Customer Reviews

Crown Jewel : A Novel

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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

I have only read a couple Fern Michaels books and this will be the last one. Sadly, what I disliked about this book was typical of all the books I've read by Michaels. The dialogue reads like it was written by a 14 year old. There are no plot twists and it is awfully predictable. I weeped for us as a society when I realized that this is considered a novel for the masses. The phone book is better written.

Fern's crimes against humanity:
Characters hating each other and falling in love over the course of a paragraph? Check.
Overreaction to a common ailment, like, oh, say, a sunburn? Check. (Hey, at least she didn't kill this girl. I read one of her novels where she killed off someone by staying in the shower too long. Seriously).
Introduction of a dog in the most dramatic way possible and trying to squeeze it into every aspect of the story? Check.
Annoying dialogue that sounds like someone with ADD? (Even though I'm a doctor, I like curing sunburn victims on my vacation. Do you have a car? I would like to go to St. Johns. I'm a big steel drum fan.) Check.

OK, maybe I'm being a little hard, but this book is TERRIBLE. It is poorly written and uninterested and outright frustrating to read. And the worst part is - this is exactly like every other book this author has written. Please, take it from me, pass on this one.

Crown Jewel is really a "feel-good" book. I truly enjoyed all the wonderful characters and the amazing story line. Another great book to add to my collection. I would love to see a sequel about the lives of Max and Tyler. PLEASE!!!

A wonderful read. This book had everything. I'm hoping for a sequel. I read this book in two sittings. The characters were flawless. I particularly liked the two story lines running together. I told all my friends to buy this book.

This is a great story about Hollywood, movie stars, family and family secrets, mystery, and animals...this book has it all. It will hold your attention and is one of those books you don't want to put down until you've finished reading it.

Really enjoyed this book, from beginning to end. Think it's one of her best.

This book had everything I look for in a book. Great characters, excellent story line. You could relate and sympathise with all of them. I laughed out loud, I reached for the tissues and I smiled. I'm hoping for a sequel. I'd like to see what happens to the younger generation. This was beyond good.

Perfect Sunday read. I started it at one o'clock and finished at ten o'clock. What a roster of characters. I loved them all, even the dogs. This is a book I'll save and read again. I liked the good taste sex and the fact that everyone had some kind of problem you could relate to. That feather in the end send a chill down my spine. My husband is reading the book now and he's already hooked even though he's a slow reader. Can't wait for this author's next book.