HOLLYLAND
by Patricia Leavy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Romance
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BLURB:
What
happens when a seemingly ordinary woman with a passion for the arts falls in
love with a Hollywood star known for his bachelor status and quick temper with
the paparazzi? Something extraordinary.
Dee
Schwartz is a writer and arts researcher. Ryder Field is a famous actor
descended from Hollywood royalty. On the night they meet outside a bar, their
connection is palpable. Ryder’s mother—legendary actress Rebecca Field, half of
Hollywood’s golden couple when she died—was kidnapped and murdered by a crazed
fan in a shocking event that forever tarnished Tinseltown. Dee’s mother, too,
died when she was young. Bonded by this loss, the two embark on a love story
that explores their search for magic—or “gold dust”—in their lives. Everything
changes, however, when Dee mysteriously disappears after an awards ceremony. Is
history repeating itself? Can there truly be a happily ever after in Hollywood?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
Dee clutched
her cell phone and exited the crowded bar to see a line of hopefuls waiting to
get in. Looking for a quiet place to take her call, she walked around the
corner to the empty side street, the warm LA breeze blowing through her long,
chestnut hair. Just as she put the phone to her ear, actor Ryder Field stepped
out of the side entrance. With a string of film credits to his name, he was
best known for the twelve years he starred as CIA operative Bruce Jones on the
hit action television series, The Mission. Examining his tight black jeans and
black T-shirt that showed off his muscular, tattooed arms, Dee couldn’t help
but notice how impossibly sexy he was. They made eye contact, and she looked
down ever so slightly. He smiled at her, and then leaned against the stucco
exterior of the building and lit a cigarette.
“Uh, hi. I’m
here,” she said, trying to refocus on her call. “Are they freaking out?... I
guess you haven’t read it yet,” she said with a laugh. “Well, yeah, you could
say that. It might be a little provocative. As soon as we hang up, I’ll text
you the bits you should be aware of… Right now?... Jesus, just let me text you
in a minute… Fine.” She glanced over at Ryder, he smiled, and took a drag of
his cigarette. She looked down, lowered her voice and said, “On page one
there’s an explicit oral act in the balcony of a church. Page four, bent over a
pew… No, the other thing… Page seven, on the altar…” She glanced up at Ryder
who was staring at her, trying to keep a straight face, laughter in his
sea-colored eyes. “Well, tell them technically it’s not forbidden in the Bible.
I don’t think it’s expressly mentioned… Oh, one more thing. Holy water is used
as a metaphor throughout… Think about it… Yeah…” She laughed. “Oh, I can
imagine the subject line of that email!... Well, just tell them, ‘Toto, we’re
not in Kansas anymore.’” She laughed. “Yeah, okay. Thanks, bye,” she said,
hanging up.
She looked
sheepishly at Ryder, who turned to face her, his side against the building.
“Sorry about that,” she said.
“I have a
million questions about that call,” he said.
She smiled and
said, “Have a good night,” turning to leave.
“Wait, you
can’t leave me wondering like that. You’re not going to tell me?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than forty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than forty book honors. Hollyland was featured on She Reads in “The Most Anticipated Romances of Spring 2023” and was the 2023 Firebird Book Awards 1st Place Winner in Pop Culture Fiction and 1st Place Winner in Summer/Beach Read. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.
Website: www.patricialeavy.com
She
Writes Press: https://shewritespress.com/product/hollyland/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenWhoWrite/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricialeavy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriciaLeavy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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ReplyDeleteThe blurb and excerpt sound great.
ReplyDeleteWho are some of your favorite artists?
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Sounds like an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book that I would really like.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing an excerpt from the book
ReplyDelete