Webs of Power

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 show more 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. show less

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 show more 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 show less

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 show more 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
Independent Professional Book Reviewer show less

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.

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.

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.

Darlene Quinn's Webs of Power ties the story of three women whose lives were all affected when Philip Sloane announces his plans to take over Consolidated department store. Paige Toddman, the wife of Consolidated's West Coast Division CEO, faces a life-altering dilemma when she realizes that she is pregnant. Her world threatens to fall apart as she decides that she would do whatever it takes to raise her child, despite what her husband Mark may wish for her to do. Meanwhile, Ashleigh McDowell who has to deal with issues at home while her fiancé Conrad Taylor goes oversea to manage his father's business. Finally, Viviana De Mornay engages in an affair with Philip Sloane in the hopes of becoming the wife of a powerful man.

What makes show more this book interesting is how it weaves details and insight about the retail world into the stories of the three women, while it easy to relate to the three main women. The trouble with weaving the stories together is that it sometimes is confusing to follow along with all the different characters. At first, I liked Paige's story the best and Viviana's the least. However, as the story progressed, Ashleigh grew on me, although I still held some dislike for Viviana for being so desperate for power. The characters all had strong personalities, making the readers guess at what they would do next. Overall, Webs of Power was drama-filled, which makes it unpredictable.

*Note: This was also reviewed for Book Divas. show less