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shannan208's review against another edition
3.0
Slow. A bit unrealistic at points. A decent read overall though
rainnbooks's review against another edition
3.0
A fast paced thriller with generous dose of romance thrown in but in spite of all that, the touching factor was the mother's love for her daughter, the lengths that any mother would go to to protect her child. Some parts of the novel are so taut that we can feel the terror that holds Claire in a vise.
Brilliant writing!
Brilliant writing!
mrsbooknerd's review
3.0
Fortune
I have read many an Erica Spindler novel, though usually her more recent crime/thriller novels. While I enjoy them, they are somewhat formulaic and fairly indistinguishable from others in the genre. I noticed the difference in both tone and style within the first chapter of 'Fortune'. It was instantly engaging and I loved that we were involved in the story from start to finish. There were no teasing prologues and slow release of information through memories, as so many novels now do, this was us, in at the deep end and in the race until it finished.
The benefit of being involved in Madeline/Grace/Chance's stories from start to finish gave the book a wonderful emotion edge that usual romantic/suspense novels can lack. These were real and well-developed characters with depth of emotion and history. I loved that we got to see how Chance bonded with both Claire and Skye. I loved that nothing was spared from those months at the carnival or after they'd left. It was often bleak, but it gave foundation to the later impacts of the plot.
It showed us how much Claire loved Skye, how only the most horrific of events would tear them apart, how Chance stepped up without any need, throwing away his own life to protect a girl that he had known a short space of time. It gave everything so much more gravity.
After this gushing, it may be difficult to see why my rating isn’t 4/5 star. Mainly because the second half of the novel really dropped the ball. Gone were these street-wise, loyal and hard-done by kids, and in their place were these arrogant, oblivious and naïve characters with the same names. I hated that with the introduction of Griffin, Chance and Skye became blind to any animosity or possible danger. They both knew that Skye had a dangerous past, they both had these unexplained reactions to Griffin at times, and yet neither ever once questioned him. Chance was constantly referred to as this smart, intelligent business man with an ability to read people, and yet he was oblivious, even when faced with obvious evidence.
Terri, ballsy lady that she is, comes right on out and says, I think Griffin is threatening me and my family to get you alone. Skye is like, 'pfft don't be ridic love'.
Even knowing that Madeline was running from someone. Even knowing that Griffin has two 'dead' sisters. Even Chance, who should have been intelligent enough just to do a bit of research before setting up with Griffin, didn't and so knew nothing of his personal past to possibly give a 'Hmm, his missing sister would be the same age as Skye…' moment. Even when they were both thought that he was acting creepy… not a single question.
I was just smacking my own head because I didn't know where the genuinely smart and resourceful kids had gone and who these idiot imposters were. Griffin was not a master manipulator, he was an average guy surrounded by morons.
It felt like I'd stopped reading the first book and started another, completely unrelated book. The first book had characters to champion who were deep and well-developed, the second had morons who couldn't see beyond their own noses.
In the beginning there was a five star rating on the horizon. By the end, there was a reader with a sore head and a cloud of disappointment over her, because it had slipped to a three star average.
I have read many an Erica Spindler novel, though usually her more recent crime/thriller novels. While I enjoy them, they are somewhat formulaic and fairly indistinguishable from others in the genre. I noticed the difference in both tone and style within the first chapter of 'Fortune'. It was instantly engaging and I loved that we were involved in the story from start to finish. There were no teasing prologues and slow release of information through memories, as so many novels now do, this was us, in at the deep end and in the race until it finished.
The benefit of being involved in Madeline/Grace/Chance's stories from start to finish gave the book a wonderful emotion edge that usual romantic/suspense novels can lack. These were real and well-developed characters with depth of emotion and history. I loved that we got to see how Chance bonded with both Claire and Skye. I loved that nothing was spared from those months at the carnival or after they'd left. It was often bleak, but it gave foundation to the later impacts of the plot.
It showed us how much Claire loved Skye, how only the most horrific of events would tear them apart, how Chance stepped up without any need, throwing away his own life to protect a girl that he had known a short space of time. It gave everything so much more gravity.
After this gushing, it may be difficult to see why my rating isn’t 4/5 star. Mainly because the second half of the novel really dropped the ball. Gone were these street-wise, loyal and hard-done by kids, and in their place were these arrogant, oblivious and naïve characters with the same names. I hated that with the introduction of Griffin, Chance and Skye became blind to any animosity or possible danger. They both knew that Skye had a dangerous past, they both had these unexplained reactions to Griffin at times, and yet neither ever once questioned him. Chance was constantly referred to as this smart, intelligent business man with an ability to read people, and yet he was oblivious, even when faced with obvious evidence.
Spoiler
When Moo has been poisoned, Chance and Skye literally say, this must have happened between Skye and Griffin arriving, and Chance arriving. Skye didn't do it. Chance didn't do it. Yet not once, even as a passing thought, do they consider Griffin.Terri, ballsy lady that she is, comes right on out and says, I think Griffin is threatening me and my family to get you alone. Skye is like, 'pfft don't be ridic love'.
Even knowing that Madeline was running from someone. Even knowing that Griffin has two 'dead' sisters. Even Chance, who should have been intelligent enough just to do a bit of research before setting up with Griffin, didn't and so knew nothing of his personal past to possibly give a 'Hmm, his missing sister would be the same age as Skye…' moment. Even when they were both thought that he was acting creepy… not a single question.
I was just smacking my own head because I didn't know where the genuinely smart and resourceful kids had gone and who these idiot imposters were. Griffin was not a master manipulator, he was an average guy surrounded by morons.
It felt like I'd stopped reading the first book and started another, completely unrelated book. The first book had characters to champion who were deep and well-developed, the second had morons who couldn't see beyond their own noses.
In the beginning there was a five star rating on the horizon. By the end, there was a reader with a sore head and a cloud of disappointment over her, because it had slipped to a three star average.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Fortune by Erica Spindler was originally published in 1997 by MIRA.
Well, this was one wild ride. Fortune was a really different take on the romantic suspense novel.
Madeleine/Claire leaves her wealthy husband and his strange family and takes her young daughter Grace/ Skye with her.
They must go into hiding , so they travel a lot and end up working in a traveling carnival .
Chance lost his parents and is taken in by his Amish uncle . But, that is not the life for him. When a traveling carnival pulls into to town, Chance joins them.
This is when Chance meets Claire and Skye. It doesn't take long to figure out Claire is on the run and afraid .
When her luck runs out, she does the only thing she can to save Skye- she leaves her with Chance.
Over time Claire, a woman with a sixth sense, uses her ability to help others ,while she searches for her daughter.
But, Chance and Skye go through many changes as they both grow up .
What Skye doesn't know is that she is in terrible danger. Her father's demented family and her twisted step brother have never given up their quest to find "Grace".
Chance becomes their pawn as they use him to lure Skye into the family business and into an unholy marriage.
One part family saga, one part romance, one part suspense thriller, this is one of the most unique romantic suspense novels I've read in awhile.
I loved and hated Chance at times. I felt sorry for him at times and got frustrated with him all over again.
Skye was also insecure and that was understandable.
As for the suspense part, Griffen was one of the creepiest bad guys ever. He truly gave me the chills.
If you like romantic suspense , I recommend you look this one up.
Overall This one gets an A.
Well, this was one wild ride. Fortune was a really different take on the romantic suspense novel.
Madeleine/Claire leaves her wealthy husband and his strange family and takes her young daughter Grace/ Skye with her.
They must go into hiding , so they travel a lot and end up working in a traveling carnival .
Chance lost his parents and is taken in by his Amish uncle . But, that is not the life for him. When a traveling carnival pulls into to town, Chance joins them.
This is when Chance meets Claire and Skye. It doesn't take long to figure out Claire is on the run and afraid .
When her luck runs out, she does the only thing she can to save Skye- she leaves her with Chance.
Over time Claire, a woman with a sixth sense, uses her ability to help others ,while she searches for her daughter.
But, Chance and Skye go through many changes as they both grow up .
What Skye doesn't know is that she is in terrible danger. Her father's demented family and her twisted step brother have never given up their quest to find "Grace".
Chance becomes their pawn as they use him to lure Skye into the family business and into an unholy marriage.
One part family saga, one part romance, one part suspense thriller, this is one of the most unique romantic suspense novels I've read in awhile.
I loved and hated Chance at times. I felt sorry for him at times and got frustrated with him all over again.
Skye was also insecure and that was understandable.
As for the suspense part, Griffen was one of the creepiest bad guys ever. He truly gave me the chills.
If you like romantic suspense , I recommend you look this one up.
Overall This one gets an A.
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