Jules Vernon

That's me. Jules Vernon. Yes, I've heard all the jokes and, no, I'm not taking anybody around the world in eighty days. My parents met in college when Mom was going through her literature-is-my-life phase, and I was conceived on the floor in the back of the Lit 101 classroom. Dad's name is Tom Vernon, so you can figure out the rest.

I know, I know -- tacky -- but the tackiest part is that they actually told people this story. In front of me. My mom was pretty much as close to being a hippie as you could get, while still being hygienic. The whole free love thing left her cold; "all those germs," she'd say and shudder.

Dad and Mom got divorced about five years ago for no reason. I mean, they apparently thought they had a reason, but "grown apart" still doesn't make sense to me. There was no bimbo waiting in the wings; no big drama or tragedy. They decided they didn't have enough passion. I'm all for "P" words - Pina coladas, Prozac, and Prada, for example - but I can't quite handle Parents and Passion in the same sentence.

It's sick and wrong.

The shrink "call me your therapist, Jules, not shrink" that I saw briefly a few years ago, before I discovered I was allergic to her, said that at twenty-nine I was too old to still be mourning my parent's marriage. She also said I confuse pain, anguish, and drama with love.

Which is so not true. I think you have to have euphoria, too.

We had this conversation about the time the itching started. Not that it was related. I read in a medical journal somewhere where you can be allergic to other people. Some women are allergic to their husband's sperm, even. Not that Shrink and I were exchanging body fluids or anything. But you see my point.

And she refused to believe that my Sunday solution was a good answer for stress. It's pretty simple. I write down every stressful thought I have during the week and save them to freak out about on Sunday afternoon from one till three p.m. I think it's more efficient that way, but Shrink evidently hadn't read the chapter in the psychotherapy handbook about "thinking outside the box."

Plus, she kept harping about "moving on." Why is movement so important? How many of life's truths would we miss if we were always speeding past them instead of standing still with our minds and hearts open to the possibilities? So I quit seeing her before we ever got to the part about my impostor hang-ups. But we got a lot worked out during the time we were together.

I mean, it was a thought-provoking three weeks.

Copyright 2004, Alesia Holliday

Reality TV gone wild

Fame, a hypochondriac judge, stage fathers, insane fans, vote-rigging, the Indiana mob, dressing-room Botox, steamy and illicit sex with contestants, and a rap star who "comes out" on live television -- When a rookie production coordinator transforms into the Face Behind Reality TV, can her "real" life ever compete?

I love reality TV. And I hate it. SURVIVOR. AMERICAN IDOL. When the reality TV craze hit TV, it was all I could watch for months! I even found myself canceling dates with friends so I could stay home. 'Oh, I'd love to, but Joe Bob might get voted off the island tonight.'

It was a sickness.

So, like all of my little crazy-making habits, I decided I had to write about it. Pop Star Live! is a new reality show whose producer is a megalomaniacal man lacking any hint of originality. He spends every week trying to come up with new and different ways that PSL can rip off the successful reality shows. He has a cell phone that Jules is never allowed to call. He's insane, and so are all of the judges, most of the contestants, and half of the crew.

I had a total blast writing it!

AMERICAN IDLE was my first novel, and we sold it on a synopsis and first 42 pages. I remember the page count, exactly, because I kept saying: 'Another house bidding? But nobody has read more than 42 pages!' We were fabulously lucky to have the opportunity to select the publisher we wanted, and it was a very difficult choice. Ultimately, I selected Dorchester Publishing, because they made an offer I couldn't refuse: They would start the very first trade paperback line in the company's 30-year history and launch it with my book.

Think Cinderella! Think publicity! Think glass slippers!!

I love this book. It's my first novel, and I think your first novel always holds a special place in your heart. Library Journal and Booklist gave me rave reviews and Publishers Weekly even had nice things to say, in that PW way. But the most fun has been the reader letters! I've made people late for work, lose sleep, snort iced tea out of their noses and - the best letter ever - I saved one woman's sister-in-law's life during one of our Florida hurricanes.

'We had two families crammed in a small house, after we evacuated. If I hadn't been laughing so hard, reading your book, I would have had to kill her.'

Write a book, make people laugh, save a life. Could there be a better job???

Romantic Times Book Club:  4 ½ stars – Top Pick!

[H]ard not to feel a sense of kinship as [Jules] marvels at the confidence of inept contestants or shares her insights on the reality TV phenomenon, . . . a zany debut.
-- Publishers Weekly

[W]ell worth the crazy ride.
-- Booklist

Featuring an appealing heroine with a sense of humor and a sexy hero who is there when she needs him, this smart and sassy first novel makes marvelous fun of the 'reality' TV craze and offers a bit more substance than the average chick lit romp.
-- Library Journal *

With a clever, laugh-out-loud sense of humor and unique writing style, Alesia Holliday is a supreme new talent to keep an eye on.
-- www.chicklitbooks.com

Alesia is truly a bright new star in the chick lit world!
-- Michelle Cunnah, award-winning author of 32AA

Alesia Holliday has my vote for Chick-Lit Queen of the year.
-- Affaire de Coeur

Alesia Holliday is one of the most genuinely funny writers in chick lit. Her engaging voice and snappy style will keep readers turning pages!
-- Lani Diane Rich, author of TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR

Ms. Holliday serves up Chick Lit at its absolute finest.
-- Romance Junkies

Alesia Holliday is a wonderful voice in contemporary romance, with fresh and vibrant characters.
-- Jennifer Russell-Hill, Roundtable Reviews

Turn off your TV and read this book! I laughed my way through AMERICAN IDLE -- much more entertaining that any Reality TV show.
-- Lydia Funneman, Writers Unlimited

A new chick-lit in fine style with this well-written, fast-paced, hilarious novel from new author Alesia Holliday.
-- The Best Reviews

Laugh-out-loud funny, with characters that win your heart!
-- Suzanne Brockmann, New York Times bestselling author

With her talent for story telling, Ms. Holliday's future ventures in novel writing can only get better and better. I am most pleased to have her on my bookshelf. A sneak peek behind the scenes of reality TV is good for the funny bone, so pick up AMERICAN IDLE today for a truly enjoyable novel.
-- Liz Ragland-Thompson Romance Reviews Today

I'll warn you right now, this is a definite two boxes of tissue book; you'll laugh yourself to tears. Charming characters come to life immediately. This is without a doubt in the top ten books of the year.
-- Huntress Reviews

If you are looking for a story that will leave you laughing and wondering what is going to happen next then pick up American Idle. Ms. Holliday gave us a great story and I will be on the lookout for more of her stories.
-- A Romance Review

Even more fun and much smarter than reality TV . . . A hilarious, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting modern romance.
-- Susan Wiggs, NY Times bestselling author