Barbara Taylor Bradford, Unexpected Blessings

Unexpected Blessings

Barbara Taylor Bradford

St. Martin's, Jan 2005, $24.95, 496 pp.

ISBN: 0312307047

Her dying grandmother directed Evan Hughes to go to London to meet department store matriarch Emma Harte, who holds the key to her future. After her beloved grandma dies, Evan follows her advice and leaves America for England only to learn that Emma died three decades ago. Still, Evan obtains a fashion assistant position at the Harte store. Soon she learns that her biological grandfather was a son of the legendary Emma. (All of the above occurs in EMMA'S SECRET). Evan ponders whether she should tell her dad the truth about her grandfather who is his real father.

While Evan struggles with her difficult moral question, someone abducts the granddaughter of current store matriarch Paula O'Neill. She, her two daughters, and the Connecticut Yankee Evan forge a band of sisters ready to do whatever is necessary to avoid a tragic ending.

UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS is a fine contemporary tale that adds to the legend of the Harte matriarchal dynasty. The storyline contains the usual strong cast, but to enjoy the tale, readers need to peruse previous novels, especially the last one, EMMA'S SECRET, to fully gain understanding of motives. However, by doing that, new readers will also conclude that the series seems to have lost momentum with five books looking into the rich and famous. Still, true Harte fans take heart that the latest tale contains the strong "Amazonian" brood ready to battle any challenges, in this case thugs, as much as ethical issues.

Harriet Klausner