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Balancing Act
All She Can Be Rita Bellamy has had enviable success as an author, but it came at the expense of her marriage. Now she’s starting over in a small lakeside cottage, slowly rebuilding the confidence that was shattered. But is the younger man next door a fun, frivolous diversion or something much more? Free Spirit Moving to Washington D.C. to be with Griff should be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Dory’s life. Yet there are adjustments too, and sacrifices she never expected. And soon Dory must weigh the price of love against everything she hoped to gain…
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
477 people are currently reading
642 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
429 books6,572 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 57 reviews
March 23, 2020
These books are awful. It’s a good thing the author improved. What a complete waste of paper.
December 17, 2014
I didn't realize Balancing Act contained two romance stories. One's titled All She Can Be. The other Free Spirit. I actually liked All She Can Be the Best. Maybe because I'm an author and could relate in some small way to the character. But I liked the fact Rita Bellamy finally comes to terms with her divorce and finally starts living for herself. In the process she learns how strong she really is. Of course meeff are meant for each otherting Professor Peterson, Twigg, helps build her confidence too. They meshed so well.
In the Free Spirit we are lead to believe from the get go Dory and Griff are star-struck with each other, but a major move to Virginia shows it ain't so. I was disappointed on how Ms. Michael's handled the turmoil between the two. To me there was an easier resolution, one which I felt would've been more satisfying, uplifting--have Dory find the perfect job in Washington DC. I did love her wild aunt though.
In the Free Spirit we are lead to believe from the get go Dory and Griff are star-struck with each other, but a major move to Virginia shows it ain't so. I was disappointed on how Ms. Michael's handled the turmoil between the two. To me there was an easier resolution, one which I felt would've been more satisfying, uplifting--have Dory find the perfect job in Washington DC. I did love her wild aunt though.
May 24, 2020
I have always been a huge Fern Michaels fan, so when I saw this book at a Dollar General I snapped it up. It's not the worst book I've ever read, but certainly not the best. I got irritated with the sexist attitudes in there, but when I looked at the front and realized both of these books were originally published in 1983, that explained a lot.
The first story was pretty good, the second one.... If you are a Fern Michaels fan you may enjoy it because you are a Fern Michaels fan, but if you are new to her, don't think this is her best, it's not by a long shot.
The first story was pretty good, the second one.... If you are a Fern Michaels fan you may enjoy it because you are a Fern Michaels fan, but if you are new to her, don't think this is her best, it's not by a long shot.
August 18, 2013
An easy read.
June 26, 2019
Did not like the ending of the second one especially. Left too many things unsolved
September 13, 2017
Two stories in one book. Easy reading. First story about a woman who is divorced and now concentrating on her writing career. Rita moves to a lakeside cottage to push to finish her latest romantic novel. Rita is slowly rebuilding her self confidence and needs to become more independent from her three children. Moving on and going upward.
June 11, 2021
I usually enjoy books by Fern Michaels but this book was really hard to finish. It consisted of two different stories in this book. In both stories I really did not like the characters. I kept hoping that the book would get better but it did not. I was just happy that the story was over and I was able to finish the book.
June 20, 2022
2 separate stories in one book. Both have women as the central characters.
Each woman is at a stage in her life when she is questioning her life choices. In the past each has made choices for the good of others and now each woman realizes she is happiest when she makes decisions that will lead her to create her own happiness.
Each woman is at a stage in her life when she is questioning her life choices. In the past each has made choices for the good of others and now each woman realizes she is happiest when she makes decisions that will lead her to create her own happiness.
September 16, 2018
BALANCING ACT
A lot of reviews complained about how old these books are, that didn't bother me at all - I just thought they weren't very interesting - I skimmed both stories to get to the end.
A lot of reviews complained about how old these books are, that didn't bother me at all - I just thought they weren't very interesting - I skimmed both stories to get to the end.
October 25, 2020
Two Great Books in One!
I normally avoid multi-story books, so Balancing Act was a nice surprise. The book is actually two complete unrelated books in one. I would rate each with 4 and a half stars if I could.
I normally avoid multi-story books, so Balancing Act was a nice surprise. The book is actually two complete unrelated books in one. I would rate each with 4 and a half stars if I could.
November 16, 2020
Hmmm
I didn't expect it to end so abruptly and it made it feel a little like a novela. I'd really like to see how things went with the senator and I'm disappointed that didn't pan out. Win some you lose some.
I didn't expect it to end so abruptly and it made it feel a little like a novela. I'd really like to see how things went with the senator and I'm disappointed that didn't pan out. Win some you lose some.
June 2, 2024
Ok, I didn't love the first story of this book, since it's 2 stories within 1 book. It felt kinda typical and really fast paced. I enjoyed the 2nd story more, it was more reliable for me, it felt like it had a bit more depth. Plus didn't feel nearly as fast paced.
May 4, 2017
Two stories in one book. Loved them both!
June 2, 2019
Just okay but I knew it wasn't really my kind of book. Quick, easy read. 2 stories in one.
September 19, 2019
No good ending
I did not realize the story ended! It left way to many unanswered plots. Very disappointed in this book. Hope the next one I read of hers is better.
I did not realize the story ended! It left way to many unanswered plots. Very disappointed in this book. Hope the next one I read of hers is better.
February 7, 2020
Did not appeal to me as all of her other books
March 10, 2020
An easy book to read.
February 11, 2013
Balancing Act by Fern Michaels
Two books in one
.
All She Can Be
Rita and Brett Bellamy were divorced. Her writing was paying off nicely and he couldn't handle that. She was lucky to get the house in NJ and the cabin in the Pocono Mountains where she was curently writing an historical romance novel.
She had the whole lake Happiness to herself as it was just fall all but for one renting the house at the bend in the lake, Twigg Petersen. He's a professor on sabbatical to write reports from his marine journeys around the world.
She recalls what each of the kids said about her divorce...
The guy in her life is Ian Martin and he's also her literary agent and he's due to pay her a visit.
She went into town and got some things to spoil herself with and 4 rooms of furniture, plants and groceries. Her kids never thought of her writing job as a job and want her to drop everything to babysit for 4-5 days while they go on a trip. She has to put her foot down and finish the book she's writing, she's on deadline.
Her male character is becoming more like Twigg than she realizes...and she can even describe a kiss they share...
She was still a slave to her kids, making doctor appointments for them, etc.
Her daughter comes to visit and is taken aback with her neighbor and that she's said no to other family members. She sure has changed...How much will she trust her friend with her daughter... The snow comes and so much of it at one time...
Hot steamy love scenes add to this story, love the locale and how it's described.
Love the family relationships and those of friends, wish this was a series.
.
Free Spirit
Dory Faraday works at Soiree magazine in NY and Griff Michaels is a vet, just closed his NY office and they will both be leaving for DC soon. He will start up with partners a new clinic for animals and she will do some freelancing work and go back to college for her doctorate.
As they get ready to leave she has to keep a secret from him about some offers...
Is the move the right decision for her? She finds out after they've rented a house and she's decorated it and goes to school a few times a week.
The trip back to NY had to be made... Her aunt Pixie keeps her grounded even though she usually is not.
Excerpt from The Blossom Sisters is at the end.
0345308409
Merged review:
Balancing Act by Fern Michaels
Two books in one
.
All She Can Be
Rita and Brett Bellamy were divorced. Her writing was paying off nicely and he couldn't handle that. She was lucky to get the house in NJ and the cabin in the Pocono Mountains where she was curently writing an historical romance novel.
She had the whole lake Happiness to herself as it was just fall all but for one renting the house at the bend in the lake, Twigg Petersen. He's a professor on sabbatical to write reports from his marine journeys around the world.
She recalls what each of the kids said about her divorce...
The guy in her life is Ian Martin and he's also her literary agent and he's due to pay her a visit.
She went into town and got some things to spoil herself with and 4 rooms of furniture, plants and groceries. Her kids never thought of her writing job as a job and want her to drop everything to babysit for 4-5 days while they go on a trip. She has to put her foot down and finish the book she's writing, she's on deadline.
Her male character is becoming more like Twigg than she realizes...and she can even describe a kiss they share...
She was still a slave to her kids, making doctor appointments for them, etc.
Her daughter comes to visit and is taken aback with her neighbor and that she's said no to other family members. She sure has changed...How much will she trust her friend with her daughter... The snow comes and so much of it at one time...
Hot steamy love scenes add to this story, love the locale and how it's described.
Love the family relationships and those of friends, wish this was a series.
.
Free Spirit
Dory Faraday works at Soiree magazine in NY and Griff Michaels is a vet, just closed his NY office and they will both be leaving for DC soon. He will start up with partners a new clinic for animals and she will do some freelancing work and go back to college for her doctorate.
As they get ready to leave she has to keep a secret from him about some offers...
Is the move the right decision for her? She finds out after they've rented a house and she's decorated it and goes to school a few times a week.
The trip back to NY had to be made... Her aunt Pixie keeps her grounded even though she usually is not.
Excerpt from The Blossom Sisters is at the end.
0345308409
Two books in one
.
All She Can Be
Rita and Brett Bellamy were divorced. Her writing was paying off nicely and he couldn't handle that. She was lucky to get the house in NJ and the cabin in the Pocono Mountains where she was curently writing an historical romance novel.
She had the whole lake Happiness to herself as it was just fall all but for one renting the house at the bend in the lake, Twigg Petersen. He's a professor on sabbatical to write reports from his marine journeys around the world.
She recalls what each of the kids said about her divorce...
The guy in her life is Ian Martin and he's also her literary agent and he's due to pay her a visit.
She went into town and got some things to spoil herself with and 4 rooms of furniture, plants and groceries. Her kids never thought of her writing job as a job and want her to drop everything to babysit for 4-5 days while they go on a trip. She has to put her foot down and finish the book she's writing, she's on deadline.
Her male character is becoming more like Twigg than she realizes...and she can even describe a kiss they share...
She was still a slave to her kids, making doctor appointments for them, etc.
Her daughter comes to visit and is taken aback with her neighbor and that she's said no to other family members. She sure has changed...How much will she trust her friend with her daughter... The snow comes and so much of it at one time...
Hot steamy love scenes add to this story, love the locale and how it's described.
Love the family relationships and those of friends, wish this was a series.
.
Free Spirit
Dory Faraday works at Soiree magazine in NY and Griff Michaels is a vet, just closed his NY office and they will both be leaving for DC soon. He will start up with partners a new clinic for animals and she will do some freelancing work and go back to college for her doctorate.
As they get ready to leave she has to keep a secret from him about some offers...
Is the move the right decision for her? She finds out after they've rented a house and she's decorated it and goes to school a few times a week.
The trip back to NY had to be made... Her aunt Pixie keeps her grounded even though she usually is not.
Excerpt from The Blossom Sisters is at the end.
0345308409
Merged review:
Balancing Act by Fern Michaels
Two books in one
.
All She Can Be
Rita and Brett Bellamy were divorced. Her writing was paying off nicely and he couldn't handle that. She was lucky to get the house in NJ and the cabin in the Pocono Mountains where she was curently writing an historical romance novel.
She had the whole lake Happiness to herself as it was just fall all but for one renting the house at the bend in the lake, Twigg Petersen. He's a professor on sabbatical to write reports from his marine journeys around the world.
She recalls what each of the kids said about her divorce...
The guy in her life is Ian Martin and he's also her literary agent and he's due to pay her a visit.
She went into town and got some things to spoil herself with and 4 rooms of furniture, plants and groceries. Her kids never thought of her writing job as a job and want her to drop everything to babysit for 4-5 days while they go on a trip. She has to put her foot down and finish the book she's writing, she's on deadline.
Her male character is becoming more like Twigg than she realizes...and she can even describe a kiss they share...
She was still a slave to her kids, making doctor appointments for them, etc.
Her daughter comes to visit and is taken aback with her neighbor and that she's said no to other family members. She sure has changed...How much will she trust her friend with her daughter... The snow comes and so much of it at one time...
Hot steamy love scenes add to this story, love the locale and how it's described.
Love the family relationships and those of friends, wish this was a series.
.
Free Spirit
Dory Faraday works at Soiree magazine in NY and Griff Michaels is a vet, just closed his NY office and they will both be leaving for DC soon. He will start up with partners a new clinic for animals and she will do some freelancing work and go back to college for her doctorate.
As they get ready to leave she has to keep a secret from him about some offers...
Is the move the right decision for her? She finds out after they've rented a house and she's decorated it and goes to school a few times a week.
The trip back to NY had to be made... Her aunt Pixie keeps her grounded even though she usually is not.
Excerpt from The Blossom Sisters is at the end.
0345308409
March 18, 2017
Easy, light, fluffy...not a Classic!
March 11, 2013
Balancing Act has two stories – All She Can Be and Free Spirit.
The first story – All She Can Be - is sweet and positive story about recently divorced romance writer, about her finding herself again through finding new love. It’s a heartwarming story, easy to read.
The second story – Free Spirit - is about young successful woman, who decides to move in with her boyfriend, but not just move in but to move into another city, quit her job and go back to school. But … she is not strong enough to dive into so many changes all at once and so she will almost lose herself.
This story made me really angry – big problem for me is probably this, that I have grown up with different family values and traditions, so it is difficult for me to understand this men’s need to keep their woman home and be the only provider of the family and women’s need to decorate their home and cook constantly and give birth to one children after another.
So when Dory finally comes to her senses and moves back to her old life, then I understood, that this was the point of this book, to remind all the woman in America, not to settle, not have kids with hope to bind their men to them, but be strong, be themselves and enjoy their life. I’m not saying it’s true for everybody, some enjoy their domestic living, but quite often we do not give ourselves enough credit for the things we do, and the people we do the things for often take them for granted and so we lose ourselves into worrying have we done enough.
Both of these stories are sort of wake up calls – yes we all have difficult moment in our lives and all of us hit the rock bottom few times of our lives, but these moments are the ones that help us to see our lives from different prospective, they give us new directions and without them we would not recognize the moment when we have risen up to the top again, so we could be truly happy.
The first story – All She Can Be - is sweet and positive story about recently divorced romance writer, about her finding herself again through finding new love. It’s a heartwarming story, easy to read.
The second story – Free Spirit - is about young successful woman, who decides to move in with her boyfriend, but not just move in but to move into another city, quit her job and go back to school. But … she is not strong enough to dive into so many changes all at once and so she will almost lose herself.
This story made me really angry – big problem for me is probably this, that I have grown up with different family values and traditions, so it is difficult for me to understand this men’s need to keep their woman home and be the only provider of the family and women’s need to decorate their home and cook constantly and give birth to one children after another.
So when Dory finally comes to her senses and moves back to her old life, then I understood, that this was the point of this book, to remind all the woman in America, not to settle, not have kids with hope to bind their men to them, but be strong, be themselves and enjoy their life. I’m not saying it’s true for everybody, some enjoy their domestic living, but quite often we do not give ourselves enough credit for the things we do, and the people we do the things for often take them for granted and so we lose ourselves into worrying have we done enough.
Both of these stories are sort of wake up calls – yes we all have difficult moment in our lives and all of us hit the rock bottom few times of our lives, but these moments are the ones that help us to see our lives from different prospective, they give us new directions and without them we would not recognize the moment when we have risen up to the top again, so we could be truly happy.
May 26, 2013
By: Fern Michaels
Published By: Zebra Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Review By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"Balancing Act" by Fern Michaels was a bonus in that you got two books in one. 'All She Can Be and Free Spirits' however this was actually two novels that this author had written years ago and I had already read them but I read them again.
In 'All She Can Be'
We find Rita is divorced and a successful author trying to rebuild her life. How will her life change for her after a recent divorce. Will the romance writer be able to pick herself up and find a new love and then there were her children who didn't consider her writing as a job, wanting her to babysit while they went on a 4-5 day trip. Was she loosing herself in all of this? You will find this novella was a 'heartwarming' story and well written by this author.
The next novella was 'Free Spirit'
A very successful Dory makes a discussion to quit her job, move to another city with her boyfriend (Griff) and go back to school. Was this a smart thing to do? Will she be strong enough to not lose herself in all of this that has been put on her? Will she come to her senses and know that this isn't the life for her?
There is definitely a lesson in both of these novellas for the reader. Are you receiving it?
This is where I say you must pick up "Balancing Act" to see which way this author will take the reader on this ride. In both reads you will be able to see how this author was able to use this 'Balancing Act' as it was a emotional ride that this author can only give its readers and I would recommend these two stories as a good read for you.
Published By: Zebra Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Review By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"Balancing Act" by Fern Michaels was a bonus in that you got two books in one. 'All She Can Be and Free Spirits' however this was actually two novels that this author had written years ago and I had already read them but I read them again.
In 'All She Can Be'
We find Rita is divorced and a successful author trying to rebuild her life. How will her life change for her after a recent divorce. Will the romance writer be able to pick herself up and find a new love and then there were her children who didn't consider her writing as a job, wanting her to babysit while they went on a 4-5 day trip. Was she loosing herself in all of this? You will find this novella was a 'heartwarming' story and well written by this author.
The next novella was 'Free Spirit'
A very successful Dory makes a discussion to quit her job, move to another city with her boyfriend (Griff) and go back to school. Was this a smart thing to do? Will she be strong enough to not lose herself in all of this that has been put on her? Will she come to her senses and know that this isn't the life for her?
There is definitely a lesson in both of these novellas for the reader. Are you receiving it?
This is where I say you must pick up "Balancing Act" to see which way this author will take the reader on this ride. In both reads you will be able to see how this author was able to use this 'Balancing Act' as it was a emotional ride that this author can only give its readers and I would recommend these two stories as a good read for you.
January 21, 2015
I sure wish GR would allow 1/2 stars. I think this was better than a 3
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
I didn't realize Balancing Act contained two romance stories. One's titled All She Can Be. The other Free Spirit. I But I liked the fact Rita Bellamy finally comes to terms with her divorce and finally starts living for herself. In the process she learns how strong she really is. Of course meeff are meant for each otherting Professor Peterson, Twigg, helps build her confidence too. They meshed so well.
In the Free Spirit we are lead to believe from the get go Dory and Griff are star-struck with each other, but a major move to Virginia shows it ain't so. I was disappointed on how Ms. Michael's handled the turmoil between the two. To me there was an easier resolution, one which I felt would've been more satisfying, uplifting--have Dory find the perfect job in Washington DC. I did love her wild aunt though
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
I didn't realize Balancing Act contained two romance stories. One's titled All She Can Be. The other Free Spirit. I But I liked the fact Rita Bellamy finally comes to terms with her divorce and finally starts living for herself. In the process she learns how strong she really is. Of course meeff are meant for each otherting Professor Peterson, Twigg, helps build her confidence too. They meshed so well.
In the Free Spirit we are lead to believe from the get go Dory and Griff are star-struck with each other, but a major move to Virginia shows it ain't so. I was disappointed on how Ms. Michael's handled the turmoil between the two. To me there was an easier resolution, one which I felt would've been more satisfying, uplifting--have Dory find the perfect job in Washington DC. I did love her wild aunt though
June 15, 2016
This is a compilation of two Fern Michaels' books. I wish that I had known this before I had started the book. I listened to it on audio and there was not a clear demarcation between the two books. The first book about a divorced romance writer who is learning to be her own person. The second is about a younger career woman who nearly gives up who she is to fit into who she thinks her boyfriend wants her to be. I thought that the first story was much better than the last and would have liked more of it. The second one seemed to drag and only got better toward the end when it abruptly ended.
August 16, 2019
It took me 3 mon. to finish this book. For some reason I can't get into a book with 3 or 4 short stories in it. I don't see anything but Fern Michaels or another author that I like to read until I've started the book. When I get to the next short story I completely lose interest in the book and that's why it takes so long to finish that book. I have another one of them as well. Wonder how long it will take me to read that one.
July 31, 2015
While the stories may be dated, the bottom line(s) are the same, women need to learn to do what is right for themselves and not try so hard to do what others think is right for them. Whether it's getting over a divorce and moving on, or giving up a career for someone else - think about the consequences or rewards of not doing (not getting over the divorce, not giving up one's career) and then make a decision.
August 21, 2014
I must say, as a huge fan of Fern Michaels books, that I was majorly disappointed. I make it a point to not go by others opinions on things. But, ugh! The two mini novels that made up this book were annoying, to put it politly. Especially Dory! It took me forever to finish this book and I must say, I feel like I need a break from these type of books after reading this.
May 26, 2016
Balancing Act
Very,very good. Always . I always e joy all the books you have published. I enjoy your story line for both of the stories in this book. They are so real, every day happenings, your characters are the greatest. I can't wait for your next book. Thanks for a good read.
Very,very good. Always . I always e joy all the books you have published. I enjoy your story line for both of the stories in this book. They are so real, every day happenings, your characters are the greatest. I can't wait for your next book. Thanks for a good read.
December 18, 2013
Two love stories - one predictable, one not. lI really enjoyed these books - the main characters are strong women who finally decide to go after what is best for them, not what the world thinks they should want.
May 14, 2018
Fern Michaels has great character development.
Her characters are so true to life. Their struggles are real and you are right with them when they figure out how to deal with them.
Once you start a story you can't put it down until you finish.
Her characters are so true to life. Their struggles are real and you are right with them when they figure out how to deal with them.
Once you start a story you can't put it down until you finish.
April 17, 2016
Had not ever read this author before. Did not realize this book was a repub from the 80s, but it was awful. I will not try another, although I suspect the books must get better since she's still being published.
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