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Boob Tube
When Actress Gina Martin lands a role on a top daytime soap, she soon finds herself immersed in a glamorous world of hidden secrets and dangerous temptations. Will Gina survive the Hollywood machine, or will it consume her?
Boob Tube introduces the reader to a cast of colorful characters and stories inspired by real events. As research for the novel, the authors conducted confidential, behind-the-scenes interviews with dozens of soap opera industry insiders (actors, agents, managers, hair & makeup professionals, fan club managers, writers, etc.) who dished stories stranger than fiction. The authors wove their stories into Boob Tube, a novel that some fans have alternately described as fun, eye-opening or deeply disturbing. After reading Boob Tube, you might never view celebrity the same way again.
About the authors: Lesleyann Coker is a former reporter for Soap Opera Weekly Magazine. She now writes the Entertainment Bytes column for Forbes.com, and also contributes to the Huffington Post. Mark Coker writes for the Huffington Post, is the founder of ebook distributor Smashwords, and is a former Silicon Valley publicist. This is their debut novel.
Boob Tube introduces the reader to a cast of colorful characters and stories inspired by real events. As research for the novel, the authors conducted confidential, behind-the-scenes interviews with dozens of soap opera industry insiders (actors, agents, managers, hair & makeup professionals, fan club managers, writers, etc.) who dished stories stranger than fiction. The authors wove their stories into Boob Tube, a novel that some fans have alternately described as fun, eye-opening or deeply disturbing. After reading Boob Tube, you might never view celebrity the same way again.
About the authors: Lesleyann Coker is a former reporter for Soap Opera Weekly Magazine. She now writes the Entertainment Bytes column for Forbes.com, and also contributes to the Huffington Post. Mark Coker writes for the Huffington Post, is the founder of ebook distributor Smashwords, and is a former Silicon Valley publicist. This is their debut novel.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2008
18 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Mark Coker
14 books67 followersFounder of Smashwords, the leading distributor of indie ebooks. Since its launch in 2008, Smashwords has helped over 30,000 authors around the world publish and distribute nearly 100,000 ebooks. Millions of readers have enjoyed the talent and creativity of Smashwords authors.
Smashwords ebooks are distributed to Apple (32 countries), Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo and Diesel.
Author of:
The Smashwords Style Guide (how to create and format an ebook); The Smashwords Book Marketing Guide (how to market any book); The 10-Minute PR Checklist (how to implement a strategic PR program); and Boob Tube, a novel about the daytime television soap opera industry.
Smashwords ebooks are distributed to Apple (32 countries), Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo and Diesel.
Author of:
The Smashwords Style Guide (how to create and format an ebook); The Smashwords Book Marketing Guide (how to market any book); The 10-Minute PR Checklist (how to implement a strategic PR program); and Boob Tube, a novel about the daytime television soap opera industry.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 21, 2022
When actress Gina Martin lands a sole on a top daytime soap, she soon finds herself immersed in a glamorous world of hidden secrets and dangerous temptations. Will Gina survive the Hollywood machine or will it consume her? Boob tube introduces the reader to a cast of colourful characters and stories inspired by real events.
This is a story based on the television industry. There's some good characters who give us a window into the world of soaps. Gina Martin lands a role on a daytime soap opera. A few days later, her predecessor is found dead. The story is written in a similar style to Jackie Collins. The ending was a bit rushed.
#FreeKindleBook
This is a story based on the television industry. There's some good characters who give us a window into the world of soaps. Gina Martin lands a role on a daytime soap opera. A few days later, her predecessor is found dead. The story is written in a similar style to Jackie Collins. The ending was a bit rushed.
#FreeKindleBook
June 8, 2011
This book had great promise, and the first 300 or so pages (an exaggeration of course) were spot on. The characters were engrossing, there were many and numerous contrivances for the plot. Then unfortunately it just kind of ended in a neat little bow. I'll probably write my own better ending, but what do you really expect on a Kindle sale?
March 6, 2012
This is a light weight novel composed of murder mystery and romance, set in the contemporary world of Soap Opera production. One of the authors actually worked as a journalist for a Soap Opera newspaper prior to writing this novel. The book is based on her actual experience in the odder-than-life Soap Opera world.
Before the novel starts the reader is told that the story is fictional but based on reality. Elements of the story are right out of Soap Opera plotting. I had a problem keeping track of so many characters with both their novel names and TV character names. Part of my problem was the difficulty of caring about the characters in the book that seemed to all turn venial, superficial, and boring once introduced to the corrupting Soap Opera world.
But I read this book for its historical value. Mark Coker helped his then girlfriend, now wife, write this book. At first a traditional publisher wanted to publish the book, but the deal fell through. The creation of www.Smashwords.com one of the primary eBook distributors in the world and a genuine rival to Amazon in the eBook competition, was in no small measure the direct result of Mark trying to publish and distribute Lesleyann’s novel. Publishing will never be the same because of this book about Soap Operas.
Before the novel starts the reader is told that the story is fictional but based on reality. Elements of the story are right out of Soap Opera plotting. I had a problem keeping track of so many characters with both their novel names and TV character names. Part of my problem was the difficulty of caring about the characters in the book that seemed to all turn venial, superficial, and boring once introduced to the corrupting Soap Opera world.
But I read this book for its historical value. Mark Coker helped his then girlfriend, now wife, write this book. At first a traditional publisher wanted to publish the book, but the deal fell through. The creation of www.Smashwords.com one of the primary eBook distributors in the world and a genuine rival to Amazon in the eBook competition, was in no small measure the direct result of Mark trying to publish and distribute Lesleyann’s novel. Publishing will never be the same because of this book about Soap Operas.
October 16, 2025
I’m honestly not sure if Boob Tube is meant to be melodramatic and over the top silly or if the authors were just that bad at writing dialogue. The story is interesting most of the time so it wasn’t a horrible experience reading the book, but the writing is just not good.
June 20, 2011
Ebook synopsis
Actress Gina Martin lands a role on a top daytime television soap opera, and days later her predecessor is found dead in the Hollywood hills. Will Gina be next? Boob Tube offers readers a fast-paced read filled with intrigue and humor, and a surprise ending that will leave you breathless. Co-written by Lesleyann Coker, a former reporter for Soap Opera Weekly Magazine.
My review
Trashy, sex and drugs. If you like Jackie Collins you will love this as it is a similar type of writing. It takes place with Gina Martin getting her big break on a top rated well loved programme that has been going strong for decades. Gina dives into a world of fame and all that comes with it, manic fans, love interests and a career usually maintained by stabbing people in the back. Her manager Simon is advising her on how to stay on top as he has her best interests at heart but what of his reputation. Gina goes on a rollercoaster ride which could cost her her career or something much more valuable.
I couldn't put this down, total junk food for the brain but a page turner none the less. I loved it and would derfinately read more with this author 5/5 for me.
Actress Gina Martin lands a role on a top daytime television soap opera, and days later her predecessor is found dead in the Hollywood hills. Will Gina be next? Boob Tube offers readers a fast-paced read filled with intrigue and humor, and a surprise ending that will leave you breathless. Co-written by Lesleyann Coker, a former reporter for Soap Opera Weekly Magazine.
My review
Trashy, sex and drugs. If you like Jackie Collins you will love this as it is a similar type of writing. It takes place with Gina Martin getting her big break on a top rated well loved programme that has been going strong for decades. Gina dives into a world of fame and all that comes with it, manic fans, love interests and a career usually maintained by stabbing people in the back. Her manager Simon is advising her on how to stay on top as he has her best interests at heart but what of his reputation. Gina goes on a rollercoaster ride which could cost her her career or something much more valuable.
I couldn't put this down, total junk food for the brain but a page turner none the less. I loved it and would derfinately read more with this author 5/5 for me.
May 12, 2012
I am not the target audience for this book, which is why, I presume, that I found it so weak to begin with.
The first 2/3 of the book should be about 2/3 shorter. It was almost insufferable. The last third actually involved some plot and was genuinely interesting and well-paced.
I read the book because the author is the founder of Smashwords and if I understand his story correctly, he created Smashwords specifically because of this book and his experience trying to find a publisher. I can relate to that!
The first 2/3 of the book should be about 2/3 shorter. It was almost insufferable. The last third actually involved some plot and was genuinely interesting and well-paced.
I read the book because the author is the founder of Smashwords and if I understand his story correctly, he created Smashwords specifically because of this book and his experience trying to find a publisher. I can relate to that!
January 9, 2016
This story reminds me of when I use to watch soap opera as a teen. I was really into them back in the day. How many soaps are there now? I haven't watch one in forever!
One thing I have to look up is: How did we come to call television "Boob Tube"?
The world of soap opera is as cut throat as any other media. The new comer to show starts out as innocence but becomes corrupt when her popularity goes up. She has all this drama going around her. The drama goes home with her too! Read this story and you will know what I'm talking about! A good read.
One thing I have to look up is: How did we come to call television "Boob Tube"?
The world of soap opera is as cut throat as any other media. The new comer to show starts out as innocence but becomes corrupt when her popularity goes up. She has all this drama going around her. The drama goes home with her too! Read this story and you will know what I'm talking about! A good read.
November 14, 2011
Catchy front cover. Wasn't really my thing but it was a decent story if you like Soap Operas and stories about Soap Operas. Historically Soap Operas were broadcast in weekday daytime slots when most listeners/viewers would be housewives; thus the shows were aimed at and consumed by a predominantly female audience. The same is true about this story. If you'll excuse me I'm going to go build/kill/destroy something to regain my manhood.
June 17, 2012
This is one of the first books I bought a couple years back. I just got around to reading it. I am glad I finally read it as it was entertaining. But at one point I almost put it down. The new actress "good girl" starts to fall into some Hollywood pitfalls and I just almost couldn't take it. I wanted to shake some sense into her. But I kept reading and it all came to a pretty good ending.
January 24, 2011
It was OK...a fun, mindless read about behind the scenes goings on at a popular soap opera (fictional). I did not like the way it ended at all..it just sort of...stops. Up till the end it wasn't bad, it just needed another chapter to wrap it all up better!
July 24, 2012
I got half way through and put it down. It did not hold my interest anymore. The way the story is written and I could see the ending. Maybe if you did not have the cliff scene then go back to three months earlier. I might try it again later, but probably not.
February 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this. once I started I couldn't put it down. read it in a day and a half.
November 28, 2010
This is a light novel about the television industry. Some good chracters and some intereseting situations but highly forgetable.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
December 31, 2010
I'm not sure I should admit to reading this, but it was a free book for the Kindle. It's a soap opera in novel form: bad writing, obvious plots, etc. Nevertheless, I read the whole thing.
February 8, 2011
Interesting window into the world of the soaps.
June 1, 2011
Fun read summer read.
April 10, 2011
Very much like the soap opera that the characters of the plot work on.
April 4, 2016
I will never look at a soap actor/actress the same again. Very disturbing and upsetting. Good storyline, just like a soap opera. :-)
August 16, 2011
This was quite good - not a world beather, but I enjoyed it. A good Sunday afternoon read.
October 18, 2011
The first half of this novel is deliciously trashy, a la Jackie Collins in the 80s. After that point, the plot gets terribly convoluted, capped off by a terrifically abrupt ending.
July 16, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It is light and has a bunch of stereotypes but it is fun to follow these characters. The ending is maybe a bit trite, but I liked it.
October 31, 2011
I don't know why this got such low ratings, I found it a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews