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Porter's Fortune
Many people come to Los Angeles seeking fame and fortune, but such is not the case for George Patrick Porter, who goes solely by his surname. He merely wants to be among the dreamers and doers in a place far from Buffalo, where the weather, limited prospects, and bad memories have rendered him despondent. Porter's brother Sam, a self-centered interior designer and restaurateur, feels conflicted over Porter's opportunity to make a fresh start because the brothers share secrets that best stay close to home. Sam warns B-movie actress Desirae Strand that Porter is bulimic, sleepwalks at night, and has a troubled past. None of this matters to her or the cast and crew of Grae. They make Porter a star and Sam begins to unravel. A reporter puts the pieces together regarding past misdeeds implicating Sam in payoffs to a local detective and the coroner, and she lets Sam know she's on to him. Unwilling to face prosecution and shame, Sam's increasing anger is transferred from his brother to Des. He accuses Des of worming her way into his brother's life and thinks she is to blame for Porter pushing him away. As the situation spirals out of control, a final showdown on the west coast leaves one standing, prepared to heal and face the future all the stronger.
268 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2014
185 people want to read
About the author
m.m. radford
5 books15 followersFormerly using the pseudonym Wyborn Senna, m.m. radford is finally ready to use her real name. You can contact her at tempus85deck@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 8, 2017
“Porter’s Fortune” by Wyborn Senna is a suspenseful, emotional story of two brothers from a dysfunctional family, struggling to escape their pasts as they set out on diverse paths.
George Patrick Porter readily vacates his retail job in New York when approached by actress Desirae Strand. She offers him an opportunity to join her on a West Coast movie set where she is taking a leading role in another B-level production. A bisexual man suffering from bulimia, sleep disorders and a checkered past, Porter takes his first flight outside NY alongside Desirae in search of his new start.
Porter leaves behind his mother and older, self-absorbed brother, Sam. His brother is an interior designer and owner of a high-tech restaurant featuring gaming for kids and an upscale cuisine for their parents. Porter and Sam share guilt surrounding the death of their abusive father, a guilt Sam would like to lay at Porter’s feet.
Much to the dismay of Sam, Porter is on his way to stardom after he’s cast opposite Desirae following the arrest of the prior male lead for child abuse. Porter becomes a favorite of the cast, crew and daily production onlookers. The plot thickens when a reporter enters to do a story on the child abuser and it leads her to piecing together Sam’s past.
The author takes the story back and forth from east to west coasts at a rapid pace, all the while inserting a cast of characters that, at times, requires a Rolodex to keep track. Midway through the book, I decided to focus on the names that endured and let the others flow past. Soon after, I grew to appreciate the pace and the plot, becoming engrossed in Porter’s and Sam’s personal struggles.
Senna has a light and free-flowing writing style and does a masterful job of character and plot development. She uses inventive, colorful descriptions each time a new face enters the story, and carefully constructed images to introduce each scene. Her knowledge of the entertainment industry is obvious as she takes the reader through show biz at eye level.
“Porter’s Fortune” is a book I’ll remember. I believe most readers will.
George Patrick Porter readily vacates his retail job in New York when approached by actress Desirae Strand. She offers him an opportunity to join her on a West Coast movie set where she is taking a leading role in another B-level production. A bisexual man suffering from bulimia, sleep disorders and a checkered past, Porter takes his first flight outside NY alongside Desirae in search of his new start.
Porter leaves behind his mother and older, self-absorbed brother, Sam. His brother is an interior designer and owner of a high-tech restaurant featuring gaming for kids and an upscale cuisine for their parents. Porter and Sam share guilt surrounding the death of their abusive father, a guilt Sam would like to lay at Porter’s feet.
Much to the dismay of Sam, Porter is on his way to stardom after he’s cast opposite Desirae following the arrest of the prior male lead for child abuse. Porter becomes a favorite of the cast, crew and daily production onlookers. The plot thickens when a reporter enters to do a story on the child abuser and it leads her to piecing together Sam’s past.
The author takes the story back and forth from east to west coasts at a rapid pace, all the while inserting a cast of characters that, at times, requires a Rolodex to keep track. Midway through the book, I decided to focus on the names that endured and let the others flow past. Soon after, I grew to appreciate the pace and the plot, becoming engrossed in Porter’s and Sam’s personal struggles.
Senna has a light and free-flowing writing style and does a masterful job of character and plot development. She uses inventive, colorful descriptions each time a new face enters the story, and carefully constructed images to introduce each scene. Her knowledge of the entertainment industry is obvious as she takes the reader through show biz at eye level.
“Porter’s Fortune” is a book I’ll remember. I believe most readers will.
June 21, 2018
Porter’s Fortune is a complex novel which centers on two brothers – Sam and George, their personal problems and complicated relationships. The chapters are entitled Left Coast or Right Coast and reveal the trials and tribulations of each of the brothers. The style is smooth and there is an abundance of characters which can sometimes be slightly confusing. The book offers a different perspective into murder and mystery and might be of interest to those who like the genre.
December 14, 2017
An entertaining and well-told story.
I found it hard to put this book down. With a large cast of characters, the story moves back and forth between the east and west coasts of America. The plot focuses on the rivalry between two brothers, who share a number of dark secrets that they need to keep hidden.
I really enjoyed this book and became intrigued by the first brother, George Patrick Porter, or Porter as he is known throughout. Porter is bi-sexual and a complex character who has multiple problems, including bulimia and a tendency to sleepwalk his way into trouble. The other brother, Sam, is more attractive, dominant, successful and self-centred than Porter. The brothers have remained close and kept their secrets even closer. Sam is determined to keep it that way. So, when Porter is given a lead role in a new television production and moves to Los Angeles, Sam grows increasingly concerned and resentful and starts to unravel.
Full of twists and turns, Porter’s Fortune kept me guessing as events between the two brothers unfolded. Filled with interesting characters and a suspenseful and at times chilling story, I found myself eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next.
An easy five stars.
I found it hard to put this book down. With a large cast of characters, the story moves back and forth between the east and west coasts of America. The plot focuses on the rivalry between two brothers, who share a number of dark secrets that they need to keep hidden.
I really enjoyed this book and became intrigued by the first brother, George Patrick Porter, or Porter as he is known throughout. Porter is bi-sexual and a complex character who has multiple problems, including bulimia and a tendency to sleepwalk his way into trouble. The other brother, Sam, is more attractive, dominant, successful and self-centred than Porter. The brothers have remained close and kept their secrets even closer. Sam is determined to keep it that way. So, when Porter is given a lead role in a new television production and moves to Los Angeles, Sam grows increasingly concerned and resentful and starts to unravel.
Full of twists and turns, Porter’s Fortune kept me guessing as events between the two brothers unfolded. Filled with interesting characters and a suspenseful and at times chilling story, I found myself eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next.
An easy five stars.
January 30, 2018
A Tale of Two Coasts, a Tale of Two Brothers
Porter’s Fortune is a fast-paced, page turning, story of rivalry and jealously, of self-entitlement versus self-effacement, of blind ambition versus the lack of expectations, of the need to control versus loyalty and affection, of two brothers who find themselves on opposites sides of the country, as different as they can be.
What is the reaction of the brother who expects success to be his own, when blind, dumb luck, stumbles the brother with no expectations into the opportunity of a lifetime. What is the reaction of the jealous, controlling brother when the other blossoms when no longer under his brother’s thumb. How dare he not pick up his phone.
This is the story of Sam, on the East Coast, and his younger brother George Porter, simply known as Porter, who suddenly finds himself on the West, under the care and tutelage of a beautiful young woman and a star of the rise.
I enjoyed this story. It was engaging and well written. The plot was multi-threaded, with each interesting and on an inevitable collision course. The characters are well drawn, and I liked them, or did not, but they had my attention and I cared about what was ahead of them.
I recommend it.
Porter’s Fortune is a fast-paced, page turning, story of rivalry and jealously, of self-entitlement versus self-effacement, of blind ambition versus the lack of expectations, of the need to control versus loyalty and affection, of two brothers who find themselves on opposites sides of the country, as different as they can be.
What is the reaction of the brother who expects success to be his own, when blind, dumb luck, stumbles the brother with no expectations into the opportunity of a lifetime. What is the reaction of the jealous, controlling brother when the other blossoms when no longer under his brother’s thumb. How dare he not pick up his phone.
This is the story of Sam, on the East Coast, and his younger brother George Porter, simply known as Porter, who suddenly finds himself on the West, under the care and tutelage of a beautiful young woman and a star of the rise.
I enjoyed this story. It was engaging and well written. The plot was multi-threaded, with each interesting and on an inevitable collision course. The characters are well drawn, and I liked them, or did not, but they had my attention and I cared about what was ahead of them.
I recommend it.
May 1, 2018
Porter's Fortune is a heck of a fun read.
The plot concerns two brothers-one successful, one not so much--bound by an abusive, horrific past and a terrible secret. When the younger brother Porter, who's lived in the dark shadow of his accomplished older brother Sam for years, is "discovered" by a young actress and whisked off to La La Land to star in a TV series, all hell immediately breaks loose. Inside the chrysalis of Hollywood, Porter transforms into a sexy movie star while back home in Buffalo, Sam fumes and begins his own metamorphosis into something much darker. Meanwhile, dead bodies start to pile up and vile accusations are hurled, and I kept turned the pages, dying to find out how this insanity ends.
The novel is structured in a very smart way, with the action alternating between the left (west) and right (east) coasts. This added a layer of suspense as the reader moved toward the inevitable showdown between the brothers. I also felt that the scenes on the left coast were more vividly portrayed, especially the scenes concerned with filming the television series. Although I've never been to California, these scenes had the texture of truth and were obviously created by someone with a deep knowledge of the movie industry.
My one criticism is that there are so many characters that it's easy to lose track of them. I'm usually drawn to character-driven fiction, but because of the proliferation of characters, many of them are rather flat. For example, the tribe of mobsters who want to disrupt the television production are little more than stereotypes with colorful names such as Nicky Orangina and Pauly Walnuts! (I do love that name!)
So if you're looking for a ride on the wild side, hop onto Porter's Fortune--just make sure you've got your seat belt buckled tight!
The plot concerns two brothers-one successful, one not so much--bound by an abusive, horrific past and a terrible secret. When the younger brother Porter, who's lived in the dark shadow of his accomplished older brother Sam for years, is "discovered" by a young actress and whisked off to La La Land to star in a TV series, all hell immediately breaks loose. Inside the chrysalis of Hollywood, Porter transforms into a sexy movie star while back home in Buffalo, Sam fumes and begins his own metamorphosis into something much darker. Meanwhile, dead bodies start to pile up and vile accusations are hurled, and I kept turned the pages, dying to find out how this insanity ends.
The novel is structured in a very smart way, with the action alternating between the left (west) and right (east) coasts. This added a layer of suspense as the reader moved toward the inevitable showdown between the brothers. I also felt that the scenes on the left coast were more vividly portrayed, especially the scenes concerned with filming the television series. Although I've never been to California, these scenes had the texture of truth and were obviously created by someone with a deep knowledge of the movie industry.
My one criticism is that there are so many characters that it's easy to lose track of them. I'm usually drawn to character-driven fiction, but because of the proliferation of characters, many of them are rather flat. For example, the tribe of mobsters who want to disrupt the television production are little more than stereotypes with colorful names such as Nicky Orangina and Pauly Walnuts! (I do love that name!)
So if you're looking for a ride on the wild side, hop onto Porter's Fortune--just make sure you've got your seat belt buckled tight!
February 25, 2019
There is something about Wyborn Senna’s stories that never disappoint and this one was no exception. Two brothers one strong and caring, the other bulimic and easily led. Just a few chapters in and that premise is shattered and what follows is a fast paced tale that makes the book hard to put down.
The touches of humor (“the left coast” made me smile), dark moments, murder and even a “ghost”, combined with the scenes from the TV series they were making, made this book an entertaining read. While the book revolves around the two brothers, the supporting cast adds another dimension to the overall storyline. Great read.
The touches of humor (“the left coast” made me smile), dark moments, murder and even a “ghost”, combined with the scenes from the TV series they were making, made this book an entertaining read. While the book revolves around the two brothers, the supporting cast adds another dimension to the overall storyline. Great read.
March 12, 2018
Two brothers, from a bizarre / dysfunctional family, follow different paths to try and escape their pasts.
The writing was free flowing, with different scenes being intertwined effortlessly, and the story had a good pace. The cast of characters was numerous and they were all oddly believable – each with a different foible. The different trajectories of the brothers were well handled - with the sense of sibling rivalry and wanting to keep secrets hidden was well conveyed.
If you are looking for a ‘different type’ of murder mystery then this book is worth a look.
The writing was free flowing, with different scenes being intertwined effortlessly, and the story had a good pace. The cast of characters was numerous and they were all oddly believable – each with a different foible. The different trajectories of the brothers were well handled - with the sense of sibling rivalry and wanting to keep secrets hidden was well conveyed.
If you are looking for a ‘different type’ of murder mystery then this book is worth a look.
January 19, 2018
Fast forward fortune a fun read.
Full marks for the great detail on all things cuisine, fashion and interior design. Senna's background in Tinseltown comes to the fore as well. The pacing is fast, seemingly built as a quick read. The plot tends to ping pong back and forth between the two main characters. I would've liked to have seen more of the relationship between Porter and Sam as there's a lot going on here. Interesting character perks. Senna's voice comes through well in her writing -- a contemporary avant-garde idealist with plenty of optimism. Lucky breaks abound as the dead bodies pile up. It's all tied up in a solid read that blows open the bonds of brotherhood.
Full marks for the great detail on all things cuisine, fashion and interior design. Senna's background in Tinseltown comes to the fore as well. The pacing is fast, seemingly built as a quick read. The plot tends to ping pong back and forth between the two main characters. I would've liked to have seen more of the relationship between Porter and Sam as there's a lot going on here. Interesting character perks. Senna's voice comes through well in her writing -- a contemporary avant-garde idealist with plenty of optimism. Lucky breaks abound as the dead bodies pile up. It's all tied up in a solid read that blows open the bonds of brotherhood.
January 19, 2019
Porter’s Fortune is a pulpy crime drama that orbits the lives of Sam and George Porter (the latter being the title’s namesake). When an actress runs an errand at a costume shop, serendipity whisks George away to the set of a paranormal detective series in California, separating him from his older, more capable brother in New York. Sam is left to wonder if the skeletons in their family closet are safe, and the cost of keeping them buried escalates until the novel ends with an explosive finish, right before the detectives show up and piece everything together.
If you’re intrigued by the backstories of criminals, Porter’s Fortune has plenty to offer. The hapless, highly dysfunctional George is a fresh character that evoked people-watching curiosity, hope for the underdog, and head-shaking astonishment. The site of the TV series acts as a nexus of conflicting interests, entangling diverse characters that expand the story beyond the two brothers into a larger, tragi-comic tale. The overall pacing is brisk, and the author is able to keep several plates spinning at all times, which results in a read that is never dull.
There are some rough edges on this novel, however, that keep me from recommending it with enthusiasm to those who are not fans of the genre. A number of characters, including Sam, felt rather plastic; had I been watching them on a screen, they would have functioned well, but their episodes of introspection often felt inadequate to justify their extreme behavior. The author employs brand names as go-to descriptors, and while this was thematically appropriate in the case of the image-obsessed Sam, it left me with no details to draw on when I wasn’t familiar with the brand or model. Lastly, the novel ended on a bitter note for me when it was revealed that George had committed multiple, pre-meditated sexual assaults in his youth, and neither he nor the people around him expressed any misgivings about this whatsoever, except for some anxiety that this information might inconvenience their television show.
A worthwhile read for fans of criminal misadventures. 3/5
If you’re intrigued by the backstories of criminals, Porter’s Fortune has plenty to offer. The hapless, highly dysfunctional George is a fresh character that evoked people-watching curiosity, hope for the underdog, and head-shaking astonishment. The site of the TV series acts as a nexus of conflicting interests, entangling diverse characters that expand the story beyond the two brothers into a larger, tragi-comic tale. The overall pacing is brisk, and the author is able to keep several plates spinning at all times, which results in a read that is never dull.
There are some rough edges on this novel, however, that keep me from recommending it with enthusiasm to those who are not fans of the genre. A number of characters, including Sam, felt rather plastic; had I been watching them on a screen, they would have functioned well, but their episodes of introspection often felt inadequate to justify their extreme behavior. The author employs brand names as go-to descriptors, and while this was thematically appropriate in the case of the image-obsessed Sam, it left me with no details to draw on when I wasn’t familiar with the brand or model. Lastly, the novel ended on a bitter note for me when it was revealed that George had committed multiple, pre-meditated sexual assaults in his youth, and neither he nor the people around him expressed any misgivings about this whatsoever, except for some anxiety that this information might inconvenience their television show.
A worthwhile read for fans of criminal misadventures. 3/5
November 24, 2017
This story, spanning two coasts, focuses on the rivalry of very different brothers as they go through life and jostle for recognition. There's lots of emotion buried in here (and dark secrets) which I thought dripped out quite evenly as the plot unravels. I will admit it did take me a while to lock into what was going on as the cast of characters is quite wide, and rendering is deep. However, once you relax a bit and settle in, you get carried along nicely. Senna certainly knows how to write, there's no amateurism in her prose. It's quite witty and creative in places and you sense the author has been knee deep in the world of show biz as the detail and nuance is quite authentic. I would recommend if you like something very human and complex. 4 stars.
December 30, 2018
Porter’s Fortune is a story addressing the complex relationship of two brothers, bonded by a troubled childhood and traumatic events. Sam, a domineering character sent into a spiral of aggression and violence when his previously dependent brother, Porter forges an independent path. Porter finds a new friend in actress Desiree and embarks on a new life without Sam. The book introduces many interesting characters, mainly through their attraction to and interaction with Porter, most unaware of his past and present tortures. I enjoyed this character driven book, and would have loved to explore Sam and Porters relationship further. I found this an unusual book within this genre with a novel take on how to present a thriller. I would definitely recommend a read.
June 9, 2019
PORTER'S FORTUNE by Wyborn Senna is a tale of two cities - Buffalo, New York, and the fictional Santa Johanna, California. Samuel Dean Porter is an artist and chef in Buffalo - a success-driven alpha male who wants to take the world by the throat. In constrast is Sam's brother, George Patrick Porter, who simply goes by "Porter," and leads a boring life working at a Monsters & Halloween store in Buffalo - but his life changes drastically after his B-movie actress crush strolls into his store one day. From then on it's a Hollywood story, containing all the good, bad, and ugly of Tinseltown. Readers will appreciatate how the chapters clearly alternate between "Left Coast" and "Right Coast." Fans of the movies L.A. CONFIDENTIAL and MULHOLLAND DRIVE will like PORTER'S FURTUNE.
May 7, 2018
It is an intriguing story about two brothers with opposite personalities who live on opposite sides of the country. They try both to escape their dark past. It’s a story about their fortunes and misfortunes, sibling rivalry, greed, envy. The writing is engaging and easy to read. Although there is a large cast of characters I didn’t find it confusing due to the fact that most of them are vividly depicted and well-developed. Almost all of them feel realistic and credible.The pace is brisk and there are many twists and turns. There is enough conflict and tension to keep the reader intrigued till the very end. All in all an enjoyable read.
December 22, 2017
Fortune obviously, is not always what it seems to be. In this intriguing story written by Wyborne Senna, the plot is well laid out and keeps the reader going from coast to coast, deeper and deeper into the plot, with perhaps a few too many characters to keep track of. But that’s maybe the strong point in ‘Porter’s Fortune,’ because that keeps you focused and for that matter I enjoyed the e-book version quite well.
Give it a try, if you like contemporary style, a twisting plot and suspense.
Give it a try, if you like contemporary style, a twisting plot and suspense.
March 10, 2018
A gripping read with nicely structured plot and brooding suspense. George Porter really brought me into his world and the anxiety contained init. Well written compulsive reading!
January 14, 2015
Sam Dean has always had high expectations for himself. When he graduated from the French Culinary Institute, he went to design school. After opening a successful restaurant, he opened his own design studio. He's always been the smart one, the successful one, the handsome one. He has an image to uphold...and he will do everything in his power to do it.
Porter has always lived in his brother's shadow. His biggest dream is to move to California-not necessarily for fame or fortune, but to get away from Buffalo and the memories that haunt him. So it almost seems like fate has stepped in when a chance encounter gives him the opportunity of a lifetime.
Sam loves his brother and wants him to be happy, but when Porter's star begins to rise he starts to break down. He can't handle losing the spotlight, but mostly he is afraid that the skeletons in their closets will come spilling out, and he will do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen.
Wyborn Senna has written a book that will stay with you long after you stop reading. Porter's Fortune grabs you as soon as you start reading and never lets go.
The story is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. There is a lot going on, but it never gets disjointed or confusing. Even when going back and forth between the brothers and the coasts, Senna handles it all flawlessly. You can really feel the heart and soul she put into this and you can see how much thought was put in too.
With fully developed characters, amazing writing, and a story that is a true page-turner, there's nothing to not love about this book. Story Cartel provided me with a free copy of Porter's Fortune in exchange for an honest review, and I am so glad they did! I really enjoyed this and I'm sure you will too. Wyborn Senna is extremely talented, and I can't wait to see more from her!!
Porter has always lived in his brother's shadow. His biggest dream is to move to California-not necessarily for fame or fortune, but to get away from Buffalo and the memories that haunt him. So it almost seems like fate has stepped in when a chance encounter gives him the opportunity of a lifetime.
Sam loves his brother and wants him to be happy, but when Porter's star begins to rise he starts to break down. He can't handle losing the spotlight, but mostly he is afraid that the skeletons in their closets will come spilling out, and he will do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen.
Wyborn Senna has written a book that will stay with you long after you stop reading. Porter's Fortune grabs you as soon as you start reading and never lets go.
The story is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. There is a lot going on, but it never gets disjointed or confusing. Even when going back and forth between the brothers and the coasts, Senna handles it all flawlessly. You can really feel the heart and soul she put into this and you can see how much thought was put in too.
With fully developed characters, amazing writing, and a story that is a true page-turner, there's nothing to not love about this book. Story Cartel provided me with a free copy of Porter's Fortune in exchange for an honest review, and I am so glad they did! I really enjoyed this and I'm sure you will too. Wyborn Senna is extremely talented, and I can't wait to see more from her!!
January 4, 2015
Samuel Dean Porter Jr., who at the age of 18 shortened his name to Sam Dean, is a man with silk sensibilities who was born into a flannel family. In order to be true to his high standards, he had to distance himself from his family, which included an abusive father, a distant mother, and a younger brother, George, who he alternated between taking care of and being intensely jealous of.
When George, who prefers being called simply ‘Porter’, is hired by famous ‘scream’ actress Desirae Strand to work in a new TV series being filmed by wannabe TV producer Buck Phelim, sibling rivalry becomes deadly. Porter, who moves to the west coast from their home in Buffalo and is on the verge of becoming famous, threatens Sam’s cozy life as a top chef and noted interior designer on the east coast, driving him to the limits because of his fear that Porter might divulge a secret that he’s gone to great lengths to keep hidden.
Porter’s Fortune by Wyborn Senna is a chilling look at the darkness of sibling rivalry and abuse that is impossible to put down once you start reading. Senna takes the reader on a tour of the tortured minds of people who most of the time seem to be out of their minds. I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my review, and once I finished it, I found myself wanting to read more by this author – a master at keeping the reader on the edge of the seat wondering what will happen next.
When George, who prefers being called simply ‘Porter’, is hired by famous ‘scream’ actress Desirae Strand to work in a new TV series being filmed by wannabe TV producer Buck Phelim, sibling rivalry becomes deadly. Porter, who moves to the west coast from their home in Buffalo and is on the verge of becoming famous, threatens Sam’s cozy life as a top chef and noted interior designer on the east coast, driving him to the limits because of his fear that Porter might divulge a secret that he’s gone to great lengths to keep hidden.
Porter’s Fortune by Wyborn Senna is a chilling look at the darkness of sibling rivalry and abuse that is impossible to put down once you start reading. Senna takes the reader on a tour of the tortured minds of people who most of the time seem to be out of their minds. I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my review, and once I finished it, I found myself wanting to read more by this author – a master at keeping the reader on the edge of the seat wondering what will happen next.
August 17, 2014
Reel Life, Real Life and the Bridge Between:
Haunting past misfortunes, being a nomad, getting sudden hitches with the lower strata of the glamour world and a slow significant rise to stardom. Wyborn Senna has nailed the plot to my heart with her progress, climax and the fall. A stupendous Fourier series of all the necessary tit bits of a rags to riches, real life drama, the author has perfectly stirred a sibling tension knotted into a romance.
Every other progress in life feels good until the top. The fall from the zenith and surviving the fall is what creates a drama, a plot or a story.
With her linguistic skills she showcases her talent and sticks to the common mass as well. Porter’s Fortune and Wyborn Senna made me drool for more till the last until I closed the book, tried to separate the pages and found to my utter disbelief that it was the end.
A perfect written piece of literal tool on the dire implications of reel life on the real one and the bridge between, Porter’s Fortune has the potential to connect to you, your story and your heart. A must read every other guy who aspires to be great. It is truly the Bridge Between the glamour world and the surreal world.
Haunting past misfortunes, being a nomad, getting sudden hitches with the lower strata of the glamour world and a slow significant rise to stardom. Wyborn Senna has nailed the plot to my heart with her progress, climax and the fall. A stupendous Fourier series of all the necessary tit bits of a rags to riches, real life drama, the author has perfectly stirred a sibling tension knotted into a romance.
Every other progress in life feels good until the top. The fall from the zenith and surviving the fall is what creates a drama, a plot or a story.
With her linguistic skills she showcases her talent and sticks to the common mass as well. Porter’s Fortune and Wyborn Senna made me drool for more till the last until I closed the book, tried to separate the pages and found to my utter disbelief that it was the end.
A perfect written piece of literal tool on the dire implications of reel life on the real one and the bridge between, Porter’s Fortune has the potential to connect to you, your story and your heart. A must read every other guy who aspires to be great. It is truly the Bridge Between the glamour world and the surreal world.
August 17, 2014
A Tasty Hollywood Style Penthouse Pie:
Wyborn Senna knows how to thread the wool and unravel it whenever required with her new writing venture, Porter’s Fortune. First Impression is always said to be the Last Impression. The author has beautifully woven around the plot starting with an impressive quote from Paracelsus.
The book starts with a pretty insignificant protagonist straying into unknown lands to forget his unfortunate past. His short stay with his brother introduces him to the penthouse society and he is suddenly all set to attain stardom. The author then ditches his short lived happiness with the unraveling of past misfortunes and misdeeds by the brothers and brings in the storm after the calm.
A must read for every other wonderful reader and newbie writers as well, Porter’s Fortune has in it all the necessary glamour attached to its real life vs. reel life drama. Porter’s Fortune can provide you with various elements of a penthouse rags to riches story and hold your eyes till the end once you begin.
A treat for the readers, a lesson for plot writers, Wyborn Senna has surely come up with the best possible recipe to make a tasty Hollywood style penthouse pie.
Wyborn Senna knows how to thread the wool and unravel it whenever required with her new writing venture, Porter’s Fortune. First Impression is always said to be the Last Impression. The author has beautifully woven around the plot starting with an impressive quote from Paracelsus.
The book starts with a pretty insignificant protagonist straying into unknown lands to forget his unfortunate past. His short stay with his brother introduces him to the penthouse society and he is suddenly all set to attain stardom. The author then ditches his short lived happiness with the unraveling of past misfortunes and misdeeds by the brothers and brings in the storm after the calm.
A must read for every other wonderful reader and newbie writers as well, Porter’s Fortune has in it all the necessary glamour attached to its real life vs. reel life drama. Porter’s Fortune can provide you with various elements of a penthouse rags to riches story and hold your eyes till the end once you begin.
A treat for the readers, a lesson for plot writers, Wyborn Senna has surely come up with the best possible recipe to make a tasty Hollywood style penthouse pie.
December 10, 2014
Somewhere in the 3 1/2 - 4 range.
Disclaimer: I received a promotional copy through the First Reads program.
Note: It's 258 pages, not 268.
It's a well-paced, entertaining read. The chapters alternate between Left Coast (mostly Porter and the film crew in Santa Johanna) and Right Coast (mostly Sam and his inner circle in the Buffalo area), and this works. Senna does a good job of keeping things moving, not wasting space with rambles. There are enough plot twists to keep the reader engaged. New characters are introduced as the novel progresses, adding layers of complexity to the story, but there's a sense of logic to these additions.
On the flip side, the characters are lacking likeability. Certain elements of the plot don't seem totally plausible, so nit pickers will enjoy this less than people who can just go with the flow. I'm not so sure about the ending.
Disclaimer: I received a promotional copy through the First Reads program.
Note: It's 258 pages, not 268.
It's a well-paced, entertaining read. The chapters alternate between Left Coast (mostly Porter and the film crew in Santa Johanna) and Right Coast (mostly Sam and his inner circle in the Buffalo area), and this works. Senna does a good job of keeping things moving, not wasting space with rambles. There are enough plot twists to keep the reader engaged. New characters are introduced as the novel progresses, adding layers of complexity to the story, but there's a sense of logic to these additions.
On the flip side, the characters are lacking likeability. Certain elements of the plot don't seem totally plausible, so nit pickers will enjoy this less than people who can just go with the flow. I'm not so sure about the ending.
March 8, 2015
I received a free download of this book from Story Cartel, thank you!
This book was an entertaining read. At first, I thought I would not like the format of going back and forth between the left coast and right coast, but it was not distracting like I thought it would be. It actually made the story interesting, as the reader could read two stories (one for each brother) simultaneously. (I also thought it was clever that the left coast headings were printed on the left side of the page, and the right coast headings on the right side.) :-)
The story was a classic example of sibling rivalry - the rise of one and fall of the other. While some parts were predictable, there were just enough twists thrown in to keep me turning the pages.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.
This book was an entertaining read. At first, I thought I would not like the format of going back and forth between the left coast and right coast, but it was not distracting like I thought it would be. It actually made the story interesting, as the reader could read two stories (one for each brother) simultaneously. (I also thought it was clever that the left coast headings were printed on the left side of the page, and the right coast headings on the right side.) :-)
The story was a classic example of sibling rivalry - the rise of one and fall of the other. While some parts were predictable, there were just enough twists thrown in to keep me turning the pages.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.
August 11, 2014
I received this book in one of the 1st reads giveaway. It sounded like a good book by the description. The first few chapters are pretty good. I feel that the author put in too many characters, I couldn't keep track of all the names and backgrounds. It was well written. I just feel that it could have been more of a smooth story. The last chapters kept me engaged and made me want to finish it. This would really be a 3.5, not great, but not bad either.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
August 18, 2014
What a relatable story of someone who is a dreamer. Sometimes you feel totally despondent and lost in this world, and it is easy to read Porter's tale of someone who just wants to seek a place in this world. However, we all know things are not so easy and this is why the book takes an unbelievable amount of twists and turns that make this book well worth reading and a page turner! With more fame and power comes a whole lot of trouble, and we see that is certainly the case of Porter and all the characters in this book. Definitely well worth the read with plenty of take aways!
October 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow going n the beginning, but had it moved along faster, it would have been very easy to become confused, by who was who, and who was what to who and who did what to who. This sure had its fair share of bad guys and more than enough mental illness going around , each character had at least one or two. The ending was both happy and sad, buy at least Porter's dream came true.
August 18, 2014
I really liked the characters, the plot and the author's writing style. While reading this story I was able to clearly see a mental movie in my imagination about Porter, Sam and Desirae and this movie was really interesting to watch. I liked the following adventures of Porter on the way to becoming a movie star despite his brother Sam who did everything to not let him succeed. I really enjoyed this story and can certainly recommend it.
August 18, 2014
This story is about a young guy Porter who comes to Los Angeles from Buffalo with a desire to have opportunity to be among dreamers and doers. By chance he meets a B-Movie actress Desirae who helps him to get a role in a movie and to become famous. Porter's brother Sam does everything to not let Porter succeed. I became engaged in the story from the first page and really enjoyed the plot and unexpected twists. Great book!
August 16, 2014
This was my gem collection and I could not drop this book until finished. The story bound me and gave me more fun with designing some excellent characters like Porter, Sam and film crew.
The author described by drawing unique plot through lots of dramatic moments.
I love this book and it was so much entertaining..... Highly appreciated to author!
The author described by drawing unique plot through lots of dramatic moments.
I love this book and it was so much entertaining..... Highly appreciated to author!
August 19, 2014
This author simply amazed me with this story. I loved that this book cover many different subjects in a truly creative way. The main character really brought me closer to the story, to the point that I didn't want to put the book down. Very nicely written, definitely a five star book. I would highly recommend it.
August 2, 2014
I got this book in one of the goodreads giveaways. I had a hard time getting into the book and was a little confused with what was going on at times. I felt the plot was a little choppy and broken up but not bad overall.
August 31, 2014
wow!! I could not put this book down once I started reading it.. Love it!
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