I received a free kindle copy of A Dream Called Marilyn by Mercedes King, published by Triumph Productions, from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I gave this well-researched book about Marilyn Monroe almost five stars. Sadly there were typos & a few grammatical errors that cost it one star.

It was interesting & well fleshed out. It was an almost believable account of what might have happened at the end of her life. Her interactions with Dr. Charlie were well done & the dialogue was impressive.

"What good is the truth, doc? People don't want truth. It ends up being too painful. Messy."

Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Called-Marilyn-Mercedes-King-ebook/dp/B00SWH0DB4

**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**
Charles Campbell was a psychiatrist and had been infatuated with Marilyn Monroe. He was to meet her right in his office. Marilyn was already a movie star. She seemed to be able to stir a man's desires and make you fall in love with her. The studio felt that Marilyn was in desperate need of his services. He had already treated several actors and actresses. Charles felt Marilyn was luminous, electrifying and infuriating.
Charles was a man who was not happy in his marriage even though he tried to keep it together. He loved his daughters. He thought he could put his infatuation aside and really help Marilyn, but she ruled his sessions right from the start. He never really had control. Even though he had treated other stars, soon after meeting Marilyn he became obsessed with her.
It was really hard to critique this as in a lot of ways, it was believable. So many factors made the outlook of this book. I read it all in one sitting, but hard to say how I felt as I could almost imagine it a non-fiction work. So much has been written and surmised about Marilyn Monroe that this could very well be true. However, the parts that I felt were obviously fictitious were blatantly so, hence the conflict of my opinion and only three stars. It definitely kept my interest and really made me think about how I felt about this book. I don't remember the last time a book made me think like this. I would recommend this to anyone that has interest in the troubled life of Marilyn, even one that is fictitious and yet feels real.

"A dream. A beautiful dream that breaks your heart."

August of 1962. The beautiful Marilyn Monroe will be leaving us soon. Her death will forever be a mysterious conspiracy to some and inevitable suicide, according to the coroner's final report. Will the truth ever be known? Is there someone out there, still alive, concealing the actual facts? Did the red diary ever exist? Could the outcome have been a different one if Monroe would have had a different doctor, one that limited her narcotic intake instead of arming the actress with lethal doses? Or were there sinister plots set in motion to keep Marilyn from talking and exposing those she was rumored to be involved with? And, what DID Marilyn want to say, if this conspiracy is to be believed? Mercedes King's fictional account visits the last week's of Marilyn's life and King puts an interesting spin on things. 

Dr. Charles Campbell, psychiatrist, can't believe his good fortune. THE Marilyn Monroe will be in his office for a scheduled appointment. Twentieth Century Fox and studio execs have hired him to get a handle on the out-of-control actress. The studio needs Monroe in a manageable condition.  Fuming that Marilyn missed filming to attend a very public birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden, Fox fires Marilyn from the set of Some Like it Hot. Under obligation to complete her contract, studio execs need her in working form and they don't care who or how it gets done. Enter the good doctor. 

Dr. Campbell is already fantasizing when Marilyn Monroe enters his office. Although he's coached himself to remain calm and professional, he is completely smitten upon her arrival. Like a dream she enters his world. Like a nightmare, she will leave it.

O.k. Obviously, most of us know every little spec on MM. I know I do. I'm a MAJOR MM fan. Nothing you can tell me that I don't already know. So, I like when new fictional accounts are written about this mesmerizing beauty.  For me, she comes alive again once more. While this book covers nothing new about Marilyn, King examines new and fictional possibilities. Hey! It coulda happened. Either way, it's an interesting plot. 

* Thanks to NetGalley for approving and sharing a digital review copy in exchange for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

It's the summer of 1962 and psychiatrist Dr. Charles Campbell is preparing to meet a new patient; Marilyn Monroe's . He has been hired by the studio to handle and subdue the star. What he didn't expect was how Marilyn would change his world. He can't help not be smitten by the star, but her secrets and her affair with a powerful man makes him realize that her life could be in danger,

Marilyn Monroe's death never seizes to intrigue the world. Was it an accidental overdose, suicide or was she murdered? Mercedes Kings fictional take on Marilyn's death was an interesting version. Of course Dr. Charles Campbell is just a fictional character just like the rest of the story, but I enjoyed this fiction version of the last weeks of Marilyn's life.

It's a short book, it never really gets deep, but I found that Mercedes King has managed to write a really good story, despite the shortness of the book and the ending was a bit surprising must I say. I like that I couldn't predict everything that happened.

Marilyn Monroe has left her mark on the world and after reading this book am I a bit tempted to read some more books about her or perhaps watch a film with her. I just love Some Like it Hot!

I received this copy from the publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review! 

HF Virtual Book Tours invites you to follow Author Mercedes King's Book Blast for A Dream Called Marilyn, from April 20-May 1, and enter to win one of five paperback copies or a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Publication Date: March 23, 2015
Triumph Productions
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 180

Genre: Historical Fiction

In the summer of 1962, nothing could prepare Dr. Charles Campbell for his first meeting with his new client, Marilyn Monroe. A reputable psychiatrist, he’s been hired by a studio executive to handle and subdue the star, no matter what it takes. Although he’s been warned about Ms. Monroe’s unpredictability, she’s not what he expected, and resisting her natural charms will test his fortitude.

In the days that follow, Charles’ world is turned upside-down. His marriage has been under pressure and is still fragile from one of his wife’s antics. Obsessed with reinvigorating her acting career, Helen Campbell often ignores her motherhood duties. Charles does as much as he can to hold the family together and to protect his young daughters, but the strain has reached a new intensity for all of them.

Charles’ sessions with Marilyn range from sensual to bizarre. She even threatens to go public with information that could ruin her career and destroy President Kennedy’s administration.

Desperate for advice, Charles enlists help from a former college pal, Bertrand Miller. A private detective, known for seedy practices, Miller isn’t new to Hollywood’s underside—or even to Marilyn’s secrets. He advises Charles to be careful, as it’s rumored that the mob will silence Marilyn to protect Kennedy.

But Charles makes the mistake of getting too personal with Marilyn. Although his intentions are well-meaning, those keeping an eye on Marilyn couldn’t care less, which makes Charles a target for the mob and the FBI. Saving Marilyn from her self-destructive ways and crossing doctor-patient boundaries, might also cost Charles Campbell his life.

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Excerpt from A Dream Called Marilyn

Dr. Charles Campbell tightened the knot in his tie, knowing that today was the biggest day of his career. Maybe even his life. He promised himself–no, swore to himself–that he wouldn’t let his infatuation get the best of him, that he would hold it together when he met her for the very first time, right there in his office.

He’d cleared away the dust, made sure his diplomas hung T-square straight, and he’d washed his hands. Repeatedly. He’d made sure his gray suit and navy blue tie were pressed to perfection. Like most red-blooded, breathing males he’d taken a beating from inside his chest whenever he saw her on the screen. She had that way about her, being able to stir a man’s desires and make you fall in love with her effortlessly. With that teasing smile and that vulnerable naivety she exuded, she could make any man melt, abandon any morals he held. And her curves. Well, Charles couldn’t think on that. Not today.

He’d treat her the way every psychiatrist was expected to treat a patient. Charles promised himself he wouldn’t flinch or become a caricature of himself when he touched her hand. There would be no unbuttoning of his collar or adjusting the air conditioning unit. And his eyes would not wander. That was his resolve.

He dabbed the beads of perspiration from his forehead. Theirs would be a business relationship, he reminded himself. According to the studio contact, the man who’d arranged today’s meeting, this was a woman in desperate need of his professional services. They would establish a doctor-patient association. Yes, simple as that. Charles would uphold the fine reputation he’d built in Los Angeles and tend to her like he would any female client.

Why, he’d treated a number of actors and actresses, from those struggling with sexual identity issues to depressive diseases. Those famous for their cowboy roles, those noted for their singing and dancing. Even those known for the flip of their hair or their on-set tantrums.

But who was he kidding? There was no one like her. Would she notice his resemblance to Rod Taylor? Remark that his hair was lighter, but that the similarities were uncanny. Perhaps his only hope was that she¾

A knock sounded, interrupting his rambling thoughts.

Charles opened the door to his office.

And there she was.

“Miss Monroe.” He stepped aside, held out his hand to welcome her in. “Please.”

Her eyes flashed that shy but friendly grin he’d seen in her movie characters as she entered, a crème-colored shawl hugging her bare shoulders. Interesting, Charles thought, for a sultry June afternoon.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Monroe.” Charles offered his hand.

Marilyn stole a surmising glance of the room, which served as the outer room and waiting area for Charles’ practice. How he wished he’d spruced up the walls. She shook his hand, almost as if the gesture were new to her. Her pink linen dress reminded him of her outfit from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes when she sang, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”. This dress was shorter, sleeveless but with a high neckline, and sans gloves and diamonds.

“Thank you for seeing me, Dr….?”

Charlie reddened. “Dr. Campbell.” Hadn’t the studio contact mentioned his name to her? And as the man from the studio crossed his mind, he found it curious Marilyn had come alone; he’d expected her to be escorted, handed off almost. “May I get you anything? A glass of water perhaps?”

“No, thank you.” She smiled, sweetly yet cautiously. Charles couldn’t blame her. Here was a woman who’d been raised in turmoil, endured multiple heartbreaks and divorce, professional difficulties, much of it in the public eye. All while being rotated through various doctors.

“Would you like to sit here or in my office?”

“Wherever you’d like me.”

The lump that jumped into his throat almost knocked him unconscious.

“There is a couch in here.” He said it as his hand slid the door open to his inner office. “Well, I only mean that it’s probably more comfortable….”

He was certain he sounded lustful, perverted. Minutes into his first session and he was blowing it! Did he have any hope left of instilling confidence in her, in gaining her trust?

To his surprise she laughed. An unexpected, breathy release that made his own breathing pause. She sashayed into Charles’ inner office and seated herself on the burnt-orange couch–how he wished he’d bought a new one!–tucked her legs up beside her and leaned onto the arm.

Instinct struck Charles; he nudged his tie loose, undid the top button of his collar.

He reached for the pad of notepaper and pen on his desk, desperately hoping she hadn’t noticed his acute failure to behave better than an ordinary man.

“I know why I’m here.” She spoke with a sudden perkiness that caught Charles off guard. Many of his clients had battled resentment, denial while sitting on that couch.

“Oh?” He sat in a tufted vinyl chair across from her.

“Yes.” Her eyes were wide. Trusting. “You see, I’m dangerous.”

“To yourself?”

“Not exactly.” Her smile returned. “I know it will be hard for you to understand, and I’m not sure how much I should tell you, for your own good.”

It was too early for Charles to gauge how serious Marilyn was. Their initial encounter was still warm and clutter plagued his mind. He had to shove aside the characters she’d played, the magazine articles he’d read about her, and momentarily ignore disparaging details he’d read about her in the file from the studio contact. Charles had to figure out who Marilyn really was.

About the Author

A founding member of Sisters in Crime Columbus, Ohio (affectionately dubbed SiCCO), Mercedes King can be found elbow-deep in research, reading, or enjoying the local bike path. Combining her love of pop culture with history, she created A Dream Called Marilyn, a novella focusing on the last weeks of Marilyn’s life.

O! Jackie is a fictional take on Jackie Kennedy’s private life–and how she dealt with JFK’s affairs. Unable to quench that thirst for Kennedys, Mercedes wrote The Kennedy Chronicles, a series of short stories featuring Jackie and Jack before the White House and before they were married.

Plantation Nation follows Emma Cartwright, a 16 year old Southern girl who disguises herself as a young man and fights for the Union Army.

For more information please visit Mercedes King’s website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, andGoodreads.

A Dream Called Marilyn Book Blast Schedule

Monday, April 20
Unshelfish
Rainy Day Reviews
What Is That Book About
The Reading Queen

Tuesday, April 21
100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, April 22
The Maiden’s Court

Thursday, April 23
The Never-Ending Book

Friday, April 24
Queen of All She Reads

Saturday, April 25
It’s a Mad Mad World

Sunday, April 26
Passages to the Past

Monday, April 27
To Read, Or Not to Read

Tuesday, April 28
Deal Sharing Aunt

Wednesday, April 29
CelticLady’s Reviews

Thursday, April 30
LibriAmoriMiei

Friday, May 1
Just One More Chapter

Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of A Dream Called Marilyn (5 copies are up for grabs) or a $50 Amazon Gift Card please see the Gleam giveaway below.

RULES

Giveaway starts on April 20th at 12:01am EST and ends at 11:59pm EST on May 1st. Giveaway is open to residents in the US only and you must be 18 or older to enter. Winners will be chosen via GLEAM and notified via email. Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Please email Amy @ hfvirtualbooktours@gmail.com with any questions. A Dream Called Marilyn Book Blast Giveaway