Three and a Half Weeks (56 page)

Casting News
: As Variety reported last week and we can now confirm, casting has now been completed for the film version of the bestselling novel
Three and A Half Weeks
. Producers are allowing the book’s author to release the actors’ names in her blog tomorrow yet author Ariel Strong, contacted while honeymooning in the South of France, would not comment on the actors cast. Ms. Strong recently wed wealthy Portland businessman and philanthropist Ian Blackmon. Her agent issued this press release from Ms. Strong:

“Everyone associated with this film worked tirelessly to find the right actors to bring our wonderful characters to life. I hope my fans will recognize that casting directors have to work with a variety of factors, talent and availability being first and foremost. I ask everyone to reserve comment until the film is completed and released and they can see for themselves how close to the mark we’ve actually hit. Until then, thank you for your support and please remember to pick up my new book,
From this Day Forward,
upon its release in December.”

Associated Press/Entertainment News:

BLOGGING YOUR PARDON

(with apologies to W. Shakespeare)

Brooklyn Hyatt, an up and coming celebrity blogger was the first to break the news that perhaps the novel
Three and a Half Weeks
was not the fictional tale we all were led to believe, and, of course, the way it’s been touted and marketed.

In last week’s blog entitled
And Thereby Hangs a Single tail
, Mr. Hyatt takes issue with author Ariel Strong labeling her racy novel fiction and claims it’s actually a true account of her meeting and having an affair with none other than her brand new husband, wealthy financier and philanthropist Ian Blackmon.

We at
Hyatt Blogs the Question
want to do a scratch and sniff to get at the nitty gritty of the rumor. Is Ian Blackmon the man behind the whip? Is Ariel Strong the girl who fled his domination?

Let’s look at the facts: Ms. Strong was living in Portland while attending undergraduate school. Shortly after graduation, she left the country (or fled?) for an Oxford fellowship, studying under the eminent art historian, Charles Norwood-Finch. One year later, she’s back, and again seen out and about with Mr. Blackmon. The facts seem to follow the novel’s arc, and the characters Rafe and Gia, including their reunion one year later.

Ms. Strong’s new novel,
Three and a Half Weeks… Again
, is another supposedly fictional novel with a similar theme and feel to it, but with a whole new raft of characters. Should we believe this one is fictional, too, Ms. Strong?

We reached out to both Mr. Blackmon and Ms. Strong. Their respective publicists provided us with the identical response:
no comment
; however, a press release was issued the following day by Ms. Strong’s literary agent, Mo Jackson, of Authors’ Haven Literary Agency. In it Ms. Jackson assures the reading public that both novels are fictional works of art, calling any other claims “nonsensical” and points out the author, not being clairvoyant, “couldn’t possibly foretell the book’s
denouement
a year in advance” as the novel does in fact culminate. Jackson then refocuses the press release on the imminent release of the film, reading like a… well, like a press release.

We think the sizzzlingly hot (that extra z is there on purpose) Mr. Ian Blackmon
would make one hell of a sexy Dominant. Additionally, Ms. Strong, who happens to be demurely beautiful, would look oh so good in a bit and harness.

Our response to Ms. Jackson’s denial?
Hyatt blogs to differ
.

End

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Want more of the hot, hot, hot Daniel Butler? Pick up the novels about Daniel and his Olivia:
Complements
and
Complements, Book II: A Force of Nature
(available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords).