Emma's Secret

Rating:
Summary: A terrific follow-up
Review: Emma's Secret is a terrific follow-up to The Woman of Substance series, and in some respects it's like checking in with old friends or with family that you have lost contact with. Set some thirty years after the death of matriarch Emma Harte, we are introduced to the clan's newest generation, and discover a long buried secret from a previously untold chapter in the Emma Harte saga.

My only disappointment with the story was with the treacherous family scion, Jonathan Ainsley. Reading, I was led to believe that this sociopath was hatching some truly murderous revenge against the family that just never seemed to fully materialize.

Well, perhaps in the next installment....


Rating:
Summary: Just OK
Review: First let me preface my review by saying that die-hard fans of Barbara Taylor Bradford will probably disagree with my opinion of this book. I happened to pick the book up at my local "big box" store as the back-cover description sounded interesting. I should have looked inside first, considering the book begins with a 4-page list of characters. That should be your first clue that this book is a little, well, overindulgent.

It turns out that this book is a continuation of a series about a very large, wealthy family in England. Although I have not read any of the previous books about the Harte family, this one gives enough description of the various characters' relationships to catch me up to speed. However, the constant reminders of who is who was more than a little distracting from the storyline.

The plot itself is intriguing, and could have been a stand-alone novel (and probably would have been a better book if that were the case). The characters of Linnet and Evan are likable, even if it's hard at times to relate to them. The male characters are generally one-dimensional (think either rakishly handsome and unfailingly adoring of the woman in their life... or else a completely evil manipulator).

The female characters are strong, intelligent, and beautiful to the last. Actually, the author spends so much time and effort conveying how unbelievably awesome her characters are, that it gets to be boring. About the 34th time you read that a dress looked absolutely stunning, bringing out the character's exotically-colored eyes (they all have exotically-colored eyes), you start to think, "I get the point, can we get on to something more interesting?" All that praise just serves to distract from the characters' actions, which in a better-written book would have been sufficient to convince the reader of their respective attributes.

The writing is good only in fits and starts. The book shines the most when it flash-backs to WWII to explain some interesting backstory. The English-accented dialogue is fun to read, even if it is overly formal. However, I couldn't help but wonder if the author was running out of things to say since she tends to repeat lines over and over. You'll notice this happening each of the dozen times that someone remarks how "Evan looks like Paula, but can't possibly be related, they are just the same type and build."

If you love Barbara Taylor Bradford's style, or if you have already read the preceding books in this series, then by all means, read this book. For everyone else, a warning: when you start wishing the characters had faults so the book would hold your interest, it's not a good sign. Rent it from your library if you must read it at all.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I have not had the privilege to read the previous books in the Emma Harte series, but after reading this book, I have to know more! I can't wait to start at the beginning to get to know the characters a little better. The author definitely leaves you begging for the next installment!

Rating:
Summary: Enough, already
Review: I have read all of Barbara Taylor Bradford's books. They have ranged from wonderful to mediocre.

One of the best books, in my opinion was her first -- "A Woman of Substance." She wrote, in great detail and meticulously researched, of Emma Harte, a poor servant girl who rose to become one of the world's richest women. The story was spell-binding and I loved it!

However, she has milked Emma's story with three sequels, each of which tells of Emma's descendants and extended family, and each of which is less compelling than the previous. They are watered-down versions, none of which have the power or interest of the original.

Although she's probably made millions by doing this, I think Ms. Bradford should have stopped with the first. I think the three sequels have deteriorated an extraordinary story.