Hiding in the Pages: The Memoir of Johnny Devine by Camille Eide {Blog Tour Spotlight, Interview, Snippet, and Giveaway}

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Genre: Historical

Publisher: Ashberry Lane Publishing

Publication Date: December 1, 2015

Number of pages: 279

Awards/Honors: RT Book Reviews (rare) 5 goldstar Top Pick, a Reviewers' Choice Award Nominee (of 5), and the December 2015 Seal of Excellence winner, which makes it a Book of the Year Nominee (1 of 12 out of thousands reviewed)

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26822292-the-memoir-of-johnny-devine?ac=1&from_search=1

The Memoir of Johnny Devine (RT Book Reviews 4.5 GOLD Star Top Pick): In 1953, desperation forces young war widow Eliza Saunderson to take a job writing the memoir of ex-Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Devine. Rumor has it Johnny can seduce anything in a skirt quicker than he can hail a cab. But now the notorious womanizer claims he’s been born again. Eliza soon finds herself falling for the humble, grace-filled man John has become—a man who shows no sign of returning her feelings. No sign, that is, until she discovers something John never meant for her to see.

When Eliza’s articles on minority oppression land her on McCarthy’s Communist hit list, John and Eliza become entangled in an investigation that threatens both his book and her future. To clear her name, Eliza must solve a family mystery. Plus, she needs to convince John that real love—not the Hollywood illusion—can forgive a sordid past. Just when the hope of love becomes reality, a troubling discovery confirms Eliza’s worst fears. Like the happy façade many Americans cling to, had it all been empty lies? Is there a love she can truly believe in?

Purchasing link:

http://www.amazon.com/Memoir-Johnny-Devine-Camille-Eide-ebook/dp/B015TOA05Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452058476&sr=1-1&keywords=the+memoir+of+johnny+devine

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Camille Eide writes romantic, inspirational dramas about love, faith, and family. She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a mom, grammy, bass guitarist, and a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, oldies Rock, and Peanut M&Ms.

Author Website: www.camilleeide.com
Fiction Blog: www.camilleeide.blogspot.com
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Camille-Eide-Author/134301859999367
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CamilleEide
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5356695.Camille_Eide
Instagram: http://www.online-instagram.com/user/camille.eide/1429893866
Email: Camille@camilleeide.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/camilleeide/

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1-How long does it typically take you to write a book?

Oh boy, I haven't had a typical book-writing experience and I'm not sure I ever will. My first book---my first baby---was a work in progress while I studied the craft, then it underwent a strenuous revision at my agent's request. After Like There's No Tomorrow was finally contracted and underwent more rounds of edits, it took on a nice shine. From first cursor click to print release: 7-1/2 years. I cut most of my writer teeth on that one. By the time the second book was underway, I'd worked diligently on my craft in hopes of avoiding any more strenuous revisions. Like a Love Song took me about two years to write and won the Genesis Award in 2011. The Memoir of Johnny Devine took about 8 months and was anything but typical. It was a true God-send as it was both divinely inspired and assisted. I have no clue how long the next one will take to complete. 3 months or 3 years, probably. :)

2-When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I believe I was 7 and it was a book about Snoopy. I even designed the cover from a cereal box. But my first published book, Like There's No Tomorrow, was the first book I wrote in hopes of becoming published. I was forty-something, my 3 kids nearly grown, youngest still in high school. And I'd recently discovered I loved the work of Jane Austen because I'd finally had the chance to sit down and read more than 2 pages of a book at a time.

3-What suggestions would you give potential author to help them become a better writer?

READ, STUDY, & TRUST. Read GREAT writing to train your gut instincts.Study & practice the craft until you are deadly precise in structure, grammar, story, deep POV. etc. Then forget everything you've studied and Trust your Jedi instincts.

4-How frequently do you hear from your fans?

Mom calls nearly every day. :) I am pretty active on social media, so I am in regular touch with readers. I get an occasional email or message, which is wonderful! And funny you should ask: just today, I got a phone call at my day job from a local reader (who knows where I work) who called crying about the Johnny Devine story. She just wanted to thank me for writing it. She wasn't even finished reading it yet! That was a first. :)

5-As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did becoming a writer ever cross your mind?

Absolutely. I already had Peanuts & Snoopy sequels ready to go if Shultz ever asked. I also wanted to be a concert pianist and an actress. In Jr High, my English teacher loaned me books and encouraged my writing, so I think she planted The Bug. Praise the Lord for intuitive teachers. :) Long before I picked up a pen to write a novel, I'd been writing plays and scripts for church dramas, so I don't think there was a time I wasn't writing something.

6-What hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I read, play bass guitar for the church worship band, bake cinnamon rolls when wheedled into it, and play with my busy little granddaughter.

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The Memoir of Johnny Devine, a Novel (sample)

The thunking sound grew louder until a tall, dark-haired man in charcoal tweed slacks, a crisp white
shirt, and a tie appeared in the parlor doorway.

Eliza gasped in spite of herself and stood, almost too numb to move. Millie was right—there were
probably few who wouldn’t recognize Hollywood’s legendary Johnny Devine. He leaned on a cane, but straightened to a full six-foot-plus when his gaze found Eliza.

Her heart thudded. The silver screen had not done his looks full justice.

“Mr. John,” Millie said from her post. “This is Mrs. Saunderson.”

“How do you do?” Johnny Devine asked in that trademark voice that made far too many sensible women swoon. He eyed Eliza carefully, waiting.

Still numb, Eliza couldn’t answer.

Millie’s description of her employer as “famous” was an understatement. Notorious was more accurate. Louella Parsons’s Hollywood gossip column had been the first to dub him “Devilishly Devine.”

From all accounts, Johnny Devine was extremely fond of women—young or old, rich or poor, married or single, loose or chaste. Rumor had it he could seduce anything in a skirt quicker than he could hail a cab.

Johnny turned to Millie, and the old woman gave him a single nod. He returned his attention to Eliza
and studied her for a painfully long moment.

“Mrs. Saunderson,” he said finally. “Won’t you please be seated?”

Reminding herself to breathe, Eliza found her seat. He’s just a man. Just a regular man.

While Millie held her place, Johnny Devine went to the fireplace and lowered himself onto a chair,
squeezing his cane in a white-knuckled grip. He drew a deep breath and faced Eliza.

Then he smiled.

Oh … my … stars … On screen, that smile was a heart stopper. But in person? It could melt the stockings right off a girl.

“I’m writing a book,” he said. “A memoir, actually. It’s under contract with a New York publishing
house, Covenant Press. I have the first three chapters here—”

He began to rise, but Millie tut-tutted at him and retrieved a manila envelope from the fireplace mantel. She tottered over and handed it to Eliza.

Memoir? Eliza stared at the tan packet on her lap, wishing she didn’t have to touch it.

“After going over those first few chapters,” he said, pointing at the envelope, “my publisher suggested I hire a typist with strong editorial skills. You can see his marks for yourself. He likes the
content, but wants me to find someone who can do the edits on those chapters and get the project back on schedule by sorting out any other … grammatical issues that arise as I write the rest.”

Eliza stared at the envelope, thoughts whirling. The last thing she wanted was to read three hundred
pages of him boasting about his dressing room adventures, much less fix the grammar. But the pay was so unbelievably good.

And yet there was also the issue of working with him. In his home.

Eliza stole a glance at him. He was surely older than he’d been in his last picture that she’d seen, but
every bit as attractive. In fact, he was more handsome than a man had a right to be.

She stiffened. Of course, this was a man whose good looks, breathtaking smile, and smooth charm
had gotten him anything and anyone he wanted. However, she wouldn’t be duped by a sweet-talking liar, no matter how handsome. She’d learned that lesson all too well, thanks to Ralph. “I have extensive editing experience and am confident I can do the work.”

“Tell me about your qualifications,” Johnny said, his deep voice businesslike.

“I have a bachelor’s degree in English.” Eliza resisted the urge to lift her chin. Though she’d worked
hard to earn it, the degree had done her little good. “With a minor in Journalism.”

Wincing, Johnny Devine shifted slightly in his seat. “Impressive. And your experience?”

“During the war, I worked in the steno pool at McClellan Air Force Base. Since then, I’ve worked as
a freelance editor, writer, typist, and stenographer.” Not steadily enough to make a decent living, but that wasn’t any of his business. Those good-paying base jobs had been given to men returning after the war, leaving Eliza, and many women like her, jobless.

“Excellent,” Johnny said. “Do you have any questions for me?”

“Yes.” Why hadn’t she inherited Papa’s forthright-sounding voice like Betty had instead of Mama’s
soft tone? She sat up straighter to bolster her nerve. “Do you intend for us to work alone?”

He frowned. “Alone?” But just as quickly as it appeared, his frown dissolved. He turned and stared
out the window, his lips pressed tight. “No. I should have mentioned that at the start. Millie is here every day of the week. And my handyman, Duncan McBride, lives on the property, so he’s always around.”

Millie chuckled. “Well, where else he gonna go? That ol’ leprechaun older than me.”

Swell. Two ancient domestic workers were Eliza’s only guarantee against unwanted attentions. But
at least their presence meant she and Mr. Devilishly Devine wouldn’t be completely alone. And she’d be nuts to pass up the money. Betty would sermonize about the man’s reputation, but Eliza was a grown woman. She could manage the consequences of her own decisions just fine.

Johnny’s gaze was on the hooked rug at his feet and would not meet hers.

She had better not regret this. “Very well, I would like to be considered for the job. But if you intend
to hire me, I need to make one thing clear.”

“And that is?” Johnny asked.

Eliza forced her voice steady, because what she was about to say stretched every one of her nerves
taut. “Any funny business and I quit. On the spot.”

Millie’s face bunched up in confusion. “Funny business? What in the world kinda—”

“It’s all right, Millie,” Johnny said quietly.

Eliza lifted her chin and waited, heart racing.

“You will not be insulted in this house,” he said. “You have my word.”

She studied him, heart hammering. “Your word?”

“Yes.” Slowly, Johnny Devine looked up and met her eyes. “Though it may be of little worth to you,
I am a man of my word.”

For now, she had no choice but to take him at that word.

For whatever it was worth.

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