MUSIC BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. BETRAYAL TORE THEM APART. THIRTY YEARS LATER – CAN LIGHTNING STRIKE TWICE?
The Thunder Girls
By Melanie Blake
Published by Pan Macmillan on 11 July 2019 in paperback original, priced £7.99
What They Say:
It’s the 1980s. Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita are ordinary girls with extraordinary lives. They are better known as eighties pop sensation The Thunder Girls. This girl group is dominating the pop scene, their faces on every magazine cover, millions of fans worldwide, constantly at the top of the charts.
Until one of them brings the band’s dream run to an abrupt end. Three of their careers are over – and so is their friendship.
Fast forward thirty years. Their old record label lands a bombshell by asking them to reunite for a series of huge concerts. These would be the gigs of a lifetime with a pay check to match – some need it more than others – and old wounds leave deep scars. A lot has happened since The Thunder Girls were ruling the charts. Addiction, breakdowns, bankruptcy and divorce have led them far from the lives they once lived.
If they are to move forward, the past needs to be laid to rest – but there is more to this reunion than meets the eye. Each Thunder Girl is hungry to revive their past success, but what they don’t know is that someone is watching their every move – and is determined to stop them succeeding – in the deadliest way possible.
The Thunder Girls is a page-turning tale of friendship, betrayal, revenge and murder. It’s the perfect read for readers who miss the bestselling blockbusters of Jackie Collins and Shirley Conran and will take you on a thrilling ride back to the days of shoulder pads, glamour and original girl power.
These four girls have been to hell and back – and some of them are still there.
About the Author:
Melanie Blake was born in Manchester (the only survivor of twins). Up to the age of 6 she had a relatively ‘normal’ childhood. Then everything changed.
Melanie’s father got involved with an extreme religious group which meant family life would never be the same again. Almost overnight, most TV programmes were banned and music posters and toys, which were considered false idols, were destroyed in front of her young eyes.
Melanie’s mother was a cleaner who worked all hours for little pay. She’d take Melanie with her on her cleaning round, letting her read library books while she worked. This is how she discovered the woman who inspired Melanie to change her life – Jackie Collins.
Melanie found other ways to escape by sneaking over to neighbours houses and immersing herself in 80s TV classics such as Dallas, Dynasty, Knots Landing and her absolute favourite – Top Of The Pops. Little did she know, one day she would be working on that show, which would open so many doors for her future career as a top music manager.
Now a multi-millionairess, Melanie is living her dream – from living off food bank handouts, wearing second hand clothes, being told by her teachers she’d never amount to anything and being homeless – to living in her own mansion. It’s the ultimate rags-to-bitches story – they say write what you know, and The Thunder Girls is a tale Melanie has lived and breathed from the ground up. She hopes that somehow, the late, great Jackie Collins knows that she inspired Melanie to follow her dreams. She also hopes that Jackie would have enjoyed reading The Thunder Girls as much as Melanie enjoyed writing it.
Melanie Blake is an author, playwright, TV critic and a former music manager. She is 40 years old and head agent at Urban Associates.
The Thunder Girls has been adapted for the stage and will have its world premiere preview at The Lowry Theatre in Salford this September.
Melanie Blake lives in London and is available for interview. For further information, please email Shona Abhyankar, associate director at ed public relations shona@edpr.co.uk
www.thethundergirls.co.uk
Twitter: @MelanieBlakeUK
What I Say:
Well, that was a ride!! The Thunder Girls is a proper page turner! Crammed full of drama, turmoil, laughs, high fashion, oh and have I mentioned drama?!
This book is an awesome insight into the music industry and it has honestly opened my eyes! I knew there would be tension, backstabbing and emotions running high. I just never knew how far some people would go to get their own way. The Thunder Girls has some really dark twists and that really kept it moving along. It's a bit of a whodunit, which I wasn't expecting. That made it an even better read!
The characters here are superb! I particularly loved Carly but honestly, they were all fab, well written and quirky, each with their own story to tell. I loved the interaction and tension, the insights into their lives and thought processes. Just superbly written and likeable characters.
It took me a bit to properly be drawn in, but once I got there, wow! I genuinely couldn't stop reading! I look forward to more books from Melanie Blake!! 9.5/10
This book is an awesome insight into the music industry and it has honestly opened my eyes! I knew there would be tension, backstabbing and emotions running high. I just never knew how far some people would go to get their own way. The Thunder Girls has some really dark twists and that really kept it moving along. It's a bit of a whodunit, which I wasn't expecting. That made it an even better read!
The characters here are superb! I particularly loved Carly but honestly, they were all fab, well written and quirky, each with their own story to tell. I loved the interaction and tension, the insights into their lives and thought processes. Just superbly written and likeable characters.
It took me a bit to properly be drawn in, but once I got there, wow! I genuinely couldn't stop reading! I look forward to more books from Melanie Blake!! 9.5/10
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