Film critic by day - Novelist by night
Writer Phil Villarreal, known around town for being the Arizona Daily Star’s film critic or Philm Guy, is poised to take his writing in a new direction. Villarreal’s first novel, Stormin’ Mormon, is set to release in March.
Full-time talk radio host and part-time con-artist Saul Cruz and free-wheeling college student Jerusha Goodman have fallen hard for one another. Problem is, both are tied down in uninspiring relationships to kind but dull people. Since neither is the cheating type, and the thought of dumping their lovestruck sig-o’s cold seems too cruel to fathom, Saul and Jerusha formulate a scam that will allow them to be together. They’ll pretend to be Mormon, suddenly foregoing sex, wine, coffee and R-rated movies, with the goal to irritate their partners away.
The switch is easy for Saul, an agnostic, as well as Jerusha, a Jack Mormon who has drifted from the flock, to the chagrin of her nagging mother. Will the ruse be enough to drive away Shannon, Saul’s doting, baby-talking ex-cheerleader girlfriend and Jared, Jerusha’s live-in blue-collar beau? The answer lies in Stormin’ Mormon, a romantic comedy that’s a religious experience.
Pre-orders are being accepted at Amazon.com