Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love [Hardcover]

Star Jones Reynolds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2006

Star Jones Reynolds had done it all. College on scholarship, law school on loans, and life by faith. She had achieved a prestigious career as a lawyer and prosecutor, provided much-needed calm and insight while reporting the Rodney King and O. J. Simpson trials on television, and landed a spot cohosting one of America's most popular daytime television shows, The View. Then why was she feeling so down?

It all began when Star took a close look at herself and her life and realized she wasn't happy with what she saw: obesity precluded her from crossing her legs, she needed an asthma inhaler, she couldn't fasten her own necklace, and, worst of all, she got too tired to shop -- a disaster because Star Jones Reynolds is a seriously committed shopper.

Then she realized something else: with all her extraordinary accomplishments, none of it mattered without true love. Thinking long and hard, she finally understood that she hadn't yet met the man of her dreams because she wasn't ready for him.

Star decided to make it happen. She began a personal journey to reconstitute her physical look, emotional state, and already strong spirituality. Even if she didn't find love, it would be a win-win situation because she'd emerge from the experience a healthier, happier woman -- one who could truly shine. Unless you live on another planet, you know Star succeeded in her quest and did find true love -- and it wasn't that hard at all. In Shine, she shares it all in her wise, revealing, irreverent, laugh-out-loud style.

Shine is divided into three main sections, each exploring core issues of interest to women. Part One guides women toward being their most attractive physical selves using Star's personal secrets on losing weight and finding hair, fashion, and makeup chic (inexpensively). Part Two asks tough questions about emotional preparedness for a relationship and shows you how to think like lawyers, and how to get your financial and emotional houses in order. Part Three delves into a woman's spiritual life -- discover how to talk to God no matter what your religion. Spiking the book are Star's "absolutes" -- truisms that have always worked for her and continue to give her guidance -- quizzes and self-assessment exercises that will help you focus on your particular strengths and weaknesses.

Everyone knows Star Jones Reynolds is a success story, a happy, rough-edges-to-emotional-and-financial-riches tale. Until you read this book, you won't know how she got there -- and how you can echo her triumphs and shine.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (January 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060824182
• ISBN-13: 978-0060824181
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,416,282 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

131 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars From a reader..., January 11, 2006

By 

Mildred Pierce (Sonoma CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love (Hardcover)

Well I HAVE read this book and despite the claims of those that loved it, my bad reaction to Star's writing has nothing to do with jealousy. I just didn't see anything new or revolutionary in her advice or guidance...it all just feels like a re-tread of familiar territory, dumbed down to the lowest common denominator.

If Star positioned this book as her autobiography, then it would be more palatable. But she is touting it as a self-help guide and that is just laughable. She is not qualified to advise others on any topic beyond shopping, weaves and footwear.

Good for her for shedding the weight, good for her for realising she was killing herself with her lifestyle, and good for her for finding a man who is willing to live with her. But none of that means she has gained any special wisdom that is worth imparting, or that will help today's woman with today's problems. That's just her ego fueling her ambition at the expense of having anything meaningful to say.

317 of 356 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Self-Proclaimed Star, January 9, 2006

By 

James Choma - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love (Hardcover)

When will publishing houses realize that when it comes to relationship advice, Hollywood is the LAST place those of us in the real world will look for advice? It's like taking how-to-run-a-successful-company advice from Ken Lay or Bernie Ebbers. The Hollywood track record for relationships is abysmal, at best.

Just for giggles, I had to read this book. So I got it from the library. I expect it to be in next year's book sale (if not sooner), next to the Y2K preparation books they haven't been able to sell, let alone give away.

Many of you know that Star Jones is one of the most shameless self-promoters out there (i.e. her wedding as publicized from The View and the red carpet), and this book is yet another attempt for her to tell you how much better she is than you. Not so much to help you, the reader; but to make her feel better about herself.

So, when you consider the source, is anyone with a lick of common sense buying the relationship advice in this book? I know that Al's sexual orientation has come under fire over the past few years, but the painfully awkward awakening-of-love passages, which I suppose are supposed to be sensuous, come off as goofy and bizarre -- they won't be changing anyone's opinion:

"The first time he held me in his arms sexually, it was almost frightening because we knew our erotic interest in each other could take over every other thing."

Tsss! Hot! Yeah.

You have to keep in mind that Star and Al have only been married a little over one year. Yet she feels she's qualified to tell you how to find an everlasting love. And the love and sex workshop section of the book. After only one year of marriage? Seriously. You have to be kidding me.

Star is very up front with her obsession over material goods. My, oh my! Money, money, money, money. We all have more than enough money, don't we? And all the wealth, power, and prestiege that comes with success. Wealth, she has. Congratulations. But power and prestiege? She thinks she has it, but as other reviewers have said, we're not buying it.

Star, Star, Star... If you really buy what you're trying to sell in this book, apply it to yourself. You've got some real soul searching ahead of you.

177 of 197 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars JUST A SENSATIONALIST - PLAIN AND SIMPLE, January 9, 2006

By 

Heather L. Parisi "Robert and Heather Parisi" (St. Augustine, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love (Hardcover)

This was a very disturbing book to go through. It seemed as though the author was trying desperately to get attention by any means, even if that meant antagonizing her readers, plain and simple!

My daughter wanted to read this book and I am glad I screen everything she plans on reading.