Envy

Rating:
Summary: Jealousy, not envy
Review: Envy poses the question: what is one willing to give up to exact that one sweet moment of revenge.
Maris Matherly Reed is an editor in her dad's New York City publishing dynasty. When an anonymous author sends her a captivating manuscript, she leaves the comfort of her office to seek out the author in a remote island of Georgia. Unbeknownst to Maris, her arrival is the conclusion of a terrifying plot hatched in the deep recesses of a human mind.
Sandra Brown weaves an intricate plot around Maris, her husand Noah, and the reclusive Parker. Parker's novel serves as a linchpin to the entire plot. Ms. Brown's writing is leisurely, lively; the novel, like a vortex, sucks the reader down to the last page.
Todd and Roark, the fictional characters, are recognizable as everyday people, making the story realistic. But only just.
That is because men are neither angels nor devils; consequently men like Parker or Noah--selfless or self-selving--are only phantasms. Ms. Brown should have taken the advice of Maris to add a sprinkling of evil (and good) to her protagonists.
Given the riveting plot and conclusion, it is a nice read.

Rating:
Summary: Envy will blow you away!
Review: First and foremost, I am an avid Sandra Brown reader. Honestly some of her books have been flops and some have been amazing. Despite some negative reviews on the author and the book, I believe you will enjoy it. In fact it will blow you away! It is a far cry from being a soppy, bland romance/mystery novel. The prologue itself will make you envy more. If you're still unsure, check it out your local public library. I recommend that you buy the book.

Rating:
Summary: Another Good Helping Of Sandra Brown!!
Review: ENVY! As an author, that's what I feel toward Sandra Brown's down-to-earth way of telling a story about places that I'll remember the rest of my life, and using characters so real that I feel as if I know them when I've finished one of her books.

And ENVY is just such a book. But ENVY is unique. Maris Matherly-Reed is a New York book editor who "stumbles" upon a manuscript in her slush pile that intrigues her. The manuscript isn't done in the appropriate format, it's signed by initials only, has no phone number, and the only address is an obscure island in GA. In Maris's quest to find this mysterious author, she unravels a real mystery.

The reader of this books is actually reading two novels in one. Sandra lets the mysterious author's manuscript help tell the story. This is an attention holding book that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good romantic mystery.

Pat Ballard

Rating:
Summary: My first and last Sandra Brown book...
Review: I noticed this one on a bargain bookshelf and thought that for the price I'd give it a try. I usually shy away from most popular authors, I've learned from experience that most of them just aren't interesting to me, but I wanted to read something light and was looking forward to one or two good little plot twists. I have to admit that once or twice Ms. Brown did pull something I didn't expect, and just barely - barely - kept my interest long enough to finish the book. But sad to say I figured most of her surprises out long before they were revealed. Unfortunately I had to overlook the entire premise behind the book to read it, because I didn't believe, at all, that based on the 'Envy prologue' that a major New York publisher and editor would drop everything and whisk away to an obscure Georgia island to find this author. The middle of the book was dull and the characters were cardboard cutouts. One last thing - sex scenes in a book are fine, even good, if they're written well and you care about the characters. In this book, they were annoying and a turnoff.

Rating:
Summary: could not put it down
Review: This is one of my favorite books, if not THE favorite. It's really that good.

Sandra Brown always comes up with good plots, but the thing about her is that she can really capture the emotions of the characters in a scene. And it affects the readers as much as it affects the characters. Envy was no exception. It was (besides the Alibi) her most emotional novel.

I could really feel Parker's pain and Maris' struggle to not fall for him. The sexual tension between the two of them was incredible. Both characters had so much depth, I wonder how the heck the writer accomplished this. She's one of the most talented writers I've come across in the emotional aspect. She's one of the most talented female writers I've ever come across. Period.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best Sandra Brown novels I've read
Review: I have read over ten Sandra Brown novels and this book was one of my favorites. She sets you up with suspense right away and weaves and intricate tale that makes you want to keep turning the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Steamy and Intriguing
Review: This is my first Sandra Brown and certainly not my last. I loved the story within the story, the development of the characters and the plot twists. I couldn't put this down at the end of the Chapter. The fast pace of the story and great writing style make this book a complete and satisfying tale. This is a great summer read.