In the world of business, it takes the perfect shade of
lipstick, some fabulous shoes and a strong-willed woman to
make it with the big boys. With the pressures of being a
good mother, devout wife and kick-ass business woman, NYC
can't afford to have a minute of it's time wasted.
Fashion designer Victory Ford's spring collection was
anything but victorious. New ideas didn't exactly pan out
to be good fashion, thus relegating Victory's career to the
back of the couture closet. Days turn into weeks as she
tries to sleep off her bad reviews. NYC is willing to give
her a final shot at the big time, but the pressure of the
perfect fall line is one more knot in the silk rope around
Victory's neck. Why should she continue with her failing
business when everyone insists that the 40-something should
just settle down and have a few kids?
Enter Lyne Bennett, a multi-billionaire who's set on
stomping out Victory's feminist flames and making her his
darling by bullying her into submission. Too bad he doesn't
know who he's about to mess with...
Nico O'Neilly is the hotshot editor-in-chief of Bonfire
magazine. Her career has skyrocketed over the last several
years and she's poised to take over the entire publishing
division of Splatch-Verner. Her adoring husband, Seymour,
has coached her through all of her career moves, but barely
notices her in the bedroom. Frustrated by the lack of good
sex in her life, Nico ends up in the muscular arms of a
young male model. As her ego and libido are stroked, her
career starts to soar.
Mother of three, Wendy Healy is at the top of her game as
the president of Parador Pictures. With several Oscar nods
and a few gold men under her belt, Wendy is working to get
her next baby out -- a 10-year labor of love called Ragged
Pilgrims. Her marriage is one of role reversals -- Wendy
works to provide for her family while her husband, Shane,
stays at home and raises her children. Despite the money
rolling in and Wendy agreeing to pay for everything, Shane
is restless and wants out of the marriage. As Wendy's world
crumbles around her, she worries that she'll never see her
children and that no man will ever love her again. She may
have all the answers to her career, but when it comes to
love, Wendy is at a complete loss.
As three of the most powerful women in NYC struggle to the
top, they realize it's not just a jungle out there -- it's a
LIPSTICK JUNGLE.
While Candace Bushnell might be best know for her beloved
Sex and the City, she's tried to expand her Manhattan
universe with the introduction of these three new women.
Despite the plot sprawling over several continents and
taking gigantic leaps in time, Bushnell's story could use a
few nips and tucks with a side of Botox as far as character
development goes. The most sympathetic character, Wendy, is
easiest to identify with -- she loves her husband (who
doesn't love her back), she loves her kids (who are only
interested in her wallet), and she loves her job (which,
thankfully, seems to be the only thing returning her
affections these days). Nico has everything -- riches, a
great job, a wonderful husband. Still, this isn't enough
for her and instead of investing in The Rabbit (as all Sex
and the City fans will recall Charlotte favoring) she hooks
up with a younger man, who also completely adores her. Nico
is so self-involved that her only support to her struggling
friend is a few lunches, a couple text messages and a pat
on the hand.
While the friendships might be weak, there's plenty of sex,
humor and intrigue that keep the plot moving forward.
LIPSTICK JUNGLE offers a peek into the world of the
insanely rich, powerful and glamorous, making it a good
pick for escapist reading.
Victory Ford is the darling of the fashion world. Single,
attractive, and iconoclastic, she has worked for years to
create her own signature line. As Victory struggles to keep
her company afloat, she learns crucial lessons about what
she really wants in a relationship.
Nico O’Neilly is the glamorous, brilliant editor of Bonfire
Magazine -- the pop-culture bible for fashion, show
business, and politics. Considered one of the most powerful
women in publishing, she seems to have it all. But in a mid-
life crisis, she suddenly realizes this isn’t enough.
Wendy Healy’s chutzpah has propelled her to the very top of
the cut-throat movie industry. When it becomes clear that a
competitor is trying to oust her, something has to give --
and Wendy must decide between her career and her marriage.
In Lipstick Jungle, Bushnell once again delivers an
addictive page-turner of sex and scandal that will keep
readers enthralled and guessing to the very last page.