The Maybelline Prince

By: Danne Montague King

Narrated by: Dennis St. John

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

The 1970s were known for free love and experimentation. Few cared if you were gay, straight, bisexual or transgender. It was the era of "sex, drugs & rock 'n' roll". In the midst of all this appeared a woman who had turned the head of Al Capone, married into the famous Maybelline company, and possessed more than enough beauty, magnetism and allure to make men do most anything. When Evelyn F. Williams and her enigmatic young male companion arrived in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they took over the famous town in a whirlwind of lights, rock 'n' roll, cameras, beautiful people and a grand lifestyle. They created a media frenzy wherever they went - until jealousy and resentment led to stories of orgies, twisted sex, drugs, Mafia hits...and the mystery of the Maybelline Queen's fiery death, which some still call an unsolved murder. This is the uncut version of that high-living time written by the young man who lived it with Evelyn the man who was supposed to never be heard from again Danné Montague King, aka The Maybelline Prince, who went on to found a skincare dynasty of his own. Hobnobbing with decadent bluebloods, politicians, movie stars and social activists, Danné amassed a large and loyal following the world over.

©2014 Danne Montague King (P)2016 Bettie Youngs / Bettie Youngs Book Publishers

Interesting story of a man striving for greatness!

Dan King is constantly reinventing him in this novel. (He even changed his name to a more European version...kind of pretentious... He, like a masculine Scarlett O'Hara has relied greatly on the" kindness of others" -- usually rich older women. He struck me as a "walker" for these women, often lived, dined with their crystal, china daily with them, did their hair and makeup and brought his male boyfriends into their grand houses. He approached the women and proposed business ideas to them, always using their funding for his ideas. He was charming, for sure. Many of these seemingly lonely ladies took him in and enjoyed his witty repartee. An interesting story, but I felt he relied on others too much and never relied on his own merits, which were extraordinary.

Narrator pronounced so many words incorrectly that I wanted to scream. As a narrator, one should read the book first and then highlight any unknown words and look up their definitions and pronunciation. That was very lacking here

Otherwise, an interesting listen.