Blind Ambitions: A Novel

by Lolita Files

Three young women--Desi, Bettina, and Sharon--struggle to make it in the Hollywood movie industry in a town famous for its out-of-wack egotism, lust, and backstabbing. By the author of Scenes from a Sistah.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Lolita Files is an American author, screenwriter, and producer whose work spans fiction, nonfiction, and television. She is the author of six bestselling novels, including the popular book club titles Scenes from a Sistah and Child of God. Her novel sex.lies.murder.fame was optioned for film, with Files adapting the screenplay. She also coauthored Once Upon a Time in Compton with former Compton Gang Unit detectives Timothy M. Brennan and Robert Ladd, a nonfiction account of their years navigating gang wars, the rise of Gangsta rap, and the investigations into the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
Files earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Florida and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Before turning to writing full time, she worked in corporate communications, marketing, and property management, experiences that influenced her early novels. Her path to publication began when she submitted short fiction and pages from Child of God to a major literary agency, resulting in immediate representation and her first book deal.
Based in Los Angeles, Files continues to write novels and nonfiction while developing and producing film, television, and new media projects.

Reviews

[Yolanda Knight- Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read about three African American women in show business in Hollywood. I enjoyed the story.

[Isis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Lolita Files' work, so I was pleased to find this one on sale for $1 at a used bookshop. This is great reading if you're traveling, or are reading to relax--you won't have to expend much mental energy. It epitomizes urban lit from this time period (c. 2000), with lots of specific descriptions of people's outfits, musical tastes, and interior design choices. nothing about this story is spectacular, but nothing is terrible, some parts are clever and elicit a genuine chuckle or two, other parts are quite trite and hackneyed. Definitely not Files' best work, but perfect for when you're in the mood to read something light and not be overly engrossed in the story line.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about three women Desi, Sharon and Bettina trying to make it in Hollywood. I started reading but it just didn't capture my attention, it was like the story was moving slow.
Desi knew that people always told her she looked like a movie star but she found out in L.A that she was no exceptions.
Sharon smoked a lot of weed and her boyfriend Glen said he spent all his life trying to avoid ghetto girls and that she thought she was a decent women.
Bettina because of her looks was able to get any gifts from men, like a new car, wardrobe, weekend getaway or a sudden change of residence and phone number.
It's really not nice to judge situations you don't understand.
Anything Can Happened In Hollywood.

[Cassandra Haywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams and ambitions can happen

This was an excellent read about two women determined to make it in Hollywood. There were a lot of obstacles to overcome especially the backstabbing.
I just wish that the author had included what happened with one of the minor character Merridith when her long lost secret daughter conforted her at the airport.

[D. Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went back and forth between a 3 and 4 star rating for this one manly because I wasn’t a big fan of Sharon. Her and Desi’s friendship didn’t exactly feel like a friendship to me because Sharon is so snappy. To everyone. But the ending was really good so that kind of made up for everything else.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. I just didn’t like the way some of the characters were. One slept with a married man and another one wanted to date someone they were trying to do business with. I liked that it had a good ending.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story line. Shows how a little faith in God will turn anything intended for bad, turns into a blessing.

[Diane Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer read. Enjoyed the story line and characters.

[Matthew Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty enjoyable, but the drama got a little unrealistic.

[Essence Cropper · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a character that had what seemed to me storyline being built up and then nothing, so that kind of sucked. Overall it was an enjoyable book.

[SlowReadingJohn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[India · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun read, just the right amount of feel-good and tension.

[Valencia Quarles Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lolita Files does a wonderful job in this book. As per her style, and based solely on my experience when reading her novels, she left me hanging on yet another cliff. Blind Ambitions leaves the reader with the knowledge that faith, honesty, perseverance and determination all play a role in the overall human experience. I absolutely love this story.
However, with all of this being said, I am still curious as to whether or not there is a sequel to this story. What happens to Hazel/Meredith/Elise? Does Desi, Sharon, or Bettina get everything they're searching for? How in the world is Sharon as a parent (Goodness knows I am praying for her child!!!)
Will the relationships flourish or flop? No one knows but Lolita...hopefully we'll find out soon!

[Mom Taxi Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library not realizing it was a black story line. I actually stopped reading it and read something else but then I didn't have anything to read so I finished reading it. It was a pretty good book but almost felt like a beginning writer wrote it. And it all worked out to easy in the end.

[Nascha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book by Lolita Files. Set in Hollywood, Files explores the lifestyle, ambition and choices of three women all looking to succeed in Hollywood. It is the first book that I have ever read by Lolita Files and I was very impressed. She is a fine writer and I wish that she received more attention for her work.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lolita Flies novel ,Blind Ambition, was a change from the books that I normally read. It was set in Hollywood and it explores Show buissness through the eyes of 3 African American women. It shows the reader how your luck and life can change on a dime. It was a wonderful book and I would recommend it for many of my friends.

[Toye Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

lolita did a great job i absolutely loved it.it kinda boring but i loved how every question i had she answered it . blind ambitions is a page turner and she predicts the feature of WB which is CW now funny great read

[Syieve Locklair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and wonderful read. Lolita's writing style is addictive and pleasant. She's able to pull you in, make you love her characters, and throw you a twist in the story line as soon as you think you have it all figured out.

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was good. but i expected a little more considering the build up with prologue. I was expecting something different, but all an all I think it was good.

[Catrice Gilbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a little too busy.. But otherwise a good book!

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was ok.....didn't pick up until near the end....

[Denyse M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still waiting on the hype the reviews gave. It was a simple read, i expected a little more juice. However, it was a happy ending which was great.