ISBN-13: 9780800722722
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Publication date: 6/3/2014
Series: A Texas Gold Novel
Pages: 336
Format: Other
My Rating: 4 Stars
You never know what you're really made of until you lose everything.
Texas socialite Claire Massey is living the dream--designer clothes, luxury cars, stunning homes. But everything comes crashing down when her charming cattle broker husband is arrested for fraud. Suddenly she finds herself facing attorneys, a media frenzy, and a trail of broken hearts. Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must face incredible odds to save her family--and discover a life worth living.
Author Kellie Coates Gilbert delivers a story both poignant and emotionally gripping that celebrates the kind of fortune that lasts.
"Gilbert's writing is smooth and engaging, and she explores emotional issues with grace."--Julie Kibler, international bestselling author of Calling Me Home
My Review
A special thank you to Revell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kellie Coates Gilbert’s latest, A Woman of Fortune is an emotionally charged novel diving into one family’s life of messiness—scandal, deceit, lies, wealth, and greed.
Claire, a Texas socialite enjoys the fabulous life and all it has to offer as well as members of her family –until her cattle broker and financier husband, Tuck is arrested and incarcerated on multiple counts of cattle fraud and federal racketeering charges— her world comes crumbling down.
Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must face incredible obstacles, and gain strength and courage in order to save her family--and discover a life worth living.
They both started from a humble beginning; however, the path to success placed more and more pressure on one man. His greed led him astray. Claire also relied on her husband, versus making her own way. When her worldly possessions, and her family is disrupted, she discovers her true self. Hindsight, you can see how both Claire and Tuck brought baggage into the marriage. Can they make their way back?
Some great character development and lots of humor mixed in, as Jana Rae (Clarie’s best friend) had some hilarious come backs and one liners! With firsthand experience, probably not one of the most sympathetic, when it comes to these type of stories; however, humans are not perfect.
Gilbert did an outstanding job of looking inside one family at the devastation it causes, the emotional fallout—not only to the immediate families, but the investors, friends, church, and others which invested their money, and put their trust in this company and its leader. In desperation, people make poor choices out of fear; however, sometimes the outcome is worse than the original fear---as proved in this heartfelt and emotional story.
Having lived in West Palm Beach, FL for years, and less than two miles from Bernie Madoff’s Palm Beach former home (also on my bike trail), with many friends, and neighbors being victims of this Ponzi scheme, and all the publicity surrounding this tragedy here during this time— could relate to this story.
Kellie’s experience in the legal professional proved helpful in the research and writing of cattle fraud, as well as her insights. Marriage, family, relationships, friends, and faith are tested in this poignant story of love and forgiveness.
Looking forward to the next book in the series of A Texas Gold!
