Interview With C.J. Hollenbach

Today I'm pleased to introduce you to C.J. Hollenbach here on Cover Model Corner.

I met C.J. several years ago at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention and always look forward to seeing him again when I attend RT. The last time I saw C.J. was RT in Chicago in 2012, so it's fun to be able to catch up with him here today and to hear and share his exciting news with you. 

Welcome C.J.! Let's start at the beginning.

What was the first cover you appeared on and how did this come about?

C.J.) My first cover was for Susan King's, "The Stone Maiden", which has since been reissued in a new series of her trilogy.

This time I did the "The Stone Maiden" for the new batch. So, I've come full circle. (Talk about feeling OLD!) But, after 8 years of knocking on doors and pounding the pavement I happened to be in the right place at the right time and met the right person with the right contacts, the "perfect storm" if you will. The cover model business today is so different. E-books have opened up the market. It's much easier to do covers today. Back in the day if you didn't work in New York City, you didn't work. There I go "dating" myself again ...

Q.) If you could do a photo shoot anywhere in the world for a cover, where would you most want to go? What sort of shoot would it be?

C.J.) I've always wanted to go to Hawaii. Someplace there with a waterfall would be just fine. Any kind of exotic location would work. I'm used to studio work.

Q.) Beyond romance novel cover shots, what other projects or jobs keep you busy?

C.J.) My new book. See below!

Q.) What's one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?

C.J.) What's it like to be a cover model?

For ME, anyway, living in Ohio and doing what I do is not easy. I have to hide my hair as much as possible. I'm sort of a "dinosaur" in that sense. I seem to cause a stir whenever it's down. Kind of crazy, but it comes with the territory, I guess. Most of my friends won't go out with me in public anymore. They don't like the attention I seem to attract. I'm used to it. There aren't.

Q.) If you wrote a book, what would it be about?

C.J.) Funny you should ask! MY book, "Confessions Of A Romance Cover Model" was just released Christmas Day in E-book form. The paperback comes out Feb. 28th. It's about my 20 years in the romance cover model business. I'm still doing covers. So, I've outlived FABIO in that sense. He's in the book too! It begins with me being a contestant in the first every "Mr. Romance Cover Model Pageant" in San Diego at a Romantic Times convention. I've talked to so many "veteran" cover models who are mad that I beat them to the punch with my book. You snooze, you lose, Guys!

Q.) This question is almost always asked in interviews because your fitness level is beyond the average persons. What is your exercise routine and what sort of nutrition plan do you follow to achieve and maintain your level of fitness?

C.J.) I workout 6 days a week and try to divide my routine into a different body part every day. If I'm in training for a big shoot my diet is more strict. Most people know what to eat and what not to. Diet is so essential. They just don't want to deprive themselves. If it was that easy EVERYBODY would be a romance cover model. LOL

Q.) If you could share three simple fitness tips the average romance reader could do every day to stay healthy, what would they be?

C.J.) Try and do at least 20 minutes of cardio activity everyday. Do an ab routine you can stick with. Find something that works for you and "just do it"! Watch your diet!

Q.) It's your birthday dinner and the calories don't count. What's on the menu and what are you drinking?

C.J.) If calories don't count WHAT ISN'T ON THE MENU? Cake for sure. Good champagne is good too.

Q.) Please share one unusual fact about your or your life:

C.J.) I was named "Sexiest Grocer in America" after I was in Playgirl magazine and was still managing a grocery store. Most people don't visualize their grocery store managers naked … or at least they didn't! That title, as much as it makes me cringe sometimes has gotten me a lot of attention over the years. There's no such thing as bad publicity!

Eight Quickie Questions:

1.) Watching the sunrise or watching the sunset and the stars?

C.J.) Sunset. I've done some great cover shoots on location at sunset.

2.) The beach or the mountains?

C.J.) Beach

3.) Primitive camping or luxury hotel?

C.J.: Hotel! Room service? What could be better?

4.) Snow skiing or water skiing?

C.J.) Really neither, but snow skiing if I MUST choose!

5.) Favorite movie:

C.J.) The Birds, the B/W version of "Titanic", The Wizard of Oz

6.) Best book you ever read:

C.J.) Anything with ME on the cover! LOL

7.) Fav. Sport to watch:

C.J.) Golf, believe it or not.

C.J., thank you for visiting with me today. It's been fun getting to know you better. Before we say goodbye, how can fans stay up to date on your latest news?

Website: www.cjcovermodel.com

Facebook: CJ Hollenbach

Twitter: (coming soon!)

Be sure to check out C.J.'s new book! You can find it at: