Book News: Two more join celebrity turned author ranks for your guilty reading pleasure!

That's right, Hilary Duff and Tyra Banks are joining reality TV veteran Lauren Conrad as celebrities turned authors.  I've been trying to think of any books I've read by celebrities turned authors, and nope, I can't think of one.  I am a fan of The Hills, though, and I admit that Lauren Conrad's L.A Candy series is on my guilty reading pleasures wishlist.  Sometimes you just want a book that is candyfloss for the brain, right?  I see these as fun summer reads, to be enjoyed on the beach,  and not to be taken too seriously.  If you've read any of the L.A Candy series, let me know what you think.  Should I check them out, or are these books so bad they should be avoided at all costs?

Does it sometimes annoy you that these celebrities might get book deals just because of who they are, when other authors may struggle for years to get published just because they don't have these connections. For all I know, Duff and Banks might be great writers and may well deserve their publishing deals. We shall see...

- Hilary Duff's Elixir will be published in October 2010.  Honestly, I don't think the plot description sounds all that enticing, but I find it hard to resist a dangerous love triangle, so maybe I'll check it out sometime.  Also,  whileI love the colour purple, I think a little more effort is needed with this cover art.  It's a little bland, no?  Maybe you love it.  I can be difficult to please at times.

             Summary from Goodreads:

As the daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington D.C. politician, Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. And though she dreads the paparazzi who track her every move, she herself is a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world.

But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful young man begin to appear in Clea’s photos—a man she has never seen in her life.

When Clea suddenly encounters this man in person she is stunned—and feels an immediate and powerful connection. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance and discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond.

Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fate, together they race against time to unravel their past in order to save their future—and their lives. 

- Meanwhile, Tyra Banks has landed a three-book deal with Random House and promises to take her readers "to a fantastical place you’ve never seen, or heard about, or read about before… Where dreams come true and life can change in the blink of a smoky eye."  I guess this could be fun.  I really think Tyra should have put a little more thought into the name  though.  Modelland? It doesn't really work for me.  Also, while it wouldn't surprise me if Tyra put herself on the cover of her book, I don't think this is the final cover art for modelland. :)  No release date confirmed for this one yet.

Image and summary from Tyra.com

The story happens in a make-believe place called Modelland - every girl in the world wants to go there because it’s where “Intoxibellas” are trained.  Intoxibellas are drop-dead beautiful, kick-butt fierce and, yeah, maybe they have some powers too.  (But I’m confirming NOTHING! Ha. You gotta wait for the book.)  The story follows a teen girl and her friends who find themselves magically transported to Modelland, even though they’re really not supposed to be there. (Okay, now, that’s ALL I’m saying!)

Modelland has always been a part of my mind and my heart.  As you might know, I step into a bookstore and I shake (really!) because I love books so much.  Ever since I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to pick up a new book and see what worlds the writers had created for me. I especially loved books with strong girls and women – you know, girls with guts, smarts and attitude – and then one day it came to me… MODELLAND!   I’m getting it ready for you through my new division called Bankable Books and now I’m shaking for a different reason…  I’m excited that you’ll be able to read about this magical world that’s been living in my dreams for so many years.

Will you be checking these out, or will you give them both a miss? Let me know in comments.