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CJ is RUTHLESS!
by CJ Hollenbach
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I met Leslie Burbank a few years ago at an RT convention. This was before she married her husband, Leland and became the blonder, prettier half of the romance industry's favorite cover couple. With her massive golden mane and pink tee-shirt and shorts she could have easily been a Spice Girl. I knew within seconds of talking to her, Leslie was no dumb blonde. She was driven, articulate and as it turns out very talented. Leslie confessed she was an aspiring writer and I had no doubt she would make it. Fast forward to 2002's Reno RT convention. Leslie is now a romance writer in her own right. So, when she asked me to appear on the cover of her latest book "THE RUTHLESS" in the "Lords of Darkness" series, I said "Of course!" She told me I was her first choice to portray her hero King Lir, a mean vampyre, with a Y. Once again, CJ's "mean look" pays off! Leslie asked if they could paint me white for the photo shoot to give me a frozen look. I told her she could paint me purple if she was paying. She even paid me more than I usually receive to pose for a cover, but if the truth be told I would have done it for her for free. We cover models have to stick together. I really have to start a union. I flew to Chicago on a frigid March morning. Leslie was there to meet me at a deserted O'Hare airport. We drove to meet Leland at Medieval Times, where he is a master of ceremonies and horse rider/jouster. Leland was the perfect host and showed me around arena where I met all the horses. Leslie confided a story where Leland recently spearheaded a deal to sell some of the older horses to private owners and farms as opposed to horse traders. That way they would be assured that none of horses would end up at the glue factory and would go to good homes in their retirement. You are truly a hero, Leland! The 3 of us drove to a Halloween convention in downtown Chicago to meet Lynn Sanders who would be doing the photography. Leslie kept apologizing for bringing me to the convention, which was really interesting. The convention is where the Jaycee's and such go to buy exhibits. There were macabre and ghoulish make-up demonstrations and people with bullet wounds to the head were everywhere. Then, there were the ones with their faces torn off. Cool. To be honest, I was a bit in awe of Lynn Sanders, who is legendary in the romance industry. Her photography and illustrations are phenomenal. Leslie and I would be staying at Lynn's house outside Chicago. I've always been told that the romance industry is like a big family and this proved it. Lynn could not have been nicer. The mansion-like house was sprawling with her incredible works of art on every wall. It was like a big, homey museum. I got lost several times the place was so big and a search party was sent out. Luckily for me, Leslie gave me enough advance notice that I could go into training for the shoot. I would be wearing a fake wolf fur cape and white make-up and that's all. Do you think we cover models roll out of bed with a 30 inch waist and a 45 inch chest? Well, I don't anyway. Weeks of extra gym time, cardio and fat burning supplements would get me into picture perfect shape...hopefully. You can be the judge of that. Leland and Leslie modeled for another cover with Lynn before I was to do mine. After which the two got to work on my transformation into a frozen vampyre. "Do you mine if we paint you white CJ?" Leslie asked. Since I had already originally agreed, I said "Sure, go ahead!". I know other models who would have refused, though. What a trooper I am! When they were finished I thought I looked like a fugitive from the old "Munster's" TV show. Lynn and I just looked just looked at each other apprehensively. After we looked at the first image on the digital camera, we all said "How cool is that?!" The shoot was the most effortless one I've done to date. They handed me swords and axes to pose with, each larger than the next. The time and the shutter flew and before you know it I was finished. Now, came the fun part, taking off the make-up. After removing several layers of skin scrubbing, Leslie said "Oh, CJ I forget to tell you, I brought make-up remover!!" Thanks Les! Hey, a little dermabrasion never hurt anybody, anyway. Lynn drove me to the airport and we bonded on the way. She was one of the nicest and dearest people I've met in a while and then there's that talent! I feel truly honored having shot with her. Working with Leland and Leslie was also a joy. They are a beautiful couple and now good friends of mine. I predict Leslie with be an author to be reckoned with in the future. I'll work for you anytime, Les! The release date for "The Ruthless" is coming up soon. I will keep you posted.
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