Hollywood actress Hilary Duff is now a romance novelist.

The recently-married actress has been courting the press lately to promote her novel Elixir.The book follows protagonist Clea Raymond, a budding photojournalist, whose job takes her around the globe.

Previously, Hilary promised Elixir to be "a novel that will transport readers and open new worlds for them."

"I've always loved the escape of a great book, especially one that features a strong, inspiring female character you feel you really understand, someone who could be you, but living a more fascinating life. I'm hoping Elixir will be that kind of book -- a novel that will transport readers and open new worlds for them," said Hilary Duff in a statement made at the inking of the book deal with Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

It does appear that Hilary Duff delivered well on her promise. Amazon.com teases readers with a very intriguing sneek-peak to the book's plot:

"Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be 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, Clea's photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man-a man she has never seen before." (Read more at Amazon.com, where Elixir hard cover edition is sold at just $10.17!)

In an interview, Hilary Duff was asked if she had drawn from her experience as an internationally-recognized star for the Elixir protagonist Clea Raymond who like Hilary Duff "has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life."

Hilary Duff answered: "I like to think of Clea as a totally unrelated character, but I guess subconsciously, authors inject pieces of their personality and experiences into the story."

"In a way, Clea's challenge of dealing with fame relates to my personal experience and really adds to the story, but it differs in that Clea's parents were famous, and she wants to break that mold she has been set in."

To learn more about the book, read the full interview with Hilary Duff here. For this week, Hilary will be in the following venues to promote her book:

  • Oct15: BOOKS & BOOKS (9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, FL 7:00 PM)
  • Oct16: ANDERSON'S BOOKSHOP (123 West Jefferson, Naperville, IL 6:00 PM)
  • Oct17: BARNES & NOBLE (721 Gravois Road Fenton, MO 3:00 PM)
  • Oct 19: BARNES AND NOBLE (189 Grove Drive Los Angeles, CA 7:00 PM)