Everything to Gain and A Secret Affair

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

When you lose yourself in a novel by New York Times bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford, you surrender to real emotion, heartbreaking crisis, unassailable love, triumphant reawakening, and the breathtaking power of an exceptional story beautifully told. Now two of her classic novels have been combined in one magnificent volume, offering incontrovertible proof why this unparalleled dreamspinner is one of the most beloved and successful authors of our time. With wealth, a beautiful home, a caring, supportive husband, and two wonderful children, Mallory Keswick's life is a constant joy -- until her spirit is brutally tested, forcing her to discover new reserves of courage and strength when violent tragedy leaves her with nothing more to lose and . . . everything to gain. In Venice, a chance encounter between a fearless television war correspondent and a lovely, unhappily married glass designer from New York leads to unanticipated affection, irresistible passion, and . . . a secret affair. Two classic novels in one volume!

630 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2013

About the author

Barbara Taylor Bradford was a British-American novelist whose dramatic family sagas and stories of ambitious women made her one of the most commercially successful authors of modern popular fiction. Raised in Leeds, she developed an early love of reading and decided as a child that she would become a writer. After leaving school at sixteen, she began her career in journalism, first working in the typing pool of the Yorkshire Evening Post before becoming a reporter. In her early twenties she moved to London, where she built a successful career as a fashion editor for Woman's Own magazine and later wrote widely syndicated newspaper columns. Although she experimented with suspense fiction, her breakthrough came with the novel A Woman of Substance in 1979, a sweeping story of a determined young woman rising from poverty to great success. The novel became an international bestseller and launched a long series of novels featuring strong female protagonists who achieve success through perseverance, ambition, and business skill. Over the following decades she wrote forty novels translated into dozens of languages and sold in tens of millions of copies worldwide. Several of her books were adapted for television miniseries and films, further expanding her readership. Her work earned numerous honors, including appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her contribution to literature.

Reviews

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

****Secret Affair

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two books in one. Both of these are good books. Getting through the loss Mallory went through is horrific. I know how she feels from losing my daughter. I keep thinking she is going to call or come see me. Mallory has such support. I do believe Andrew came to her along with Clarissa. In A Secret Affair, I couldn't believe what happened to Bill until the book ended. Just kept thinking it was a mistake.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** "Everything to Gain" by Barbara Taylor Bradford

I read "Everything to Gain," decades ago (and I mean decades -- mid to late 80's) and have re-read many many times. And each time I fall in love with it just a little bit more.

I love the character of Mel and how this story is written from her point of view...as if she were narrating a silent movie. While she goes through several heartwarming and heartbreaking periods in her life, she symbolizes the strong woman she is even at her weakest moments.

The reader will fall in love with her best friend, her mother-in-law, her husband and layer on her second chance at love.

What Mel learns over the years is that she has everything to gain, even at the worst of times.

A novel any romance reader will fall in love with, but written for those who enjoy other genres, as well.

[Xondra Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything to Gain- 3 stars

It was a nice story, but also tragic. It was about family, a person's place in life and loss.

A Secret Affair- DNF

Quite boring really and nothing special from what I read. It was a DNF for me.

[Kim Niazi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. infact everything gained was a good one but a secret affair is just ok. i havent finished the second one..but first one was wonderful

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good easy read

Had not read this author in many years like greeting an old friend.
Sad stories of strong women Will read more