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Richard Bryght’s life currently resides at a crossroads. His job is unfulfilling, and he is recovering from a toxic relationship. He is an aspiring author who religiously checks the sales of his book on a daily basis. A bright light in his dim world is his best friend, Danny, who provides constant encouragement. When Richard learns he is being laid off from his IT job, he is initially downhearted. His frustration is short-lived, however, as he learns that his book is receiving more attention. Also, his mother provides a financial cushion. A phone call from Hollywood soon brings Richard and Danny out to the coast to bring Richard’s words to life on the big screen. As fame and fortune beckon, Richard is taken on a whirlwind tour of a world that will prove unforgettable.
Ruczco has written an absorbing novel that rides a roller coaster of emotions from beginning to end. Richard is a protagonist that is more than your average office drone. Instead, he is an artist waiting for his big break. The main character’s dreams are tempered by his own diffidence, a lack of belief in his potential. Danny, Richard’s mother, and a variety of characters that the protagonist encounters on his way to stardom provide Richard with the confidence he often lacks. Richard’s story proves alluring not solely due to his rapid rise to fame or the lurid tales of Hollywood excess but also because of the hero’s voyage of self-discovery. The author does a superb job of crafting a cathartic narrative that is driven, focused, and which never loses its edge.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review