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Vegas #2
Vegas Heat
Unhappily married to the jealous, domineering Simon, Fanny Thornton finds herself estranged from her four children by Simon's obsessive paranoia about her ex-husband, Ash, but with Babylon, the family's casino, threatened by Ash's illness, Fanny is forced to step in to save the business and reunite her family.
392 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1997
485 people are currently reading
821 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
424 books6,521 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
March 28, 2009
Wasn't as good as the first one. I thought it got kind of silly and repetitive.
February 9, 2012
ภาคสองของซีรีส์ "Vegas" ที่ต่อจาก Vegas Rich ในภาคนี้เน้นความสัมพันธ์ของแฟนนี่ แอชและไซม่อน ที่พัวพันกันจนดูเหมือนประวัติศาสตร์ของแซลลี่จะเดินมาซ้ำรอยอีกครั้ง จากภาคแรกที่แซลลี่และฟิลิป แต่งงานกันและมีลูกชายสองคน แอชและไซม่อน แอชเป็นลูกรักของพ่อในขณะที่ไซม่อนเป็นลูกรักของแม่ ทำให้พี่น้องต้องแข่งขันกันทุกวิถีทาง แอชและไซม่อนไปสมัครเป็นนักบินขับเครื่องบินรบในขณะที่เกิดสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2 แอชได้พบกับแฟนนี่และแต่งงานกัน แฟนนี่เข้ามาอยู่ที่คฤหาสน์ซันไรส์ในขณะที่แอชยังประจำการอยู่ ทำให้เธอสนิทกับแม่สามีมาก เธอคลอดลูกเป็นแฝดชายสองคน และมีลูกสาวอีกสองคน
ภาคนี้อาจทำให้คนอ่านช๊อคกับเรื่องราวและตัวละครที่กลับตาลปัตรอย่างไม่นึกไม่ฝัน อ่านไปยังร้อง "ฮ้า" ได้เป็นระยะ ๆ
เนื้อเรื่องยังคงเข้มข้นการดำเนินเรื่องน่าติดตาม ตัวละครมีเสนห์และคงคุณสมบัติของความเป็น"ปุถุชน"ได้อย่างสมบูรณ์
(spoil) ชอบการตัดสินใจของแอชในตอนจบของเรื่องที่ทำให้เรื่องราวที่ยุ่งยากทั้งหลายทั้งมวลจบลงอย่างแฮปปี้เอ็นดิ้งแม้จะไม่สวยงามนักแต่ก็เป็นทางออกที่ไม่เลวทีเดียวเชียวล่ะ นับว่าเป็นสิ่งที่ดีที่สุดสิ่งเดียวที่เขาสามารถตอบแทนภรรยาที่แสนดีที่เสียสละเพื่อครอบครัวมาโดยตลอด
อยากให้ 6 ดาวอีกครั้ง กำลังอ่านภาคสาม Vegas Sunrise นับว่าเป็นความท้าทายของผู้แต่งอย่างมากที่จะต้องทำให้ภาคจบของ Vegas ซีรีส์ ติดตรึงอยู่ในความทรงจำของคนอ่านอย่างไม่มีวันลืม
ภาคนี้อาจทำให้คนอ่านช๊อคกับเรื่องราวและตัวละครที่กลับตาลปัตรอย่างไม่นึกไม่ฝัน อ่านไปยังร้อง "ฮ้า" ได้เป็นระยะ ๆ
เนื้อเรื่องยังคงเข้มข้นการดำเนินเรื่องน่าติดตาม ตัวละครมีเสนห์และคงคุณสมบัติของความเป็น"ปุถุชน"ได้อย่างสมบูรณ์
(spoil) ชอบการตัดสินใจของแอชในตอนจบของเรื่องที่ทำให้เรื่องราวที่ยุ่งยากทั้งหลายทั้งมวลจบลงอย่างแฮปปี้เอ็นดิ้งแม้จะไม่สวยงามนักแต่ก็เป็นทางออกที่ไม่เลวทีเดียวเชียวล่ะ นับว่าเป็นสิ่งที่ดีที่สุดสิ่งเดียวที่เขาสามารถตอบแทนภรรยาที่แสนดีที่เสียสละเพื่อครอบครัวมาโดยตลอด
อยากให้ 6 ดาวอีกครั้ง กำลังอ่านภาคสาม Vegas Sunrise นับว่าเป็นความท้าทายของผู้แต่งอย่างมากที่จะต้องทำให้ภาคจบของ Vegas ซีรีส์ ติดตรึงอยู่ในความทรงจำของคนอ่านอย่างไม่มีวันลืม
June 6, 2024
This second book in the series focused on Fanny, her ex-husband Ash, his brother Simon, and their family.
After not accepting then accepting, along with dramatic emotions and financial scenarios, Simon and Fanny get married. Not the best decision since Simon becomes an evil person who doesn’t get along with Fanny anymore and can’t understand that Fanny needs to keep in contact with her children.
Birch gets into a bad car accident where his fiancé is killed. He recovers and gets away from the casino business, wanting to do forestry.
Sage doesn’t like the casino business either, marries Iris, and they have a daughter, Lexie.
Sunny is diagnosed with MS. Her marriage to Tyler ends, and her children, Jake and Polly, stay with Ash a good amount of the time. Sunny is angry at her mother for ignoring her when she married Simon, but when Fanny builds a rehabilitation center for people like Sunny they reconnect.
Billie works at the children’s clothing companies started by her mom.
Fanny is still best friends with Billie Coleman and Bess. Billie’s family is confusing and her story line seemed too much. Basically, there were too many family members and not enough action/drama.
Then Marcus Reed comes along. At first I thought he was a spy from another casino wanting to start a relationship with Fanny. But as the book went on, nothing exciting with him happened and it looks like he’s legit.
Will the third book in the series get any better? That’s the only question I have. Maybe it’s best, though, to end things here. It’s not like there’s cliff hangers that have to be solved.
After not accepting then accepting, along with dramatic emotions and financial scenarios, Simon and Fanny get married. Not the best decision since Simon becomes an evil person who doesn’t get along with Fanny anymore and can’t understand that Fanny needs to keep in contact with her children.
Birch gets into a bad car accident where his fiancé is killed. He recovers and gets away from the casino business, wanting to do forestry.
Sage doesn’t like the casino business either, marries Iris, and they have a daughter, Lexie.
Sunny is diagnosed with MS. Her marriage to Tyler ends, and her children, Jake and Polly, stay with Ash a good amount of the time. Sunny is angry at her mother for ignoring her when she married Simon, but when Fanny builds a rehabilitation center for people like Sunny they reconnect.
Billie works at the children’s clothing companies started by her mom.
Fanny is still best friends with Billie Coleman and Bess. Billie’s family is confusing and her story line seemed too much. Basically, there were too many family members and not enough action/drama.
Then Marcus Reed comes along. At first I thought he was a spy from another casino wanting to start a relationship with Fanny. But as the book went on, nothing exciting with him happened and it looks like he’s legit.
Will the third book in the series get any better? That’s the only question I have. Maybe it’s best, though, to end things here. It’s not like there’s cliff hangers that have to be solved.
October 31, 2018
** Note: To get the full story of characters & there are many. Read the Texas series 1st. Vegas series 2nd & Kentucky series 3rd ** -- Saw this in some reviews after I already read the Vegas Series.**
This was 1st series/ books I have read of Fern Michaels. They were excellent, kept me right there wanting more. Full of family excitement, drama, death, money from casino, long time friends, tragic things happen and the mother always pulls everyone together. . .
Must read in order. I'm going to read the Texas books next. I'm not sure if there is a sequence but some people are in the one that were in Vegas.
Vegas Series Read book 1 - October 15, 2018 / book 2 - October 16,2018 / book 3 -October 17 , 2018.
This was 1st series/ books I have read of Fern Michaels. They were excellent, kept me right there wanting more. Full of family excitement, drama, death, money from casino, long time friends, tragic things happen and the mother always pulls everyone together. . .
Must read in order. I'm going to read the Texas books next. I'm not sure if there is a sequence but some people are in the one that were in Vegas.
Vegas Series Read book 1 - October 15, 2018 / book 2 - October 16,2018 / book 3 -October 17 , 2018.
September 28, 2021
I like a family saga... so here is book 2. I got very confused over the characters... good guys were now bad guys and bad guys have somehow redeemed themselves ( and I get that a brush with death would/could do that.. I just don't get erasing years of bad behavior and hopping in bed/chair with your ex ) I really want to know about Chu 's family because I bet you they are normal The Thorton clan is just spoiled rich kids.. which I have read some real life biographies of rich people and I guess the author wrote them true to form... but it gets boring to read about them making stupid mistakes over and over again
December 16, 2017
This is the second book, in Fern Michaels trilogy, Vegas. I can’t say enough good things about this trilogy, or Fern Michaels. So, I’m just going to say, if you don’t read these books you’re really going to be missing out. Also, before you start this trilogy, read Fern Michaels series, Texas. After the Vegas series is the Kentucky series. It’s important, I think, to read all these books in the right order. The whole story will make a lot more sense if you do.
March 27, 2022
Vegas Heat … another winner!
Fern Michael’s never disappoints and her Texas, Kentucky and Vegas series are well worth the read. I have one book left to complete in the complete series and it has been an incredible journey with the amazing characters. If I could give 10 stars I would no doubt. I’m sad to have one book left … I never wanted any of the books to end. My all time favorites!!!
Fern Michael’s never disappoints and her Texas, Kentucky and Vegas series are well worth the read. I have one book left to complete in the complete series and it has been an incredible journey with the amazing characters. If I could give 10 stars I would no doubt. I’m sad to have one book left … I never wanted any of the books to end. My all time favorites!!!
March 27, 2025
a few twists to this story, but a very good story
This is the second book in the Vegas series. There are three sets of series all tied together. While you don’t have to read them in order, I found starting with the Texas series, then moving on to the Vegas series, followed by the Kentucky series is the best way to read them.
Vegas heat moves from Sally Coleman in Vegas Rich to Fanny Thornton in Vegas Heat.
This is the second book in the Vegas series. There are three sets of series all tied together. While you don’t have to read them in order, I found starting with the Texas series, then moving on to the Vegas series, followed by the Kentucky series is the best way to read them.
Vegas heat moves from Sally Coleman in Vegas Rich to Fanny Thornton in Vegas Heat.
August 23, 2017
Gene pool similarities continue.
Riley and Cold spatter in Texas. Ash and Simon fought in Vegas. Birch and Simon are reunited with wives in Sunrise. Billie and Danny as daughter in-laws to Seth and Sallie struggle with deathly but entrepreneurial relatives who built towns as well as families.
Riley and Cold spatter in Texas. Ash and Simon fought in Vegas. Birch and Simon are reunited with wives in Sunrise. Billie and Danny as daughter in-laws to Seth and Sallie struggle with deathly but entrepreneurial relatives who built towns as well as families.
August 24, 2021
Vegas Heat
Wow what a great book in this series by Fern Michaels on the Thornton and Coleman families. This story on how a matriarch of the Thornton’s is told so well. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
Wow what a great book in this series by Fern Michaels on the Thornton and Coleman families. This story on how a matriarch of the Thornton’s is told so well. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
February 19, 2023
There is always a crisis with this family, but this book was far more enjoyable than the 1st. A much quicker read, partly because it is shorter than the 1st and also because I wanted to keep reading.
June 9, 2017
Good series. This one was not my favorite because it seemed like one tragedy after another. But I still want to continue that series to the end
September 1, 2018
The best from Fern and the continuation of this saga.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2019
Great read.
Very heart warming, hard to put down. Interesting till the last word. Looking forward to the next book of this trilogy.
Very heart warming, hard to put down. Interesting till the last word. Looking forward to the next book of this trilogy.
April 15, 2021
If you thought the Ewings of "Dallas" were dysfunctional, you should meet the Thorntons of Las Vegas.
November 5, 2022
What What a fun read !
This book made me love, hate, Laugh, Rejoice, grieve coma and cry. A little improbable at times But a great read nonetheless.
This book made me love, hate, Laugh, Rejoice, grieve coma and cry. A little improbable at times But a great read nonetheless.
February 16, 2023
Thornton Saga
This was a good multi generational read and author explains well money cannot buy happiness. Dysfunction exists in families no matter financial status.
This was a good multi generational read and author explains well money cannot buy happiness. Dysfunction exists in families no matter financial status.
March 22, 2024
I am enjoying this trilogy. This was a little darkly dramatic but still enjoyable
January 18, 2025
At first I didn’t think I was going to like this book, but after the first 100 pages I couldn’t put the book down. Loved the ending & can’t wait to read the last book of the trilogy.
January 23, 2025
This is the 2nd book in the series. This book created different emotions throughout, some times you laughter cried and just felt the frustration and anger of the families.
January 24, 2025
I'm really enjoying this series. Micheals is holding my attention and I can't wait to turn the page.
March 29, 2025
Book - no longer have
September 25, 2025
I rate this series a 4.5. Enjoying reading this series very much. It reminds me of Dallas in the 80’s.
January 4, 2021
Didn't think I would like this book, mainly because it was more of a romance than a mystery, and secondly because it was in the middle of a series, I haven't read. It was okay from a standalone point of view if all you were in it for was the angst of the protagonist, her family, and friends, but if you were hoping for a fuller explanation of how things came about in the storylines you might want to read the other books in the series. It was good enough that I could see myself reading it again in its place if I had some of the other books in the series, but I don't think I will be looking for them soon or even possibly at all. Much better books to read out there. Sorry.
June 19, 2016
The book was better than first one, but Fanny is annoying, for such a 'selfless' person she is sure selfish. She had Simon on a string, no I don't want you, yes I do right now, she wanted everything her way or not at all.
Ash turned nice and Simon became a nightmare. Fanny's kids weren't too nice.
She treats Bess terrible I think as she loads up a lot of work onto her.
I found it hard as there was two Billies and two Sunny's in the book, as she had the coleman clan in this book a lot.
I did enjoy the bittersweat ending with Ash and Simon.
I think the author has a little piromania in her, every book ends up with a house on fire.
I will read the third one, and I have already bought the Kentucky series too, but I hope the Fanny character gets killed off soon as I find her really annoying. Will read something in between this book and Vegas Sunrise as I'm a bit over this series.
Ash turned nice and Simon became a nightmare. Fanny's kids weren't too nice.
She treats Bess terrible I think as she loads up a lot of work onto her.
I found it hard as there was two Billies and two Sunny's in the book, as she had the coleman clan in this book a lot.
I did enjoy the bittersweat ending with Ash and Simon.
I think the author has a little piromania in her, every book ends up with a house on fire.
I will read the third one, and I have already bought the Kentucky series too, but I hope the Fanny character gets killed off soon as I find her really annoying. Will read something in between this book and Vegas Sunrise as I'm a bit over this series.
Read
December 22, 2024Loved this family saga. Fanny Thornton married Sallie Coleman’s son, Ash, who is in the gambling business in Las Vegas. She is very unhappy and divorces him to marry his brother Simon. They have 4 children together, Sunny, twins, Birch and Sage, and Billie. Fanny doesn’t see her children for 3 years, a new life with Simon. Sunny has a child, Jake, who Fanny hasn’t even met and she is pregnant with her second. The marriage with Simon is bad, he is very controlling and refuses to let Fanny have anything to do with her 1st family. She can’t take it anymore and leaves him. Ash is dying and Fanny takes over Babylon, the casino. Simon does some really bad things to sabotage Fanny and her life. Another man, Marcus Reed, a mysterious business man who promises her passion she has been denied for too long, becomes Fanny’s friend ( Spoiler) and they fall in love and are together in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2012
Fanny Thornton is the ex-wife of Ash Thornton of the Thornton Dynasty. Fanny falls in love with Ash's brother, Simon, marries and moves away and is torn as she is separated from her family that mean everything to her. But after three years Simon and Fanny's marriage crumbles. So when Ash falls desperately ill, Fanny returns to Las Vegas to run Babylon Casino. As Fanny takes over Babylon, her children (twin sons, Birch and Sage and daughters, Sunny and Bille) are going through their own trials and tribulations that life throws their way. Fanny's biggest regret in life is that she has failed two marriages and wonders if she will ever find the man of her dreams.
The family dynamics of this book were second to none. Absolutely an engrossing story from start to finish! I loved it!
The family dynamics of this book were second to none. Absolutely an engrossing story from start to finish! I loved it!
August 2, 2015
This book was not as good as some of the others in the series (I read them out of order). There was too much stalling and "thinking" and indecision, and too many coincidences.
I got a little disgusted with Fanny. She and Ash are divorced, but she is still at his beck and call even though it disrupts her life. She is also too busy feeling guilty over things not her fault. Among other characters, Sonny proves to be an ass for most of the book. She is very unforgiving of her mother for not being active in her life even though Fanny does not live close by.
The best part of the book was when Ash kills his brother who is an obsessive control-freak to protect Fanny.
I got a little disgusted with Fanny. She and Ash are divorced, but she is still at his beck and call even though it disrupts her life. She is also too busy feeling guilty over things not her fault. Among other characters, Sonny proves to be an ass for most of the book. She is very unforgiving of her mother for not being active in her life even though Fanny does not live close by.
The best part of the book was when Ash kills his brother who is an obsessive control-freak to protect Fanny.
August 27, 2015
Fanny Thornton is living her life as she thinks Sallie Coleman Thornton would have. Any time she faces a crisis or has to make a decision she asks, "What would Sallie do?" It's only when Fanny is faced with some life and death decisions that she realizes, with the help of her friends Bess and Billie who have always been honest with her, that she is not living her life by walking in Sallie's shoes. Sadly she is making some poor choices because of the path she has chosen for herself.
Lots of twists and turns in this second book of the Vegas series. Several of the characters show they have a second more negative side.
Lots of twists and turns in this second book of the Vegas series. Several of the characters show they have a second more negative side.
April 3, 2011
Fern Michaels seems to be one of those writers that I just don't like. Her books are written wonderfully, but their content just doesn't appeal to me. I do not like the way her books start, continue or end. They seem sad from begining to the last line. I don't think that after this series I will ever read one of her books again, they are said to be romance books...but they are not they leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
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