filled with excitement, heartbreak and hope.
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I picked up Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel, I had not expected it to be much more than a semi-interesting read. However, with every page turn, I became more and more attached to the novel's heroine, and actually found it very difficult to put the book down. Since reading this book, I have highly recommended it to all my girlfriends. It's a interesting look of a major disaster, about life, love and friendship filled with excitement, heartbreak and hope. I'd also recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you haven't yet!!
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Promising synopsis, but disappointing
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After a promising synopsis, "Amazing Grace" was a great disappointment.
The main characters are interesting enough: Beautiful socialite wife and mother Sarah happily married to finance wizard Seth. Megastar singer Melanie and her overpowering ambitious mother. Bright young redtop Sister Maggie, nurse and nun. And restless, rootless alcoholized (saved by the AA) former war correspondent Everett. During a major earthquake in San Francisco, the lives of these people are intertwined and their destinies changed forever.
There is surely enough material for a very interesting story when so many lives change direction. However, through Danielle Steel's pen only the surface is skimmed, the easiest and most likely solutions chosen. Most of what happens is given early in the book, and the lack of intrigue and digging deeper into the characters' minds and feelings make the book boring and predictable.
Even the earthquake itself, a disaster of huge dimensions, seems more like a well organized event than a tragedy craving the lives and homes of thousands. We are told what happens but somehow not convinced. Popstar Melanie's search for a meaningful life is a beautiful thought but somehow the convert does not ring through. Maggie's destiny is apparent the moment she meets Everett. The only hint of uncertainty regards Sarah and Seth's relationship. The book puts up the slightest questionmark, which allows for a tiny bit of page-turning in order to find out.
Having been a fan of Danielle Steel's for years, I know she can do better than this. She will certainly be back.
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Entertaining start but sloppy finish....
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I have been a fan of Steele's for years, and consider her books a guilty pleasure. So don't pick up one of her novels in hopes of reading the great literature. With that said I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is not her best effort. I give it three stars as if you're a fan you'll still want to read the book but it is going to leave you a little hungry. This time out the story revolves around a San Francisco bay are earth quake and how it effects the lives of three successful and of course beautiful woman. The story starts off strong and quickly pilled me in, but I thought it lost focus towards the end. The typical Steele Romance is there but I did not feel connected to the characters. This is one you may want to wait for paperback. Oh, for a quirky romance I have to recommend "Across the High Lonesome" don't judge this book by the cover!
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