Marilou Tomblin

Hollywood Exits: a Novel of 1935ý1945 Marilou Tomblin

Against the backdrop of Hollywood in the 1930's, an eye-catching, 15-year-oldgirl is catapulted into fame. Xavia "Excy" O'Brian, the impoverished, orphaned,daughter of a famous, silent movie star, becomes the protégé of Hal Sonderson,a studio executive. With help from the family of her best friend, Annie, sheescapes an amoral foster home and goes to live with Annie's Aunt Tillie. Excymeets many Hollywood personages including an Italian count, Alberto. TedWallace, Annie's older brother, always plays a pivotal role in her life. On a promotional studio tour in Europe, adolescence, naivety and impendingwar cause difficulties in Excy's life. She is swept off her feet by Alberto in Paris. Their romance is complicated by his marriage and his military duties. Excyreturns to Hollywood with a secret. Seeking an exit from Hal's control, herambitions are torn between career and love. World War II dominates Hollywood from1940?45. It plays an ominous role ineveryone's lives. Familiar movie stars, world events, and coming of age arewoven into her story. At the end of the war, Hal makes Excy a surprising careeroffer and Excy must answer.