Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams

Corrigan Sisters #3

by Jennifer Lamont Leo

Hollywood, California, 1933. Selling perfume in a department store is far from the life Helen Corrigan envisioned when she headed for Hollywood with stars in her eyes. Beneath the glittering façade, things in Tinsel Town are seldom what they seem, and Helen fights to maintain her moral scruples amid trials and temptations. However, she’s not about to give up on her dream. All she needs is a lucky break. But what if the only “break” involves her heart?

Screenwriter Rusty Noble has one goal in mind: to make moving pictures that uplift and inspire their audiences. But his thankless job at Cooperman Studios keeps him toiling away on B-grade movies. Worse, box-office sensation Cynthia Starr—beloved by audiences and detested by those who actually know her—won’t let Rusty out of her talons. The idea of breaking away and starting fresh with his own studio seems a sketchy pipe dream at best, a career-ending fiasco at worst.
This story of hope, heartbreak, and healing along the Boulevard of Broken Dreams will linger with readers long after they close the book.

Genres: Historical Fiction

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

**THANK YOU, dear readers, for all the great reviews, and for choosing Moondrop Miracle, You're the Cream in My Coffee and Ain't Misbehavin for your book clubs. You're the bee's knees!** Author of Moondrop Miracle, You're the Cream in My Coffee and Ain't Misbehavin'. With a passion for all things historical, Jennifer Lamont Leo captures readers' hearts through stories set in times gone by. She is also a copywriter, editor, and journalist. An Illinois native, she holds a deep affection for Chicago and its rich history. Today she writes from the mountains of northern Idaho, where she shares her home with her husband, two cats, and abundant wildlife. Visit her at A Sparkling Vintage Life (http://www.JenniferLamontLeo.com/blog), as well as on Facebook, Bookbub, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book! Loved Helen’s story. So many surprises. A very well written story with a great cast f characters. Loved every morning nute and hated for it to end.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖊 My review: In this continuation of Moondrop Miracle, You're the Cream in My CoffeeAin't Misbehavin', The Christmas Robe, et cetera, Helen Corrigan leaves Kerryville, Illinois (most likely the Aurora/Naperville, Illinois area, to my calculations) to pursue a career in the movies in California. The plot moves along well, with the ups and downs of reality, insertions of the good, bad, ugly, and beautiful, the shrewd inclusion of a key historical figure (Henrietta Mears), and thoroughly delightful reminders of a time saner than today (I definitely was born too late; I belong in that world). I enjoyed the reminder of locations and atmosphere of Chicago, the brief scenes in Tucson, Arizona, and southern California. Moreover, I enjoy the Christian flavor, historical flair, and clean language.

I hope Jennifer Lamont Leo will write more of these novels to continue the saga—

🔥 Dénouement: Optimistic and positive, with a touch of humor.
🔻 Genre: Historical fiction.
💠 Setting: 1933 Illinois, Arizona, and California.
👁 Point of view: Third person.
🖋 The writing style: Clean, intelligent, and smooth.
🗝 What I learned: The story of the wildflowers along the railroad in the West.
💫 What I like best: The captivating plot and clean language. I also enjoyed the locations in Chicago and the insertion of key historical figures and places.
📌 Would I read this again? Yes.
🤔 My rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
◼️ Fun fact: This story continues the overall big story of the Corrigans, et al. In addition, this book is a reminder that some things in life are the same, just with a different date on the calendar.
🏮 Media form: Kindle Unlimited version.
🔲 Excerpts :

🔸 On board the California Limited, Helen located her seat, delighted to find it was next to a window. She settled in, fully expecting a seatmate to join her before too many miles had passed, but was startled when a man with hair the color of a bright new penny, looking not much older than herself, plunked himself gracelessly in the empty seat next to hers. Without even saying hello, he spoke to her in a sharp voice.

🔸 “What’s that smell?” She took a deep sniff. “Which smell?” “Sweet. Sort of flowery.” “Oh, you must be smelling the orange groves.” Miss Mears smiled. “I’m so used to them, I don’t notice anymore.”

🔸 The bus screeched to a halt at her stop. She stepped off, then tripped lightly up the stairs of Noble Pictures. Rusty, Smitty, and Jim were already there, hard at work, getting ready for the first day of filming A Vicious Circle, the anti-narcotics screenplay Rusty had written on behalf of Leroy Cooperman. It was Noble Pictures’ very first film.

[Pegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, and Jennifer Lamont Leo didn't disappoint with this final book of the series. It may even by my favorite! Wonderful look at Hollywood in the golden age as the backdrop of a very sweet love story. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story set in 1930s Hollywood

Story set in the 1930s of a naive young aspiring actress. Helen strives to make it as an actress while maintaining her morals and her faith. Definitely a good story with a great ending. I enjoyed catching up with characters from the previous books, but the book definitely stands on its own.

[Dave Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams are there for a reason.

Its 1933 & Helen has always dreamed of Hollywood being an actress, shes been the star of Kerryville theatre but it's a long way from her dreams. When a direct sheds crushed on offers a staring role in Chicago she believes all is going to happen but I won't spoil it for you but things don't go as she hoped.

After a heartbreaker of a situation she visits her Dads in the desert, then Helen heads West to start trying for her dream and well there are obstacles a plenty a stalker (or is he?) And a screenwriter that's not as Rusty as his name. How would I describe this novel well there is romance but for me it's the story of 2 people with a dream each and a faith. And when Faith is involved things may not pan out as you expect but things definitely happen. The story is more focused on Helen but without Rusty Noble it wouldn't be the story it is.

As I don't want to spoil anything I will say more about the writing and to start with the characters. There are best and the worse of folk here like real life, they are not only credible but really well written. I Could believe in everyone of them the bad as well however much the stink. It's just a fact in life that there are a great mix of folk and not all are wonderful but those that are make up for the rest, just a shame for them. But here there are a good group of wonderful folk that outnumber the others about time.

But I'm getting distracted I really enjoyed this novel i hope you do as well I've given it 5stars as i really enjoyed it the relationships the storyline and escapism add up to a great relaxing read.

[Ayden Tilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always really enjoy Leo’s writing style and her world. Everything feels so warm and cozy, and they’re my favorite books to read in the winter time (even if this book takes place in the Southern United States).
Her romance books are so clean and cute, and I love how much God is added into the books, but not in a suffocating way that could turn away unbelievers. She adds subtle prayers and morals that make it clear her beliefs, but doesn’t shove it into your face.
My only small pet peeve in her writing is sometimes she repeats phrases word for word, even just a few lines down, and sometimes multiple times, which makes the reading a little choppy.

[Phoebe Beger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coffee with friends...

This delightful book was like sipping coffee with old friends. It was warm and inviting with characters I felt like I knew from previous stories and new characters that were fun to get to known. Jennifer Lamont Leo again leaves me with a smile on my face as I close the pages

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, light-hearted, inspirational story about determination and standing up for yourself in big bad Tinsel Town. Likeable characters that you want to root for, and a fabulous historical setting of 1930s Hollywood. If you like historical fiction or light clean romance, you'll enjoy this book!

[Dr Honora · Rating 3 out of 5]

3rd in series

Enjoyed 1st 2 books in this series and gave them a 5 rating. Read them each in two sittings. This one tried many times and had to keep restarting to recall what previously then finally just gave up.

[Judy G Spivey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing fiction about the start of the movie industry.

Small time actress with dreams of the silverr screen at its beginning, shows what Holly wood could and should be.

[Melvin Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable.

I have read all 3 of the books in this trilogy and it was a pleasure to read a book with good Christian values. It's something you don't find everyday.