Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: Gardenia Press
Release Date: May 2003
ISBN: 0-9722349-1-8
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Trade Paperback
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Genre:   Fiction – Chick Lit
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Kristin Johnson
Reviewer Notes:  Kristin Johnson, the founder of PoemsForYou.com, released her second book; CHRISTMAS COOKIES ARE FOR GIVING, co-written with Mimi Cummins, in October 2003. Her third book, ORDINARY MIRACLES: My Incredible Spiritual, Artistic and Scientific Journey, co-written with Sir Rupert A.L. Perrin, M.D., is now available from PublishAmerica.
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Silicon Secrets
By Catherine Burr

      Does it matter that Silicon Secret, a rags-to-silicon Chick Lit offering, has a sentimental happy conclusion, stock plot devices and coincidences we all shrug and accept? Not when they’re done so well. You have the Heather Locklear on “Melrose Place”-type corporate seductress who, unlike Donald Trump, doesn’t see sexuality as a minus in the workplace (what an irony!), provided she’s doing the seducing; the free spirit hiding her family background who hopes men will see the sensitive artist and not the princess; and the Dustin Hoffman/Marlon Brando/Pip of Great Expectations-type character who comes from enough heartbreak to think that money and fame will erase his hellish former life with his abusive father.

       Lucky Lukovich, an Eastern European hunk running from two supposed murder raps, faces the age-old dilemma: love or money. No, no relation to the ABC reality show. Lucky adores free spirit Heather Kane, but craves the lights of Silicon Valley. “I’m doing this for us,” he insists as he speeds off in a Jag driven by walking talking moving violation Bill Gates in Prada exec J.J., short for Jennifer Jones.

      J.J. is aptly named for the smoldering siren of the silver screen, but J.J.’s personal life and soul resemble Vally of the Dolls crossed with “The Apprentice,” with a bit of Demi Moore in “Disclosure” tossed in. You could picture Demi Moore playing J.J. with Ashton Kutcher as Lucky. On the other hand, how ‘bout “Law and Order: SVU” tough-sensitive cookie Marisa Hargitay? Maybe Nicole Kidman could play a man-eater instead of a Southern belle who’s never pulled a weed. Heather is a natural Renee Zellweger/Reese Witherspoon role, and both always manage to add depth to even the hokiest of Hollywood vehicles. When was the last time anyone gave Goran Visjnic of “ER” a shot at cinema stardom? It worked for George Clooney.

      Heck, just bring back the cast of “Melrose Place” and call it "Silicon Secrets." Yes, that is a compliment. Catherine Burr’s multiple-POV prose begs for an ensemble cast, although the flower-child Heather and the tormented sexy Lucky (a.k.a Lane Lawson) demand center stage.