The Empire - Michael Ball

 

Welcome to The Empire theatre

1922. When Jack Treadwell arrives at The Empire, in the middle of a rehearsal, he is instantly mesmerised. But amid the glitz and glamour, he soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies in its cast of characters - both on stage and behind the scenes.

There's stunning starlet Stella Stanmore and Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake; and Ruby Rowntree, who keeps the music playing, while Lady Lillian Lassiter, theatre owner and former showgirl, is determined to take on a bigger role. And then there's cool, competent Grace Hawkins, without whom the show would never go on . . . could she be the leading lady Jack is looking for?

When long-held rivalries threaten The Empire's future, tensions rise along with the curtain. There is treachery at the heart of the company and a shocking secret waiting in the wings. Can Jack discover the truth before it's too late, and the theatre he loves goes dark?

Musical theatre legend Michael Ball brings his trademark warmth, wit and glamour to this, his debut novel.

Enjoy the show!

Purchase Links - http://unbouncepages.com/Michael-ball/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Empire-charming-romantic-Cameron-Mackintosh-ebook/dp/B09X1725SP

https://www.amazon.com/Empire-charming-romantic-Cameron-Mackintosh-ebook/dp/B09X1725SP

My Review:

Michael Ball, a family favourite, a personality, someone full of charm and with a twinkle in his eye who entertains millions, and now an author. I was intrigued when I heard that he was writing a novel and more so when I knew more about it’s setting. I hoped that Michael’s personality would lend itself to producing an entertaining read. I was not disappointed in the slightest, far from it, I was enchanted.

The book is well structured, sections aptly named in theatre terms i.e overture, various acts, finale etc. There are many, many characters though (you do get a long list of who is who at the start) and it takes a little while to get them straight in your head but once you do it’s fine; having such a huge cast of characters allows you to have favourites as well as those you love to hate; smaller storylines intertwine and create strands within the main plot very well.

I don’t want to give away much of the storyline but there is a lot going on, not in a chaotic way but a lot does happen so it’s great that it’s been written in such a captivating way. I didn’t want to put it down as I was completely in the moment and there alongside the characters.

The Empire encapsulates the theatre and musical world, from backstage to performance, cast to writers to owners; the love of theatre shines through Michaels words. Through his vivid descriptions and story you can imagine being both behind the scenes as well as out in the audience watching a smash hit show.

With glitz, glamour, and romance as well as drama, heart break and scandal, The Empire is a warm and entertaining read that will captivate and transport you to London old West End.

I was very impressed by this debut and I genuinely hope it is the start of a series or we, at least, have another set in The Empire. Highly recommended!

Author Bio:

Michael Ball OBE is a singer, actor, presenter and now author. He's been a star of musical theatre for over three decades, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical twice, he's also won two BRIT awards and been nominated for a Grammy. Michael regularly sells out both his solo tours and his Ball & Boe shows with Alfie Boe and has multiple platinum albums. The Empire is his first novel.

Social Media Links – Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrmichaelball/   //  https://twitter.com/ZaffreBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmichaelball/?hl=en // https://www.instagram.com/zaffrebooks/

BLOG TOUR: The Road to Cromer - Martin Gore

About the book:

Janet’s first love arrives out of the blue after forty years. Those were simpler times for them both. Sunny childhood beach holidays, fish and chips and big copper pennies clunking into one armed bandits.

The Wells family has run the Cromer Pier Summertime Special Show for generations. But it’s now 2009 and the recession is biting hard. Owner Janet Wells and daughter Karen are facing an uncertain future. The show must go on, and Janet gambles on a fading talent show star. But both the star and the other cast members have their demons. This is a story of love, loyalty and luvvies. The road to Cromer Pier might be the end of their careers, or it might just be a new beginning.

Pre-order Links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07R9XP3QM/

US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R9XP3QM/

My Review:

A lovely story of a family run, struggling theatre on the Norfolk coast. The Wells family has owned this place for generations, and we meet Janet who is the current owner.  Every year they put on a variety show called the Cromer Pier Summertime Special, but now they are financially not able to call in the big stars they once could, will they still pull of the same show they used to do? Is it a case of end of the road or just the start of a whole new beginning?

I enjoyed the ‘behind the scenes’ viewpoint of a theatre, especially being a fan of going to see a show. The compromise of taking salary cuts and having new hires is interesting and I was keen to see how it would all pan out. There is a more to the story than “putting on a show” its full of love, lost love, chances and opportunity. Its about family and isn’t just a “fluffy” sweet, little book. It’s full of drama and gives us a solid family saga.

There is an eclectic bunch of characters and quite a lot of them to keep track of, but they work well and are very well written. I enjoyed getting to know and learning more about their lives and it was interesting to see the professional, showbiz personas facing up to real life problems. It took me a while to get going with the book, but I was kept interested and enjoyed it. This is my first experience of Martin Gore’s writing and I enjoyed it. I will read more. 

Author Bio from Martin Gore:

I am a 61 year old Accountant who semi-retired to explore my love of creative writing. In my career I held Board level jobs for over twenty five years, in private, public and third sector organisations. I was born in Coventry, a city then dominated by the car industry and high volume manufacturing. Jaguar, Triumph, Talbot, Rolls Royce, Courtaulds, Massey Ferguson were the major employers, to name but a few.

When I was nine year’s old I told my long suffering mother that as I liked English composition and drama I was going to be a Playwright. She told me that I should work hard at school and get a proper job. She was right of course.

I started as an Office Junior at Jaguar in 1973 at eleven pounds sixty four a week. I thus grew up in the strike torn, class divided seventies. My first career ended in 2015, when I semi retired as Director of Corporate services at Humberside Probation. My second career, as a Non Executive Director, is great as it has allowed me free time to travel and indulge my passion for writing, both in novels and for theatre.

The opportunity to rekindle my interest in writing came in 2009, when I wrote my first pantomime, Cinderella, for my home group, the Walkington Pantomime Players. I have now written eight. I love theatre, particularly musical theatre, and completed the Hull Truck Theatre Playwrite course in 2010. My first play, a comedy called He's Behind You, had its first highly successful showing in January 2016, so I intend to move forward in all three creative areas.

Pen Pals was my first novel, but a second, The Road to Cromer Pier, will be released in the Summer of 2019. 

I’m an old fashioned writer I guess. I want you to laugh and to cry. I want you to believe in my characters, and feel that my stories have a beginning, a middle, and a satisfactory ending.

Social Media Links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AuthorGore

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Martin-Gore-Author-1237780169706466/