Growing up in a gold mining camp outside 19th century San Francisco makes life seem hard until Lotta Crabtree arrives to sing and dance on a makeshift stage. Her greatest fan, Walter Cain, the young son of an alcoholic miner, not only finds himself caught up in her music, but soon discovers their lives are fated to be connected. Walter is forced to grow up quickly, learning about life, from the whiskey bars and brothels of the California Gold Rush era to the lights and music of the New York theater scene.
Living in a Star's Light follows the true life of the American actress, Miss Lotta Crabtree. In the late 19th century, Lotta was one of the wealthiest and most admired entertainers in America. The novel also presents both a fascinating picture of America's history and an intriguing story of love and adventure.