Leap of Faith (Danielle Steel) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Danielle Steel (Author), Ron McLarty (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2001 | Series: Danielle Steel

Five CDs, 6 hrs.
Performance by Ron McLarty

Marie-Ange Hawkins has the kind of childhood that most people dream of. Freedom, love, and security in a beautiful old French chateau. But when Marie-Ange is just 11, a tragic accident marks the end of her idyllic life. Orphaned and alone, she is sent to America, to live with her great aunt, on a farm in Iowa. Bitterly resented by the old woman, cut off from everything she has known and loved, Marie-Ange is forced to work tirelessly on the farm, dreaming only of the day she can return to her beloved Chateau Marmouton.

In Marie-Ange’s isolated existence, only the friendship of a local boy, Billy Parker, offers comfort and hope. But her only wish is to gain an education —and escape. Then, just after her twenty-first birthday, an unexpected visitor brings startling news and an extraordinary gift: the freedom to return to France, to Chateau Marmouton.

When she arrives in France, Marie-Ange learns that the chateau’s new owner is Comte Bernard de Beauchamp, a dashing young widower who invites her into his home, then into his heart. But their magical life together, that soon includes marriage, children, and lavish homes, slowly takes an ominous turn. A mysterious woman tells Marie-Ange a shocking story, a story so chilling she doesn’t want to believe it. Not even her dear friend Billy can help her now. He is thousands of miles away. And as the darkness gathers around her, Marie-Ange must find the faith and courage to take one, last, desperate step to save her loved ones...and herself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Steel's usual verve is all but absent from her 52nd novel, a hasty Cinderella story that begins when heroine Marie-Ange Hawkins goes from an idyllic French childhood to a loveless upbringing in Iowa after her parents and brother are killed in a terrible accident. Only 11, she's sent off to be raised by her sole relative, cold and callous great-aunt Carole. The only bright spot in her life is her intimate friendship with Billy Parker, a solid American farmboy who loves and respects her from the time they are children; she loves him, too, but thinks of him as a brother. When Marie-Ange turns 18 and wins a scholarship to go to college, her aunt does not help, but Billy buys her a car and she is able to attend. Then a stranger turns up and informs her that she is in fact a very rich woman; her aunt sells the farm, and Marie-Ange decides to return to France. There she meets the current owner of her old home, 40-year-old widower Comte de Beauchamp charming, handsome and so very polite. They fall for one another quickly (though she knows nothing about him, as Billy points out), marry within months of their first meeting and have two children. But cracks start to show in the comte's smooth, convincing exterior: it turns out that her prince charming who never pays his bills, but doesn't mind spending her money excessively may be a murderer. She refuses to believe this, but when she finally must face the truth, can she save herself and her children? Disappointingly slight, the book rushes toward its pat ending and may frustrate even Steel's devoted fans. (On-sale: June 5)

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Entertaining fluff, perfect when the book report is due tomorrow. At age 11, Marie-Ange's idyllic, rich, sheltered life in rural France is shattered when her adoring parents are killed in a car accident. She's sent off to gruff great-aunt Carol to live on an Iowa farm, and Marie becomes Carol's "slave" and wears clothes from the Goodwill store. Her only moments of happiness are with her friend Billy at school. When Marie comes of age, she learns that she is wealthy; her aunt did not use any of her large trust fund. On a return trip to the family chateau in France she meets and falls in love with Bernard, a widower. But what are his motives? Who should Marie trust? This heart-wrenching, soap-opera romance will grab the attention of teens who want a fast read. Steel quickly and efficiently develops the characters as the action unfolds. Much of the plot would be considered predictable, but there are a few surprises.

Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Unabridged edition (June 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553712322
• ISBN-13: 978-0553712322
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,376,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Books on CD > Authors, A-Z > ( S ) > Steel, Danielle

More About the Author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's most popular authors, with over 590 million copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include 44 Charles Street, Legacy, Family Ties, Big Girl, Southern Lights, Matters of the Heart, One Day at a Time, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DS does it again!!!, July 2, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Leap of Faith (Hardcover)

Leap of Faith is a great read. Danielle Steel has written a wonderful book. The main character, Marie-Ange, is likeable from page one. The reader is guaranteed to feel her joy and pain as she feels them. Marie-Ange is faced with tragedy at the young age of 11. She is forced to leave her home country and live with a relative who doesn't really show any emotion except hate, of everyone and everything. I literally had tears in my eyes as I read of the horrible things that happened to Marie-Ange when she went to live with her aunt. Hurrah for Billy. He was definitely a blessing from the first meeting between him and Marie-Ange.

This book reminded me of the earlier Danielle Steel books. It seems as if some of her more recent works were not quite as emotional and interesting as her older works. Leap of Faith is an excellent book. It has a good story line and moves at a good pace. The reader doesn't have time to get bored. I felt like I couldn't read this book fast enough. Even though it is a short 202 pages it is packed full of all the ingredients that make a DS book good to read. Definitely a book that you'll want to read now and again in a few months or years. This is a lasting DS novel. :)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Have I read this before?, July 4, 2001

By 

Stanley S. Sutton "L Sutton" (Laytonsville, Md. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leap of Faith (Hardcover)

I have read almost every book that Danielle Steel has written and I must say, this time she should have pushed herself away from the typewritter and taken a break. She has written the same story over and over. Her books used to have much more depth to them. Marie is the same ignorant girl that has been the main character in her more recent books. I was never able to determine what time period this was supposed to take place in but I have to wonder where the people were that were supposed to watch over this poor little orphan back in France. If you want real good Danielle Steel you would be better served to read No Greater Love or Kalidescope. Come on Danielle, your true fans deserve better.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, June 13, 2001

By 

"jeri1204" (Canton, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leap of Faith (Hardcover)

Danielle Steel's "Leap of Faith" is definitely worth reading. Steel does a fantastic job of character development and moving the story along. Even by reading the first few pages of the book, I felt like I knew Marie-Ange. She is a strong and noble character. We have all gone through trials and tribulations during our lifetime, and we are easily able to empathize with her.

Danielle Steel wrote this book very well. It is definitely worth reading if you have a few hours to spare!