Fifteen Minutes: A Novel Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page | Language: English | ISBN:
1451647050 | Format: EPUB
Fifteen Minutes: A Novel Description
From Publishers Weekly
Inspirational fiction superstar Kingsbury considers the cost of fame in her new novel, which puts under the microscope the singing competitions that fill television airwaves. Zack Dylan wants to save his family's Kentucky horse farm and sing for Jesus; competing on Fifteen Minutes seems like the answer, but he must leave his family and girlfriend Reese behind. Zack quickly learns that the price of success may be more than he anticipates. He's romantically linked with fellow contestant Zoey Davis, asked to eliminate references to his faith, and sing songs that contradict what he believes. But straight talk from judge Chandra Olson, who paid a steep price for her fame, and hard words from his girlfriend Reese begin to open his eyes. What will fame cost him? Will the price be too high? Can he ever go back? Kingsbury wrings much emotion out of her tale that is sure to cause tears and also force readers to consider their own parts in elevating entertainers into the impossible stature of idols. Agent: Rick Christian, Alive Communications. (Oct.)
From Booklist
What is the cost of fame? Megastar Chandra Olson would say “everything.” When she agrees to be a celebrity judge on the singing competition show Fifteen Minutes, she hopes to use her appearance to warn would-be stars about the consequences of celebrity. Zack Dylan is firm in his faith, his relationship with his college girlfriend, and his future. When the opportunity to be on Fifteen Minutes comes his way, he leaps on it, reasoning that it will be a platform to share his belief in God. But as Chandra warned, temptation strikes quickly. Will Zack be able to stand strong? Readers will especially relate to his family back home in Kentucky, as they worry over his changes and cope with their own complicated lives. Best-selling author Kingsbury (The Chance, 2013) drives straight to the heart of her characters as always in this excellent tale of desire and faith, digging beneath the surface of her plot to fuel an emotionally driven story set within the exciting world of reality TV. --Carolyn Richard
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- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Howard Books; First Edition first Printing edition (October 29, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1451647050
- ISBN-13: 978-1451647051
- Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
- Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Zack Dylan can sing and sing well. When he seizes an opportunity to audition for the hit show, Fifteen Minutes, he takes it. He is determined that he can win and save his family's horse farm. Despite misgivings from those who love him - his family and girlfriend - they do offer him their support. Zack is determined to live out his Christian faith in front of the cameras. But when the producers keep trying to push him towards another contestant and to silence his outspokenness of his faith, will he let it happen? Will a taste of fame cause him to lose sight of who he is?
What can I say about this book? True to classic Karen Kingsbury style, she has written a story that will engross her readers. But like her last several books, this one also deals with fame and fortune. I miss the days when she would write stories that had me in tears. Stories that changed lives. I'm not saying that for some people that this book may be life-changing. I'm saying that for me, the story seemed the same as several of her other books. Just change the names and the settings.
Things I liked about this book -
1. The realness of Chandra, one of the judges.
2. Seeing one of the other judges, Kelly, realize the direction her life was taking.
3. Reese - Zack's girlfriend.
Things I didn't like about this book -
1. That Zack found the little things ok to compromise on. For me it made him seem like he was conforming.
2. The entire storyline of seeking fame. Yeah that didn't sit well with me. It seems that she's been so focused in her last several books in talking about the Hollywood lifestyle that I feel she's lost a connection with her readers.
3. I'm not a fan of the singing shows, so I don't know if this really happens or not.
How do you handle your faith if it clashes with your ambition, or for that matter, if your ambition clashes with your faith? New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury seems to be posing this big question in her latest offering Fifteen Minutes, which takes a hard look at pop culture and its inherent physical and spiritual perils.
Zach Dylan is a young man with many loves in his life: his Christian faith, his family, his girlfriend Reese, his farm, his horses, and country music. He's leading a happy life until a financial crisis looms threatening the foreclosure of a family farm. And to add to the family's worry is a sister with Down Syndromes who needs constant medical care. Zack wants to help but there was so little he could do.
When the opportunity to audition for the popular television show Fifteen Minutes came, Zack, a talented singer with the voice and looks of a young Elvis believes that it will solve all his problems. His grandfather tried to dissuade him but in vain. His girlfriend Reese Weatherly initially was apprehensive but believes that Zack stands a good chance of winning and supported him wholeheartedly.
Before leaving home Zack promises Reese nothing would ever change and he will be staying true to her and his faith. Soon Zack became an overnight sensation. During the early days Zack keeps on talking about his family, Reese and his faith but soon he was forced to compromise and the values he cherished so much for so long were sacrificed at the altar of his misplaced priorities. When Fifteen Minutes airs its opening episode that shows Zack and a female contestant Zoey Davis in a dark hallway and kissing - and the media labeling them Romeo and Juliet, a shell-shocked Reese knew it was time to make hard choices.
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