Tag Archives: NYC

Mar25

The Banker’s Wife by Cristina Alger

Posted on by
Standard

I have a Little Free Library at my office and sometimes books are left there by others that intrigue me. This was one of those. I pulled it out to read it before putting it back to let someone else enjoy it.

The book has two protagonists who we follow through most of the story. Annabel, the banker’s wife of the title, who lives in Geneva, Switzerland and Marina, a journalist, who lives in New York City.

Before moving to Geneva two years prior, Annabel was an artist and gallery owner. Her husband worked as a lawyer but was offered a job working for a private bank, with a large salary bump, in Switzerland. They chose to move there for two years to earn enough money to buy a house near the sea back home in the United States. Annabel was lonely and isolated in Geneva as her husband worked many hours. She isn’t happy with their life there.

Marina was engaged to a man whose father was preparing to announce his candidacy for president. She worked as a journalist for a fluff publication, but wanted to be a hard hitting reporter. She planned to stop working as soon as she married in order to be a supportive wife to a CEO since her husband to be would be taking over the family business from his father.

Both protagonists’ lives changed during the course of the story. Annabel’s when her husband’s plane went down in the Alps. Marina’s when her mentor was murdered.

The parallel story lines run through the book with each woman’s life escalating into danger and each woman under pressure. Both not knowing exactly who to trust and who to be wary of. The story is fast paced and edge of the seat in many of the chapters.

I enjoyed the book and pretty much read it all in one afternoon. I hadn’t read this author before and I’m sure I’ll be seeking out other of her books. If you like suspense and fast-moving drama, this one is for you.

Jul22

The Magnolia Palace- Fiona Davis

Posted on by
Standard

This was a quick read that was enjoyable. I found it interesting that the main character was inspired by a real person. I knew the family who owned the Magnolia Palace were real –The Frick family. Mr. Henry Clay Frick was an industrialist as well as an art patron and eventually, he left his home to the city to make into a museum. Audrey Munson was the woman who inspired the heroine, Lillian, in this story. Audrey was used by many sculptors of that era as a model for many of the statues around the city of New York. Many call her the first super model.

The novel begins with Lillian being in the wrong place at the wrong time and she is questioned in the murder of her landlord’s wife. She flees and ends up in a job interview to be the assistant to Mr. Frick’s daughter.

The action swings back and forth from the gilded age to the 1960s where we meet a model named Veronica who has come over from England to be part of a photo shoot at the Frick mansion which is now a museum. She meets a young man who is interning at the museum.  They accidently get locked into the museum overnight in a snowstorm and blackout.

Back in the gilded age, Lillian works for the daughter of the industrialist and tries to help her in her love life as the woman’s father wants her to marry. There’s a lot of interesting psychological undertones in Frick’s son and daughter’s interactions with him as well as each other.

Lillian finds herself falling for the young man who has been chosen to be her employer’s fiancé and he falls for her as well. The daughter goes out of town with her family and sets a kind of treasure hunt around the house for her intended husband in order to amuse him while she’s gone. Lillian helps him in the quest and they draw closer together.

In the 1960s, Veronica finds the clues for the treasure hunt in the house/museum and she, along with the intern start to follow them while they are stranded in the house.

The rest of the story continues to move back and forth between the time periods and the two heroines. A murder occurs and the excitement builds in each era. I won’t say much more as I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but it’s a unique and interesting story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it if you like art, the gilded age, the 1960s, mysteries and a fictionalized look at the past in an exciting way.

Issues of racism and prejudice against women with ambition are two of the themes of this story as well as family love and conflict.  Overall, I think it’s a good story.

Dec27

Inspiration-

Posted on by
Standard

My new release Cowboy Boots on the Ground was inspired by a song. It’s by Olivia Newton John and I even named the main character Olivia. She owns Ollie’s Bar and is in hiding from her stepfather who wants to kill her. She bought a country bar in Texas as no one would think to look for her there.

Her fiance broke up with her before she was in danger and they had a special song that reminds her of him. In the opening scene, she’s talking about the song she hates that everyone always plays on the jukebox. Ending up in tears, she has to leave the main part of the bar to hide in her office.

Can you guess the song?  If not, here is a link.

Dec8

Cowboy Boots on the Ground- Excerpt

Posted on by
Standard

Here’s an excerpt for my December 23, 2017 romantic suspense release:

  • Excerpt:
    He wanted to help, and he probably could—if she
    could trust him…
    Olivia picked her chair up and sat. Sipping her
    coffee, she watched him a few seconds. “Okay then.
    Talk,” she finally said.
    “I was military intelligence for a number of years, so
    if it’s something where you need help in that direction,
    I’m your man. If you need someone with weapons skills,
    I’m your guy there, too.”
    “Why would you think I need that type of help?”
    “Since you got so offended when I made the
    comment about your mother’s illness, my training tells
    me there’s something else going on here than a mere fear
    by a daughter of being held back by her mother’s issues.
    Why don’t you tell me what is going on and let me see if
    there’s any way for me to assist you.”
    “Answer one question first.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Why? Why are you so gung-ho to help me? We’ve
    never really hit it off and, all of a sudden, you’re being
    kind and want to act like the Boy Scout who helps the old
    lady across the street.”
    The phone started ringing again. They let it play out.
    Rocky picked up where they left off. “I want to help you
    because I’m a nice guy, no matter what you might think,
    and I see you need it. There’s a mob outside your door
    who would eat you alive if given half a chance. You
    could call Sharon to assist you but I’m quite sure my
  • skill-set is a bit better at handling those people out there
    than hers.”
    “You’re probably right, but can you blame me for
    doubting your motives?”
    He shook his head. This was getting ridiculous.
    “You’re right. I’m done. Have a nice life.” Rocky rose
    from his seat, shoved the chair under the table, and turned
    toward the back door.
    In the moment his hand touched the knob, she said,
    “Okay. Okay. Sorry. I do need help. Please come and sit.
    I’ll tell you everything.”
    front cover (2)
Dec4

New Release – Coming Dec 23, 2017- Cowboy Boots on the Ground

Posted on by
Standard

I have a new romantic suspense novel coming Dec 23 from Black Opal Books.  Here’s the cover and blurb. Stick around for an excerpt later in the week.

front cover (2).jpg

  • BLURB:
    New York heiress Olivia Jacobs flees from her stepfather
    who’s trying to kill her in order to obtain her trust funds.
    Eventually landing in Texas where she buys a country bar
    she names Ollie’s, Olivia believes herself safe. Then one
    night in the bar, some thugs decide to rob the place.
    Ollivia pulls out her Stillson wrench and ends their plans.
    Unfortunately, the event goes viral and the media
    surrounds her home the next day. Her cover is blown and
    her face is all over the tabloids. Now she must run again.
    Rocky, a rancher living in the same town, offers to help
    her escape. Not quite trusting him, or the attraction she
    feel for him, she’s reluctant—that is, until her stepfather’s
    minions show up and she realizes she’s out of options.
    Now both she and Rocky are on the run from one of the
    most powerful men in New York, and things are about to
    get ugly…
Dec8

“Seminar” On Broadway- A Review

Posted on by
Standard

I’ve been back from my trip to New York to see Seminar for a while now and wanted to post this review but life has been getting in the way. On top of work at the day job and trying to finish the first draft of my latest novel, I’ve been sick off and on, but here we go with the long-awaited review.

First and foremost, Alan Rickman was spectacular. I have long admired his work and was a bit fearful that seeing him at long last in person would be a disappointment. I’m happy to say he is all I imagined and more in the flesh. He’s so relaxed and confident on stage. He doesn’t seem to  be acting; rather, he seems to be having a real conversation with the other characters. So natural and unaffected. I’ve been to many plays over the years and believe me, I’ve seen some actors who are not as at ease on stage as Mr. Rickman was in this role.  The only other actor I’ve seen that has this same quality to the same extent onstage is Richard Griffiths.

The rest of the members of the ensemble cast were well-chosen by the casting director. Jerry O’Connell seemed a little rushed in his first lines, but he soon settled in and did a wonderful job. Hamish Linklater was spot on in  his role – he was one of my favorite people in the play with his understated angst. In fact, no one in the play over-emoted which can sometimes be a distraction.

As to the women in the cast, Lily Rabe was wonderful as the hostess of the writing class. When she grabbed all the snacks after the first session, that hit home. As a writer myself, I’ve indulged in those binges of rejection-eating.  Ms. Rabe carried herself well.

Hettienne Parker was very natural in her role. There were several times she interjected comments into the group that seemed like they were off the cuff and real. Knowing they were lines she’d spoken many times, I was impressed at how fresh and new they sounded.  Bravo for her.

Theresa Rebeck has razor-sharp wit and I enjoyed her writing very much. My seventeen year old son also thought the play was wonderful and he enjoyed the wit as much as I did. The references to Tin House and The New Yorker were appreciated by this writer.

I love the tag line on the sign outside the theatre: Young writers are like good books, you can’t enjoy them until you’ve broken their spines.  I believe there are a lot of agents and editors who believe that and there may even  be some truth to it!

In short. if you can get to New York while this play is showing, do it. It’s worth the trip.  If you’re an Alan Rickman fan, this is a must see.

 

Nov8

Super Excited

Posted on by
Standard

I’m super excited to be flying to New York on Friday to see Alan Rickman in a play called Seminar on Saturday. He’s absolutely my favorite living actor and I’ve got 4th row tickets. I’m terrified that I’ll hyperventilate and pass out when he steps out onto the boards. Of course, if I die of a heart attack, I’ll go happy, right?

I’ll be sure to blog about the experience if I survive.  They may haul me out in one of these like he has on:

Jun19

On leaving New York

Posted on by
Standard

At LaGuardia Airport ready to head home from my 8 days in NYC.  I’ll be posting reviews of the 2 shows I saw soon but here is a picture to tide you over til then.

This was my main mode of transportation for the last week. I miss my Volvo.

Remember tomorrow to read my blog entry here:

http://petitfoursandhottamales.com/