Confessions of an Almost-Movie Star (Berkley Jam Books) [Paperback]

Mary Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Berkley Jam Books | Publication Date: July 5, 2005

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a movie star? Or visiting a movie set? Or meeting the Sexiest Teen Star in America? Well, now you can! It's all in the pages of Confesssions fo an Almost-Movie Star. What happens when a Hollywood film crew visits a small New England town to shoot a film called Reckless Summer? Take a wild guess. Did you say: excitement? Adventure? Heart-stopping romance? Jealousy? Betrayal? You were so right! Sparks fly off and on the set as Jessie and her friend Tracy solve a mystery, find romance and score fifteen minutes of fame.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Writing Confessions was an awesome experience! I finally got my chance to write an entire novel that takes place on a movie set! Movie sets are magical places, filled with exciting, talented people who have fascinating stories to tell. And in this case, the magic never had to end--all I had to do was write the sequel, which is coming out next summer, Tales of a Hollywood Gossip Queen. Watch for it! ww.marykennedy.net

About the Author

Mary Kennedy is a multi-published author, and a clinical psychologist in private practice on the east coast. She specializes in forensic work, and her clients have included murderers, psychopaths and convicted felons.

She writes young adult novels, middle grade fiction and mysteries. She has sold 33 novels, and has made both the Waldenbooks and Publishers Weekly best-seller lists. Her books have sold twelve million copies in several countries.

In addition to her doctorate in psychology, she has a Master’s degree in Dramatic Arts and has studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. In her quest for a "real job," she once worked as a television news writer for a CBS affiliate and as a copywriter for a rock radio station. When not traveling to exotic locales, she lives with her husband and five neurotic cats. The cats have resisted all her efforts to psychoanalyze them, but she remains optimistic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (July 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425204677
• ISBN-13: 978-0425204672
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,107,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

STAY TUNED FOR MURDER, the 3rd in the Talk Radio Mysteries is available now! Here's a sneak peek at the series: Maggie Walsh, the heroine, is a former clinical psychologist in Manhattan who closes up her practice to enjoy the sun and sand in south Florida. My agent pitched it and sold it on the basis of five words: Frasier Meets Murder She Wrote. Why? Well, because Maggie snares a job as a radio talk show host (think Frasier) and solves a murder in every book. (think Jessica Fletcher) STAY TUNED has a little woo-woo element because a phony psychic, Chantel Carrington, comes to town, angling for Maggie's job at WYME Radio. Can Chantel really talk to the dead? You'll have to decide for yourself. Maggie's too busy trying to solve a double murder and save her job to have a definitive answer on that question.

STAY TUNED for MURDER is my 40th novel. The best part of being a writer is the actual creation of a novel and seeing it develop from an idea to a finished product. And I love travelling all over the country, speaking at conferences, libraries, schools and military bases, meeting terrific people along the way. So that gives you a little window into my world. Hope you enjoy the book! You can find me on my website www.marykennedy.net or on Facebook.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Confessions" is a fantastic read for teens , kids, or the young at heart., August 25, 2005

By 

Avid Reader (Dover, DE, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions of an Almost-Movie Star (Berkley Jam Books) (Paperback)

"Confessions of an Almost Movie Star" is the first Mary Kennedy book I've read and a definite winner! Ms Kennedy gives readers suspense, romance, humor, and the ability to see the world through a teen's eyes tied up in a glitzy package. As a published author, a former teacher, and a Mom who has devoted a lifetime to encouraging new readers, I found this book to be a delight. No library should be without it. This is a well-written, well-plotted, YA novel that is both timeless and timely. The magic word "Hollywood" was what caught my eye. My 14 year old is both star struck and more interested in chatting on the phone or listening to music than reading for pleasure. I bought the book for her, but read the first two chapters to make certain that it was appropriate. Then I read the third chapter and the fourth. I couldn't put the book down. Best of all, after I finished the novel, my teen read it and loved it. Now she wants to track down other Kennedy books. Don't miss it.

Judith French

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic teen amateur sleuth tale, August 18, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions of an Almost-Movie Star (Berkley Jam Books) (Paperback)

Fearless Productions arranges to shoot a movie starring teen heartthrob Shane Rockett at Fairmont Academy for Girls. The film Reckless Summer will use students as extras, but one lucky female will stars as Shane's romantic interest. Several are selected, but shocking everyone, especially herself, Jessie Phillips gets the part.

Anyone can see the attraction between Jessie and Shane though both are seeing others. Jessie struggles to remain faithful to her boyfriend Marc, who was away at school but arrived on the set while Shane is seeing starlet Heidi Hopkins. However, things start turning ugly when someone tells all to the tabloids. Shane, his manager and the filmmakers angrily assume Jessie and her best friend Tracy did the deed. Jessie and Tracy try to prove otherwise as they believe jealous student Alexis Bright blabbed, but set it up so that Jessie takes the fall. Things turn even uglier when an arson fire occurs and a robbery happens with Jessie and Tracy once again in the middle.

CONFESSIONS OF AN ALMOST MOVIE STAR is a fantastic teen amateur sleuth tale that fans especially high school age will enjoy though older readers like this geriatric reviewer loved the novel too. The story line is fast-paced as Jessie accompanied by her sidekick seems to land in one frying pan after another besides dealing with typical high school woes. Readers will appreciate Mary Kennedy's fine thriller that avoids dumbing down; instead the author assumes her audience can think, chew gum (sugar-free for us older fans) and read at the same time.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I liked it!, May 24, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Confessions of an Almost-Movie Star (Berkley Jam Books) (Paperback)

I thought the story had a good twist to it, with funny humor. I liked how the author exposed the characteristic nature of some actors. There's this girl, and there's going to be this movie shooting at the school. Not only that, but there's going to be the most popular teen actor in the film too. Obviously, many girls try out from this girl's all girl school, and somehow, this certain girl got picked. It was pretty interesting, for this girl knew nothing about the movie business, and was so excited to be co-starring with the most popular teen actor. It was interesting how this girl's attitude turned a completely different way as you read further and further into the story. The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of five is because there is a certain mystery in the book, which isn't really neccessary to add to the plot. However, the mystery could have been added if the author made a bit more suspense. I'll just say that I don't think Mary Kennedy was meant to write a mystery story.