I would like to share a new book with you called A Dream Called Marilyn: A Novella by Mercedes King (Author) that I received a PDF copy of from Voracious Readers in exchange for this story. Inside this post you will see my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the items you purchase.
I never had the opportunity to see Marilyn Monroe in person because she died 2 years before I was born and JFK died the year I was born but I’ve always been fascinated by Hollywood and the long lost stars including Marylin especially after listening to Elton John’s song Candle In The Wind which I listened to as I read this book.
Through story I came up with new facts and information to share with my son in his Homeschool Drama Class. Through the Author I feel like I had the opportunity to get to know Marylin. Along with a doctor who I had never heard of. As you read the story you will learn A Dream Called Marilyn: A Novella is told from the perspective of Dr. Charles King, a psychiatrist hired to help Marilyn Monroe who had a history of suicide attempts, and holding up filming projects she was involved in so they wanted the doctor to keep Marilyn mentally healthy. Which would have been hard helping someone dealing with mental health problems.
During the course of Marilyn’s treatment, Dr, Charles King learns Marilyn’s secret of being involved with President Kennedy and the doctor also hears rumors of a diary that can destroy the President. Due to the rumors, the Doctor becomes the target of those that are attempting to find and steal the diary.
I liked the way Mercedes King wove the story of the psychiatrist’s marriage into the story of A Dream Called Marilyn: A Novella . I found the book dramatic and unpredictable just like the real fate of Marilyn. I enjoyed reading about Frank Sinatra, the Kennedys, Miller, and Joe DiMaggio and the conspiracy theories that have swirled since Marilyn died that I was able to share with my friends and family.
A Dream Called Marilyn: A Novella is the first book of Mercedes King I’ve had the opportunity to read but I took the time to look up other books of her and found several on JFK’s wife Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy that I must read because like Princess Dianna Jacqueline and John F, Kennedy have been hero’s of mine all my life and I want to make sure my son and husband know all they can about them and we can use the books in our Homeschool Classes.
About the book:
He wanted to remain professional, but what man could resist her allure…
When Marilyn Monroe sashays into Dr. Charles Campbell’s LA office in the Summer of 1962, nothing could have prepared him for their first session. He had been hired the previous week by a studio executive, who claimed she was unpredictable and needed managed. Having worked with celebrities before, Charles believes he is the ideal man for the job. Upon meeting her, he forces himself to subdue his attraction to her. A harrowing challenge once she is standing in his office, sheathed in a curve-enhancing dress. He struggles to keep up with her energy while her naïveté amuses him.
As he begins to earn her trust, secrets leak, and Charles realizes Marilyn’s information has the potential to destroy President Kennedy’s administration. If Marilyn exposes the scandal, Charles knows the upheaval and disruption could tip the United States into nuclear war with Russia. However, his main concern is Marilyn. Her reckless devotion to pills and alcohol concerns him, along with her history of suicide attempts.
Word travels through the Hollywood grapevine that Marilyn has been keeping a diary and intends to hold a press conference. Threats arise against Marilyn–and Charles–but he refuses to cast her aside. Instead, he sinks deeper into her troubles and becomes more involved with her than he should. He grows distrustful of everyone in Marilyn’s life and hatches a plan to rescue her from the impending dangers closing in on her, but will he be too late?
About the book:
Mercedes King is an Ohio native and founding member of Buckeye Crime Writers. With a degree in Criminology from Capital University and a passion for writing, she enjoys exploring criminal behaviors through her stories. Mixing fact with fiction is her specialty, as is setting her tales in not-so-distant decades, which she’s dubbed Modern Historical.
The Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis series, a four-book collection, offers a fictional peek inside the private life of one of America’s most beloved first ladies.
Grave Secrets details an abuse survivor’s quest to overcome mistakes from her past and to find out the truth about her mother’s disappearance.
Every Little Secret follows Kyle Reed, a young college student determined to unravel family secrets entangled around the unsolved murder of her father’s mistress.
Columbus Noir features Mercedes’ short story, “An Agreeable Wife for a Suitable Husband”, set in Columbus’ gritty South Side during the 1970s.
A Dream Called Marilyn (novella) focuses on a psychiatrist who is hired to treat and subdue actress Marilyn Monroe, no matter what it takes.
You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
