Posts Tagged ‘Susan Elizabeth Phillips’

What I Did For Love

February 16th, 2009

What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

First line:  ”The jackals swarmed her as she stepped out into the late April afternoon.”

Though Ms. Phillips took her time writing this book, I found it definitely worth the wait.  Set in modern day Hollywood, the hero single handedly shut down a very successful sitcom with his drugs, alcohol and ego seven years before.  Trying to stage a comeback, he uses the heroine’s good name to help him along.  That is not the secret, and of course there is one.

The heroine was loved by all.  As the two detest each other from those earlier years, they find themselves caught up in a scandal threatening their careers, turning mayhem into a very entertaining story. 

One of her friends talks her into going to Vegas to get away.  Upon the friend flaking out, the heroine decides it time to quit being the “good girl” all the time.  She goes to a party full of pro basketball players and, lo and behold – the hero has followed her there.

When he realizes someone has put a drug in their drinks, he gets them out of there as fast as possible, but…wait!  When they wake the next morning, there’s a marriage license.  It’s Friends Ross and Rachel.  Knowing he’s broke, she offers to pay him $50,000 to stay married for one year.  The negotiations included appearances in public to prove to the press it’s a ‘real’ marriage.

I loved it!

For:  Readers who want fast paced, sparring, witty characters, who live, learn and love. -   Kathy Wheeler

Buy it at Amazon.

Glitter Baby

January 14th, 2009

Glitter Baby by Suzanne Elizabeth Phillips

 First line:  The Glitter Baby was back.

Suzanne Elizabeth Phillips is the modern day Jacqueline Suzanne without all the drugs and alcohol.  She creates realistic characters with tough struggles so dire you wonder how they could possibly survive to live to a happily ever after status.  These characters are messed up!  But – they work. 

Phillips is a master at characterization.  This two generation saga starts with Glitter Baby’s (Fleur) mother: the queen of manipulation with a child-like persona of her own whom you can’t help but like and feel sorry for, because her life was so sorry.  And you can feel the love for her daughter.  Who can dislike a mother when she loves her child?

Fleur was sent to school from the time she was two because her mother tried to pass her off as the husband’s child, but who actually turned out to be his arch rival’s.  She grows into an incredible beauty, so Mom gets her into modeling.  The child doesn’t know for years that her “father” is not really her father.  Needless to say, I could write a book on the book that is Glitter Baby, the plot is so complicated.

This book is Phillips first novel, revamped and reissued.  I will admit to not being able to put it down when I first picked it up.

For:  Readers who want a un-put-down-able book to dig their claws into.  -Kathy Wheeler

 

Buy it at Amazon.

 

RWA Pics Part 1

August 11th, 2008

What do you get when you invite two thousand women to a ritzy hotel in downtown San Francisco? The obvious joke would be a lot of talk about shoes and guy trouble over cosmos. Only when it’s women writers, guy trouble is called “good conflict” and believe you, me, the heroes are usually sexy. More than not, you’ll overhear sadistic ways to off people, or say, how you can get your werewolf shape shifter to stop shedding hair all over the house. (Suspense and paranormal are very hot, you know.) Romance Writers of America, natch. While some of it is like the stuff your mom and grams probably read, there are now tons of sub-genres that actually don’t have that much romance in them. And, just for the record, I drank razzberry mojitos – spelling accurate. Top: Talented debut author Danielle Young-Ullman, Falling Under. Middle: Authors Malena Lott (me!), Dating da Vinci and Jane Porter, Mrs. Perfect. Bottom: NYT best-seller Susan Elizabeth Phillips Debut author Danielle Younge-Ullman with Falling Under