I'd like to welcome to my blog today the dashingly handsome actor, Mr. Oliver Hannel. Oliver, thanks for joining us. Let's not waste any time and get right into it. So, Oliver, tell us about yourself? What are your strengths & weaknesses?
O: Right, I was born and raised in London, England. I’m from a family of all boys and I’m the youngest and I couldn’t wait to get away. Somehow I was always the one to get pummeled in the house. In my case, thank God for boarding school. Not only did my schooling take me away from my tormenting older brothers, but it opened up many a door to my career as agents and scouts often searched the campus for young talent. Fortunately, I fit the part.
My strengths and weaknesses…hmm, well Layla might tell you my weakness is communication. I might not always say what I should or hide things I don’t want her to hear. I suppose I have a bad habit of telling people what they want to hear rather than what they should hear. My strengths though, probably make up for it. I love whole-heartedly. It takes a lot for someone to lose my affection, especially Layla.
That's a great trait for you to have! Speaking of Layla, how did you two meet? What was your first impression of her? *winks at someone over Oliver's left shoulder*
O: Ah, I met Layla in the most strangest of places…in an altercation. She was having trouble with someone who mistook her for her sister, she’s a twin, and I came to her rescue. Funny story, I was working on the movie at the time,
The Shock, you know the comic book superhero who can manipulate electricity, well, I happened to come across her attack while I was still wearing my costume. I suppose not every woman can say she was actually saved by a superhero…but Layla can.
My first impression of her was that she was small and dainty, and very beautiful with luscious lips, but shortly after I met her I found so much more than her physicality appealing. She’s also very talented, very creative and very stubborn.
L: Oh, and you aren’t, Oliver?
O: Sorry, darling, I didn’t see you come in. MJ, this is Layla, my lovely girlfriend.
L: Hi MJ, sorry to barge in, but I heard Ollie’s little comment about me being stubborn. You are just as stubborn as I am, but in my eyes it’s our hard-headedness that gets us what we need in life. Don’t you think so?
O: *kisses Layla* Yes, sweetheart, it certainly is. And for the record, I secretly love your stubborn streak. It’s one of the qualities I love the most about you. You persevere through anything. Anyhow, back to the interview. What shall we talk about next?
Well, why don't you tell me what is it that you want out of life?
O: Hmm, that’s a good question. I wouldn’t mind a healthy family as well as a healthy career. Oh and an Oscar or BAFTA one day would be nice. (BAFTA is the British Academy of Film and Television Arts)
Has life handed you any major disappointments?
O: Not many. We’ve all lived through tough situations and those were disappointed at the time they were happening, like when I had moved to America to further my career and lived day to day on bartender tips just to makes ends meet. But even then the disappointments I suffered turned into blessings in disguise.
Now Oliver, I know you're a very busy guy, but imagine--if you can--you just have been given an unexpected free day. What would you do with it?
O: I’m a big fan of Art, History, and Science, so you might find me in a museum, taking in the sights. But then again since I work such long hours I might just stay home reading or playing a video game or two. Yes, I know…boring. I’m a closet geek.
Nothing wrong with indulging your inner geek. Okay, time for a fun one. If you owned a CB radio what would your "handle" be? What would Layla’s be?
O: That’s funny, I haven’t thought about CB Radios in a long time. My grandfather had one in his study long ago. What would be my handle? How about Shocking Ollie. Layla, yours could be Hot Lips! *laughs*
L: Oh brother! *rolls eyes*
Well now, Miss Layla. Since you decided to pop in here, I think it's only fair that you share the hot seat with Oliver. So tell us about yourself? What is your occupation? Strengths, weaknesses?
L: Well, I’m a Greenfield, Indiana native. And currently I’ve been painting the newest wing of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It’s coming out beautifully too. It’s the biggest piece of artwork I’ve ever done!
Strengths and weaknesses, well, how do I put this… I feel. I’m empathetic or sensitive; those are the words I’m looking for. I consider those traits a strength, since it helps me relate to how others are feeling around me. But on the hand, I’m not very good at letting others lend me a hand when I should. I tend to want to do things by myself.
I think we all fall into that trap sometimes. What’s your family like and how does your upbringing affect you now?
L: My family is a typical one – a father, mother, and an identical twin sister. We’ve lived in Greenfield my whole life and it was always so simple and wonderful. I loved it. But a few years ago when the recession hit our little town suffered a lot of job cuts and one by one my family members left. First, it was my mom and dad. Dad went to get his outsourced job back over in India along with my mother and a year later my sister ventured out and moved to Vegas.
I loved my upbringing and loved being independent when everyone moved away, but at the same time, I was lonely. All together though it’s made me a stronger person and I’m grateful. That’s one good thing about Oliver too, with his time in boarding school, he too, learned to embrace his loneliness and be more independent. It builds character.
Speaking of Oliver...I think a lot of the women out there would love to hear your inside scoop on things. Describe Oliver for us. What was your first impression of him? Did it change over time?
L: At first I thought he was crazy. I mean who dresses up like a superhero and says things like, “that’s no way to treat a lady.”
O: That’s not what I said.
L: Okay, then what was it Mr. Actor, get it perfect.
O: I said, “I’m someone who knows better than to hit a lady.”
L: That’s right. MJ, it was so cheesy but so sweet, because you know what? He’s that’s who he really is. He believes in respect and honor when it comes to others, especially those he loves. He’s a good guy, despite what the paparazzi and tabloid reporters say.
Is there anything about Oliver that you would consider a flaw?
L: Oh he was totally right before. He’s awful with communication. But he’s hot so I let him get away with it…sometimes.
Yes, hotness can make up for a lot. Has life handed you any major disappointments?
L: I like to think positively, yeah I’ve had a lot of moments I wished I didn’t go through, but every moment has been something that has made me a better person. I’m a firm believe to make mistakes big and learning from them, so no matter what life becomes an education and not full of rights and wrongs.
And turn about is fair play, so we've got a fun one for you, too. What CD is in your CD player right now?
L: I have far more music on my iPod than CDs these days. I love having music playing while I’m painting or sculpting in my studio. I have an eclectic variety of tastes from Linkin’ Park to Taylor Swift. But I think my favorite is guitar music. I grew up being associated with Eric Clapton’s song Layla so artists like Ed Sheeran or Austin Plaine are a more updated form of quiet acoustical guitar music that warm my soul.
O: Ed Sheeran? Wasn’t one of his songs playing when we first made l—
L: Ollie!
O: Right, that’s not appropriate for this venue. Sorry. Thank you for your questions MJ. Everyone, check out our love story written by Eryn LaPlant entitled, Falling for Shock. She did a wonderful job capturing Layla and my meeting and first few weeks together.
Oliver Hannel, England’s sexiest new star, has finally moved from the television screen to the silver screen, playing comic book hero The Shock in Hollywood’s upcoming blockbuster. While filming one summer night in the midwestern town of Greenfield, Indiana, Oliver finds himself witnessing a crime in progress. Will he embrace his inner superhero and save the day? Or will he remember he isn’t invincible and call for help?
Layla Brooks is a small town girl with a big spirited heart, especially when it comes to her twin sister, Lucy. She will rest at nothing to protect her from a casino mogul’s henchman bent on collecting a debt… even if that includes taking her sister’s punishment. But a strange suited man from out of the shadows isn’t about to let that happen.
Oliver and Layla’s opposite worlds collide with a Bam! But are either of them ready for the lies, truth and lust that comes along with a relationship born of shock? Or will their love come and go as fast as a bolt of lightning?
Author Bio~
Eryn LaPlant grew up wishing she could have lived in the books she read, living through characters and their romantic adventures. Now she writes romances of her own to share with readers like you. When not writing, she spends her time with her loving husband, their handsome son and fluffy new Pomeranian puppy in the Land of Lincoln.
You can find Eryn at:
Twitter: @erynalicia
IG: @erynalicia
FB: Eryn LaPlant http://on.fb.me/10fGbYs
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/IsIkJ0
Website: www.novelisterynlaplant.wordpress.com
You can buy FALLING FOR SHOCK at:
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