Steel's breezy style of narrative is fluid, and I clipped along at a fantastic pace while reading this book. However the plot seems formulaic, and the way Steel describes the action of the book is mostly a turn off. Steel seems to talk about the action that is occurring without really entering into descriptions that involve the reader's senses. While reading, I kept comparing her style with that of mostly unknown authors or authors of freebie books I've gotten from pixelofink.com, and it's difficult for me to understand why she's so famous. I've read some freebies that I think did a better job on characterizations and credible plots. This book is about movie director, Tallie Jones, and a series of betrayals that leave her victimized. The theme of deceit and betrayal is a universal one, and therein lies some of its appeal. Steel does an excellent job of setting up scenes and her transitions, while not seamless, are not too abhorrently clunky either. Tallie, a woman who is so engrossed in her work, that she doesn't take any time for her looks is easily mislead by a long time friend. Her lover, who produces some of the movies she works on, also becomes someone that Tallie cannot trust. Coincidentally, there is a tall, dark, handsome man in the wings. He does not really rescue Tallie, thank goodness, but his appearance is too contrived. While Tallie Jones is a likable protagonist, all the characters in the story seem superficial as though there should be layers of personality that we knew more about. I would rate this story at 2.5 because it does have its 'graces,'....universal themes, likable protagonist, and a narrative style that is fluid, if not totally engaging, or entirely credible.