Celebrities for Breakfast

by Shelley Stout

Personal shopper to the stars, Judith Collington, refuses to spend one more day in LA, answering the demands of her Hollywood clientele. To escape, Judith and her daughter give up their lucrative lifestyle to run a bed and breakfast in Illinois. Judith prepares to purchase the property, until it changes hands in a poker game. New owner: Hollywood actor and part-time egomaniac, Ren Spencer.

Genres: Romance

ebook

First published August 8, 2010

About the author

Originally from Annandale, Virginia, Shelley Stout resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she enjoys spending time with her two grown sons. She also enjoys volunteering at a local homeless shelter. Shelley is a contributing writer for Parent Teacher Magazine, and her award-winning fiction has appeared in anthologies, The Storyteller Magazine and online at WordRiot.

Reviews

[Samantha March · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judith Collington needs to get out of LA. She spends her days as a personal shopper for celebrities, caving in to the demands of the rich and famous. With her seventh-grade daughter Shannon maturing by the minute, Judith makes the decision to move to Illinois. She has the opportunity to run a bed and breakfast, taking over after the elder owner steps down. But after uprooting her life and settling down in the Midwest, Judith loses the chance to purchase the B&B- and the new owner only reminds her of what she left behind in California.

Celebrities for Breakfast by Shelley Stout is a romantic comedy, and I thought it was interesting to get more than one view point from the characters. Even though the story is told through Judith’s voice, there are some of Shannon’s journal entries that prove pivotal, and even a third voice that pops up along the way. I did think the story was a bit too dull at times, and I think that’s because it was predictable. But if you like romance, I would give Celebrities for Breakfast a try and see what you think. There are some sweet moments and a lesson or two you can pull from the story.

[Lorene Haupt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read the sample chapter so far, but am looking forward to the rest. Will start as soon as I finish Mortal Ghost.

This was a fun book. I liked how the story was told from multiple points of view - very effective. You have to suspend a good bit of disbelief to swallow the storyline - but that's okay.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romantic story. It took me a few chapters to get to know the characters enough to be committed to the reading the book, but once I got hooked I kept wanting to read the story. There were a lot of good things to glean from this novel besides a few heart-warming, tender kisses. There was also a good message about forgiveness and the importance of good communication in relationships. There was also the theme of doing what you need to do for yourself, and not just to please another person or you'll lose respect for yourself. For some reason as I read this story I kept imagining Ren as a Brad Pitt type dreamy actor. He definitely became more heroic as time went on. I ended up really liking the teenage daughter also. Judith was also a good heroine. The story was well-balanced and fun. Though not a Christian novel, I found it inspiring and would recommend it to people who enjoy a good romance and don't mind an occasional cuss word, though they are few and far between. I would definitely read a sequel (or another novel) by this author.

[Laura McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is u-turn from Stout's other novel, Radium Halos, which was based on historical--and tragic--events. Celebrities for Breakfast is a purely fictional beach read that will have you laughing and possibly wincing throughout. Some of the best moments for me came from pre-teen Shannon who gets to live every pre-teen's fantasy of meeting her favorite movie star. One of the best lines, which will give you an idea of the tone of the novel, comes from Shannon's mom referring to said movie star, "He may be famous, but he's still just a human being who puts his leather pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else."

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of the most delightful books that I have read in a very long time. "Celebrities for Breakfast" and the Bed and Breakfast, in particular, transported me back to my summers where we would visit southern Illinois. Stout's characters are also very lively, funny and they mirror my best friends. The book is light, entertaining and well written. Kudos to author Shelley Stout for writing such a refreshing book. I highly recommend "Celebrities for Breakfast."

[Shelley Stout]

Now out of print.

[Ashley Roberts]

It was a good book, however I didn't like the set up.

[Shiela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get into this book.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved reading this book.