Overdrive

by Carmen, K. Glenn

Indianapolis, IN is the perfect city for Victoria Jackson. The city where they drive fast, live fast and excel even faster. Victoria loves the pace of the city and even more so loves the pace of her explosive career. The thirty five year old Senior Executive is married to William, a successful partner in a reputable law firm. The happy couple seems to have a perfect life: a strong marriage, two promising careers and a custom home in the suburbs of Indianapolis. When Victoria graduated with an MBA more than a decade ago, she hoped she would be in this exact position at this exact time in her life, destined to become the first African American female CEO of JDL the Fortune 500 Marketing Firm. Victoria dreamed she would use her power and prestige to pave the road for other Black females climbing the ladder of success in Corporate America. However Victoria veered from that direction long ago and has become swept up with materialism, power and competition. As the intensity of the competition spikes, Victoria begins to display physical symptoms of the tremendous stress. Still, her desire to succeed never waivers. Nothing can stand in Victoria's way of becoming CEO, except feelings erupting with a new member of the executive team. Ride along with Victoria as her detour with the handsome and devilish co-worker heats up. Will Victoria put the breaks on in time to salvage her marriage and career or will she crash and burn? Carmen Kelley Glenn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She also earned a Master's of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Carmen currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and two children. She has always been a working mother and believes a woman can have the best of both worlds. Writing has been an enjoyment and passion. I have always dreamed of sharing my short stories and developing them into a novel. My involvement with Go On Girl Book Club has been my inspiration to complete the first novel I began more than two years ago. More than anything, I wanted to tell an inspiring tale of an African American female who dared to break away from the mold and make a positive change for herself and others. My hope is the book will give the reader food for thought and interesting discussion. My prayer is the book will inspire the reader to make their dreams a reality.

140 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2006

Reviews

[La Tonya Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised this book was well written and well thought out. I loved the way this book was sectioned by months. Evey episode of this book happened between September and December. So much took place in the life of Victoria Jackson in such a short period of time. It was amazing how the writer composed all the complexities within each character within each chapter.

This book went fast through the life of an African-American Woman Corporate professional who was in line for the CEO position. We, the readers, traveled her life on how she arrived at that point, what it costed her personally, professionally, and financially, to stay in line for the job, and once there can Victoria Jackson be truly happy? We, the readers, get a look into the mind of her husband, William, and her secretary and good friend, Max. A good read.

Quote:

She felt she had worked her way up the ladder of success and out of the Black world she is so comfortable in. Max feels extremely uncomfortable in the "European World", as she calls it. When I asked her why she continues to sacrifice her comfort level to work in Corporate America, she said she does not have to sleep with one eye open anymore.

[Gail Adams-Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. My bookclub throughly enjoyed the book and meeting the author.

[Sydney Wharton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book Carmen wrote and the first of her three part series. It was so real and inviting. After reading Overdrive you're going to have to read Ambition and Office Gossip. All three are very enjoyable!

[Kim Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great first novel. Ms Glenn provides the reader with a "sneak peek" into the lives of those at the top of the corporate ladder. The relationships, drama and mystery keeps the reader waiting for more from this author.