Can a romance between a talented small-town girl next door and one of Hollywood’s hottest stars survive the cutthroat world of the film industry?
As an actor myself, I was intrigued by the premise of Brenda J Brown's novel, The Wrong Woman: Girl-Next-Door meets Handsome Attractive Movie Star on Film Set. Romance ensues.
The story could have gone one of many conventional romance plot ways:
1. Girl meets famous guy - he uses her - leaves her - girl is stronger for learning her lesson and falls for nice guy whose always been there for her.
2. Girl meets famous guy - they don't get along but are secretly attracted to one another - they hook up but don't stay together.
3. Girl meets famous guy - they don't get along but are secretly attracted to one another - they hook up and end up staying together.
We've all read those books, haven't we? They're an okay read, but unless you're very into the main characters, the plot gets rather old.
This is where Brenda J Brown's book, The Wrong Woman comes into play.
Norah Rothe isn't your typical 20-something girl-next-door. She's in her late 30's, raising her two-year-old daughter Ella alone after Ella's father's death in the Army. Leaving her lifelong theatre and film dreams behind, she moves back to her hometown to help her brother Brett keep the family cafe afloat.
David Raurke isn't your typical stuck-up actor. Yes, he's handsome, talented, and down-to-earth. He's in Norah's little Canadian town directing his first movie, Kosma, a biopic about the world's famous serial killer, Wayne Kosma. Things are running smoothly until the film's female star injures herself on the way to production. No female star means no film.
While two of the film's producers are sitting in Norah's cafe, lamenting over how they can possibly find another lead on such short notice, Norah sees her big chance and takes it. Convincing them to get her an audition, she's soon on her way to the set and into David Raurke's steamy gaze.
I really enjoyed this book. The two main characters, Norah and David, actually seemed to really like one another. It was refreshing to read about characters who got along instead of ones who were always fighting then making up. There was virtually no conflict between them until over halfway through the book. That didn't bother me at all. It gave me a chance to understand both characters and to see why they genuinely cared for one another.
Even when there was conflict, it was not between Norah and David. Yes, it was conflict that tore them apart for a bit, but it was realistic conflict all the same.
Brenda J Brown also did a great job of portraying the film industry. The movie set lingo sounded correct as did the description of the actors' movements (Norah as Clare and David as Kosma - he was directing and acting). I never thought reading film direction could be so eye-opening and emotional until I read this book. As an actor, I really felt Norah trying to capture Clare and David trying to capture the human side of a serial killer. Some moments were really touching.
If you like romance, well-written characters, theatre/film and hot sex (but not too terribly crazy), The Wrong Woman is the book for you! I'd give it 5/5 STARS!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Before writing The Wrong Woman, Brenda dabbled in a myriad of professions. She’s been a waitress (back in the day before they were called servers), a security guard, a ballroom dance instructor, an interior decorator and design consultant, a set dresser for the film and television industry, where she is still a member in good standing, and a restaurant manager. She is currently working as a visual merchandiser for The Brick, a chain of furniture stores throughout the lower mainland.
In the midst of all that, she’s been an active part of the Community Theatre scene, doing set design but principally acting and studying most of the great works since her late teens. She currently lives in Coquitlam, British Columbia, with her beautiful daughter, one dog, and two cats.
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