On the fiftieth anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death, celebrity biographer, ghost writer and novelist releases steamy saga in which a clandestine relationship between the two most famous women of our time gives a seductive insight into a world of sex, power and politics.What if Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy had met and begun a secret correspondence? This is the delicious premise of New York Times best-selling author Wendy Leigh’s compulsive novel, now made available as an ebook to mark the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death on August 5th.
Set against the glittering backdrop of Hollywood and Washington during the Mad Men era of the1950s and 1960s, The Secret Letters presents Marilyn and Jackie as you’ve never seen them before. These two iconic women, seemingly poles apart, are revealed as sisters under the sheets, sharing a love of Chanel, Clark Gable, gossip and scandal, and of course, the President of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy. Through their scintillating correspondence, the wife and the mistress play a cat and mouse game of trading secrets; the polite exchange of self-revealing letters is their weapon of choice, as each woman endeavours to subversively get the measure of the other.
Wendy Leigh’s inventive novel is impossible to put down and evokes the heady glamour of Marilyn and Jackie’s public lives, while exposing the vulnerabilities and the painful truths that simmered dangerously beneath the pristine surface of their artfully constructed images. Leigh’s sultry and evocative presentation of her leading ladies is a joy; her revelations about the intimacies of their individual lives completely thrilling. Infused with the sharp eye for detail she is famous for in her biographies, The Secret Letters showcases the depth and breadth of Wendy Leigh’s talents as a writer. Her ability to capture the very essence of her subjects is outstanding.
"Wendy Leigh's imagined correspondence between two fabled goddesses of the twentieth century, is utterly fascinating. The idea may seem preposterous, but I began to think I was reading the real thing." Dominick Dunne.
"Richly researched, it captures the writing voices of these two icons almost pitch perfectly in nearly every sentence... Strong, warm and engaging." Kirkus Reviews.
About the Author: Wendy Leigh is an acclaimed New York Times Best Selling celebrity biographer, novelist and ghost writer of Prince Charming, The J.F.K. Jr Story and True Grace: The Life and Times of an American Princess, Liza, Born a Star, Arnold: The Unauthorized Biography and Edward Windsor: Royal Enigma. Leigh’s first book, What Makes a Woman G.I.B. (good in bed) was published when she was just twenty-five. She is co-author of Life with My Sister Madonna by Christopher Ciccone and co-wrote Zsa Zsa Gabor's autobiography One Lifetime Is Not Enough, and Jeannie Out Of The Bottle, with Barbara Eden. Leigh has contributed to The Mail on Sunday, The Sun, The Daily Mail, The Observer, The Sunday Times, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Guardian. She has appeared on Today, Good Morning America, Bill O'Reilly, Geraldo, CNN, Regis, BBC News, Sky, LBC. Wendy Leigh divides her time between London, New York and LA.
The Secret Letters of Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy, a novel by Wendy Leigh (published by Wendy Leigh Books, RRP ebook $2.99 US, £1.86) is available from August 1st, 2012. For more information go to www.wendyleigh.com.
Sound interesting? We are giving away one e-book copy to a lucky Historical Tapestry reader. To be eligible please comment (with your email) and tell us which famous lady interests you more: Marilyn Monroe or Jacqueline Kennedy. The give-away will end September 20, 2012. Where it is an e-book it is available international.
Wow! This one sounds good! But you are making me choose between Jackie and Marilyn??? Guess it has to be Marilyn, but not by much!
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