Lovers and Players » (Abridged)

In the world of sensational fiction, Jackie Collins is considered the Queen of Trash, the Duchess of Dirty Books. It might be easier to dog-ear the pages in her novel that don't have a steamy bedroom interlude. But even more than sex, the characters in her show-biz soap operas lust after something else: power.

Dangerous sex, family secrets, irresistible power, mega money, and two murders equal one reckless week in New York…

In Lovers & Players, the Diamond family rules. Red Diamond is an abusive and much-loathed billionaire. His three sons, Max, Chris, and Jett, are summoned to New York for a family meeting which rocks their world.

Diahann, a beautiful black ex-singer, works as Red's housekeeper—a job her daughter, Liberty, does not approve of. A waitress and would-be singer herself, Liberty has dreams of her own and while she pursues them, Damon P. Donnell, married hip-hop mogul supreme, pursues her.

Young New York heiress Amy Scott-Simon is engaged to marry Max. At her bachelorette party she runs into Jett. Jett has no idea who Amy is. She also doesn't realize who he is. A one-night fling leads to major complications.

Now the lives of these characters will intertwine, forever changing their destinies, in this highly charged love story about family relationships and deadly choices.

"A decadent concoction sure to appeal…a fast lane take on the lives of the rich and fabulous."

-Kirkus Reviews

Publishers Weekly

The use of four narrators adds energy, interest and spice to Collins's tale of the glamorous and tawdry lives of the rich and beautiful. Each narrator handles chapters told primarily from his or her assigned characters' point of view. Rather than create full-fledged "character voices," the narrators alter their voices slightly-a deepening here, a hint of an accent there-to make it clear who is speaking. Collins is perfectly cast as Lady Jane, the haughty social climber "with a phony English accent" whose wealthy husband, Red Diamond, refuses to conveniently die and leave her all his money. Sydney Poitier, daughter of the acclaimed actor, is warm and sympathetic in the roles of sweet and conflicted young socialite Amy Scott-Simon and Liberty, a biracial waitress/aspiring singer. Poitier deepens her voice to a sexy drawl to play record mogul Damon P. Donnell and adds some Harlem sass for Cindy, Liberty's cousin. Jack Scalia plays the conniving Red and his gravelly voice is ideally suited to enacting Red's eldest son, real estate mogul Max. Scott Sowers's higher, thinner voice does duty for Red's two younger sons. This lively audio is pure trashy fun that will surely delight Collins's many fans. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's Press hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 28, 2005). (Feb.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.