The Stars Shine Down

• THE STARS SHINE DOWN is the story of Lara Cameron, who grows up in poverty in Nova Scotia (Glace Bay) only to become one of the richest women in the world through the development of a vast real estate empire. The public only knows her as Lara Cameron, powerful real estate developer. She leads them all to believe her father was also a rich real estate developer from Scotland, but the truth is, she grew up with an abusive father who was only glad to be rid of her.But through the contacts she makes early on in her life, she learns how to become independent and leaves Canada for a new life in the States. And from there her empire takes off.

  Within the story is a mystery - as Lara gets more powerful, she notices "things" starting to happen. She befriends a man that she suspects is affiliated with the mafia, and they start an affair. At one point she suspects foul play (to her advantage) in the development of one of her buildings, and she starts to think that Paul Martin is behind it. She does not know if she can trust him.

  As the story progresses, we learn more about the people who are close to her, and it is not until the very end that the mystery is unraveled and we learn who had been the one behind a number of accidents and other unscrupulous dealings to help Lara build her empire.I liked this book. It's one of Sidney Sheldon's better novels. As always, it was fast reading and well written. The characters are all memorable and you can always sympathize with the main character. A must-read for all fan.

• This is one of the best Sheldon has written. I love Lara Cameron (as I love Kate Blackwell in "Master of the Game" and Tracy Whitney in "If Tomorrow Comes"). Lara showed the many facets of a woman's strengths, and weaknesses. i know that she is fiction and too good to be true, but 'she' is not impossible. one time in my life, her character served as a great inspiration to me.

  "The Stars Shine Down" is definitely a five-star! I lost the copy i bought, and read, several years ago. So I bought another copy. it's a good book to own.

• Amazing story - non-stop reading to the bitter end. Lara Cameron is Sheldon's answer to Donald Trump. She takes us on a "rags to riches" journey starting with her uncaring and distant father (the absence of her mother and twin brother in her life; Lara being the only survivor from that birth) and her rise to the top in the world of real estate development.
  
  Sheldon takes us through many locations beginning in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia then unto Chicago and New York City. Lara makes her mark in this "man's field" and along the way meets up and gets the undying support of Paul Martin, NYC attorney with Mafia connections and banker and financial wizard, Howard Keller, who becomes her right-hand man in all areas of the business.
  
  Both men are obsessed with Lara. Lara achieves great success and fortune but yearns for the love that she has missed out on her entire life. She finally finds this love in her knight in shining author (her Lochinvar), world renowned pianist, Philip Alder. What will this love interest do to her connections with Paul Martin and others and of course her career? I high recommend this book to everyone. It is a story that you will not be able to put away until there is no more story to read. Thank you, Mr. Sheldon!

• Lara Cameron wants everything, but it takes some ruinous circumstances to make her realize she has more than she needs.
  
  By 20, Lara was a millionaire intent on conquering Chicago. A couple of years later, takes on New York, and the world.
  
  From Nova Scotia to Chicago, New York to Amsterdam, The Stars Shine Down describes the life of a woman who knew what she wanted and was willing to pay the price to get it.
  
  Lara Cameron comes off as a flawed, lovable, and tragic heroine; Paul Martin, as a vengeful lover; and Howard Keller, as the apotheosis of passion out of control.
  Sheldon gives a stellar performance; this is a book to fall in love with.