TELL-ALL

Author: Nell Carson ISBN: 9780803477544 5/2010 FICTION Publisher: AVALON

New York City writer Kat Callahan is just finishing an explosive unauthorized biography of Hollywood’s golden couple, Alex and Victoria Janssen, when they mysteriously disappear along with their 7-year old son, Jeremy.  Now Kat’s publisher is hot on her heels to finish the book eager to cash in on the free publicity surrounding their disappearance. Little does Kat know the charming cowboy who’s just strolled into her life is actually Alex Janssen’s brother, Luke, dead-set on stopping the book.  He knows it will reveal a fiercely guarded secret that could destroy the lives of all four Janssens.  Now he’ll stop at nothing to ensure that doesn’t happen—even if it means using love as a weapon.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Nell Carson’s TELL-ALL is well-written and compelling, a story that shows there is no limit to what hearts will do to safeguard what they cherish most. It is a tale of family, secrets, and loyalty, and it drew me in on the very first page.

When Kat is asked by her publisher to keep a tell-all book about the hottest Hollywood couple under wraps, she does—to a point. The idea is to keep one step ahead of the other media hounds while still writing a blockbuster book with as much of the truth in it as she is able to uncover. To that end, she tries many times to contact the couple—all seemingly to no avail. But Kat’s persistence has garnered attention, and the book she’s close to completing suddenly disappears from her computer, bringing her closer to the truth behind the star couple’s life than she ever thought possible.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons, but mostly it was because the characters are believable. I heard their dialogue, felt their uncertainties as well as the determination behind their actions. When the Janssens are discovered, along with the secret they protect so fiercely, my heart ached for them. In short, I loved the characters in Ms. Carson’s book, and was touched by them.

Well done!

Kay James