The Celebrity

by Robert Elmer

Caught Between a Charade and the Truth.

Jamie D. Lane is many multi-talented, handsome–and the most sought-after pop star in the world. But there’s one thing he isn’t –happy. At the height of his singing career, a family tragedy stops him in his tracks. And in an effort to settle a private matter and put the past behind him, Jamie cuts his trademark blonde curls, assumes a new identity, and secretly slips away from his celebrity lifestyle and heads to the Pacific Northwest in cognito . But what he finds in small town Washington could open up Jamie’s future–and change him forever.

A teacher to inner city kids and former high school track star, Anne Stewart had once believed she could change the world. Then a near-fatal accident left her grappling with both the devastating effects of head injury and deep bitterness toward the drunk driver who crippled her. When a man she knows as “Joe Bradley” hits town, however, he unexpectedly helps to restore her self-confidence and passion for life. But when the scope of The Celebrity ’s deception becomes clear to Anne, will it be too much to forgive?

Can The Celebrity Reveal His True Identity–
Without Losing Everything?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Christian, Romance, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Robert Elmer is the author of more than fifty books, including contemporary novels for the adult Christian audience, nonfiction devotionals like Piercing Heaven and Fount of Heaven (Lexham Press), and seven series for younger readers. Among kids, he is best known for his historicals such as the Young Underground, Adventures Down Under, Life Behind the Wall, and Promise of Zion books. When he's not at the keyboard, he enjoys beachcombing and travel with his wife, and spending time with their three kids and families.

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun story concept -- a famous singer who sneaks away to experience "normal" after living in the spotlight for most of his life. The story started strong, but for me it lost steam after the first 100 pages. I kept reading because I wanted to see how the story played out, but it dragged and was a bit choppy. Still, it's a clean, easy-to-read novel -- it reminded me a bit of 7th Heaven or Touched by An Angel.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmer introduces us to two characters in this novel, one is a musical celebrity named Jamie D. Lane. Jamie has been singing ever since his mother recognized his talent as a youngster and saw it as his ticket out of poverty. But lately he has become burned out and disillusioned with his life in the media spotlight and longs for an escape. The other character we meet is Anne Stewart, who is dealing with the after effects of a head injury she sustained in a car crash with a drunk driver. This has caused her to retreat from her life as an inner-city teacher in California to the small town where she grew up. Meanwhile, Jamie has decided to ditch his manager, his concerts, his life and take his mother's ashes to the town where she was born. Disguised as "Joe Bradley", he decides that this small town would be perfect to hide out in for a while and take a break, maybe even see what it is like to live as a "real" person. Plus he likes the look of this gal named Anne that he met at the local Do-Nut barn.[return][return][return]Style Characterisics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.[return]We switch between Anne and Jamie's point of view. This book was a slow starter for me, it didn't grab me right at the beginning. The characters aren't all that deep, they are dealing with problems but it seems a bit superficial. The monks that Jamie stays with would actually be my favorite characters. The town is memorable too, as typical small towns go. The depiction of the culture at the Christian school and how they are a bit distrustful of the monks and other things was very realistic. The romance was formulaic and predictable.[return][return][return]How Good is it?[return]A nice, light read, but without much substance. Fans of genre romance and books depicting small town life will enjoy it.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just picked this up off the shelf at the library. I often grab "inspirational" books when I do that because you never know what you might find in some books out there and that always seems safest. So, yes - it has a lot of religious references. I am not a big book critic. I just like to read for fun and this was a fun story.

[Naomi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, I just couldn't get through this book. I wanted to like it, wanted to finish it, because it's set in Goldendale. It's always fun to read a book set in a place you know so well. I just couldn't get past the constant religious/Christian references and the tedious writing.

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly wonderful book. The story of Jamie and Anne was mesmerising. I couldn't put the book down.

[JANET · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GOOD ONE DAY READ. A TIRED MUSIC CELEBRITY CHANGES HIS IDENTITY AND GOES TO A SMALL TOWN AND LEARNS MANY LESSONS.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, simple story line that was a joy to read. But FYI it seems to be a Christian-based novel.

[Tara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, I just couldn't get through this book. I wanted to like it, wanted to finish it, but unable..

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad read, it was a Christian book. Lot's of God and prayer. Not more than I could handle. Cute story.

[Sandra Campeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine book, easy read. Good for a summer day

[S.A. M. Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is no one going to talk about the “Joe Bradley” reference from the movie Roman Holiday, which also appears as a reference to the story itself...

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Singer Jamie Lane gets burned out, changes his identity and goes to live in a small town. Well-written but ending falls a little flat.

[Deon]

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