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Webs #2
Webs of Power: Book 2 of the Webs Series
Award-Winner in the Fiction category of the 2009 National Indie Excellence Awards Webs of Power is a raw, unsentimental portrayal of greed, manipulation, and relationships set in the excessive, insatiable retail industry of the 1980s. When a hostile takeover of the retail giant Consolidated is announced, the lives of three determined women, each linked to the corporate upheaval, are unexpectedly thrown off Paige Toddman's marriage to Consolidated's West Coast Division CEO is threatened when she decides to step out of her fast-paced lifestyle to raise the unwanted child she is carrying, a choice driven by her secret past. The fabric of Ashleigh McDowell's life begins to fray when her fiance, the president of Consolidated's West Coast Division, moves away and her father figure faces a lawsuit that could wipe out his controlling shares of the company s stock. Vain and power hungry, Viviana De Mornay will stop at nothing to become the wife of the man leading the takeover. Webs of Power is a thrilling real-world drama with dynamic characters who find the courage to drastically reshape their lives in the face of crises and the twists of fate. Read the entire Webs standalone series!
Webs of Fate
Webs of Power
Twisted Webs
Unpredictable Webs
Conflicting Webs
Webs of Fate
Webs of Power
Twisted Webs
Unpredictable Webs
Conflicting Webs
- GenresFictionContemporary
496 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Darlene Quinn
9 books325 followersDarlene Quinn is an international award winning author and speaker from Long Beach, California.
Darlene writes what she likes to read, which is page-turning-suspense, based on actual events in the world of fashion department stores, while never allowing the facts to get in the way of a good story. The stand-alone Web series explores love and loss, career and family, forgiveness and redemption. Fast-paced chapters propel unforgettable characters through the turmoil of overlapping and often conflicting commitments. As part of a nine-member management team for the Bullocks Wilshire Specialty Department Stores (West Coast Division of the former Federated Department Store conglomerate ~ now Macy's Inc.) She has an insider's perspective on the rise and fall of major department stores. The prologues and first chapters of each stand-alone novel can be read on her website
http://darlenequinn.net/books/
National and International Awards:
Webs of Perception
2019 Book Excellence Awards Fiction
Grand Prize Winner
Conflicting Webs
2015 Beverly Hills Book Awards General Fiction
2015 International Readers Favorite Silver Medal for General Fiction
Unpredictable Webs
2014 International Readers Favorite Gold Medal for General Fiction
2014 Beverly Hills Book Awards and the President's Choice top prize winner!
Twisted Webs
2011 International Book Award Winner for Fiction and Literature, as well as the Winner of the
2011 National Indie Excellence Award for General Fiction.
Webs of Power
2009 National Indie Excellence Award for General Fiction
Webs of Fate
2011 Readers Favorite Award for General Fiction.
Quinn's first published novel, Sizzling Cold Case, published in January of 2007, was a somewhat unusual collaboration as well as labor of love for her dear friend, Buddy Ebsen. His work-in-progress was a Barnaby Jones novel, which at his widow's request, Quinn was thrilled to complete.
Prior to being an author and speaker, Quinn was a teacher in the public school system, a self-improvement and modeling instructor, a private contractor for the city, department stores (Bullock's/Robinson's), and hospitals.
Darlene has two children, John and Jodie, six wonderful grandchildren, and lives with her husband and greatest supporter, Jack, in Long Beach and Big Bear, California.
Darlene is currently working on Just 10 Seconds.
Darlene writes what she likes to read, which is page-turning-suspense, based on actual events in the world of fashion department stores, while never allowing the facts to get in the way of a good story. The stand-alone Web series explores love and loss, career and family, forgiveness and redemption. Fast-paced chapters propel unforgettable characters through the turmoil of overlapping and often conflicting commitments. As part of a nine-member management team for the Bullocks Wilshire Specialty Department Stores (West Coast Division of the former Federated Department Store conglomerate ~ now Macy's Inc.) She has an insider's perspective on the rise and fall of major department stores. The prologues and first chapters of each stand-alone novel can be read on her website
http://darlenequinn.net/books/
National and International Awards:
Webs of Perception
2019 Book Excellence Awards Fiction
Grand Prize Winner
Conflicting Webs
2015 Beverly Hills Book Awards General Fiction
2015 International Readers Favorite Silver Medal for General Fiction
Unpredictable Webs
2014 International Readers Favorite Gold Medal for General Fiction
2014 Beverly Hills Book Awards and the President's Choice top prize winner!
Twisted Webs
2011 International Book Award Winner for Fiction and Literature, as well as the Winner of the
2011 National Indie Excellence Award for General Fiction.
Webs of Power
2009 National Indie Excellence Award for General Fiction
Webs of Fate
2011 Readers Favorite Award for General Fiction.
Quinn's first published novel, Sizzling Cold Case, published in January of 2007, was a somewhat unusual collaboration as well as labor of love for her dear friend, Buddy Ebsen. His work-in-progress was a Barnaby Jones novel, which at his widow's request, Quinn was thrilled to complete.
Prior to being an author and speaker, Quinn was a teacher in the public school system, a self-improvement and modeling instructor, a private contractor for the city, department stores (Bullock's/Robinson's), and hospitals.
Darlene has two children, John and Jodie, six wonderful grandchildren, and lives with her husband and greatest supporter, Jack, in Long Beach and Big Bear, California.
Darlene is currently working on Just 10 Seconds.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 15, 2015
First off, if you read this book you will need a good chunk of knowledge about leveraged buy-outs, hostile take-overs, and how the retail business works at the top levels of management. I had a little, but apparently not enough. I didn't always follow the business side of this corporate drama, and that means I didn't follow a good chunk of the main plot. It was a shame, because it was a very well written story with some larger than life characters.
The characters, well, they may have been larger than life, but there were soooo many. They were hard to keep track of because not everyone called them by the same name. We had first names sometimes, and last names only other times, and occasionally a nickname thrown in. I had a very hard time keeping track of who was involved in what part of the business dealings. I had no problem keeping their personal lives straight though.
And those personal lives are what saved the book for me. While most of them held the illusion of a perfect life, we found that not everything was roses. There was some personal drama and even a bit of crime drama wrapped up nicely all together. There was just a little too much business lingo for me to really get into it. It seemed to be great look into some of the major business issues that plagued the 90's in the US and people who are a tad more business savvy than I will really enjoy this one.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/...
The characters, well, they may have been larger than life, but there were soooo many. They were hard to keep track of because not everyone called them by the same name. We had first names sometimes, and last names only other times, and occasionally a nickname thrown in. I had a very hard time keeping track of who was involved in what part of the business dealings. I had no problem keeping their personal lives straight though.
And those personal lives are what saved the book for me. While most of them held the illusion of a perfect life, we found that not everything was roses. There was some personal drama and even a bit of crime drama wrapped up nicely all together. There was just a little too much business lingo for me to really get into it. It seemed to be great look into some of the major business issues that plagued the 90's in the US and people who are a tad more business savvy than I will really enjoy this one.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/...
February 7, 2018
If you are going to read this book and not be lost, you will need a some knowledge about leveraged buyouts, hostile takeovers, and how the retail business works at the top levels of management. I have no clue about any of this so needless to say it was hard for me to follow this story.
I was also confused when the author would use different names for the characters than what we had originally knows them as. I could follow along with the three females that we get to know because I knew what was going on with each of them and each was different. This story has a good idea going, I just think that the business lingo is way above my head. This focuses on a department store in the 1980's and what goes on with its business side.
I am anxious to see what happens in the next books from this author. Hopefully I will be able to keep up with them! I did like the characters that Darlene Quinn introduced us to in this story!
I was also confused when the author would use different names for the characters than what we had originally knows them as. I could follow along with the three females that we get to know because I knew what was going on with each of them and each was different. This story has a good idea going, I just think that the business lingo is way above my head. This focuses on a department store in the 1980's and what goes on with its business side.
I am anxious to see what happens in the next books from this author. Hopefully I will be able to keep up with them! I did like the characters that Darlene Quinn introduced us to in this story!
December 21, 2017
A well written thriller set in the unfamiliar world (for me) of high-end retail chains of the 1980's. But the author did a fantastic job of giving the reader enough information to understand that world, without elaborating too much. A great balance, which had to be difficult to achieve. It focuses on three women who find their lives turned upside down by a hostile takeover attempt. I loved the women's courage in facing their life-altering challenges. I found it an educational and entertaining read!
August 25, 2008
Webs of Power is a work of fiction; however, if you happen to fill a high-level position in some corporate hierarchy, you may think you’re reading a story about your own company! Darlene Quinn has done an excellent job in taking readers into the fast-paced and sometimes terror-filled world of high finance and corporate takeovers. This time, for department stores, in the late 1980s.
Quinn’s note at the end of the book provides a short, helpful historical view of the rise and, to some extent, fall of the great department stores. Most of us at least recognize the name of Macy’s, which sponsors the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Many have watched as other stores have closed and the downtowns of our cities board up the large windows that formerly provided samples of what these stores offered.
There is no doubt that Power...and the desire for ever, more Money were the main factors that drove the creation of large conglomerates. By the time of this story, there were billions involved in mergers, hostile takeovers, and the resale of smaller stores.
Webs of Power focuses on three women and those around them. Into the webs of deceit in business, they brought the only thing stronger than power and money. They brought Love.
Page Toddman, together with her husband Mark, were major players at Consolidated. They both had personal histories with the company and had contributed greatly to its growth. However, at the first sign of financial weakness, an Australian land developer, Philip Sloan made a hostile offer of $4.2 billion for the retail empire. Mark was immediately caught up in trying to prevent the takeover, but Page had something much more important that she faced—a late-life pregnancy that forced a re-evaluation of what was most important to her.
Ashleigh McDowell, engaged to be married to Conrad Taylor, one of Mark’s primary executives, had unexpectedly been asked to take over the reigns of his father’s business, commercial investments, and had to relocate across the country. Ashleigh’s career was at Bentley’s, a prestigious division of Consolidated, and was forced to stay there as everyone worked to prevent the takeover. Could love survive postponement of their wedding indefinitely?
Viviane De Mornay is the glamorous woman you want to hate, but cannot. She, too, was affected by the potential upheaval of the takeover--but potentially in a much-different way. For she is having an affair with Philip Sloan! Her tangled life could be the most affected and she dreams of standing beside Sloan as he takes over Consolidated. Besides she loves him. What she can’t quite be sure of is that she loves him for himself—or for the power and money he can provide her.
Quinn has effectively used her experience and expertise in department store management to create a thoroughly intriguing, believable, and twisted drama of deceit, love, greed—and, yes, webs of power! Once you get caught in the tangle of the lives of these three women, you will be turning each page until you know what happens to them.
One small sub-plot of a former corporate raider, who gave everything up to take care of his much-loved son when he became ill, was one of my favorite surprises. What does the power of love do to the lives of those affected by corporate power struggles? This book reveals it all! Enjoy!
G. A. Bixler
Quinn’s note at the end of the book provides a short, helpful historical view of the rise and, to some extent, fall of the great department stores. Most of us at least recognize the name of Macy’s, which sponsors the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Many have watched as other stores have closed and the downtowns of our cities board up the large windows that formerly provided samples of what these stores offered.
There is no doubt that Power...and the desire for ever, more Money were the main factors that drove the creation of large conglomerates. By the time of this story, there were billions involved in mergers, hostile takeovers, and the resale of smaller stores.
Webs of Power focuses on three women and those around them. Into the webs of deceit in business, they brought the only thing stronger than power and money. They brought Love.
Page Toddman, together with her husband Mark, were major players at Consolidated. They both had personal histories with the company and had contributed greatly to its growth. However, at the first sign of financial weakness, an Australian land developer, Philip Sloan made a hostile offer of $4.2 billion for the retail empire. Mark was immediately caught up in trying to prevent the takeover, but Page had something much more important that she faced—a late-life pregnancy that forced a re-evaluation of what was most important to her.
Ashleigh McDowell, engaged to be married to Conrad Taylor, one of Mark’s primary executives, had unexpectedly been asked to take over the reigns of his father’s business, commercial investments, and had to relocate across the country. Ashleigh’s career was at Bentley’s, a prestigious division of Consolidated, and was forced to stay there as everyone worked to prevent the takeover. Could love survive postponement of their wedding indefinitely?
Viviane De Mornay is the glamorous woman you want to hate, but cannot. She, too, was affected by the potential upheaval of the takeover--but potentially in a much-different way. For she is having an affair with Philip Sloan! Her tangled life could be the most affected and she dreams of standing beside Sloan as he takes over Consolidated. Besides she loves him. What she can’t quite be sure of is that she loves him for himself—or for the power and money he can provide her.
Quinn has effectively used her experience and expertise in department store management to create a thoroughly intriguing, believable, and twisted drama of deceit, love, greed—and, yes, webs of power! Once you get caught in the tangle of the lives of these three women, you will be turning each page until you know what happens to them.
One small sub-plot of a former corporate raider, who gave everything up to take care of his much-loved son when he became ill, was one of my favorite surprises. What does the power of love do to the lives of those affected by corporate power struggles? This book reveals it all! Enjoy!
G. A. Bixler
January 19, 2014
The corruption of money, power and greed fill the pages of Webs of Power by Darlene Quinn. Three women, the men they love or use and the dog eat dog world of large corporations spiral the reader into a world of excess, self-centered goals and the danger of being at the top of the heap, because everyone wants to be you or at least bring you down. Which woman will stand by her man, which will run away, which will grind her stilettos into his back if it will benefit her purposes? Loyalties are tested, deceit runs rampant and no one comes out unscathed, all in the name of success.
Do NOT expect to like too many of these characters. Their redeeming qualities are few and far between. Selfish motives are a huge catalyst that drives this soap opera of the rich and famous. Do we need to feel compassion for how they became the calculating people they are? Perhaps, but the lack of conscience these characters display almost becomes outrageous!
Darlene Quinn has created a world of dark grit, in spite of the trappings of glitter. She does not paint a pretty picture of life at the top and what it takes to get there. If anything, she has shown what a lonely place it can be and how being too driven, too focused on one’s own goals creates a monster within. Filled with intrigue and over the top selfishness, I had to keep reading to see if anyone redeemed themselves. If you like the twisted world of the top feeders who demand all or nothing, you may enjoy this journey where high-style does NOT equal high class.
I received this copy from the Greenleaf Book Group in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group, LLC
ISBN: 9781934572054
Genre: Adult Fiction
Number of Pages: 389
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Do NOT expect to like too many of these characters. Their redeeming qualities are few and far between. Selfish motives are a huge catalyst that drives this soap opera of the rich and famous. Do we need to feel compassion for how they became the calculating people they are? Perhaps, but the lack of conscience these characters display almost becomes outrageous!
Darlene Quinn has created a world of dark grit, in spite of the trappings of glitter. She does not paint a pretty picture of life at the top and what it takes to get there. If anything, she has shown what a lonely place it can be and how being too driven, too focused on one’s own goals creates a monster within. Filled with intrigue and over the top selfishness, I had to keep reading to see if anyone redeemed themselves. If you like the twisted world of the top feeders who demand all or nothing, you may enjoy this journey where high-style does NOT equal high class.
I received this copy from the Greenleaf Book Group in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group, LLC
ISBN: 9781934572054
Genre: Adult Fiction
Number of Pages: 389
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
February 24, 2014
To see other reviews like this one check out my site www.homelovebooks.com
I was decently excited to read this book because it takes place in the 80’s, I don’t know why I found this appealing but maybe it’s because I was born in the 80’s so a chance to kind of get a look at what life was like when my mother was my age was kind of a cool concept to me.
Unfortunately I had a really hard time getting into the book. The book wasn’t bad, in no way am I saying that, but it didn’t grab me the way a lot of books did. It was one of those books I could put down and forget I was reading for a few weeks and then come back to it weeks later and have the whole thing repeat itself.
I think that was the case for a couple of reasons, primarily the pacing. The pacing seemed to drag on a little too much for my taste, and a couple of times I did skip/skim through a couple of pages here and there and it didn’t seem to make any difference, I didn’t miss much. I think the author spent too much time on making sure the reader felt and understood that the characters she was writing about lived in a lavish world by describing everything with brand names and exotic descriptions.
Another problem I had with the story was that in order for me to really fall into a book I have to at the very least have one character who I identify with a lot (or enough for me to form an emotional connection to). I didn’t feel like that at all. Maybe it is because these women are from a different generation than me, but I really didn’t feel like I connected to them, they treated themselves like accessories to me. And sure there are still women today who’s dream it is to be a mans accessory, but it’s not something I have ever identified with. I didn’t feel anything but a little bit sorry for these women. I wish they had evoked more of an emotional response from me.
Overall, I think this book just wasn’t my taste and didn’t do it for me. I wish it had. For me I like stronger women who get in relationships with men who compliment them, not women who intentionally get in relationships to stand behind someone. in the end this book gets a “just okay” rating from me.
I was decently excited to read this book because it takes place in the 80’s, I don’t know why I found this appealing but maybe it’s because I was born in the 80’s so a chance to kind of get a look at what life was like when my mother was my age was kind of a cool concept to me.
Unfortunately I had a really hard time getting into the book. The book wasn’t bad, in no way am I saying that, but it didn’t grab me the way a lot of books did. It was one of those books I could put down and forget I was reading for a few weeks and then come back to it weeks later and have the whole thing repeat itself.
I think that was the case for a couple of reasons, primarily the pacing. The pacing seemed to drag on a little too much for my taste, and a couple of times I did skip/skim through a couple of pages here and there and it didn’t seem to make any difference, I didn’t miss much. I think the author spent too much time on making sure the reader felt and understood that the characters she was writing about lived in a lavish world by describing everything with brand names and exotic descriptions.
Another problem I had with the story was that in order for me to really fall into a book I have to at the very least have one character who I identify with a lot (or enough for me to form an emotional connection to). I didn’t feel like that at all. Maybe it is because these women are from a different generation than me, but I really didn’t feel like I connected to them, they treated themselves like accessories to me. And sure there are still women today who’s dream it is to be a mans accessory, but it’s not something I have ever identified with. I didn’t feel anything but a little bit sorry for these women. I wish they had evoked more of an emotional response from me.
Overall, I think this book just wasn’t my taste and didn’t do it for me. I wish it had. For me I like stronger women who get in relationships with men who compliment them, not women who intentionally get in relationships to stand behind someone. in the end this book gets a “just okay” rating from me.
August 13, 2008
I don't know much about Wall Street or the Stock Market or hostile takeovers, but I get the gist of what they are talking about when stuff comes up in this book. There are certain characters I liked, some I was even more interested in than others. For example, Paige Toddman and her unwanted pregnancy was an interesting story line. There are some characters I wish the author would have shared more about what happened in their past, because sometimes it seemed like there were more interesting things that could have been visited. Like, Ashleigh's past could have had more revealed. So there were some good things and some drama. The book moved at a somewhat fast paced, mostly I think because the chapters were short. There were some characters I had a problems with, though. One in particular was a minor character, but his portrayal still bugged me. His name was Sonny, and he was a very generic, flat-written Irishman with red hair, an Irish accent and green jumpsuit. It kinda annoyed me every time he talked to Paige, and if he said 'Top of the Morning' one more time I think I would have thrown the book. I have been to Ireland. Most Irish don't say that, at least not any where I went ... Or maybe they did in the 80's, which is when this takes place, but it still feels forced. I know it is a minor thing, but sometimes the minor things get to me and can be a distraction. I was more interested in the drama unfolding with the women and not corporate stuff, but I was able to get through it. I think the book lasted too long at the end. I am not saying it was bad, and I am not saying it was great. It was okay
March 20, 2016
I really struggled with this book. Maybe because I know very little about business, and how take-overs and the like work - a lot of it just went straight over my head. It felt like there was a lot of information crammed in, without giving the reader time to really digest what was going on. On top of that, there were so many characters. It was difficult to keep track of who was who, who was doing what, and that was made even worse by the fact that within the same conversation, the narrative would switch between calling a character by their name, title and surname.
Talking of characters, I couldn't really feel like I could connect to any of them. The women involved seem to be very much the kind of women who thrive off their men, and it was hard to see any of them in their own right. They were pretty much defined by the men they were with, without having their own goals or ambitions. And characters seemed to change page by page, so, again, it was hard to keep track of their emotions, feelings, or motivations without feeling confused. They seemed to travel all over - one minute a character would be in Europe, the next in the USA, and then they'd be in a completely different state to one they were in just a chapter before.
Overall, there was way too much crammed into this book for me to really get much enjoyment out of it, and it felt like there were too many different plot points being squeezed in.
Talking of characters, I couldn't really feel like I could connect to any of them. The women involved seem to be very much the kind of women who thrive off their men, and it was hard to see any of them in their own right. They were pretty much defined by the men they were with, without having their own goals or ambitions. And characters seemed to change page by page, so, again, it was hard to keep track of their emotions, feelings, or motivations without feeling confused. They seemed to travel all over - one minute a character would be in Europe, the next in the USA, and then they'd be in a completely different state to one they were in just a chapter before.
Overall, there was way too much crammed into this book for me to really get much enjoyment out of it, and it felt like there were too many different plot points being squeezed in.
November 20, 2015
For more reviews, please visit http://fortheloveoftheread.blogspot.com
I requested this book on NetGalley because the cover and blurb sounded interesting to me. The blurb of this book reminded me of another book I read recently, so I was in the right mindset to jump into this one.
The pacing of it was a bit of a problem for me. The book got really bogged down in the business side details, which was hard for me to keep up with at times. There were a lot of technical terms and I don't understand the process of a buyout well enough to keep up with it.
I did enjoy the parts of the novel that focused on the women and the repercussions to each of them. Viviana and Paige both had stories that interested me. Ashleigh's story in the book spiraled a bit out of control, and it reached a point where it was almost too crazy for me to enjoy. In future books, I hope that her story calms down a bit. I think there's potential for her; I just felt overwhelmed by some of the things that happened to her. Viviana was probably my favorite. She's greedy and focused on what she wants out of life - which circles largely around power and money - and there was something about her that intrigued me. I would like to read more about her in future books in the series.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I would have liked more focus to be on characters and pacing to be a bit better, but I do think this series has potential and I plan to continue reading.
I requested this book on NetGalley because the cover and blurb sounded interesting to me. The blurb of this book reminded me of another book I read recently, so I was in the right mindset to jump into this one.
The pacing of it was a bit of a problem for me. The book got really bogged down in the business side details, which was hard for me to keep up with at times. There were a lot of technical terms and I don't understand the process of a buyout well enough to keep up with it.
I did enjoy the parts of the novel that focused on the women and the repercussions to each of them. Viviana and Paige both had stories that interested me. Ashleigh's story in the book spiraled a bit out of control, and it reached a point where it was almost too crazy for me to enjoy. In future books, I hope that her story calms down a bit. I think there's potential for her; I just felt overwhelmed by some of the things that happened to her. Viviana was probably my favorite. She's greedy and focused on what she wants out of life - which circles largely around power and money - and there was something about her that intrigued me. I would like to read more about her in future books in the series.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I would have liked more focus to be on characters and pacing to be a bit better, but I do think this series has potential and I plan to continue reading.
March 14, 2010
"Webs of Power" by Darlene Quinn is a fast paced look at the lives of three women (and their significant others), linked together by a hostile corporate takeover. The retail industry is rocked by a Leveraged Buy Out by Australian Entrepreneur, Philip Sloane. Viviana De Mornay is an employee of the company who will stop at nothing to become Phillip's wife. Paige Toddman (wife of the company's West Coast Division CEO), is forced to decide how to handle the pressures this LBO is placing on her marriage, an unexpected pregnancy and the ghosts of her past. Ashleigh McDowell (fiancée of the company's West Coast Division President) must figure out how she can move forward in her relationship while her fiancé’s job is in turmoil, and still balance things with her elderly father figure.
I found "Webs of Power" to be a real page turner. I was skeptical at first that I'd be interested in following what seemed to be three different story lines within a single story, but Ms. Quinn did a fabulous job of keeping up the intensity and pulling them all together. I was genuinely invested in the lives of these women and I found myself routing for the "good guys" and hoping the "bad guys" would get what they deserved.
I found "Webs of Power" to be a real page turner. I was skeptical at first that I'd be interested in following what seemed to be three different story lines within a single story, but Ms. Quinn did a fabulous job of keeping up the intensity and pulling them all together. I was genuinely invested in the lives of these women and I found myself routing for the "good guys" and hoping the "bad guys" would get what they deserved.
December 22, 2015
With every new book in the Webs series, Ms. Quinn gets better and better. I especially like the way she brings back familiar characters and keeps them relevant, until their stories have reached a natural conclusion. I also appreciate how she introduces new characters that become the focus of each book. There are a couple of rather nefarious guys in this book that made me grit my teeth, but without them, the story would not have been complete. In Webs of Power, I found several subliminal messages – each making specific points about ethics, integrity, and life itself. And once again, at the end of the book, she shares her insight into the past, present and future of the retail industry. I find this very interesting and it adds clarity to the story itself. I have a feeling Ms. Quinn wasn’t one to mess with when she was at the height of her retail career. I say that because she loves strong women characters and knowledge of that kind of strength comes only from experience. Once again, I eagerly anticipate the next installment of the Web series.
~ Linda Thompson, Host of www.TheAuthors.Show.com
August 31, 2016
I lived through a corporate Leveraged Buy-Out during this time period, and I must say there were many "been there/done that" moments for me. Though my corporation was not retail department stores, the behind the scenes angst and unrest were very much the same as depicted in Darlene Quinn's well researched and fast paced novel of deceit, power and money in the world of corporate finance and politics. I loved how the book followed the characters in short, concise chapters - giving the reader diverse aspects of the process with many points of view. It was refreshing to be a part of the "behind the scenes" activity. You really feel like you are living through the uncertainty of a hostile takeover and it's aftermath. Don't get me wrong...this is NOT a dull financial diary. You are involved in the behind the scenes lives of the people involved - family problems, illnesses, mistresses, etc. I actually found myself caring what happened to the characters. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
ARC provided by NetGALLEY and the publisher for an honest review.
ARC provided by NetGALLEY and the publisher for an honest review.
March 10, 2014
Ok well I am not the best reviewer, but I do love to read. I am reading a series of books by Darlene Quinn.
The first book I read is called: Webs Of Power; A Novel.
I received this book from Net-galley for an honest review, I have received the whole series to read
What first attracted me to read these books, was the storyline, it is about the 80's I lived in the 80's as a young adult, so I remember the 80's. I also love reading powerful books with strong, glamorous women, who live the high life, something that I don't live. This story is also about three women who happen to be linked to a large department store that is going through a take over. I really loved reading the story, I thought the author did an awesome job, kept me interested through the whole book. You can see my review on my blog-http://scrapntoday.blogspot.com/2014/...
I do recommend this book, if you like reading fast paced books, with a slight thriller edge and some romance and drama.
June 15, 2016
This was a really good book! I thought it sounded interesting, but wasn't sure if it was the kind of book I would really get into. But once I really got into it, I was totally invested in it! I finished it in a day... or less. I am looking forward to the rest in the series.
I received a review copy for my honest review. I typically read young adult/mystery/crime.. but this book definitely kept my attention. I found myself rooting for certain characters and being annoyed with others! When that happens, I know it's a series I want to finish reading!
I do watch a lot of news, so it was interesting to get a glimpse of what goes on inside the business/wall street world. Although, since it take place in the late 80's, it is hard for me to put myself in the character's shoes, considering I was only 5 in 1988. lol But putting that aside, I found it interesting that big business really hasn't changed all that much!
Onto the second book! I am just catching up on reviews, so I can't wait for the next book. :)
I received a review copy for my honest review. I typically read young adult/mystery/crime.. but this book definitely kept my attention. I found myself rooting for certain characters and being annoyed with others! When that happens, I know it's a series I want to finish reading!
I do watch a lot of news, so it was interesting to get a glimpse of what goes on inside the business/wall street world. Although, since it take place in the late 80's, it is hard for me to put myself in the character's shoes, considering I was only 5 in 1988. lol But putting that aside, I found it interesting that big business really hasn't changed all that much!
Onto the second book! I am just catching up on reviews, so I can't wait for the next book. :)
April 18, 2011
"Webs of Power" is a fascinating look at human nature when mixed with the elements of power, greed and desire.
Have events beyond your control ever taken over the reins of your life? Have you ever wondered how you were going to overcome a sudden business upheaval, the loss of love, or the possible death of a loved one? "Webs of Power" is a story about three women who have the familiar comfortable fabric of their lives shredded by a sudden hostile take over of a major department store chain and their unique involvements.
Each of these women are facing very different and personally devastating loss. An unwanted pregnancy and hidden past alienates one of these from her husband. After a violent attacked a woman's life is in danger and her only father figure is in a coma, and one clings to her lover determined to pry him away from his seemingly undeserving wife to satisfy her need for power and greed. But will that be enough?
I highly recommend this book.
Have events beyond your control ever taken over the reins of your life? Have you ever wondered how you were going to overcome a sudden business upheaval, the loss of love, or the possible death of a loved one? "Webs of Power" is a story about three women who have the familiar comfortable fabric of their lives shredded by a sudden hostile take over of a major department store chain and their unique involvements.
Each of these women are facing very different and personally devastating loss. An unwanted pregnancy and hidden past alienates one of these from her husband. After a violent attacked a woman's life is in danger and her only father figure is in a coma, and one clings to her lover determined to pry him away from his seemingly undeserving wife to satisfy her need for power and greed. But will that be enough?
I highly recommend this book.
May 28, 2014
I really liked this book! I read book four of the series first, a few months ago. When I read that book, I felt like I was missing a lot and sort of wandering through the first part of the book until I "got" it.
I was kind of in the same bind here because I kept trying to relate this book to what I read in book four. Once I let go of that and just read the book, I loved the story.
I'm really looking forward to reading books two and three. I love that the story is situated in the department store world since I know nothing about it.
Interesting plot, great characters. Highly recommend! :-)
I was kind of in the same bind here because I kept trying to relate this book to what I read in book four. Once I let go of that and just read the book, I loved the story.
I'm really looking forward to reading books two and three. I love that the story is situated in the department store world since I know nothing about it.
Interesting plot, great characters. Highly recommend! :-)
January 5, 2014
This is not my usual book selection but when Netgalley offered the chance to review all 4 books in the series i figured give it a go got to spread out my interest. I liked that the book followed the lives of 3 women it helped the office talk not be so boring. I got engrossed in how each character played in how the whole story line played out. I became invested in what was not only going to happen to each women but how the business aspect was going to play out. The ending was not to much of a cliff hanger but did leave me wanting to jump into the next book.
March 30, 2014
Darlene Quinn's books remind me of the "Woman of Substance" series by Barbara Taylor Bradford, which I first read in the 80s and loved.
These sweeping sagas are so rare now, so I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Power, money, intrigue, scandal, greed, sex, more money, more power and more greed. It's fantastic, fast-paced, and utterly delicious.
These sweeping sagas are so rare now, so I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Power, money, intrigue, scandal, greed, sex, more money, more power and more greed. It's fantastic, fast-paced, and utterly delicious.
January 15, 2014
I just... couldn't. I couldn't get invested in this book. It was dry, it wasn't developed, it wasn't a book that I felt connected to any of the characters-- perhaps because of the changing perspective each chapter that were written in third person. I didn't know what they were tHINKING, feeling, anything.
November 5, 2015
I ultimately enjoyed this book and the drama of the extended families of the 3 women at the center of the story. The business side of the book was a little overwhelming and somewhat off-putting as it often made following along quite difficult. Overall, I'm glad I kept going and look forward to the next book in the series.
Want to read
February 22, 2010Why department stores vanished
March 17, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, at first, it sounded fantastic, then it was a little slow in the beginning. Gave it a chance and ended up loving it by the end. Toward the end, I didn't want it to end. Love the authors writing style and the characters.
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