Crowning Design by Leila Meacham

Read this in May, a delightful story with twists by a renowned women's novel writers, Leila Meacham.  Ever since I was introduced to and read her "Roses"  back when every so often I like to read one of her books.  I have gifted her books to many women over the years and all have enjoyed her writing.  This paperback edition, published in 2017, 202 pages  was new to me and did not disappoint for nice reading.  

It opens with a reprint of a letter written in the late 1980's from Leila to her readers, captioned "A Letter to My Friends, Fans, Readers of My Later-In-Life Novels and Newcomers."  She explains that she wanted to tell an interesting story and that she writes about what she does not know and then learns from research.  That has been a successful technique for her, my opinion.  

It is the story of Deborah Standridge a prominent architect in Denver, CO.  Although she was/is a true southern Belle from Georgia she relocated to Denver after her  cum laude college graduation, broke off her engagement and wedding to Roger Lawson a most eligible southern bachelor to the dismay of his mother, her parents and others.  Roger dies in an auto accident and his mother blames Deborah.  She is the only child of elderly parents, Isabelle and Ben who have doted on her and provided her with the best.  The novel opens at the magnificent yet over the top engagement party hosted by Estelle Lawson, Roger's mother. 

Page 1 Crowning Design

Out of sheer curiosity, Deborah accepts an invitation of the Randall Hayden firm to fly to Denver for an interview with his prestigious firm and there decides to break off the engagement and accept the offer to relocate to Denver.  This fully devastates her parents who are in their 70's . Then the tortuous phone call from Estelle that Roger is dead and she will forever blame Deborah.

Dan Parker a prestigious businessman wants Deborah to design the building for his firm to locate to Denver from Phoenix.  And the story takes off.  The founder of the firm, Randall is fond of Deborah and treats her almost like the daughter he never had.  His trusted secretary, Bea has likewise taken to Deborah.  The problem with the building that Dan Parker wants is that two very small businesses, owned by neighborhood friends of Deborah's will be  put out of business, Josie's Bar  and Fred's Paper Shack.  

It sounds easy going until strange things begin to happen and Deborah's home is broken into.  By this time she is  casually dating Dan.  And the story goes on with strange unexpected twists but ends like the fantasy of an adult fairytale.  I  give this 4 **** because it was delightful to read, not very deep, but enjoyable and entertaining and I will gift it along now that I finally posted here.  

Crowning Design   Back Cover

 

Sly Fox by Judge Jeanine Pirro

 

I am so far behind posting here books I have read, a stacxk is waiting to be posted.  Starting with the one I just finished reading,  Sly Fox by Judge Jeanine Pirro.  Published in 2012 but I recently acquired it at a book sale, First Edition too.  I am a fan of Judge Jeanine on Fox so I was intrigued that she had authored a crime novel.  After reading this, I think she should stick to Fox TV shows.  I admire her wit and tenacity on the talk shows so I expected more in a novel.  Perhaps because this is her first I expected too much.

The novel is mediocre reading and was a disappointment to me.  I sighed all through the 288 pages but was determined to  read it through.   The story is OK, with a focus on domestic violence and  schemes and corruption amongst law enforcement agencies especially at the  federal levels.  Not sure how much is auto biographical about Judge herself, including the mother of the main Character, Dani Fox of Lebanese descent. Perhaps that is a tribute to her own mother.   The more  tedious parts were the overly detailed and abundant explanations of the legal system, the professions, attitudes of defense attorneys, the court rooms, trials, and even explanations of the acronyms used for example in the Federal Witness Protection Program. 

However the ending is a clincher and leaves the door open for subsequent novels about Dani Fox.  I do not believe there are any and I will pass if there are. Below are the cover flaps which detail the story.   I only give this 3 *** maybe that is too generous but it was readable. It will be donated back to the  book sale efforts at our local library, first edition regardless.

 

Back cover with photo of the author Judge Jeanine Pirro.