Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet #1) by Sasha Summers

She wasn’t meant for movie stars, Hollywood, or happy endings. And then she met him.

Happy Endings are for fairy tales. Or the movies. Not for real life. At least, not Claire’s life. Even though she’s starting over, she knows better than to want too much this time. But when she falls, literally, into the strong arms of Hollywood’s ‘it’ boy Josh Wiley, Claire’s in for some surprises. Her plans for rest and relaxation are forgotten as one incredible night with Josh becomes two… And her heart begins to want him as much as her body. Will two kids, one bastard ex-husband, and Josh’s juggernaut career mean the end of their affair? Or can Claire find her happy ending after all?

Sasha will be awarding two $10.00 Amazon gift cards and One Romantic Movie Gift Basket (Movies that inspired Hollywood Ever After – Notting Hill, The Holiday, Love Actually, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding (US/Canada only)) to three randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

Click HERE for the rest of the tour information!

About the Author:

Sasha Summers is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, romance, and travel. She writes both lyrical romantic fantasy and contemporary romance. Her first play was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Website/Blog: www.sashasummers.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/sashawrites
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-Summers/213036208773108
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759214.Sasha_Summers
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sashasummers/

Book Excerpt:

My phone vibrated in my clutch, snapping me out of my wayward thoughts. It was Natalie. “I’ll be right back.” I took a steadying breath and walked from the railing. It took a minute to find a small path detouring off of the deck. “Hold on Nat.” I spoke into the phone as I wandered along and settled onto a stone bench hidden at the path’s end, hidden beneath a small gazebo and bench wrapped in fragrant honeysuckle vines.

I smiled. “Hey baby girl.”

“Are you at a party, Mom? Wow, it’s loud! What do you see? Tell me everything!”

“Yes, I’m at a party.” I looked up, staring out across the wide night sky. “I went to a premier with Shannon.”

“See anyone cool?” she sounded excited.

Hazel and gold eyes appeared before me, stirring feelings I was not going to share with my adolescent daughter.
Instead I said, “I did see a few actors. You’ll be able to find it online tomorrow. You and Will okay? Not missing your mom too much?”

Natalie laughed. “Um, it’s been less than twenty-four hours Mom. But, yes, Will told Grams he missed you. And I do too. But I want to hear about California and Hollywood and everything. What do you see now?”

“I’m kind of hiding in the garden while we talk so just flowers and stuff. Like you said, it’s really loud. We’re at this fancy hotel movie premiere after party thing on the beach.”

“Is anyone there that I might know? I mean, other than you and Shannon?” She wanted details, I could tell.

“There are so many people here, sweetie. I don’t think so.” I looked up when I heard someone on the path. Josh was walking towards me, a slight smile on his lips. He had his phone to his ear, listening.

“What are you wearing?” Natalie asked.

He stood, looking down at me, his smile slow and lazy. “Can I sit?” he whispered, his hand covering his phone.

 I moved over, instantly aware.

“That’s fine, thanks.” He spoke into the phone as he sat, listening for a minute. “I’ll look forward to it,” he hung up and turned to look at me.
   
“Mom?” Natalie tried again. I had no doubt he heard her voice, he was sitting so close. “What are you wearing Mom?”
   
“What am I wearing?” I asked, flustered. I looked down at my dress and shrugged. “I’m barefoot.”
   
He laughed, snapping his mouth shut to muffle the sound.
   
“And?” she wasn’t going to give up.
   
I tore my eyes from him, then murmured, “A red dress. I think Shannon sent you a picture…”
   
“Hold on,” her voice elevated, making me hold the phone from my ear. “How do you look?”
   
“Well.” I swallowed.
   
“Lovely,” he said, softly.
   
I was absolutely frozen. My heart raced as he gently pushed a strand of hair from my shoulder, his touch a whisper on my skin. His hazel eyes were wide, regarding me intently as I flushed warmly. 
   
“K, hold on.” There was more movement, then a squeal. “Mom, you look gorgeous! I’m sending this picture to, like, everyone! Wow Mom! Call me tomorrow?”
“I will, I promise.”

“Can’t wait to hear all the details. Gotta download this one! Love you.” Her words flew out in a rush.

“Love you too, sweetie,” I added. “And kiss Will for me please.”

“I will Mom. Night.” The phone went dead.

His eyes held mine, I let myself look. If I sat like this, would he lean in to kiss me?  Me. What the hell was going on? I snapped my phone shut and turned away from him. My heart slammed against my ribs. I ran a shaky hand over one shoulder and pushed my hair from my face.
How long had it been since I was alone with a man? Without fear? And I wasn’t afraid of him, for some inexplicable reason. Well, I was a little. Not of him, but of the feelings he was stirring. Why? Why did this man, this young man, affect me differently?
“You do. Look gorgeous, I mean. Don’t you know that?” he asked softly, curiously.

I stood, breaking the hold his eyes had on me. His presence in this intimate space was making it hard to breathe.  “You’re very sweet… and young… and an actor…” I took a deep breath. This wasn’t making any sense to me.

“Oh?” His smile grew. “Which bothers you more - the acting or the age? I’m assuming being sweet isn’t a bad thing?”

I shrugged, waving my hands awkwardly, at a loss. My phone slipped from my hand. He reached for it at the same time I did, catching it before it hit the ground. His hand was warm as it closed over mine. His golden eyes held me captive. I couldn’t help it, I had butterflies.

My Thoughts:

This book reminded me of another novel I read recently, Sparkleicious.  Same premise but different characters and plot-line which I enjoyed.

I like contemporary romance, it is a genre that I go to in-between heavy reads and I enjoy these types of novels because they are a bit of escape from reality!

Claire and Josh are good characters and their story is easy to follow and fall into.  This novel is about starting over, after a bad situation and I like the way it was handled...this isn't something the author took lightly but it was light enough that you didn't get bogged down with it.  As a reader I came to be invested in these characters and I like that...despite the "Hollywood" setting the author does a great job of making it realistic and something that you really get interested in.

I love fairy tale endings and this novel didn't disappoint...get a copy today!