Celebrity Secrets
Jennifer Brown
PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1424181445
Reviewed By Gina Holliday
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
Little
Elissa is turning two years old, and her mother, Monica, is determined
to make the event a joyous occasion. She's planned it for weeks, even
giving it a My Little Pony theme. After picking up Elissa's brother,
Mark, from school, Monica, her husband, Seth, and the kids head for
home for an evening of fun and games - or so they think.
In a
flash, everything changes: as soon as they arrive home, they're
ambushed by two masked gunmen who demand money they claim Seth owes
them. Unable to provide it, Seth is mercilessly murdered in front of
his family's eyes. To make matters worse, Monica is able to escape with
Elissa, but Mark disappears with the gunmen. Just like that, all the
peace and security that Monica has ever known is forever shattered.
Fast-forward
nineteen years: Elissa has become a highly popular movie star, and,
best of all, she's fallen completely in love. Also, Monica is happily
remarried, and her new family life is blossoming. Once again, things
seem as though they can't possibly go wrong - but they do…
A
book suddenly emerges by a mysterious new author, outlining Elissa's
family history in disturbing detail. The Harner clan launches a full
investigation to discover the true nature of its origins, but they soon
uncover more than they bargained for…
Celebrity Secrets
is a fast-paced, entertaining read. The plot unfolds with disarming
ease, and the action is both engaging and electrifying. Also, Brown
does a great job of holding the reader's attention throughout the
entire tale, teasingly fostering the suspense until the surprising
final pages.
For a quick, enjoyable tale of deception and intrigue, Celebrity Secrets more than satisfies.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Jennifer Brown (Celebrity Secrets)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Jennifer. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
The plot of the story is quite unique. What inspired it?
Jennifer Brown: I enjoy plots that center around a book. I thought it would be interesting to write a story involving a new release that oddly coincides with a celebrity's past. Especially considering everyone has their own secrets, even celebrities.
AR: Who have some of your writing influences been?
JB: My third grade teacher, David Weidner assigned us in groups one day to write a story. Even before that as a preschooler my mom said I was a storyteller, drawing my schoolmates. As as I have grown older, authors from Christopher Pike to VC Andrews have captivated me. And I can't forget Mrs. Joann Butz my journalism teacher, and Mr. Tim Bucey for giving me the chance and training to write for newspapers.
AR: What makes Elissa go into show business?
JB: Elissa won a spot on a sitcom, turning out to be one of those overnight successes. This month I plan to link an "Elissa Harner Fan Club" page to my official site at www.freewebs.com/jenniferbrownauthor/ to accompany the series, and for people to learn more about the Harners.
AR: Was Mark really a bad seed?
JB: Mark was a witness to some pretty horrible things, and on top of it all was coerced to cover for his father. He was not so much a bad seed, as he just needed psychiatric help. Monica spent a lot of years being naive, paying more attention to her business and Elissa than him. Results of her ignorance turn out in the next book, so a lot will be answered then.
AR: What really makes Tom act so mysteriously toward Daniel Kirk (or can you say)?
JB: Obviously Tom has a lot to hide, considering what happens with his character toward the end of the book. He has reason to be worried about this book resurfacing his family's past...not just because of the backlash it will cause Elissa and her mother. What Tom is hiding will come out with a huge bang in the next book. In the meantime his actions toward the book's author reflects all this.
AR: Do you consider yourself a mystery/suspense author? If not, what genres do you prefer?
JB: I consider myself a fiction/suspense author. The term is more broad-ranged. I feel too limited being penned as a mystery author. Besides, the more open my abilities seem to be becoming, I may want to experiment in other genres at some point. Basically right now, I enjoy mystery and suspense though.
AR: We noticed that the "ending" was not quite an ending...what can readers expect next?
JB: The next book will not only answer a lot of questions, but it will answer them in an explosive manner. The next book takes place in the Virgin Islands, and narrates what is still going on back in St. Louis as well. Just remember, nothing is as it seems.
AR: What kinds of reactions have you gotten to the book?
JB: A lot have said the plot line sounds interesting and those who have read it have loved it. I had one reader compare it to the season cliffhanger of Dallas where JR was shot...which was pretty cool to hear! And exactly what I want to hear. I want people to be left hanging and get the next book to see just whathappens! I don't think they will be disappointed.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
JB: After the Celebrity Secrets series is complete I hope to have much more in store for readers. I'm working on a novel, another series involving a filmmaker who always ends up getting into more than just the project he's working on, as well as several other stories. I hope others will enjoy reading them as much as I have writing them.
AR: Thanks again, Jennifer, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!