Silent Sin

By: E.J. Russell

Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux

When tailor Marvin Gottschalk abandoned New York City for the brash boom town of silent film-era Hollywood, he never imagined he'd end up on screen as Martin Brentwood, one of the fledgling film industry's most popular actors. Five years later, a cynical Martin despairs of finding anything genuine in a town where truth is defined by studio politics and publicity. Then he meets Robbie Goodman.

Robbie fled Idaho after a run-in with the law. A chance encounter leads him to the film studio, where he lands a job as a chauffeur. But one look at Martin and he's convinced he's likely to run afoul of those same laws - laws that brand his desires indecent, deviant...sinful.

Martin and Robbie embark on a cautious relationship, cocooned in Hollywood's clandestine gay fraternity, careful to hide from the studio boss, a rival actor, and reporters on the lookout for a juicy story. But when tragedy and scandal rock the town, igniting a morality-based witch hunt fueled by a remorseless press, the studio brass will sacrifice even the greatest careers to defend their endangered empire. Robbie and Martin stand no chance against the firestorm - unless they stand together.

CW: Contains threatened sexual assault, off-page violence, and drug abuse.

©2020 Ellen J Russell (P)2021 Ellen J Russell

Critic reviews

"I love historical romance, especially when it's done well, and this is one of the best and most unique stories I've read in a long time! The world building and attention to detail had me immersed in the silent film era from the very beginning, and I fell hard and fast for Robbie and Martin, who are navigating their way through love and Hollywood in a way that feels incredibly relevant and timely, even a hundred years later!" (May Archer, author of the best-selling Love in O'Leary series)

Fabulous historical tale

I got quickly caught up in this one set in the Golden age of Hollywood. I can't imagine having to live during a time when you could actually be arrested for loving the "wrong" person. And I have always been fascinated by classic black and white movies. I also love this author’s characters. They just really come alive, especially with Greg Boudreaux's narration. He is certainly one of the best out there!

Great Story

Loved this book. The characters were interesting and likable and the historical aspects were fun to read. The romance wasn't quite as fluffy as I usually expect from this author, but that wasn't a bad thing. While the story was heavier than I was expecting, it had a good balance of unpleasant historical elements/morality laws and sweet/happy moments despite adversity. The more serious tone worked for this book. Great narration. Would recommend.

Brill LGBT story of Old Hollywood

Original Audiobook Review March 2023:
It's been a year-and-a-half since I read Silent Sin and I loved listening to it just as much as I loved the original read. Greg Boudreaux brings the characters and the era to life in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat even, if like me, you already read the story and know it. 98% of the audiobooks I listen to are books I've previously read because I tend to zone out occasionally and that is no reflection on the story but because I listen mostly while working on the computer or in the kitchen and before I know it I'm concentrating on the task at hand and not the story, knowing the tale previously allows me not to have to try and find where I "zoned out".

Anywho, back to the narrator. One of my boxes to tick that make an audiobook go from good to great is the expectation of hearing a sponsor's ad. Now for those who don't know what I mean, I have been a collector of old radio programs since I was 10 and if you have never heard an ORP from the 30s & 40s they have one sponsor unlike the multi-commercials of television today. Some shows incorporate the sponsor into the show others take a break for the ad in the middle. So when I say "expectation of hearing a sponsor's ad" what I'm really looking for is a narration that gets me so involved I feel like I'm listening to an episode of Screen Actor's Playhouse where they often would bring a radio version of a hit movie to the masses. Greg Boudreaux brings EJ Russell's words to life in such a manner and considering the setting is Old Hollywood I had a higher level of this expectation and he definitely delivered. I look forward to re-listening for years to come.


Original Review July Book of the Month 2021:
Silent Sin is brilliant!

I've been looking for a story set in Old Hollywood for about 3 years and when this popped up in a FB group rec request I one-clicked immediately. 2020 screwed with my reading mojo so unfortunately I just got around to reading it and I loved it! EJ Russell really sets scene of the silent era, incorporating real historical facts and scandals that add just the right level of reality into her fictional story. Don't worry, Silent Sin isn't a tell-all, Hollywood documentary but it definitely shows the author's respect for the past with the balance of reality and fiction.

As for the characters, watching Robbie's journey from "runaway" country bumpkin to studio chauffer to stand-in to ???(well I don't want to give away all the lad's secrets😉) is an uplifting, heartfelt tale of entertainment. Seeing Martin's journey of trying to stay true to who he is and who he lets the studio bosses and fans see makes you smile, laugh, and a few times you just want to shake him. When their paths cross you just know that it's fate but you also know it won't be easy but it will definitely be captivating. You can't help but want to wrap them both up in Mama Bear Hugs and tell them everything will be okay, of course there are a few times I want to smack them too and scream but that's what makes Silent Sin such a delight.

I have featured some of EJ Russell's books on my blog before but Silent Sin is my first read. For me it's the perfect introduction to a new author, Sin ticks so many of my boxes:
historical✅
romance✅
Old Hollywood✅
friendships✅
author's respect for the era✅
plenty of heart✅
I have to admit one of my favorite moments comes between Robbie and Martin's manager Sid, the actual activity happens off-page but we learn about it and it put the biggest smile on my face and a loud "YES!" in my internal monologue. Just another example of how the author has written more than romance and how sucked into the story I became.

Again, Silent Sin is brilliant!

Fascinating Story, Great Performance by Boudreaux

I love old movies, but I really know next to nothing about silent film stars. E.J. Russell does a lovely job of blending history with romance in Silent Sin.

While the early 1920's were a unique time in American history, Russell's Silent Sin also shows that things sure haven't changed that much. Hollywood still makes its own rules, the press still hounds the stars, and folks still keep relationships under-wraps... or they try to. Nicely done!

The audiobook is beautifully performed by Greg Boudreaux. Flawlessly jumping from educated Brit to country bumpkin, and everywhere in between, Mr. Boudreaux has his work cut out for him with this cast. But, as always, his accents are perfection.

Strong beginning, then it kinda drifted off

I enjoy a good historical mm romance, and the 20s are a particular favourite setting to me, so I went into this with high hopes. I really liked the beginning of this book, but once they were on location it became a bit boring and the spark fizzled out.

MM romance in 1920s

When I started listening to this story I felt like I was traveling back to the 1920s and Hollywood in the silent era. The author did such a great job with the historical atmosphere! The details, the way they speak, the facts...

It's always hard to read about a society that doesn't accept same-sex relationships. But the background of the movie industry is very interesting and I loved Robbie's simplicity and curiosity.

I wish to have seen more depth in the relationship development and some steam because, honestly, fade to black in a book where the characters are already hiding so much was so frustrating. I wanted to see them let go and unleash all their desires.

Needless to say that Greg Boudreaux's performance was amazing (again!).

Fantastic Characters

Loved the characters, the story, references to historical events and movie studio power mongering. As always, EJ writes a beautiful and believable story, and Greg brings it to life.

Wonderful Historical Romance & Narration🎧

This is a beautifully written historical MM romance novel, the story takes place in Hollywood in the early 1920s, the silent film era. The storylines are interesting and original, they swept me in right from the start, grabbing my attention and captivating it the entire book. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with, they were easy to care about too. Robinson “Robbie” Goodman ran away from a terrible situation in Idaho, he grew up on a farm but his home life was not a loving one but that was not the only reason why he left. His leaving was sudden and not planned, he tried to find work along the way but had little luck, the last ride he got dropped him off in Hollywood. He was a green and naïve boy but a good-hearted one and he did the right thing at the right time and place, which was noticed by the right person, someone who fed him his first meal in weeks and then offered him a job as a driver for one of the film actors. Pop took Robbie under his wing, hooked up with a place to live, and advised him how to get around. Marvin Gottschalk has come a long way since his tailor days in his hometown of Queens, NY. He and a friend headed to Hollywood, with the looks for the screen he reinvented himself, changed his name to Martin Brentwood and the way he talked and got hired to star in silent movies. Martin is gay but back in those days it was taboo in the eyes of the world, he got too close to his last driver so they fired him. His new driver was not the usual type who came looking to go places in Hollywood, not believing him at first but he saw how good-natured Robbie was, he wanted him but vowed not to go there but he helped him by showing him some of the workings behind the scenes in Hollywood. Robbie also befriended Dottie, a film cutter and aspiring screenwriter, she also helped him learn a lot of what went on behind the scenes and on the set. I loved how everything played out in this brilliantly plotted story, E.J. Russell did an amazing job with the world building, capturing the what went on in the Hollywood motion picture industry and the challenges gay men and women faced in that time period in Hollywood and around the country. A wonderful friendship and romance developed between Martin and Robbie, it was true and real, a once in a lifetime kind of love. E.J. Russell, thank you for this wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the amazing narration, E.J. Russell cast the perfect narrator to bring her story and characters to life. Greg Boudreaux is a mega talented narrator and a versatile voice artist. He had a complete understanding of the characters he portrayed, giving each a voice that fits that character’s persona to a tee, accents and all, sounding believable in every role he played and just as I pictured the characters to sound. He set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the character’s emotions and projected them into his performance. Greg Boudreaux is an entertaining storyteller and his narration enhances an already exceptional story to another level. Thank you for another wonderful listen, it is always a pleasure to listen to your work.

Thank you GRR

Russell + Boudreaux = A Totally Enchanting Listen

What a lovely book! This historical romance recounting the early days of Old Hollywood is an absolutely delightful listen. With EJ Russell’s well-researched historical detail and Greg Boudreaux’s downright brilliant narration, ‘Silent Sin’ has become the standard by which I will measure my subsequent 2022 books.

Russell’s story realistically portrays Martin and Robbie's constant fear of being discovered ‘in the life’. But, despite knowing the consequences, they still try to build a relationship together. Will they find a way to have their happily-ever-after?

In addition to MCs Robbie and Martin, I like the secondary female characters. They are written as strong, capable women in an industry where that's all too rare, even today. It’s a pleasure to see.

While there are one or two steamy scenes, most of the bedroom action stays off-the-page. This doesn’t bother me as it allows Russell to add to her fascinating tale of the inner-workings of silent-era filmmaking.

I cannot fail to mention how Greg Boudreaux’s narration brings Russell’s story to next-level excellence. With well-done accents, distinct character voices and genuine emotional portrayal, he delivers one of his best performances with ‘Silent Sin’.

These opinions are entirely voluntary and made possible by my request for a free ARC.

Highly recommended.

Mesmerizing

I so enjoyed listening to Greg Boudreaux narrate this historical accurate, wonderfully interesting , and entertaining tale of queer romance during Hollywood Silent Movies era.

Set in the 1920's , we are immersed in the lives of Martin and Robbie and those around them . I was mesmerized by the vivid and atmospheric account of how the movies were cast , made by all those who made them; from the script writers, directors , actors , producers and studios bosses.

Greg Boudreaux narration is brilliant and addictive.