4 Stars
Goodreads|Amazon
My Review:
Loved this book. It was a great combination of a romance, and a self discovery. I felt like it gave a true look into what these famous individuals must feel when their lives are invaded as they are. I also enjoyed the fact that even though we were dealing with celebrities, N.K. SMith gave them true personalities. They were relatable and true feeling characters. They had their great parts and they certainly all had their flaws. You got invested with the characters and their story as you got to really know them and their complicated lives. I sure didn't hurt that is was so well written. The book was overall enjoyable.
Cole was a new favorite for the second she was introduced. I wanted to know more about her and her past. She was such a complex character that she demanded attention. A nice twist from the normal heroine. Devon. Where to begin with him.. He was very infuriating at some points, but I suppose that may have been because I was on Coles side for a lot. I felt as though he was a great character, but he could have shown emotion a little better. He was a little "easy" with some of the things that happen to him in the book. But again, It could have just been that I wanted to yell at him most of the time for being stupid. Eventually he began to redeem himself though, thankfully. His sex scenes definitely added to him overall as a character, but some of the scenes were "eh" and I felt weren't needed for him to develop in the story. But Hey, you don't hear me complaining about them, they were Great sex scenes.
Overall a good story. It had a good hook and kept me reading. Some parts were definitely predictable, but its the type of book that isn't hurt by that fact. In some ways it helped add to the story. Definitely worth the read if you love a good romance and a look into the spotlight.
Summary of Hollywood Lies:
In a world where make believe is a multibillion dollar industry, it’s hard to know where the fantasy ends and real life begins. When Collette Stroud, an influential Hollywood actor and director, takes a chance on two young actors for her romantic teen movie, three lives converge in a complicated web of publicity, passion, lust, and lies.
The web is cast when Stroud, a woman with a few skeletons in her closet, hires two young artists in her low-budget film. She handpicks Liliana Addison and Devon Maddox to be Hollywood’s next big stars. Former child star Liliana has had limited success with her previous roles but hopes to take the world by storm under Collette’s tutelage. While Devon is an out of work actor, he never stops dreaming about making it big. The director’s interest in him assures Devon his dreams are about to become reality.
Sparks between Collette and Devon set their lives ablaze, but the studio has other plans. Executives concoct a fictitious romance in order to drive box office sales and launch careers between Devon and Liliana. When the studio offers to make the young actors into bona fide stars, will the price be too high to pay, or will the deal be too sweet to pass up?
Can the trio handle the pressure of a hidden romance coupled with a phony public relationship? Will love be enough to conquer the promise of fame, fortune, and a lasting legacy, or will it be an easy sacrifice?
All three will tread the thin line of Hollywood Lies and genuine passion on the most important red carpet walk of their lives.
Our Exclusive Interview!
Where did you begin with the idea for Hollywood Lies?
Back when the movie
Good Will Hunting came out, there were a lot of "celebrity gossip" shows and magazines hinting at the lead actors' blooming relationship on set. Then it was confirmed they fell in love. I remember reading these articles about it, thinking how the topic of conversation has switched from "OMG, this is a GREAT film and how great is the writing?" to "OMG, the stars are in love, go see the movie to see them REALLY fall in love."
It got me thinking about celebrity and how it can be harnessed to drive box office sales even more so than a beautiful piece of art rendered on the big screen.
Then there was the movie
America's Sweethearts that planted the seed that perhaps celebrity relationships as portrayed by the media aren't exactly what they're made out to be.
Will there be any more in this world or series for us?
There could be. It just depends on the response to this one. I have characters and the story, I just need to write it out. I have a few other things in queue before it, but we'll see.
It won't follow Colllette, Devon, or Liliana. It'll be within the world and have some similar themes, but it won't be a "sequel" or "prequel." Author Lissa Bryan (Ghostwriter, The End of All Things) came up with the term "side-quel," and I think that would be a better fit with what the next book would be.
Do you have a special place you like to get away to write, or a special ritual to your writing?
I don't. I have my place on my couch, next to my bookshelf that serves as a desk, and that's where I write. Since I write mostly in the morning, the ritual usually involves coffee and a social media drive-by before hunkering down to get the words on the page.
Sometimes I write with pen and paper as well. When I do that, it means I'm away from home, so I have to listen to music to drown out whatever else is going on.
Other than that, no real rituals or special spots!
Who is your favorite Author?
This is a toughie. Just like "What's your favorite book?" I don't think I'll be able to answer it. I had a real thing for Steinbeck in my late high school, early college years. I'm not able to pick out one author among the many I admire to say one is my favorite.
When did you begin writing? Was it something you have done since you were little? or a more recent endeavor?
I've told stories to myself to keep my mind occupied for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first story in fifth grade. Before that I wrote cutesy little poems to family members. I started seriously writing after high school, through college, took years off, then picked it up again. I've written in a journal, though, since fifth grade or so.
So will we be seeing more from you soon ;)?
You'll see me very soon! I have a self-published novel coming out in August 2013 called
Are You Mine? I'm working on several things right now, so my hope is that you'll see more and more and more of my work :)
What is your favorite quote/scene from the book?
There's a small scene in the book where Collette attends an award show with someone from her past in which they share a moment of "God, do we really have to be here?" I liked how it played out. I've been to many work functions in my life where you have to talk with a lot of people, smile, and generally put on a show, and it brought satisfaction to make something most people think is so glamorous (like aHollywood awards show) be a mundane obligation to these two celebrities--something to just push though, so I had fun with that.
Author Bio:
Based in the American Midwest, N.K. Smith is a Technical Writer for a Fortune 100 company. The author of the Old Wounds Series, she is a mother of two who finds the time to write very early in the morning when the rest of the world is still fast asleep.
An avid lover of history, art, music, books, and people, she is interested in telling stories that speak to the human condition.
