Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Silent Sin
AUTHOR: E.J. Russell
PUBLISHER: Reality Optional Press
LENGTH: 275 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2020
BLURB:
When tailor Marvin Gottschalk abandoned New York City for the brash boomtown of silent-film-era Hollywood, he never imagined he’d end up on screen as Martin Brentwood, one of the fledgling film industry’s most popular actors. Five years later a cynical Martin despairs of finding anything genuine in a town where truth is defined by studio politics and publicity. Then he meets Robbie Goodman.
Robbie fled Idaho after a run-in with the law. A chance encounter leads him to the film studio where he lands a job as a chauffeur. But one look at Martin and he’s convinced he’s likely to run afoul of those same laws—laws that brand his desires indecent, deviant… sinful.
Martin and Robbie embark on a cautious relationship, cocooned in Hollywood’s clandestine gay fraternity, careful to hide from the studio boss, a rival actor, and reporters on the lookout for a juicy story. But when tragedy and scandal rock the town, igniting a morality-based witch hunt fueled by a remorseless press, the studio brass will sacrifice even the greatest careers to defend their endangered empire. Robbie and Martin stand no chance against the firestorm—unless they stand together.
REVIEW:
This was a hard story to read in a lot of ways. Not because it was bad, but because of how it’s a reminder of how anyone who is gay or a women or just plain different, had a hard time in those days. And it makes me sad that in all the progress we’ve made today, it’s still so much the same at times. And that’s not acceptable. But it is a good story. If it triggers you in some way, be careful. There are some scenes that are hard. Some beatings by people on to people who are gay. And it’s bad. So just be forewarned.
Martin’s whole life is a lie and to be honest, he’s kind of tired of it. He wanted to act and things, but the demands being made of him, especially when it’s something small in the film, is almost too much. The worries of if he’s going to get canned every second. It just gets old quick. And having to change his whole life to be that actor, makes him really wonder if it’s worth it. Especially when he’s being threatened of being exposed for who he really is, in every way. But he meets a new driver that is so green, it’s unbelievable. And it actually gives Martin hope of a future in where there is actual honesty and truthfulness in the world still. And he prays that Hollywood doesn’t corrupt the sweet innocence that is Robbie. But the crap going on in the studios and with some of the actors are causing heat to come down in many ways and Martin is terrified. And gives up the one thing that has given him life again and love. And if he can’t get past it, he will never be able to move forward.
I hate that people are so disgusting. Everyone is created to be different. And why people can’t accept others differences, makes me so mad. Because those same people don’t like their difference pointed out. And it really upsets me that in the age of progression, some things really haven’t changed much at all. Yeah, people can get married now, but at what cost? There’s always some kind of price people have to pay. So I can’t imagine how hard it really was for Martin and Robbie. Well I can, but it’s not a pretty picture to think about. Then and now. I wish things could have been better for them. I love that they held on to each other and never took their time for granted. Because it was so precious. And it’s a reminder to us today. Never take anyone for granted in our lives that mean something to us. Thankfully, there’s an HEA, but it doesn’t mean life was easy. It was so hard. But when it counted the most, Robbie never gave up. On the ones that meant the most to him. No matter how hard it got, he put his foot down and didn’t give in. And made sure in ways he could, that people knew what they meant to him.
I felt for both of these guys. I really felt for everyone in this story. It was hard for all of them in this story. Even the ones you wanted to smack. But it’s a good reminder of the good things we do have in life now and a reminder of how we have to keep fighting for it to be better. And maybe someday, it will finally be the way it should be.
RATING:
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