Review: Wonderful read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 28, 2013
I was drawn into this book by the promise of the Hollywood aspect and I certainly wasn't disappointed.Jack Abadie departs his home in Louisiana to find his fame and fortune in Hollywood. he is a young man filled with hope, confidence and the burning desire to make it big in the golden era of film. He's also a gay man in a time when perhaps the movie studios aren't as accepting as they should be due. Jack works hard, plays hard and finally gets his big break. Soon, he's one of the most sought after young actors in Hollywood. He meets Eric Balance, a film director and begins a topsy-turvy relationship with the man. Eric becomes Jack's mentor and lover and introduces him to a world he'd only ever dreamed about.Then Jack meets Wyatt Maitland. He's quiet, reserved, tall, handsome and not like the other lovers Jack has had. He finds himself falling for the intelligent, dry-humoured and professional man. Wyatt feels the same about the man who's taking the film world by storm.What with scandals in the industry, tragedy striking more than once, film studios imposing morals clauses on their actors and forcing them to hide their homosexuality, Jack and Wyatt weather the storm and Jack is adamant he will not downplay his relationship with the man he loves.TARNISHED GOLD is a whirlwind of a story looking at both the glamour and the seedy side of the business, the ever-increasing hypocrisy of the movie industry, and the vagaries of becoming a world star.Brita Addams writes her characters with such flair and depth and puts them into situations that test their determination, their commitment to each other and gives a fascinating glimpse into the tinsel strewn world of Hollywood. Her research into the events and actual real life characters was rich and well done, and the portrayal of the film industry made me feel I was there myself.Love, disappointment, despair, lust, sexual chemistry, betrayal, hate -- all played their part in a wonderful saga of the time and I highly recommend this book.Reviewed by Susan Mac Nicolfor TheRomanceReviews.com