SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY - 2/5/12

It's Six Sentence Sunday here on Books by Banister, and that means I get to share a little snippet from my recently released Chick Lit novel, BLAME IT ON THE FAME, with you.  My book tells the story of the five nominees for Best Actress at this year's Academy Awards.  One of these nominees is British stage actress, Philippa Sutcliffe.  Philippa's caught between a rock and a hard six-pack when she's forced by the studio to go out and promote her Oscar-nominated film with her co-star and former lover, Miles McCrae.  The first stop on their Reconciliation Tour is a chat show called "Eye on London," where the combative exes come face-to-face for the first time since their acrimonious break-up . . .

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“You look good, Phil.  You’ve put on some weight . . .,” his eyes traveled up and down her body, which was encased in a form-fitting wrap dress that showed off every womanly curve, “. . . in all the right places.”


“Well, you look like hell,” she commented waspishly after taking note of his rumpled hair, unshaven face, and drooping eyelids.  “Did you even bother going to bed last night?”

     

“Oh, I went to bed.  I just didn’t get any sleep.”  

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Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to check out Six Sentence Sunday to read snippets from the works of some fabulous authors or search for the hashtag #sixsunday on Twitter.


BLAME IT ON THE FAME can be purchased on Amazon and Smashwords   

MEET PHILIPPA SUTCLIFFE

Philippa Sutcliffe, an English stage actress better known for her tempestuous on-set affair with Scottish lothario Miles McCrea than her film work, dismisses the Oscars as nothing more than a popularity contest and is outraged when contractual obligations force her to reunite with her former lover, who’s also a nominee, to campaign for their film.

Author’s Notes:  There is probably more of me in Philippa than in any of the other characters in BLAME IT ON THE FAME.  She has a sharp tongue, but a good heart.  Unfortunately, it was broken by the roguish Miles, a man Philippa knew she had no business being with in the first place (Fancying bad boys is a fatal character flaw that Philippa and I share.)  I had the best time writing the banter between Miles and Philippa, but then love/hate relationships are always fun in fiction, aren’t they?  Miles and Philippa are like a British Dave and Maddie (Moonlighting shout-out) for the new millennium.

Philippa Quotes (non-spoilery):  “This is typical Miles McCrea.  He makes a commitment then forgets all about it when something shiny or silicone-enhanced comes along and distracts him.” 

“You’re awfully sensitive for a Hollywood sell-out.”

“Lovely.  So, if I win this award, it won’t be because of my acting, it’ll be because letting Miles McCrea get into my knickers gave me global name recognition.”

Casting:  Although she doesn’t perfectly match my physical description of Philippa, I always envisioned Emily Blunt (one of my favorite actresses) in the role.  She’s so good at playing prickly while still conveying the vulnerability beneath the tart words and that’s Philippa to a tee.  A friend of mine said that she saw Rachel Weisz as Philippa and that would work, too.  I’ll leave it up to readers to decide who their Philippa is.