It's 1938 and Frances Healey has landed a new job as the secretary to movie producer Lawrence Merrill at VistaGlen Studios in Hollywood. Frances quickly proves to be an immediate asset to Lawrence by not only assisting with his daily work needs but also by helping the young widower with his difficult 13-year-old daughter Sally and his actress girlfriend Belinda Vail, who is eager to move from her current ingenue roles to more substantial parts. The perfect opportunity arises with an exciting movie based on the life of Kitty Ridley, a colorful performer who started out during the Gold Rush years, became a celebrated stage actress, and then disappeared. However, plans for the movie are disrupted when Kitty, now 90 years old, contacts Lawrence declaring that the book they based their movie on was a pack of lies and their plans for the film must be canceled. Lawrence and Frances travel to Napa Valley to meet with Kitty, who has no desire to see them.
If you are a fan of books about the Golden Age of Hollywood, you're sure to enjoy A Golden Life by Ginny Kubitz Moyer. Not only is it a well-done story about movie making, it's also a tale of smart, ambitious women striving to succeed during this era. Frances, who harbors her own secrets, joins the other memorable characters in a compelling historical novel rich in vividly detailed settings that make the period come to life.
Many thanks to She Writes Press for the opportunity to read this engaging book in advance of its release.
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Historical Fiction.
Publication Date: September 24, 2024.
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