Royalties

by Andy Marx

Part family saga, part love story, Royalties traces the rise of two immigrant families, whose paths would romantically, and sometimes tragically, cross throughout much of the 20th Century. From the humble beginnings of Vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley to the glamour and power of Hollywood at its zenith, this multi-generational tale weaves the indelible story of struggles, sacrifices, and love. The year is 1908 when Eve Solomon, an eighteen-year-old orphan, arrives in New York to live with her aunt and uncle and pursue her dream of becoming a concert pianist. Against her wishes, Eve’s uncle forces her to work in a sweatshop where he is the foreman. Yearning for freedom, Eve escapes to Chicago a year later and lands a job playing piano at a small music publishing company. Although far from her dream of becoming a concert pianist, Eve’s life will never be the same. Inspired by stories he heard throughout his childhood, Andy Marx celebrates the legacy of his two famous grandfathers – the iconic Groucho Marx and legendary songwriter Gus Kahn – in a rich and engrossing fictional saga of two families with a cast of characters whose fates rise and fall, and rise again. Marx’s intimate perspective brings a thrilling mix of romance, family tribulations, and personal triumphs.

560 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2014

Reviews

[Ann Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Fangs

I received this book from the author and from 'Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock'. This is my honest review.

Royalties is a historical romance novel. It is well paced and written. The characters a fleshed out nicely. The description of the world of early to mid-20th century is accurate. This is not your typical romance novel, but to be sure there's plenty of angst and unrequited love.

The story centers around two primary characters, Eve and Alex, and how they navigate their person and professional lives. The story bounces primarily from their points of view, occasionally the writer will put in another perspective. It makes for an entertaining novel.

Both Eve and Alex are in the entertainment business. Alex is a rakish comedian. Eve is a beautiful pianist that works for a publishing company as a plugger. As Eve and Alex's lives intersect at key points in their careers unforeseen circumstances and people in their lives conspire tear them apart.

Eve is a strong and clever female character. She pulls herself out of poverty to success in her chosen field of music. Alex is not as strong in character as his love, Eve. He doesn't have a strong ambition, but his mother does. This presents issues on how Alex can keep balance in his life. He tries to be faithful and please his overbearing mother, family, Eve and his fans. The only ones not disappointed in him is his fans. It's interesting to see how fame and failure effects their relationship with each other, friends, colleagues and family.

This is the is the first time I have had the pleasure of reading his work. I am impressed with Andy Marx's writing. Mr. Marx has done his research about the entertainment industry at the beginning of the twentieth century and how the industry changes over the course of Alex and Eve's lives and how it effects them. I highly recommend this book.

[Frank Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining story with a broad sweep. Marx is a good writer and he took a couple turns that I did not see coming. I will warn you about one thing-there is a Forest Gump dimension to the story where our heroes happen to be in the perfect place at the perfect time once or twice too often. But the third act redeems this book by returning the focus to our two leads.

[MELODY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royalties is more then likely the best book I've read in 20 years! Which is saying something I read 7 to 10 books a week. Royalties is reminiscent of the great classics. Mr. Marx, pulls you into another era so beautifully. The characters are so very real! It's a love story of all time, the likes of Gone with the Wind and The Thorn Birds. Oh what a movie this would make! I spent many a Saturday watching old movies and listening to the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Mae West, Gershwin and Copeland. It brought back those happy memories.

Thank-you so much for writing this lovely novel. If you buy one book this year make it Royalties!

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This saga that spans decades tells the story of a woman and two men that love her. It includes ambition, family, betrayal and history galore. The book reminds me of some that I have read in the past…those long books with glitz and glamor, famous people and money, love and betrayal and historical events referred to and seen through the lives of the characters in the book. I kept hoping that at some point there would be a generation that found true happiness and love and that they would be able to live in that love but instead I came away feeling sad for most of the characters in the book.

[Lauracastellano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book...loved all the musician references. Could not put it down.