Lee Zamloch’s book “Catch the Sun” is making a stop at Penny Lane Writes!
*** 1/2
I got a chance to read “Catch the Sun” recently, and it was a very interesting read.
Book Synopsis:
Marilyn Monroe begins appearing on Amanda Grace’s patio dancing, laughing at the moon and gazing at Amanda through the glass doors. Is it possible that Marilyn, against all reason, has somehow transported herself through time and space to contemporary Los Angeles? And why does she haunt Amanda, a model whose beauty is undeniable, but whose talent is questionable?
The visitations begin when Amanda’s mother, Edith, commits suicide, an event that shakes Amanda to her foundation. For, while she has been a successful model, she has always measured herself against her mother, a well-known artist who has overcome severe obstacles. But unlike Edith and her accomplished sister, Joanne, Amanda Grace has not distinguished herself intellectually or artistically, nor even managed to marry and have children. In her eyes, she has failed to live up to her mother’s expectations. Now, with Edith’s death, she has forever lost her chance to prove herself. In her grief, she forgets to eat, sleep, or carry on with life’s simplest tasks. The final blow comes when Amanda accidentally learns she was adopted. With the loss of her family as a touchstone, her foundation crumbles, and her fragile sense of self dissolves completely.
CATCH THE SUN is a story about how an obsession with a celebrity can impact the life of an ordinary woman. It explores our endless fascination with Marilyn Monroe’s fragility, beauty and dazzling rise and fall.
Review:
When I first read the description of this book, I wasn’t sure what to think. That being said, I actually found myself becoming very interested in the story. Meredith, a failing actress, begins to see Marilyn Monroe outside her apartment the night her mom kills herself. Meredith has spent her life trying, in her own way, to live up to her mom’s expectations, so the suicide is definitely a shock to her.
Her mom’s suicide is just the beginning of the surprises in store for her though. The author actually manages to make you feel sorry for this woman despite the glaringly obvious deficincies in her character. I found myself oddly concerned about someone I wouldn’t be able to stand if I met her in real life.
While the idea of Marilyn Monroe visiting this woman seems out of left field, the author does actually make a connection that proves to be very interesting. I don’t want to give too much of the story away, but I will say that the ending did not surprise me. I’m not sure it was meant to be a surprise though.
Give-Away:
For the exciting news, I have been given the chance to do a give-away for a copy of this book.
For a chance to win a copy, complete the entries in the rafflecopter giveaway below:
<a id=”rc-5597c91″ href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5597c91/” rel=”nofollow”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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This give-away will end at 12:01 am EST on September 17, 2012, so get in there and enter for your chance to win.
About the Author:
Lee Zamloch lives on the Central Coast of California where she writes fiction. Her work has appeared in a number of literary journals and she has won several honors for her writing including the Booklegger Award for best submission of the year from Toyon and honorable mentions from the Nelson Algren Award, and Raymond Carver Short Story Contest. She has published two novels which are available from Amazon.com in both print and kindle editions. She is currently at work on her next novel.
Lee has been a teacher, a consultant, a college professor and a program designer. She enjoys hiking, reading, traveling and romping with her two Siberian huskies, Sunny and Storm.
Catch the Sun can be purchased at Amazon.com
Penny Layne Writes 
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