HER OWN RULES by BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

HER OWN RULES

BY BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

THE BLURB:-

Meredith Stratton is forty-four and a successful businesswoman.

The owner of six elegant international inns, she is about to celebrate her only daughter's engagement. At this seemingly happy time in her life, Meredith begins to suffer from a strange illness that baffles everyone. Her doctor cannot find a cause for her debilitating symptoms, and, desperate for answers, she seeks the help of a psychiatrist. Through therapy, Meredith peels back the layers of her life to discover the truth behind her most careful creation- herself.

Secrets, survival, redemption and love abound in this compelling story of a woman who uncovers the key to her tormented past, and finds the courage to live by her own rules.

THE REALITY:-

I liked this book form the offset. My own novel, The Reject's Club, is split into three parts: The Present, The Future and The Past, so it was pleasing to see that this novel consisted of a similar formation. This is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her best, writing a beautifully descriptive novel with a bit if a mystery- one that sucks you in completely and makes you want to keep turning the pages to the end conclusion.

I have seen the film version of this book but it was a bit different: in the film Meredith was the product of her mother's relationship with a married man who has a paraplegic wife (if my memory serves me correctly- this would have been ten to fifteen years ago) whereas in the book Meredith has the affair with the married man and has a daughter by him. But both book and film are very gripping so I'm not complaining.

I did question whether Meredith would have lost her early memories regarding her mother completely- after all, she would have been six when she was sent to Australia under some kind of forced adoption scenario. I also questioned why she wouldn't have wanted to find out about her birth mother much earlier in life, but then I suppose that everyone's different and character quirks are what make a story interesting.

I really felt for Kate and her circumstances and could understand her heartbreak, frustration and anger at losing her little girl unnecessarily. It was so awful the way the authorities blocked Kate's progress in finding out what had happened to her daughter. It's sickness. I do hope that this kind of thing doesn't go on nowadays, although a friend did tell me some horror stories regarding the Tony Blair government's adoption quota.

The scenic descriptions (especially Yorkshire) really came to life, as did the emotions involving the recovery of Meredith's memory. Her strive to discover her past was really gripping and made you want to race to the end to find out if she really did get reunited with her mother. A superb novel.

DAUGHTERS OF FORTUNE by TARA HYLAND

DAUGHTERS OF FORTUNE

BY TARA HYLAND

THE BLURB:-

William Melville's daughters are heiresses to the world's most exclusive fashion dynasty. Beautiful and rich, they are envied by all. But behind the glittering facade of their lives, each girl hides a dark secret that threatens to tear their family apart.

Smart, ambitious Elizabeth, the eldest, knows how to manipulate every man she meets, except the one who counts: her father.

Gentle, naïve Caitlin, the illegitimate child, struggles to fit into a world of privilege while staying true to herself.

Stunning, spoilt Amber, the party girl with a weakness for bad boys, is more fragile than anyone realizes.

As each of them seek to carve out her own destiny, they face different choices, which will take them in wildly different directions. But as old wounds resurface and threaten to destroy the Melville empire, their paths will cross again. Because the simple truth is that, no matter how far you go, you cannot escape the claims of family.

THE REALITY:-

I liked this book. The basic structure was very similar to my novel, The Reject's Club, in that there are three main characters. The layout was also of the same ilk, with separate sections devoted to different timescales. The way the chapters were formed, with each semi-dedicated to one of the characters, but not exclusively so, and with new people also flitting in also rang a resounding bell. Boring lecture over! I will now discuss the story.

I read this during time off from work and managed to flatten it in a few days, despite it being nearly 600 pages long. That's child's play to me! Though not the most enthralling story I have ever read, it certainly made me want to turn the pages.

I sympathized with all the characters and their various issues. Elizabeth and Amber clearly needed more attention and recognition from their businessman father, and the latter's descent into depravity, due to the neediness of her nature was truly heart-wrenching. Parents take note- some young women are very, very vulnerable and insecure, and need your protection. I loved the sections detailing Caitlin's boarding school (I BEGGED my parents to send me to boarding school- the idea of independence, midnight feasts et all was very alluring, but sadly they couldn't afford it. I think I would have done much better there that at the state secondary school that I was forced to attend). The incident Caitlin had to suffer was well written and you really felt for the poor girl as men can be such revolting turds sometimes. As a fashion designer, I could really relate to this character. I wish I had attended the same course as she did-  learning the basics of pattern cutting and sewing in the first year before even being allowed to attempt some designing, and then being forced into being original. My course was about copying, copying and more copying. There was no structure to the course and you were expected to “just know” certain things. I didn't have to pay fees as it was all state funded at the time. If I had then I would have asked for my money back, it's as simple as that. Sadly, I hear the place is still exactly the same.

With a good ending that taught me a few things about the workings of the stock market (the author's field of expertise) I was impressed by this book and am looking forward to reading more by Tara Hyland.

BOWTIQUE AND LYDC

During a recent rip to Blackpool I stumbled across a lovely little shop called Bowtique.  It sells stunning handbags, purses and fashion accessories, for those of you that (like me) refuse to grow up and love a bit of glitter and bling.  I bought this stunning changeant hologram purse, which shifts from greeny-blue to bluey-pink in the light.  Wonderful!

I've seen this matching bag on Ebay and I might just get it- at less than £20, it's my kind of price.  The range also comes in a kind of silvery-white colour, with a small or large stud effect- take your pick.

 Bowtique also sell bath bombs and gorgeous smelling soaps that would make great gifts.  Some of the soaps looked like they had Catherine Wheels or Liquorice Allsorts welded inside.  Think Lush but with a more consistent and reasonable price tag.  I would love to work for Bowtique, in a head office capacity, but I checked them out and their head office is in Blackpool.  I may end up living there one day- who knows- although it would be a better place if they kept the Illuminations lit all year round, but for now it's a bit too long a commute.

I did, however, check out the makers of my purse, the London Young Designer's Connection, and it turns out that not only do they make my kind of clothing as well as accessories, but they are also situated just up the road from me in east London and are actually recruiting for a couple of roles that I am more than experienced at doing.  I have sent them a CV and hope that they have the good common sense to meet up with me- having a passion for a particular company is a very good start.

QUENTINS by MAEVE BINCHY

QUENTINS

BY MAEVE BINCHY

THE BLURB:-

Every table at Quentins restaurant in Dublin has a thousand stories to tell. The staff and customers all have tales of their own, and the restaurant itself has had times when it looked set for success, and others when it seemed doomed to failure. Presiding over it all are Patrick and Brenda Brennan, who have made Quentins such a legend- but even their life is not all it seems.

Now Ella Brady wants to make a documentary about Quentins but as she uncovers more of what has gone on, she is forced to confront a devastating dilemma in her own life.

THE REALITY:-

This was the first Maeve Binchy novel I've read. I saw the film adaptation of the excellent Circle Of Friends, starring Colin Firth and Minnie Driver, so when I saw Quentins sitting there on the charity shop shelf I had to give it a go. I read this during a very long National Express journey to Blackpool. The coach travel was part of a package deal and- note to self- in future take the bloody train. It's quicker and less painful.

The best thing about this book was the in-depth descriptions of the various characters that are involved in some way, whether as patrons or more directly, with Quentins. There was a great mix of individuals here and it's interesting to see how they all tie in. I liked the fact that the novel was set in Dublin (somewhere I have visited) and New York (ditto) as I personally could compare experiences, although not that much outside of Quentins was discussed. I also liked the fact that the novel was anti stereotyping the Irish as a bunch of pissheads. I have met a fair few that are like that but I suppose that's true of any race.

For me, the book revolved around Patrick and Brenda, and their story was probably the most heartfelt of all. I also loved Ella's friends, Deirdre and Nuala, who added some ooomph to the story. I have to say, though, that Ella didn't do that much for me and Don was predictable, and it was easy to work out that he'd faked his own death (no spoiler intended- I found it painfully obvious).

I did enjoy the way the story progressed, but Ella's final showdown with Don was just plain weird. With a bit of a nondescript ending and tying up of everything, this book was alright but not spectacular. Having said that, I am certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.

ANGEL by BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

ANGEL

BY BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

THE BLURB:-

Angel tells the story of four friends who, when all they had was each other, swore eternal friendship. Now their dazzling careers, their seemingly successful lives are to be disrupted by a devastating singer- and by the shadow of their past.

Rose Madigan is the angel- an award-winning costume designer, she is blessed with worldly goods yet troubled by personal commitments.

Gavin Ambrose is the Hollywood megastar: talented and idolized, true love has eluded him.

Nell Jeffrey is the glamorous head of an international PR company: her secret love for Rosie's brother Kevin pierces her usual shrewdness.

Kevin Madigan, undercover cop, inhabits a world of danger from which he tries to shelter his friends- but evil has a way of spreading.

Angel is the stunning novel of family and friends, of love and loss, of innocence and corruption: it will captivate you from the first page.

THE REALITY:-

Barbara Taylor Bradford once wrote stunning novels- her rags-to-riches saga, A Woman Of Substance is possibly my favourite novel ever and really inspirational. Ditto Voice Of The Heart (very long but incredibly detailed and difficult to put down) and Act Of Will (based upon the story of BTB and her parents' lives). And then at the other end of the scale you get Emma's Secret (a sequel to the former, borderline trite and lacking in continuity) and then there was another book (think it's called Dangerous To Know) that was so far fetched it was laughable. If my memory serves me correctly (and please feel free to put me straight on this if I am wrong) the storyline involved the heroine getting pregnant after an affair with her long-lost son, and then the long-lost son killing himself after falling in love with the heroine's daughter who, being the fruit of his loins, is actually his daughter too. You think it's a tad extreme and unbelievable? Yep, me too. Coincidence is all well and good, but you can have too much of it.

If BTB was a new author starting out she wouldn't find a publisher willing to work with her, it's as simple as that. It makes my blood boil that agents and publishers generally only seem interested in established authors or those with some degree of celebrity. There is so much talent out there, including myself. If you think that last remark is conceited, then TOUGH- I worked hard on my novel, think it deserves to be properly published and my readers agree. So there.

This book was alright but, in typical BTB style, most of the characters were beautiful, successful, rich... and totally two dimensional. I've personally met very few people who have done well out of life and have always wondered what the secret to success is.  Maybe it's living in America, a place where those in charge seem to encourage new ideas and intelligent people. Maybe it's sheer luck. If I knew, I would have cracked the code a long time ago. Mind you, if it's being a workaholic, then forget it. I've always thought them the saddest bunch on earth as there is so much more to life than work.

I would have loved to have read about the main characters' pasts and their joint experiences as orphans. Sunny needed to be developed and Mikey found. I would also have liked Kevin's role as a cop, and the sheer nitty-gritty of the Mafia underworld explored. Now that would have been interesting. I also found Johnny's sudden demise all too convenient- some kind of fallout from his violent death would have made for a brilliant blockbuster ending.

An okay read; with plenty of glamour, great locations, literature and detailed descriptions of historical events- but nothing major to recommend it. BTB, you can do better- sort it out!!!!

FLORAL CROCKERY SET AND MOCK-CATH-KIDSTON MUGS...

I needed some new crockery as the set I owned was more chipped than a street-fighter's teeth, so I was glad to find this twelve piece set going for just £7.50 in Wilkinsons.  I had one of those £5 Love To Shop vouchers, awarded to me for taking part in a survey regarding Newham, London (place of my birth and place of my current life) so I ended up paying just £2.50 for this little lot.  Result!

The set, as you can see, did not include cups, so I nipped over to Sainsbury's to pick up some lovely mugs I'd seen reduced in the sale, for either £1.50 or £1.75 each.  They had gorgeous red poppies and purple orchids splattered on them.

However, they only had the one mug left, and the colours didn't really go with the plate set (or my kitchen decor) anyway, so I was pleased to find four of these floral lovelies going for £1.25 each.

They are very Cath Kidston, aren't they?  I love that brand but it isn't cheap, although I'm not against shopping premium brands during the sales.

When I was buying my flat, I found some lovely, candy coloured, Cath Kidston stripy fabric that was ideal for my kitchen window, but I needed about four metres and they wanted £35 a metre for it!!!!

I was so pleased to source something very similar, albeit of lesser quality (well, that is to be expected) on Shepherd's Bush market for £1 per metre.

One day I will be rich- until that day, common sense applies! 

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA...

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I've ALWAYS wanted to see The Phantom of the Opera, ever since it was first released in 1986.  I've lived in London for 20 years, so can't actually believe that I left it this long.  I had some time spare so booked to visit the matinee performance yesterday, trudging through weather that resembled that of the tropics (think hot rain) and putting in an appearance at Her Majesty's Theatre in Haymarket looking like half-drowned rat.

This show lived up to the hype and then some, and did not disappoint.  I can certainly understand why it's still selling out nearly thirty years after opening.  The performances were exemplary in each and every way and the talents of the performers unmatched. Only the great get to perform in the West End and the singers/ dancers/ actors were all spellbinding and real experts in their field, as you would expect.

I've always steered a bit clear of musicals in general.  I find them too upbeat and zippedy-do-dah for me.  I don't want to listen to cheerful.  And I certainly don't want to see light, bright and trite.  Give me tragedy!  I'm a serious person- MOVE ME!  The only other musical I have seen is the fantastic Blood Brothers, which was suitably dark, and I suppose I'd better give Les Miserables a go in the future (the title of that one appeals to a gloomy cow like myself)...

As for Phantom, the music and the show itself sent shivers down my spine and I found the whole thing incredible moving.  I would certainly go to see it again and am looking forward to doing so.  The only anti-climax was the chandelier scene.  It was a real blink-and-you-miss it thing and I can't remember that much about it.  I don't even think the chandelier lights were on or flickering, it all seemed to happen that fast.  Mind, you, I was way up in the balcony, so was actually sitting higher that the chandelier when it was fully pulled above the stage, so that was no doubt why the impact of the fall and the swing was lost on me.  Next time, I'll go for a seat in the dress circle or stalls.

Swinging chandelier PDF

Lucky Sarah Brightman, having her husband, Andrew Lloyd Webber, so madly in love with her that he wrote a musical for her.  But strange that he should then leave her only a few years later.  Hmmm. 

As Graham Norton pointed out, on his show, to her, 'Andrew Lloyd Webber  is not the prettiest boy in the playground.'

She responded by saying, 'Ah, but he had the biggest willy!'

And I'm sure that you all feel better for being left with that thought in your minds!!!!