I could not put this book down. It was excellent. She is one of the 3 authors that I have to buy their books as soon as they come out!

This trilogy of a woman's life, struggles, and successes, is the best of this type I've ever read. The reader gets to know, and love her(Emma) and her longtime friend/love(Blackie). More tears than usual were shed over each one's passing. I did not want the trilogy to end

This is a wonderfull desk calendar for any fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford. Each day of the year has another innovative idea from Barbara on how to make life a bit more special and romantic.

Highly reccomended!

This is the first book in a trilogy concerning Emma, her daughter, and her granddaughter. Emma went from "rags to riches" through hard work and perseverence without stepping on anyone elses toes. If you want a fast-moving, honest, down-to-earth success story, this is the one book you should read. Barbara Taylor Bradford has a great way with words and descriptions. Be sure to read the sequels to this book.

One of two top novels. Emma Harte is my favorite fiction character. I read this book many years ago and it still remains on the top of my list. As a young woman I was interested in climbing the road to success. Emma Harte's story was an inspiration. I identified with her obsticales, and cheered her success. Every female should read this novel.

I watch more TV than I read, but Barbara Taylor Bradford has changed my thinking. I specifically am searching for her books now, because "A Woman of Substance" really grabbed me.

I laughed and I cried and I was really shocked. When I got near the end of the book, I did not want the story to end.

I could really feel the friendships with Emma and Blackie. They were always there for eachother through everything. They're relationship moved me.

And the book was very inspiring for me as a woman. She didn't wimp out and kept fighting for what she wanted and what she earned.

I found this entire series to be very powerful and motivating. It is a continuing saga about a woman who rises from nothingness to be a great power and overcomes many obstacles laid before her throughout her life. I cheered for Emma and Paula throughout the stories and I cried for them both also. I don't usually read this style of book but I loved these and have become and great BTB fan!

Great books to get hooked on reading

One day I wanted to research the famous Plague. I was so interested in it that my mother recommended this book, Forever Amber. After the first page, I couldn't put the book down and read the whole thing within a week and a half. What amazed me so much was the extraordinary historical time line the book followed. The book tells us of the different social experiences that happened in Restoration England, which is good entertainment, but also very true. Even the picture on the paperback book portrayed King Charles II as he really looked. Did you know that King Charles II had four sons named after him? Why would a person need History class when there is Forever Amber? As a 16 year old female, I believe that people of all ages should give this book a chance. You might learn something you didn't know before.

Amber St. Clare is my all-time favorite romance character--even moreso than Scarlett O'Hara. Sure, Amber's unscrupulous at times, but she's not afraid to go after what she wants. She is definitely not a wimp, unlike so many modern-day romance heroines. Never, EVER did Amber really cave to a man's will. She might do it for a while, but only for as long as it suited her (or to ultimately gain the upper hand).

The historical detail in this book is astounding. No history book has ever made the period so gloriously alive, warts and all. Few books provide a better understanding of the Restoration, of the way its people thought, lived, dressed, ate--everything.

One other thing that I liked about the book was the sexuality without the gory details. I read this book nearly 20 years ago, and I can STILL remember the veiled reference to a night Amber spent with the Duke of Buckingham. No details were provided, just that even Amber was disgusted with what happened (which means it must have been really perverted). It was left to the imagination what really happened, which is much more effective than spelling it all out. I can't say that I remember ANY sex scene from a modern romance novel, not even the one I finished this morning. After a while, they're all pretty much the same--and they're boring.

For those who clamor for a sequel, one was written, but I can't remember the name of it (I found it in a South Dakota library about 15 years ago). Amber followed Bruce to America, and I believe she finally got him. The main problem with the book, as with Winsor's other subsequent efforts, was that it just didn't live up to Forever Amber. There is something about this book that is simply magical.

I thought I'd read beautiful and memorable historical fiction in The Tea Rose, The Crimson Petal and the White, and Slammerkin. However, Forever Amber took my breath away. This beautiful novel centers on a rather courageous woman's struggles to get through one of the most difficult times a young woman could face...

Pregnant and poor in the mean streets of London, sixteen-year-old Amber St. Clare does whatever is possible to improve her situation. The era -- Restoration England -- doesn't facilitate things for Amber. But with her charm, wit and, more important, beauty, Amber becomes the mistress of Merry Monarch, Charles II -- i.e., one of the most powerful men of that time period. From then on, Amber has the most luxurious and erotic experiences of her life. Little had she known that this new life would lead to greater surprises...

The novel has the sort of beautiful language that is rare in historical fiction. Hers is a lyrical voice that drips with sensual prose. The historical references are as exquisite as they are insightful. I couldn't put this book down. And, as mentioned earlier, it exceeds the other historical novels released as of late. Forever Amber is one of the best literary revelations I've had all year!

Women of Substance was one of my all-time favorites.And Barbara Taylor Bradford followed that one with a number of books that, if not earth shattering "mind grabbers", were eminently readable. But in the last few months I have read several Bradfords that did not even begin to capture my interest. It is hard to believe that these books came from the same author. I have just finished The Women in His Life and was delighted to find a book that is right up there with Woman of Substance. You could almost tell from the first page that this was written by "the first Mrs. Bradford"! Wish the author would slow down, be less prolific, and give us more of what we know she can do.

I read A Woman of Substance, and liked the book, so when I came across Everything to Gain, by the same author, I expected a good read.

I was extremely disappointed. The book was not worth the time. There is nothing to hold your interest - no strong characters or character development, no interesting plot, no sharp writing or snappy dialogue.

In short, a waste of time...

Except that the main character's name is Mal (short for Mallory) and NOT Meg! Did you even read this lousy book?? I was bored to tears, only stuck with it because I promised someone I'd read it. Now I have, and what drivel it was. The first half of the book dragggggged on and on. The second half wasn't even remotely realistic. My advice is to stay as far away from this book as possible--it stinks!

What a heartfelt story "Everything to Gain," was. As I read this book some time ago now, I can see Meg's grief as raw as it was, like I was experiencing this situation myself. Losing her whole family was terribly tough. And day by day, she continues to suffer for a very long time until she is ready to kill herself; this is where the turning point comes in. You'll have to read the book to find out what I mean, as I don't want to say too much.

I found this book extremely boring. Worse than a Mills and Boons novel. Your money would be better spent on anything else.

Fate sometimes takes away the one you think you loved most, but it is really making space for the true companion. In Remember, Nicki Wells is devastated by the "suicide" of her fiance for many years until she discovers love right under her nose- Clee Donovan. After an affair in Provence (and an obvious change in just a business-only relationship), Nicki Wells discovers that Charles, her fiance is not necessarily dead.

Remember was a GREAT book! It is one of those books that you can read over and over again Filled with excitement, suspense (and a litttle romance) Remember narrates the story of Nicky Wells, a war correspondent and reporter. Three years before, her fiance, Charles Devereaux, "commited suicide" and she is still very emotionally scarred. However, after a friendship with Cleeland Dovonan, a fellow war photagrapher, develops into more than just a friendship, Nicky wonders if she might be able to love someone again. Suddenly, she is forced to remember Charles when she develops disturbing suspciions about his double life. There are some things that you just can't forget, as hinted at in a poem at the beginning of the book by Christina Rossetti: "Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land, When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand It will be too late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve; For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad."

Sorry I did not wait to buy this book used. Was not worth the full price I paid.....The main characters were very predictable and kind of boring....You know from the start where this story is going....Too much descriptions of the streets of Paris and houses....The story is about four women who return to Paris 7 years after graduating from Anya Sedgwick's School of Decorative Art....These women were best friends while attending school, but had a terrible fight and left after graduating. each persuing her own life and career without contacting each other all the years since..... They each received an invitation to attend their beloved teacher, Anya's 85th birthday party......They all attended and the rest of the story is spent rekindling old memories and revisiting all their old haunts.....etc. etc...If you want to read this book I suggest you borrow it from your library.

For those looking to escape the reality of todays headlines, this book is a really good diversion.

Barbara Taylor Bradford in a wonderful story teller and this book is surely one of her best.

Although she has created 4 interesting lead characters, the star of this story is the lovely city of Paris (which is described in great detail). BTB makes the most of the city in setting up the story as the drama unfolds.

Readers will also enjoy the character of Anya who is the mentor to the four successful women who return to Paris for her milestone birthday. Anya is spunky and sharp, as she tries to reconcile old friendships and encourage her pupils to make sense of their past.

Suspenseful and well written, this is one of Barbara's better novels.

One of the most delightful books I have read in a long time. If you want to escape the daily stress and pressures of your busy life, by all means, read this book. I could not put it down. The plot is fairly simple, the characters memorable. An enjoyable, easy read as you curl up in your favorite chair on a rainy weekend, or stretch out on your lounge chair in the sun in your backyard.