Hello, Hollywood! by Janice Thompson

Sometimes it's hard to be funny, even if you have an natural talent for humor. Athena Pappas knows just how important it is to be able to produce humor on demand. As head writer for Stars Collide, a television sitcom with sagging ratings, she is is determinded to introduce a new spark that will put Stars Collide back on the up and up. When Stephen Cosse, a Vegas comedian, is hired on the writing team, Athena's job suddenly seems less secure. Stephen is confident, creative, and handsome. As the attraction and competition escalates between Athena and Stephen, they must relinquish control and combine their efforts in both the plots of Stars Collide and their personal lives. They just might find that sometimes the best things in life are unscripted.

Hello, Hollywood! by Janice Thompson is a lovely contemporary romance and the second book in the Backstage Pass Series. Although it works well as a stand-alone novel, I enjoyed it so much that I plan to go back and read the first book in the series, Stars Collide. Thompson's experience as a screenwriter shows through in the setting and plot of the novel. I felt like I was getting a “backstage pass” into what a screenwriter's life is like. I have to admit that I've never watched the Dick Van Dyke Show, so I didn't quite understand all the references to it, but I enjoyed the scenes, nonetheless. The characters are fun and authentic. The Pappas family was definitely humorous and enjoyable. However, under all the fun and merriment of the outer layer of the novel, Athena, Stephen, and several of the supporting characters have some very serious issues and situations to deal with. The inner layer of depth was what really made this novel successful for me. I recommend Hello, Hollywood! to fans of Christian romance.

Read an excerpt for Hello, Hollywood! by Janice Thompson, here.

Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."