The Secrets Within

The impending death of a ruthless matriarch discloses long-buried secrets and unleashes a torrent of subterfuge in this melodramatic but fast-moving soap opera by the author of more than 50 Harlequin romances. Eleanor Vandelier crushed all opposition when she seized and consolidated control of two major Australian vineyards. Now she's dying, and those vanquished forces are preparing for a confrontation at a board of directors meeting. Chief among her opponents is her own daughter, Tamara Vandelier, who will go to any extreme to crush the mother who rejected her. Throw in a nascent rivalry between Eleanor's two sons; a long-suppressed love between her nephew Rory and the flamboyant Tamara; the scheming of Rory's wife and the insane fixations of his mother, and there's always some erotically charged nastiness to keep the brew boiling. Those seeking in-depth character development or a strong sense of place should look elsewhere. The tone never develops the gleeful bite of Jackie Collins, but readers who enjoy a page-churner will find this a good read. (Oct.)