The "A Woman of Substance" series is chick-lit at its finest. "Hold That Dream" is Book 2 of this saga about Emma Hart and her descendants, along with Emma’s closest friend and confidant Blackie O’Neil and his descendants. Together the two families make one big clan; their lives intertwined throughout the series.

"Hold That Dream" was written in 1985 and illustrates customs and traditions of prior decades that no longer seem relevant - for example, the closeness of large families, and that it was definitely a “man’s world” - especially in business. All men considered themselves stronger, smarter, and more qualified to make important business decisions. That is - until the Hart women came into their lives.

There is nothing deep or profound about the series. It simply tells the story of how the Hart women became rich and powerful, following in Emma’s footsteps - taking over the empire of business that Emma founded and ran until old age forced her to step down.

Drama, romance, passions and family conflicts - at least three times i had tears in my eyes. It is a sentimental tale, indeed.

And it is refreshing to read of women portrayed not as victims, but as intelligent and powerful competitors, competing as equals in a masculine corporate environment.

Barbara Bradford was my favorite romance authors when I was young. And re-reading this series recently was just as enjoyable and delicious the second time around.

Other books in the series include:
"To Be the Best", "Emma’s Secret", "Unexpected Blessings", "Just Rewards", and "Breaking the Rules".

Rated 5 Stars August 2021 ( )

I loved Hold The Dream, which is the second in the Emma Harte saga and begins at Pennistone Royal, England, in 1969, with Emma facing her eightieth birthday. After Emma Harte's rise to power in A Woman Of Substance, this book continues her family's story as they face their matriarch's death and take over her empire. After the betrayal of four of her five children, Emma places her faith in her grandchildren. Paula Fairley, Emma's favorite granddaughter, was groomed to take the reins of Harte Enterprises. Still, just as Paula steps into her grandmother's shoes, she's tested by a failed marriage, tragic loss, back-stabbing cousins, and hurtles in the business world that she never saw coming. Barbara Taylor Bradford is a gifted writer who brings the story to life with wonderfully complex characters and lush descriptions of the privileged and powerful world they inhabit. It was refreshing to let this lengthy novel transport me to another world where the rich and beautiful wheel and deal, win and lose, and fall in and out of love. The end is bittersweet and just what I needed. ( )

Sequel to 'Woman of Substance'. Emma is 80 and has been training her grandchildren to continue her vast business empire. Fairly readable although I wasn't very interested in the business side; rather spoilt by too many flashbacks to the previous book, pulling in unecessary details that simply filled space. ( )

I enjoyed this read nearly as much as I did A Woman of Substance, but I felt that it lacked some of the strength of the first novel. Paula McGill Fairley O'Neill rises to the challenge of maintaining her grandmother's standard of excellence, despite personal heartache and setbacks. ( )

Excellent--another big winner--I LOVE eMMA ( )