Hollywood's Glittering Cast

Hollywood Husbands parades the familiar ensemble cast typical of Collins' storytelling; only the labels and scenarios have shifted. This is not a critique of her craft; Collins deftly caters to the desires and expectations of her audience, delivering every time. Take, for example, the archetype of the heroine—her physical traits echo those in Collins' previous works and mirror the sultry allure captured in the book's jacket photos. Enter Jade Johnson, "twenty-nine years old with shoulder-length, copper-tinted tresses, eyes gleaming with golden flecks, a voluptuous mouth, and a chiseled, square jaw that elevated her from mere beauty. At five foot ten, she carried a lithe frame of one hundred and thirty pounds, boasting endless legs, a graceful neck, broad shoulders, and a supple form. Kindhearted, capable of sharp wit, a delightful humorist, and fiercely independent," Jade reigns supreme as "one of the world's top-earning photographic and commercial models."

Jack Python emerges as the epitome of the quintessential Collins hero, towering at six feet with commanding good looks. His lush black hair is rebelliously long, while his piercing green eyes, suntanned skin adorned with a subtle stubble, and a well-defined physique define his charisma. At thirty-nine, Jack wields wealth, charisma, power, a razor-sharp wit, and fame with ease.

The World Beyond the Spotlight

In the realm of Collins' tales, the supporting players often encapsulate the "little" people—those clinging to aspirations of grandeur or struggling to maintain their precarious heights. Naturally, there is always the influential elder, and here it is Zachery Klinger, whose secret link to an unsuspecting character eventually surfaces to everyone's surprise and delight. Wes Money enters as an apparent nobody, an opportunist, yet reveals himself as profoundly moral, reciprocating every favor he gains. Meanwhile, Mannon Cable and Howard Solomon, companions of Jack Python, begin as ambitious yet self-absorbed, eventually transforming into men of integrity. Even the seemingly ruthless Klinger softens upon discovering he has fathered a teenage daughter.

A Vibrant Tapestry of Characters

Consistently, Collins enriches her stories with black characters portrayed in a positive light. Aretha, Jack Python's steadfast assistant, is "black, weighing two hundred and twenty pounds, universally adored, with a melodious voice and an equally captivating smile." Eli, a vivacious waiter at a New York restaurant where Clarissa Browning once worked, "was black, gay, and unfailingly cheerful," juggling roles as actor, dancer, and singer. He opened his home to Clarissa, guiding her towards an acting career by insisting on her attendance at his singing and dancing classes and inundating her with dramatic literature.

Beverly D'Amo, an arresting model, is "black and exotically beautiful, her raven locks cascading in a thick braid down her back, with cheekbones sharp enough to carve glass." Unrestrained in speech, her "wild, high-pitched Eddie Murphy laughter" endears her as Jade's loyal confidante. In a surprising twist, she finds herself entwined romantically with billionaire Zachery Klinger, to her own astonishment.

Collins populates her narrative with a vivid array of characters, each etched with thoughtful detail and engaging dialogue, ensuring even those on the periphery are as captivating as the main players in the unfolding drama.