Lynne Martin

I wanted to love this book. I love the concept of a "home-free" retirement but this book is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Lynn Martin's writing can be pleasant but her recreated dialog is painful to read. Her inflated sense of self and constant bragging about her "non-tourist" status is grating. The constant referrals back to the WSJ article on nearly every page is excruciating and her complaints about how her book deal is cramping her style is just ridiculous.

I'm at 82% and I'm determined to finish (why I don't know) but I do not recommend this at all.… (más)

What a great title for a book and being 'of an age' myself I was particularly drawn to the concept of selling up and becoming a citizen of the world! The Martins took a huge plunge when they stepped off the deep end and sold everything they had to help finance their travels, said goodbye to family and friends and set sail for greener pastures. I was probably expecting a little more detail in the book about the how to side of things, but with hindsight I realise it's all about the planting of an idea. Lynne Martin has scattered throughout her story all sorts of helpful hints and websites, the best of these being her Blog address! I doubt that I will ever have the finances to support a life on the road for the rest of my life, but I think planning for an early retirement is something that I can definitely get started on, and it's all about taking that first step!… (más)

I admire the Martins for their moxy in giving up the comforts of home to be nomads traveling and embracing the cultures of countries around the world. I have two minor issues with their adventures. First the book starts off with this tale about how they came to be world travelers making it sound as if they had this tremendous brainstorm, but you find out much later in the story that they were actually following in the footsteps of Mrs. Martin's parents , who had done something similar years before. I don't know why, but it bothers me that she waited until 2/3 of the way through her story to give credit to the originators of the idea her parents.
My second issue is that in all of their travels she never writes about any attempts to learn the native languages of the countries that they are temporarily calling home. They make many other efforts to assimilate themselves to the local culture but never take the time to learn the local language, or at least she never mentions any attempts in the book.
That being said their story is inspirational and I envy their willingness to pick up and go.… (más)

Some time ago, indie author Lynne Martin requested me to read and review her new novel Ready Set, Action!, an expose of the porn industry, but not a book of pornography in itself. Not my everyday subject (thank God!), but after reading and reviewing The Origins of Sex, this novel is an example of the double moral standard in effect in the USA and other western countries as well. Human trafficking, drug addiction, sexual offenders and child molestation are forbidden. And yet, there's a huge market for drugs and sex related services and products. Some 30% of all internet traffic is porn content.
Martin portrays the life of working porn stars in the Adult Film Industry, based on researched sources and interviews, but packaged as fiction. The storyline is about ex-porn star and cutthroat businesswoman Julia Giovanni and her husband Boyd. While Julia wants to build her their Giovanni Films into a beyond-average, on-demand adult movie company, with strict rules on acting for competitors and hygiene. Boyd enjoys the luxury, and is tired of looking after his brother Peter who's a drug addict trying to rehab.
Lillian Cardinal tries to leave her job as stripper and become a star in Giovanni Films productions. She's also children to take care of. Her entry into a first porn production becomes a tragedy with some hilarious moments. These main characters are developed throughout the book, with several other storylines and characters woven into it. Meet Wanda and her brother Warren that eventually rapes her sister and steals her virginity. Meet Brandy and little Tito that's lost her real mother. Peter Giovanni ultimate solution: a Glock 9mm. Young drug addicts Ronnie and Jerome, even younger actor Justin and has-been actor Malcolm. The tragic end of the company illustrates the fine line between on-demand business and the long arm of the DA.
Though a lot of dialogues in the book have a vocabulary like : "By a fucking monkey. Who cares? Bottom line, you're out of a goddamn job and back on the street, running a couple hoes for cash." nothing attractive remains about the porn industry or drug addiction. Family life and marriage are destroyed, distinction between love and mere lust is gone, real life and fake or acting blurred. And yes, everyone is entitled to formulate his/her opinion. Lynne Martin lets her character conclude: "Because sometimes our personal lives are much too painful when they're exposed to the light of day. What seems normal, or maybe even acceptable to us, may appear seedy or possibly evil in the eyes of many others. People don't always understand the choices we've made, or the secrets we've been forced to keep. They're too... critical. They're too..." she searched for another word, 'judgmental.'" (p.222)
Not every desire should be captured on film. In my opinion a better quote than several others serving a chapter's introduction. Lynne Martin is an advocate of women's rights and a staunch supporter of sexual education. She currently resides in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and their large extended family.… (más)