Book Spotlight and Interview: Hollywood Holiday by Sasha Summers

I'm so excited to share with you one of my favorite new authors, Sasha Summers.  Her Red Carpet Series books leave you breathless and wishing for your own sexy hunk!  Her latest release: Hollywood Holiday came out on Dec. 7th and I know you will love the story of Gunner and Jenny.
(MK) Hello Sasha and thank you for visiting today.

If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself? 

(SS)Keep smiling, be positive and hopeful, no matter what.

(MK) For what are you grateful? 

(SS) My kids. They keep me sane and happy. But 2012 has given me some new things to be thankful for! One of them is InkSpell Publishing!!! I love that my stories get such love from my publisher – it’s humbling and inspiring all at once.

(MK) If a zombie virus took over the world, how many days do you think you could last before you were infected? And what would you do to postpone the inevitable? 

(SS) According to the FB quiz, I’d be a survivor – I’m ‘in the know’ on all thing zombies and post-apocalyptic stuff (I’ve written 2 YA virus/zombie books after all). I’d have no problem making the sacrifices necessary to keep my kids safe – watch out world. :)

(MK) What television sitcom is most like your family? Why? 

(SS)Hmm… Well, a mix of The Middle and My Name is Earl (LOL!) and a dash of Modern Family… Yes, holiday’s are interesting!!!

(MK)What’s your favorite thing to do to relax? 

(SS)READ! Or draw/paint…

(MK) Let’s find out a little bit about you as an author. Did you always want to be an author? 

(SS)No, I used to want to be a veterinarian because I didn’t think I could be an author – I mean, it seemed so exclusive and abstract.

(MK)What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? 

(SS)Well, I devoured the Barbara Cartland library in my house (I couldn’t wait for my first kiss!), Rosamunde Pilcher, George Orwell and Margaret Atwood (other end of the spectrum, right?)

(MK) Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? 

(SS)Music and my computer. J Sometimes I like to print up pictures of my character inspiration too.

(MK) Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books? 

(SS) Besides love :) - probably family – like, big, loud, character-laden extended family. Maybe it’s my Italian roots?

(MK)What have you learned the most from being in the writing business? 

(SS)Having touch skin is important, but so is recognizing and absorbing constructive criticism. I think every writer would love to think that each and every book they write is perfect… then reality hits. :) Instead of giving up on a project because it was shredded, I try to fix the things most (majority rules in my book) mentioned and make it work.

Here's an Excerpt from Hollywood Holiday:
“I’m fine,” I said, wanting to mean it.

The plane bounced again, then dropped before leveling out once more.

“So is Gunner a Marine nickname or something?” I asked. My throat felt tight and dry. “I mean, you’re a Marine, right?”

“Was.”

I glanced at him. “Was? It’s not one of those once a Marine, always—” The plane dropped again, and my stomach dropped with it. “Oh, God,” I groaned.

“Medical discharge,” he said. “I’m not much use anymore.”

From where I was sitting he was about as perfect a male specimen as I’d ever seen. There was the slightest hint of frustration, or sadness, in his tone, but the plane began to shake and jostle and I knew I was going to have a panic attack.

“Jenny.” He folded up the arm rest between us. “Hey, look at me. You’re okay. It’s just like a roller coaster ride.”

“I throw up on roller coasters.”

He laughed. “Okay, then don’t think about roller coasters. Bad idea.”

I nodded, covering my face with my hands.

The ping sounded again. “This is your captain speaking. Looks like we’re in for a rocky trip. We’re flying into a storm system that…”

But I didn’t hear anything after the rocky trip comment.

“Rockier than this?” I asked Gunner, whispering.

He shrugged. “I know you’re fine and everything, but…” He paused, holding his hand out.

I stared at his hand, willing myself not to grab it. But the plane dropped a good fifteen feet and I didn’t care. I grabbed his hand. He pulled me against him this time, wrapping his arm around me and holding me close.



(MK) I love Gunner. He's my perfect guy! But let's find out more about you! How did you decide on your story plot? 

(SS)I’d written a big scene with Jen in one of the very first drafts of  Hollywood Ever After. The scene ended up being cut but Jen stayed with me. I knew I wanted more Hollywood stories, and luckily InkSpell did too, so I dove in and gave her her very own special love story.

(MK) How did you choose your characters names and location for your story? 

(SS) Well, most of the characters were mentioned or established in Hollywood Ever After, which made writing Hollywood Holiday’s world that much easier for me.

(MK)Do you have a favorite scene? Why? 

(SS)Definitely! I love the scene where Jen and Gunner are working through some fight choreography for her movie. It’s super hot and sexy and *wonderful*

(MK) Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why? 

(SS)I tend to find something in my heroine’s that click with me. With Claire, it was finding herself. With Jen, it was being brave, liking herself, and holding her head up after some not so great stuff happened to her.

(MK)Let our readers know how they can get a hold of you…

Website    Twitter    Facebook    Goodreads    Pinterest

Is there anything else that you want to share… feel free!!

(SS) In a world full of wonderful books, thank you for picking mine! I sincerely hope you enjoy it/them and encourage you to contact me and let me know what you thought. Happy reading!

"My new favorite author is Sasha Summers.  She's as addictive as chocolate." - Marcia King Gamble, National Best-Selling Author


Blurb:

All she wants for Christmas is for Hollywood to love her again. But once she meets him, her Christmas list changes.

Jen’s only Christmas wish: Hollywood falling back in love with her. Meeting ex-Marine Gunner was a bonus. She likes that he isn’t impressed by celebrities or the movie biz. She likes that he’s funny and sweet … and drop-dead gorgeous. And she loves that he has no idea who her alter-ego is: Jen Fleming, Hollywood bad-girl and paparazzi target number one. Why ruin an amazing affair when he’s leaving after the new year?

But the closer they get, the harder she falls, and the more she wants to tell Gunner everything. Especially once he shares his secret with her.

Her new Christmas wish: Gunner accepts and loves her for who she really is. 

You can buy the book at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Inkspell Publishing

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About the Author:

Sasha is  part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history,  and travel. It’s no surprise that her books include a little of each. Her  first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ was written for her Girl Scout troupe.  She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and  characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher  or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and  hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Please visit her website: http://www.sashasummers.com

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