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The Hollywood Home Front Trilogy #2
Thank Your Lucky Stars: A novel of World War II Hollywood
After waving her sweetheart, Luke, off to war, Nell Davenport encounters an unexpected entanglement that will change Hollywood forever.
With combat raging across Europe and the Pacific, jobs of all kinds are now open to women on the home front. Nell sets her sights on the publicity department of the Warner Bros. movie studios as she develops a surprising bond with Humphrey Bogart. But when a captivating 19-year-old is cast opposite Bogie in To Have and Have Not, the newcomer’s arrival will alter the course of Nell’s blossoming friendship.
When momentous news arrives, Nell must track down Luke—a seemingly impossible feat in wartime. Hope appears on the horizon, but did it have to come from nasty gossip queen, Hedda Hopper, intent on ruining Bogie’s reputation? Maybe her best way of finding Luke is to unveil a secret Nell has kept ever since she landed in California. It’s caused only trouble in the past, but finding Luke is her top priority and the clock of war is ticking.
From the author of the Hollywood’s Garden of Allah novels comes book two in the Hollywood Home Front trilogy—a story set against one of Tinseltown’s greatest true-life love stories.
With combat raging across Europe and the Pacific, jobs of all kinds are now open to women on the home front. Nell sets her sights on the publicity department of the Warner Bros. movie studios as she develops a surprising bond with Humphrey Bogart. But when a captivating 19-year-old is cast opposite Bogie in To Have and Have Not, the newcomer’s arrival will alter the course of Nell’s blossoming friendship.
When momentous news arrives, Nell must track down Luke—a seemingly impossible feat in wartime. Hope appears on the horizon, but did it have to come from nasty gossip queen, Hedda Hopper, intent on ruining Bogie’s reputation? Maybe her best way of finding Luke is to unveil a secret Nell has kept ever since she landed in California. It’s caused only trouble in the past, but finding Luke is her top priority and the clock of war is ticking.
From the author of the Hollywood’s Garden of Allah novels comes book two in the Hollywood Home Front trilogy—a story set against one of Tinseltown’s greatest true-life love stories.
- GenresFiction
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2022
36 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Martin Turnbull
24 books242 followersMartin Turnbull has worked as a private tour guide showing both locals and out-of-towners the movie studios, Beverly Hills mansions, Hollywood hills vistas and where all the bodies are buried. For nine years, he has also volunteered as an historical walking tour docent with the Los Angeles Conservancy. He worked for a summer as a guide at the Warner Bros. movie studios in Burbank showing movie fans through the sound stages where Bogie and Bacall, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, and James Cagney created some of Hollywood’s classic motion pictures.
From an early age, Martin was enchanted with old movies from Hollywood’s golden era–from the dawn of the talkies in the late 1920s to the dusk of the studio system in the late 1950s–and has spent many, many a happy hour watching the likes of Garland, Gable, Crawford, Garbo, Grant, Miller, Kelly, Astaire, Rogers, Turner, Welles go through their paces.
When he discovered the wonderful world of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs, his love of reading merged with his love of movies and his love of history to produce a three-headed hydra gobbling up everything in his path. Ever since then, he’s been on a mission to learn and share as much as he can about this unique time.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Martin moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s.
From an early age, Martin was enchanted with old movies from Hollywood’s golden era–from the dawn of the talkies in the late 1920s to the dusk of the studio system in the late 1950s–and has spent many, many a happy hour watching the likes of Garland, Gable, Crawford, Garbo, Grant, Miller, Kelly, Astaire, Rogers, Turner, Welles go through their paces.
When he discovered the wonderful world of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs, his love of reading merged with his love of movies and his love of history to produce a three-headed hydra gobbling up everything in his path. Ever since then, he’s been on a mission to learn and share as much as he can about this unique time.
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Martin moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 3, 2022
Martin Turnbull does it again! I think I've said that to all his books -- and now he does it again! His knowledge and passion for Hollywood's Golden Age just doesn't begin and end with "movie star gossip" -- he reveals when, where, how -- all while weaving a great story! Any of his "Garden Of Allah" fans will be familiar with names like Kathryn, Gwendolyn & Marcus -- well, he inserts them into his stories in such a way that you easily know what they're all about.......again, he's got a passion and knowledge for Hollywood, and it shows in the long-forgotten details he weaves his stories around. Like a movie critic would say, "I give this one a huge thumbs-up!"
August 4, 2022
Fantastic book
So atmospheric and full of detail, you felt like you were really there!
Teamed with a great plot and likeable characters, it was a fabulous read. I can't wait for the next one.
I love this author and his passion for this era which oozes from every page of his books. This latest release does not disappoint and is a worthy companion to run along side his Garden of Allah series.
So atmospheric and full of detail, you felt like you were really there!
Teamed with a great plot and likeable characters, it was a fabulous read. I can't wait for the next one.
I love this author and his passion for this era which oozes from every page of his books. This latest release does not disappoint and is a worthy companion to run along side his Garden of Allah series.
April 20, 2023
I've read every book that Mr Turnbull has commercially released & they are all 5 stars (& I rarely give out 5 star reviews; + I have never received an ARC from Mr Turnbull, I've bought all of them).
Like the others, this is a masterpiece imo.
He is in the relatively recent genre of fictionalized Hollywood history biographies, & no one does them better.
This one covers (historically) the beginning of the famed Bogart/Bacall years & his fictional character Nell Davenport, with more minor both historical & fictional characters.
Per Martin's newsletter, The Garden Of Allah series is supposed to be turned into a TV series, I can't wait! Plus, I also can't wait for the next installment of this series. If you like great writing & classic Hollywood, I recommend every book he has on the market.
Like the others, this is a masterpiece imo.
He is in the relatively recent genre of fictionalized Hollywood history biographies, & no one does them better.
This one covers (historically) the beginning of the famed Bogart/Bacall years & his fictional character Nell Davenport, with more minor both historical & fictional characters.
Per Martin's newsletter, The Garden Of Allah series is supposed to be turned into a TV series, I can't wait! Plus, I also can't wait for the next installment of this series. If you like great writing & classic Hollywood, I recommend every book he has on the market.
November 24, 2022
This is the second book in the Hollywood Homefront series. I re-read the first one before it as I wanted to remember exactly where it started. Just love the characters Martin Turnbull has created and can't wait for the third installment!
July 5, 2022
What a GREAT book!
Only Martin Turnbull could so successfully blend fictional characters in with real (once-living) Hollywood movie stars, and make it completely believable!!!
In this trilogy book, Nell is a script girl who is friends with Humphrey Bogart. This book weaves in the backstory of Humphrey and his (then) wife, Mayo, with the made-up life of Nell Davenport. Old friends like Katherine Massey and Marcus from the Garden of Allah books make cameo appearances. Several classic film stars like Bette Davis Humphrey Bogart Lauren Bacall, Olivia DeHavilland Joan Crawford Mary Pickford, and others. The head of Warner Studios, Jack Warner, also makes a few appearances.
This book tells the story of Humphrey and Mayo Bogart as well as the beginning of his affair with Lauren Bacall. It also tells the story of Nell Davenport and her trials to find information about her boyfriend Luke Valenti. It also tells of the budding friendship between Nell and Betty Bacall. Then there is the fact that Nell's parents are threatening to come to CA and take her back to South Bend Indiana by force!
I read this book in one night and it was well worth the price. Someday, I will have my bills paid and be able to buy these books in hardcover or paperback for my library. It's always good to have a dream right? :)
Only Martin Turnbull could so successfully blend fictional characters in with real (once-living) Hollywood movie stars, and make it completely believable!!!
In this trilogy book, Nell is a script girl who is friends with Humphrey Bogart. This book weaves in the backstory of Humphrey and his (then) wife, Mayo, with the made-up life of Nell Davenport. Old friends like Katherine Massey and Marcus from the Garden of Allah books make cameo appearances. Several classic film stars like Bette Davis Humphrey Bogart Lauren Bacall, Olivia DeHavilland Joan Crawford Mary Pickford, and others. The head of Warner Studios, Jack Warner, also makes a few appearances.
This book tells the story of Humphrey and Mayo Bogart as well as the beginning of his affair with Lauren Bacall. It also tells the story of Nell Davenport and her trials to find information about her boyfriend Luke Valenti. It also tells of the budding friendship between Nell and Betty Bacall. Then there is the fact that Nell's parents are threatening to come to CA and take her back to South Bend Indiana by force!
I read this book in one night and it was well worth the price. Someday, I will have my bills paid and be able to buy these books in hardcover or paperback for my library. It's always good to have a dream right? :)
February 15, 2023
This is the awesome 2nd book in the “Hollywood Home Front” series by Martin Turnbull. It was just as good as the first book! I had devoured both books within a week. We were “fictionally” introduced to the beginning stardom of Lauren Bacall, the seductive lady of the “Bogart/Bacall” duo in couple movies. The book centers on Nell Davenport, the girlfriend of Luke Valenti from the first book. In this story, we re-connected with characters from the “Garden of Allah” series. If you haven’t read the series, it’s strongly recommended you do so! I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy!
Like I said, the story centers on Nell Davenport who is pining after Luke who was serving our country in World War 2. Nell continues to work for Warner Bros Studios as the continuity girl but she got promoted to working in the public relations department. How she got there, that’s for you to pick up the book and read to find that out. In the meantime, she opened a mail specifically for Luke which is somewhat the central focus of the story. She had to find where Luke was being stationed (super secret) to let him know of the deadline to respond to the mail. In addition to this, you’ll need to find out how Nell and Lauren Bacall became friends and whether Luke was informed of the deadline by reading this awesome book!
Like I said, the story centers on Nell Davenport who is pining after Luke who was serving our country in World War 2. Nell continues to work for Warner Bros Studios as the continuity girl but she got promoted to working in the public relations department. How she got there, that’s for you to pick up the book and read to find that out. In the meantime, she opened a mail specifically for Luke which is somewhat the central focus of the story. She had to find where Luke was being stationed (super secret) to let him know of the deadline to respond to the mail. In addition to this, you’ll need to find out how Nell and Lauren Bacall became friends and whether Luke was informed of the deadline by reading this awesome book!
November 3, 2023
'Thank Your Lucky Stars' is the second novel in Martin Turnbull's 'Hollywood Home Front' series. These books are set in Hollywood during World War II. The story continues as Nell Davenport tries desperately to contact her boyfriend Luke Valenti who is on a mysterious mission with the U.S. Navy. Humphrey Bogart makes another appearance--this time with a new leading lady, Lauren Bacall. Bette Davis makes an entrance with her Hollywood Canteen crew and at the worst possible moment Nell's parents show up to drag her back home to Indiana. Even better, Kathryn Massey, Gwendloyn Brick, and Marcus Adler from Turnbull's 'Garden of Allah' series make cameo appearances. It was like finding old friends again! While Nell finds her voice and becomes best friends with Hollywood newcomer Betty Perske (Lauren Bacall), she repeatedly tries to get word to Luke that he has an inheritance, but he has to claim it by the end of the year or lose it entirely. She tries everything she can think of, but it was Hoagy Carmichael that unexpectedly came through. Since I couldn't be in Hollywood during those war years, reading this series is the next best thing. Two down and one more to go. I only hope that Martin Turnbull has some more books up his sleeve!
August 6, 2022
Martin Turnbull does it again!
The sophomore edition of Turnbull’s new series about Hollywood during WWII is another fascinating mashup of real locations and real people with fictional characters and a fast-moving plot. You’ll root for the real and and the fictional people in this book: the gallant, sardonic Humphrey Bogart; beautiful, kind-hearted “Betty” Bacall; noble, patriotic Bette Davis; brilliant, “studio troubleshooter”Nell Davenport. The background locales are authentic, and the overall wartime atmosphere is accurately depicted, framing the plot very neatly.
The net effect is to insert the reader squarely into this story, cheering for the good guys and booing the bad guys. And as a well-crafted should do, the story ends with the reader wanting more. Bravo, Martin Turnbull!
The sophomore edition of Turnbull’s new series about Hollywood during WWII is another fascinating mashup of real locations and real people with fictional characters and a fast-moving plot. You’ll root for the real and and the fictional people in this book: the gallant, sardonic Humphrey Bogart; beautiful, kind-hearted “Betty” Bacall; noble, patriotic Bette Davis; brilliant, “studio troubleshooter”Nell Davenport. The background locales are authentic, and the overall wartime atmosphere is accurately depicted, framing the plot very neatly.
The net effect is to insert the reader squarely into this story, cheering for the good guys and booing the bad guys. And as a well-crafted should do, the story ends with the reader wanting more. Bravo, Martin Turnbull!
June 22, 2023
Another delightful romp through 1940s Hollywoodland with Bogie and friends- this time we are joined by Lauren Bacall. I loved the development of Nell’s background and character in this story- hoping for a reunification with Luke in book 3. Nell was awesome in book one but here she really shows what a creative problem solver she is.
It sure is a blast to read this and look up movie and song clips and celebrity information for all of the references. I feel transported to the glitz of Old Hollywood. The backdrop of WW2 happenings adds layers to the atmosphere. The author also exposes the politics and machinations of the golden age studio system, with gossip columnists exerting a weird influence we don’t see today. It’s fascinating how much the film industry has changed in the last 50 years.
It sure is a blast to read this and look up movie and song clips and celebrity information for all of the references. I feel transported to the glitz of Old Hollywood. The backdrop of WW2 happenings adds layers to the atmosphere. The author also exposes the politics and machinations of the golden age studio system, with gossip columnists exerting a weird influence we don’t see today. It’s fascinating how much the film industry has changed in the last 50 years.
April 28, 2023
What a wonderful read!!! Book 2 of this trilogy by the extraordinary author, Martin Turnbull. Great mix of fact with fiction for glamour Hollywood and World War II. You must read ALL of the books written by Martin Turnbull. Those "big" publishers have totally missed a great opportunity to have a phenomenal author on their rosters.
July 2, 2022
As always, a great read that I couldn't out down.
The storyline was great, pulling in a few characters from prior novels. The Bogey-Bacall Hollywood Canteen angle was too notch.
Can't wait for the next two installments!
The storyline was great, pulling in a few characters from prior novels. The Bogey-Bacall Hollywood Canteen angle was too notch.
Can't wait for the next two installments!
July 6, 2022
I loved this book. I love the time period and Bogart is my favorite actor. I could really picture how it must have been during this time in Hollywood. Mr. Turnbull makes the story so real. I highly recommend all of his books!
July 7, 2022
Martin Turnbull has done it again!
I have enjoyed every one of his books immensely. The stories are finely crafted and the characters are human. I would recommend Martin Turnbull's books to anyone who likes a good story set in the good old days of Hollywood .
I have enjoyed every one of his books immensely. The stories are finely crafted and the characters are human. I would recommend Martin Turnbull's books to anyone who likes a good story set in the good old days of Hollywood .
July 20, 2022
Martin Turnbull never disappoints with his storyline. He has the ability to transport the reader into the midst of the era that he is writing about! I always feel like I am physically there experiencing the action! I am impatiently anticipating the last book!
June 29, 2022
History and Hollywood
This is the second of Turnbull's novels based in WW11. Anyone who loves film will be delighted with the Boogie and Bacall romance mixed in with the inner workings of the studios and Hollywood Canteen. The fictional love story adds an intimacy to a great true story about the war.
This is the second of Turnbull's novels based in WW11. Anyone who loves film will be delighted with the Boogie and Bacall romance mixed in with the inner workings of the studios and Hollywood Canteen. The fictional love story adds an intimacy to a great true story about the war.
June 29, 2022
Who doesn’t love Bogart and Bacall? Fabulous, fun story with lots of familiar faces. If you’ve enjoyed Turnbull’s previous work, you will love this!
December 15, 2022
So good...
This author never lets me down. I've read every book he's written. This one is no different. Love these Hollywood stories.
This author never lets me down. I've read every book he's written. This one is no different. Love these Hollywood stories.
April 20, 2024
Old Hollywood is my jam
I'll be recommending this book to my many friends who have the same love of Old Hollywood and the respect of WWII.
Thanks for the "memories"!
I'll be recommending this book to my many friends who have the same love of Old Hollywood and the respect of WWII.
Thanks for the "memories"!
October 26, 2022
IT IS AMAZING TO BE TRANSPORTED BACK TO A TIME THAT LIVES SOMEWHAT IN FANTASY AND YET STILL BE AS ENGROSSING AS HEARING ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORS OVER A COMMONLY SHARED FENCE. MARTIN TURNBULL HAS A MARVELOUS EAR FOR DIALOGUE AND FOR GETTING THE VOICE OF FAMOUS PEOPLE JUST RIGHT. YOU WOULD SWEAR THAT BOGART SAID WHAT IS WRITTEN, BACALL CRIED ON THE FICTITIOUS NELL'S SHOULDER, OR THAT BOGART'S THIRD WIFE WAS THE SHREW THAT TURNBULL PAINTS SO BEAUTIFULLY. READING SHOULD BE ESCAPISM.......THESE BOOKS OF MARTIN TURNBULL FIT THE BILL PERFECTLY.
January 7, 2023
The worst thing about this (or any) Martin Turnbull book is that it finishes Thank God this is only the second in a series. Thoroughly enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to more.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews