Pot of Gold

How would it change you if you won the lottery - won big? Would your priorities change, your personality, your relationships? When Claire, a single mom and talented graphic designer, wins 60 million dollars, her life, and that of her teen aged daughter changes in all the expected ways, and in some very unexpected ways as well. What makes this such a delightful read is the depth of Judith Michael's analysis; we follow Claire's thoughtful decision-making, and learn of the primacy of family love in her value system, while we're entertained by the greed and power hunger of people she meets, who get their comeuppance in this satisfying story. There are crises, romances, travel, dastardly corporate types, and lots to keep the story moving, and the question remains at the end - how would you handle such a windfall?

This is my all-time favorite of Judith Michael's. Okay, so it isn't a "literary" masterpiece, but I couldn't put it down. It's a great escape for a few hours, and its selling point is that you can really identify with Claire ... who doesn't dream of winning the lottery? This book explores that "reality." I especially loved the part where Claire and Emma go on a shopping spree at the snooty Simone's. Of course Simone doesn't want anything to do with two "mall-dressed" women, but ah! does money talk! Hannah, the unexplained relative is a little hard to swallow, and I would've liked a better explanation of from where and how she came to be right at the pivotal moment Claire wins her millions. However, she adds nicely to the story in that she's practical, level-headed and displays a much-needed "wisdom" in how to handle those excess dollars!I've read a few others of Judith Michael's, but this is the BEST! Buy it now! You'll be engrossed!

Once, a friend told me to read DECEPTIONS, Judith Michael's masterpice. By this time, I haven't read anything by this writing team, I didn't read it, because I thought that POT OF GOLD seemed more interesting. And when I started reading it, the book really gripped me. It's not to say that it is a marvelous book, but it's the kind of reading you seek for when you arrive at home looking for something to forget the world you live and all you want is a light, soft reading. The plot is great fun, the main characters are nice guys and when you finish reading it, you feel much better looking for something else by this author. The only problem is the ending. Not satisfatory to my point-of-view. Though some friends of mine liked it. I did, but it could be better. The book's worthwhile, anyway, and you won't be disappointed.I'd also recommend A CERTAIN SMILE.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were excellantly written whereas you could actually picture them and feel their struggles as well as their happiness. The story was very good and it was very realistic. It actually brought you into the lives of the characters and I think many people feel like Claire and can relate to her life and style before winning the lottery and experience the same feelings as she did afterward. This was my first Judith Michael novel and I will be searching for another one.

The Kirkus Reviews article calls it cherry Jell-o with fake whipped cream, but I think it's more like a good ice cream sundae with all the toppings. "What if you won the lottery?" is a popular daydream for most people, and here, the authors give us a pretty nice example, not one of those horror stories you hear on Oprah or whatever of people who experienced hell after winning the big jackpot. And, the writing of Judith Michael is not "awful" - it's a lot better than Danielle Steele, for example, who's a truly bad writer. So, if you like nice fantasies - especially if you're a woman - and have had one of those "what if I won the lottery" daydreams, it's good reading.