Lauren Summers' budding career as a fashion designer comes to a halt when there is a wardrobe malfunction at a prestigious awards show on a gown she helped design and create. Lauren soon finds herself in Santa Barbara in a run-down cottage, working on costumes for a high school play. It is the only job, and a very low paying one at that, that she can get right now. But the cottage is rent-free and in a very nice exclusive neighborhood. An eccentric old Hollywood movie star, Charlotte Montgomery, lives across the street, but she is a recluse.

Lauren is approached by a reporter, Kendall Joiner, who wants information about Miss Montgomery in exchange for proving that the wardrobe debacle at the awards show was a hoax. Lauren is torn as to what she should do. She can hear the words of her heart-mother (who took her in at seventeen) quoting scripture to give her direction. Is Charlotte really harboring secrets to a murder? Will Lauren compromise her beliefs and all she stands for to have her name cleared?

Kathryn Cushman brings us a delightful, inspirational story filled with dysfunctional families and Hollywood glamour of yesteryear. Lauren is a strong character, but has a lot of self-doubt. She is surrounded by a variety of supporting characters: good friends, questionable acquaintances, and people she has yet to decide about. FADING STARLIGHT is a story about trust, friendship and healing. There are many parallels between Lauren's and Miss Montgomery's lives and careers. If you are into fashion, especially vintage fashion, descriptions of beautiful designs are splashed throughout the pages, bringing back the glitz and glamour of a day gone by. FADING STARLIGHT is a touching story you should not miss.

Book Summary

When Her Big Shot Blows Up on Her,
How Far Will One Woman Go to Regain Her Dream?

Lauren Summers is in hiding. Her fashion house internship was supposed to launch her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she can find comes with little pay, but at least it offers a free place to live--a run-down cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mansion. Planning to live on savings until she figures out what's next, she's unprepared to be contacted by a reporter.

Kendall Joiner is researching Charlotte Montgomery, a former Hollywood ingénue who lives a reclusive life in the cliff-side mansion. Rumors have swirled for decades about Charlotte, and now Kendall wants to find the real story. In return, she may just have the key to getting Lauren back into the fashion world. Desperate to restore her dreams, Lauren's not sure she can turn down the offer--but as she and Miss Montgomery get to know more about each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems.