Holly Would Dream

with ideas for exhibits, what it takes to put a show together, the security measures in place to ensure the safety of their costumes, how delicate gowns are restored, what might be a giveaway that a gown had been altered, and much more. It was fascinating stuff. I tried to build much of what I learned from her into the story. When I told Dr. Steele what I had in mind for the costumes at Holly’s museum, she was horrified. Still, she was a great sport in helping me devise fictional ways that Holly might have slipped those dresses out of the museum.

Even though you deal with some serious subjects—including work, love, and family—there is always a strong sense of humor and fun in your novels. How important is it to you to incorporate humor?

I love reading novels or watching shows that make me laugh out loud. So I purposefully aim for that when writing my books. The world is a pretty tough place, isn’t it? We can all use a good laugh. I hear it’s as good for your health as working out.

Denis and Holly share some steamy scenes while they are in Rome. Are loves scenes difficult to write?

They used to be very hard for me to write. When I had to write my first sex scenes, I bought several books on how to write sex scenes and followed their advice. I remember writing my first steamy scenes and e-mailing them to my mother who told me they were not hot enough. Over the last few years, I’ve studied at Mama Gena’s School of Womanly Arts. There is a lively sexual component to the classes. That has really helped me write about sex in a more playful way.

Holly lives every girl’s dream when she dons the ball gown Audrey Hepburn wore for the embassy ball in My Fair Lady. If you could wear one of her iconic ensembles, which one would you choose?

Of course, the black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s comes to mind. That would still be in style today. I also love the red gown with the matching scarf that she wore in Funny Face. The dress that Princess Ann wore in the last scene of Roman Holiday is one of my all-time favorites. It reminds me of my mother’s wedding gown from 1953. That was the same year Roman Holiday was released.

What are you working on now?

My books tend to start out as one thing and turn into something else entirely. So if I told you the plot of my newest novel, it will probably have nothing to do with the book that is actually published.

 

Enhance Your Book Club

To find out more about author Karen Quinn, check out her official site, www.karenquinn.net, which includes information about her other titles as well as Karen’s personal blog.

You can learn more about screen legend Audrey Hepburn at www.audreyhepburn.com, which has information about her life, her career, and her charity, the Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund.

Make your book club night a book-and-a-movie night by screening some of the many great films mentioned in Holly Would Dream. The author recommends Roman Holiday and An Affair to Remember.