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Binding: Library Binding
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9781602855946
Edition: Lrg
Format: Large Print
ISBN: 1602855943
Label: Center Point Pub
Manufacturer: Center Point Pub
Number Of Items: 1
Publication Date: January 01, 2010
Publisher: Center Point Pub
Studio: Center Point Pub
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Following a terrifying encounter in the quiet English countryside, a young woman flees to New York in search of a new life. Adopting the initial M as her name, and reinventing herself, she embarks on a journey that will lead her to the catwalks of Paris, where she becomes the muse and star model to France s iconic designer Jean-Louis Tremont. When M meets the charming and handsome actor, Larry Vaughan in New York they fall instantly in love and marry. Soon, they become the most desired couple on the international scene, appearing on the cover of every celebrity magazine, adored by millions. With a successful career and a happy marriage, M believes she has truly put the demons of her past behind her. But M s fortunes are about to take another dramatic twist. A series of bizarre events turn out not to be accidents at all, but assaults on M and her family. The dark figure from M s past, a psychopath with deadly intent, has made a vow: to shatter M s world forever. But M also makes a vow: she will do everything to keep them all safe. When those you love are threatened and at risk, there s nothing you won t do to protect them... you ll even resort to breaking the rules! Moving from New York to the chic fashion capitals of London and Paris, to the exotic locations of Istanbul and Hong Kong, this new tale from a renowned storyteller is a genuine pageturner
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
Excellent story line, some surprises, ending results not a surprise but how it came to be was, kindof. Very enjoyable and difficult to put down.
Rating: -
Barbara Taylor Bradford is celebrating the 30th anniversary of her record-breaking debut novel, A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE, with her 25th bestseller, BREAKING THE RULES. It's hard to believe that it's been 25 years since I first read about Emma Harte, the beloved matriarch who ignited Bradford's career.
"Substance" is a befitting word to describe Bradford's style of writing. She opens BREAKING THE RULES with this description of M: "tall, slender, lithe, she moved with grace and had an inbred elegance...She carried a battered old black Hermès Kelly bag..." A simple introduction with notable substance keeps readers turning the pages to learn more about this mysterious 23-year-old, whose breeding, desire and determination give her the courage to flee a rape in London and embark on the journey to make it on her own as a model in Manhattan. M's background remains a mystery throughout part one of this epic novel; we coast along as she navigates the sea of hopeful actors, artists and models in New York, visiting the modeling agencies where she is registered and waiting for her big break. When that comes via an introduction to a photographer, M breaks the rules and rises to the top of the industry, immediately becoming the international face of French designer Jean-Louis Tremont's couture collections.
Adding to the glamour of her allure, M is the recipient of one of life's little surprises --- she meets the man of her dreams at a Park Avenue party: "He walked toward her...Their eyes were locked on each other...And I know who you are...You're the elusive woman I've been searching for all of my life." This opening line from legendary British actor Laurence Vaughan begins their grand romance.
Thankfully, Bradford's style of writing does not include steamy bedroom scenes or salacious interludes. She writes with a regal grandeur that alludes to the former and leaves the particulars to the reader's imagination. Few authors use this style with much commercial success, yet Bradford pulls it off with the proper etiquette befitting a recipient of the Order of the British Empire bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth in 2007 for literary achievements.
Readers are swept away by their instant attraction and seeming destiny. Destiny is certainly made more real when the man of your dreams --- who happens to be theatrical royalty --- makes a beeline for you across a crowded room and says very softly, "You're the woman...the woman I want to run away with...Let's do that, shall we?" Thus begins the romantic prelude to a "Burmese sapphire, flawless, cushion-cut and mounted in platinum, with two diamond baguettes on each side." Fantasy is such sweet destiny.
However, even grand romances include their share of baggage, and Larry's former addiction to prescription drugs and M's family skeletons and enemies interfere with the couple's bliss. M must reveal her true identity to Larry --- she is the great-granddaughter of Emma Harte, the founder of the most famous department store in the world. Parts two and three of BREAKING THE RULES take place in Paris, London, Hong Kong and Istanbul. M and Larry, newly married and "head over heels in love," find themselves dodging the Hartes' enemies, multiple threats and mysterious accidents.
The Vaughan and Harte family dynasties are vast and full of theatrical and classy characters the reader will embrace. The Harte ladies --- M, Paula, Linnet and Tessa --- are truly women of substance, possessing endless breeding, wisdom, family loyalty, and an eternal love and respect for the traditions begun by Emma Harte at the family home, Pennistone Royal: tea at four in the upstairs parlor. The modern-day Hartes have added a tradition that permeates the novel most pleasantly: pink champagne to celebrate life's surprises, accomplishments and grand romances.
--- Reviewed by Hillary Wagy
Rating: -
Waited very impatiently for this book to come out.
Loved this series and hated for it to end. One of
those books you hate to put down. More! More! More!
M.K California
Rating: -
When a young woman flees to New York after a terrifying encounter in the English countryside, she reinvents herself and embarks on a journey that will lead her to fame, love, and good fortune.
But just when everything is finally coming together for her, the mysterious "M" is about to encounter a dark figure from her past--a psychopath with deadly intent who has vowed to shatter her world forever.
As we finally learn M's true identity and understand the complex dynamics of her famous family, we are intrigued by her history and captivated by the unfolding drama.
Will M find the strength to overcome her past once and for all? And will her unusual family dynamics give her the courage to fight?
What seemingly began as a fluffy, fashion story turned into a mystery, full of conspiracies and dramatic intrigue. We find in Breaking the Rules another masterpiece from the beloved Barbara Taylor Bradford.
Rating:  -
Winner of he Audie Award for Best Female Solo Narration Katherine Kellgren is in great demand as a voice performer. Lucky for audiobook/Barbara Taylor Bradford fans that she took the mike for this intriguing story of a woman who thought she had everything - yes, "thought," definitely past tense.
It's hard to believe but it has been 30 years since Bradford's amazing mega-selling A Woman Of Substance. Few who read it have forgotten it. Now, in celebration of that anniversary Bradford has spun off that smoldering tale featuring the redoubtable Emma Harte to give us Breaking The Rules. This is the seventh in the Harte series and stars the mysterious M, a descendent of matriarch Emma who seems to have inherited a healthy amount of Emma's gutsiness and gusto for life.
M flees what was once her quiet English home to try to put a horrific experience out of her mind and begin a new life in New York City. She is, of course, in addition to being confident unbelievably gorgeous. Wasting no time she rises in the ranks of super models, meets and marries handsome actor Larry Vaughan. She has left behind a fearsome assault and life is now filled with joy.
That happiness is short lived when the psychopath who darkened her past threatens to take it all away. Will M and her family triumph one more time?
Again, this is a Bradford book to get lost in as the author takes us to all the glamorous spots in the world peopled by those wearing designer duds and dining at only 5 star restaurants where reservations must be made 3 months in advance. It's great escapist listening.
Enjoy!
- Gail Cooke
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