Riches to Rags for the wife of Texas Cattle Baron that cheats everybody. There is some redemption along the way but you feel for Claire each step of the way. Now I'm looking for the second book to see what turns out. ( )

I was not expecting to relate to a character in a novel like I did in this one. Of course, one minor detail - she has tons of money! Claire Massey lives a high life and enjoys sharing with her friends and family. She gives lavish parties and dotes on her three grown children. One challenge has crept into her perfect life. Tuck, her husband spends an extraordinary amount of time in business meetings and calls. She's not sure what to think until the horrible moment of his arrest occurs at the biggest dinner affair after he has pledged an enormous amount of money to their future son-in-law's political campaign. Life changes drastically for everyone in her family as he is led out of the building.
You may be wondering how I relate to Claire. Well, let's just say my first marriage was built on many lies that I believed until things started crashing around me. Embarassment, people treating you differently, talking about you behind your back, invitations no longer coming in the mail, church folks less interested in you and life as you knew it, gone.
Claire has two good assets: a devoted friend who does not mince her words. Jana Rae stands by her even when Claire's children scatter. The other, determination to not let anything get her down through her faith.
Well, Kellie Coates Gilbert knows how to grab you and keep you reading until you discover every page. I recommend reading A Woman of Fortune. ( )

Enjjoyable read. Light exploration of how it might feel to be betrayed and to come through the experience with faith. ( )

I wasn't sure I was going to like this story but I was wrong. This dragged me into this family's troubles even though they were rich. I never could like the husband/father but that is me. I look forward to reading more of this series. I received this book from bookfun.org for a fair and honest opinion. ( )

Kellie Coates Gilbert’s latest, A Woman of Fortune is an emotionally charged novel diving into one family’s life of messiness—scandal, deceit, lies, wealth, and greed.

Claire, a Texas socialite enjoys the fabulous life and all it has to offer as well as members of her family –until her cattle broker and financier husband, Tuck is arrested and incarcerated on multiple counts of cattle fraud and federal racketeering charges— her world comes crumbling down.

Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must face incredible obstacles, and gain strength and courage in order to save her family--and discover a life worth living.

They both started from a humble beginning; however, the path to success placed more and more pressure on one man. His greed led him astray. Claire also relied on her husband, versus making her own way. When her worldly possessions, and her family is disrupted, she discovers her true self. Hindsight, you can see how both Claire and Tuck brought baggage into the marriage. Can they make their way back?

Some great character development and lots of humor mixed in, as Jana Rae (Clarie’s best friend) had some hilarious come backs and one liners!

With firsthand experience, probably not one of the most sympathetic, when it comes to these type of stories; however, humans are not perfect. Gilbert did an outstanding job of looking inside one family at the devastation it causes, the emotional fallout—not only to the immediate families, but the investors, friends, church, and others which invested their money, and put their trust in this company and its leader. In desperation, people make poor choices out of fear; however, sometimes the outcome is worse than the original fear---as proved in this heartfelt and emotional story.

Having lived in West Palm Beach, FL for years, and less than two miles from Bernie Madoff’s Palm Beach former home (also on my bike trail), with many friends, and neighbors being victims of this Ponzi scheme, and all the publicity surrounding this tragedy here during this time— could relate to this story.

Kellie’s experience in the legal professional proved helpful in the research and writing of cattle fraud, as well as her insights. Marriage, family, relationships, friends, and faith are tested in this poignant story of love and forgiveness.

Looking forward to the next book in the series of A Texas Gold!

http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/904833/a-woman-of-fortune

A special thank you to Revell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


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