Hotel Vendome

July 4, 2011
Swiss hotelier Hugues Martin owns and operates the Vendôme, one of Manhattan's most prestigious and hip hotels. His supermodel wife, Miriam, runs off with rock star Greg Bones (she meets him when he stays at the hotel) and leaves Hugues with their four-year-old daughter, Heloise, after which the hotel quickly became the focus of Hugues and Heloise's lives. Miriam marries Greg, has a child with him, and essentially has little interest in Heloise, who grows up enamored with the hotel business, even though Hugues had hoped she would choose another profession. Like her father, she studies at the Ecole Hôtelière in Lausanne. The close-knit relationship between father and daughter, though, has made it impossible for Hugues to start any romantic relationships until, with Heloise away at school, he hires designer Natalie Peterson to redo the hotel and falls in love. When he finally confesses his feelings for Natalie to the protective Heloise, she is furious, convinced she will lose her father to a woman she considers a gold digger. And the sparks ignite. As usual, Steel leaves nothing of her character's feelings, backgrounds, or attitudes to reader inference, preferring to spell out every last detail, but who can argue with success? The formula works, and while one can throw the critical book at Steele, she always delivers to her devoted fans. This time out is no exception.

October 15, 2011
Can a jilted husband and abandoned daughter learn to trust again and even find true love? The latest offering from Steel (Legacy, 2010, etc.) spins the romantic tale of a young girl growing up in a posh hotel with her kind father. Hugues Martin strides into this novel as the perfect romantic hero. Passionate about his calling, he has trained at the best schools, interned at the best hotels, invested his inheritance wisely, and fate offers him the chance of a lifetime, which he, of course, seizes. He purchases and renovates a small, forgotten hotel in New York. Under Hugues, this small hotel becomes the exquisite Hotel Vendôme. Décor is elegant, spa services luxurious, employees capable and security discreet. In this castle he lives with his supermodel wife and lovely daughter, Heloise (references to Eloise at the Plaza are discouraged). Until bad-boy rock-star Greg Bones comes to stay and steals Hugues' wife. After Miriam's departure, Hugues becomes both father and mother for his daughter, raising her with great care. Like his hotel, Heloise is perfect, taking care of not only her father but also the homeless. Potential villains (such as a gold-digging catering manager) are quickly unmasked and sent packing before inflicting any lasting harm. Devoted to his daughter, Hugues keeps his affairs superficial, yet he deserves the love of a good woman. As the story unfolds, both father and daughter find themselves transformed. A novel that will appeal to the most dedicated of Steel's fans.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

June 1, 2011

Middle Eastern terrorists who think they're angels plan to blow the entire world sky-high, and their plan hinges on kidnapping an American scientist who possesses a pair of ancient stones that reputedly allow one to talk with God. Only the scientist's wife can save him; she has psychic power over the stones. If you loved the author's The Secret Supper, you'll probably love this, too.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2011
Heloise has grown up at her Swiss-born father Hugues' carefully renovated and luxurious Hotel Vendme in New York City, much like Eloise at the Plaza in Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's beloved books. Heloise's story parallels that of her single father as he struggles to keep his dream hotel running smoothly while being a responsible parent. Heloise loves every facet of hotel life, from the guest services to the big weddings. She realizes that hotel management is her destiny, despite her father's warning that it takes up most of his life. Steel brings romance to both the busy father and the maturing daughter amid their devotion to the hotel. Although Heloise's entire life span is covered quickly in the novel, she and her father are warm and fully dimensional characters, and readers will find their journey enjoyable. Steel fans, travelers, and those who love travel writing will all enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at a five-star hotel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)