The Alexandrite Paperback – May 29, 2015

HiThis book is a little bit quirky in how it is written, but it is a very original piece of work.What I didn't like about the book was some roughness in the writing style, which suggests lack of experience (or certainly lack of experience at writing such a complex story).But apart from the writing style being a little bit chunky, from time to time, I really like this book.Firstly, it echoes back to a famous bygone era and if you look at the authors bio, you will see that he is a well known actor, who was active at that time period (1950's).Secondly, this book keeps you guessing, you will never know what exactly is going to happen next, which I really like as so many books are just too predictable!So if you like a quirky read, get this book, you won't be let down!

Washed-out and with the doors of opportunity slamming shut from all sides, actor Jack Cade is the poster boy for the “bad things happen in threes” mantra. Getting cut from a crappy, no-pay play was just the tip of his career-crushing iceberg. His agent, who lost faith in Jack way back in another epoch, manages to dig up a temporary life preserver – an audition for a part that has Jack written all over it. An audition he misses. And Jack’s wife, no longer able to stay afloat in his sinkhole of alcohol and “bleeding actor’s ego,” jumps ship.Just when it starts looking like it’s lights-out for Jack, an anonymous envelope lands in his mailbox. Inside is a pawn ticket that leads him to an Alexandrite ring and a psychophysicist who claims to hold the secret of time travel. With Jack’s personal and professional lives collapsing in on him like a black hole, he walks out of 1996 and into the heyday of mid-Century Hollywood. He also walks into another man’s shoes, not to mention the scene of his recurring nightmare. Armed with “fore-knowledge” Jack has a chance to make things right in two different time periods. The only question is, how many times will he have to jump across the spectrum of alternate reality to get it right?Drawing from his extensive experience in the entertainment industry, author Rick Lenz delivers a stellar and believable cast of characters. From Jack Cade, whose love-hate relationship with the movie industry keeps him on the razor’s edge of failure, to Jack’s 1956 incarnation – or possibly alter-ego - Richard Blake, a movie-star handsome gemologist, whose an angry alcoholic wife and sultry, mentally impaired sister-in-law set the stage for their own rendition of a sweaty Tennessee Williams play. And there’s the incomparably complex, multi-faceted Marilyn Monroe, at the peak of her career—the golden thread that weaves everyone’s story together.Steeped in Hollywood history and culture, “The Alexandrite” entices the reader with snippets of iconic set locations, facades, meeting places, studios and stars. But the novel is more than a torch song to the movie industry. It is also a paean to hard working actors whose careers, like Jack’s, straddle a razor.“The Alexandrite” playfully challenges the reader to ask questions about a world that exists outside of the four dimensions in which we live. A must-read for anyone and everyone who has been touched by the magic of Hollywood.

Do not miss the AlexandriteWhen Jack Cade (an actor) becomes someone else, Richard Blake (a gemologist), the many mysteries at the heart of “The Alexandrite” begin to turn this book into, as many people are saying, one of those rare novels that are just about impossible to put down.In the beginning, Jack’s life is in tailspin. He is offered a way out: the chance to go back in time. He grabs it. In 1956, living with two of the strangest women he’s ever encountered, he auditions for the most exciting acting job he could possibly imagine, a movie role opposite Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn ends up thinking she’s falling for Richard Blake. That’s not who it is.This book has everything: intrigue, murder, romance, even a fascinating spiritual journey; in fact it has all the elements that make it so much fun to get lost in a really good book.

Having stumbled upon "North of Hollywood", by Rick Lenz and finding myself totally intrigued by not only his insider's view of Hollywood, but the view from inside his head, I bought a copy of "The Alexandrite". I have been reading Science Fiction for more than 60 years including time travel yarns by authors I consider masters of the genre. Mr. Lenz's approach to the subject, the pitfalls and the problems encountered combined with his portrayal of the key players involved put this book near the top of the list of stories I consider classics. I found myself unprepared and surprised by some of the twists the plot took. No one can accuse Mr. Lenz of being predictable.It felt like the time travel part just allowed the author the room to fully examine and portray his characters as well as enrich the plot. I firmly believe that any reader, not just Science Fictions fans, will find this book a great read.

I received a free copy of this book in return for an unbiased review. This is a fascinating book, it plays with time, with personality, with events.Marilyn Monroe is one of the pivots of Jack / Richards focus on what he is during exploration of his pasts and presents.Also I love the quotes from Dark Side of the Moon.The book feels really vital, as though it does touch at the edge of what time means. Unusual and enjoyable.