Interview: “RED Hotel: A thriller within a hotel setting that has suspense and international intrigue”
“RED Hotel by Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller brings to life, in a thrilling novel, the dangers of soft targets. Using his past experiences as an overseer of Marriott International’s Global Security Strategy, and now President of the Irvine, California-based Laguna Strategic Advisors, a global consortium that provides business consulting services to corporations and governments, Fuller is able to help create a realistic plot with political thriller writer Grossman.
“The novel is a thriller within a hotel setting that has suspense and international intrigue. The plot involves a world adventure that is both realistic and believable, given the experiences of one of the authors, Ed Fuller. As the conflict intensifies readers will be on the edge of their seats.”
Elise Cooper: Did your experiences help to write this thriller?
Ed Fuller: I was President of the Marriott International Group for twenty-two years. I had to deal with a series of challenges from kidnappings, evacuations, dealing with drug cartels, and foreign governments. I knew it was necessary to build a crisis management organization.
EC: Why a novel?
EF: While I was still working with Marriott, I wrote a book, You Can’t Lead with your Feet on the Desk. It was a business book that reflected my experiences and philosophies. One of my friends in public relations suggested I make it into a movie. I sought the advice of another friend, Bruce Feirstein, who sat on a board with me and wrote three James Bond screenplays. He suggested I write a novel. Since I had trouble with pulling the characters together, I sought out a co-writer. I was impressed with Gary Grossman, a political thriller writer. So, the way it works is I contribute stories and strategy and Gary applies the glue, creativity, and through-line that binds our stories, characters.
EC: Gary, how did you find out about this project?
Gary Grossman: I bumped into a neighbor, Bruce Feirstein, who told me he knows of someone that wants to collaborate on a novel. I met with Ed and realized he was as much in the anti-terrorism business as the hotel business. I think it came down to a James Bond connection that put us together. I saw Ed as the real deal that has made the hotel experience safer for people. He had information that could protect guests around the globe.
To read the full interview, click here.
Tags: Beaufort Books, Ed Fuller, RED Hotel