Crown Jewel : A Novel [Hardcover]

Fern Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Series: Michaels, Fern | Publication Date: December 30, 2003

Ricky Lam had it all - a thriving film career, the adoration of countless fans, incredible wealth, and a cocaine and alcohol problem that was about to destroy him. Luckily, he also had a business manager - his straight-arrow older brother Philip - who strong-armed him into an addiction clinic. When tragedy strikes, erasing Ricky's dreams of winning Philip's forgiveness, Ricky resets his priorities. He turns his back on Hollywood, invites his two illegitimate sons into his life, hoping to become a real father to them, and dedicates himself to his brother's dream - the construction of a unique resort in South Carolina called the Crown Jewel. But when Ricky steps into his brother's shoes he encounters unsettling surprises and contradictions, as well as an amazing woman, his sister-in-law Roxy Lam, who leads him to the mystery at the center of his brother's life and into a love affair far richer and more challenging than any he has experienced before. In a dazzling story that holds readers engrossed until the final page, Fern Michaels explores the complex emotional bonds that exist between brothers, parents and children, and lovers. Written with the keen insight, grace, and humour that have made her one of the world's best-loved storytellers, here is a novel that shows us the importance of forgiveness, the possibility of new beginnings, and the incalculable value of familial love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Perennial bestseller Michaels (The Future Scrolls; Trading Places; etc.) returns with another paint-by-numbers story of love and redemption, this one set in Hollywood and Antigua. "Hollywood's Platinum Boy," Ricky Lam, has kicked the drugs and booze, thanks in no small part to his stern brother and business manager, Philip, aka Philly. But when Philly is killed in a freak accident on set, Ricky discovers that his brother was the real actor in the family: nobody truly knew Philly at all. That's unfortunate, as the deceased Philly is the best-developed (and most interesting) character in this one-dimensional cast. Ricky quits Hollywood to take over the family resort in Antigua, the Crown Jewel, and while spiffing it up for the first season's guests, he begins trying to uncover Philly's secret lives. He also tracks down his now-grown sons, whom he's never met, falls in love with Philly's widow, Roxy, and takes in a young reporter-cum-bartender, the hyper Gracie. Michaels presents reams of dull, cliched dialogue while zipping past moments of drama and emotion in stilted sum-ups ("Was he [serious]? Hell, yes, he was. He liked her. No, he loved her. He really did. He said so").The story plods dutifully along, accompanied by saccharine preachings about the wonder of family and a dash of unromantic sex ("You know our asses are going to be full of splinters, don't you? It might be exciting to pick them out of each other later"). The settings promise glitter and glitz, but lack the charms of the Vegas or Kentucky series; only the most devoted of Michaels's considerable following will be able to slog through this ponderous tale.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ricky Lam, aka Hollywood's "Platinum Boy," is one famous actor. He's got everything a man could want. Unfortunately, he also has a nasty drug and alcohol problem. His brother, Philly, has always been there for him, but this time he refuses to help. Philly is ready to wash his hands of Ricky unless he enters a program. Ricky does, it works, and 15 years later he continues to seek his brother's approval. Philly is not forthcoming, and their relationship is cordial at best. When Philly dies in a freak accident on a movie set, Ricky is forced to admit he'll never get to know his brother. Ricky is further upset when he inherits his brother's resorts and realizes secrets abound in his brother's life. Ricky leaves show business, takes over Philly's concerns, and finds himself confronted with exposing the lies that surrounded his brother, one of which could shock and scandalize the nation at the highest levels, in the prolific Michaels' latest, a story of forgiveness and personal redemption. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Atria; large type edition abridged edition edition (December 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074345779X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743457798
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,610,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fern Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Fool Me Once, Sweet Revenge, The Nosy Neighbor, Pretty Woman, and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are over seventy million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown, and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Jewel of a Novel, May 25, 2004

By 

K. Morgan (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crown Jewel : A Novel (Hardcover)

Movie star great Ricky Lam is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He is clean for fifteen years when at a party one night he has a drink. He awakens the next morning feeling regretful for his relapse. His day only gets worse when he arrives at his movie set for the last scene only to find out his beloved brother Philip, Philly, has been tragically killed in an accident. Ricky's life is never to be the same as he realizes the brother he loved and wanted approval from was not the brother he knew. Philly had a lifetime of secrets that slip out slowly page by page changing the lives of everyone that knew him. And even some who didn't really know him.

Crown Jewel is an excellent book. It has everything in it...money, tragedy, scandal, secrets, power, love. The storyline is wonderful and the characters real. Just when the reader thinks all the secrets have been revealed and there's nothing else to discover some new piece of the puzzle is discovered. Ricky's character is very well developed and written. The supporting characters are a very intrical part of the story.

Everything and everyone in this story blends together to create an excellent book. There is just the right mix of suspense and romance. A book to read and keep on the shelf to read again to or loan to a friend. An excellent addition to any book collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of money and time, January 27, 2004

By 

Larla Webster (Jersey City, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crown Jewel : A Novel (Hardcover)

After all the glowing reviews I purchased this book. What a waste of money! The story line was not bad, but this read like a first time author. Phil(E), Rick(E), Rox(E), Grac(E), Lain(E), it seemed like every characters name sounded the same. And, who in real life repeats the persons name they are talking to in each sentence? It seemed like just so much filler. I have enjoyed previous books by this author, but not again.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars novel is for Michaelsites only, December 31, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crown Jewel : A Novel (Hardcover)

In 1984 Hollywood, agent Philip "Philly" Lam forces his movie star younger brother Ricky "Platinum Boy" to give up the drugs and booze or their partnership would end. Philly worries what will become of Ricky so he forced the ultimatum of a detox for probably ninety plus days or his sibling is on his own.

Fifteen years later, Ricky is a matinee idol to millions and worth much more due to Philly's wise investments. His only regret is that the relationship with his brother never returned to that of family as Philly has treated him from the day of the as a client only. Though the older brother would love to give his younger sibling a hug he fears the results of back slipping. When Philly dies in an accident a stunned, Ricky leaves Hollywood to take over as manager of the CROWN JEWEL, the family resort on Antigua. Ricky begins to unravel Philly's secret life, starts relationships with his adult sons, and falls in love with Philly's widow whom Ricky once stalked. Still he wonders about his revered big brother falling off the pedestal.

The most steadfast fans of Fern Michaels will want to read her latest glitter, CROWN JEWEL, though the novel will not attain the status of the title on the author's Vegas-Kentucky-Texas résumé. The story line focuses on family relationships, but the star is one dimensional until the very end when he completes a transformation while his sister-in-law seems less developed than he is. The best character is Philly, but for the most part he is seen in a look back manner. This novel is for Michaelsites only.

Harriet Klausner