Nikki’s Review of Starlet’s Run (The Starlet, #2) By Carla J. Hanna (Promo/Review)

Starlet’s Run (The Starlet, #2)

by Carla J. Hanna

Published:  November 10, 2012

Publisher:  Createspace

Length:  322 pages

Genre:  NA Romance, Inspirational, Multicultural

Available at:  Amazon Kindle  |  Amazon Print  |  B&N

About Starlet’s Run:

Hollywood actress Liana Marie Michael finds out that loving someone unconditionally, without losing who she is in the process, does not always have a convenient ending or an easy to memorize script.

As the path unfolds in front of her, Lia challenges the demons and destruction of her past, which had kept her like Alice in Wonderland, frozen in time and unable to escape the heavy web of expectation shrouding her heart. She needs more than the promise of true love to help her prevail. Exhausted from indecision, should she listen to what others think is best for her? What should she choose?

STARLET’S RUN is a triumphant story of Lia’s determination to step forward into a new and authentic life, taking on a role she has never before been given the chance to play–her self.

Review:

If you think it’s easy being a successful and famous actress, try living Liana’s life. Sure, on the outside it may look like she has it all- top notch career, fame, fortune, but if you look on the inside of her life, it’s not all fun and games. There’s so much more to being an actress than just sitting up on the big screen looking high and mighty. In Liana’s case, it comes with a price, one she pays heavily.

IN STARLET’S RUN, WHICH IS APPARENTLY BOOK 2 IN A SERIES, THE FIRST ONE BEING STARLET’S WEB, LIANA FACES A LOT OF OBSTACLES. SHE’S ENGAGED TO A MAN SHE LOVES, BUT HE HAS HIS RESERVATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO HER BEING OUT AND ABOUT ON SET FOR A MOVIE. SHE’S DEALING WITH AN AFTER AFFECT FROM SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED PRIOR (NOT SAYING WHAT SO THAT I DON’T PROVIDE SPOILERS, AND I HAVE A FEELING IT WAS ALL EXPLAINED IN THE FIRST BOOK WHICH I HAVE NOT READ, SO I CAME INTO THIS BOOK A LITTLE BLIND SIDED) LIANA IS A STRONG CHARACTER. SHE MAY BE DEALING WITH A LOT OF THINGS, BUT SHE’S CARING, SWEET AND HER OWN PERSON. SHE’S A HEROINE I CAN ENGAGE WITH AND I DID CONNECT WITH HER ON AN EMOTIONAL LEVEL, MAKING IT EASY FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND HER AND HER ACTIONS. MANUEL, I HAD A HARD TIME WITH HIM SOMETIMES. HE SEEMED…LESS FOCUSED ON HIS LIFE WITH LIANA AND IS AT TIMES, SELF CENTERED, PUTTING HIS NEEDS WAY ABOVE HER OWN. NOT SAYING THAT’S ALWAYS A BAD THING, BUT I DIDN’T FULLY GRASP THEIR LOVE CONNECTION. IT DIDN’T FEEL COMPLETELY REAL TO ME, SO I HAD A HARD TIME WITH THE TWO OF THEM AS A COUPLE.

The story has plenty of dialog and action, and the pacing is smooth. At times, the story does jump around a little bit, but for the most part it was easy to follow. The character I most invested myself with was Liana. This book is written in the first person, which doesn’t bother me, but I know some people have difficulty with it.

THIS IS A CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN THEMED ROMANCE, SO THE FOCUS WEIGHS HEAVILY ON ISSUES SUCH AS MARRIAGE, AND THE PROS AND CONS OF LIVING TOGETHER BEFORE MARRIAGE. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THE STORY TOUCHES ON FOR A TEENAGE CHRISTIAN, AND WITH THE SPIN OF LIANA BEING A FAMOUS ACTRESS, IT REALLY MADE THINGS INTERESTING.

I enjoyed the story, even coming into it in the middle. This makes me want to go back and read the first book and find out how everything played out, bringing us to the current events of Starlet’s Run. It’s a story that kept me turning the pages, eager to find out what would happen next, and I’ll be keeping my eye out for other books by this new to me author. I recommend this read, even though it’s teen bases, I think easily adults could enjoy this story as well. It’s sweet, full of emotion and has characters that have a way of sneaking into your brain when don’t realize it, just as they did with me, especially Liana.

About Author Carla J Hanna:

Carla J. Hanna is the author of the STARLET SERIES of young adult romance and coming of age fiction novels. A former housewife of Santa Monica, marketing communications executive, and graduate of Colorado State University with a Master of Arts, she lives in Colorado with her family.
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I’m a mother of two awesome kids and a very happily married woman. Four years ago, we moved to Colorado, close to family and those amazing mountains. I train for triathlons and walk my golden retrievers. My life is complete.

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