Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Straight Reading from the Library: Fallen Star by Allison Morse


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Allison Morse will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB


Who killed 1940s screen goddess Gloria Reardon? Her unsolved murder hypnotized the public with its scandalous details and shocked two generations.

In this coming of age gothic tale, avid feminist and aspiring filmmaker Kate Bloom discovers long lost footage that holds the key to who murdered her grandmother. Legendary movie star, Gloria Reardon, may be dead, but friends and lovers from the Golden Age of Hollywood’s heyday are still very much on the scene, and it seems everyone has something to gain or lose from Kate’s discovery. Enlisting the youthful and brash film restorer Dylan Nichols as her closest ally, Kate becomes haunted by Gloria’s glittering past. Caught between glamorous Old Hollywood and the gritty, exciting New Hollywood of the 1970s, Kate is determined to find out what really happened to her grandmother and in the process, becomes the killer’s new target.

READ THE REVIEW


What an interesting story!  I wasn't sure what to expect from this, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Part mystery, part romance and a little bit of a ghost story, Allison Morse did a great job keeping me intrigued and entertained.

A terrifying incident from the start of this story really molds Kate into the woman she becomes.  She's determined to expose the underbelly of the movie business with her documentary films, but instead becomes embroiled in the mystery of her grandmother's murder when she locates missing film from the day of her murder.  And is that grandma's ghost giving her nudges along the way?

Add in a love interest in the form of not-exactly-handsome, but somehow appealing Dylan Nichols who has a few secrets of his own, and then set it in the 1970s (I'd not realized the time period, actually, until they mentioned Dylan had directed an episode of The Partridge Family!).

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, from Aunt Lillian to the detective to Jarvis, and Kate's bestie, Natalie.  They were all unique and well drawn, and a good part of the reason I enjoyed this read.  The setting, too, was well done and believable.  I lived through the 70s and it seemed quite accurate without being overbearing.

The mystery was decently done and kept me guessing nearly to the end. The romance was a bit on the back burner, but still solid and Dylan was the perfect guy to help Kate through the problems in her past.  All in all, a solid read and an author I'd be happy to read again. 4.5 stars!

READ AN EXCERPT


Kate returned to the sealed box and ripped off the tape and flipped the lid open. Light bounced off a container with a shiny handle on top. The premonition of what it might be now solidified into something more than fantasy. Trying to remain calm, she told herself that it couldn’t possibly be what she hoped it was. It had been lost...destroyed...right?

Her heart pounded as she used both hands to lift the metal container. She undid the latches. Inside were two round 35 mm motion picture canisters.

“Lillian!” she shouted.

As she pried off the top of the first canister, she was assaulted by the pungent smell of vinegar. The film appeared brittle. She was afraid to touch it in case it turned to dust in her hands. But she had to know. With the tips of her fingers and holding her breath, she unwound a small piece of film and looked at it. There, captured in the frame, was Gloria––the costume, the set behind her…there was no mistaking it. These reels were from Emperor Smythe. It was the infamous missing footage from the day Gloria was murdered on that film set.

“Lillian! Quick, Lillian!” Kate returned the footage to the canister and closed it up.

Her great-aunt hurried back to her. “What? What is it?” Her eyes widened as she gazed at the canisters. “Is that what I think it is?” Lillian asked.

“The footage. The missing footage.”

MEET THE AUTHOR


Allison is the author of two novels: The Sweetheart Deal and Fallen Star. She lives with her husband in a house in the hills that’s filled with books.

For book club resources and to learn more about Allison and her new fiction, please visit her Website at http://www.allisonmorseauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allison.morse.16
Twitter ID: @AllisonMorseLA

Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway

44 comments:

  1. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway, both appreciated

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    1. Your welcome. Thank you for stopping by and learning about my story.

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  2. What books have most influenced your life?

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    1. There were so many, it's hard to know where to start. Fallen Star is my nod to old Gothic books I've loved like Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, and a wonderful writer Barbara Michaels (AKA Elizabeth Peters) who wrote under her Michaels pen name a slew of contemporary Gothics I loved. What do you like to read?

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  3. Thank you Librarian Judith for your review. I am so thrilled you enjoyed the story. Thank you!

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  4. Awesome review, I can't wait to read this one myself. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and learning about my story. I hope you enjoy it!

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  5. Thanks for the giveaway; I like the review and excerpt. :)

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    1. I'm glad the book sounds intriguing to you. Best of luck with the giveaway.

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  6. Happy Hump Day! Hope it's a great one for you and thanks for all you do offering us these terrific giveaways

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  7. Thanks for sharing the review, I enjoyed the excerpt and this sounds like a wonderful read!

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  8. Hope everyone who is in the path of Hurricane Matthew is safe and just want to thank you for this giveaway.

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  9. I really enjoyed reading the entire post today. This is a new author for me so thank you for the reveal!

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  10. Enjoy your Friday and prayers for all those going through Hurricane Matthew. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  11. I am off to work soon so stopping by, wishing you a great Saturday and saying thanks for the giveaway.

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  12. I missed you yesterday but back again today to say thanks for all you do bringing us these great giveaways.

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  13. Sorry I missed you yesterday but back today to once again say thank you for the giveaway.

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  14. Have a terrific day and I want you to know I DO appreciate you bringing us these great giveaways, thank you.

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  15. Hope your Saturday is filled with fun and thanks for all you do for us offering us these giveaways

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  16. Off to work soon for me but hope you have one awesome Sunday! Thanks for the opportunity at winning.

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  17. I have missed you lately, my appologies but back to say thank you for the chance at winning.

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  18. Thanks so much for the great giveaway and opportunity to win.

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  19. Have a great Saturday and thanks for the chance at winning this giveaway

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  20. Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and thank you for the opportunity to win.

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  21. Happy Halloween! Hope it's a great one for you and thanks for the giveaway

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  22. Hello! Stopping by again to thank you for the chance at winning.

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  23. Happy Thursday! Hope it's a great one for you and thanks for the giveaway.

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  24. The day so many look forward to, Happy Friday! Have a good one and thank you for the chance at winning

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  25. Off to work for me soon but hope your Saturday is a terrific fun one. Thanks for the chance at winning

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  26. Good Morning and Happy Sunday! Thanks for the opportunity to win this giveaway

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  27. Stopping by to say thank you for the chance at winning and enjoy your day!

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  28. Hello! I am watching our elections here and enjoying the day. Hope you are as well. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  29. Congrats to our new President Elect and I am here to thank you once again for the opportunity to win this great giveaway.

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  30. I am back to thank you once again for the opportunity to win this giveaway. Have a great day!

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  31. Happy Friday!!!! Hope it's a great one and have a fun weekend. Thank you for the giveaway

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  32. Good Morning! Have a terrific Saturday and thank you for the giveaway

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  33. Hoping you have a relaxing and fun Sunday! Thanks for the chance at winning this giveaway

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  34. Happy Monday! Hope it's a good start of the week for you and thank you for the giveaway.

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  35. Hope your day was a little more relaxing than mine. I appreciate all you do, thank you!

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  36. After reading the review, I am more determined to read more about the book. Thank you so much!

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  37. About to leave for work soon but here to thank you again for the chance to win.

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