One of my favorite events I was most recently invited to was a book reading/signing/meet and greet with the gorgeous Jackie Collins. If you don't know who Jackie Collins is...shame on you! Click here for some extra reading -----> Lucky is Back!
Now you are probably wondering what business does a homo musical theatre boy turned food blogger have at a media event of a best selling romance novelist? I wondered this myself but it all makes sense. Jackie has been writing since the late 60's turning out one hot novel after the next. Like all of our great idol divas she is ever evolving and has to keep things fresh! That's where I along with my other youngish media cohorts come in. We are that untapped demographic that may or may have not realized how fabulous she is and I was there, along with hot homo blogging buds @theblackoutblog & @totally_tyler, to experience it first hand! AND LET ME TELL YOU... GERL IS FIERCE, FUNNY, FABULOUS and DEFINITELY GOURMET!!
The event was held at the beautiful Library Bar of the Hudson Hotel. The 20 of us were greeted with elegant hors d'oeuvres, lychee martinis topped off with champagne and copies of her latest novel GODDESS OF VENGEANCE!! My kinda party...as we mingled I don't think anyone was prepared for Jackie. We gathered with our cocktails for the reading, Jackie sat thumbing through her book trying to find the selection she was about to read and I as I often do inappropriately and loudly barked "Turn to the bedroom scene!" To which she repiled.."I'm actually looking for the elevator scene but if I can't find it I'll just have to read the part about the two hookers!" I fell in love immediately!
Jackie has lived some life, including a small affair with Marlon Brando (Get it gerl!), and the best part of it all she is very unaffected by all of her success. She is warm, charming, personable and a riot! Drawing her inspiration from her life in LA and all around her she often has sleepless nights as these characters pour from her fingers on to the page. Her favorite of all her babies? Her latest book Goddess of Vengeance...why? because in 1981 she created the character Lucky Santangelo and to watch her story evolve is an amazing thing. She says she never knows what is going to happen in her books until the characters lead her there. I love the artistic process!!
Being birds of a feather she and I obviously got along famously! She even signed a book from Momma Gladys who was super ecstatic about it! My only regret is that this book wasn't out in June...why? cause this would have been beach reading supreme!
Rumor has it that there is a Lucky Santangelo cook book in the works...not only is she hot in the bedroom but she's cookin' in the kitchen.?!?! Say What? Hmmm...it isn't possible that Jackie was thinking of me when creating Lucky is it? I mean Lucky & I were both born the same year!
Goddess of Vengeance is now available on st. Martin Press -click here for a quick link to Amazon to purchase your copy - I NEED IT! or scroll down to win yourself a copy!
Special thanks obviously goes out to Jackie for bein' fabulous but I do have to say thanks to Simone Grant & Ann-Marie Nieves for makin' it happen!
GIVEAWAY!!!!
Due to the lack of brains/common sense that some people in my mail room have I didn't get the copy of this book that was originally sent to me till weeks later. So it just so happens I have an extra copy that I now will give to one of you lucky wieners! (yes wieners..)
How to win!?!?
1. I was racking my brain to think of a Lucky Santangelo inspired dish.. you know.. something elegant, sexy, fiery! It took me a minute but I think I have to throw this one back to my Watermelon Heirloom Tomato Salad with Feta & Serrano Chiles with a Cilantro, Mint Dressing! dont know it? click here - YUM
So now I ask you my little duckies... what would be your Lucky Santangelo inspired dish? Post below in the comment section and you could be the lucky winner! (pun intended)
Other ways to get an extra entry...
A. Like me on Facebook and let me know! - LIKE MY FACE!
B. Follow Me on Twitter & show me the love - TWEET ME! (@thegaygourmet)
C. Like Jackie on Facebook and tell her I sent ya by tagging my in the post - I HEART JACKIE!
D. Tweet Jackie & tell her I sent ya/tag me - YO JACKIE!
E. Tweet @theblackoutblog and or @totally_tyler tell them I sent ya!
Winner will be decided by random selection on Tuesday October 4th.
This contest is solely run by The Gay Gourmet!™ Sorry folk but entries from the USA only.
Till next time my young cookers!
Deliciously Living,
Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet!™
©2011 Michael Muñoz
