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Diva: Living in the Fast Lane by Neil Vickers
From the streets of Lagos to the catwalks of Milan, she stitched her name into ambition, beauty, and power—until fame demanded its price.
Jabari was born with nothing but talent, beauty, and a dangerous determination to never be poor again. Reinventing herself as Madam Sazzar, she claws her way into the glamorous world of fashion, where charm opens doors and love is just another negotiation.
But beneath the diamonds and designer heels lies a truth she can’t silence: the past still watches her, the future isn’t guaranteed, and no amount of fame can fill what ambition leaves behind.
Then she meets Gino—a powerful man with secrets of his own. Is he her way up… or the one person who sees through the façade?
How far would you go to rewrite your story? And who would you leave behind to become unforgettable?
“ Sumptuous, breathless, and unapologetically aspirational, DIVA is a page-turner about self-creation and the cost of living life in the fast lane. If you love powerful women, high-stakes ambition, and the glittering chaos of fame and reinvention, you’ll devour this novel and root for Madam Sazzar long after the final page.” Artisan Book Reviews
“An uplifting, heart-stirring story of hope, ambition, and fearless self-belief. DIVA reminds us that the world truly is your oyster.” Chick Lit Book Café Review
Jabari knows poverty and struggle. The streets of Lagos are dangerous, and survival is never guaranteed. Those who live there seldom dare to aspire to lofty heights. Jabari is certain that’s she’s different, though. Determined to become a star in the fashion industry, she invents and occupies the character of Madam Sazzar, beautiful, confident, and captivating. It works, and she reaches the upper echelons of the industry. However, the secrets of the life she left behind won’t stay buried, particularly when she meets the handsome, dashing Gino. He seems capable of seeing the woman behind the mask, and Jabari would like to trust him. What will become of her if she does, though?
Diva: Living in the Fast Lane, by Neil Vickers, is a thriller set against the glamorous backdrop of the international fashion industry. It is somewhat reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada, though some other readers might be reminded more of The Talented Mr. Ripley.
The figure central to the plot, Jabari, alias Madam Sazzar, is a complex figure and a walking contradiction. She comes from a place of desperation, and that element fuels her, but it also haunts her. She understands that every move she makes must be a calculated one, and the reader can easily understand her exhaustion. Getting to where she wants to be wears on her nerves, but to reach the lofty pinnacle she aspires to and then to stay there, she is more than willing to repeatedly reinvent herself.
The dramatic tension created by this inner turmoil fuels the story wonderfully. Vickers is adept at juxtaposing scenes of squalor with ones of wealth and privilege. When the character of Gino is introduced, it’s the perfect mechanism for forcing a confrontation between everything that Jabari was and what she wishes to be.
At the heart of the narrative is the question of whether it’s worth it to compromise virtually everything to seize a brass ring, a Holy Grail of your own imagining. Whether Jabari is able to permanently turn her back on her more relatable qualities becomes the final tally of her sum total as a character and human being.Jabari knows poverty and struggle. The streets of Lagos are dangerous, and survival is never guaranteed. Those who live there seldom dare to aspire to lofty heights. Jabari is certain that’s she’s different, though. Determined to become a star in the fashion industry, she invents and occupies the character of Madam Sazzar, beautiful, confident, and captivating. It works, and she reaches the upper echelons of the industry. However, the secrets of the life she left behind won’t stay buried, particularly when she meets the handsome, dashing Gino. He seems capable of seeing the woman behind the mask, and Jabari would like to trust him. What will become of her if she does, though?
Diva: Living in the Fast Lane, by Neil Vickers, is a thriller set against the glamorous backdrop of the international fashion industry. It is somewhat reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada, though some other readers might be reminded more of The Talented Mr. Ripley.
The figure central to the plot, Jabari, alias Madam Sazzar, is a complex figure and a walking contradiction. She comes from a place of desperation, and that element fuels her, but it also haunts her. She understands that every move she makes must be a calculated one, and the reader can easily understand her exhaustion. Getting to where she wants to be wears on her nerves, but to reach the lofty pinnacle she aspires to and then to stay there, she is more than willing to repeatedly reinvent herself.
The dramatic tension created by this inner turmoil fuels the story wonderfully. Vickers is adept at juxtaposing scenes of squalor with ones of wealth and privilege. When the character of Gino is introduced, it’s the perfect mechanism for forcing a confrontation between everything that Jabari was and what she wishes to be.
At the heart of the narrative is the question of whether it’s worth it to compromise virtually everything to seize a brass ring, a Holy Grail of your own imagining. Whether Jabari is able to permanently turn her back on her more relatable qualities becomes the final tally of her sum total as a character and human being.
If you were captivated by Americanah, The Devil Wears Prada, or Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo… buy DIVA now and step into the world where glamour is power—and everything has a price. Reviewed by Steven Finkelstein ~Amazon
Buy Diva, Living in the Fast Lane by Neil Vickers
What readers and top professional reviewers are saying about about Neil Vickers and Diva.
With such quality writing, imaginative and clever storytelling. Readers will find they love Neil Vickers’ books refreshing and scintillating and difficult to put down. Jewel Hart
With an edge of your seat style of writing, Neil Vickers never fails to deliver an exciting, meaningful and entertaining story. Lyla Stone
Neils writing is smooth and effortless; he crafts a plot that’s sophisticated, interesting and original. – Keira Weiss
Neil Vickers is an extraordinary writer that each novel has a plot that is both, original and spellbinding – Rachael McMahon
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