Friday, June 11, 2010

Review and Giveaway!! The Starlet by Mary McNamara

About the book:
It’s a not-so-well-respected rule in Hollywood that what happens on location stays on location. But when a hot young leading man winds up dead in his Rome hotel room, his costar’s life is about to go off the rails in a very public way—even by celeb standards. At the tender age of twenty-three, Mercy Talbot has won an Oscar, battled addiction, wrecked more than her share of cars, and burned down her house. Her look-alike mother keeps her on a tight leash (and fueled with an endless supply of OxyContin and cocaine) and her producers demand a grueling schedule. By the time she stumbles across Juliette Greyson, a Hollywood insider on a much-needed vacation, Mercy is surrounded by photographers and about to emerge drunk, high, and naked from a public fountain. Whisking her away to an idyllic Tuscan ‘retreat,’ Juliette is about to discover another rule of Hollywood: wherever the starlet may go, the drama will follow.

OMG, you guys, The Starlet by Mary McNamara was amazing. I couldn't put it down!!! It's the story of Mercy Talbot, and it seems to have been ripped from the headlines of a certain ailing starlet of our time. The characters are so vivid and seem so real that you really feel like you are a part of their lives. The death of Mercy's costar, Lloyd, fuels Mercy's already thriving drug addiction. Despite the "help" of her attention seeking mother and a well known rehab, Mercy seems unable to kick her habit. However, she is the most amazing actress, able to turn into her character flawlessly, whether she's high or not.

Not only are the characters real and believable, but the setting where the book takes place also comes alive. This novel is set in Tuscany, Italy, and McNamara's descriptions of the countryside and the villa where most of the book takes place are so stunning, you feel like you are actually there.

And, there is a mystery in this story as well. What's really going on behind the scenes of Mercy's latest movie? Is the rehab guru really there to help, or is he just attention seeking and money hungry? And what secrets are these characters hiding?

You have to pick up this book, it's amazing!!! In fact, I have an extra copy to give away!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post!!! Be sure to include a valid email address, or you won't be entered, I have to have a way to contact you!!! Contest is open to EVERYONE, and closes on Tuesday, June 22. I'll pick a winner using random.org on Wednesday, June 23. Good luck!!!!

17 comments:

Linda L said...

Sounds like a great read--your review has enticed me! Please enter me into the giveaway: linda.limbach@gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

Since you liked this one so much, I'm going to throw my name in the hat. Thanks! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Rebekah said...

Your reviews always make me want to read more!

pokeybear1 (at) nyc.rr.com

Mystica said...

Thanks for a review on a book which I hadnt heard about. Also a big thank you for opening it to everyone!

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Carol M said...

This sounds good! Please enter me! Thank you!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

baileythebookworm said...

Looks like a good book -I'm not often one to read about Hollywood, but your excitement is infectious. :)

baileythebookworm[at]gmail.com

Dawn M. said...

This isn't my normal genre to read but your review convinced me to give it a try. Count me in, please! :0)

Thanks!
librarygrinch at gmail dot com

JHS said...

I've read a few good reviews of this one!

BTW, stop by Colloquium, and enter to win a copy of "This One is Mine" by Maria Semple. You can sign up until midnight (Pacific time), June 15, 2010!

JHS
Colloquium

jhsmail at comcast dot net

Erika Powell said...

Sounds really fun and perfect for reading by the pool
sports[dot]erikalynn[at]gmail[dot]com

Azull said...

Sounds like a great book!

Andrea said...

Sounds like a great summer read...please enter me!

belle2211(at)yahoo(dot)com

avalonne83 said...

Great giveaway!

Please count me in. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] com

tetewa said...

I've been hearing alot about this one, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com

scottsgal said...

I love Hollywood type novels - count me in
msboatgal at aol.com

traveler said...

Loved thie review and thanks for this great giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Esme said...

Please count me in-thank you

I also have a giveaway if you are interested.

chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds like my kind of book. I'd love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net