Book MYView: Limelight by Melody Carlson

Claudette Fiore used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.

Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fiore questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it's too late to attain true beauty.


MY Thoughts: Melody Carlson breathes new life into the big-city-girl- goes-back-home- to-a-small town story. Frankly, I’m getting tired of the plot, but Carlson spins it into something fresh, entertaining, and inspiring. First, she introduces an elderly celebrity as the main character that makes the book interesting right from the start. Then she uses not only the character’s unfortunate situation, but also a gay man, and forgotten letters to show that God uses unusual means to get our attention.

We can’t put God in a box, and Melody Carlson certainly thought outside the box to write Limelight.

I knew this book was worth keeping once I stopped hearing myself reading the words in my head and begin to hear Claudette speaking. You would have thought Claudette pulled up a chair next to you. You avid readers know what I mean.


Let’s chat: Spoiler alert not really because it's not a major plot point. If you want to reach your own conclusions, (((Read the book for yourself first.)) )

Using a gay man to plant the seed of hope in the character’s heart was refreshing. Michael was already building a relationship with God before the book even started. Therefore, he helped Claudette get on the right emotional and spiritual path. So often, we read homosexuals in C.F. books being an unchurched friend or family member, never really concerned about God or mad at him. Melody Carlson flipped it. Brilliant! We can’t assume whom God can use.

I was sad to see Michael leave midway through the book. But he had to go so Claudette could grow as a character. Had he stayed, Michael would have been her crutch. I would be interested to read a follow-up to this story to see what happened to him.
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Here's another new book from Melody Carlson. I read the first book in this series, missed the second, and haven't finished this one yet.


Maya’s Green Tip for the Day: Recycled fashion is one of the most fun ways to go green. A pair of jeans could be transformed into a denim skirt. A sweater into a vest. A bunch of old ties into a dress. A blanket into a poncho. Accessorize it in new way–with beads, buttons, appliqués, buckles, stencils, or ribbons…your imagination is only the limit. (65 words)

Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.

To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.