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The Storm: A Story of Reincarnation in the Golden Era of Film and Music
The Storm is a novel about four intriguing lives and a cast of characters entwined in their stories. The Storm encompasses Paris during The French Revolution leading to the 20th century and covers Rome's opera House scenes, and Hollywood film studios in their Golden Era.
Marie Savoie, reborn in the 20th century, a reincarnation of Princess Marie Louise Lamballe. She was First Lady in Waiting to Marie Antoinette and first to be executed in the French Revolution because she refused to abandon the King and Queen. Reincarnated in Paris she would go on to become the foremost leading actress in France in the 1950's.
Tristan Taylor, Americas sensitive, soft spoken heart throb. A Broadway star who went on to stardom using "bel canto" opera technique as well as pop. His destiny was falling in love with Marie Savoie, the kind of wild, stormy and passionate love only a few ever share in life.
Jean Delacroix, by far the wealthiest man on earth. His ancestry going back to Napoleon Bonaparte who gave his family the sole rights to produce all military weapons. He was egotistical, sadistic, and took anything in life he desired by coercion or force. Upon meeting Marie-Savoie he fell hopelessly in love and would do anything in his power to claim her, to own her, body and soul.
Vanessa Daniels, Hollywood's most beautiful and famous actress of the 1950's. She was born with the gift of seeing into the future. She seduced a teenage Tristan and was his first love, a love that turned to eternal friendship and admiration.
Inspiration for The Storm
The first thoughts came to me in 1955. I was attending an “audit class” about Philosophies at UCLA, an evening class.
What really pushed me over to write The Storm came about in 1998. I was on a business trip in New Orleans. It was a Sunday and having nothing better to do noticed there was an antique show not far from my hotel. While strolling through the booths I felt a pull towards a very large glass lined series of displays showing very expensive jewelry. Among the items was one small glass display and inside one item. I stared at the black velvet box exhibiting a delicate bracelet. My body froze as the same extraordinary vision took over once again. The large crowd became silent, the colors of the entire auditorium changed to vibrant colors not of this earth.
I was swept back in time to the night of my death but it was earlier, Marie Antoinette and Princess Maria Teresa Lamballe were playing cards as I stood nearby watching. On the Queens hand was the same bracelet I had just viewed in the present. It was, as I found out a best friend bracelet only given to your best friend as a symbol of love and affection. I purchased the bracelet and after the purchase asked the owner, though very expensive why not so that day. She responded to me, it was given to the queen of France and the princess who gave it to her was her first lady in waiting and the first executed in the French Revolution. She went on to say none of her regular customers wanted it because of that fact and she had greatly reduced the price.
It was not until the year 2000 that I decided to write the novel you can read today. It took many years and much research to create The Storm. I wanted this fiction novel to be as accurate as possible and spent five years in the process. Keep in mind other fiction writers like James Mitchener spend enormous amounts of research time even writing a fiction novel. Writing the Storm was an act of love and I hope you find it rewarding.
Marie Savoie, reborn in the 20th century, a reincarnation of Princess Marie Louise Lamballe. She was First Lady in Waiting to Marie Antoinette and first to be executed in the French Revolution because she refused to abandon the King and Queen. Reincarnated in Paris she would go on to become the foremost leading actress in France in the 1950's.
Tristan Taylor, Americas sensitive, soft spoken heart throb. A Broadway star who went on to stardom using "bel canto" opera technique as well as pop. His destiny was falling in love with Marie Savoie, the kind of wild, stormy and passionate love only a few ever share in life.
Jean Delacroix, by far the wealthiest man on earth. His ancestry going back to Napoleon Bonaparte who gave his family the sole rights to produce all military weapons. He was egotistical, sadistic, and took anything in life he desired by coercion or force. Upon meeting Marie-Savoie he fell hopelessly in love and would do anything in his power to claim her, to own her, body and soul.
Vanessa Daniels, Hollywood's most beautiful and famous actress of the 1950's. She was born with the gift of seeing into the future. She seduced a teenage Tristan and was his first love, a love that turned to eternal friendship and admiration.
Inspiration for The Storm
The first thoughts came to me in 1955. I was attending an “audit class” about Philosophies at UCLA, an evening class.
What really pushed me over to write The Storm came about in 1998. I was on a business trip in New Orleans. It was a Sunday and having nothing better to do noticed there was an antique show not far from my hotel. While strolling through the booths I felt a pull towards a very large glass lined series of displays showing very expensive jewelry. Among the items was one small glass display and inside one item. I stared at the black velvet box exhibiting a delicate bracelet. My body froze as the same extraordinary vision took over once again. The large crowd became silent, the colors of the entire auditorium changed to vibrant colors not of this earth.
I was swept back in time to the night of my death but it was earlier, Marie Antoinette and Princess Maria Teresa Lamballe were playing cards as I stood nearby watching. On the Queens hand was the same bracelet I had just viewed in the present. It was, as I found out a best friend bracelet only given to your best friend as a symbol of love and affection. I purchased the bracelet and after the purchase asked the owner, though very expensive why not so that day. She responded to me, it was given to the queen of France and the princess who gave it to her was her first lady in waiting and the first executed in the French Revolution. She went on to say none of her regular customers wanted it because of that fact and she had greatly reduced the price.
It was not until the year 2000 that I decided to write the novel you can read today. It took many years and much research to create The Storm. I wanted this fiction novel to be as accurate as possible and spent five years in the process. Keep in mind other fiction writers like James Mitchener spend enormous amounts of research time even writing a fiction novel. Writing the Storm was an act of love and I hope you find it rewarding.
449 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 16, 2021
I was provided with a free copy in exchange for an honest review
DNF about half way through. I've waited a while to write this review because I thought I might come back to finishing this book, but I have not yet done so.
This author has a very compelling writing style, when I would pick up the book to read it, I found myself tearing through. However, it got to a point where it felt like the book really just wanted to be erotica with some story in between the raunchy scenes. It became predictable in that way. Not to mention that in reading the summary of this book you would not expect near as much graphic romance (which doesnt bother me to read, I just would like to know when that's what I've picked up)
The whole reincarnation thing felt forced. This seemed like it could have been 3-4 really great separate novels, but instead as soon as I felt wrapped up in one story, we would time travel to another and i would have to start over. It was almost like too much time was given in each timeline.
There was also some lack of attention to research or detail found. As a musician reading about another musician, there were things that just didnt make sense about a couple scenes. "Base" voice instead of "bass". A conductor referenced to cue a soloist to start singing. That's just.. not how that works? It read as amateur even though the rest of the writing was so enjoyable to read.
So overall, VERY compelling writing. I do still think I'll pick this back up for a retry in the upcoming months now that I know the kind of story I'm in for.
DNF about half way through. I've waited a while to write this review because I thought I might come back to finishing this book, but I have not yet done so.
This author has a very compelling writing style, when I would pick up the book to read it, I found myself tearing through. However, it got to a point where it felt like the book really just wanted to be erotica with some story in between the raunchy scenes. It became predictable in that way. Not to mention that in reading the summary of this book you would not expect near as much graphic romance (which doesnt bother me to read, I just would like to know when that's what I've picked up)
The whole reincarnation thing felt forced. This seemed like it could have been 3-4 really great separate novels, but instead as soon as I felt wrapped up in one story, we would time travel to another and i would have to start over. It was almost like too much time was given in each timeline.
There was also some lack of attention to research or detail found. As a musician reading about another musician, there were things that just didnt make sense about a couple scenes. "Base" voice instead of "bass". A conductor referenced to cue a soloist to start singing. That's just.. not how that works? It read as amateur even though the rest of the writing was so enjoyable to read.
So overall, VERY compelling writing. I do still think I'll pick this back up for a retry in the upcoming months now that I know the kind of story I'm in for.
December 22, 2020
Hmmm.. struggling with how many stars to put. I am putting a "cop out" three. I didn't care for the book. It is not a book I would normally read so for me it was rather a slog getting through it. It's not a book I would choose by a long shot but I think many would. There was intrigue, sadomasochistic sex, blackmail, murder, betrayal, torture, suicide, obsession... I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Definitely not a dull book. Just a little explicit for my taste and I found it quite depressing. Others may find it fast-paced and exciting. Jackie Collins on steroids perhaps though I've never read a Jackie Collins novel??? In spite of my distaste for this book, the book was certainly not poorly written!
The story is mainly centered on billionaire and masochist (of the Marquis de Sade type,) Jean Delacroix who was obsessed with Marie the actress who was obsessed with Tristan the actor/singer who was also obsessed with Marie. Jean's obsession with Marie was deadly for some who dared get in his way. Also, anytime he was crossed in any other way he would sic his sadistic twisted Nazi on the person who would torture and kill them in one of Delacroix' little cottages in Saint Moritz. When I say sadistic and twisted, that's an understatement.
There were a few bits on reincarnation and a few mentions but I don't know that the subtitle is really necessary. It wasn't as much a part of the story as it would indicate. I felt the modern day story was standalone. This story jumps around from the 1700s briefly to the 1900s. Paris, Berlin, Rome, Venice, Tokyo, Beverly hills, Pasadena, New York City...1950s to the 1970s. Maybe I'm too old, but I struggled to keep up. I was able to keep up with the main characters but there was such a large contingent of minor characters that I struggled to keep them straight. All the jumping around from place to place might really appeal to someone who is a jet setter at heart.
This book will have a very specific audience and I think they will enjoy it immensely. It's quite a ride. For someone like me who prefers a little tamer read, you might want to avoid it. That brings me back to how many stars? For me it would be one simply because I didn't like the content. For others I imagine it would be at least a four star. That is my dilemma. I guess I went with three as a cop out.
I was given a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
The story is mainly centered on billionaire and masochist (of the Marquis de Sade type,) Jean Delacroix who was obsessed with Marie the actress who was obsessed with Tristan the actor/singer who was also obsessed with Marie. Jean's obsession with Marie was deadly for some who dared get in his way. Also, anytime he was crossed in any other way he would sic his sadistic twisted Nazi on the person who would torture and kill them in one of Delacroix' little cottages in Saint Moritz. When I say sadistic and twisted, that's an understatement.
There were a few bits on reincarnation and a few mentions but I don't know that the subtitle is really necessary. It wasn't as much a part of the story as it would indicate. I felt the modern day story was standalone. This story jumps around from the 1700s briefly to the 1900s. Paris, Berlin, Rome, Venice, Tokyo, Beverly hills, Pasadena, New York City...1950s to the 1970s. Maybe I'm too old, but I struggled to keep up. I was able to keep up with the main characters but there was such a large contingent of minor characters that I struggled to keep them straight. All the jumping around from place to place might really appeal to someone who is a jet setter at heart.
This book will have a very specific audience and I think they will enjoy it immensely. It's quite a ride. For someone like me who prefers a little tamer read, you might want to avoid it. That brings me back to how many stars? For me it would be one simply because I didn't like the content. For others I imagine it would be at least a four star. That is my dilemma. I guess I went with three as a cop out.
I was given a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
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January 18, 2021I was given this book to review, so here goes.
It is about 4 different characters, whom may have known each other in another life. While that aspect of the book is muddy and confusing, the story as it follows Jean Delacroix's obsession with Marie Savoie, her love affairs and great love with Tristan Taylor, who loves Vanessa Daniels as his best friend and how they all interact together is a wonderful love story. Vanessa's ability to see visions shows up in several places in the book, which, had it been emphasized more, would have been able to string a lot of the reincarnation story together better. As it is, it doesn't really add to the overall story of the 2 lovers and all the interference Jean Delacroix throws at them with all his money. Vanessa starts out as a big character, but falls behind as Marie begins to show up. There are several minor characters who show up for reasons I am unable to discern, as they don't seem to add anything to the story.
It may seem like I didn't like this book, but I can't say that. The love story of Marie and Tristan was very much in the pattern of any good romance, with all the ups and downs that make up that genre of storytelling. Jean Delacroix is a wonderful villain, very easy to hate, even when you see his inner pain. He's just a narcissist, sadist, and all around bad guy and being rich can't get him Marie's love. He can't redeem himself in any way, as he doesn't see any reason to do so. Marie and Tristan, for all the troubles they go through, come back to each other in a way that works for the ending. Which is the only hint I will give you.
If you can find this book, give it a chance, as there are some good parts there that overcome the lack of voice this book starts with. I was happy with the way it ended, and worth the time I spent to read it. once you get into it, it will hold your attention.
It is about 4 different characters, whom may have known each other in another life. While that aspect of the book is muddy and confusing, the story as it follows Jean Delacroix's obsession with Marie Savoie, her love affairs and great love with Tristan Taylor, who loves Vanessa Daniels as his best friend and how they all interact together is a wonderful love story. Vanessa's ability to see visions shows up in several places in the book, which, had it been emphasized more, would have been able to string a lot of the reincarnation story together better. As it is, it doesn't really add to the overall story of the 2 lovers and all the interference Jean Delacroix throws at them with all his money. Vanessa starts out as a big character, but falls behind as Marie begins to show up. There are several minor characters who show up for reasons I am unable to discern, as they don't seem to add anything to the story.
It may seem like I didn't like this book, but I can't say that. The love story of Marie and Tristan was very much in the pattern of any good romance, with all the ups and downs that make up that genre of storytelling. Jean Delacroix is a wonderful villain, very easy to hate, even when you see his inner pain. He's just a narcissist, sadist, and all around bad guy and being rich can't get him Marie's love. He can't redeem himself in any way, as he doesn't see any reason to do so. Marie and Tristan, for all the troubles they go through, come back to each other in a way that works for the ending. Which is the only hint I will give you.
If you can find this book, give it a chance, as there are some good parts there that overcome the lack of voice this book starts with. I was happy with the way it ended, and worth the time I spent to read it. once you get into it, it will hold your attention.
December 27, 2020
Honestly I don’t read much these days. As a film producer I used to read hundreds of books and scripts, but I rarely got through the first twenty to fifty pages. The Storm was given to me by a friend - he just said “Read it, this one you will like!”...Without expecting much I started reading the book the same night..Surprise! It was the real page turner!..Rarely have I read the novel that had all the right stuff! The book took me from the beginning to end and the only disappointment was that it didn’t go on longer...Over the decades I have worked in film when I read a novel or script, I like to imagine who will play what character. This was no exception as the evil Eugene Delacroix should be played by Al Pacino and his likewise evil servant Wolfgang should be Arnold Schwarzenegger. This very creative writer leads you down the path where you think you see where he is going only to shock you by going in the opposite direction. The story is wonderfully unpredictable! If you are looking for a rollercoaster ride buy this book! It will certainly take your mind away from the difficult times most of us are experiencing right now.
December 24, 2020
Great book and good reading. From the introduction with its most beautiful Poem, this book captures the readers interest and imagination and entwines them into the lives of each character. The book seamlessly combines the lives of the characters over the centuries through the theory of reincarnation.
The book intermingles the lives of its main characters, along with many supporting characters from the 18th to the 20th century. The reader is given a look into worlds unknown to many, such as life in a Chateau in Switzerland, the beauty of Paris, and the move industry of 20th century Hollywood. As I read the book, I looked forward to the next chapter in each character's life to see what intriguing adventure or life changing event they would encounter, and believe me there were many.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and had a very hard time putting it down, it kept one captivated and wanting to know what happened next. I enjoyed reading it and I know you will too!
The book intermingles the lives of its main characters, along with many supporting characters from the 18th to the 20th century. The reader is given a look into worlds unknown to many, such as life in a Chateau in Switzerland, the beauty of Paris, and the move industry of 20th century Hollywood. As I read the book, I looked forward to the next chapter in each character's life to see what intriguing adventure or life changing event they would encounter, and believe me there were many.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and had a very hard time putting it down, it kept one captivated and wanting to know what happened next. I enjoyed reading it and I know you will too!
November 21, 2020
Wow!!!
I was asked for an honest review in exchange for a copy of this book, and I’m honestly blown away .
I have never read anything like this before. A wild, sensual story intersecting the lives of various individuals during the French Revolution, and 20th century Rome and Hollywood.
There is a huge cast of characters, but it is not overwhelming; their paths intersect with the main four almost perfectly. Every thing works.... and I could not put it down!
Emotionally charged. If explicit sexual encounters bother you, be warned, but the heart of the story will pull at you.
While it does advertise as a reincarnation based story, I felt it a little light on that end; briefly touched on but didn’t really add anything.
All in all, I will highly recommend!!!!
I was asked for an honest review in exchange for a copy of this book, and I’m honestly blown away .
I have never read anything like this before. A wild, sensual story intersecting the lives of various individuals during the French Revolution, and 20th century Rome and Hollywood.
There is a huge cast of characters, but it is not overwhelming; their paths intersect with the main four almost perfectly. Every thing works.... and I could not put it down!
Emotionally charged. If explicit sexual encounters bother you, be warned, but the heart of the story will pull at you.
While it does advertise as a reincarnation based story, I felt it a little light on that end; briefly touched on but didn’t really add anything.
All in all, I will highly recommend!!!!
January 3, 2021
I am a guest of Mr. & Mrs. DuBasso over the holidays. As a former English teacher, I would never write a false review. I just finished the novel The Storm and found it very entertaining. The novel in part covers 1950’s Hollywood and I found it very realistic, especially in dealing with a Hollywood film mogul who thinks he can control the stars he employs. I especially enjoyed the way the writer brings you in and out of the four principals’ lives. The writer weaves the story like an artist paints a picture, very difficult to accomplish no matter who the writer is. Each chapter upon reaching the end leaves you with the thought, “what’s next” and is hard to put down. Cheers Mr. DuBasso, loved it.
December 29, 2020
This book was a real treat. It seamlessly combines a gripping, dazzling plot with deep dives into richly constructed worlds. The author does not shy away from exploring the most visceral constituents of human nature. I loved it, and if you appreciate provocative, masterfully executed, and uncommon literature, then you will too!
January 11, 2021
This captured my attention from the beginning and held it throughout, it was wonderfully engaging. The ending, however, was highly anticipated but sadly squished into about four pages which just made it feel rushed and slightly anticlimactic.
*I received a copy in exchange for my review*
*I received a copy in exchange for my review*
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January 11, 2021Deleted review, due to response from publisher that compensated me for the time I put in reading this book.
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January 12, 2021I received a copy in exchange for a review. The book is now in further review and I wish the author the best of luck.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews