Acts of Love [Hardcover]

Judith Michael (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 16, 1999

See the difference.  Read bestselling author Judith Michael in Large Print

* About Large Print
All Random House Large Print Editions are published in a 16-point typeface



Bestselling author Judith Michael's most moving and captivating novel spans the pastoral beauty of the Pacific Northwest . . . the glitter of Broadway . . . the spectacular vistas of Sydney, Australia . . . and the myriad acts of love that will reunite a lost woman with her dreams, her destiny, and the one man who truly believes in her talent - and in their love. . . .

When director Lucas Cameron finds letters to his grandmother from her protégé - the brilliant young actress Jessica Fontaine - who had vanished mysteriously after a tragic accident, he is intrigued, and determined to find her. When finally they meet, they have one magic week of passion and love. But still Jessica cannot return with Lucas to his world - and he cannot share hers - unless they discover the many kinds of love, and the inner strength, that can triumph over the past and open the way for their hands and hearts to join.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lucas Cameron is a very successful New York City theater director. Growing up with his grandmother, the renowned actress Constance Bernhardt, he was instilled with a deep love and insightful understanding of the stage. While working on a new play, he learns that Constance has died, and he returns to her villa in Italy to settle her affairs. There he discovers letters written to Constance by her friend and acting protege, Jessica Fontaine, which he starts reading one quiet evening to amuse himself. Captivated by the young woman's outlook on life, he continues to read, discovering that her career is abruptly ended when she suffered grave physical injuries in a train accident and leads a new and very secluded life on an island off the coast of Seattle. Deeply affected by her letters, Lucas realizes that he wants to meet this woman and discover why she has isolated herself not only from the acting arena but apparently from the world in general. Michael's (Tangled Web, LJ 11/15/94) novel tells a gently felt story with a surprising amount of suspense. Although probably set to be hyped by its publisher as "woman's fiction," this is really a thought-provoking character study of two very complicated individuals trying to come to grips with each other and the choices they have made in their lives. A sure winner for Michaels fans and a wonderful choice to introduce new readers to her work.?Margaret Ann Hanes, Sterling Heights P.L., Mich.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Michael's latest stars theater director Lucas Cameron--rich, handsome, and misunderstood--who is mourning the death of his grandmother, former stage star Constance Bernhardt, who had been mother, mentor, friend, and critic to him since the deaths of his parents when he was a boy. While closing up the Italian villa where Constance spent her last years, Lucas finds a box containing 20-odd years of letters from the mysterious--not to mention rich, beautiful, and misunderstood--former actress Jessica Fontaine. Lucas develops a voyeuristic fascination with these breathless epistles, and he eagerly follows Jessica's triumphs and travails from her debut to her retirement from the stage after being injured in a train wreck. He decides that this is the woman of his dreams, but when he arrives, unannounced, at her secluded island home, he finds that Jessica has lost--gasp--her looks. Will Jessica Fontaine reclaim her rightful place in the theater? Will Lucas Cameron overcome his preoccupation with outward appearances? And will these two people whose names sound like posh hotels find happiness together? Given the popularity of the authors' previous efforts, quite a few people will want to know. June Vigor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (March 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517361604
• ISBN-13: 978-0517361603
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,195,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It takes an Act of Patience to read this book, August 13, 2004

By 

J. Jamison (New Albany, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acts of Love (Mass Market Paperback)

Have you ever had a dream where you are trying to walk thru ankle- deep mud, water, sand (pick one) in heavy boots, and each step is almost impossible?? That's what I started to experience about a third of the way thru this book. The main charactors, Luke and Jessica, talk, talk, talk, deep serious conversations that go on and on, and if they are not doing that, they dissect everything-- acting, directing, etc. On and on. I started skipping pages, and when I started reading again, they would still be talking about the same thing. I started skipping more and more, and finally I just didn't care anymore. These charactors are the most self absorbed, dull people I have ever encountered. Even the grandmother who had passed away was long-winded in her letters. A lot of the book is written in the form of letters, and boy, are they boring.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wordy but wonderful, November 30, 2004

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acts of Love (Mass Market Paperback)

World famous stage actress, Jessica Fontaine is involved in a train accident in Canada which mars her beauty and cripples her body. She has been the protege of a former great actress, Constance Cameron, who had nurtured her talent and who had tried for years to foster a relationship with her equally talented grandson, Luke, a top Broadway producer.

After the accident, Jessica becomes a recluse on a small island off the US coast, ignoring all overtures from friends and show biz people to pick up the threads of her former life. Following the death of Constance, Luke discovers among her posssessions, a small chest, filled with years of letters from Jessica, and after reading them all, is drawn to the actress and determined to meet her. He tracks her down and, after an initially rocky start, they are so mutually attracted that they enjoy a week of sizzling romance which Luke is determined to continue. Jessica is still undecided about any future for them and, with a complete lack of confidence in her new, unglamorous appearance, bolts, literally hiding out in Sydney, Australia.She tentatively begins a career as a play director after meeting and befriending a dynamic woman who guides her to a new beginning in theatre. Of course, as in any good love story, she is pursued by letters and faxes from Luke and it's these communications between them, in wonderful prose, that form the basis of the ever growing understanding of each others deep seated fear of commitment but very real love and need. This will probably be classed as a "womans" book but I found it to be a great read and enjoyed every page.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A very slow read!, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Acts of Love (Hardcover)

I'm reading this book now, and I'm not sure I'm going to make it all the way through. The plot is obvious, and the ending will be no surprise. Also, the sentences just go on and on, sometimes taking up half a paragraph, for one sentence. For me, this book is a very, very slow read. I personally wouldn't recommend it.