Customer Reviews

Coming Attractions

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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This book has two plots. One is about a famous New York newspaper columnist who decides she wants to come out of the closet. She arranges for a concert where famous stars from Hollywood and Broadway will perform and then all of them will announce to the world at the same time that they are gays and lesbians. That's the fantasy part of the book. The more realistic plot is about the columnist, Helen, starting a new relationship with a classical pianist, Cory, and whether they will be able to make the relationship work when they want some very different things. Throw in a plane crash that nearly kills Helen and you have the book. It's a short and easy book to read. Not great literature, but a pleasant enough read for a couple of hours.

Contains all the immediacy that living in New York City entails.

Wonderfully drawn characters. I felt Cory and Helen were real people with some big issues to overcome.

This was a perfect book to read in a day. It is a real page turner with lots of twists and turns.

My only issue is Helen's need for Cory to out herself to the public before she was ready. It was akin to emotional blackmail. However it wouldn't stop me from enjoying the story or the characters.

I only regret that I can not find more books by this author.

Reading Coming Attractions, Bobbi Marolt's first novel, is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Well known NYC newspaper columnist Helen Townsend has decided it's time to come out. Out of the emotional hiding she's been living in while recovering from the loss of her lover to cancer, and out of the "passing for straight" closet her feminine looks have allowed her. Come out in a big way.

Just as she begins to plan a major coming out show for herself and a number of broadway and motion picture stars, Helen meets Cory Chamberlain. Cory is beautiful, intelligent, enigmatic and a world renown pianist. Intensely attracted to one another, Cory and Helen become lovers. There are several obstacles on the way to the "Stars Come Out" show. Not the least of which is Cory's cold feet at participating in the show, after she is been offered the position as conductor of a Boston orchestra.

For its length, the plot seems unnecessarily complicated; consequently it sometimes lacks development or follow through of some story threads. And some of the secondary characters are difficult to keep straight (as it were). Marolt is willing to introduce a very powerful issue in the importance for gays and lesbians, particularly prominent professionals in show business, to come out. Yet she doesn't address the complexities of coming out to this reader's satisfaction. Having said that, Coming Attractions is a promising and entertaining first novel. It is interesting to have this "romance" deal with this issue in such a manner. And the ending at show night is fun and touching. Hopefully, Marolt will continue to develop her writing.

This is a pleasant read filled with humor, politics, and love. Marlot presents a picture of the struggles between two people who have to beat their own demons. I would recommend buy the book and enjoy the ride.

Helen Townsend has been single and alone for three years since she lost her beloved partner Chelsea to cancer. She is a columnist for one of New York's prestigious newspapers. She has been in the closet all her life and now she wants out. Cory Chamberlain is a well known concert pianist, in the closet and that's where she wants to stay. When Helen and Cory meet, they fall in love. But can the love between them last when each woman wants such a different life? Helen enlists the aid of some of her gay and lesbian show biz friends to put on a show, called Coming Attractions where they will all come out at the same time. But Cory gets cold feet and opts out of the show and eventually their relationship.

A story full of love, heartbreak, anguish, laughter and wit. A story that will always have a place on my book shelves to be read time and again.

As far as I can tell, 'Coming Attractions' is the only book published by Bobbi Marolt. After reading the book, I'm disappointed she hasn't released anything else. Marolt brings together two women who are emotionally distant from the world and has them fall effortlessly in love. However, they both have hurdles to overcome before they can truly be together forever.

Helen, a newspaper columnist, is popular in New York and begins to take chances with her column. She chooses topics that make people examine Helen's personal life (or lack thereof) more closely. Public reaction to her topics is the catalyst that makes Helen want to come out and come clean. Her publisher is supportive, so Helen moves forward with her plans.

Helen employs the help of her show biz lesbian friends to organize a show called "coming attraction" where a large group of popular entertainers from all venues will come out of the closet together. Helen hopes to include Cory, a popular concert pianist.

Initially, Helen says she'll come out when she has a lifetime lover on her arm, but changes her mind when she realizes Helen is serious. As Helen begins to deal with Cory's reluctance, she falls victim to an almost fatal plane crash and begins to reevaluate everything in her life.

This was a well-written, enjoyable story that lets the author's talent shine. The characters are likable and easy to relate to. 'Coming Attractions' is highly recommended by this reader, as I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.

Awesome book! I highly recommend Bobbi Marolt as one of the must read authors of all time!!