Porn star Ginger Lynn sat next to me on a plane once. I knew it was her because her sateen jacket said so, not because I recognized her. Truth is, in her videos she looked like any other blonde porn star (I looked her up) and on the plane she looked pretty beat.
So when my friend, Kathleen O’Donnell told me her novel, The Last Day for Rob Rhino, was inspired by being seated on an airplane near famous porn star Ron Jeremy, I thought, “Damn! I could’ve written a novel!”
Actually, I couldn’t have, because I’m just not imaginative enough. But O’Donnell is, and her quirky book — a real page-turner–is a tribute to both her imagination and her skill.
I sneaked a peek while I finished another book and I practically sped through the first book so I could devour this one. It’s a slim volume, but the plot’s twists and turns were so riveting that I read the entire book in one (longish) sitting. I loved it. O’Donnell has an ear for dialogue and that’s what moved the plot along smartly.
The characters were endearing and the entire premise so unusual and unique I don’t want to say much more about it other than BUY THIS BOOK! Whether you want something to take on a plane trip (who knows, you might meet a porn star, like we did!) or on vacation, this is the book. Here are a few tantalizing hints:
Rob Rhino is a character loosely based on Jeremy, who is famous for the size of his manhood. So I asked her about her encounter with him.
“As fate would have it, he sat next to my husband on the plane!,” she said. “My brain went willy nilly and I started writing the book on the plane.”
Because I’m a memoirist, I admire the way fiction writers seem to come up with ideas out of thin air. I asked her about that.
“Writing, for me, is always like driving in the dark with no headlights,” she said. “I never know where it’s going. I had an idea about how the plot would go but it went totally different than I’d thought. I never outline, I don’t make notes, I just write. Wherever the characters take me is where I go.”
Let’s just say this is a great photo of Ron Jeremy.
And who wouldn’t wonder about her depiction of Rob Rhino?
“I didn’t intend to like Rob,” she said. “But, as soon as he hit the page I loved him. I realized at the end that I was really writing about my father. Rob treated Claire like I always wanted my father to treat me. He really loved her and took good care of her. And, my dad was dying while I wrote so it kind of came through in my writing. I got out a lot of angst.”
Did she ever think she’d write a book whose main character was a porn professional?
“I didn’t really think about writing about a porn star. I just saw one at the right place at the right time.”
But that’s not the only character whose inspiration came from real life. Claire, the other main character, is completely bald. O’Donnell, too, had a temporary bout with stress-related alopecia. Like I said, a quirky book.
I rarely fall in love with a character, but I fell in love with Rob Rhino (although I couldn’t stop picturing him as Ron Jeremy) and grew to love Claire, as well. In fact, I raved so much my husband is now reading it. So, I give this a 5-star recommendation and hope you’ll buy the book and then share your thoughts, too!
The Last Day for Rob Rhino by Kathleen O’Donnell can be found at all the usual places. Great summer read. Great read, period. A good book. But not THE Good Book, of course!
Sounds like a fun book! I met a former porn star in March-she attended my presentation at Catalyst Con. Veronica Hart-delightful woman. It was a first for me; I didn’t recognize the name but people I told, mostly men, were familiar with her!
I am getting ready to start this book and can’t wait to read it! Kathleen is a great writer that I admire very much! Thanks so much for the review Carol!
I can’t believe how many of you are running into porn stars – some people have all the luck 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this – I plan to get a copy right away!
The book is unexpected, too. No sex, which can be good or bad, depending on your point of view. But the plot is so quirky and fun–really a good summer read. You won’t be disappointed!
Yes, indeed, this sounds like a quirky and fun read. This post made me chuckle right from the first with this:”Truth is, in her videos she looked like any other blonde porn star (I looked her up) and….” I found it funny you had to point out you’d looked her up (versus watching her films??).
Sounds like a great read and I admire someone brave enough to be a porn star. I was nervous enough taking off my clothes for a body wrap at a spa years ago.
I’ll definitely put this on my summer reading list! My teenage son keeps joking with me that he’s going to be a porn star when he grows up…at least I HOPE he’s joking!
Wow ! What a great review. Thank you so much Carol! I so appreciate you taking the time to read and make such great comments. You make me want to read it and I wrote it!
I’m going to check that book out!! ???? My friend once sat next to UK TV celeb/comedian/actor Griff Rhys Jones on a plane – unfortunately she was pregnant & had morning sickness so he gallantly put up with her puking in the sick bags the entire journey ???? Fortunately, he was a sweetheart & looked after her.
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Sounds like a fun book! I met a former porn star in March-she attended my presentation at Catalyst Con. Veronica Hart-delightful woman. It was a first for me; I didn’t recognize the name but people I told, mostly men, were familiar with her!
You must read this. Seriously!
Yeah, I know Veronica Hart from the 80s and 90s but only because a friend told me.
Rob Rhino is a great name for an imaginary porn star.
Of course, I couldn’t get Ron Jeremy out of my head when I read.
Sounds like a quirky book with fascinating characters. I love it already.
It’s your kinda book, girl!
I have this one on my list, thanks for the reminder.
Hmmm. My ex sister in law was a porn star. It was definitely wierd at first .
Wow, I’d have a zillion questions of her!
You never know where inspiration will take you!
Ain’t it the truth!
I see a summer read in my near future.
You must.
What a fun post, and a fun book too. And I agree with you…fiction writers are to be admired!
It really was a fun book.
This just sounds like the perfect fun, light summer read!
My husband and I were discussing it while we walked Riley just now. That never happens!
Sounds like a terrific read. Thanks for your review of it.
I am getting ready to start this book and can’t wait to read it! Kathleen is a great writer that I admire very much! Thanks so much for the review Carol!
Fun with an interesting, unique plot.
Sounds like great fun! I’ll definitely have to look this one up.
It’s right up your alley!!
Definitely on my list!
It’s funny, given twists and turns of your life on the ranch, I think you’ll enjoy the plot of this one.
I can’t believe how many of you are running into porn stars – some people have all the luck 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this – I plan to get a copy right away!
You will enjoy!
Wow! Completely unexpected in every way! I might even pick up the book!!!
The book is unexpected, too. No sex, which can be good or bad, depending on your point of view. But the plot is so quirky and fun–really a good summer read. You won’t be disappointed!
Yes, indeed, this sounds like a quirky and fun read. This post made me chuckle right from the first with this:”Truth is, in her videos she looked like any other blonde porn star (I looked her up) and….” I found it funny you had to point out you’d looked her up (versus watching her films??).
There was another Ginger, more famous, who’s porn I did watch. Don’t confuse me!
I bet you are cleaver enough! Sounds like an intriguing read with great characters!
Oh, man, fiction is intimidating!
Sounds like a great read and I admire someone brave enough to be a porn star. I was nervous enough taking off my clothes for a body wrap at a spa years ago.
Word! I feel ya!
I’ll definitely put this on my summer reading list! My teenage son keeps joking with me that he’s going to be a porn star when he grows up…at least I HOPE he’s joking!
Then it’ll be interesting to hear what you think of Rob Rhino!
Wow ! What a great review. Thank you so much Carol! I so appreciate you taking the time to read and make such great comments. You make me want to read it and I wrote it!
Kathleen, go back and re-read it, it’s really good! LOL
LOL on the name Carol, and hey, how could you not capitalize on that experience somehow 😉 Thanks for sharing!
She did a great job of it!
This sounds like a fun, wacky book–PERFECT reading for me!
Too funny! I love the name Rob Rhino — perfect for a porn star — but now I can’t get Ron Jeremy out of my head either. Ew!
I’m going to check that book out!! ???? My friend once sat next to UK TV celeb/comedian/actor Griff Rhys Jones on a plane – unfortunately she was pregnant & had morning sickness so he gallantly put up with her puking in the sick bags the entire journey ???? Fortunately, he was a sweetheart & looked after her.
This sounds really interesting & unique! What an unusual way of getting inspiration for a story. I don’t think I’ve ever met a porn star!