The Famous One

by Nicole Petrino-Salter

From a dysfunctional upbringing through a troubled youth and on to fame, reluctant celebrity but extraordinary actor Joey Parr searches for real love to give his lonely life value This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1632320843
• ISBN13: 9781632320841
• Release Date: March 2014
• Publisher: Redemption Press
• Length: 364 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Compelling Story of Redemption

Sex, drugs, the blues, and a Hollywood career: The Famous One by Nicole Petrino-Salter has it all. It's a coming-of-age story about Joey Parr and his reluctant rise to fame. Joey's a troubled boy from a dysfunctional family. Life isn't easy and Joey only finds solace in novels about the detective Joe Pavarone. There is an emptiness in Joey's life that he just can't seem to fill. Make no doubt about it: this book is the story of Joey Parr. It begins with his childhood and progress throughout his life and career, oftentimes reading like the most intense, gripping, and intriguing biography I had ever read. Joey's sense of emptiness and aloneness is evident from his childhood, and we watch as he grows up and tries to fill his emptiness. Sex. Drugs. The blues. It's his ability to sing the blues that jump-starts his Hollywood career. And that takes us from a story about Joey Parr, the kid, to Joey Parr, Hollywood superstar. Reluctantly thrust into the spotlight, Joey embraces his acting with a passion, trying to make it fill the emptiness in his soul. Finally, it appears he has it all together. He's found love, has a family, and is America's most critically acclaimed and beloved actor. But there's still that emptiness. And as Joey Parr comes to find out, there is only One that can fill the void in his soul. As I was reading The Famous One, the thought kept running through my head. This is the best coming-of-age story I've ever read. I wept when Joey wept. My heart was broken when he made the wrong choices. I felt the despair of his loneliness and emptiness. But the story has a turning point. When despair leads to prayer, Joey finds his life completely and utterly changed by Jesus Christ. It was then that I realized that this was not a coming-of-age story. It wasn't about a boy overcoming the struggles of his life, pulling himself up by his bootstraps and making himself The Famous One. It is a coming-to-life story, and tells the compelling journey of Joey Parr's journey into the hands of God. Nicole Petrino-Salter has crafted an exquisite story of redemption, with well-written true to life characters that will inevitably remind you of somebody you know. The book is written so viscerally, it seems so real, that oftentimes I had to remind myself that it was a work of fiction. The dialogue is crisp and precise; the plotting is tight and controlled. Though the book covers a series of circumstances that ultimately leads to the climax, not one scene can be seen as extraneous or out of place. The Famous One is absolutely outstanding. You will not be able to read this book and not be touched by it.

Book Review: The Famous One

The Famous One This work by Nicole Petrino-Salter reads like a conversation with a friend who is telling you about a relationship that has powerfully impacted her life. Technically speaking, it is very well written, with crisp and clear dialogue. The characters are well-developed and beyond believable. They literally come to life in your mind's eye as you turn the pages. In my estimation, Petrino-Salter has done a masterful job with this novel. She has truthfully, but tastefully, portrayed the disappointment and desperation of life without God. More than this, though, she has faithfully presented the hope filled story of God's saving grace in Christ. In my estimation, this book is well-worth the purchase price. If you have friends who are seeking the Lord, this would be a great book to share with them. You might want to order several copies. Bill Williams {Nicole Petrino-Salter's other book: Hope of Glory}

Worth the Read!

Nicole Petrino-Salter allows the reader to witness the shaping of Joey Parr's soul. We are eyewitnesses to his journey from innocence to worldliness. From quiet invisibility to an uncomfortable fame, we participate in the unfolding of his life. Petrino-Salter creates a three dimensional man that each reader can understand and relate to. I felt his frustration and depression and yearned for him to find the true love of his life. I cheered his successes and mourned his loses. It is truly satisfying to read a book that shows the seamy side of life and yet offers hope for the lost soul with a relationship with God. It isn't enough for me to know he was saved. (i.e. "and they all lived happily ever after!") I want to know what he did with that new found life! Petrino-Salter skillfully paints that picture. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I started reading on a Friday night and had to stop only because I was too bleary-eyed to continue. Each chapter drew me deeper into the troubled life of Joey Parr. I finished the book the following morning but discovered that Joey Parr continues to live in my mind!