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Ambition
Ambition focuses on Sienna Starr, daughter of famous burlesque artist Tiger Starr. Since Tease, Tiger has gone on to persue a career in Hollywood, leaving her daughter to take the reins as the hottest new showgirl. Living and performing in Vegas, Sienna leads a gifted life of luxury. Having only recently realised the truth that Tiger Starr is her mother (the previous book reveals a huge family secret), Sienna's determined to make it in the industry and make her mother proud. it's her ambition to make it of her own accord, and not simply be famous on the back of her mother's success. Although the other girls are convinced that this isn't the case...
But Sienna's life isn't as wonderful as she assumes. For example, there's her boyfriend Max, the super-rich son of a tycoon. After a string of girls, not to mention the ability to get any girl he wants, Max has persued Sienna and is trying his best not to mess up. But it's not that easy. Especially with a penchant for cheating and a huge gambling problem he can't seem to shake...
Meanwhile Paige, Sienna's 'rival', is determined to get what's hers. Even Max, and she'll try anything to grasp Sienna's seemingly adoring boyfriend. Anything at all. And superbitch Brandy is appalled when her unsuccessful twin brother appears in her life after the death of their mother. Showgirl Brandy, a renowned spoilt brat, left her old life behind her to create another. And she doesn't want Paolo to set foot in it. However, things take an odd turn when Paolo is mistaken for his sister whilst trying to find a necklace she'd taken. Before long, Paolo finds himself donning his twin's makeup and wigs while she's away getting plastic surgery, stepping into the notorious Brandy's shoes and attempting to put right the many, many things that she's done wrong
But Sienna's life isn't as wonderful as she assumes. For example, there's her boyfriend Max, the super-rich son of a tycoon. After a string of girls, not to mention the ability to get any girl he wants, Max has persued Sienna and is trying his best not to mess up. But it's not that easy. Especially with a penchant for cheating and a huge gambling problem he can't seem to shake...
Meanwhile Paige, Sienna's 'rival', is determined to get what's hers. Even Max, and she'll try anything to grasp Sienna's seemingly adoring boyfriend. Anything at all. And superbitch Brandy is appalled when her unsuccessful twin brother appears in her life after the death of their mother. Showgirl Brandy, a renowned spoilt brat, left her old life behind her to create another. And she doesn't want Paolo to set foot in it. However, things take an odd turn when Paolo is mistaken for his sister whilst trying to find a necklace she'd taken. Before long, Paolo finds himself donning his twin's makeup and wigs while she's away getting plastic surgery, stepping into the notorious Brandy's shoes and attempting to put right the many, many things that she's done wrong
448 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2010
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36 people want to read
About the author
Immodesty Blaize
3 books4 followersImmodesty Blaize (born Kelly Fletcher in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England) is a British burlesque dancer who performs internationally.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 30, 2015
I actually read Immodesty Blaize's first book Tease and loved it. I was really looking forward to reading the second installment featuring Tiger Star's daughter Sienna.
Immodesty writes characters extremely well and this book was no different. In her second installment we meet a more grown up Sienna. In the first book she was a spoilt brat who wanted nothing more than her own way at everything. Now she has matured, and upon entering the same entertainment business as her mum is determined to make her own mark. We also meet Blue who is her mum's best friend who is extremely camp and happens to be a dressmaker for the dancers.
We also meet Brandy who is the main star of the show that Sienna is in. Brandy is the super bitch of the story and is again written brilliantly and you can almost picture the diva like antics of her in the dressing room.Max is the super rich playboy that Sienna is dating who seems to have it all. I admit that I loathed him at the very beginning and it shows that Immodesty can create both good and bad in her characters. I am guessing that actually being in the Burlesque business gives her a very good perspective!
The storyline itself is pretty good although nowhere near as good as her first. This book was certainly not a horrible read and I enjoyed it, it just felt like the sparkle of her first attempt was somewhat lacking. Tiger was a much stronger character than Sienna and her whirlwind life was a lot more glamorous. Sienna's life is more down to earth, but then incredibly some very implausible story lines pop up such as Brandy's twin Paulo. Normally I have no issues with far fetched story line after all that is why I read fiction. Although that is normally the case, this particular story line was a little too far over the edge for my liking.
That aside, the story was set at a reasonable pace with the added spice of bitchiness and sex thrown in for good measure. Blue is a particularly good character and you cannot help but warm to his complete air of `camp and diva-esque behaviour'.
The ending was a little rushed and I didn't like the way things wrapped up in too much of a neat parcel. There could have been a better ending that kept the reader's guessing what would become of the characters.
All in all it was a very easy read and a light enjoyable read. In comparison to her first book, nowhere near as good, but like I said, certainly not awful!
Immodesty writes characters extremely well and this book was no different. In her second installment we meet a more grown up Sienna. In the first book she was a spoilt brat who wanted nothing more than her own way at everything. Now she has matured, and upon entering the same entertainment business as her mum is determined to make her own mark. We also meet Blue who is her mum's best friend who is extremely camp and happens to be a dressmaker for the dancers.
We also meet Brandy who is the main star of the show that Sienna is in. Brandy is the super bitch of the story and is again written brilliantly and you can almost picture the diva like antics of her in the dressing room.Max is the super rich playboy that Sienna is dating who seems to have it all. I admit that I loathed him at the very beginning and it shows that Immodesty can create both good and bad in her characters. I am guessing that actually being in the Burlesque business gives her a very good perspective!
The storyline itself is pretty good although nowhere near as good as her first. This book was certainly not a horrible read and I enjoyed it, it just felt like the sparkle of her first attempt was somewhat lacking. Tiger was a much stronger character than Sienna and her whirlwind life was a lot more glamorous. Sienna's life is more down to earth, but then incredibly some very implausible story lines pop up such as Brandy's twin Paulo. Normally I have no issues with far fetched story line after all that is why I read fiction. Although that is normally the case, this particular story line was a little too far over the edge for my liking.
That aside, the story was set at a reasonable pace with the added spice of bitchiness and sex thrown in for good measure. Blue is a particularly good character and you cannot help but warm to his complete air of `camp and diva-esque behaviour'.
The ending was a little rushed and I didn't like the way things wrapped up in too much of a neat parcel. There could have been a better ending that kept the reader's guessing what would become of the characters.
All in all it was a very easy read and a light enjoyable read. In comparison to her first book, nowhere near as good, but like I said, certainly not awful!
July 6, 2017
Although a follow-up to Tease, Ambition is a stand-alone story centring on the next generation of the Starr family. From the very start Ambition never lives up to it's own hype and although all the staple genre requisites are present, i.e treachery and sex, there is no hook. The core plot mechanic that Ambition uses is better suited to a television sitcom, rather than a trashy piece of of chick-lit and as a direct result Ambition misfires. It's simply not very plausible. Every hundred pages or so is a cracking line, a brief scene of hilarity and if Blaize could somehow capture those moments and make them more central or more frequent then her work would have more to offer. As it stands Ambition doesn't have as many likeable characters as it needs, they don't have enough taboo moments and it's not particularly interesting.
May 10, 2020
New author for me, thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish.
February 1, 2015
This is not a beach read to me,cuz all the feelings and drama in this story.but it is a glamorous read.I enjoyed the glamorous high-low life of a showgirl.
bitchy friend terrible ending dramas
bitchy friend terrible ending dramas
September 28, 2010
I had never heard of this author before the book was offered to me on Amazon Vine.
But I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was total chick lit and a "beach" read is what others would probably call it.
The character of Sienna was a little wimpy in my opinion and I wanted her to grow a backbone as some of the backstabbing characters were obvious.
I would have enjoyed some more detail of the burlesque world, it didnt go into any detail here and all it seemed to mention was the expensive costumes and the showing of their breasts.
If I had realised there was a book before this I would have got and read it before starting this, however its not necessary as it doesnt go into detail of the previous book and the main character from the previous is in this one very briefly.
If you are expecting a literary masterpiece then I dont recommend reading this, if you are looking for a nice, easy, relaxing read then definately give it a go.
I wouldn't go out of my way to read another one from this author, but if offered again I would definately consider it.
But I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was total chick lit and a "beach" read is what others would probably call it.
The character of Sienna was a little wimpy in my opinion and I wanted her to grow a backbone as some of the backstabbing characters were obvious.
I would have enjoyed some more detail of the burlesque world, it didnt go into any detail here and all it seemed to mention was the expensive costumes and the showing of their breasts.
If I had realised there was a book before this I would have got and read it before starting this, however its not necessary as it doesnt go into detail of the previous book and the main character from the previous is in this one very briefly.
If you are expecting a literary masterpiece then I dont recommend reading this, if you are looking for a nice, easy, relaxing read then definately give it a go.
I wouldn't go out of my way to read another one from this author, but if offered again I would definately consider it.
January 9, 2011
All about the artifice and excess of Las Vegas, Ambition centres around a world author Immodesty Blaize knows all too well; fierce rivalries between sequinned, feathered and rhinestoned showgirls who’d sabotage each other in a second for a shot at a starring role.
The characters, costumes, description and dialogue in Ambition are as kitsch and camp as can be. From the very first sentence, with its reference to heroine Sienna Starr‘s “zeppelin-like breasts,” to millionaire playboy Max Power and burlesque über-bitch Brandy Alexander, the diamond and champagne-soaked plotline is pure soap opera from the first page to the last.
Although unlikely to win any literary awards, it is deliciously trashy and absorbing, and the perfect antidote after a hard day at the office.
(Excerpt from full review of Ambition at For Books' Sake)
The characters, costumes, description and dialogue in Ambition are as kitsch and camp as can be. From the very first sentence, with its reference to heroine Sienna Starr‘s “zeppelin-like breasts,” to millionaire playboy Max Power and burlesque über-bitch Brandy Alexander, the diamond and champagne-soaked plotline is pure soap opera from the first page to the last.
Although unlikely to win any literary awards, it is deliciously trashy and absorbing, and the perfect antidote after a hard day at the office.
(Excerpt from full review of Ambition at For Books' Sake)
May 8, 2012
Being a fan of Ms Blaize's performing, I really really want to like this book. However, I was disappointed.
I've always harboured a deep hatred for chick flicks and soap operas, which is essentially what this is. I can't read more than a few pages at a time before the detailed descriptions of how beautiful everyone is bores me, and once I've put it down I have absolutely no urge to pick it back up again.
It's certainly not a masterpiece in modern literature. If you enjoy chick flicks then you'll probably enjoy this book, but personally it's not for me.
I've always harboured a deep hatred for chick flicks and soap operas, which is essentially what this is. I can't read more than a few pages at a time before the detailed descriptions of how beautiful everyone is bores me, and once I've put it down I have absolutely no urge to pick it back up again.
It's certainly not a masterpiece in modern literature. If you enjoy chick flicks then you'll probably enjoy this book, but personally it's not for me.
July 31, 2012
I wanted a fun racy read & this fitted the bill nicely - 3.5 stars from me. The ridiculously unfeasible storyline only seemed to add to it's charm & the ending was wrapped up nicely (if predictably) in a big shiny rhinestone studded bow
March 16, 2013
I read this book purely because of the author's nom de plume, I love Modesty Blaise comics, but I digress.
I liked the Jackie Collins-esque world of vegas showgirls with the heroes and villians, sequins, showbiz all the components for an easy trashy book fix.
I liked the Jackie Collins-esque world of vegas showgirls with the heroes and villians, sequins, showbiz all the components for an easy trashy book fix.
January 23, 2011
3.5 frillies, fun, frisky and full of burlesque. I liked it, but the end seemed a little rushed for me... but, dn't let that stop you from reading it, it is fun.
October 10, 2015
I had high expectations for this book after reading Tease, but this didn't live up to it's predecessor. I didn't care about the characters and felt IB was milking the success of Tease.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews