Tag Archives: Danielle Steel

The Whittiers by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The Whittiers by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Preston and Constance Whittier have built a happy life together with a brood of six children raised in a beautiful historic Manhattan mansion. Now, with a nearly empty nest, it’s easier than ever for the Whittiers to maintain their tradition of a solo romantic “wintermoon” ski trip.

But with this year’s trip comes tragedy. Suddenly, their adult children find themselves reuniting in the family home without their parents for the first time ever. The oldest, Lyle, is reaching a breaking point in his marriage and must decide whether a divorce would be best for him and his two children. Gloria’s big job on Wall Street has kept her single at forty, and growing ever more cynical. The twins, Caroline and Charlie, moved out long ago to start a fashion business that may now be faltering. Benjie, with special needs, is hit hard by the loss of his parents and needs his siblings’ help. And Annabelle, the youngest, drops out of college and starts to spin out of control.

The eldest four are forced to put aside their personal issues and their grief to keep the family together and support each other and their two youngest siblings. Selling the house, along with all the memories that live in its walls, feels like yet another devastating loss. Could there be another way, as unconventional as it seems?

In The Whittiers, Danielle Steel delivers an inspiring story about the everlasting bonds of one unforgettable family.

 

 

Review:

The Whittiers by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful standalone novels.  The Whittiers is a fantastic family-oriented story line.  We meet the entire family from the start, with the parents, Preston and Connie, as well as their children, Lyle (oldest at 42), Gloria (39), twins Charlie and Caro (33), Benjie (28- autism spectrum) and Annabelle (youngest at 21); as they all celebrate Christmas every year.  They are a very close-knit family, with only Amanda, Lyle’s wife being an outcast, only caring about money. After the holidays, Preston and Connie always go away to Europe for an annual vacation, with this year going skiing to France. 

But a tragedy happens while they were skiing, and hit by an avalanche; killing them both instantly. The family is shocked, and find themselves reuniting at the family mansion to make decisions and console each other. Their parents left a generous bequest to each of their six children, thinking that they can also share the bigger inheritance if they sell the mansion; worth between $50-100 Million. However, 5 of the six children do not want to sell at this time, with most ending up going back home to stay at the mansion together.  It was so wonderful to see how they all moved in to help Benji, and Annabelle (who becomes pregnant), as well as Lyle, who was separated from his wife.  I enjoyed the love between all family members, and how they were always there for each other.  Each family member had their own life issues, as well as finding love for all. 

Lyle, worried about his two children, bringing them to the mansion every other week, and doing everything he could to finalize his divorce. Gloria was a successful lawyer, who had no relationships with others.  Caro and Charlie, were running a fashion business, which were long hours, and more funds were needed to help promote their work.  Benjie was at times hard to handle, but the love of his family always helped him; he also had two cute dogs. Annabelle was the wild one, always staying out all hours, until she needed help from her family.

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story, with the family determined to keeping everyone together, especially with the older siblings helping to support Benji and a pregnant Annabelle. The Whittiers was a fabulous storyline, with fantastic family that had to deal with grief, hostile divorce, expansion and wonderful romances along the way.   The Whittiers was so very well written by Danielle Steel.

Reviewed by Barb

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The High Notes by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The High Notes by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Iris Cooper has been singing ever since she can remember, hitting the high notes like no one else. When she is twelve, her father convinces the owner of a bar in Lake City, Texas, to let her perform, and she stuns the audience. In the ensuing years, never staying anywhere for long, father and daughter move from one dusty town to the next, her passion for music growing every time she takes the mike in another roadhouse.

But it is not an easy life for Iris with her father in charge and using her income to pay for gambling, women, and booze. When she starts to tour at age eighteen, she takes on a real manager. Yet he exploits her too, and the singers and musicians she tours with are really the only family she has. It is they who give Iris the courage to finally fly free, leave the tour, and follow her dreams.

After years of enduring the hardships of the road, exploitation, and abuse, to do what she loves, her big chance comes as her talent soars. But at the top at last, Iris still has to fight every step of the way. In The High Notes, Danielle Steel delivers an inspiring story about finding the strength to stand up for yourself and your dreams, no matter what it takes.

 

 

Review:

The High Notes by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful standalone novels.  We meet Iris Cooper, who at 12 years old, lived with her drifter father, as they moved around a lot.  Iris loved to sing, and had an amazing voice for someone her age.  Her father, who also drank, took her to a bar to sing, and over the next number of years, he made money on her singing, until she reached 18 years old, when she decided to go on her own, as her father always spends her money for himself.

Iris tours for over nine years, as her manager also exploits her, but she makes friends with other musicians on her tours. Her friends give her the courage to pack up and leave the tour and follow her dreams.  She goes into hiding in a small town, and meets Boy, a singer on a band, who becomes her friend (no romance), and together they make great music.  Iris convinces Boy to go with her to New York, to meet with a recommended manager. She auditions with Clay Maddox, who is a very successful and likeable manager.  He loves Iris voice, and when she mentions to Clay about Boy, who she feels also has a very nice voice.   Clay hires both Iris and Boy, with Iris career soaring, with a tour and album.  Boy ends up being the opening act, and he too with eventually become famous.   Iris’s ex manager tries to force her to return, but Clay will stop him, proving the ex-manager was a bad man.

Over a period of time, Iris and Clay (there is an age gap), will slowly begin to fall in love, and her life becomes filled with happiness.  Iris also wants to bring some old friends who stood by her into life.  The High Notes is a wonderful sweet story, filled with hope, tragedy, friendship, love, bad people, with a fantastic heroine.  I loved The High Notes, which was so very well written by Danielle Steel.  This is a story not to be missed.

Reviewed by Barb

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High Stakes by Danielle Steel – a Review

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High Stakes by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Jane Addison is an ambitious young woman with big dreams of owning her own company someday. At twenty-eight, she arrives in New York to start a job at Fletcher and Benson, a prestigious talent agency. Eager to impress her new colleagues, Jane jumps right in as an assistant to Hailey West, one of the agents in the literary department.

Hailey is dedicated to the authors she represents, but her home life is chaotic and challenging. After her husband’s tragic and untimely death, she was left widowed with three children to raise on her own.
Then there’s Francine Rivers, the stern and accomplished head of the literary department. Also a single mom after her husband’s affair with the nanny, she has overcome the resulting financial hardships, but only with unbearable sacrifice.

Compared to Hailey and Francine, drama agent Allie Moore’s life seems much more carefree and uncomplicated. She relishes her success and loves working with the talented actors they represent—until a passionate relationship with one of her rising star clients threatens to derail her career.
Merriwether Jones is the CFO for the agency. She appears to have it all–beauty, success, and a perfect marriage until her husband’s jealousy over her career threatens to blow everything up.

Even though she’s a newcomer, Jane quickly realizes that there are damaging secrets hidden behind the doors of Fletcher and Benson. As one of the youngest employees, she has the least power, but is also the least willing to accept things as they have been for years. When she puts everything on the line to right these wrongs, the consequences will leave no one unscathed.

In this riveting novel, Danielle Steel tells the story of a group of remarkable women navigating the challenges of balancing their families, their personal lives and the high stakes of ambition at the top of their game.

 

 

Review:

High Stakes by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful stand-alone novels. Jane Addison has just graduated and dreams of one day owning her own publishing company; she takes an entry level job at Fletcher and Benson, a well-known literary and entertainment agency.  She is assigned to be an assistant to Hailey West, one of the best agents in the Literary department. To Jane’s dismay, she immediately encounters, Dan Fletcher, one of the co-founders of the agency, as he makes lewd remarks about her; she recognizes that he is a predator.  Jane will avoid him as much as possible, even though he continues to make sexual attempts on her, and she threatens to report him.   Jane discovers that most of the women try to stay clear of Fletcher, and despite their disgrace, no one reports him, as they fear for their jobs. 

We also meet the other wonderful women of the company. Hailey is at the top of her career, being a successful literary agent.  She is widowed, and has three children, and constantly struggles to keep up with her job, as well as take care of her children.

Francine Rivers is in charge of the literary department, and she is divorced with two children. Even though she has a good paying job, Francine also struggles with both work and home.  We learn quickly that Fletcher over a number of years, has forced Francine to have sex with him twice a week, stressing if she doesn’t, he will have her fired.

Allie Moore, is in charge of the entertainment department, dealing with actors and actresses; she loves her job, always dining out with many of them.  When she falls in love with one of the younger actors, she is warned it could hurt her reputation, as she is older than him.  Allie refuses to stop seeing Eric, but becomes concerned that her reputation could be tarnished.

Merriweather Jones, is the CFO of the company, and is very well liked by everyone. Her marriage is on the rocks, as her husband stays home and takes care of their daughter.  She loves her job, and dreads going home, as her husband is always belligerent.

When Fletcher accosts Jane again, pushing her against the wall, she goes to a lawyer to claim sexual harassment. Fletcher is charged, and tries to buy her off, which she refuses.  In a short time, a few others in the company will also add their voices to the sexual harassment fight.

What follows is a wonderful story of five very talented woman who supported each other, especially in this ‘me too movement’.  For most of the women, they all have their own issues, not necessarily the sexual harassment, but struggling with family and financially, marriages falling apart, love, respect, and threats against them.

High Stakes was a fabulous story focusing on not only social issues in life, as well as in the job. I have been very impressed with Danielle Steel’s more recent books which are not only interesting, but willing to cover various issues.  High Stakes was very well written by Danielle Steel, as she gives us a glimpse of hidden things women may face in the workplace.   Very well done.

Reviewed by Barb

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Invisible by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Invisible by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Antonia Adams is the product of a loveless marriage between a beautiful young model and an aristocrat. As a child, she is abandoned in the abyss that yawns between them, blamed by her mother, ignored by her father, and neglected by both. Unprotected and unloved, she learns that the only way to feel safe is to hide from the dangers around her, drawing as little attention as possible to herself, to be “invisible.”

In her isolation, books are her refuge and movies her escape. A day spent being carried away by an unforgettable film in a dark theater is her greatest thrill. Her love of the movies turns into a dream to become a screenwriter, and a summer job at a Hollywood studio. There, a famous British filmmaker notices her, and suddenly she can remain invisible no longer. He wants to put her in a movie and make her a star. It is a dazzling opportunity but a terrifying one, as it strips her of the camouflage that made her feel safe. She is suddenly thrust into the public eye–and even more so when they fall in love.

She will never let go of her true dream of becoming a filmmaker, though, and if she wants to make that leap, she will have to expose herself in ways she never has before. When tragedy strikes, she must decide whether she will remain center stage or become invisible again, where she feels safest. Will she face her demons, or run and hide?

In this extraordinary novel, Danielle Steel tells the story of a woman who must decide how high a price she is willing to pay to pursue her passion–and whether it is possible to stay true to herself while she does.

 

 

Review:

Invisible by Danielle Steel is another one of her fabulous standalone novels. Invisible follows the life of Antonia Adams, starting with her childhood, where her parents totally ignored her, since their marriage was a total failure. Her mother left when she was very young, wanting to be an actress, and her father neglected her, especially with his hatred of his wife.  Antonia always hid when they argued, and learned to make herself “invisible”, by reading books and later when she was older, going to movies, which was her escape and eventual love.  It was her love of movies and the stars, the led to her dream of being a screenwriter.  Her father, who was wealthy, was always willing to give her money to have what she needed, and when she graduates, he pays for her to go to NYU film school.  In her late teenage years, Antonia allowed herself to be happy, when her father remarried, Lara, and they became very close; though he still constantly expressed his hatred of the mother, giving Antonia a hard time.   

Antonia gets a summer job at a studio in California, being a gofer for the most part, but ended up meeting assistants of a famous British filmmaker, who began to notice her simple beauty.  She returns the following summer to work for the filmmaker, and he pushes her to make cameo appearances in his movies, since he feels she would be a star.  Thrust into the public eye, does not sit well with Antonio, as she still wants to be “invisible”.  In a short period of time, Antonia and Hamish (filmmaker) fall in love and get married.  He totally understands her need to disappear for a few hours, when the need arises, and helps her make her dream to be a screenwriter & director behind the scenes a reality.  Antonia ends up having two children, and tragedy will strike that will once again change her life.

What follows is a wonderful story that is emotional and heartwarming, with a wonderful heroine, and fantastic characters. Antonia despite her hard life early on, and her need to always be safe, learned to become a well-known director and screenwriter, as well as allowing herself to be happy and loved. Invisible was very well written by Danielle Steel, and I wholly suggest you read this poignant story.

Reviewed by Barb

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Flying Angels by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Flying Angels by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Audrey Parker’s life changes forever when Pearl Harbor is attacked on December 7, 1941. Her brother, a talented young Navy pilot, had been stationed there, poised to fulfill their late father’s distinguished legacy. Fresh out of nursing school with a passion and a born gift for helping others, both Audrey and her friend Lizzie suddenly find their nation on the brink of war. Driven to do whatever they can to serve, they enlist in the Army and embark on a new adventure as flight nurses.

Risking their lives on perilous missions, they join the elite Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron and fly into enemy territory almost daily to rescue wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Audrey and Lizzie make enormous sacrifices to save lives alongside an extraordinary group of nurses: Alex, who longs to make a difference in the world; Louise, a bright mind who faced racial prejudice growing up inthe South; Pru, a selfless leader with a heart of gold; and Emma, whose confidence and grit push her to put everything on the line for her patients.

Even knowing they will not achieve any rank and will receive little pay for their efforts, the “Flying Angels” will give their all in the fight for freedom. They serve as bravely and tirelessly as the men they rescue on the front lines, in daring airlifts, and are eternally bound by their loyalty to one another. Danielle Steel presents a sweeping, stunning tribute to these incredibly courageous women, inspiring symbols of bravery and valor.

 

 

Review:

Flying Angels by Danielle Steel is another of her wonderful inspiring stories.  Flying Angels is set during World War II and 4 young American women who are nurses are eventually sent to Europe to help treat all the injured soldiers; two English nurses will in time join this wonderful group of ladies who are determined to do their jobs, despite the dangerous times.

We meet Audrey Parker, who attends nursing school, in order to take care of her mother, who has Parkinson’s disease; she meets Lizzy Hatton at the school, and they become best friends.  Lizzy will eventually fall in love with Audrey’s handsome brother, Will; but when Pearl Harbor is attacked, he is killed.  Still grieving, and after the death of Audrey’s mother, both ladies join the Army and embark on a new adventure as flight nurses. We then meet Alex Whitman, who is from a wealthy family, is also a nurse, who decides to join the elite Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron, with her family very much against her decision.  We also meet Louise Jackson, a smart black women, living in the south, and is considered an excellent nurse, who will join the group; together the four of them will be sent to England to join the RAF flight nurses, and the soldiers who fly them to rescue the injured in dangerous enemy territory.  The girls will meet Pru, a leader who knows what to do and is very friendly, and her coworker, Emma, who lacks confidence, always depending on Pru.  It will be Pru who brings the 4 girls into their group.  The six of them become close friends, and work together in the war effort, risking their lives along the way.   

What follows is an amazing and heartbreaking story, which kept me unable to put the book down.  This is a war time story, with wonderful loyal women who have so much courage and bravery, as they put themselves into danger every time they go out on the flights.  Flying Angels was a very engrossing story line, with so much tragedy, with many lives lost; and we get to learn more about each of the girls home life.   Danielle Steel once again surprises me with a different kind of story that was a masterpiece; and a tribute to these wonderful courageous women.  You need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

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The Butler by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The Butler by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Joachim von Hartmann was born and raised in Buenos Aires by his loving German mother, inseparable from his identical twin. When Joachim moves to Paris with his mother in his late teens, his twin stays behind and enters a dark world. Meanwhile, Joachim begins training to be a butler, fascinated by the precision and intense demands, and goes on to work in some of the grandest homes in England. His brother never reappears.

Olivia White has given ten years of her life to her magazine, which failed, taking all her dreams with it. A bequest from her mother allows her a year in Paris to reinvent herself. She needs help setting up a home in a charming Parisian apartment. It is then that her path and Joachim’s cross.

Joachim takes a job working for Olivia as a lark and enjoys the whimsy of a different life for a few weeks, which turn to months as the unlikely employer and employee learn they enjoy working side by side. At the same time, Joachim discovers the family history he never knew: a criminal grandfather who died in prison, the wealthy father who abandoned him, and the dangerous criminal his twin has become. While Olivia struggles to put her life back together, Joachim’s comes apart.

Stripped of their old roles, they strive to discover the truth about each other and themselves, first as employer and employee, then as friends. Their paths no longer sure, they are a man and woman who reach a place where the past doesn’t matter and only what they are living now is true.

 

Review:

The Butler by Danielle Steel was another one of her excellent standalone novels.  The Butler is a saga about a family that is broken by some of its past, with twin brothers, one bad, and the other good.  The story starts off in Argentina, with the mother and son moving to Paris, with her remarrying; the bad (Javier) brother refuses to leave, and later becomes deeply involved with the drug cartel.

Joachim, our hero, is the good son, who loves his mother, and since many years pass without any knowledge of his twin, he moves on.  Sort of like a Cain and Able story, but Joachim is the hero in this book, with the other reappearing nearer to the end for a very short period.

Joachim decides while still home in Paris with his mother and step father, to go to Butler school, and from there he rises to become the main butler in a wealthy mansion in London for over 16 years, and when the family passed on, he moves back home temporarily to spend time with his now elderly mother.    

We meet our heroine, Olivia, who lives in New York, and recently ran a decorating magazine, which after 10 years failed.  Oliva lost her mother, and decides to use the money bequeathed to her, to spend a year in Paris.  She decides to rent for one year a beautiful charming apartment, and realizes she will need an assistant to help her set up and arrange everything. 

Joachim is bored after a bit, as his mother continues to work, so he decides to take a job as an assistant to pass the time.  With Olivia his employer, Joachim begins to enjoy the different kind of work, as he and Olivia visit places for furniture, antiques, as well as Joachim hiring the help to fix and put all the pieces together.  Olivia finds herself dependent on Joachim, for he has done a fabulous job helping her, and they become friends.   Both Joachim and Olivia are older adults (early 50’s), and each has their own issues to never allow themselves to become involved.  I loved Joachim and Olivia, as they were true and wonderful people, and rooted that they would end up together.

With things going smoothly, Olivia takes a trip to New York to take care of things, and asks Joachim if he wanted to go with her for the weekend.  All hell breaks loose when they arrive, as the police pull Joachim into custody, thinking he is Javier, a known drug cartel member.  When proof is found that he is not Javier, they return to Paris, but things fall apart. Joachim also learns the truth from his mother about the dark days when he was a child, and the family that were criminals. Joachim knowing how dangerous his brother has been all the 25 years he was missing; decides he needs to be protective to both his mother and Olivia. He abruptly will make a decision to leave, in order to keep them safe. Will he find a way to return to them? Will Olivia be able to forgive him for leaving?

The Butler was very well written by Danielle Steel. It was a beautiful story line revolving around two people who led different lives, and a friendship that slowly changed everything.  The story also has a lot of history for both families, with some dark secrets along the way. I suggest you read The Butler, as I enjoyed it very much.

Reviewed by Barb

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Complications by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Complications by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Known for its luxurious accommodations and bespoke service, the Hotel Louis XVI has been the most lauded boutique hotel in all of Paris for decades, attracting an international clientele of the rich and famous. Now, after four years of renovations and the death of its legendary and beloved manager, it is set to reopen its doors at last. An esteemed group of loyal returning guests is set to descend upon the hotel, joined by a number of new faces who have managed to secure coveted bookings in the wake of last-minute cancellations.

Awaiting them all is the Louis XVI’s new manager, Olivier Bateau, an anxious man whose lack of experience leaves him unprepared. He and his level-headed assistant manager, Yvonne Philippe, both strive to continue the hotel’s tradition of excellence. But they quickly realize that anything can happen at any moment, and on one cool September evening, everything does.

A successful art consultant arrives at the hotel for the first time since her brutal divorce, and is surprised to find new love—if she is willing to risk her heart again. A new guest contemplates ending his life, and saves a life instead. A couple finds their once-in-a-lifetime trip interrupted by a tragic medical emergency, leaving the idyllic future they’ve long waited for hanging in the balance. And one of the hotel’s most high-profile guests, a French politician and assumed presidential candidate, holds a mysterious meeting in his suite that will threaten his life and legacy. Rocked by the events of this one fateful night, guests and staff alike brace themselves for the aftershock, as it quickly becomes apparent that more dramas and misfortunes are still in store.

Danielle Steel tells an unforgettable story about a famed hotel, where a few complications quickly escalate into a matter of life and death, changing the lives of everyone who passes through its doors.

 

 

Review:

Complications by Danielle Steel is a standalone novel.  Complications revolves around a luxury hotel in Paris, Hotel Louis XVI, that has been around for decades, which has recently undergone renovations over a four-year period.  The story begins with opening night, as the new manager and assistant welcome the guests. The new manager, Oliver, is a nervous wreck, but his assistant Yvonne, who is much younger, seems to have things under control, always able to fix anything that should happen.

Of course, opening night starts off with a bang, with a number of incidents.  Gabrielle Gates, a famous New York art consultant, decides to return to the Hotel Louis XVI, to try to get over her bitter divorce (her husband of 20 years cheated on her with a young girl).  A happy couple in love, both coming off divorces, looking forward to enjoying Paris, takes a tragic turn, when her boyfriend has a heart attack.   A British doctor, Alaistair Whyte-Jones, who is staying on the same floor, performs CPR on the stricken man, and plays a big part in saving his life, which will require major surgery. 

Alaistair and Gabrielle, start spending time together, as they try to help the girl, and visit at the hospital; a friendship begins.  We learn more about Alaistair, as he has come to this hotel knowing he is dying, with a short few months to live; he is prepared to end his life when things get bad.  The relationship between Gabrielle and Alaistair heats up, as they begin to have feelings for each other, and she learns about his cancer.  It is Gabrielle who will convince Alaistair to take the treatments, instead of not doing anything at all.  The story revolving around Gabrielle and Alaistair is the main storyline, as we see them fall in love, and her support for him during his severe treatments.  I really liked the two of them together, as they made a great couple.

Another story line revolves around a powerful French politician, who is also planning to stay at the hotel.  Patrick Martin, is plans to run for President, but he has a secret.  He leads a double life, having an affair with another man, who is blackmailing him. When things get out of hand, the other man falls, hitting his head, and dies.  Patrick decides to leave the hotel, and go home, preparing to tell the police a false story.  His life will implode, with everything falling apart, including his family.  

What follows is a number of interesting stories, revolving around three different groups, as well as management of the Hotel. It was nice to see the various cities that played major parts of the background; Paris, London, New York. I thought the new manager really was not fit for his job, though the assistant, Yvonne was great.  Alaistair and Gabrielle was a wonderful story all the way through.  Complications was very well written by Danielle Steel, which was a quick read and entertaining.

Reviewed by Barb

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Nine Lives by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Nine Lives by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
After a carefree childhood, Mary Margaret Kelly came of age in the shadow of grief. Her father, a dashing daredevil Air Force pilot, died when she was nine. Maggie saw her mother struggle to put their lives back together. As the family moved from one city to the next, her mother warned her to beware of daredevil men and avoid risk at all cost.

Following her mother’s advice, and forgoing the magic of first love with a high school boyfriend who was too wild to feel safe, Maggie instead sought out all the things her mother had lost–a predictable partner, a stable home, and a regular paycheck. She chose to marry a dependable, kind man who was a reliable husband and successful accountant. Together they had a son and found happiness in a conventional suburban life. Until tragedy struck again.

Now on her own, feeling a sense of adventure for the first time, Maggie decides to face her fears, setting off on a whirlwind trip from San Francisco to Rome, Paris, and Monaco. But when her travels reconnect her with the very same irresistible, thrill-seeking man she’s spent thirty years trying to forget, Maggie becomes terrified that rushing into love and sharing his life may very well end in disaster. But ultimately, while Maggie tries to outrun her fears and painful memories of her past, fate will surprise her in the most astounding of ways, as she walks the tightrope between danger and courage, and between wisdom and love.

 

 

Review:

Nine Lives by Danielle Steel is a stand-alone Women’s Fiction novel. Mary Margaret Kelly (Maggie) is our heroine, and the story totally focuses on her life. When she was 9 years old, she lost her Air force pilot father to a plane crash, and a few years later lost her brother to another plane crash.  Maggie’s mother constantly tells her to never become involved with wild daredevil men, who are risk takers and will cause terrible heartache.  Her mother remarried to a simple kind man, who had a safe job catering; but after the loss of her son, she mother slowly died of a broken heart. 

When Maggie gets a job working at an accountant office, she will eventually marry Brad, a kind and wonderful husband, who takes over the business from his father.  She is happy in her safe life with Brad, and adores her young son, Aden.   Years later, when on a vacation, there is plane crash, with Maggie surviving, but Brad drowning; Maggie is now a widow, with her teenage son.  Maggie is shocked to learn that Brad had a large insurance policy, and the airline paid her a huge sum of money, making her very rich, which she will keep private.  While in morning for Brad, her neighbor friend visits her to help her get out of her grief and begin to move on with her life; convincing her to take a trip somewhere where she has never gone to, and enjoy the change of scenery.  With Aden going away to college, Maggie decides to plan her trip, which will take her on a wonderful journey to San Francisco, Rome, Paris, Monaco & London.  It was really nice to see all the places in Europe that Maggie visited, with Steel giving us wonderful glimpses on many landmark sites. Nicely done.

One night Maggie visits a casino, and to her surprise, someone calls out to her.  She is shocked to see Paul, her high school sweetheart from 30 years ago, whom she broke off with, since he was a ‘risk taker’. Paul Gilmore is now a famous race car driver, as well as an expert risky skier; who loves his thrill-seeking life.   The two rekindle their friendship, as he takes her to his yacht, where she enjoys the sun, food, ocean and company, as well as seeing his homes.  When she returns to America, she tells her friend and her son about Paul, saying they are only friends, even if Paul still has strong feelings for Maggie. 

What follows is a sweet romance between Maggie and Paul, with Aden finding himself liking Paul a lot (since he loves the same things that Paul does).  Maggie spends her free time meeting Paul in Europe, but she knows he still takes awful risks in racing cars and skiing, with him teasing her that he has “nine lives”.  After an accident, where Paul is hurt, she realizes this is exactly what she was afraid of; but once he is well again, he does resume his events, which brings fears to Maggie again.  When a major avalanche threatens Paul’s life, she brings him home to Chicago to take care of him.  Will Maggie stay with Paul, if he returns to his thrill-seeking days?  Will Paul give up his life style?   

Nine Lives was a wonderful story that was very well written by Danielle Steel.  This is story of a women who played it safe all her life, and finds herself between fears, courage or a love and safe. I wholly suggest you read Nine Lives.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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