Books of Nancy Category:  Action/Thriller Type: Fiction Copyright: Dec 1, 2007 ISBN-13: 9781597058209 WWI severs the ties of the third generation of the famous Taylor banking family, but betrayal, lies and murder Separate Worlds is the last book of the famous Taylor banking family trilogy.  When the third generation travels to France to unearth the history of Francois, Duke of LaFevre, Taylor is forced to return much of the family's  wealth to atone for her father's sins. Hard work and thrift helps Chateau Rose prosper until WWI separates the three siblings.  Lily in Brussels, James in the trenches north of Paris and Amanda yanked from the arms of Taylor, each fight their own battle to survive thru betrayal, deceit, murder and, severing the tie that binds them.  How much will each lose along the way? Who will survive, how, and at what cost?        Excerpt As Taylor walked up the aisle, barely discernable whispers trailed her. The steady gait of her carriage carried her authority. I am here to protect my children from your censure, she wanted to shout. We are of his seed but not of his nature. None of them would see the results of her exhaustive days of wrestling to understand François’s chameleon passions. She had come so far, a lifetime, to end her tormenting obsession in the angst-ridden unveiling of her true father. Reliving his betrayal minute by minute had swept the spark from Taylor’s green eyes and robbed her face of its liveliness. Still, her tall frame appeared imperial, especially in perspective to the delicate, dark-haired girl alongside her. At the altar Taylor’s hand strummed the shimmering metal. The tension had sapped her more than she realized, enduring the legal queries, staff inquisitions, and the plain nosy exercised their concern about the mansion, the hotel, the cartel, her future here in Taylorsville. She cared only about the future of her children.

Midwest Reviews by Mayra Calvini
The story of the Taylor family saga continues in this the third and final installment, Separate Worlds.
Under the skillful pen of talented author Nancy Minnis Damato, the tale reaches a heart-wrenching and fully satisfying conclusion.

Though the mother-daughter line is the main plot, there are many subplots that revolve around the First World War taking place in Europe. Taylor's son is away as a soldier, and so is the Count himself. With yet other characters in other parts of Europe, the reader cannot help but wonder. will the family ever unite? Will the pain and struggle go away so they can become a happy, united family after so much darkness and betrayal?

It is impossible to fully enjoy this novel without having read the first two books in the series first. I strongly advice readers to do so in order to understand the characters and their dark legacy. The novel seems to be extremely well researched, grabbing the reader into an imaginary world. The characters are compelling and the storyline interesting. The book also has some intriguing twists and turns. What really stands out, however, is Taylor's struggle as she goes in search of her young daughter. Some passages were so poignant they really brought tears to my eyes. Heart-wrenching, stirring and thoroughly enjoyable, Separate Worlds is a story fans of historical fiction will devour.