Blog Tour: Secrets in the Dark – Ceril Campbell

Glamour. Deceit. Sex. Deadly ambition.
They have the world at their feet.
And they want it ALL.

Innocent Phoebe has only known a life of privilege.

Street-smart Paula has had to make her own way in the world.

When the two girls meet as teenagers, they form a deep sisterly bond, recognising in one another a yearning for love and for lives that are different from the ones they were born into. But when they each suffer a personal trauma, they are torn apart and set out on very different paths.

So begins a rollercoaster journey throughout the 1970s of extreme highs and lows for Phoebe and Paula, as they travel from the epicentre of cool on the Kings Road, Chelsea, to the glamour of Paris, LA and the South of France.

It’s a scandalous world of sex, drugs, celebrity and wealth – alluring, addictive…and deceptive.

Ceril Campbell has always been passionate about fashion. For over thirty years she has worked as a celebrity stylist, fashion commentator and expert on TV and radio with her own magazine columns and features. Her debut novel, Secrets in the Dark, is not autobiographical in any way, but is inspired by her insider knowledge of the glamorous world of celebrity.

Ceril is now a broadcaster and motivational speaker, helping clients with lifestyle, image, life change, self-esteem, positive body confidence and mental wellness.Ceril has also written self-help books, including Discover the New You: Celebrity Stylist Secrets to Transform Your Life and Style. She lives in London and has two adult children.

To find out more about Ceril, visit her website http://www.cerilcampbell.com, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @cerilcampbell.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this, it was a pure slice of escapism. Fans of Jackie Collins, Lace and Jilly Cooper would enjoy this, as would anyone else who wants to read a fun, extravagant story. I liked Phoebe and Paula, they were very different girls but their bond keeps them together even when events conspire to force them apart.

I loved the 70s fashion bits as my mum was a bit of a hippy back then and still has an Ossie Clark dress hanging in her wardrobe (which she can probably still fit into). All the places Phoebe, Simon and Jake go felt familiar and made me smile, as my mum’s own youthful stories mention some of them.

My heart broke for the terrible things that both Phoebe and Paula dealt with, neither of them should have had to deal with any of it. When they finally reunite I wanted to cheer. And their group of friends are wonderful too. Because ultimately this is a story about friendship, it’s Phoebe’s friends who are always there for her, as she is for them.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.