Second Generation

Rating:
Summary: Can't put it down
Review: Beth Anderson's new novel Second Generation is brilliant. The day I bought it, I began to read and couldn't put it down. Not only is the plot riveting, but she is a real wordsmith. The writing is great, the plot is intelligent, the dialog is the best I have read in years. The only book I have read lately that has had such an impact on me is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold which almost kept me up all night. This book too makes you regret that you have to put it down for such mundane activities as sleeping and earning a living. I see the other reviewers have covered the plot and characters adequately.
I have two college degrees in English lit. and am a voracious reader. I think after all these years teaching at the university level I know what good writing is when I see it. I can't recommend Second Generation highly enough. If you like a "good read", this book is beyond that. The descriptions of the jungle alone are amazing, pulling the reader into a world that moves like a film in its intense reality. Watching the main character, Leigh, grow into a woman who understands the issues of her times, and yet is vulnerable and flawed, is a fascinating journey. Do yourself a favor and get a copy. It should be on the bestseller list, at the top. Actually, it makes a lot of the overly repetitious and predictable best sellers look lame. This book is something new, with an original voice. It is page turner, and a piece of fine literature as well. Read it and see.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Tales 4 Star Review
Review: by Kir Devon

Partners Michael and Emilio are treasure hunters who seek some emeralds in 1930's South America. They are both convinced that this find will help their marriages. After a lengthy search, they discover the first of what will be many emeralds. They believe that the money from this will help their wives and preserve their family. After their success, Michael and Emilio go their separate ways, but still keep an interest in the mine.

Some years later, their children meet and Michael's daughter becomes a very underaged pregnant teen. Leigh is forced to travel to Europe and give birth to the baby in secret. Ultimately, their maid takes on the baby and raises it as her own.

Michael is unable to deal with all of this and vows revenge on Emilio and his family. When he manages to collect more emeralds, he pushes Emilio to do the unthinkable and suddenly, Leigh is alone in the world.

Leigh navigates the lonely road of her life, gathering professional successes as if they could soothe her lonliness. She stands to lose it all when her past threatens to rear its ugly head.

Beth Anderson's Second Generation is both compelling and dark in tone and atmosphere. Even though it is, the characters held this reviewer. Some shocking twists and turns make this a top notch saga and suspense all at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: All right!
Review: Emilio's father was forced to abandon a prize emerald mine years ago in the South American jungles. Now, Emilo has found someone to finance his expedition to recover the treasure.

Michael has agreed to provide the funds for the treasure hunt, on the contingency that he gets half the reward. His wife's spending has put him in need of the extra cash. When he goes down to help with the expedition, his teenaged daughter, Leigh, goes along. It is she who will find the true treasure, love, with Emilo's son. Their youthful passion is not without price; Leigh is left a pregnant thirteen year old who is very unready to be a mother. Her salvation comes when their Oriental servants are desperate for a child, and willing to give her newborn daughter a home. Thus, her plans for the future and her mother's social ambitions are not disturbed, at least not for a while. The story is far from ended. Years of passion, murder, and revenge ensue before the secrets that refuse to die will catch up with the players.

In a novel that sweeps the reader as KING SOLOMON'S MINES or more modernly, Indiana Jones might, Ms. Anderson creates a plausible world. Adventure will hold the interest of any man who might read it, yet it has enough of a soap opera-ish flavor to capture a woman's fancy as well.

Rating:
Summary: SECOND GENERATION
Review: I have read each and every one of Beth Anderson's books, and I could not tell you until last weekend which one I liked the most. That was when I opened the pages of SECOND GENERATION and was transported into the most amazing world. Ms. Anderson has a way of drawing you into the story, and keeping you there. When you get to those last pages you actually wish that you had read slower so that the experience would last longer. It is sort of like Christmas. The getting there is fantastic, and then when Christmas day arrives you don't want it to end. That is the way Ms. Anderson's books are. All of them.

However, SECOND GENERATION is far more than that. It is Christmas, New Years, and the Fourth of July, all wrapped up in one. SECOND GENERATION is absolutely spell-binding. Ms. Anderson's characters not only live and breathe; they leap off the pages into your lap. The story is not only gripping, but it also gets into your heart and soul and you feel it simmering until it builds into a full-blown firestorm.

SECOND GENERATION is not only as good as any book a New York publishing house puts out, it is better than a lot of them. There are very few books that I can say this about, but I have no qualms about saying this about SECOND GENERATION. Ms. Anderson has blown herself away with this book, and believe me that is very, very hard to do, as she was already on top with her previous work.

SECOND GENERATION opens in Columbia, South America in 1937. Emelio Castivenette has talked Michael Shaunnessey into helping him search for an emerald mine. His father found the emeralds in the Andes years earlier and had to abandon them. He told Emelio all about the mine and where to look, and Emelio is determined to find it. But in order to do this, he needs financing and help. Michael can provide both.

Michael just can't keep up with his wife's spending. Daisy can spend money faster than Michael can possibly make it. And so when Emelio tells him about the emeralds, Michael decides that he will invest in the hunt for the emerald lode. When they find it, they will split the take 50/50. However after three months of searching the money runs out, as does Michael's faith that there ever were any emeralds. Then on the last day of their search they find them.

As time goes by, and she gets older, Michael takes his young daughter, Leigh, with him to Columbia, while he works the mine. Unlike her mother, Daisy, Leigh loves being in the jungle. She is also infatuated with Emelio's son, Girardo. Without a mother to watch over him, Girardo has run wild his whole life. His father is never around to watch what his son is doing. He is either busy working the mine, or is drinking and Girardo is pretty much on his own, running with the dredges of society. Soon as fate would have it, Leigh's infatuation with Girardo is taken advantage of, and she becomes pregnant at the age of thirteen.

Daisy and Michael decide that it would be best if Leigh went away, had the baby, and give it up for adoption. Young ladies didn't get pregnant in 1948, especially young ladies who were members of high society. And high society is exactly where Daisy feels she belongs. Leigh's pregnancy would not only ruin Leigh's life, but more importantly Daisy's standing amongst the elite of San Francisco. As far as Daisy is concerned, that would end her life. With that decided, Leigh goes to a home in Switzerland and has her baby, with no one knowing about it; not Leigh's best friend Bootsie, not even Gerardo. The Chinese couple, Yan and Loo, who live in the Shaunnessey house as servants, adopt the baby as soon as it is born. This is good because Yan and Loo want a baby so badly, and can never have one of their own, and Michael doesn't want his grandchild to disappear from his life. Leigh doesn't know how she feels, except she knows that she can't raise a baby at her age, and she has big plans for her future. A child will not fit into these plans at all.

After the baby's birth, Michael decides that he wants revenge for his daughters honor. He feels that Leigh's pregnancy wasn't completely Girardo's fault. He believes that Emelio had more to do with it than Girardo since he is his father and is responsible for the young man. Michael is also supposed to be Girardo's best friend. And because of this friendship Michael feels like he has been deceived and therefore he will get revenge.

SECOND GENERATION is absolutely amazing. It is full of love, deceit, revenge, hatred, romance, high-level politics, drug lords, high society, and much more. SECOND GENERATION takes you into the drug cartels, the elite of San Francisco, and even the White House. Family secrets abound. There are sex-crazed Senators, a jewel theft, and even murder. And there is love. A love that cannot be destroyed............or can it?

Ms. Anderson has written such a winner with SECOND GENERATION, that there is absolutely no one that won't be drawn into the story, and kept captive until they come to the most beautiful, and completely surprising ending a person could ever dream of. One that you will not believe until you read it. Ms. Anderson has written truly from the heart on this one, as she has with her other books. However this time there are no holds barred. She bares it all. Her characters breathe each and every breath that Ms. Anderson put into them. They are alive and leap into your heart and soul as no others can. And that is much to the delight and wonderment of the reader.

SECOND GENERATION is one of the best books that I have ever read. And Ms. Anderson is definitely one of the best authors to be read. I cannot recommend too much that you get a copy of SECOND GENERATION as soon as possible. Because when you do, you are in for the treat of your life. One that will not be forgotten.

Rating:
Summary: Second Generation
Review: If you have been lookig for a break from standard fiction, you'll want to read Beth Anderson's, Second Generation. From dangerous South American jungles to the world of politics and even murder, you'll feel the roller coaster thrill of excitment, fear, intrigue and of course, love. Of all of Ms. Anderson's books, I believe this is my all time favorite!
Read Second Generation for a refreshing change in today's fiction.

Rating:
Summary: You Will Love this Book!
Review: Michael Shaunnessey wanted revenge against Girardo Castivenette, the boy who had taken advantage of his young daughter. So what if the result of the revenge extended to Girardo???s father, Emelio. Emelio and Michael were good friends and partners in ownership of the emerald mine. To Michael???s way of thinking, Emelio had been partly to blame for what had happened to his daughter. What Michael didn???t know was that once set loose, revenge has a way of coming back to haunt you.

Leigh Shaunnessey knew Girardo hadn???t really taken advantage of her. She just never thought things would turn out like they did. She never thought her father would be murdered. She never thought she would bear a child at a very young age. But the result of these events led her to discover just how strong a will she had. She knew exactly what she wanted out of life and designed a plan to get it.

Leigh wanted to ???make a difference??? in the world. A home and family were not really a top priority for her. In fact, it was something for which she just couldn???t spare the time. Then, she met the man who could touch her very soul. They were so much alike it was scary. When they discovered they both had tremendous drive and the same dreams, they knew they were destined to be competitors and a life together was out of the question. Leigh did marry, however, but the man she married loved her enough to allow her to pursue her dream. Even so, he made it clear that he would really be happier if she would follow a more traditional role. But her drive was strong. Could it be possible her dream would be fulfilled and she would actually end up in the White House? She knew she could do it.

Girardo, on the other hand, had always known the depth of his own strength and determination. He would lead, not follow. He would win, not lose. He would have everything he wanted. His father, Emelio, had dreamed that Girardo would become President of the United States. But that dream died when the emeralds were stolen. Girardo???s dream would come true because he had vision. He knew that the seductive power of the drugs Columbia could supply to the world would grow beyond even his wildest dreams. No, it would not be in the United States that his dream would be realized. He would build his kingdom in Columbia. Yes, he knew he was destined to rule, just as Emelio dreamed. But the way he chose to gain power and fortune was to profit by preying on the weakness of others. He figured the buyers knew what they were getting into and if they still wanted the product, he was only too glad to supply what they needed.

Leigh and Girardo, two strong personalities, two dynamic destinies would be invisibly linked for years until they collided in a final test of wills. Little did either one of them dream when they last saw each other as teenagers that years in the future their paths would cross again and they would no longer be lovers, not even friends, but enemies who would not, could not afford to lose.

The story takes us from deep in the jungle, to high society, and even into the White House. But more than that, it takes us deep into ourselves. In this suspenseful saga of three generations, Ms. Anderson reminds us that the sins of the father are indeed visited upon their children and their children???s children, even unto untold generations, unless someone can find a way to end it.

Murder, greed, passion, mystery, jewels, and love are mighty potent elements when mixed by a master storyteller. Ms. Anderson has done just that in Second Generation. The story is so well written that you will be pulled into the web after just the first few pages and you will be living the adventures of her characters and feeling their joy, pain, passion, and despair just as real as if it is happening to you. And from the lessons we learn by walking in their lives, maybe it does.

Rating:
Summary: You Will Love this Book!
Review: Michael Shaunnessey wanted revenge against Girardo Castivenette, the boy who had taken advantage of his young daughter. So what if the result of the revenge extended to Girardo's father, Emelio. Emelio and Michael were good friends and partners in ownership of the emerald mine. To Michael's way of thinking, Emelio had been partly to blame for what had happened to his daughter. What Michael didn't know was that once set loose, revenge has a way of coming back to haunt you.

Leigh Shaunnessey knew Girardo hadn't really taken advantage of her. She just never thought things would turn out like they did. She never thought her father would be murdered. She never thought she would bear a child at a very young age. But the result of these events led her to discover just how strong a will she had. She knew exactly what she wanted out of life and designed a plan to get it.

Leigh wanted to 'make a difference' in the world. A home and family were not really a top priority for her. In fact, it was something for which she just couldn't spare the time. Then, she met the man who could touch her very soul. They were so much alike it was scary. When they discovered they both had tremendous drive and the same dreams, they knew they were destined to be competitors and a life together was out of the question. Leigh did marry, however, but the man she married loved her enough to allow her to pursue her dream. Even so, he made it clear that he would really be happier if she would follow a more traditional role. But her drive was strong. Could it be possible her dream would be fulfilled and she would actually end up in the White House? She knew she could do it.

Girardo, on the other hand, had always known the depth of his own strength and determination. He would lead, not follow. He would win, not lose. He would have everything he wanted. His father, Emelio, had dreamed that Girardo would become President of the United States. But that dream died when the emeralds were stolen. Girardo's dream would come true because he had vision. He knew that the seductive power of the drugs Columbia could supply to the world would grow beyond even his wildest dreams. No, it would not be in the United States that his dream would be realized. He would build his kingdom in Columbia. Yes, he knew he was destined to rule, just as Emelio dreamed. But the way he chose to gain power and fortune was to profit by preying on the weakness of others. He figured the buyers knew what they were getting into and if they still wanted the product, he was only too glad to supply what they needed.

Leigh and Girardo, two strong personalities, two dynamic destinies would be invisibly linked for years until they collided in a final test of wills. Little did either one of them dream when they last saw each other as teenagers that years in the future their paths would cross again and they would no longer be lovers, not even friends, but enemies who would not, could not afford to lose.

The story takes us from deep in the jungle, to high society, and even into the White House. But more than that, it takes us deep into ourselves. In this suspenseful saga of three generations, Ms. Anderson reminds us that the sins of the father are indeed visited upon their children and their children's children, even unto untold generations, unless someone can find a way to end it.

Murder, greed, passion, mystery, jewels, and love are mighty potent elements when mixed by a master storyteller. Ms. Anderson has done just that in Second Generation. The story is so well written that you will be pulled into the web after just the first few pages and you will be living the adventures of her characters and feeling their joy, pain, passion, and despair just as real as if it is happening to you. And from the lessons we learn by walking in their lives, maybe it does.

Rating:
Summary: SECOND GENERATION
Review: SECOND GENERATION grabs you on the first page and pulls you into a Columbian jungle to search for emeralds. Neither Beth Anderson's excellent scene settings nor character building is restricted to the second generation, bringing in the first and third gtenerations with suspense filled and sometimes heart wrenching sub plots and points or view. The discovery of emeralds leads to the riches Martin Shaunnessy and Emelio Castivenette dreamed of but it is no panacea for things already going wrong. Martin's marriage suffers due to separation and his wife's dreams of social climbing and Emelio's drinking prevents him being any help to Martin. Years into their partnership Emelio's son, Girardo, gets Martin's daughter, Leigh, pregnant and thus begins years of hate, revenge, and deceit. Martin takes Leigh to Switzerland to have her baby and it is adopted by the Shaunnessey's Chinese servants, Yan and Loo to raise as their own. They name her Lotus. Bent on revenge, Martin takes the money in the mine's account and the cache of large emeralds in their safe also. When Emelio realizes what Martin has done he goes to Martin's San Francisco home and demands the emeralds. Martin scoffs at him. Emelio shoots him and runs away. The murder is unsolved but Martin has left a note for Leigh telling her the emeralds are buried under the yellow roses in his garden. His wife, Daisy, is crushed by her husband's death and not being accepted socially. She wastes most of their money before taking too many sleeping pills. Leigh, bitter about her mother's disappointments is resolved to go to law school, run for public office, to be successful and wealthy. She hires a small plane to scatter her mother's ashes over Nob Hill. Returning to the airport she meets Ted Montagne and passion immediately flames between them. Ted is a lawyer and is running for the House of Representatives. Their coming together forges a bond of love and need both of them recognize as undeniable as it is impossible. Leigh gradutates at the head of her class, is accepted at Stanford and sees Ted as often as they can manage. Leigh has dug up and put the emeralds in a safety deposit box at her bank. She sells one to keep her home running and to finance her college expenses. Back in Columbia, Emelio is too full of hate and whiskey to notice Girardo is learning how lucrative the drug business is. Girardo grows more powerful in the drug trade as he cares for Emelio. Leigh meets Ted's brother, Jason, who is attracted to her. She marries him but has a child by Ted and names her Hailey. She and Jason have a son, David, and only Leigh knows the whole truth about the three of them. Years and many crises later Ted is popular and successful in his career and Leigh has a chance to run as Vice President. Emelio dies in Columbia and Girardo, now head of a large and dangerous drug cartel has used his contacts and done his homework on how to hurt Leigh and those she loves the worst before he heads for San Francisco to take back the Columbian Green Fire which started this three generation conflagration. The climax of SECOND GENERATION Beth Anderson handles handsomely with the promised battle of wits, will, and international skullduggery. Enjoy the fireworks on your way to a happy ending which even includes the emeralds!

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful saga you won't be able to put down!
Review: Years ago in an emerald mine in Colombia, Michael Shaunnessey and Emilio Castivenette become partners as well as friends. As more and more emeralds are excavated, their fortune rises.

Then one night Emilio's son, Girardo, seduces thirteen year-old Leigh, none other than Michael's only daughter, and she becomes pregnant. When Michael finally finds out about it, it's too late for an abortion. He sends Leigh to Switzerland to secretly give birth, then gives the baby to his servant to raise as her own. Outraged, he swears vengeance against Emilio Castivenette and his son. One by one, he steals all the largest emeralds and buries them in a secret place. Emilio eventually finds out about it, and murders Michael. Before dying, however, Michael tells the secret of the emeralds to Leigh. Now that her father is dead, Leigh, intelligent and ambitious, must take charge.

Even though there are several subplots, this book is really Leigh's story. We follow her life from the time she's an innocent child, through her ordeal during her pregnancy, through law school, and finally we see her rising to the very top of her political career in Washington D.C. We see her struggling with her family, with the men she loves, with institutions and society as a whole.

When she finally reaches the very top, something dark from her past reappears and threatens to destroy her. For Girardo Castivenette is now a powerful and dangerous man, and he wants his father's emeralds back, or he will crush her and everything she has worked so hard to achieve.

This is a fabulous 5-star novel, the special kind that keeps you enthralled and wondering till the very end. Excellent characterizations, a suspenseful and intriguing plot, and a fine elegant style seem to flow effortlessly from the pen of this astonishingly talented author. From the emerald mines of Colombia, to the upper crust of San Francisco, to the power and glitz of Washington D.C., this story has all you may wish and more-suspense, romance, secrets and murder. The ending is thrilling. Very highly recommended.