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    Fading Starlight
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    Fading Starlight
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    Fading Starlight
    Ebook289 pages5 hours

    Fading Starlight

    By Kathryn Cushman

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    A Tale of Unexpected Friendship and Old Hollywood Glamour

    Lauren Summers is hiding. Her fashion house internship should have launched her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she finds is unpaid, but comes with free lodging--a run-down cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mansion. Unsure of what comes next, she's surprised to be contacted by a reporter researching a reclusive former Hollywood ingénue who lives in the nearby mansion.

    Kendall Joiner wants Lauren's help uncovering the old woman's secrets. In return, she'll prove the red carpet accident was a publicity stunt so Lauren can regain her former job. With all her dreams in front of her, Lauren's tempted by the offer, but as she and the old woman get to know each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBaker Publishing Group
    Release dateMay 3, 2016
    ISBN9781441230133
    Unavailable
    Fading Starlight
    Author

    Kathryn Cushman

    Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. After practicing as a pharmacist, she left her career to spend more time home with her daughters and has since pursued her dream of writing. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California.

    Read more from Kathryn Cushman

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    Reviews for Fading Starlight

    3.5/5

    15 ratings6 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 2/5
      After a dress Lauren helped produced causes a “wardrobe malfunction” on the red carpet, she is fired from her internship and blacklisted in the fashion world. Desperate to get away, and make some money, she takes a position at a school designing costumes for their upcoming play. She moves into a cottage within a private neighborhood. The neighborhood was established by those trying to hide from something.I thought the neighborhood was a fascinating setting. It added a layer of mystery and intrigue that this book would not have had otherwise. I do think the characters were a bit stereotypical, and the story played out in a predictable fashion. I also believe this book should be labeled as Christian fiction. Overall, not a bad book, but not one I would reread.
    • 4/5
      A wardrobe malfunction … that’s how this began. Lauren Summers is an intern fashion designer for Deb Couture. She was the last one to put the finishing touches on the evening gown for up and coming teen star, Marisa Remington. Marisa’s mother and agent didn’t want sexy; they wanted modest. The dress was beautiful … and modest … before Marisa managed to step on her sash causing the wrapped portion of her gown to fall loose revealing her sexy bra and bikini unders. Lauren didn’t understand; she’d double checked the stitches. She gets fired and will probably never get another chance to prove herself in fashion.But, opportunity knocks sometimes when you least suspect it. It’s not a lot of money, but she has a place to stay for free in Santa Barbara, CA, while she creates period costumes for a high school drama play. The little cottage is not in great shape but it’s in a gated community near the beach. She’s literally across the street from Charlotte Montgomery who is an old lady now, but was once a movie star in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Lauren may have enjoyed being close to Charlotte except that Charlotte is a recluse and wants nothing to do with anyone. Some rumor she left Hollywood sixty years ago after having been involved in a murder. Journalist Kendall Joiner makes a deal with Lauren. She can prove that Marisa’s malfunction was deliberate if Lauren will do a little research into Charlotte.I loved the characters and the emotions this enchanting story brought with it. Lauren is a Christian who just wants to be an inspiration to other people and seeks to do right by others. So, while she loves fashion and would love to be able to clear her name, is it ethical to poke around into someone’s life; someone who only wants to be left alone? And what about the murder? Charlotte is very cantankerous, there’s no doubt about it, but murder? This kind of reminds me of the story of Pollyanna and how she wins over Mrs. Snow. The set-up is quite different between the two, but the tenderness is there and it was a very compassionate and welcome read. Rating: 4 out of 5.
    • 4/5
      This is a sweet story about a young girl who is just starting out in her career when disaster strikes. She still has a core group of supporters that help her find a place to lay low until the worst of it rolls over. There she meets a cantankerous recluse who doesn’t trust the kindness of strangers.Lauren, the young woman in hiding is recently graduated from design school and she has a real talent for her chosen profession. She also has a great love for older fashions and the techniques used to make them so when she sees her mysterious neighbor wearing some old evening gowns she is doubly intrigued. She tried doing some random acts of kindness but they are all rebuffed. Along the way she meets a shady reporter who wants to “help” her with her fashion disaster but wants something in return. Lauren is not comfortable trading secrets for favors so she battles with her conscious over what to do.The recluse is a woman of old Hollywood who learned to not trust anyone because she was constantly hurt. Only a few people have showed her real affection; her father and her housekeeper for two. When Lauren starts being nice she thinks that it’s for ulterior motives. She cannot conceive that someone could just be….kind.These two lonely people need each other but will they find a way to get past each other’s issues?This was a very fast read and an enjoyable one. Nothing too complicated, nothing too challenging. I enjoyed the sweet tale of Lauren working her way through her neighbor’s stubborn personality and I loved the descriptions of the fashions. Just be aware this is a very Scripture focused book. I had no idea when I picked it to read as there is no indication in the synopsis and I didn’t know the publisher when I chose it. I’m not a religious person so I skipped the pages of religion/God focused plot and dialog so I can’t comment as to it. It’s a sweet beach read perfect for the summer.
    • 4/5
      Fading Starlight is the latest novel by Kathryn Cushman. Lauren Summers has recently graduated from fashion institute and was fortunate enough to get picked for an internship with Deb Couture. Lauren was flattered to be picked to design a dress for Marisa Remington (an actress) who wants to look more grownup than her mother and managers want her to be. Lauren oversaw design and final alterations to dress for the VMA’s. Lauren is watching the award show on television and is shocked when there is an “accident” with the dress. The dress breaks open to expose the actress’ undergarments (we all know who staged the so called accident). Deb Couture immediately closes ranks and blames it on Lauren. Lauren is fired (of course) and blackballed in the industry. Lauren’s mentor, Professor Navarro finds a job for her to do that also comes with a place to stay (out of town). Lauren will work on the costumes for a high school theatrical production of Camelot (Lauren’s specialty is historical clothing) in Santa Barbara. The place to live is being provided by Ralph Edwards. The community has very, very strict rules (such as not taking pictures, sticking to walking paths, valuing each other’s privacy). Mr. Edwards needs someone on site while construction is being carried out (a rule). The owner of the nearby Victorian, though, is not happy with the new addition to the neighborhood. Charlotte Montgomery is a recluse and values her privacy. Lauren is happy to have the beautiful place to live and some work. But she wants to be able to clear her name. Then Lauren is approached by Kendall Joiner, a reporter. She will help Lauren clear her name (already has some helpful information on Marisa’s deception) in exchange for information on Charlotte Montgomery. Lauren reluctantly agrees. But over the summer she slowly gets to know Charlotte and her housekeeper, Frances Brown. Will Lauren be able to hold up her end of the bargain? Is Lauren willing to compromise her values to clear her name?Fading Starlight was a good novel. I was immediately engaged and kept reading until the end. The sabotage was easy to figure out, but I enjoyed the other elements at play in the book. I liked the characters and the beautiful setting (I wanted to live in the community). Fading Starlight had a good pace that made it easy and enjoyable to read. The book is well-written and contained a nice life lesson. I give Fading Starlight 4.5 out of 5 stars. There were a couple of slow areas (mostly when character is thinking). I just told you a little about what transpired in the book. There is much more (a mystery of sorts). I look forward to reading Kathryn Cushman’s in the future (and I will be checking out her other published novels).I received a complimentary copy of Fading Starlight in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
    • 4/5
      Fading Starlight by Kathryn Cushman is a beautiful story of faith, new beginnings and unexpected friendship for lead protagonist Lauren Summers.

      Lauren is an aspiring fashion designer whose career comes to screeching halt after an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction occurs with one of her creations. After landing a job as a costume designer for a school production, she moves into an exclusive neighborhood whose residents expect complete privacy and discretion from their neighbors. Next door neighbor Charlotte Montgomery is reclusive and deeply suspicious of Lauren's random acts of kindness. Hoping the seclusion will provide her the chance to reflect on and grow in her faith, Lauren struggles not to lash out in anger when faced with Charlotte's accusations and rejection. When Lauren is offered a deal from reporter Kendall Joiner that could restore her career, she is faced with an ethical dilemma as Joiner pressures her to betray Charlotte in exchange for the information she has uncovered.

      Lauren is a rather naive young woman who is very kindhearted and caring. Knowing her incredibly public humiliation could very well be the end of her fledgling career, she is grateful for the job that will allow her to do the work she loves-creating period costumes. Although busy with new her new career, she always makes time for her daily devotions as she tries to understand God's plan for her. Although Lauren is disappointed at Charlotte's continued animosity towards her, she is convinced there is a reason the two women's paths crossed at this juncture in her life. Trying to maintain a positive attitude, Lauren remains undeterred as she continues her selfless acts of kindness for her irascible neighbor.

      Charlotte has not had an easy life and in an effort to shield herself from further heartache, she retreated from the public eye. Her experiences have caused her doubt everyone's motives and she cannot fathom what Lauren hopes to achieve by her friendly overtures. Eagerly waiting for her suspicions to be proven correct, Charlotte tries to manipulate Lauren into betraying her. Confused when her plan appears to have failed, she is quite harsh and unkind when Lauren faces another setback. Yet even in the face of Charlotte's callous treatment of her, Lauren maintains her equanimity and continues treating her with respect and kindness.

      Fading Starlight has a strong religious element and Kathryn Cushman effortlessly weaves pertinent scripture into the storyline that aids Lauren on both her professional and spiritual journeys. The issues and troubles she is facing are quite relevant in today's world and her struggles are realistic and easy to relate to. Lauren's ethical quandary is believable and it is one that any one of us could face at some point in our lives. Readers of contemporary Christian fiction are sure to enjoy this well-written and heartwarming novel.
    • 4/5
      This is a sweet story about a young girl who is just starting out in her career when disaster strikes. She still has a core group of supporters that help her find a place to lay low until the worst of it rolls over. There she meets a cantankerous recluse who doesn’t trust the kindness of strangers.Lauren, the young woman in hiding is recently graduated from design school and she has a real talent for her chosen profession. She also has a great love for older fashions and the techniques used to make them so when she sees her mysterious neighbor wearing some old evening gowns she is doubly intrigued. She tried doing some random acts of kindness but they are all rebuffed. Along the way she meets a shady reporter who wants to “help” her with her fashion disaster but wants something in return. Lauren is not comfortable trading secrets for favors so she battles with her conscious over what to do.The recluse is a woman of old Hollywood who learned to not trust anyone because she was constantly hurt. Only a few people have showed her real affection; her father and her housekeeper for two. When Lauren starts being nice she thinks that it’s for ulterior motives. She cannot conceive that someone could just be….kind.These two lonely people need each other but will they find a way to get past each other’s issues?This was a very fast read and an enjoyable one. Nothing too complicated, nothing too challenging. I enjoyed the sweet tale of Lauren working her way through her neighbor’s stubborn personality and I loved the descriptions of the fashions. Just be aware this is a very Scripture focused book. I had no idea when I picked it to read as there is no indication in the synopsis and I didn’t know the publisher when I chose it. I’m not a religious person so I skipped the pages of religion/God focused plot and dialog so I can’t comment as to it. It’s a sweet beach read perfect for the summer.