Catch a Rising Star

Drama Queen #1

by Tracey Bateman

When thirty-something Tabby Brockman has the opportunity to reclaim her role as a killed-off character on the nation's #1 daytime soap opera, she figures this must be God's reward. But back on the set, she's faced with the same hateful head writer who killed off her character in the first place, kids who drive her crazy, a stage dad who rubs her completely wrong, and and an unwanted boyfriend who can?t seem to get the message. Faced with this dizzying rollercoaster of challenges, Tabby has to wonder: is she finally a star on the rise or just on the brink of another spectacular fall?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Christian, Christian Romance, Contemporary

280 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2007

About the author

Tracey Bateman is also published as Tracey Cross, is the Christy award-winning author of more than thirty titles and has nearly a million books in print. She lives in Missouri's Ozarks with her husband and four children.

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tabby is a down and out soap opera actress who has been struggling since her character was "killed" because of a misunderstanding with the head writer. But the great thing about soap's is that characters can come back to life any time. When Tabby is able to go back to the soap she thinks life will be much easier. She doesn't bargain for the same life problems that we have whether we're employed or not. Plus she has no knack with children at all and she has to be the on screen mom to a set of twins who can tell she has a lack of experience. The twins' Dad is a hunky widower that Tabby can't seem to get out of her mind.
A fun read. Lots of pop culture referances, and the soap referances are hilarious.

[Melissa (Hiatus due to Death in Family) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Woman soap opera star is a Christian. Would have liked it better had she not been so much of a doormat.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light Read

This isn't my favorite book, but it is a clean, light read that is nice to revisit every so often. It isn't great, but it is enjoyable.

[Lisa Castle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up the large print version at the library, so had no book-jacket or other clues that this was "Christian" romance.

[Jeanne Modisett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tabby Brockman is a young girl who is getting a second chance to reprise her role on the nation’s number-one daytime soap opera. Right away Tabby’s faith is tested. She knows that she wants to make a different in the field she loves – acting; but is she have the courage to stand up for her principles? Will she be strong? Will being on the show be different this time now that she is a “Christian”? The story is funny, witty and believable. Tracey shows what Tabby has to deal with as a member of the soap opera cast on a daily basis. Tabby learns how to make Jesus - Lord of her life through a process of trial and errors (some pretty funny) Tabby also battles with “Lies” of the enemy about her weight and other topics that come up in that industry. This was a fun book and the first in its series called "Drama Queen".

The reader is given insights into what it’s like being part of a large soap opera cast on T.V. This is the first book I’ve read by this author; it won’t be the last.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tabby Brockman is an actress. Fired from her soap opera, when the head writer, out of anger and jealousy, kills off her character, she flits from job to job always hoping for another break. When she's asked to rejoin the cast of the soap when her character makes a miraculous recovery after several years, she figures she has it made. Hilarity ensues when head writer doesn't like her, she's jealous of her on-screen rival, her mother drives her crazy and she has a crush on the father of her television children.

While Tabby is a bit of a doormat, her narration is quite funny. She can't tell the man who has a crush on her to go away, she won't stand up to her mother, and she always misreading and misunderstanding situations around her. Her two roommates add fun to the mix and what follows is laugh out loud entertaining.

Almost casually Christian, this is a fun, light-hearted chick-lit novel with nothing serious or thought-provoking about it. An easy read when you need a light diversion. Sequels follow for her two best friends.

[Hanna Sandvig · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll start by saying that it doesn't usually take me more than a day to read a chick-lit...this one took...four?

I spent most of the book wanting to slap the characters...all of them. How can you be accidently dating someone? And not figure out how to tell him that you aren't dating? And have someone else that you like think you are in a relationship because you can't figure out how to break it to anyone that you aren't? I know that books don't need plausible plot lines to work. But seriously. Seriously!

It got a bit better by the end, but still...I just can't see how most of those relationship miscommunications could have happened in anyone's life.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not very good. The main character irritated me most of the time, and the "love triangle" was so stupid. (How can a guy THINK he is dating you but he's really not?)

I was a huge fan of soap operas when I was younger, though, so I liked that the plot revolved around a soap opera star. However, I did not like her condescending attitude that "Christians shouldn't watch or be on soaps". Say what?!

I had checked the sequel out from the library at the same time as this one, but I don't think I'll be reading it, even though it is through her friend's POV and not Tabby's.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this one. It was a slow start, but a third of the way through I started to like it. It wasn't one of my favorite books, but it was an easy read. I don't care too much for the main character. I found her slightly annoying and naive. But the kids in the book were cute! I will look into other books by this author, but I won't buy them unless they are on sale.

[Tiffanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

tabby was fired from her job as a daytime soap actress cause the writer caught her about to kiss her husband but she didnt know he wasnt wearing a ring. shes got a man who thinks hes her boyfriend csuse her mom keeps pushing him to her. her little sister is knocked up and the dad ran off with another girl. the soap invites tabby back an she meets mr perfect but it seems like her nemessis hs jer claws in him. will tabby ever get mr perfect an rid of mr annoying? read to find out

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of 3 books about 3 friends and their life. This one is about Tabby, an actress on a soap opera and trying to live a Christian life despite what others are trying to do to her (sabatouge).

I read the 2nd book first and so this one seemed weird because I already knew what was going to happen, but it was still good to see how it all developed.

Definitely a good series!

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another series from the 'Christian fiction' author Tracey Bateman, about 3 friends. There are 3 books, one from the perspective of each of the friends. I have read the first two, unfortunately the 3rd one is not on file at the library so I'm debating whether to buy it; they're just okay, not as good as the 'Claire' series.

[Kristyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I hadn't accidentally read the books out of order, I would have never read the second one after reading this one. It was kind of boring, the writing and character interactions weren't that great and were very brief. I felt like the best parts of the romance were all summed up in the epilogue.

Since the second one was much better, I look forward to reading the third.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, it is a cute storyline. It is a good vacation book. It is a light read, had a few chuckles and smiles, good clean romance. This book was also a fun read and a good break from some of the more emotional books, so I look forward to the next one.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked all three books in the Drama Queen Series. The style of writing each main character's inner thoughts were full of humor. The story lines were simple and fun light entertainment...perfect for summer reading any girl can relate to.

[Ariana Velasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually not the person to read this kind of books but when i saw this book, i wanted to give it a chance. I got it and am not regretting picking in up. It was the first lit book ive read but, hey! The first is always the best!

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, light-read. It is definitely not overtly Christian and is almost a stretch to call it Christian fiction...

[Lisa]

Drama Queens series / book one

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little romance set in the world of a soap opera actress. I wasn't sure I'd like it, since I'm not into the whole soap thing, but I read it in a day. It was a fun, clean, quick read.

[Tealen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I am a fan. I have liked all the books that I have read by Tracey Bateman. This one is no disappointment. It is a fun easy read. I look forward to the next one.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like fu-fu silliness - this one's for you.

[Spanishteach76]

McKae was reading this book...looked pretty good!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next two in the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book!! I love this whole collection!! The characters are so easy to relate to and the books are full of good, clean laughter. A GREAT READ!!!

[Lauri Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lit & Latte, February 2010... cute

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was entertaining for a day or two. If I find the second one easily, I'll read it.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out very slow. It was an OK read by the end. Not one of her best.

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a really cute book. I would have rated it higher, but the main character annoyed me too much (a little too self-centered and without back-bone).