Tag Archives: Danielle Steel

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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Finding Ashley by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Finding Ashley by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Melissa Henderson is leading a quiet life. Once a bestselling author, she now pours all her energy into renovating a Victorian house nestled in the foothills of rural New England. Six years ago, she lost her young son to cancer, and her marriage dissolved. She stopped writing. It was only when she bought the old house that Melissa found a purpose, and came alive as she made it beautiful again.

After a wildfire that threatens her home appears on the news, Melissa receives a call from her sister, Hattie. They were close once, but that was before Melissa withdrew from the world. Now Hattie, who became a nun at twenty-five, is determined to help Melissa turn a new page, even if it means reopening one of the most painful chapters of her life.

At sixteen, a pregnant Melissa was sent to a gloomy convent in Ireland to have— and give up—her baby, to spare the family shame. All these years later, Hattie feels compelled to embark on a journey that will change both their lives forever, and track down the child Melissa gave up.

Finding Ashley is a masterpiece of contemporary drama and tells a gripping story of the strength of the human spirit to chase an impossible dream. It is the story of two strong, brave women turning wrenching loss into reconnection, and a family reunited after bringing dark secrets into the light.

 

 

 

Review:

Finding Ashley by Danielle Steel is a wonderful emotional standalone novel.  We meet Melissa Henderson, our heroine in this story, who is content as she renovates her Victorian house, which she bought a few years ago that was in bad shape.  We learn quickly that Melissa’s life fell apart 6 years earlier, when her 10-year-old son, Robbie died of Cancer. Her and her husband, devoted everything to try and save him, and after he died, their marriage fell apart, and they divorced; Melissa was devastated, moving to New England, giving up her writing career, and became a loner.

Though she does most of the work, she does have workers for difficult tasks (like a roof), with a local contractor, Norm helping her occasion.  When there is a wild fire that threatens the area, Melissa is lucky that it was put out before it reached her home.  Melissa’s estranged sister, Hattie is a nun, and especially since the death of her son, she rarely sees her; but learning about the fire, Hattie comes to visit her, and slowly their reunion will help rekindle their relationship and become closer.  Melissa opens up to Hattie about how she became pregnant at 16, and their mother forced her to travel to a convent in Ireland; to have the baby, and give it up for adoption.  Melissa talks about her grief and how terrible the nuns were to her, another reason why she hated when Hattie became a nun

Unbeknownst to Melissa, Hattie decides to get permission from her Mother Superior  to travel to Ireland to see what she could find out, since all records were destroyed years ago.  Hattie’s journey will not only bring her to the convent in question, and learn about the conditions at that time, and how the rich paid the convent for adopting the babies.  But when she travels to meet a woman who wrote a book (baby mills) about the deplorable times back then, who happens to be a nun who left her vocation.  Hattie heads back to America, with the name of three women who may have adopted Ashley. 

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming journey, when Hattie will find Melissa’s daughter, and it is so emotional, I had tears in my eyes.  We meet Michaela Ashley, who tried to find her real mother years ago to no avail; her adopted mother is a world-famous actress, who supported her search.  Michaela was a fantastic heroine in her own right, as she was so happy and loving toward Melissa, as well as her family (husband, two kids, and adopted mother) who all open their arms to Melissa.   

Beside the background story of the convent, making lots of money adopting out the babies, and treating the young girls badly, there was another background storyline.  This was very much like the ‘me-too’ movement, as the Hollywood stars started accusing the men who made their lives difficult.  There was also a tragedy that also brings Melissa and Michaela even closer.

Finding Ashley was a fantastic and engrossing story that pulled on many emotions.  I loved seeing Melissa and Hattie reunited and together again after all those years.  Melissa finding happiness again with a family, as well as a possible relationship. Danielle Steel once again surprises me with a different kind of story that was a masterpiece.  You need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Affair by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The Affair by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
When Rose McCarthy’s staff at Mode magazine pitches a cover shoot with Hollywood’s hottest young actress, the actress’s sizzling affair with a bestselling French author is exposed. The author happens to be Rose’s son-in-law, which creates a painful dilemma for her. Her daughter Nadia, a talented interior designer, has been struggling to hold her marriage together, and conceal the truth from their young daughters, her family, and the world. But Nicolas, her straying husband, is blinded by passion for a younger woman—and not only that, she is pregnant with his child.

Nadia’s three sisters close ranks around her, flying to Paris from Los Angeles and New York to lend support and offer their widely divergent advice. Athena, a jovial celebrity chef with her own TV show in Los Angeles, is leery of marriage. Olivia, a stern conservative New York superior court judge, is haunted by a shocking secret of her own. Venetia, a zany fashion designer, happily married with three kids, has the gentlest, most realistic point of view. Despite their well-meaning advice, Nadia needs to figure out what she herself thinks, and what to do next.

The Affair is about the painful journey to discover who you are, what you want, and how much forgiveness and compromise you are capable of in order to be loved. It’s about finding yourself at the crossroads of life when everything is on the line. It’s about the hard lessons we are forced to learn about others and ourselves. Right up until its final twist, this gripping novel is full of powerful insights about who we love, how much—and even how much we love ourselves.

 

 

 

 

Review:

The Affair by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful family-oriented novels.  Rose McCarthy, runs a successful magazine, who is widowed and the matriarch of 4 grown and successful daughters. She is a workaholic, but always finds time to keep up with her daughters lives and happiness.  During a meeting at the magazine ‘Mode’, her staff wants to do a cover for a young new actress, especially since there is a scandal of the girl being pregnant.  To Rose’s dismay, which she keeps quiet, the man with the pregnant actress happens to be her son in law.   Rose must make a decision to allow this to be on her magazine, even to the possibility of interviews.  She calls three of her daughters, to find out what they knew and their thoughts, before she calls her youngest daughter, Nadia, whose husband is cheating on her publicly.

Nadia talks to her mother, explaining that she is trying to keep her two young daughters from discovering about their father.  She was blindsided by all the publicity, and how her husband is besotted with this young actress, but he pleads with her to give him a chance until he helps the actress with the baby, and leave her, since he still loves Nadia.  Rose will fly to Paris, where they live, to help Nada in making the right decision, as Nadia ensures her mother to go forward with the cover, as everything is out in the open.  Naida needs to deal with her husband, protect her daughters, and decide what is best for her.

 Nadia’s three sisters decide to fly to Paris and spend a long weekend at their chateau to help give her support and advice.  It was wonderful to see the sisters together, and how close they were. We get to meet each of them, and learn about their own lives, and their significant others. Nadia is happy to be with her sisters, as each will have their own thoughts. All four of the girls have their own successful business in different fields; Nadia, is an interior decorator who lives in France, Olivia is a court judge living in New York, Venetia, is a fashion designer and Athena, is a celebrity chef living in Los Angeles.

What follows focuses mostly on Nadia, and whether she can move past Nicholas discretion, and decide if she should divorce him.  I loved how all four sisters were so close, and always being there for each other; even their significant others were pretty good.  Besides Nadia’s issues, we get to see how the other sisters are dealing with this, as well as their own drama and secrets along the way, not to mention how great Rose was in having such a great close-knit family.

The Affair was a wonderful family story line that brought the family together in this crisis.  This was so very well written by Danielle Steel.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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All That Glitters by Danielle Steel – a Review

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All That Glitters by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Nicole “Coco” Martin is destined to have it all. As the only child of doting and successful parents, she has been given every opportunity in life. Having inherited her mother’s stunning beauty and creativity, along with her father’s work ethic and diligence, she has the world at her feet. Her graduation from Columbia is fast approaching, and with it the summer job of her dreams working at a magazine. Between work, leisurely weekends at her family’s home in Southampton, and spending as much time as possible with her best friend, Sam, life couldn’t be better—until tragedy strikes. Coco’s beloved parents are killed in a terrorist attack while on vacation in France.

Now devastated and alone, Coco must find a way to move forward and make her way in the world without the family she loved. Determined to forge her own path and make her parents proud, Coco pursues her dreams, dazzled by exciting opportunities that come her way. Her goals are to think outside the box—and always play by her own rules. As she finds herself drawn to charismatic, fascinating men, each relationship will teach Coco new lessons, some delightful, some painful. She will come to realize what matters, and how strong she truly is—and in the end, she will discover herself.

Richly exploring one woman’s poignant journey through life, All That Glitters is a compelling tale of challenges, heartbreak, discovery, and triumph, a powerful reminder that all that glitters is not the essence of life. And what is truly worth having was right there in our hands all along.

 

 

 

Review:

All That Glitters by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful romance novels.  Nicole (Coco) Martin, our beautiful young heroine, has led a wonderful life, growing up with her wealthy family, her loving parents, spending vacations at the Hamptons and attending Columbia University, as well as a summer job as an intern in a magazine.  She spends a lot of time with her best friend, Sam, whom she grew up with.  Sam comes from a strict Orthodox Jewish family, who are worried about their friendship, since his family pushes him to join his father’s business and to marry a religious Jewish woman.  Despite his parents worries, their friendship never changed over the years…best friends who will always be there for each other.

Life for Coco drastically changes when her parents are killed in Europe from a terrorist bombing attack killing many in Cannes.  Coco at 21 is now the sole heiress to the family fortune, and devastated by the loss of her mother and father.  It takes her awhile to get past the devastation, but with Sam’s help, she begins to move forward in her life. Her father’s business partner helps her planning and advising on her inheritance.  When she spends a lot of time with him, she begins an affair, even though he is many years older, and eventually after being together for a while, she learns he is married and does not want to be a mistress, and breaks up with him. 

She then goes to London for a job, and meets a new friend, Leslie, who eventually will become partners with Coco after a number of years. Coco meets Nigel at one of Leslie’s parties, and they have a whirlwind fun romance that does end up with them getting married.  Nigel, who is a younger son to London royalty, is used to enjoying things, even if he has no money.  He begins to make plans to buy mansions, summer homes spending Coco’s money, but when she catches him having sex with a girl, she threatens to leave him.  Coco gives him a second chance, and a few months later, when she runs home to tell him that she is pregnant, she finds him once again with another woman. She divorces him, as she will give him the summer smaller home, as long as he waives his rights to the child.  Coco’s track record with men has not been good, and Sam tells her often, that she rushes into things.

While Sam goes to work for his father, a job he does not like, he is also forced to date Jewish woman, and eventually marries one. They will have 4 children, but their marriage was falling apart, as his wife wanted a career.

Coco will meet a famous writer, and become involved with him for a happy and content 4 years, until her life changes, when her daughter is sick and diagnosed with Leukemia. She will fly back to New York and with Sam’s contacts, be treated by one of the best cancer doctors for children.  After a year of treatments and follow-ups, Bethanie (Daughter) will go into remission, and they go back to London, with her ex-boyfriend no longer around. 

Coco’s career blossoms, and though she does date, she just wants fun and no strings attached.  When Sam’s marriage begins to falls apart, Coco is always there for him, as he has always been for her.  A wonderful long-lasting friendship.

All That Glitters is a wonderful heartwarming story of one woman’s journey through her life, filled with success, love, tragedy, happiness and friendship.  Coco and Sam’s friendship was amazing and wonderful to watch, as their strength gets them through many challenges bringing them even closer.  If you enjoy romances and family, I suggest you read this book, so very well written by Danielle Steel.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Royal by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Royal by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
As the war rages on in the summer of 1943, causing massive destruction and widespread fear, the King and Queen choose to quietly send their youngest daughter, Princess Charlotte, to live with a trusted noble family in the country. Despite her fiery, headstrong nature, the princess’s fragile health poses far too great a risk for her to remain in war-torn London.

Third in line for the throne, seventeen year-old Charlotte reluctantly uses an alias upon her arrival in Yorkshire, her two guardians the only keepers of her true identity. In time, she settles comfortably into a life out of the spotlight, befriending a young evacuee and training with her cherished horse. But no one predicts that in the coming months she will fall deeply in love with her protectors’ son.

She longs for a normal life. Far from her parents, a tragic turn of events leaves an infant orphaned. Alone in the world, that child will be raised in the most humble circumstances by a modest stable manager and his wife. No one, not even she, knows of her lineage. But when a stack of hidden letters comes to light, a secret kept for nearly two decades finally surfaces, and a long lost princess emerges.

 

 

Review:

Royal by Danielle Steel is another one off her wonderful standalone romance novels. The story begins around 1943 in war torn England, and the King and Queen decide to send their 17-year-old daughter, Charlotte, who suffers from asthma, to a safer place in the country.  Charlotte is the youngest sister of three, and though very headstrong, she is weak and vulnerable.  Charlotte is not happy going to Yorkshire, but the family promises to keep her identity a secret, and she slowly accepts the time she is spending there.  She befriends the son, who works with the horses, which is her passion.  In a short time, they fall in love and when she becomes pregnant, they get married before he is sent overseas. Tragically, her husband is killed, and they keep the secret from her real family.  When Charlotte gives birth, her weakened state, causes her to hemorrhage and she dies. The Yorkshire family tells the royal family about her tragic death, but only says it was due to her asthma, no mention of her being married or her pregnancy.  

Lucy, who was also a member of the household in Yorkshire, but who was also jealous of Charlotte, begins to take care and love baby Annie. Within a short time, the couple both will die months apart, forcing Lucy to find another job, which she will take Annie as her own.  The story now follows Lucy, and young Annie, who loves horses, bringing her close to the stable manager.  Eventually Lucy and Jonathan will marry and bring Annie up together.  They were a happy family, as the years pass, until Lucy knows she is dying, and she tells Jonathan about the papers she hidden, revealing the true nature of Annie, who is rightfully a Royal Princess.

The last half of the story really perks up and I loved watching a happy Annie, and her closeness to her step father, but most of all I loved how everything changed for her.  We get to see the royal family, after a full investigation open their arms to the daughter of Charlotte, which was painful for them.  Alexandra is now the queen, with Victoria, the second sister still having fun playing the field.  Annie is happy to meet all her relatives, and is thrilled to get the chance to work for the Queen’s stables to train horses.   Annie dream is the be a jockey, but it is not allowed for females.  In a few years, she will have the opportunity to do this, and she proves how she excels in handling the horses. It was so much fun to watch the family, especially Annie as she becomes a household name in her endeavors to ride the horses.  

Annie will fall in love with Anthony, her boss’s son, and they were really great together.  Something will separate them, as Annie wants to continue her chance riding in the high stake’s races. I loved Annie the best of all the characters that Steel has given us, though I was not a fan of Lucy early on.

Royal was a wonderful and beautiful love story that spans over 30 years.  I do feel that the beginning was a bit slow, but not for long, as I could not put the book down, since I was enjoying it so much.  The early tragedy, leads to a remarkable enjoyable and fun story, surrounded by the wonderful characters created by Steel.  I wholly suggest you read Royal, so very well written by Danielle Steel.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Daddy’s Girls by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Daddy’s Girls by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Decades ago, after the death of his wife, Texas ranch hand JT Tucker took his three small daughters to California to start a new life. With almost no money, a will of iron, and hard work, he eventually built the biggest ranch in California. But when he dies suddenly at the age of sixty-four, the ranch is inherited by his three daughters—each of them finding it impossible to believe that this larger-than-life figure is gone from their lives.
 
JT’s relationship with each daughter was entirely different. Caroline, the youngest and most reserved, was overlooked by her father for her entire life and fled to become a wife, mother, and writer in Marin County. Gemma, his declared favorite, sought out Hollywood glamour and success and became a major television star. Kate, the eldest, stayed at home with her father to do his bidding as a ranch hand, without thanks or praise, forsaking marriage and a family of her own for the love of him.
 
Now, upon JT’s death, the paper trail he leaves behind begins to reveal much more than the three sisters ever guessed about who he really was. It will turn their world upside down, and each of them must grapple with a new reality, strengthening their relationships with one another, and discovering who they are now as grown women, in spite of him.
 
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the West and the drama of a family in turmoil, Daddy’s Girls is the story of three remarkable women and their unique bond to each other—the daughters of a complex, many-faceted, domineering father who left his mark on each of them.

 

 

Review:

Daddy’s Girls by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful standalone novels focusing on family. This story centers on three sisters, who though close, do not see each other much; but that changes when their father dies of a massive heart attack.   JT Tucker brought up his three young daughters after his wife died, and moved to California and years later owned one of the biggest ranches.   Only one daughter, Kate stayed on the ranch and helped her father run everything, but it was always his way or no way.

The other two sisters come home to help Kate pick up the pieces, plan the funeral, and learn that the three of them now share equally the ranch, but they each know that everything in their life will change.

Kate loved the ranch, and planned to continue to run it and also make improvements that she thought would make things easier and better.  The foreman, Thad, secretly has always had a crush on Kate.  He has told her if the other two sisters want to sell their share, he would love to buy one of them out and work with Kate.  Kate is the strong dedicated sister, who kept things organized and always took care of everyone.

Gemma, the middle sister, is a successful actress, who has a fun, bubbly personality, as she lives a lifestyle of a star.  Gemma was considered her father’s favorite daughter, mainly because he enjoyed her being famous.  When her television show is cancelled, Gemma is unable to keep up with her high living style, and has problems financially.   She talks to Kate about selling her share of the ranch, even if she has enjoyed staying there, but it will give her the money to pay off some debts.  She spends a lot of time at the ranch, planning to sell her mansion and hoping in time she will get another job offer. 

Carolyn, the younger sister, is happily married with two children, and is a successful writer. Caro left the ranch soon after graduation, and rarely came back.  She brings her two children to stay a bit at the ranch and they all enjoyed themselves.  When Carol returns home, she accidently discovers that her husband is having an affair; unable to cope with this, she kicks him out, and decides to take the children back to the ranch for the summer.

It was nice watch the three sisters spend more time together and their close bond brought them back to the days when they were children.  Now as adults, they planned to be there for each other.  The one major thing changed their opinion of their father was revealed pretty early on.  Kate found documents that their mother was not dead; their father divorced her.  This shocked all the sisters, and they set out to find out if she was still alive, and if so, why a divorce and why he did lie?  I loved how they find their mother all these years later, and she explains her mistake, and that over the years she tried to see them, but their father would not allow it.  But most of all I was crazy about how all three sisters came to terms, and opened their heart to their newly found mother.  Great addition to this story.  Very well done.

What follows is a wonderful story, as the three sisters become even closer, especially after finding the mother they never had.  I loved seeing each of them learning to lean on their sisters, as well as making decisions to better their lives.  It was a wonderful, emotional, heartwarming and satisfying story of a family and their journey to happiness, forgiveness and togetherness.  I really enjoyed Daddy’s Girls very much.  Danielle Steel once again gives us another winner that you need to read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Numbers Game by Danielle Steel – a Review

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The Numbers Game by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Eileen Jackson was happy to set aside her own dreams to raise a family with her husband, Paul. Together they built an ordinary life in a Connecticut town, the perfect place for their kids to grow up. But when Eileen discovers that Paul’s late nights in the city are hiding an affair with a younger woman, she begins to question all those years of sacrifice and compromise. On the brink of forty and wondering what she’s going to do with the rest of her life, is it too late for her to start over?

Meanwhile, as Paul is thrust back into the role of suburban fatherhood, his girlfriend, Olivia, is in Manhattan, struggling to find herself in the shadow of her mother, a famous actress, and her grandmother, a fiercely independent ninety-two-year-old artist. With their unique brands of advice ringing in her head, Olivia takes a major step, expanding her art gallery business internationally. Seeing her mother pursue old dreams and even find new love, Olivia realizes that there is so much she must learn about herself before committing her life to someone else.

Ultimately, Eileen decides to chase her own dreams as well. She’s off to Paris to attend Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. What awaits is an adventure that reinvents her life and redefines her.

At every age, there are challenges to be met and new worlds to discover. In this surprising, illuminating novel, Danielle Steel gives us a warmhearted portrait of people driven by their emotions, life experiences, and loyalties, who realize that it’s never too late to turn a new page and start again.

 

 

Review:

The Numbers Game by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful stories of family and problems that have an effect on everyone lives along the way. The story centers around married couple, Eileen and Paul, who both gave up their dreams as teenagers to marry, as she was pregnant.  Years later, they live in a nice house in Connecticut, with Eileen being a stay at home mom, and Paul having a successful career in New York; they have three children, with the oldest being Penny at 17. 

When Paul works very long hours, Eileen begins to suspect that he may be having an affair.   When she approaches Paul, he reluctantly confesses that he has been seeing a younger woman.  Eileen and Paul will separate, and their lives and choices is the focus of this story. Paul lives in New York, with his very young girlfriend, Olivia, who has a successful art gallery.  Olivia comes from a famous family, her mother is an actress, and grandmother is a world renown sculptor.

Eileen, slowly begins to adjust life without Paul, and finds herself becoming more self sufficient and changes in her life are for the better.  She decides that though she is in her 40’s, she is still young enough to fulfill her dreams.  Eileen, who is a good cook, signs up for a class in Paris to attend Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, as she wants to start a catering business. To do so, she convinces Paul to stay with the kids for three months, which he agrees, since he feels he owes her this, even if it begins to hurt his relationship with Olivia.

The story revolves around Eileen, as well as Olivia, and to a smaller content, Penny (Eileen & Paul’s daughter), Gwen (the actress), and Gabriella (grandmother), as we watch how all their lives, each at various ages, develop in this heartwarming and wonderful story about life effecting each of them.   I did like all the women involved, and though Eileen was a great heroine, as she was not only a wonderful person, but very likeable.  At first, I was not a fan of Olivia, but over time, she turned out pretty good, and also likeable.

What follows is watching each of them come to major decisions, with many changes along the way, including breakups, divorce, love, happiness and family.  The Numbers Game was very well written by Danielle Steel. 

Reviewed by Barb

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Moral Compass by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Moral Compass by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Saint Ambrose Prep is a place where the wealthy send their children for the best possible education, with teachers and administrators from the Ivy League, and graduates who become future lawyers, politicians, filmmakers, and CEOs. Traditionally a boys-only school, Saint Ambrose has just enrolled one hundred and forty female students for the first time. Even though most of the kids on the campus have all the privilege in the world, some are struggling, wounded by their parents’ bitter divorces, dealing with insecurity and loneliness. In such a heightened environment, even the smallest spark can become a raging fire.

One day after the school’s annual Halloween event, a student lies in the hospital, her system poisoned by dangerous levels of alcohol. Everyone in this sheltered community—parents, teachers, students, police, and the media—are left trying to figure out what actually happened. Only the handful of students who were there when she was attacked truly know the answers and they have vowed to keep one another’s secrets. As details from the evening emerge, powerful families are forced to hire attorneys and less powerful families watch helplessly. Parents’ marriages are jeopardized, and students’ futures are impacted. No one at Saint Ambrose can escape the fallout of a life-altering event.

In this compelling novel, Danielle Steel illuminates the dark side of one drunken night, with its tragic consequences, from every possible point of view. As the drama unfolds, the characters will reach a crossroads where they must choose between truth and lies, between what is easy and what is right, and find the moral compass they will need for the rest of their lives.

 

 

Review:

Moral Compass by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful emotional standalone novels.  The above description is perfect to lead into this storyline. ‘Saint Ambrose Prep is a place where the wealthy send their children for the best possible education, with teachers and administrators from the Ivy League, and graduates who become future lawyers, politicians, filmmakers, and CEOs. Traditionally a boys-only school, Saint Ambrose has just enrolled one hundred and forty female students for the first time.’

We get to meet many of the staff, as well as the students (boys) returning after summer vacation.  We learn about the wealthy parents, and the students who stood out.  We also meet Vivienne, an 18-year-old senior, who misses her friends, as she has moved from Los Angeles to New York and is enrolled in Saint Ambrose Prep.  Vivienne is pretty, smart and slowly makes friends with a few of the girls, but finds herself becoming friends with two of the most popular senior boys, Chase and Jamie. 

One evening after Halloween, Vivienne is walking and comes upon the boys drinking Tequila.  Both Jamie and Chase invite her to join them. They all become drunk on the Tequila, including Vivienne, who becomes under the influence of alcohol poisoning.   Chase and Jamie are best friends, and both like Vivienne, and soon a fight occurs; while the fight is going on, one of the other boys takes advantage of the inebriated girl and rapes her.  The other boys are shocked, not to mention drunk, and though they pull the boy away, they make the mistake of covering it up and leaving the girl unconscious (from the Tequila poisoning).

What follows is a criminal investigation, as we watch two cops on the case, use forensic evidence to discover the boys involved in the drinking, and the rapist.   We get to see the procedures, as well as the charges against the boys, and the families coming forth to protect their sons.   Vivienne does recover, and also keeps quiet, as she feels only one person was guilty and did not want them to go to jail and ruin their lives.  As things continue to unfold, I did like when two of the boys decide to go past their parent’s decision and tell the truth, which brings most of the others to do the same, with the exception of the rapist.

Moral Compass is a very compelling story that was very well written by Danielle Steel, and covers moral topics such as underage drinking, sexual assault, and things that change the course of the lives of so many innocents.   There were a lot of interesting characters throughout, such as the parents of the boys (some good and some belligerent), Vivienne; the school teachers and management, and the two investigators, who were very good.   Moral Compass was a very good story, which I suggest you read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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