Summerside Press; March 6, 2012
360 pages paperback
978-1609366315
Review copy (I begged for it!) from the publisher, many thanks!
Burton Book Review Rating: 4.5 stars!
What could they possibly want when they already have everything? Two daughters of fortune have been handed all the makings for storybook happily-ever-afters. The only problem is, they don’t want to live fairy-tale lives. But when forced to decide, will they really be able to abandon lives of ease and luxury for the love and adventure that beckons? Coming of age in the turbulent Roaring Twenties, each woman sets out to find romance—on her own terms. But at what cost will she find her happy ending?
Heiress began with two sisters Esme and Jinx, and now we have the story of their daughters Lilly and Rosie. My one complaint about the novel were these names- both flowery and short- which made me take a few moments to decide which one was which during the story. The two cousins were supposed to be polar opposites, aside from their stubborn streak which they inherited from their mamas. We follow their poor decisions in alternating fashion throughout the story, which was why the similar names were distracting for me when we switched to the other cousin.
The flapper lifestyle was the cat's meow. Long cigarette holders, short dresses, strings of pearls, stockings rolled at the knees while dancing the Charleston. But Lilly was the one who longed for the quiet Montana ways among the buffalo, while Rosie embraced the vogue of the era. Rosie's one ambition was to see her name in glittery lights. Rosie takes a walk on the wild side and meets up a mobster who promises her this, but the seedy life attached to him has major consequences for Rosie, forcing her to run to Chicago. She could hide for only so long, which becomes the climax of the story with their showdown.
While Rosie is trying to secure her ambitious future, Lilly finds herself among the hotshots of the skies as a wing walker in an air show. She wants nothing to do with her socialite family in New York, or the family newspaper Chronicle where her mother wants her to work. Both of the cousins refuse to see the childishness in their stubborn ambitions to find themselves, and it takes major catastrophes and faith in God to bring their families back together again. I loved the supporting characters in the ball player Guthrie, a flying ace Truman, and ever-present is Oliver from Heiress who is the glue that holds them all together. With this well-written adventure we are treated to mystery, suspense, romance and subtle spiritual guidance all set against the tantalizing backdrop of the Roaring Twenties.
Leaving us with a jaw dropping ending, we eagerly anticipate the next novel which continues Rosie's story. Will she ever be happy with who she is, or does she have to sell herself out to be the movie star of her dreams? I love this edgy inspirational series, and those who like historical romance with a dash of thrill will love the Daughters of Fortune series as much as I do.
About Susan:
Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of thirty-five novels with Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she's also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.
Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women's event and retreat speaker, she's a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer's workbook From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you! She is also the founder of MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.
After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota's beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.
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