#BookReview - Sycophants @lgould171784

Sycophants

By: Linda Gould
Publisher: Independently Published
Publication Date: December 2018
ISBN: 978-1790874170
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: April 2, 2019

Linda Gould delivers a story of twists and turns among friends and the challenges life after college present in her latest novel, Sycophants.

Imogen Wittier is a small-town country girl who dreamed of nothing more than the bright lights and big city once she graduated from her equally small-town college. Upon graduation, she moves to the Big Apple to begin her new life.

Imogen settles into her new life but after living in New York City for just six years, the reality is beyond real — a marriage that’s on the rocks along with a fledgling career in her writing endeavors. She wants that big break and is convinced she has the Academy Award winning screenplay to land her the coveted notoriety she so desperately wants and believes is hers for the taking.

Former college roomie Sara Guthrie has it all. Her pro-football player hubby is all that and more. He continues to make his way up the NFL ladder and life is good. They’re the perfect family complete with the perfect daughter. Sara’s latest pet project is a production company formerly run by her brother Jake, a semi-retired rock star. If Sara plays her cards right, she will walk the carpet for her film-making debut. When Imogen arrives back in Sara’s life, perhaps both ladies will achieve fame and fortune in the world of film-making. However, not before both experience more than a few doses of growing pains complemented by greater challenges.

Linda Gould has spun a fast-paced tale that keeps her audience actively engaged. Her character description and development are rich with supporting dialogue and ample road blocks to keep her audience turning the pages. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Gould strategically folds another layer into the plot and has her readers sitting up to take notice. A writer develops a winning fiction formula when a writer writes what a writer knows. Ms. Gould lives in DC as do I and when she moves her characters to DC to open another production office, I enjoyed recognizing the city icons Gould adeptly describes. The grand finale of this story is by no means predictable and I applaud Ms. Gould for knowing how to capture and engage her audience throughout the read. Well done. I look forward to your next adventure.

Quill says: Sycophants delivers a lot more than lights, cameras, and action.

For further information on Sycophants, please visit the author's website at: www.letsplayballbook.wordpress.com