Author Interview – Elle Rush (Drama Queen Edition)

A few months ago, I interviewed my Liquid Silver pub-buddy about her contemporary romance Screen Idol. She’s back today to talk up the second book in her Hollywood to Olympus series, Drama Queen. Loosely inspired by Greek mythology, it’s a romantic comedy with a heroine who shares my actual nickname (with the same spelling to boot!). Let’s find out more about it. 

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1. Hi Elle, and welcome back to my blog. For fans of the first book—what elements tie the various stories in your series together? Do the main characters all work at the same place?

Thanks, Tara. Drama Queen is the second story in my Hollywood to Olympus series. The series is set in Los Angeles, and at least one of the main characters is always an actor or actress on the fictional hit show Olympus. This time, my  heroine – Layla Andrews – is an actress and my hero – Russ Vukovick - isn’t an actor but he works on set as a fight coordinator.

2. What character does your heroine Layla Andrews play on television? Is this role similar to how she acts in person?

Layla plays “Hera,” who is Zeus’s wife and the queen of the Greek gods. Hera is not  popular among the Mount Olympus set, but she doesn’t care – she wants power, not BFFs - and she is constantly defending herself and her position from attacks.  Layla is also unpopular on set. She hasn’t made any friends over the last couple years since she’s spent all her time protecting a secret. When we start Drama Queen, Layla is finally able to come out of her shell but allies are harder to make than enemies.

3. By the way, I'm so glad you didn't go with the more ubiquitous spelling–Leila. And if my husband were to be believed, my Greek mythology equivalent would probably be Hera as well. Back to the story though... Since Russ, the hero, works as the show’s fight coordinator, he and Layla must have known each other for quite a while. Have they always been attracted to each other, or does something happen to change the nature of their relationship?

Russ and Layla have always been attracted to each other but neither of them has acted on it until now. Layla’s ice queen persona has kept people at arms’ length. As soon as Russ gets an inkling that she’s open to him getting closer, he makes his move!

4. Now I’m really curious about the chemistry between the two. Would you mind sharing a snippet from when sparks fly between Layla and Russ?

“So, if you’ve forgiven me, I thought you might kiss me again.” He looked up at her, not far up because even standing when he was sitting there wasn’t much of a difference, and let loose a slow, sexy smile that made her feel like she was bursting into flames all over.

“What?” she squeaked.

Russ patted the cushion beside him. “It wasn’t really fair, you know. A sneak attack like that. I wasn’t ready to respond. I can do a hell of a lot better. I’m sorry, Layla. Can we try to redo the ending to last Friday? I didn’t even get a good night kiss.” When she didn’t move, he did. He stood up and hovered over her. “I’d really like a good night kiss, Layla.”

He leaned over in slow motion and Layla watched as his lips got closer. The second they touched hers, though, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the kiss. Russ knew what he was doing. God, did he know.

5. Before I let you go—what project(s) are you working on right now? Will there be a third book in the series?

A third and, hopefully, a fourth. I’m currently about half done book 3, which will be Nick (Ares) and Ashleigh’s (a friend of Sydney’s, from Screen Idol) story. I also have a short Hollywood to Olympus story coming out on August 5th in a literacy fundraiser anthology called “Love Is”, featuring Benny Duarte, the show’s photographer.

Sounds like you're a busy lady! Since book release month is jam packed for any writer, I’ll let you run off. Happy Book Birthday!

For more information about the book and author, just scroll down. As always, comments are much appreciated.

Drama Queen (Hollywood to Olympus Book 2)
by Elle Rush

Layla Andrews isn’t really a bitch – she just plays one on television. For the last eighteen months, she’s acted like one in real life too while she was forced to serve probation for something she didn’t do. Now the Queen of Olympus has done her time and she’s ready to start living again … but she’s forgotten how.

Russ Vukovick, the show’s fight coordinator, had been attracted to Layla since the first time he saw her. Recently he’s caught glimpses of a new side of her – one that makes her irresistible. But as he gets closer to her, he also sees more of what she hides beneath the mask she wears.

As Layla and Russ try to navigate their new relationship, families, danger, and secrets work against them at every turn. Can the find a true happily-ever-after when they are surrounded by lies?

Buy Links: Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | B&N/Nook | ARe | LSBooks

About Elle Rush

Elle Rush is a Canadian romance author from Winnipeg, Manitoba. When she’s not travelling, she’s hard at work writing her contemporary romance eBooks which are set all over the world. Elle earned a degree in Spanish and French, barely passed German, and is starting to learn Italian and Filipino. She has flunked poetry in every language she’s ever taken. She also has mild addictions to tea, cookbooks and the sci-fi channel. Keep up with Elle by signing up for her free newsletter at www.ellerush.com/newsletter

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Author Interview - Elle Rush

If you all remember, Elle Rush and I shared a book birthday exactly one month back. What better way is there to celebrate our anniversary than to have my pub-buddy over for a moment in the hot seat?

Just to jog your memory, Elle’s Screen Idol is a sweet romantic comedy loosely inspired by Greek mythology. Intrigued? The blurb and buy links are at the end of this post.

1. Before we chat about your book, I have to ask—What’s your favorite Italian word and why (side note: Elle and I are both learning the language)? Now that my formal classes are over, I desperately need fodder for future Italian Word of the Week posts. 

I’ve just starting a self-study course and my vocabulary is still limited. That said, some of the words I like are vino, gelato, spaghetti, dolce. Are we sensing a theme?

2. As it so happens, "dolce" was my very first Italian Word of the Week. Okay, now that you've made me hungry, it's going to be hard to focus on your book. Nonetheless, we shall prevail. Why did you choose to make Sydney a burn victim? Is she inspired by someone you know/read about?

I wasn’t inspired by any particular person. I didn’t actually choose to make Sydney a burn victim – that’s how she introduced herself to me. I just had to find out what happened to her. It was very important for both of us that Sydney not be ashamed of her scars even if she was still getting used to them. And it was an interesting contrast to pair her with someone who was judged by his looks.

3. Those pesky insistent characters--they're difficult, be we love them. On the subject of good looks, Chris is worshipped by millions as Zeus on the hit drama Olympus—what godlike qualities does he have (and yes, I’m referring to physical attributes)? Please don’t spare any details. 

Chris has a six pack and shoulders to die for, so he looks fabulous coming and going. I called him a clean-cut, brown-haired, hazel-eyed Greek god. And, because I could do what I wanted with him, I put him in both a toga and a tuxedo at different times in the story. 

4. A toga you say? How intriguing. Tell me a bit more about your Hollywood to Olympus series.  What’s the next book about? Do Sydney and Chris have cameo roles?

Right now, I’m planning for the next story to be about Layla and Russ. Yep, the bad girl’s got a good soul and a heartbreaking story and Russ is going to pull it all into the light.  And yes, Sydney and Chris do make an appearance.

5. How cool! Before I let you run off, all aspiring authors out there want to know—how did you get your start as an author? Did you always want to write romance?

I started writing romance right after I finished a screenwriting diploma because I’m weird like that. I think I needed a change from movies and television scripts. Actually, I only started reading and writing romance in the last few years and now I’m an addict. Prior to that, I did a lot of children’s stories. I think – like most writers – that I want to try to write everything but I’ll be sticking with my contemporary romances for a while.

As a fellow contemporary romance author, I can say it's a good genre to stick with. Thank you again for dropping by! For more information about the book and author, just scroll down. Comments are always much appreciated.

Screen Idol (Hollywood to Olympus, Book 1)

Sydney Richardson should have trusted her instincts and locked the door when a Greek god appeared on her doorstep at sunrise. After months of work, she needs every second of the day to wrap up a two-part fundraiser for burn victims like herself and she can't afford to waste time with a TV hunk, no matter how good he looks in a toga.

Chris Peck, worshipped by millions as Zeus on the hit drama Olympus, desperately wants to prove to the producers of a soon-to-be-cast romantic comedy that he doesn’t need fight scenes or special effects to make the jump to the big screen. Acting as the slave-for-a-day in the show’s fan appreciation contest was supposed to cement his everyman credibility but the winner wants nothing to do with him.

Chris is captivated by the woman who refuses to fawn over his looks and fame, and he promises to put her fundraising efforts over the top if she’ll spend the day with him. However, just when he convinces Sydney they could have a chance together, the movie’s producers offer him an audition that would mean breaking his promise and leaving Sydney in the lurch. The king of the gods has until sunset to prove to his new off-screen love interest that Hollywood magic and reality can co-exist.

Buy Links: LSBooks | Amazon | AllRomance

About Elle Rush

Elle Rush is a Canadian romance author from Winnipeg, Manitoba. When she’s not travelling, she’s hard at work writing her contemporary romance eBooks which are set all over the world. Elle earned a degree in Spanish and French, barely passed German, and is starting to learn Italian and Fililpino. She has flunked poetry in every language she’s ever taken. She also has mild addictions to tea, cookbooks and the sci-fi channel. Follow her at www.ellerush.com or on her Twitter account @elle_rush.

(Liquid Silver) Book Twins: Screen Idol and Catching Red

One thing Elle Rush and I have in common is that we both had books released by Liquid Silver Books this Monday. The similarities pile on after that (we're both learning Italian, for example), but I'll get into it all when Elle stops by for an interview in March. This post is all about the books.

If you're a frequenter of my blog, you already know I've written a Little Red Riding Hood retelling set in a post apocalyptic wasteland (which follows a Rapunzel retelling set in the same world). Catching Red charts the story of a smart-ass scout who almost gets eaten alive by zombies, is rescued by an Agent Woodsman, and ends up destroying an evil cult. For better or for worse, it's the first time I've written a book that exceeds 110 pages (which technically brings me into the shortest end of the "novel" spectrum). And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the extent of my promotional abilities. 

While I drew inspiration for Catching Red from a French fable, Elle Rush's Screen Idol is inspired by Greek mythology. Sydney Richardson is about to wrap up a two-part fundraiser for burn victims like herself when Chris Peck, worshipped by millions as Zeus on the hit drama Olympus, shows up at her doorstep. Just when he's about to convince her they could have a chance together, he's offered the opportunity of a lifetime. The king of the gods has until sunset to prove to his new off-screen love interest that Hollywood magic and reality can co-exist.

If you're a fan of unique twists on familiar tales, check out the first chapter of both Screen Idol and Catching Red on Amazon.com (which is where the preceding links will take you).

Screen Idol

Sydney Richardson should have trusted her instincts and locked the door when a Greek god appeared on her doorstep at sunrise. After months of work, she needs every second of the day to wrap up a two-part fundraiser for burn victims like herself and she can't afford to waste time with a TV hunk, no matter how good he looks in a toga.

Chris Peck, worshipped by millions as Zeus on the hit drama Olympus, desperately wants to prove to the producers of a soon-to-be-cast romantic comedy that he doesn’t need fight scenes or special effects to make the jump to the big screen. Acting as the slave-for-a-day in the show’s fan appreciation contest was supposed to cement his everyman credibility but the winner wants nothing to do with him.

Chris is captivated by the woman who refuses to fawn over his looks and fame, and he promises to put her fundraising efforts over the top if she’ll spend the day with him. However, just when he convinces Sydney they could have a chance together, the movie’s producers offer him an audition that would mean breaking his promise and leaving Sydney in the lurch. The king of the gods has until sunset to prove to his new off-screen love interest that Hollywood magic and reality can co-exist.

Buy Links: LSBooks | Amazon | AllRomance

About Elle Rush

Elle Rush is a Canadian romance author from Winnipeg, Manitoba. When she’s not travelling, she’s hard at work writing her contemporary romance eBooks which are set all over the world. Elle earned a degree in Spanish and French, barely passed German, and is starting to learn Italian and Fililpino. She has flunked poetry in every language she’s ever taken. She also has mild addictions to tea, cookbooks and the sci-fi channel. Follow her at www.ellerush.com or on her Twitter account @elle_rush.