Book Review: Glittering Fortunes by Victoria Fox

Two brothers. Two rivals. One devastating family secret.
Charlie Lomax hasn't seen his brother in years. Cato's been too busy living the A-list Hollywood dream to bother with a small Cornish town. But now he's back. Hollywood and British aristocracy are about to clash as Cato sets out to claim the Lomax legacy he believes is his birthright.
Unsuspecting Olivia needs a job after spectacularly failing to make a life for herself in London. Forced back to Cornwall she has no idea what she's letting herself in for by becoming a gardener at the crumbling but beautiful Usherwood estate.
She certainly didn't bargain on becoming embroiled in the biggest scandal of the year, and not least because the brooding Charlie is a man she can't seem to stay away from...

Victoria Fox has done it again, another highly entertaining read. Glittering Fortunes is the story of two brothers, Charlie and Cato Lomax. Charlie has been running the beautiful Usherwood estate whilst Cato has been living it up as a Hollywood movie star. But Cato is back now and ready to claim his birthright.
Olivia has just arrived back in Cornwall after trying her luck in London. She takes a job at Usherwood just as Cato arrives back but it is Charlie who she can't take her eyes off.
I really enjoyed Glittering Fortunes, the conflict between Cato and Charlie added another dimension which made the story more interesting. I would have liked a little more interaction between Charlie and Olivia as they were my favourite characters.
Victoria Fox is so good at writing in this genre. Her books offer a little bit of escapism with plenty of scandal and intrigue, highly recommended.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 384

Many thanks to Cherish PR for sending me a copy of the book to review, Glittering Fortunes is out now.

Book Review: Wicked Ambition by Victoria Fox

Some will do anything for fame. Others will do anything to bring the famous down. Robin might come across as feisty and full of attitude but as the tale progresses the reader soon learns her tough exterior conceals a damaged heart , while American megastar Turquoise has a shocking secret that belies a murderous past. And unbeknown to Californian Kristin her boy-band beau is harbouring a dark story that could destroy both their careers. As Wicked Ambition follows the lives of these three ambitious starlets, it soon becomes clear that their rise to the top will be anything but plain sailing. 

I haven't read a good bonk-buster for ages and it is clear that Victoria Fox is one of the best in this genre. Wicked Ambition oozes glamour with a sprinkling of sex and scandal.
The book revolves around three women, Robin, Turquoise and Kristin. They are all huge celebrities at the top of their game but it is their personal lives that threatens everything they have worked for. Robin had an awful start to life and has fought all the way for survival and success. She is used to crazy fans but this one stalker is different and when Robin comes face to face with them she is in for the shock of her life. Turquoise has a huge music career but her first foray into movies brings her past back to haunt her. All she wants to do is make things right but that will put everything she has in jeopardy. Kristin is one of America's sweethearts, a child-star who has grown into a young and inspirational woman. With a stage mother from hell, Kristin clings on to her boyfriend to provide the security and love that she craves. However, Scotty has his own secrets, secrets that will have devastating consequences for himself and those around him.
At 603 pages, Wicked Ambition is long but Victoria Fox keeps up a good pace throughout. The chapters are short and snappy as we delve into the glamorous but murky world of fame and fortune.
Wicked Ambition reminded me of some of the Jackie Collins books I hav
e read. Yet I think that Victoria Fox is more current and her writing more engaging. Wicked Ambition would make the perfect summer read, once you start it you won't want to put it down.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.5/5

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 603

Many thanks to the lovely people at Cherish PR for sending me a copy of the book to review.

Author Interview: Victoria Fox, author of Hollywood Sinners

I loved Victoria Fox's book Hollywood Sinners, you can read my review here. The book is full of glitz and glamour so it was great to be able to ask the author herself some questions:

1. How do you feel about the comparisons between yourself and Jackie Collins?

It’s pretty amazing, actually! I’m a long-time fan of Jackie Collins and to attract even one comparison is mind-blowing, let alone the many that I’ve had. Jackie’s early books are benchmarks in the genre – they were breakthrough and breakneck, totally uncompromising – and I admire her hugely.

2. There are a lot of larger than life characters in this book, do you have a particular favourite or one that you enjoyed writing about more than others?

I think I like Cole Steel best. He was where the book started; I wanted to write a book about a man like Cole Steel, in Hollywood at the top of his game, king of the world, but secretly with this huge emptiness at his heart. This is what fascinates me about fame and I think Cole captures that. He was meant to be an out-and-out baddie but he kept resisting that definition: there’s more to him than meets the eye. There’s definitely another book in Cole.

3. Hollywood Sinners would make a great holiday read. What type of books do you like reading in order to get away from it all?

Thanks! I wrote it with the holiday market in mind as it’s the kind of book I love to read while lounging by the pool. I adore bonkbusters with loads of characters, a really snappy pace and tons of exciting revelations. Favourites in the genre are Lulu Taylor, Jilly Cooper and J J Salem – anything with attitude, where you can tell the authors are having as much fun as you are. Next on my list is Aita Ighodaro’s Sin Tropez . . . what a stunning title! In a different vein, currently on my bedside table is Marian Keyes’ The Brightest Star in the Sky – she never disappoints.

4. I loved reading this book, do you have any plans for future books that I can look forward to?

That’s really kind of you to say, I’m glad. Yes, I have plenty of plans! Over the next eighteen months we have two more books scheduled, both of which will shock, surprise and scandalise! You’ll see some familiar faces from Hollywood Sinners as well as much new naughtiness. Watch this space!

Hollywood Sinners is a fab book, if you want to know more about this lovely author then please check out Victoria Fox's web page by clicking here. 

Book Review: Hollywood Sinners by Victoria Fox

Marriage to Hollywood heartthrob Cole Steel secured Lana a glittering place on the red carpet. But running from a wicked past, she has trapped herself in a gilded cage- the price of freedom...her soul!
Kate's career is fading as quickly as her looks...what could be worse than discovering her husband's latest mistress is Hollywood's hottest starlet? Her only option- the most shocking revenge?
Chloe's innocent beauty has captured a million hearts, but no-one's warned her of the dangerous, dark temptation of rock star Nate- will lust destroy her?
Las Vegas King Robert St Louis and Sin City's richest heiress's fairytale wedding is tabloid gold...But scandal circles like a vulture- dirty secrets are about to be exposed!
From the deepest desires come the deadliest deeds... and these four couples are about to pay for their sins...

The back of Hollywood Sinners explains that Victoria Fox is putting the bonk back into bonkbusters! She certainly is, the only way I can describe this book is as a full on romp and I loved every page of it!
I have read a couple of Jackie Collins books in the past and I think that Victoria Fox hits exactly the same level with her first book.
Hollywood Sinners has everything; power, sex, greed, lust, love, incest, glamour, wealth, fame- I could go on and on. The book is 589 pages long but I just didn't want to put it down and flew through it. The pace is terrific as we move from one character to the next.
As you would expect from a bonkbuster, some of the characters are larger than life but they all fit together perfectly. I think that Victoria Fox shows that fame is a business with a very high price to pay. The character of Lana Fox knows this. To the outside world she has everything, the movie star husband, the L.A. mansion, immense wealth and a successful career. But what would happen if people knew what went on behind closed doors? What if people knew that the door between her and Cole's separate bedrooms had remained firmly shut?
There is a lot of sex in this book but it is very tongue-in-cheek. I know that some people have a low opinion of this type of book but I have to hold my hands up and say that I think they are brilliant. Hollywood Sinners is pure escapism and I think that there are times when you need that from a book. I think that this book would make a great holiday read and don't be put off by the size as I guarantee that you will fly through the pages.

Many thanks to Mira for sending me a copy of the book, it is published on April 15th.