Rating: 
Summary: Award winning book delivers
Review: Heard of the book from a writers website and was curious about the entertainer turned author Amapola. Was most impressed with her first novel. The story could be a great vehicle for Julianne Moore or Kate Winslet type dramatic actors. The character Charity Ashlyn invokes woman empowerment as she becomes stronger and stronger through her trials and tribulations. A comment here from another reader mentioned Clara Ashlyn which I presume the author had already envisioned a possible other book, perhaps what they call a prequel. My favorite character in this book is little Eddie. I wanted to find out how he was doing. Thank you for the pleasure. I am not a romantic novel reader but my wife Naida bought the book and I started with a few pages and could not put it down. All the luck in the world to the author Amapola. My wife and I wish her a successful venture into this highly competetive world.
Rating:
Summary: A POWERFUL STORY
Review: I had my doubts as I am not a romantic genre reader but a friend recommended this book he said written by a showbiz friend. I read the book because of him but after the prologue I continued on and realized I finished the book in one sitting. I wanted more and needed to know what Charity's life would have been after the end. A sequel would be interesting and maybe about Charity's daughter continuing on the saga of the Ashlyn ladies.
Rating:
Summary: Most enjoyable reading. Could not put it down
Review: I keep imagining a film, a saga of this family. I wanted to learn more about Charity's mother's origin, perhaps a prequel would be in order. Then a sequel featuring Charity's daughter. The author's descriptions of the past era is authentic and detailed writing about what people wore, or what they ate reminded me of a very well filmed movie. The book conjured a lot of visualization on my part as a reader. Michael the violinist should have been given more chapters. I found him the most intriguing of all of Charity's lovers. Charity's brother and sister are also interesting. Like I said, i could not put the book down. Look forward to the next. This author rocks!
Rating:
Summary: A reader from Providence, R.I.
Review: I picked up this book as I was headed for a cruise to the Bahamas. I chose it at random from the list because the name of the author attracted me and i wanted to read something different and new. I was tired of picking the same books from the same authors and I thought okay, it's time to get adventurous. I was pleasantly surprised because I was ready for anything, (even a bad book to teach me never to be adventurous again)and this author totaly entertained me. I had a hard time putting the book down yet I was afraid that the book would finish too soon if I hurried it.
I found the book full of intrigues and enough carrot to dangle me to the end! There was just the right amount of suspense, filled with turmoil and temptations that kept the book moving. I could feel the anquish of the women whose husbands left them for the younger women. I wanted to strangle Gregory who could not control himself. I felt for Charity's mother Clara who supported her all the way to the very end. A great family saga more than a romantic book I think. A most entertaining, perturbing and satisfying book to the end. I plan to read it again on my next vacation. I read "I'll Take Manhattan" twice because it was so good. I'll read "Coming Home" again too.
Rating:
Summary: COMING HOME BY AMAPOLA
Review: I recommend reading this book so you can see how Ms Amapola pulled off a unique ending. I thought it would be one of those really maudlin conclusions but I found it sweet and the story lingered in my mind and stuck there for days after I read the last page. The book seems short for today's standards. I just bought a romance novel that was more than 400 pages so Ms Amapola's is too short for my liking. I guess that is a good problem for any author when their readers clamor for more. The book is POD but don't let it stop you. It's a good read and not too long, perfect for the weekend break or short cruise. Hope her next book will last longer.
Rating:
Summary: SHORT BUT SWEET AND NOT TOO SAPPY
Review: I've entered my first review and I'm not sure if it was published on this webpage. Just want to make sure I can share this book with other readers. It was a different read, different style and it was refreshing for me. As a romance reader it's easy to keep reading the same stuff. Ms Amapola's writing is refreshing. I would have wanted more description on Clara Ashlyn where she came from, a little more about her life. Maybe there is another book there waiting to be written. All in all I rate it a four star for being too short and a five star for being entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: A POWERFUL READ
Review: It is a powerful read. My first reaction to the prologue was to continue reading. I wanted to find out why the mysterious widow called her husband an S.O.B. right off the bat. I also wanted to find out why the name of the woman she was talking to was the name her husband uttered. Lots of questions were on my mind before I read the book. All were answered & I learned more. I have read many intriquing prologues and find that the story that follows actually leads nowhere near my expectation but the author's follow-up on her prologue gave me the satisfaction I was anticipating. thanks!
Rating:
Summary: Could not put the book down
Review: Rarely happens to me. I usually nurse a book. I got caught up with Michael (and of course Charity) who could be a spin-off for another book. He struck me as someone who wasn't only brilliant as an artist but was the most underrated character in the story. There were images in my head of a movie based on Michael's story. Imagine how exciting if Hollywood would search worldwide for the right actor to play this part. Cool story. Cool first time author.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful story!
Review: The author has done a remarkable job with this story.
Rating:
Summary: A good read although I had my doubts
Review: The author is my good friend and colleague. She was not sure if male readers would be interested in her book as it is in the 'romantic' genre. Because she is my friend, I proceeded to read the Prologue (as a favor to her!) then I found I kept reading on and could not put it down. It is a good read no matter who is reading it. The story is captivating and the heroine Charity Ashlyn makes you dwell on family values. Amapola's wonderful detailed description of places, people and special events in the novel made me feel part of the story. If you have never read a romance novel before, I recommend that you read this one.
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