The Savannah Article

By Liz Rau

What happens when a young journalist shadows Hollywood’s number one actor? Perhaps, not what you may think...

From the author of Pieces of Accordance comes an exciting new romance: The Savannah Article.
Cole Black waited six months to get her first assignment with FTP Magazine, but had she known it would turn her life upside down, she may have reconsidered. Charged with portaying an actor as an everyday man, will she be able to deal with Joshua Danes and his ego? Not to mention his charming Hollywood appeal?

Mr Hollywood never knew what was coming...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liz Rau
• Release date: Oct 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463765029

Liz Rau

Missouri born and raised, Liz Rau now resides in Denver, Colorado. As an avid and passionate supporter of the performance arts community, Liz’s background & hobbies include dance, choreography, theatre and writing.With a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Southeast Missouri State University, Liz continues her education in communications while currently employed in the sales field; and actively travels throughout the world to the places that inspire her.With six nieces & nephews, she often considers her role as an “Auntie” as one of her greatest pleasures in life. She also dotes on her two cats, one of which is black & fluffy...perhaps the real-life inspiration for Hanks?Follow on Facebook Twitter and Instagram - @LizRauOfficialWebsite: www.LizRauOfficial.comLiz also find inspiration through Judy Garland movies, Christmas lights, music, rainy days, daydreams, and of course, good old fashioned people watching.

Book preview

Chapter One

Cole Black sipped on her piping hot mocha as she stepped into Kansas City’s FTP Magazine conference room, her black pumps clacking against the dark bamboo floors as she passed the windows looking out onto the Power and Light district. During the last few years, Kansas City’s economy had really boomed and FTP, an online magazine, followed in the footsteps of several corporate giants and had relocated from Los Angeles to Kansas City as a cost saving measure. As a Boonville born and bred girl, and recent graduate from college, a Kansas City career opportunity in journalism was the perfect first job.

As she set her steaming travel mug on the table, Cole plopped herself down in the uncomfortable conference room chair, her knock off designer bag gently dropping onto the floor. Reaching into the black oversized purse, Cole retrieved her notebook, smartphone and softly placed it on the glass table.

Hey Cole, what are you doing tonight?

Cole looked across the table to see Blake Garrison taking his seat. Who wants to know? Glancing down at her watch, she noted that the meeting did not start for another seven minutes. Why do I always have to be early?

I do. Do you want to go out with me tonight? Blake gave her a rather cheesy smile, or at least it looked cheesy to Cole.

And what would we do? Cole leaned on to the table and smiled coyly at Blake. "Go grab a bite at Mickey D's, then go to a club where I pay to get us in, and then finally head back to your apartment for an extra after hour’s playtime? Cole sipped her caffeine. No thanks."

Blake frowned. That was one time! Why won't you give me another chance, huh?

Blake, we went out. We went out for three and a half months. It didn't work.

I can make it work this time. Please go out with me tonight. There's a new band at the club.

Cole shook her head as she groaned inwardly, sipping her morning coffee. Would he ever learn the meaning of no? Does he not know he has the face of a pretentious jerk? She looked up to see her friends and colleagues stride into the room with only one minute until to go. Putting her green and white travel mug back on the glass table, she looked at Blake direct in the eye. No.

No what? Ana Herring, with her curly toffee colored hair bouncing with each step, breezed through the doorway with some coworkers and sat down next to Cole.

Oh, you know, the usual.

Ana looked at Blake. Blake, when are you going to learn she doesn't want you. Ana and Cole giggled.

Yeah laugh it up. That's right, go on and laugh away.

Dude, give it up! George Ellis put his hand on Blake's shoulder. It's over.

This place is nothing but pure humiliation. I swear! Blake threw his hand up in the air in aggravation, swiping it through his greasy frat boy haircut.

Alright, alright! Quit the chit-chatting and let's get this meeting underway! a voice boomed as grey-haired man strode into the room. Chandler Yates was Editor of the FTP Magazine and was seventy-years-old. He was just one of those people who came off very bitter when he chose to get straight to the point. Joshua Danes needs to promote his new movie ‘Pieces of Accordance’ and his publicist called us. Do you know what that means Mr. Garrison?

Every chair at the table squeaked as everybody turned to look at Blake. Spit your gum out Mr. Garrison, you sound like a chomping horse.

Blake spit his gum out into his hand and tossed it over his shoulder into the trashcan, conveniently located directly behind him.

Care to answer that question Mr. Garrison?

It uh…it means someone in this room is going to do a layout… and an interview?

Very good Mr. Garrison. You are not as dumb as you look.

Ana and I exchanged a glance of disagreement with that statement.

Now, I've been thinking about this for a day. In other words, I've only known about for a day. We need something fresh. Something new. Something young… and exciting. Mr. Yates had been painting the picture with his hands when he turned suddenly and pointed to Cole. I need you!

Me?

Yes, you. You've been here what-

Six months, sir.

And I have been saving you, saving you for something like this. This assignment will make you huge. You will be a household name! The job starts on May 7th. That gives you one week to pick the style, format, motif, layout, location, and story. You'll spend five days with Mr. Danes. That way you're able to get behind the scene footage as well as an in-depth story. This story will be featured in July’s edition, so you'll have no cushion time to write it. I’ll see you in my office tomorrow,7:00am sharp, with Mr. Danes publicist. We can discuss the rest of the details then.

Yes sir.

Now, on to other important issues I have to discuss….

Cole drowned out on what Mr. Yates was saying. Joshua Danes? Whoa, that's big-time stuff. Joshua Danes was notoriously private, avoided social media and had a reputation as being less than pleasant to work with.

Ana broke her trail of thoughts when she leaned over and whispered Pssst. Cole! Joshua Danes? Girl, you are so lucky!

Cole wasn’t so sure as her anxiety set in upon her dear friend’s words.

Chapter Two

Savannah? Georgia? What! She's picked the shoot to be down there? Joshua Danes threw his new movie script down on his glass coffee table and plopped into his big, bulky leather chair, arms crossed as a pout adorned his chiseled features.

Josh – buddy – pal! His publicist, Jerry, calmly set down in the big, bulky leather chair across from Josh with his hands out. What's wrong with Georgia?

There's nothing down there!

Uh, you see that's just not true.

Oh really, Josh said sarcastically.

Really. Hey, Tom Hanks shot his famous bench, Jerry used finger quotes as he spoke, "scenes from Forrest Gump down there."

That movie was over-hyped. And not to mention Tom Hanks is an old man now.

Paula Deen has her restaurant there.

Springing to his feet, Josh pointed to his eight-pack framed by an overly tight white shirt and raised an eyebrow, Do I look like I eat sticks of butter and fried macaroni?

A grimace crossed Jerry’s face. "Okay, okay. Well, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was filmed down there as well."

Who was in that? The picture-perfect and ever-so-handsome actor plopped back into the chair.

I don't know, John Cusack or somebody. Anyhow, you could make this town famous by going down there.

Josh looked up in curiosity, but not fully convinced.

Totally. Just think about it. You’ll be doing this town a favor, Josh. Tourists will come from all over that world just to be in the spot where Joshua Danes, Hollywood heart throb, once stood. Jerry nodded his head. I can see it now. Young girls with the cell phone cameras and I Luv Joshua t-shirts taking nonstop fan photos at all the places where you were! Your target audience will adore you even more!

Josh stood up and looked out his window, smiling vainly within his thoughts. Well, you do have a point. In addition, I would be helping society and all. Maybe we could even do some charity activities down there… that would really make me look good, too. I mean, I know my image isn’t the best… but something with animals this time. I almost passed out from the smell of the blood donation center last time. He chewed on his lower lip. Okay, I'll do it.

Fabulous Josh! Jerry put his hand on Josh's left shoulder. I'll call Miss Black and tell her we're all set. Jerry started to walk away when he heard Josh say what he'd been waiting for.

So… you've met this girl? The brooding actor arched his chocolate eyebrows, running his hand through his wavy black locks as he tried to appear nonchalant in his curiosity.

Woman, I’ve met this woman. And… yep. Jerry continued walking towards the door as he made a popping sound with his last word.

Well? What's she like? Josh was shocked he was so curious – so intrigued. Caring about someone else’s opinion was so unlike him.

Jerry stopped to look at him as he opened the door. She's nice. Very nice.

Josh decided to go with Jerry. Hold up, I'm going with you. Jerry, don't hold out on me man! No, really! What's she like, he asked as he shut the door to his movie trailer behind him.

Chapter Three

Cole hung her phone up and strode into her bedroom to pack. Mr. Singers – or Jerry as he asked her to call him – was sending a car service to pick her up in one hour, which would be taking her to the Charles B. Wheeler airport in downtown Kansas City, where she would then take a private jet to Savannah, Georgia.

Sure, Cole was nervous, though not about meeting Joshua Danes. Oh no, it was the fact that this is the biggest job she'd ever done. Not only was she to scribe the story, but she would have to accompany it with the ten-page layout of photos she was also responsible for shooting. The word candid was used at least twenty times in her meeting with Mr. Yates, so Cole was fairly positive the photos needed to be as un-staged as possible. And though she loved photography – had accomplished a double major in both film and journalism – Cole also knew every horror story of celebrity shoots that had come through the FTP newsroom. Spending the next five days with an actor, his publicist and shadowing him as he does whatever Joshua Danes would do on a regular basis, was sure to be a challenge. Plus, she now