Hollywood Confessions

Hollywood Headlines #3

by Gemma Halliday

"Fans of Janet Evanovich will love this spin off of the High Heels Mysteries!" - Jen. B, avid reader

Allie Quick has high aspirations - much higher than reporting on the latest celebrity gossip for the L.A. Informer, Hollywood's most notorious tabloid. But if she's going to join the ranks of the real reporters, she's going to need a headline worthy story under her belt. Which is just what she gets when the producer of the trashiest reality shows on TV winds up murdered, and Allie convinces her editor, Felix Dunn, that this story has her name written all over it. Between an aging dance-off judge, a family with sextuplets and triplets, and the star of a little person dating show, Allie has no shortage of reality stars to question. But when she finds herself falling for her prime suspect, Allie's relationship with her editor is suddenly on the rocks, and her life is in danger. This is one deadline Allie can't afford to miss!

What critics are saying about the Hollywood Headlines

"Halliday's new Hollywood Headlines series is… fun… with intriguing characters and a good mystery. The action is fast paced, the hero is delightful and the heroine is spunky and independent but smart enough to know when she needs help."
- Romantic Times

“Fresh, funny, and has just enough heart to balance the snark.”
- All About Romance

"Gemma Halliday's witty, entertaining writing style shines through… I look forward to seeing lots more…as this series continues. A fun read!"
- Fresh Fiction

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Humor, Cozy Mystery

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Gemma had a hard time figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up. She worked as a film and television actress, a teddy bear importer, a department store administrator, a preschool teacher, a temporary tattoo artist, and a 900 number psychic, before finally selling her first book, Spying in High Heels, in 2005 and deciding to be a writer.

Since then, Gemma has written several mystery novels and been the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Reader's Choice award and three RITA nominations. Her books have hit both the USA Today and the New York Times Bestseller lists.

Gemma now makes her home in the San Francisco Bay area where she is hard at work on her next book.

Reviews

[Lizz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gah. If one could do so, I'd have given this 2.5 stars. The book itself was fine, but I could not like Allie! She was a pain in everyone's tush in the first two books, and I found it really hard to switch gears to her being the heroine. I just couldn't make the jump from all of her annoying traits in the first two books suddenly becoming her endearing traits. I see from looking at other reviews that I'm in the minority here, but that's okay. All in all this was a cute, easy series.

[LaFleurBleue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really worried starting this book I'd be able to enjoy it, because the heroine was the encroaching and unpleasant new hire from the 2 previous books. Some explanations were given that could explain part of her past poor behavior. However it didn't explain why she always tried to do things sneakily behind other people's backs rather than be open about her difficulties and try the cooperative way. Except that it wasn't her style. And I liked how she managed to use her style to work her way about anywhere anytime
I ended up liking that book and even Allie more than I expected, though the half starting romance with another man might leave readers slightly uncomfortable

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

One blurb on Amazon states that fans of Janet Evanovich will love it - and well they should, because it's Stephanie Plum does Valley Girl. It's got too many vulgar words, redundant phrases and cliches; but not enough originality. A "little person" in the story - check, Stephanie's done it. Car issues - check, Stephanie again. Empty cupboards, extra layers of mascara - check and check, done and done. The clues seem to come awfully easy, as does access to Hollywood film studios, so it's difficult to get invested in the story at all. Sorry, but it's a 2 out of 5 for me.

[Kaijsa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The least enjoyable of the trilogy. I couldn't connect to Allie, the character who caused problems for Tina and Cam in the first two books and who made stupid choices right and left. Also still annoyed at the Go-Go's/Bangles mix up.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was pretty fun. It was kind of weird at first though because the main character was the "enemy" from the last few books. But it was still good!

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little cozy.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore just about everything that Gemma Halliday has put out! Therefore it is no surprise that I enjoyed this story. Halliday creates amazingly real, flawed, and loveable characters. I absolutely love that the characters in this story overlap with the high heels mystery series! Getting to see glimpses of Maddie and Marco are wonderfully fun and help keep the story lines between books clear. Allie is an interesting character, though I wish that throughout the book she took more of a stand against people's assumptions of her dumb blonde stereotype. Her small sidekick, Gary, was a hoot and I can't wait to see more of him. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the third book in this series at my library. I highly recommend this book, and all of Halliday's books, to readers who enjoy leisurely mystery with a dash of chick lit.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fluffy, definitely some parallels between it and Stephanie Plum books.

Imagine Ryan Seacrest being the mogul of reality TV in charge of American Idol/Dancing With the Stars, The Bachelor and Jon & Kate Plus 8. Imagine someone kills him and all the people on his shows are suspects.

You'll be able to draw parallels between the cast of the aforementioned shows and the characters in the book.

Apparently this is part of a series, I'm interested in the first 2 now. As long as you don't approach the book expecting literary genius and go into it expecting fluff, it'll be a light and enjoyable read.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know now who should play Felix if you ever decide to have a movie/TV show. Callum Blue. OMG he would be PERFECT!!!!!!!! I love him. And I love how you have him come back in another series and I am hoping that there will be more Hollywood series. These are great. I love that you had Marco involved too. I am still trying to think who would be the best Marco in both the Highheels stories as well. Thank you Gemma for all your stories and all your leads to other indy authors. Hugs and kisses from one of your first Gemma Gems!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking that I wasn't really going to like it because Allie, our main character, was super annoying in the other two books and the thought of her starring in her own book was not all that thrilling. It was slightly better than I thought though. She became slightly less annoying as the book went on but she's still not my favorite. The mystery and the story made up for her annoyingness.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun. and quick read. This is the third in the Hollywood Headlines series that can be read as a stand alone but would be better to have read the previous two in series to get the full background on the characters. The main character of Allie was not one of my favorite's from the previous books however, I grew to like her. I would recommend this series and other works by this author.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not like the main character Allie. Allie would lie, cheat, steal, and step on a coworker's toes to get ahead. Didn't find it a bit funny, more annoying. I guess didn't like Alec either, flirty with Allie after trashing him, then sneaking in a secure set but giving her the time of day.
Liked book 2, but didn't like Allie in that book either. By chapter 4 stopped reading, too many other books to read,. Don't like main characters who use anything and everything to get their way.

[Kristin Whitehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite, but I loved getting more Felix. I hope she writes more of them. I like how she puts real life stuff in her books that she talks about on her blog, like the sprinkler scene.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun, silly mysteries. Like the other Hollywood mystery I read, this has some "behind the scenes" knowledge of Hollywood that I find funny. And I liked the crossover, but different main character from the other one I read. Very quick reading.

[Julie Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's funny, I didn't expect to like the Hollywood Headlines mysteries as much as her High Heels mysteries- but the kindle copy was such a steal I got them anyways. I'm glad I did! I loved all 3 books in the series.

[Jeanette montgomery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book but really struggled with the main character allie, in the first two books she was really horrible and found it really hard to change my opinion of her.

I liked all the other characters in the book and was an ok story.

[Morghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason this gets 4 instead of 5 stars is because I really don't like Allie Quick as a character...she is annoying and I felt like the Allie from this book derivates from the Allie in the High Heels series.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish she would clean up the language. There is not much, but it is not necessary. Other than that, I love these books.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Gemma Halliday! Great ending to the series. I'm so glad I have my Nook so that I was able to purchase the book for download. I can't wait till her new book comes out.

[Brianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #59 of 2011

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, easy read!

[Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5..NOt my favorite of the series but still loads of fun. Can't wait for another one.

[Janmacy1955]

Well...good if you want some mindless reading.

[Diana Newman · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a free kindle book it was entertaining and cute

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recommended read. Our heroine is trying to work her way up to the major tabloids but is hired for her looks by a fourth rate tabloid. Mystery ensues.

[Teresa Scott]

Another great book by Halliday. Keep them coming.

[~Leslie~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think my IQ went down several points after reading this. Writing not bad, amusing story and characters. But how do you make working for a tabloid okay. Yuck!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the final book. Great wrap up to a 3 book series :)

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It! All her books make me laugh...