Dream Maker (Duncan)

It's 1905, early in the Silent Film era, and orphan Amy Wilkes is "discovered" by producer Martin Tafft at a Pasadena Health Spa. Whisked away to the movie-making set, Amy is glamorized and placed before her leading man: a rugged, oh-so-handsome Arizona cowboy named Charlie Fox. Charlie, another "natural", needs money for his ranch, not the naive attentions of a beautiful starlet no matter how far she turns his head. On screen, sparks fly between Amy and Charlie, as the pair struggle to act like people they're not. Off screen, they face the scuttling machinations of the other actors and Charlie realizes what Amy truly dreams of--love and security. He offers her both. But first, Amy must open her heart.

Silent film star Brenda Fitzpatrick has supported her family via her beautiful face since she was twelve, carefully hiding her keen mind behind a well-crafted featherheaded-blonde facade. Then Brenda lands her dream job--the lead in Martin Tafft's latest romantic flicker--and encounters Colin Peters.Tafft's newest research assistant, Colin is a scientist, not a sentimentalist. The fact that Brenda Fitzpatrick turns his head only means he might be able to make love to her if he follows the natural mating techniques he's studied in other species.But when Colin attempts his seduction, Brenda is incensed, wanting to be recognized for her brain, and Colin comes face-to-face with the seemingly impossible: a love more real than any celluloid fantasy.REVIEWS:"The silent motion picture industry once again provides the fascinating backdrop for Alice Duncan's second novel in the Dream Maker series. ~Cindy Penn, Word Weaving"A lovely tale. Loved it!" ~Norah Wilson, USA Today bestselling authorTHE DREAM MAKER SERIES, in order Cowboy for HireBeauty and the BrainThe Miner's DaughterHer Leading Man

It's the height of the Silent Film era and Marigold Pottersby is trying to hang on to her father's failing silver mine when producer Martin Tafft offers a hefty sum to use the mine in his latest flicker. Mari quickly agrees but balks when the film crew insists she stop mining. Then Mari meets Tony Ewing. Tafft's heaviest investor and a dyed-in-the-wool Easterner, Tony arrives to investigate the film's progress. He has no use for the West, or the mine's country-bumpkin owner and her Great Dane named Tiny. But the show must go on. Tony plies his wares, intent on winning Mari's cooperation and gets more than he bargained for. Mari proves she has no need for his wealth, captures his imagination with her fiery comebacks, and leaves his heart in a dangerous way. Then the film crew discovers that Mari's silver mine isn't a silver mine at all, leaving Mari with a choice: admit she needs Tony and his investor ways, or walk away from the greatest find of her life.

Christina Mayhew doesn't consider herself a gifted thespian. Acting in Silent Films is simply a means to earn money for medical school so she can become a physician like her beloved father. Thankfully her gentlemanly producer, Martin Tafft, understands. While Martin is happy to discuss feminism and women's suffrage with Christina, his inner reaction to her secret goal is one of crushing disappointment. With moving pictures developing a sordid reputation, thanks to hard-drinking and drug-consuming stars, he needs Christina's wholesomeness to create the kind of movies he envisions. Then an accident on the set forces Martin to take the male lead, and Christina gets a taste of his kisses--on screen, at least. Now all she has to do is convince him he is perfect for another role... her lifetime leading man.