‘THE GARDINER WOMEN’ BY DAVIDYNE MAYLEAS

 

It has been a while since I ventured into a paperback original like this spotlighted novel here. Almost a year, I believe. I’ll go even further and state that it has been a long time since I ventured into anything trashy. Sure, I’ve read the obligatory novel for the obligatory review on my blog, but to really pick up something just for the fun of it, well, it seems like decades. That’s why Davidyne Mayleas’ THE GARDINER WOMEN (1993) feels like heaven-sent. Besides being quite good, it also reminds me how exhilarating these reads can overall be, and Mayleas next to last novel for Avon pushes all the right buttons.

 

As the title suggests, THE GARDINER WOMEN focuses on female protagonists, three of them. First there’s Millie, the aging screen legend now owner of an independent TV station. She is plagued with a future of uncertainty and needs to make sure that her fortune goes to the right kin. Enter Nora, the headstrong TV executive granddaughter caught between the past and the present. She wants it all: love and career, but at what cost? Following in her footsteps there’s Ali, the wild and scheming second granddaughter who’s an ace at getting what she wants. Until she is knocked out of her pedestal in a no holds barred confrontation that will leave her shaken to the core. All three women flourish and then fall but rise up again, amidst the hectic world of the entertainment industry.

 

Yes, I must admit, novels about the biz have always been my thing, and this one does it justice indeed, though the plot veers more on personal problems than on the ABC of the business. The most absorbing of those inner struggles are of Nora, the exec, and with good reasons since she is the story main focus.  She is what you call the good gal, the one the reader wants to root for. The author aptly does that via a tight-woven plot which also involves Wall Street. You see, Nora is linked to a rising power broker, so part of the story is centered on such terms as stocks, acquisitions, selling points...

 

If you have looked over at my additional blog entries regarding Mayleas’ work you probably know that the world of finance is a big part of the author’s territory. Other than her novel THE RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD the topic, however, is relatively toned down to make room for the more involving drama. Her narrative is always sharp, to the point, with enough character development and description of wealth and romance to quench fans thirst for the sex and shopping novel. I say grab THE GARDINER WOMEN if you ever see a copy in the wild or online. Until Davidyne Mayleas ends up going digital that is the only way you can read her stuff.

 

 

Until next post—Martin

 

‘THE LAST SUMMER’ BY KAREN SWAN

Note: This review was written just before the 6^th variant of COVID-19 fully hit. I had more time in my hands.

 

5 stars +:

 

When I first started writing for this blog in 2008 I never thought for a minute that it would take me to undiscovered places like the work of Karen Swan, here. I was so committed to focusing on vintage trash to ever notice the more current authors being published. It only took me a trip abroad and a chance meeting with the cover of one of Swan’s booklist to change the course of my journey—a bit like the central character in Swan’s epic new offering, THE LAST SUMMER. Indeed, what happens to Effie Gillies, forced to face a future away from her beloved island, makes anyone willing to have an open mind discover uncharted territory. And I’m so glad I followed in the same footsteps, for Karen Swan (et al.) wouldn’t be in my literary circle hadn’t I done that. Now on to her latest release from Macmillan.

 

I’ll say it right away. THE LAST SUMMER is by far my favorite Karen Swan novel. Everything in it is amazing, from the very well-drawn characterization, to the rich and highly addictive narrative, not to mention the beautiful and envious setting of Scotland’s St Kilda (in the 1930s). The story focuses on Effie. She is a young and strong-willed highlander who ultimately leaves St Kilda to embark on a personal journey that will deviate from everything she has come to know. Of course she will find love and some unhappiness in this new world of hers. This novel is a departure from the author usual lighter repertoire. It is stronger, more grounded, and so much more rewarding in the end, in my opinion. Oh don’t get me wrong. You still get the same Karen Swan that we all know but with an extra edge. I still found myself turning the pages as fast as permitted and yearning for the next tome to materialize soon. Because, yes, there will be a next one. This is the first in a series.  I hope THE LAST SUMMER is a bigger hit for Karen Swan, for she certainly deserves all the praises. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this fantastic ARC.

 

THE LAST SUMMER is already available in Canada and in the US in hardcover. The rest of the world will have to wait in July, and that includes the digital version as well.

Until next post—Martin

 

 

 

‘GUILTY WOMEN’ BY MELANIE BLAKE

After rereading RUTHLESS WOMEN during my winter vacation to get myself in the mood for the upcoming sequel GUILTY WOMEN due out in late April by Harper Collins, I couldn’t wait to feast my eyes once again on the ladies of Falcon Bay whom I had come to cherish so. I had such a good time with them that I was more than ready to embark on another wild ride of the rich and the wicked, courtesy of storytelling genius Melanie Blake. Then it happened again, the thing I dreaded more than finding out that the latest book is not up to par: a new COVID variant hit us again in my neck of the woods—meaning I was back working full-time at the hospital and having even less time focusing on books, including this sequel, which by the way was granted by the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review. What a guy to do? Well, I’ll do the same thing I did with RUTHLESS WOMEN last year during the pandemic. I’ll give the new book my two cents worth without adding too much detail.

So here it goes. I simply loved, loved, loved, loved it. GUILTY WOMEN starts out six months after the world-wide broadcast of the ill-fated shark attack on one important character, and goes on from there. There are many, many surprises in store, like another wild death, the arrival of old lovers, new lovers, the return of some villains, and another whopper of a finale. Suffice to say, GUILTY WOMEN is definitely a grabber. I cannot wait for next year’s follow-up. 

Now please bear with me. Until I am back part time at work, I will only give short reviews on upcoming stuff on my blog. I hate that it had to come to this but it is either that or putting a halt to everything until I have more free time on my hands. Let’s just hope that we all be rid of that COVID-19 virus very soon so we all can get back to our regular scheduled program. 

 Until next post—Martin

RUTHLESS WOMEN BY MELANIE BLAKE, REVISITED

  

There are two main reasons why I wanted to reread RUTHLESS WOMEN. The first is I wanted to reacquaint myself with the characters and situations to get ready for the upcoming sequel called GUILTY WOMEN due out this spring. The second and most important one is that I also wanted to give the novel the spotlight it truly deserves since I feel I didn’t totally do justice to it when I reviewed it before on this blog last year. COVID-19 is mostly to blame. That, and my stubbornness to continue to write reviews despite a very hectic schedule. Yes, not only did I find myself swamped at the hospital where I work but I barely could manage anything else, including putting my own two cents worth about Melanie’s work. So I did what I do best under pressure: I click on the automatic pilot and hope for the best. Turns out I did write what I consider a good review. Now, however, I want to write a fantastic one because I believe that’s what the novel truly deserves. So, on I go.

 

If you ever wanted to know how show business works in the soap opera world then look no further than RUTHLESS WOMEN by the multitasker Melanie Blake. I say multitasker because the woman can do it all: she can manage a highly successful agency, write best-sellers—when not ghostwriting them—and be social media savvy. In RUTHLESS WOMEN all three take center stage. A long-running syndicated soap is in danger of cancellation. It needs to reinvent itself before the plug is pulled. In comes a newly appointed male chauvinistic executive producer who wants to shake things up, like broadcasting a live episode that will reveal the demise of a much loved character. Not only that, but a live search will also be underway to determine which actress among six ‘mature’ women will play the new villainess onscreen. Not an easy task, especially when most of them have problems of their own off-screen. Did I also mention that there is a newcomer behind the scenes who has a big score to settle with a major player? I won’t say who but it’s a doozy, trust me. Add a girl—or should I say woman—power approach, a front row seat of what really goes on behind or in front of the camera and you got yourself one heck of an escapist read to delve into.

 

Moreover, in between colorful characters, a fire-cracking plot and a solid narration lies a roman-à clef with a heart. The reader can clearly feels the bond between the women as they manage the best they can to stay afloat in this male-dominated culture. Because yes, it is still a boys club despite all of the denunciations made since the Weinstein exposé. Melanie Blake clearly demonstrates that. She also demonstrates a pure knack for keeping the page turning, despite the fact that I already knew the story’s outcome. Sure, having my mind at ease during this winter’s vacation certainly helped but still, what a fun wicked ride RUTHLESS WOMEN turned out to be. To tell you the truth, I wanted more of the same and will have, not only when GUILTY WOMEN arrives in late April but when the third book in the series, VENGEFUL WOMEN comes out next year. Now that’s what I call satisfying one’s craving, wouldn’t you say so?

 

 

Until next post—Martin 

Melanie Blake

 

‘THE SECRETS OF SAINTE MADELEINE’ BY TILLY BAGSHAWE

 

I think it’s about time that I review another one of Tilly Bagshawe’s amazing books. Ever since I picked up ADORED in 2005 during a port stop in the Galapagos, I have been following her career. Her tales of the rich and the rotten always make for some fine escapist read. I would delve into anything by this woman, even her grocery list if it came to that. So it gives me such a great pleasure to help her—via NetGalley and her publisher—launch her latest novel called THE SECRETS OF SAINTE MADELEINE which is now available from HarperCollins as you read this.

 

Starting in the 1920s and spanning over 50 years, THE SECRETS OF SAINTE MADELEINE sizzles with its tale of lost love and second chances. It introduces the Salignac clan who are proud owners of a rich vineyard in Burgundy, France. When the goings get tough early on into the story, the egotistic, irresponsible alcoholic patriarch has no choice but to sell off the many farms around the vineyard, a decision that does not bode well for the family, especially the middle son who ends up making a fast getaway to the States. Soon the younger daughter follows suit, landing up in Paris, eventually marrying a wealthy but domineering Greek playboy whom she comes to hate. That leaves the introverted and misunderstood older son who just happens to be gay and who finds himself having the hots for the local priest. All this is just a smidge of what awaits the reader. Add an impossible love affair between a French woman and a Nazi officer, the lost of a child from a fatal disease, the execution of a wannabe lover for high treason... and you got yourself one juicy family saga you won’t want to miss.

 

Tilly Bagshawe has certainly made a thorough research, since the novel is filled with many insightful historical moments (mostly of war and politics) which naturally add a touch of realism to the already engaging plot and subplots. As expected, the narrative is top notch, as are the characters who may be abundant in supply but always remain authentic and transparent. Even the chateau of Sainte Madeleine is a character on its own, with its magnificent splendor; the many acres of vineyard surrounding it and its in-book alliance to The Legend of the Butterfly allegory (beautifully told, I might add). Suffice to say the reader is in good hands with this epic, well-paced, fascinating novel. 

 

Oh yes, drop everything and go grab THE SECRETS OF SAINTE MADELEINE. Let’s make this one another best-seller for this talented lady. She sure deserves it. If you’re already a fan I doubt you will be left disappointed. If you are new to her work this is a great place to start. Either way, it’s a win-win situation.

 

 

Until next post—Martin 

 

'GOODNIGHT, VIENNA' BY MARIUS GABRIEL

 

Working on reviews for this blog is not always as cheery as I’d like it to be. Blame this primarily on the arrival of COVID which has made free time almost impossible for health care workers like I who, despite time restrictions, are still trying to make a go of it somehow at their daily lives. So forgive me if my craftsmanship is not as polished as it should be. The passion is still there however, as you’ll probably see while reading this next spotlighted review of GOODNIGHT, VIENNA (now available from Lake Union Publishing) taken from my Goodreads account.  So here it goes.

"Engaging historical romance set in Austria during the German invasion. As expected, this latest by prolific Marius Gabriel has a solid narrative and characterization. I especially enjoyed the character of the troubled child who in the hands of the governess/would-be doctor flourishes into a lovely human being.  Aside from the topic of the imminent arrival of WW2, Gabriel’s focus on behavioral issues in children, supported by real-life historical figures like Freud and Asperger who appear in the story, gives the novel an extra oomph to make the reading experience all the more worthwhile. The romance between the protagonist and her employer feels a bit hurried but the overall delivery is quite impressive. Definitely recommended, especially to those seeking emotionally-driven efforts. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC."

I still own many unread books by this author (excluding his Madeleine Ker pseudonym) and I am thrilled about that. I can't wait to delve into them. In the meantime I’ll do my very best to continue delivering reviews of books, movies or miniseries, whatever strikes my fancy. And you know it strikes often. And thanks for being there. It pleases me more than you know.

 

Until next post—Martin

‘SOUL SISTERS’ BY LESLEY LOKKO

 

I’ve been aware of Lesley Lokko for quite some time now. For more than a decade, I believe, ever since her first release SUNDOWNERS came my way, during the resurgence of the bonkbusters. I should probably highlight the novel on this blog since it certainly holds a place with the best of them. But before I come to do that I’ll focus on her latest, SOUL SISTERS, which is now available from Macmillan. I had the honored chance of reading an ARC graciously offered by NetGalley and the publishers and let me tell you I really, really enjoyed this one, as I thought I would.

 

Spanning decades and continents, SOUL SISTERS focuses on two pre-teens, raised as sisters (for reasons undisclosed to avoid spoilers) who, over the years, bond strongly despite their outer and inner differences. Kimmy is South African, the strong-willed daughter of jailed activist parents who eventually becomes a highly-sought after doctor; while Jen, who is from Scotland where both girls live, is mind-set on developing her talent as an artist despite her father’s reluctance and evident favoritism over Kimmy’s choice. In fact, one of the novel’s high point is its ability to show the after-effects of one’s decision over the other. Both protagonists have a fair share of the spotlight, focusing mostly on their downward spirals as they go about trying to stay afloat. The author wisely adds a third major character, a male, to stir even more the plot: envy, jealousy, backstabbing, using someone for political purposes...

 

In fact, SOULS SISTERS does center greatly around politics, more precisely on the history of apartheid. I knew little of this so it was interesting to read more about it. But rest assured, it does not hinder one bit the overall effectiveness of this family saga. Solid writing and characterization, SOUL SISTERS should do very well for its author.  

 

Until next post—Martin