Marquel

Marquel

by Emily W. Skinner

Marquel is a retro early 90's novel that travels from Florida to the glitz of Hollywood and back again. A high-velocity story of glamour and celebrity in the tradition of Jackie Collins and Harold Robbins.

An emotionally broken yet rising star Marquel is struggling with haunting memories, a romance with her psychiatrist, a mystery man who is stalking her all while an aggressive tabloid journalist Mark Collins is trying to unveil her past. It's a race to see who will discover her secrets first and how that knowledge with effect her career and the men who love her.

Please note, this novel does deal with mature content.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Emily had a goal when she was 15, she would have a daughter named Marquel and write a novel titled "Marquel." She accomplished both and more.

A member of The International Thriller Writers, Emily was a protege of the late master of the pulps or paperback originals, Harry Whittington. Emily interviewed Whittington during her days as a feature writer for the Clearwater Sun daily newspaper and its weekly division. They became friends and he taught her how to plot and gave her approval of the original outline and sample chapter for "Marquel" shortly before he died in 1989.

After Whittington passed away, Emily challenged herself to write as her mentor did and wrote a chapter a day and finished the novel "Marquel" in 52 days. For more details on the novel's history read: http://www.thefilmmom.blogspot.com/20...
Fast forward, a second daughter, Blair is born and Emily and husband Tom focus on raising their family. Both daughters are now grown and work in Hollywood. So this might be an example of art imitating life or the reverse?

A devoted Catholic, Emily is rekindling her love for writing and has just completed the movie script for "Marquel" and the pilot for her a young adult paranormal series appropriately named after her youngest child, "St. Blair: Children of the Night."

Her third book in the St. Blair: Children of the Night series: "The Diary of St. Blair" is set to release on All Saints Day, November 1st 2017.

Emily also writes under the name E.W. Skinner

When Emily isn't working as a marketing consultant or writing, she enjoys writing and producing short films. Emily is the proud Executive Producer of Blair Skinner's film "Relative Eternity," a 2012 LA Shorts Film Festival selection, Sunscreen Film Festival selection and Short Film Corner Festival de Cannes selection. Written, directed and edited by Blair Skinner, "Relative Eternity" is on snagfilms.com for your viewing pleasure. It is free to view.

Also, watch for Emily's short film "Dough Nuts and More," with daughter Marquel directing and the lead Jane Dough and daughter Blair, assistant director. The premise is based on Emily's experience as a sales rep.

Dough Nuts and More
Logline: Supermom and superstar sales rep Jane Dough has prepared for two years to close the biggest sale of her newspaper career when her presentation is disrupted by a call that her husband John is in the emergency room.

Follow Emily's Blog at: http://thefilmmom.blogspot.com/

Reviews

[Bookworm Betties · Rating 4 out of 5]

★✩★✩ 4- Incredibly Intriguing, Emotionally Draining -Stars
~Spoiler FREE Review~

The press was prying, everyone was. The damn press had had a heyday already. Ken was pissed that she didn't read the trades or watch television. She was television, why watch it? Why should she care what others think? She preferred to keep an invisible persona in her own mind.

★✩CLIFFNOTES✩★
Marquel is a television darling, star on a hit sitcom, she has become the IT girl... but no one knows what goes on when the cameras go off. Behind the scenes, Marquel is slowly unraveling at the seems. She has a dirt rag reporter digging into her background to find all the ugly skeletons in her closet, but the trouble is, she has no memory of the events that have scared her. In an attempt to help her get her life in order, her agent sends her to a psychiatrist. As Marquel slowly begins to unfold her past while falling in love with her doctor, she starts to realize that nothing about her is as it seems.

One super short review coming right up...
I am going to have to be very careful about what I say here and stick to the ultra vague, the mystery in this book is immense and spilling the beans on anything would kill the story and I just can't do that. Page after page of intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat, nothing or no one are as they seem, and every time you think you have it all figured out, you will be proven wrong ~ and when the truth finally comes out, it is so far from what your expecting you will start backtracking to see where you missed the clues. One thing I didn't necessarily care for was the POV jumps quite frequently through multiple characters throughout the book, and it did cause me some confusion from time to time. But nothing changes the fact that this book packed an emotional punch like no other, even the ending was a mix of happiness and incredible sadness, bittersweet and devastating. The journey this author takes you on is unique and won't soon be forgotten.

“I have but one path by which my feet are guided and that is the lamp of experience!”

Check out my FULL post @ Bookworm Betties

Happy Reading xo Jenn

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Have you ever wondered if you fit in? Do you question your role in society, your place in your world? Marquel had it all, a hit television show, looks, talent and an agent who would do anything for her. But she felt lost; every now and then she would become overwhelmed with a sense of doom. Marquel wondered if she was going crazy; is she going to be another Hollywood story? Zach Manning, is a divorced psychiatrist who only loves his daughter, Jackie. His ex-wife is a terror that he tries to have minimal interaction with at all costs. George Jennings, is a mechanic from Florida who tries to put one foot in front of the other, dealing with a loss so great he can hardly survive. Skinner intertwines these lives across the miles and weaves a story that will capture your heart, you mind and your time (because you can’t stop reading it). What do these three characters have in common? How do they relate to one another? What does love have to do with it? I loved reading this novel. I recommend it for anyone who has what if moments in their lives. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys unraveling tales, sadness and redemption. Emily Skinner did a wonderful job writing this work of fiction.

[Karen Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marquel is living the life most would dream about. The star on a television series, she is a highly sought after actress who is living the good life. But what we don’t see is what really happens behind the security gates. Paparazzi obsessed with selling your picture and a story to the tabloids, sensational enough to sell papers. They don’t care about the truth. They will in fact make things up if necessary.
Marquel now has the dubious honor of having a tabloid journalist digging into her past. He is convinced she is hiding something and well, the public needs, no deserves to know the truth….for a price. As Marquel tries to deal with the prospect of something from her past coming to light, what can she do to stop it or even be prepared for it. Everything is spinning out of control and she just doesn’t know how to make all this stop.
Good story, more mystery/suspense than romance genre. 3.5 stars

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marquel is a young beautiful actress enjoying a stint in a popular television show. On the surface all seems well until a relentless reporter scrapes the thin surface of her happy façade. With the reporter unwilling to believe there wasn’t a juicy story hidden in her past, Marquel needs help dealing with the pressure and ultimately the secrets that refuse to stay buried.

This was my first time reading Emily Skinner so I wasn’t sure what to expect. This romantic suspense story exceeded my expectations due to the incredible depths of emotion of its characters and the intricate plot woven by this skillful author. There was a secret and it was slowly revealed to the reader as the characters themselves were introduced to them.

This was a well-thought out story with strong emotions on both sides of the spectrum. I was not expecting the emotional roller coaster and pain that the story would reveal and the author ensured I was with her the entire way. Excellent!

[Kellie Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marquel was an actress her life seemed perfect to the outsiders. Little did anyone know she was loosing it day by day minute by minute. Why? Nobody knows not even Marquel. two words for thid book WOW and AWESOME. Once you start reading its hard to put down, and its a page turner. Emily Skinner sure knows her stuff on Emily's website check out the book trailer it makes me wish this book was a movie hers her website then click the picture for the trailer youll be glad you did. http://www.emilyskinneradvertising.co...

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not read anything by this author so not sure what I was expecting. Opening this book I thought it was gonna be another story full of fame and glamour. However the author took this story to another level.

Marquel is a gorgeous young actress who is having trouble dealing with secrets from her past. We read bout how the paparazzi in this story will do anything to get a story.

Really great romantic suspenseful story. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more from this author.

[Jenn Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

★✩★✩ 4- Incredibly Intriguing, Emotionally Draining -Stars

Check out my FULL post @ Bookworm Betties

Happy Reading xo Jenn

[Steph Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and well written. "Marquel" is engaging and keeps the reader wanting more.... a great read!

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Skinner's Marquel is definitely a modern novel for modern readers. While its graphic content may deter some, Ms. Skinner has proven she not only knows how to write, but writes well.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come soon

[Emy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE! I was dumbfounded with the twist. I never see it coming and having an entirely different assumption in my head as to what was really happening, I was extremely amazed upon coming to the point of truth. Definitely one of a kind! Can't get my nose off the book for you'll crave for the truth as you went deeper and every page you flip will make you tell yourself, here we are, here we are...

And the overflowing emotions! I love it! If you're looking for a unique, non-cliché, and totally unpredictable book, this is a hundred percent recommended!

Such a great author you are, Mrs.Skinner! You know how to trick your readers and I so so love it! I'm so excited to finish this series and get to read your other book series as well which is St.Blair!!!

[Tiffany www.instagram.com/tiffs_bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!!!!!!

OMG this book is right up my alley with the soap opera like Hollywood drama!!!!!! Loved it and have got to read the second in this series as soon as i can.

[paulette sarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This story kept you wondering about the main characters past and what she was hiding. Glad she worked it out and the ending was happy.

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where to start! Its going to be so hard to review this book without giving away spoilers!

Marquel is Hollywood superstar. But she is fragile and damaged from events in her past that she cannot remember. Mark Collins is a tabloid reporter, looking for his big break, and determined to get it. He knows Marquel is hiding a story that could make his career and nothing is going to stop him from uncovering it and making it public. As Marquel begins to spiral even further into herself, her agent Ken fears he will loose his biggest star and sends her to a therapist. There Marquel begins to find happiness in the arms of her doctor. But the secrets Marquel has been keeping, even from herself are so shocking that her whole way of life, and the lives of those around her is about to change dramatically.

Marquel had me hooked from the very first page. Its been many years since ive read a book in this style (think Jackie Collins), and I had forgotten how much i enjoy them. The story changes perspective from character to character every few pages, which I loved, because it meant the story never felt slow. It was a little confusing early on, as there really is quite a large cast of characters to keep track of, but once you know who's who, it isn't a problem. My only real complaint with the book lies in this area. There are so many characters introduced early on that i didn't really feel were necessary. They might have been mentioned once or twice later on in the book, but overall, they didn't add anything to the story, and i think to save confusion, they probably could have been left out completely.

The main story of course, is the mystery surrounding Marquel's past. It had me guessing the whole time. I changed my mind multiple times, trying to figure out what had happened to her, and when i did finally find out i was stunned. I truly hadn't seen that coming! It was so cleverly done!And that ending! I really had no idea what to feel! I was both happy and sad and then happy again.

Overall, i really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Emily's work. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fast moving story, or who enjoys the hollywood romance/mystery genres.

Thankyou to Emily for providing me a copy of this book to review. This in no way affects my opinion of the book.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book that kept my interest. The storyline was very unique and interesting. I really liked the varied characters who so fit the time frame and the industry. I liked the heroine and so felt for her and what all she was going through. Other than a couple typos, the writing was very well done. I did have problems with the resolutions of a couple of Marquel's problems. They seemed too sudden without taking us fully through the process. And, although I liked the main ending, I did not like the ending for George; I did not think it was fair to him.

[Steve Mckinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book, it started a bit slow but as the characters developed it became hard to put down. I would highly recommend for a summer read.