Fine Things : A Novel

From Library Journal Bernard Fine is happy with his life. In his early 30s, he has just been made senior vice-president of Wolff's Department Store in his hometown of New York. He is not pleased, therefore, when he is sent to California to open up a posh new Wolff's in San Francisco. His luck changes, though, when he falls in love with an enchanting five-year-old named Jane, and with her mother, Liz O'Reilly. Jane adores strong, sensitive Bernie and all three are blissfully happy until tragedy strikes the Fine family. In short, this is a story about the power of love and the unity of family to surmount grief and misfortune. The narrative moves slowly in parts and the dialogue is somewhat trite, but the characters are likeable and the story entertaining. Sure to be in demand by Steel fans. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club main selections.Maria A. Perez-Stable, Western Michigan University Libraries, Kalamazoo Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. Review ''Steel is one of the best.'' -- Los Angeles Times -- Review Smart, likable, Bernie Fine was the wonder boy of  Wolff's, New York's most glamorous department  store. A senior VP moving up, he arrives in San  Fransisco to open a West Coast store. His career is  skyrocketing, but his life is lacking a center.  When he looks into the wide, innocent eyes of  five-year-old Jane O'Reilly, and then into the equally  enchanting eyes of her mother, Liz, Bernie knows  he has found what he has been looking for. Bernie  thought he had found love to last a lifetime, but  when Liz is stricken with cancer shortly after the birth of  their first child, time becomes  painfully short. Alone with two children, Bernie  must face the loss and learn how to move on. New  people, new experiences, a new life alone with two  kids. He meets it with courage and humor, and  learns some of life's hard but precious lessons as he  does.

Surpassing Wanderlust as Danielle Steel's longest-running New York Times hardcover bestseller, Fine Things spent more than 26 weeks on the list, including nine weeks as Number One.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERSmart, likable Bernie Fine was the wonder boy of Wolff’s, New York’s most glamorous department store. A senior VP on the way up, he arrives in San Francisco to open a West Coast store. His career is skyrocketing, but his life lacks a center. When he looks into the wide, innocent eyes of five-year-old Jane O’Reilly, and then into the equally enchanting eyes of her mother, Liz, Bernie knows he has found what he has been looking for. Bernie thought he had found love to last a lifetime, but when Liz is stricken with cancer, time becomes painfully short. Alone with two children, Bernie must face the loss and learn that life has other fine things to offer. Riding on the crest of a highly successful career, Bernie Fine was moving to fast to realise that he had everything - except what he wanted most. Sent to San Francisco to open the smartest department store in California, Bernie becomes aware of the hollowness of his personal life. Despite his success he grows increasingly disenchanted - until five-year-old Jane O'Reilly gets lost in the store. Through Jane, Bernie meets her mother Liz, who finally offers him the possibility of love. But the rare happiness they find together is disrupted by tragedy and Bernie must face the terrible price we sometime have to pay for love ... After the death of his wife, Bernie Fine struggles to cope with his shattering loss and must endure further hardships until he meets a strong and caring woman who sympathizes with his ties to the past Living the adrenaline rush of an import business commitment and high-powered career, Bernie Fine was moving too fast to realize that he had everything--except what he wanted most A contemporary tale of loss, survival, powerful caring, and the price sometimes paid for loving It was almost impossible to get to Lexington and Sixty-third Street.