Crown Jewel » (Reprint)

With over than sixty million copies of her books sold around the world, New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels pens romance after epic romance, each filled with all the drama and heartbreak her loyal fans can handle.

Ricky Lamm had it all-a thriving film career, wealth, fame, and a alcohol problem that was about to destroy him, luckily, he also had a business manager-his older brother Philip-who forced him into an addiction clinic. But not even the passage of fifteen years and Ricky's rehabilitation can mend the rift that erupted between the brothers.

When tragedy strikes, erasing Ricky's dreams of winning Philip's forgiveness, Ricky resets his priorities. He turns his back on Hollywood, invites his two illegitimate sons into his life, and dedicates himself to his brother's dream-the construction of a unique resort called the Crown Jewel . But Ricky soon encounters unsettling surprises about his brother, as well as an amazing woman, his sister-in-law Roxy Lam, who leads him to the center of a family mystery and into an unexpected love affair. As Ricky attempts to discover the brother he loved but never truly knew, he must settle a grave injustice committed decades ago, even if it means risking his fame, his fortune, and his life.

Written with the keen insight, grace, and humor that have made Fern Michaels one of the world's best-loved storytellers, here is an unforgettable novel that explores the complex emotional bonds that exist between brothers, parents and children, and lovers.

Publishers Weekly

Perennial bestseller Michaels (The Future Scrolls; Trading Places; etc.) returns with another paint-by-numbers story of love and redemption, this one set in Hollywood and Antigua. "Hollywood's Platinum Boy," Ricky Lam, has kicked the drugs and booze, thanks in no small part to his stern brother and business manager, Philip, aka Philly. But when Philly is killed in a freak accident on set, Ricky discovers that his brother was the real actor in the family: nobody truly knew Philly at all. That's unfortunate, as the deceased Philly is the best-developed (and most interesting) character in this one-dimensional cast. Ricky quits Hollywood to take over the family resort in Antigua, the Crown Jewel, and while spiffing it up for the first season's guests, he begins trying to uncover Philly's secret lives. He also tracks down his now-grown sons, whom he's never met, falls in love with Philly's widow, Roxy, and takes in a young reporter-cum-bartender, the hyper Gracie. Michaels presents reams of dull, clich d dialogue while zipping past moments of drama and emotion in stilted sum-ups ("Was he [serious]? Hell, yes, he was. He liked her. No, he loved her. He really did. He said so").The story plods dutifully along, accompanied by saccharine preachings about the wonder of family and a dash of unromantic sex ("You know our asses are going to be full of splinters, don't you? It might be exciting to pick them out of each other later"). The settings promise glitter and glitz, but lack the charms of the Vegas or Kentucky series; only the most devoted of Michaels's considerable following will be able to slog through this ponderous tale. (Dec.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.