The stars shine down by Sidney Sheldon

"The stars shine down" by Sidney Sheldon - World of real estate!

This edition of book is published by Harper in 2005 and has 448 pages. 

Lara Cameron is beautiful and successful business woman who has achieved everything in her life. She has created everything from nothing. On her 40th birthday, she is standing on the brink of financial crisis.

What drives her? What sacrifices did she make? Who helped her? Why is she in financial crisis? Is there a way out?

The story starts with Lara's arrival for birthday party and then takes us back into flash back starting from her childhood to present day. It takes us through the life of this ambitious lady, her aspirations, her techniques, her modus operandi. It shows a very interesting character. She makes a name for herself in a man's world. However, at times this ruthless business woman also looks naive and vulnerable. 

The story has a flow. Characterization is good, however, most of the space is occupied by Lara and what remains is shared by Howard Keller, Paul Martin and Philip Adler. The book raises some questions like even if a lady becomes successful, will her beauty and body will be perceived more important than her intelligence,  by the world?

The book also takes us through the world of construction. Leverage, borrowing, making deals, land acquisition, regulatory hurdles, junk bonds (all the words we repeatedly heard during subprime crisis) are integral to the story. 

The convergence towards end, however, appears a bit convenient. Some threads, like Howard's memory loss & Lack of checks and balances in orders etc, remain loose. Nevertheless author ends the book on a fantastic note. Can't imagine any other ending. 

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Lose ends. Convenient convergence. 

What did I like? Flow. 

Recommend reading.

Sidney Sheldon's "Chasing tomorrow" by Tilly Bagshawe

Sidney Sheldon's "Chasing tomorrow" by Tilly Bagshawe. This book is published by Harper in Oct 2014 and has 496 pages. Sidney Sheldon's 'If tomorrow comes' introduced readers to Tracey Whitney, the lovely and lovable rogue. Tilly Bagshawe has now written a sequel that picks up from where the previous book left.

This book starts with marriage of Tracy and Jeff, former competitors and later partners in crime, who have pulled up numerous heists and con jobs together. They retire from their careers and decide to go straight. Jeff wants to pursue his hobby of working as curator of museum. Tracy wants to become a mother and also misses the heists and con jobs.

A crater comes up between Jeff and Tracy. They are estranged. Tracy finds a reason to live. She chooses a life of anonymity. But Daniel Cooper, her ex nemesis and Jeff come back in her life indirectly.

Will Tracy come out of retirement? Will she confront Jeff? Will Daniel be able to avenge himself? What is the reason of Tracy's new life?

The story takes place in America and Europe. Tracy and Jeff have become legend. Interpol is looking for them, but can not find any evidence to arrest them for years. Surprising, isn't it?

Tracy as a mother is completely different from Tracy the thief. Tilly had tried to write like Sidney Sheldon, but can not imitate him. Start and middle portion of book is good. Buildup to the climax is good. The climax actually, is in reality, an anti climax. A wasted buildup.

I read this book because it was a sequel of 'If tomorrow comes'. Although it's not a wow book, I was not disappointed either except for the end. You must have read the original otherwise you will not get the references in this book.

An OK book. Read if you have time. If you have not read the original, give it miss.