The New and Improved Vivien Leigh Reid: Diva in Control

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Age Range
10+
ISBN
0312358288
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New Job, New Boy, New Family for Leigh
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5.0
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Leigh is back and better than ever in The New and Improved Viven Leigh Reid. She gets a second crack at an acting career, when Jake, her moms fiancée lands her a role on Freak Force, a science-fiction action series. The all-male cast isnt too happy about having a girl on the set though, and the boys give Leigh a hard time. Work woes on top of dealing with Sasha and Ursela Cohen, step-sisters that make Cinderellas life look easy, and are enough to give Leigh a headache. However, with her new optimistic and easy-going attitude, Leigh is ready to take on the world.

Ever since she was unceremoniously fired from Diamond Heights, Leigh has a bit of a diva reputation around Tinseltown. Leigh knows how hard it is to nix a bad reputation, but if she is going to be serious about her acting career, the change has to start now. On the set of Freak Force, Leigh is picked on by her costars, the director, and even the production assistants seem like they are out to get her. Her only ally at work is the stunt coordinator, a little woman by the name of Freddy who still has faith in Leigh even after she manages to kick one of her costars in the crotch. A mortifying accident that never would have happened if she wasnt wearing a one hundred pound warthog costume. Oh, yes, Leighs character on the show is a warthog. Not the most glamorous of roles, but Leigh is determined to make the most of her character.

To accommodate her new role, Leigh has moved in with her mother in LA. It just so happens that her mother Annika, a B-list actress trying to make a name for herself, has moved in with Jake Cohen, the famous producer. Not only does Leigh have to deal with the pressures of work, but she is forced to live with the satanic Sasha Cohen, a soon to be step-sister that is out to sabotage every aspect of Leighs life. Sasha has already stolen Leighs former boyfriend (he was a jerk anyway) and now she is ready to do more damage.

As Freak Force becomes a big hit, with Effluvia the warthog garnering critical acclaim, Leigh finds herself falling for her costar, Julian. He has been less than welcoming to her, and at times seems to be nothing more than the typical teen pig. But at other times, with a smile and just the right words, he can sweep Leigh off her feet. One thing is for sure, Leigh will find out once and for all if the Hollywood lifestyle is really for her. With her newfound humility and grace under pressure, readers will be cheering her through the obstacle course that is life in L.A.

Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout have done a wonderful job developing Leighs character over the course of this series. While her circumstances may be extraordinary, Leigh is a very believable and likable character, laughing at and learning from her mistakes. With a solid head on her shoulders and a will to succeed, Leigh is the exactly the kind of teen that can succeed in the fast-paced world of Hollywood.
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