Dazzled by the Light by Karen Christino | Spotlight
Before astrology became a publishing phenomenon, Linda Goodman was already reaching for the stars.
How did Linda Goodman become one of the most recognizable names in popular astrology? Today, I'm joining the Goddess Fish Promotions Blurb Blitz for Dazzled by the Light by Karen Christino, a biography exploring Goodman's remarkable career, complicated personal life, and lasting influence on the New Age movement. The featured excerpt offers a fascinating glimpse into the extraordinary publishing success of Love Signs, and there's a $20 gift card giveaway to enter below!
This spotlight is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Book Details: Dazzled by the Light by Karen Christino
Dazzled by the Light: Linda Goodman, Pop Astrology and the New Age By Karen Christino
on July 2026
Genres: Biography
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 403
New Age trailblazer Linda Goodman wrote best-selling books and empowered millions with astrology’s insights.
Strong willed, complicated and fiercely independent, she had three husbands, six kids, legions of fans, and extraordinary success. An idealistic seeker, she believed she could create the world she chose; yet with her daughter’s suicide at 21, she shrank from reality.
Dazzled by the Light covers Linda’s West Virginia roots, her relationship struggles, professional achievements and financial setbacks. Enriched with in-depth research, vivid portraits of New Age figures, friends’ candid recollections, and Goodman’s effervescent prose, this comprehensive biography illuminates the life and times of an enigmatic icon.
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Reader Resources
Interested in stories where astrology plays a central role? Explore All Signs Point to Murder by Connie di Marco, a Zodiac Mystery featuring professional astrologer Julia Bonatti.
Excerpt
Enjoy this excerpt from the book, shared courtesy of the author and Goddess Fish Promotions:
Love Signs Sale, 1977
After the enormous success of Linda Goodman's first book Sun Signs, her new agents knew exactly how to maximize her profits for Love Signs in 1977. Her agent Arthur Klebanoff wrote, "While the editorial process was an agony, the rights were headed to great financial success. British rights were auctioned for $275,000, more than the reported amounts for [Secretary of State Henry] Kissinger's memoirs."
The hardcover publisher held an auction for the paperback rights, and set the lowest acceptable offer at $1 million; Klebanoff said it was the highest ever for a paperback. Three companies continued bidding over $1.7 million. But, as Newsweek reported, "Two days into the wrangling, Fawcett Books bid $2,250,000, making Love Signs publishing's first astrological blockbuster," with the highest price ever paid for a non-fiction book. Goodman would get 70% of the total advance, a fantastic sum, worth over $7.5 million today.
After the great publicity for the soft cover sale, there was little need for Linda to do any kind of promotion. Love Signs first made the New York Times "Best Sellers" list in January of 1979, and remained on the list through May. The less expensive trade paperback published in late 1980 shot to the list toward the end of November, and while it didn't rise as high as the hardcover, also stayed a best-seller for over four months (eventually squeezed out by books like The Joy of Sex and What Color is your Parachute?).
Linda was on top again. Unfortunately, it didn't last long.
Here's a little more about the author behind the book.
Meet the Author
Karen Christino brings her background in astrology and an interest in its cultural history to this portrait of Linda Goodman. Visit her website to discover more about the book and her other work.
Learn more:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Buy
Ready to add Dazzled by the Light to your reading list? Here's how to get your copy.
Happy reading-and thanks for supporting authors and reviewers.
Tour dates: October 12 - October 30, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
Goddess Fish Promotions tour page.
Giveaway
Enter below for a chance to win. Good luck!
One lucky winner will receive a $20 Amazon/BN gift card from Karen Christino.
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