Where You Belong [Large Print] [Paperback]

Barbara Taylor Bradford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 2000

Barbara Taylor Bradford's unique blend of passion and intrigue has made her one of the most cherished storytellers in the world. Her new novel is vintage Bradford: a powerful, suspenseful story of one woman's search to find out where she belongs, in life, in love, and within herself....

Where You Belong

Val Denning, a willowy war photographer, left her American family--and cruelly unloving mother--for a life abroad and a life of danger. But Val's dazzling world of work, risk, and love has suddenly come apart. An assignment in Kosovo left her lover dead and Val adrift in Paris....Soon, in her grief, with horrific battle scenes etched in her mind, Val will realize that she was lied to by the man she loved--and that another man, a friend, has loved her for years. And now Val must start unraveling mysteries--of a man's life and lies, and of her own childhood. Caught between a new life and her past, Val is about to face the hardest choice of all: the choice between running away again, or truly starting anew....

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Injecting her new novel with timeliness, bestselling Bradford (A Sudden Change of Heart) makes her setting war-zone Kosovo, where gorgeous and talented photojournalist Valentine Denning is covering the action with two equally gorgeous men: American Jake Newberg and Val's lover, Brit Tony Hampton. All three are caught in an ambush on the ground, and Tony dies. Val doesn't even have time to grieve for her boyfriend before she discovers Tony lied to her: he was already married. Attempting to cheer Val, Jake takes her to a beautiful villa in Cap-Ferrat, and predictably, the heroine decides that he is really the one for her. The world intrudes on their idyll when they help Fran?oise, the caretakers' daughter, to escape from her abusive husband. Meanwhile, Val is pestered by calls from Donald, the younger brother she resents because their mother lavished attention on him while ignoring her. Jake and Val jet back to New York, excited about a book project they've thought up, and knowing that Val has to face her family demons. There, Val is devastated when her mother finally reveals the secret of her lack of maternal feeling, and they tangle over who will take over the family cosmetics company. Val and Jake are separated when he goes back to Kosovo, but handsome artist Alexander St. Just Stevens adds intrigue to Val's lonely life. Despite a lively story line and a suspenseful buildup to various revelations, the narrative is formulaic and predictable; each new development is obvious. While this novel will probably satisfy Bradford's more loyal fans, it may not generate excitement for new readers. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

The latest from the prolific Bradford (A Sudden Change of Heart, 1999, etc.) that follows the adventures of Valentine (Val) Denningan American photojournalist who is sent to Kosovo on assignment to cover the war. Accompanying Val is her lover, Tony Hampton, who is killed in a surprise ambush. Grief- stricken at this turn of events, Val goes sadly to Tonys funeralonly to discover there the greater shock of Tonys widow, whom she knew nothing of. Afterward she returns to New York to begin her life anewa long and tortuous process that seems more agonizing and dangerous than the worst assignment Val ever took on. -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Random House Large Print (November 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375727973
• ISBN-13: 978-0375727979
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,305,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD

Barbara Taylor Bradford, OBE is one of the world's best loved storytellers. Her 1979 debut novel, A Woman of Substance, ranks as one of the top-ten bestselling books of all-time, with more than 30 million copies in print. All 25 of her novels to date have been major worldwide bestsellers. Her 26th book, Playing The Game, will be published on October 12th by St. Martin's Press.

Bradford was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire (UK) as the only child of Freda and Winston Taylor. She grew up in the Leeds suburb of Armley and after Town Street Church of England School worked in the typing pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post before going into journalism. By the age of twenty she was the fashion editor of Woman's Own Magazine and an editor and columnist on Fleet Street for the London Evening News.

Bradford's books have sold more than eighty-two (82) million copies worldwide in more than ninety (90) countries and forty (40) languages. Ten (10) of her books have been made into miniseries and television movies, making her one of the best-selling authors over the last 30 years.

In April of 2003, Mrs. Bradford was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America alongside Mark Twain, Langston Hughes and Dr. Seuss. She was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen's 2007 Birthday Honours list for her contributions to literature. Her original manuscripts are archived at the Brotherton Library at Leeds University, alongside the works of the Bronte sisters. In 2009, Barbara's publishers began a worldwide 30th anniversary celebration of A Woman of Substance. The first annual Woman of Substance Awards took place on September 10th 2009 at the Dorchester Hotel in London. She lives in New York City with her husband, of 43 years, television producer Robert Bradford.

Her official website is: www.barbarataylorbradford.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Will the real Barbara Taylor Bradford please write !, March 22, 2000

By 

l smith (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where You Belong (Hardcover)

I began skip reading this book after the first chapter - no character depth and the story just seem to jump around with no purpose or focus. This book along with most of her books in the past few years have none of the qualities of that wonderful novel...Woman of Substance. The books now just seems to be quick put togethers to keep the author's name on the book lists.

Thank heavens for libraries - would hate to be wasting good money on disappointing literature!

How about it, Barbara - don't you have another Woman of Substance waiting in wings!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Belong!, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Where You Belong (Hardcover)

I love Barbara Taylor Bradford. I hate this book! The ending was predictable. The plot was all over the place. There was nothing driving you to finish this book. Ms. Bradford's heroines are usually strong, intelligent women. The main character in this book came across as a whiner. I was disappointed.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not her best work!, March 30, 2000

By 

Carol N Jefferson (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where You Belong (Hardcover)

After anxioiusly awaiting the publication of this book,I found it very disappointing. It appears that Ms. Bradford wrote this book merely for the money it would bring. I'm just happy that I got my copy from the public library and didn't actually buy it. The characters were predictable and I really didn't care what happened to them. I just skipped through the last few chapters. Your faithful readers need you to do better next time, Ms. Bradford. We need another Woman of Substance.