Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran
09 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
in 5 Stars Tags: Historical Fiction
Moran’s latest foray into the world of classical history (after The Heretic Queen) centers upon the children of Marc Antony and Cleopatra . After the death of their parents, twins Alexander and Selene and younger brother Ptolemy are in a dangerous position, left to the mercy of their father’s greatest rival, Octavian Caesar. However, Caesar does not kill them as expected, but takes the trio to Rome to be paraded as part of his triumphant return and to demonstrate his solidified power. As the twins adapt to life in Rome in the inner circle of Caesar’s family, they grow into adulthood ensconced in a web of secrecy, intrigue and constant danger. Told from Selene’s perspective, the tale draws readers into the fascinating world of ancient Rome and into the court of Rome’s first and most famous emperor. Deftly encompassing enough political history to provide context, Moran never clutters her narrative with extraneous facts. Readers may be frustrated that Selene is more observer than actor, despite the action taking place around her, but historical fiction enthusiasts will delight in this solid installment from a talented name in the genre. – Synopsis provided by www.bn.com.
I enjoyed this book so much that I would like to read more about Selene and her family. The way this book was written you felt like you were right there with Selene thru her whole ordeal. She was a very strong person to have endured all she did in her life. I think the details of Rome were very vivid, I could almost here the sounds and smell the smells. What a place and time to have lived in, I don’t think I would have made it back then. I don’t cry at many books but for some reason at the end of the finding out a tidbit of what happens to Selene as an adult brought happy tears to my eyes. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel
25 May 2010 Leave a Comment
in 5 Stars
Coco Barrington was born into a legendary Hollywood family: her mother Florence is a mega-bestselling author, and her sister Jane is one of Hollywood’s top producers. Jane has lived with her partner, Liz, for ten years, in a solid relationship. Florence, widowed but still radiant, has just begun a secret romance with a man twenty-four years her junior. And Coco, a law school dropout and the family black sheep, works as a dog walker, having fled life in the spotlight for the artsy northern California beach town of Bolinas.
When Coco reluctantly agrees to house-sit in Jane’s luxurious home, it turns out Jane’s house comes complete with an unexpected houseguest: Leslie Baxter, a dashing but down-to-earth British actor who’s fleeing a psycho ex-girlfriend. Their worlds couldn’t be more different. The attraction couldn’t be more immediate.
Suddenly Coco is seeing things differently: Leslie is not just a celebrity, he’s a single dad to an adorable six-year-old girl. Her mother is a woman in love, with vulnerability and new insight. And Jane and Liz are about to take the bravest plunge of all – into parenthood. As Coco contemplates a future with one of Hollywood’s hottest stars, as her mother and sister settle into their lives, old wounds are healed and new families are formed – all bonded by love.
**Synopsis provided by www.bn.com
This was my first book I have read by Danielle Steel and I really liked it. I loved the way the book ended. I am also gladJane softened up in the end. Although I still do not really like her as she was so mean to Coco, I can’t believe some of the things she said to Coco. I don’ talways get along with my sister but I would never say such hurtful things. I felt so sorry for Coco when she got attacked in Italy by the paprazzi. I thought for sure that was going to be then end of the relationship but then I thought she would not end the book that way. Leslie was such a nice guy. He did everything right, I also liked his daughter I thought she was cute. I think Coco was braver than her family by chosing to go her own way in life and not following them. It seemed like when her mom found a younger lover and her sister got pregnant they both softened a little
