I’m so happy to take part in the blog tour for this fascinating piece of the Golden Age of Hollywood: Big Red by Jerome Charyn. I loved the real life characters in this story and how Charyn captures that most incredible of times in Hollywood. Rusty’s voice is full of wit and pep and I loved getting the story through her lens. I did not realize that Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles had a relationship and I also did not realize that Rita Hayworth’s early life was so tumultuous and sad. This was an interesting look at life in the 40’s in Hollywood – a time that was actually less golden than it is remembered. Highly recommended for those who enjoy this genre. Thank you for my copy and for making me part of the tour!

SYNOPSIS: It’s 1943. The Germans rule Europe, and the moguls rule Hollywood. Attendance is better than ever. Not even radio can compete with the Saturday matinee. The heart of America has become Hollywood Boulevard. And Rusty Redburn, a feisty lesbian visionary who works as a lowly servant to Harry Cohn at Columbia’s publicity department, lives right on the boulevard at the Hollywood Hotel.

Harry is worried about his biggest star, Rita Hayworth, who has moved in with the “Boy Genius” Orson Welles. He’s never had a star before Rita arrived. He schemes to have Rusty pretend to work as Rita’s private secretary while spying on her. Rusty is far more clever than Harry Cohn. She worships Orson and Citizen Kane. And thus the story begins.

Nothing will last, neither the war, nor Harry Cohn, nor the marriage of Rita and Orson. And it’s Rusty who tells their tale.

BIG RED is Jerome Charyn at his very best and promises to consume both Hollywood cinephiles and neophytes alike. 

Here is Charyn’s website so you can learn more about his amazing and varied books: http://www.jeromecharyn.com/

BUYING LINKS: Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble (NOT affiliated with BBNB)

But wait! There’s more! A Giveaway!! For ONE US OR CANADA ONLY WINNER:

We have a great package of goodies, including an autographed copy of BIG RED, a tote bag with the great cover (which was designed by Ed Sorel), Rita Hayworth sunglasses, popcorn, light-up smartphone charger (with either the book jacket or an image of Rita) and a Shalimar sample, Rita’s favorite perfume.  The package will be served up in a red box mailer packed with red tissue. 

To enter, please leave a comment either on my blog or on my blog’s Facebook page. I will use random.org to generate a number and that numbered comment will be the winner! I will reach out to the winner to put them in touch with the publicist so they can get their prize. Please enter by 9/30!