Love-Makers

Judith Gould. Signet Book, $4.5 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-451-14036-4

This family saga portrays the four women who succeed one another as head of the Hale hotel empire. Elizabeth-Anne Hale, the founder, manages to amass a fortune during the Depression. The focus then shifts to her children, particularly daughter Charlotte-Anne. But Charlotte-Anne's existence seems to serve merely to introduce a daughter, Anna. Anna's appearance is just as fleeting. She has only enough time to give birth to Dorothy-Anne. Gould throws in romance and intrigue at various intervals but almost as an afterthought. Although there are some entertaining moments, any real substance is missing. (March)

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