audiobooks

I don't normally read Danielle Steele because I find her novels sooooo sappy, but this one was a gift from a friend. I enjoyed the love story between Francoise and Sarah, and I liked the way their love eventually affected the relationship between Francesca and Charlie. Danielle Steele does a fine job of not going overboard with the romance stuff, and the novel ends up believable and pleasant reading. It isn't a stay-up-all-night novel, but it's good reading for something to do. I thought the author carried off the ghost part well too, not making it too fantastic but just enough to keep the reader intrigued. All in all, a good (not great) job by Danielle Steele. Whoever found that photo of her on the back cover needs to not give up their day job.

Annotation: "The Ghost" is about a named Charlie Waterston, who appeared to have the perfect life. He had a beautiful wife, a wonderful job and a great house in the heart of London, but his life comes crashing down when his wife leaves him for another man. Uncertain of what to do next, Charlie decides to take a ski trip to Vermont, where he meets an elderly widow, who shows him her family house and tells her the tale of the 18th century women, Sarah Ferguson, who once lived there. Drawn to the tale of love and heartache, Charlie Waterston finds the courage to open his heart and love again.

Author Bio: Born and raised in New York, Danielle Steel began her writing career by writing and publishing poems in women's magazines in the 1970's. Her first novel, "Going Home", was published in 1973. Eighty five million copies of her books have been sold around the world to forty two different countries. Twenty-one of her novels have been made into movies. Along with mature, adult novels, Danielle Steel has also written numerous children stories.

Evaluation: "The Ghost" is about a young man named Charlie Waterston, who lived a perfect life in London, or so it seemed. Charlie had the perfect life, a prosperous job and a wonderful house, but his world comes crashing down when his wife of thirteen years tells him that she is leaving him for another man. Heartbroken and ashamed, Charlie decides to move back to New York because his boss wanted him to work out of the New York branch instead of the London branch. Trying to look on the bright side of things, Charlie moves to New York. Once there, he decides he cannot work there and chooses to go on a much desired ski trip to Vermont. Caught in a terrible snow storm, Charlie pulls off the road and meets an elderly, widowed woman, who shows him her old family house, in which Charlie rents. The house was once owned by Sarah Ferguson, in the 18th century. Incredible things begin to happen in the house, and Charlie is convinced that it is haunted by a ghost. Interested, Charlie goes to the library and meets a wonderful woman, who has also given up on love. Charlie finds old diaries from Sarah and learns about her world. Bringing two worlds together, Charlie and the women from the library are encouraged by the dairies to give love another try.
This was by far my favorite book that I have read by Danielle Steel. I thought the book was very creative because it was like two stories in one. The story of Sarah Ferguson and her hardship coming to the new world was remarkable and exciting. Charlie's world has turned around after reading Sarah's dairies. He learned that you should never give up on love even if you have been hurt in the past. The diaries helped Charlie to love again. I feel that the whole book was based on fate. It was fate that there happened to be a snow storm in Vermont, and Charlie met the widowed woman, who in turn, rent out her family house to him. There, he was inspired by Sarah to not let life pass him by. I feel that the book was well written and exciting. I could not put the book down. It was a creative way to include two stories in one to show that no matter what happens life goes on.

If you want a good read, and a very detailed and lifelike story, read this. This is my favorite book, and it amazes me how much she can pull you into the story and make you feel like you are watching everything that is happening.. your emotions run high, just like the characters! This is an excellent book!