance short story that plays right into the hands of fans of some of television’s reality programming. When Freddy McAllister enters a photograph of her childhood sweetheart into a contest she failed to read the fine print-she had inadvertently entered him a contest to be the next Bachelor for a reality program.

Heartsick and heartbroken, Freddy is cast by the show’s producers to choose who stays and who goes. And along the way, Freddy’s heart choses Logan knowing she will be sending him into another woman’s arms.

Ineligible Bachelor is a cute, quirky read that delves into the ‘unreality’ of reality TV programming. The writing is simple and the storyline is a quick read before bed. Following a script was never more difficult when two hearts meant to be together are forced to choose someone else. But like all romance storylines, all is not lost when the producers see something that neither one was willing to admit.

If you like fun, romantic, uncomplicated storylines INELIGIBLE BACHELOR is the perfect read.

Copy supplied by author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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John Kane-Interview with the Author

John Kane-Interview with the Author

Men's Silhouette blueABOUT THE AUTHOR: I started as a film publicist, worked on the production of “Fame,” “Tender Mercies,” “Prince of the City,” and “Ricochet,” among several others. Then worked for HBO as a publicist on their films, most notably “The Far Pavilions,” an epic mini series filmed in India. Over the years I interviewed many stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, Robert Duvall, Denzel Washington,Martin Lawrence, Ben Stiller, and Carol Burnett. I can share stories, mostly flattering, about them. But I would remind you that a publicist on a film set is like a eunuch at an orgy: everyone else is doing the work. You’re just taking notes.

I’m using that analogy because it was watching others do creative work that led me to finally attempt it. There were some one act plays done in various basements, but then I wrote a book in 1998, Best Actress, that changed things for me. It was published by Ballantine Books, published in six counties, and turned into a cable film by E! Entertainment. That led to work as a screenwriter. I wrote and rewrote several screenplays. None were ever made, but I was paid regardless. The film industry is peculiar in this respect: your product doesn’t have to get to market for you to get paid. Along the way I wrote a play, “The Eleven O’Clock Number,” that was produced in South Florida and won two Best Plays Awards. Finally, I wrote another book, Somebody is Killing the Trophy Wives of Beverly Hills, which, I hope, will be the start of a series.

Let’s get started !

TRC: Hi John and welcome to The Reading Café. Would you please tell us something about yourself and your career?

John: I was a film publicist, working on the set of such films as “Fame” and “Tender Mercies,” moving on to work for several studios and networks, including HBO and United Artists. I always had an itch to write, often looked at a script and said, “Hey, I can do this.” So about a decade or so ago I began to scratch that itch.

TRC: As a child, what were your dreams and aspirations? Do you feel you have accomplished what you set out to achieve?

John: As a kid raised in New Jersey I was fascinated by Hollywood, this industry on the other side of the country where dreams are manufactured. I live and work here now so I count myself lucky.

Best ActressTRC: Your novel BEST ACTRESS (1998) was made into a television movie for E! Entertainment. Would you please tell us about your involvement in
bringing the book to TV?

John: Everyone should have their book made into a TV movie, first for the money, second for the humiliation. I was brought in to rewrite the screenplay. The executive in charge of production loved my work and offered me a long term contract. Two weeks later she stopped returning my calls. The script was rewritten by someone else, and the resulting film stank from here to Hoboken. But the check cleared and it got me into screenwriting, so, no complaints.

TRC: The Advocate ™ labeled BEST ACTRESS a cult novel. How do you feel about the categorization? Do you believe the categorization paid homage to the novel’s status at the time?

John: It’s sad but true that many people who read BEST ACTRESS later joined cults. Seriously, because it’s about the Oscars and has lots of inside gossip, people still seek it out. I actually get a couple of pieces of mail or email every year on that book.

TRC: What were some of the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing the book to publication?

John: BEST ACTRESS was the first book I ever wrote, ever attempted to write, so the biggest challenge was convincing myself I could do it. By that I mean that I could create a fictional world, sustain it over several hundred pages, and have faith that other people would be interested in entering that world. I learned two things in writing it that might help other aspiring authors. First, you don’t have to know everything that’s going to happen when you start out. Once you get going, inspiration kicks in and takes you places you never dreamed of. Second, it’s not a bad idea to stop writing while you’re inside something, really feeling the moment. That way you have a place of passion to return to the next day, instead of having to start from scratch.

TRC: Have you ever considered writing a sequel to BEST ACTRESS-a sort of “where are they now?”

John: At one time I gave some thought to BEST ACTOR, but the male nominess for the Oscar just aren’t as provocative as the females.

Trophy WivesTRC: Would you please tell us about the premise of your latest novel SOMEONE IS KILLING THE TROPHY WIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS?

Click HERE for our review.

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

John: TROPHY WIVES is a comedy mystery set in motion by a tell all book that spills the secrets of a series of wealthy, pampered Beverly Hills wives. I had always wanted to write a murder mystery set in Beverly Hills, but could never come up with a proper detective. Then one day I read an interview with Jackie Collins in the Los Angeles Times, very dishy, very funny, and I thought, that’s it, Jackie Collins meets Nancy Drew. And I had my detective and I was off.

TRC: Do you have any future storylines proposed for Nikki Tyler or Rocco Stefano? If so, how many books do you have planned for the series?

John: I’m working on a second one right now, involving reality television. I’m a writer, not a mystic, so I can’t see into the future and tell how long I’ll sustain this. But the kind of good feedback I’m getting from this first book will probably keep the idea going for a few more.

TRC: The storyline was written from the heroine’s Nikki Tyler’s POV. What challenges did you face writing from the female perspective?

John: I found that once I had the tone of Nikki down, her blend of wit, sarcasm, and common sense, the rest of it flowed fairly easily. If you find your character’s voice, you’ve pretty much isolated their POV.

TRC: Are any of the characters or experiences based on events in real life? Or are they an amalgamation of many characters and your imagination?

John: As Nikki, a chick lit author, says in the book, “Like the women in a harem, all my characters are thinly veiled.” The characters and situations in the book are purposely close to folks that we all read about and see on TMZ. I hope that’s part of the appeal of the book, that it has the irresistibility of a good piece of gossip.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about you?

John: That I’m rich! Still working on that one, which is why I keep writing.

TRC: If you could change something about yourself personal or professional, what would it be and why?

John: See above for the superfical answer. The honest one is that as I grow older I don’t believe it’s constructive to think about “what if.” You take what you’re given and do what you can with it. And I think that works well enough for most of us.

TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

John: My parents believed in me and so did a high school English teacher, Mr. Sheratsky. To have someone invest in you when you’re young is everything.

TRC: Who is the first person you think about when you need someone to talk with and why?

John: I’d have to say my Dad, but he’s long gone.

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

John:
Establish Nikki Tyler as a series heroine.
See one of the books turned into a TV movie.
Take a course in French cooking.
Finish reading “Sophie’s Choice.” I stopped in the middle twenty years ago.
Be here for the next ten after that.

TRC: What are your thoughts on book reviews-good or bad?

John: Good, even if they’re bad (though, like all authors, I hate that.) You sat down and wrote something to reach someone, a reader you’ve never met. A review tells you if you were successful. That’s good information.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends, as well as other authors. With whom do you bounce ideas and information?

John: Truth is, I keep the idea to myself, mulling it over constantly, seeing if it seems “real” enough to write about. Only when I’ve convinced myself that it is real can I start the actual writing. Then I can talk about it, but not before. I’m very superstitious in that regard.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

John: Outlining the next Nikki Tyler book.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

John: I’d love to hear from any of your readers! They can contact me at JohnKaneLA@aol.com.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
New York Strip Steak

Favorite Dessert
Haagen Dasz Deep Chocolate with Peanut Butter

Favorite TV Show
Downton Abbey

Last Movie You Saw
Zero Dark Thirty

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark with some fruit, cranberries or orange

Dream Car
A late 60s Mustang

Last Vacation Destination
New Orleans

TRC: Thank you John for taking the time to answer our questions. All the best
in your writing career.

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