The Great Betrayal

by Millenia Black

Book Overview

By all appearances, the Cavanaughs of West Palm have an ideal marriage and life - the perfect home with few complications. Leslie, the wife, shines bright in corporate America. Her adoring husband, Luke, is a movie-star-handsome award-winning architect. Kathryn, their privileged daughter, enjoys the best that life has to offer. However, Leslie is not who she claims to be and has a painful secret that will shake the foundations of the family. Her daughter...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451219538
• ISBN13: 9780451219534
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: New American Library
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Read it in one day!

With a one year old, I very rarely get much time to sit down and read. So, when I tell you that I read this book in ONE DAY, you know it was amazing! It was not only an interesting read, but fun. Since I read The Great Pretender and devoured it with enjoyment, I'd been waiting for Millenia Black's second novel. I was thrilled when one was published! As was her first book, this book was about family secrets, dynamics, relationships, struggles, drama, over-coming obstacles, growing. It's about love, loss, pain, loyalty, and betrayal. I won't give anything away about the story, other than to say that I think you'll be hooked after the first page, just as I was. It's not often you find a great author, often I find myself reading authors just because I am used to picking up their latest book, or just because I want to try something new. Many times the read is satisfactory. Sometimes I hope that the writing or plots will get better. However, I have been learning that trying new genre's, authors, can really pay off. I hope that people will give Millenia Black a chance, and I hope to see her books get the attention in the media and such that I think they deserve!

A Must Read - I Read This In One Night!!!

THE GREAT BETRAYAL was an absorbing book and like The Great Pretender, it made me drunk with anticipation with what will happen next! I loved how the author showed Leslie Cavanaugh as a broken woman in her darkest frame of mind, causing lots of pain for others only because she didn't know how to move on from a tragedy. I know some might get annoyed with her, but I felt that pain. It was true. Many people experience such inertia in their lives and are stuck in their grief, and stuck in what was. Then a horrible and bad happening, that could've easily been turned into a soapy-"Jerry Springer"-type fiasco, was portrayed in a very dignified and natural way. I really enjoyed the ending, though it was a shock in true Millenia Black fashion! It's left open-ended for a sequel and I really hope the author writes one! For this and for her first book. There is a whole other story to tell here about the Cavanaughs, too! More please!!

A Great Writer

"...looking Crockett-and-Tubbs cool..." I love Millenia's style and this one was a roller coaster of emotions throughout the book. I loved the desperation of the characters. In this book, as opposed to The Great Pretender, the characters were likable. I wanted to help them. I wanted them to help themselves. They became so real to me. Twists and turns, I never knew what to expect next. Although I did have the betrayal figured out in the beginning, there were enough twists to have me doubting myself. Upon the realization I was correct though, it was still a horrible shock to the system. I liked The Great Pretender, but I REALLY liked The Great Betrayal.

A Great Second Novel

Leslie Cavanaugh seems to have grabbed the brass ring of life. She has a handsome husband who loves her, a lovely daughter and enough money to splurge. Her life in beautiful Palm Beach ,Florida seems to be a dream come true. Unfortunately, dreams can become nightmares and Leslie's past is about to come back to haunt her. We all have secrets and "skeletons in our closets". Leslie has kept her past under wraps, but now it looks like it all is coming to light and her present may be destroyed. As Leslie deals with her past, she also deals with today's traumas. Her husband, Luke, may be having an affair and her beloved daughter, Kathryn, seems to be involved in a very scary situation. Kathryn is in her early teens and has to deal with insecurities and finding love in a family that appears to be coming apart at the seams. In this second stunning novel Ms. Black shows it is possible to make flawed characters fascinating. Leslie is less than likable, but she comes to life along with the other character through intense, emotional dialog and vibrant narrative. It is easy to judge these characters as having to live with choices made, but we never know how we would react to extreme situations. The book contains a reader's guide with discussion questions. The Great Betrayal would be an excellent choice for a book club with many juicy, thought provoking topics to discuss. If you have not already read it, I highly recommend Ms. Black's debut novel, The Great Pretender. I look forward to a third book that this wonderful writer has in the works. Review courtesy of A Romance Reviews

Kudos!!! Millenia!!!!

I have read both Millenia Black books and loved them. This one was very much written in a fashion similar to the styles of Jackie Collins and Sidney Sheldon. You don't like the characters; however your compelled to read on. I think the time changes were approriate and I had figured out one scenario in the book; but never thought of how it would end. I'm also enjoyed the reading guide and interview in the back of the book. I'm looking forward to her next book.