‘THE SILENT FOUNTAIN’ BY VICTORIA FOX

I could sum up this blog entry with one phrase: grab this book now, and move on to the next topic but that would be unethical of me. Besides, I’m sure the publishers and NetGalley expected more than just four little words when they agreed to let me read this gem in exchange for an honest opinion. So without further ado: Victoria Fox’s latest THE SILENT FOUNTAIN (HQ) is all about secrets, secrets from the past mainly. We have Lucy who is running away from a London affair. Without giving away too much let’s just say that her reasons for doing so are more than valid. Then we have Vivien, the Hollywood actress who shies away from the spotlight for a chance at love, but with all the mystery surrounding her dashing beau, is it really worth it?  

Trust me on this, the less I say about the plot the more you’ll savour this novel. Fair warning though: the author’s usual glam fiction approach is a bit toned down, replaced mostly by a gothic-like approach that reminds those captivating but quickly made mass-market paperbacks from the late ‘60s and ‘70s. You know the kind, those that usually highlight on their covers a beautiful heroine on the run from an intimidating castle. Except that in this one everything is top notch, from the rich narrative switching from first to third person to the end of chapter hooks that make it impossible to put the novel down, not to mention the well-thought-of setting that goes back and forth in time. 

But first and foremost THE SILENT FOUNTAIN is a love story. A different kind of a love story, perhaps (again I don’t want to say too much but be ready to reach for some tissues), but one that still packs a wallop. If Miss Fox’s main aim is to give more sense of realness to her characters and plot by going full gloom, well, I’m happy to say that the mission has indeed been accomplished.  So much so that it may even elevates her already celebrated career to a whole new level: that of a dark fiction writer. 

 

 

 

Until next post—Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘THE SANTIAGO SISTERS’ BY VICTORIA FOX

Ever since I embarked on this Hollywood-related wagon of hers with the sizzling 2011 HOLLYWOOD SINNERS, which I’ll gladly review one of these days, I make it my mission to read anything from Victoria Fox. It could be a novel, a short story, her grocery list; it scarcely matters; just as long as I get a taste of her wicked, but most importantly always impressive, pen. So imagine the thrill I felt when all of a sudden came this ARC with her name on it from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Heavenly is all I can say. So without further ado: 

 

Nothing is sweeter than reading about sibling rivalry among the rich, especially when they’re twins, fraternal twins in this case. It hardly matters who’s right or wrong just as long as the author goes the extra mile to deliver the goods. You could say that Victoria Fox does just that with her latest. THE SANTIAGO SISTERS (Mira Books UK) is a crackling tale of two rags to riches beauties from Argentina (one becomes a famous Hollywood actress, the other an internationally famed photographer) who, when younger, are at each other’s throats until they get separated and one spends what seems like an eternity getting revenge on the other. In between you get adultery, a kidnapping as a prologue, a May-December romance, plenty of glitz and glam, and one or two heartfelt moments to spare. 

Get ready to be mesmerized because with THE SANTIAGO SISTERS VICTORIA FOX cements herself as the author to pick when it comes to compelling beach reads. Filled with sultry liaisons, romantic getaways, caviar and champagne and a bunch of beautiful people who look cool, calm and collected the novel is fun with a capital F.  The plot may look hardly inventive but with Fox at the helm the end result is quite addictive.  

With her strong narrative, her sense of timing, not to mention her impressive skills when it comes to one on one combats whether coital or simply verbal it is fair to say that THE SANTIAGO SISTERS is the must-read novel of the season. If you ever wondered what it’s like being surrounded by wealth and yet still be totally miserable then this book is for you. Victoria Fox has delivered a doozy. 

 
Until next post—Martin