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Details
Crown Jewel
Author: Fern Michaels
Narrator: Jack Garrett
Unabridged: 11 hr 53 min
Format: Digital Audiobook
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Published: 03/08/2011
Synopsis
Ricky Lam had it all -- a thriving film career, the adoration of countless fans, incredible wealth, and a cocaine and alcohol problem that almost destroyed him. Luckily, he also had his older brother Philip -- who strong-armed him into an addiction clinic. After 15 years, Ricky wants to mend the rift that erupted between the brothers during those dark days. But when tragedy strikes, erasing Ricky's dreams of winning Philip's forgiveness, he resets his priorities and dedicates himself to his brother's dream -- the construction of a unique resort in South Carolina called the Crown Jewel. When Ricky steps into his brother's shoes he encounters unsettling contradictions, as well as his sister-in-law Roxy Lam, who leads him to the mystery at the center of his brother's life and into a love affair far richer and more challenging than any he has experienced before.
About the Author
Self-described as someone who can scribble notes and tell great stories, author Fern Michaels, aka Mary Ruth Kuczkir, is a very prolific writer having written 147 books, with 90 being on the New York Times best sellers list. She was born in Pennsylvania, coming into this world as "a dinky little thing", as her father called her. She spent the early part of her adult life becoming a wife and mother of five children. After her children were grown, she separated from her husband, who was a very negative person, and began putting pen to paper to begin her writing career. She had always loved books, and writing one seemed to be the best chance for her to make her own way through the rest of her life. Her first manuscript was not published, but the second attempt was, and so began her illustrious career.
Her successful career allowed her to put all five children through college, on her own, which she claims is one of her most proud accomplishments. She says that when all is considered, family is the most important thing. Fern also bought a beautiful old (300 year old) plantation in South Carolina, where she still lives today. Her grandmother gave her very sage advice many years ago, which she lives by today.......when God is good to you, you have to give back. She developed the Fern Michaels Foundation which grants four scholarships to deserving students. She also opened a pre-school and day care center for single moms who are having a hard time supporting their family.
The quote that best describes is a Dutch saying.......If you can't whistle on your way to work, you don't belong in that job. She follows by saying, "I whistle all day long".
Reviews Write A Review
I normally like Fenrn Mchaels' books. She writes well and has interesting characters, doesn't feel the need to use a lot of obscenities and boring, silly sex scenes are practically non-existent. CROWN JEWEL really disappointed me tjhough. Everything was so instantaneously perfect for Ricky Lam the movie star. Even his brotehr's death seemed perfect and there was no real conflict with the characters. The resentment seemed to build and fade with his sister in law, his illegitimate sons and his brother's discovered second family within a span of five minutes. Everything was Hollywood happy ending perfect and it was BORING. Maybe it is because he was throwing his money around? And the hotel THE CROWN JEWEL, was not featured as prominantly as I would have expedcted and didn't really seem teh foucs of the book. . I am really disappointed the author si getting away from her real people' novels for something more glitzy. It didn't feel that real to me and made me think of a Sidney Sheldon wannabe that didn't quite cut the mustard. I thimk the story would ahve been much better if she adh developed it around teh reporter Gracie Lick because was the only one that really sparkled and had real life.