Title:
A Dream Called Marilyn
Author: Mercedes King
Publisher: Triumph Productions
Pages: 177
Genre: Historical / Modern Historical / Psychological Thriller
Format: Kindle
Author: Mercedes King
Publisher: Triumph Productions
Pages: 177
Genre: Historical / Modern Historical / Psychological Thriller
Format: Kindle
In the summer of 1962, nothing could
prepare Dr. Charles Campbell for his first meeting with new client, Marilyn
Monroe. A reputable L.A. psychiatrist, he’s been hired by a studio executive to
treat and subdue the star, no matter what it takes. Although he’s been warned
about Ms. Monroe’s unpredictability, she’s not what he expected. Gaining
Marilyn’s trust means crossing doctor-patient boundaries, and trying to
separate fact from Hollywood-fed-rumors proves destructive to both Charles’
career and his personal life. As Marilyn shares her secrets and threatens to go
public with information that could destroy President Kennedy’s administration,
Charles’ world turns upside-down. He sinks deeper into her troubles than he
should, but Charles becomes determined to help her, even though it means
endangering Marilyn’s life and risking his own.
For More Information
- A Dream Called Marilyn is available at Amazon.
- Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Dr. Charles Campbell tightened the knot in
his tie, knowing that today was the biggest day of his career. Maybe even his
life. He promised himself--no, swore to himself--that he wouldn’t let his
infatuation get the best of him, that he would hold it together when he met her
for the very first time, right there in his office.
He’d cleared away the dust, made sure his
diplomas hung T-square straight, and he’d washed his hands. Repeatedly. He’d
made sure his gray suit and navy blue tie were pressed to perfection. Like most
red-blooded, breathing males he’d taken a beating from inside his chest
whenever he saw her on the screen. She had that way about her, being able to
stir a man’s desires and make you fall in love with her effortlessly. With that
teasing smile and that vulnerable naivety she exuded, she could make any man
melt, abandon any morals he held. And her curves. Well, Charles couldn’t think
on that. Not today.
He’d treat her the way every psychiatrist
was expected to treat a patient. Charles promised himself he wouldn’t flinch or
become a caricature of himself when he touched her hand. There would be no
unbuttoning of his collar or adjusting the air conditioning unit. And his eyes
would not wander. That was his resolve.
He dabbed the beads of perspiration from
his forehead. Theirs would be a business relationship, he reminded himself.
According to the studio contact, the man who’d arranged today’s meeting, this
was a woman in desperate need of his professional services. They would
establish a doctor-patient association. Yes, simple as that. Charles would
uphold the fine reputation he’d built in Los Angeles and tend to her like he
would any female client.
Why, he’d treated a number of actors and
actresses, from those struggling with sexual identity issues to depressive
diseases. Those famous for their cowboy roles, those noted for their singing
and dancing. Even those known for the flip of their hair or their on-set
tantrums.
But who was he kidding? There was no one
like her. Would she notice his resemblance to Rod Taylor? Remark that his hair
was lighter, but that the similarities uncanny. Perhaps his only hope was that
she
A knock sounded, interrupting his rambling
thoughts.
Charles opened the door to his office.
And there she was.
“Ms. Monroe.” He stepped aside, held out
his hand to welcome her in. “Please.”
Her eyes flashed that shy but friendly
grin he’d seen in her movie characters as she entered, a crème-colored shawl
hugging her bare shoulders. Interesting, Charles thought, for a sultry June
afternoon.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Monroe.”
Charles offered his hand.
Marilyn stole a surmising glance of the
room, the outer room and waiting area for Charles’ practice. How he wished he’d
spruced up the walls. She shook his hand, almost as if the gesture were new to
her. Her pink linen dress reminded him of her outfit from Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes, when she sang, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”. This
dress was shorter, sleeveless but with a high neckline, and sans gloves and
diamonds.
A founding member of Sisters in Crime Columbus,
Ohio (affectionately dubbed SiCCO), Mercedes King can be found elbow-deep in
research, reading, or enjoying the local bike path. Combining her love of pop
culture with history, she created A Dream Called Marilyn, a
fictional take on the last weeks of Marilyn’s life. With an unquenchable thirst
for a bygone era, she’s also written O!
Jackie, a fictional take on Jackie Kennedy's private
life--and how she dealt with JFK's affairs. Short story fans would enjoy The
Kennedy Chronicles, a series featuring Jackie and Jack
before the White House and before they were married. Visit Mercedes’
website at www.mercedesking.com
to find out more.
For
More Information
- Visit Mercedes King’s website.
- Connect with Mercedes on Facebook and Twitter.
- Find out more about Mercedes at Goodreads.
- Visit Mercede’s blog.
- More books by Mercedes.
- Contact Mercedes.
My Review:
Who doesn't like Marilyn Monroe? Who doesn't wonder about how much bigger her star power would have been if she hadn't died? This book was a quick read for me, but one that kept me thinking. The writing is on point and smooth. Marilyn comes across as a real person, as she should, instead of a "character" as some fictionalized stories can feel like.
I enjoyed the pacing, characterizations, and plot. The characters are pretty well fleshed out for such a short story, and that says a lot! I enjoyed the plot and honestly couldn't come up with anything to "fix" or change. Maybe it could have been longer? lol
All in all, A Dream Called Marilyn made me happy. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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