A Sudden Change of Heart - Hardcover

Bradford, Barbara Taylor

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 038549274X ISBN 13: 9780385492744

Publisher: Doubleday, 1999

Synopsis

Barbara Taylor Bradford has become one of the world's most cherished storytellers, having written fourteen bestselling novels that went on to become enduring favorites. In A Sudden Change of Heart, readers are once again invited to fall under the spell of a magical weaver of tales at her most seductive.

Laura Valiant and Claire Benson are best friends from childhood and have remained exceptionally close through the turmoil of adult life. They have much to celebrate: Laura is a partner in a challenging and successful art dealership in New York, and her marriage to the handsome and always amiable Doug seems to come right from a storybook. Though divorced from her French husband, Philippe Lavillard, Claire delights in her precocious daughter, Natasha.

But the two friends' lives do not follow the paths we imagine they will, and when Claire is confronted with sudden tragedy, she naturally turns to Laura for help. When the long-hidden history of the Lavillard family intersects with Laura's investigation into artwork stolen by the Nazis during the war, Barbara Taylor Bradford's gripping tale reaches a dramatic and unexpected crescendo.

A Sudden Change of Heart revolves around overcoming adversity as well as celebrating life's joy; ultimately, it is a moving expression of the triumph of the human spirit and the healing power of love.

About this title

Review:

Setting: Contemporary
Sensuality: 4

Prolific author Barbara Taylor Bradford, riding high on the success of the television adaptation of her bestselling novel A Woman of Substance, introduces her loyal readers to Laura Valiant and Claire Benson, two exceptional women who have been best friends since childhood. Each has grown up and lead interesting lives: Laura is married to the almost-too-perfect-to-be-believed Doug Casson and a partner in a successful New York art dealership, and Claire, long divorced from Dr. Philippe Lavillard, has custody of their enchanting daughter Natasha and a satisfying career as the publisher of a Parisian decorative arts magazine. While in Paris on a shopping excursion for her dealership, Laura is delighted to be able to spend time with her old friend, and when each woman encounters calamity in their personal lives, they are able to turn to each other for help and support. Although their lives diverged many years before, nothing could ever affect the deep bonds of a friendship forged so long ago--not even the disturbing discovery of Nazi-stolen fine art. For fans of Barbara Taylor Bradford, the sometimes-improbable dialogue and tidy plot will not deflect the enjoyment of a unique bond between two remarkable women. --Alison Trinkle

From the Back Cover:

Some secrets are too terrible to share -- even with your best friend....

Nothing hurts like the truth. A truth that has haunted Claire Benson all her life. A truth that Claire has revealed to no one, not even to her best friend, international art dealer Laura Valiant. But the friendship that has sheltered both women throughout childhood, marriage, and divorce is about to meet its greatest test. Suddenly old nightmares surface as Claire turns to her dearest friend for help. And as Laura's career leads her into the past, in an investigation of artwork stolen by the Nazis, she uncovers disturbing links to the present, to Claire, and a profoundly personal reason to follow a twisted trail to its surprising end....

About this edition

• Publisher: Doubleday
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 038549274X
• ISBN 13: 9780385492744
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368