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From Fame to Ruin by Jina S. Bazzar

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In From Fame to Ruin, a chance encounter at the airport leads to a weekend of passion. But can they still be together when the weekend is over?

I received an advance review copy for free, leaving this review voluntarily.

“Why, we’re getting married on Wednesday.” He winked at Carol and the bruising grip on her elbow finally registered when he dug harder. The promise of violence in his eyes had her swallowing her feeble protest.

Jina Bazzar. From Fame to Ruin (Kindle Locations 2309-2310). Kindle Edition
Book Cover From Fame to Ruin by Jina S. Bazzar

Jina S. Bazzar is a writer and blogger and loves baking, coffee, and chocolate. She was raised in a small town in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and had a happy childhood. Jina loved reading from an early age but never thought she would become a writer.

After graduating from high school, Jina developed a disease that causes gradual vision loss, leaving her blind at twenty-three. She was delighted when she discovered screen readers as a new way to continue reading.

After quitting her job, and with so many hours to fill, Jina started writing and published her debut novel, Heirs of Ashes, in April 2018. It is the first book in the Roxanne Fosch Files series, followed by Heir of Doom, Heir of Fury, and The Curse

Her latest novel, From Fame to Ruin: A Romantic Thriller, is due on 21 December 2021. 

From Fame to Ruin – Summary

RJ Santos

Ricardo Jonson Santos (most often called RJ), a famous rock star, has just won a paternity suit filed against him by his previous girlfriend, Bethany McAdams. Now, he is waiting for his flight at Heathrow Airport to return to Sâo Paulo. 

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Carol Montenegro (neè Filipe)

Carol Montenegro is the heir of the Montenegro Conglomerate – a dubious honour. Her father has nearly destroyed the firm with exorbitant donations, endless gambling sprees, and by signing over many of its assets to a competitor. Now, the Montenegro clan is fighting the case in court. 

On what grounds is the lawsuit based?” Carol stood, approached the fire, rubbed her suddenly chilled hands. She didn’t look back when she spoke next. “Fraud. For funneling money from the family business. For taking advantage of a mentally unstable person. Coercion. Of providing my father with illegal substances to impair his judgment.

Jina Bazzar. From Fame to Ruin (Kindle Locations 981-984). Kindle Edition.

But her grandmother found a solution. If Carol agrees to marry his grandson, Sergio, Senator Armando will bribe the judge to rule in their favour. It is why Carol finds herself at Heathrow Airport, on her way to Rio for the court case – and marriage.

Also Read:  The Cuts that Cure by Arthur Herbert

A chance encounter

With the flight to Rio cancelled due to weather conditions, Carol accepts RJ’s invitation for dinner. But she doesn’t know that he will take her to the Pine Needle Resort in a remote location. 

They give in to the mutual attraction between them and spend the weekend at the resort. But even though Carol and RJ both feel they want to continue the relationship, events out of their control tears them apart. 

Four years later

Carol’s little boy is kidnapped. RJ helps her pay the ransom and discovers Gabe is his son. Both Carol and RJ still feel the attraction between them but is still hurt and angry about the past. Will they be able to clear up all the misunderstandings and give their relationship another chance?

What did I like?

Alternate viewpoints and times

The author switch between the point-of-view of different characters, but she also alternates between the past and the present. 

The story is told from many different viewpoints. Mainly Carol and RJ, but also through the eyes of Bethany (although as an unknown person earlier in the narrative), and one chapter using the viewpoint of Boemant Gustavo (PI).

The chapters from the past involve Carol and RJ. How did they meet and fall out, and what happened to them after that.

The storyline in the present tells about the kidnapping of Gabe and how Carol manages to pay the ransom and get him home safely. And after that, the tumultuous relationship between Carol and RJ. 

Suspense

The author creates tension through characterisation, internal monologue and raising questions in the readers’ minds about the outcome of the kidnapping and the relationship between Carol and RJ. And in certain chapters, we see through the eyes of the unknown kidnapper, showing us the fate of the little boy that Carol and RJ are not privy to. 

And in certain chapters, we see through the eyes of the unknown kidnapper, showing us the fate of the little boy that Carol and RJ are not privy to.  From Fame to Ruin by Jina S. Bazzar u003cbru003e#bookreview @Jina_Bazzar Click To Tweet

After the boy’s safe return, the author continues the suspense through the constant conflict between Carol and RJ and a possible second threat lurking in the background.

Book Cover

I love the cover of From Fame to Ruin. The guitar in the foreground shows RJ’s part in the rock band. And the image shows two adult faces next to each other, juxtaposed with the boy’s face – and the guitar’s neck separating them. The raging fire is a symbol of Carol’s turmoil after her son’s kidnapping and the hurt both she and RJ are still feeling after past events. 

And not so much?

I really didn’t like Bethany. First, she sues RJ for child support for a child that’s not his. And then she lays in wait for nearly four years to kidnap Carol’s little boy, Gabe, and she physically hurt him as well. Quite extreme for not getting the guy she wanted!

Also Read:  The Alchemy Thief by R.A. Denny

Should you read From Fame to Ruin?

From Fame to Ruin shows how quickly misunderstandings happen when people react to events emotionally and don’t take the time to communicate. And it shows how this lack of communication leads to unnecessary hurt and pain. We also see how hate and rage can spiral out of control, leading to the kidnapping of a little boy out of revenge.

I’ve enjoyed this book, not only for the suspense created by Gabe’s kidnapping but also for wondering how the love story will play out. Together with Carol, we are irritated by RJ’s authoritarian ways and feel sorry for RJ when Carol rejects his efforts for reconciliation.

I recommend From Fame to Ruin to readers who enjoy contemporary women’s and romance fiction. For another contemporary romance novel, check out my review of Red Velvet and AnemonesIt is about Milli Velvet trying to make a life for herself and her baby after her husband betrays her. 

You might have heard the very true saying: ‘Jealousy makes you ugly.’ Have you ever been at the receiving end of somebody’s jealousy? Or have you ever experienced extreme jealousy yourself? How did you deal with it? We would love to hear from you. Would you please reply in the comments?

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Book Info

Language

English

Print Length

332 pages 

Publication Date

21 December 2021

 Text-to-Speech | Screen Reader | Enhanced Typesetting | Word Wise

Categories: Clean & Wholesome Romance | Women’s Romance Fiction | New Adult & College Romance

Trigger Warnings: Profanity | Kidnapping | Violence | Death | Sexual Scenes

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Hi! I am Susan

Welcome to my adventure

Why Read or Rot?

I have started reading at the age of four. I can remember how I often read under the covers with a flashlight when I was supposed to sleep.

During my early school years, we visited the library once a week. I couldn’t pick out my new book fast enough! By the end of the period, I would have finished it already, leaving me with nothing to read for the rest of the week!

Growing up, Fridays was the highlight of my week. Dad would pack the whole family into the car, and off we go! You guessed right – to the library! We were a family of readers.

In my adult years, I’ve developed a variety of interests like technology, photography, gardening and even writing. But reading was and will always be a part of my life!

Reading for me is like breathing. If I cannot read, my soul will quietly rot away

Author Bio

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