My Rating
★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)
About the Book
Love can’t rewrite the pages of your past, but it can cover a multitude of sins one page at a time.
A WW2 widow hired to write an exclusive memoir lands on McCarthy’s hit list and must clear her name while trying not to fall in love with the born-again, ex-Hollywood heartthrob whose scandalous past keeps him too busy to notice her. Or does it?
In 1953, desperation forces war widow, Eliza Saunderson, to take a job writing the memoir of ex-Hollywood heartthrob, Johnny Devine. Rumor has it Johnny can seduce anything in a skirt quicker than he can hail a cab. But now, the notorious womanizer claims he’s born again. And so he seems to be. Eliza soon finds herself falling for the humble, grace-filled man John has become, a man who shows no sign of returning her feelings. No sign, that is, until she discovers something John never meant for her to see.
When Eliza’s articles on minority oppression land her on McCarthy’s communist hit list, both John and Eliza become entangled in a HUAC investigation that threatens both John’s book and Eliza’s future. To clear her name, Eliza must solve a family mystery. She also needs to convince John that real love—not the Hollywood illusion—can cover a multitude of sins. But just when the hope of love becomes reality, a troubling discovery confirms Eliza’s worst fears. Like the happy 1950s façade America now clings to, had it all been empty lies? Is there a love she can truly believe in?
My Thoughts
Hollywood, glamour, fame, and misery. When Eliza and John meet, they have no idea how much they will end up needing each other.
I LOVE the setting that Camille Eide has chosen for this novel. Post WWII in California, with a Hollywood star, the "Red Scare", and a woman pushing toward her dream even if it doesn't fit the mold people expect.
I instantly fell in love with the main characters of this book. Eliza with her forthright attitude and determination to give a voice to those who have none. John with his brooding nature and all encompassing charm. And we can't forget Millie, she is definitely one of my very favorite secondary characters of ALL time! Her compassion and heart for Jesus and for John is so very tender and precious.
Filled with redemption, romance, heartache, and forgiveness, this book has truly "You have bewitched me, body and soul." With the turmoils of the times, fear of communist spies in America, distrust and hidden pasts, can Eliza trust anyone? Will her life be torn apart just as she begins to feel safe? Find out for yourself when you read The Memoir of Johnny Devine.
I LOVE the setting that Camille Eide has chosen for this novel. Post WWII in California, with a Hollywood star, the "Red Scare", and a woman pushing toward her dream even if it doesn't fit the mold people expect.
I instantly fell in love with the main characters of this book. Eliza with her forthright attitude and determination to give a voice to those who have none. John with his brooding nature and all encompassing charm. And we can't forget Millie, she is definitely one of my very favorite secondary characters of ALL time! Her compassion and heart for Jesus and for John is so very tender and precious.
Filled with redemption, romance, heartache, and forgiveness, this book has truly "You have bewitched me, body and soul." With the turmoils of the times, fear of communist spies in America, distrust and hidden pasts, can Eliza trust anyone? Will her life be torn apart just as she begins to feel safe? Find out for yourself when you read The Memoir of Johnny Devine.
Purchase Options
Cast of Characters
(By Bookworm Mama)
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| Johnny Devine (Gregory Peck) |
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| Eliza Saunderson (Gene Tierney) I made this choice before I realised it was Gene...If you have read the book, you will understand the irony! Haha! |
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| Millie (Hattie McDaniel) |
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| Betty (Grace Kelly) |
About the Author
Camille Eide is an award-winning author of inspirational fiction. She lives in the evergreen Cascade foothills near Portland, Oregon with her hero of 33 years and is Mom to three brilliant adults and Grammy to three darling kidlets. She’s a church office manager, bassist, and fan of oldies rock, tender romance, muscle cars, and Jane Austen.
Camille is a member of the Oregon Christian Writers, The American Christian Fiction Writers and the Portland Chapter ACFW. She belongs to writing communities that cultivate literary excellence and is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Agency.
