These women were powerful and often deadly forces despite the fact that Greek mythology is filled with references to strong men who conquered kingdoms, fought for their freedom, and did not hesitate to kill. Clytemnestra, one of the most ruthless figures in Greek mythology “Clytemnestra Hesitates Before Killing Agamemnon,” by Pierre-Narcisse Guerin. Clytemnestra is one of the most notorious femme fatales in Greek mythology. Credit: Public Domain

Ruthless Women by Melanie Blake | Waterstones Ruthless Women by Melanie Blake | Waterstones

Read the bestselling first instalment in the Falcon Bay novels! Now with an exclusive preview chapter of the brand new book, Guilty Women You’ve been a renowned showbiz agent for decades – surely the characters are based on real people. Who’s who? With ageing actresses desperate to cling onto their crowns and ruthless male executives intent on booting them out for younger women, it’s a true battle of the sexes. Isn’t that fabulous?! The reason for that is because 50 Shades is told from a man’s perspective, despite being written by a woman. In my book, no female is taken advantage of sexually by a man. If some bloke tried to tie up one of my female characters, they’d be more likely to tie him up – then laugh and go and sh*g his mate! All the ladies are in control of their own sex lives – and that is very much my experience. All the sex scenes in that book are real. I watched with my very own eyes as one household name, who’s still on screen now, went at it with her chauffeur in the limo before a TV awards ceremony! Melanie, Ruthless Women is about as sexy as it gets. It’s been labelled ‘everything 50 Shades should have been’…Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be /What thou art promised; yet do I fear thy nature, /It is too full o'th'milk of human kindness /To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, /Art not without ambition, but without /The illness should attend it. (Act 1 Scene 5)

Ruthless Women: The Sunday Times bestseller by - WHSmith

A roster of rogues all working on what was once the world’s biggest syndicated soap opera are introduced, each with their own aims and ambitions, as well as outrageous personalities and high sex drives that will make even the most seasoned of readers blush. It was a well documented, real-life bust-up at the time – and believe me when I say it was worse than anything you’d see on the telly. When I was working as an extra on Corrie I used to go drinking with the late Lynne Perrie, who played Ivy Tilsley. Now she was wild. I’ve never experienced anything quite like the nights out I had with her! Not all of the drama will give you a laugh, however. There are some genuinely emotional and heart-wrenching moments woven within the story, that Blake manages to tell without sensationalisation. Instead, she uses poise and a lot of thought to ensure that she stays within the boundaries of the murkier topics involved, whilst still lending importance to the serious nature of each. Her debut novel, The Thunder Girls (Pan Macmillan 2019) was inspired by the early years of her career spent working in the music industry (on Top of the Pops for instance), to selling out arenas across the UK,. Her follow up novel, Ruthless Women (Head of Zeus 2021) was heavily influenced by the last 15 years. Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One, two. Why then 'tis time to do't. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear? Who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?(Act 5 Scene 1)If you’re looking for your next bed-table reading obsession, look no further: have a shot at Melanie Blake’s brand new book ‘Ruthless Women,’ which has already been critically acclaimed by the UK’s leading newspapers and magazines. Director Farrah, lead actress Catherine and producer Amanda are the passionate, ambitious women holding the show together. With so much at stake, they will stop at nothing to stay in the jobs they love and on the island they call home.

cane – Pain As Pleasure cane – Pain As Pleasure

Throw into the mix a savvy agent desperately trying to keep her warring clients under control, and it’s clear why Melanie’s so familiar with her subject.

Creative Play

She went from being a TV extra to becoming one of the most powerful celebrity agents in the UK and an award-winning business woman.As one as the UK’s most successful agents, managers and publicists for British actresses, Melanie Blake has represented some of the most famous faces on British television and international screens. As the dawn of a new era begins, the cast and crew turn against each other with loyalty, decency, and trust, – replaced by scandal, betrayal, and an outrageous ambition to survive. In a true battle of the sexes, these women will do anything to stay on top. But can they team up to bring down their male rivals? Or will jealousy, betrayal and revenge tear their long-held friendships apart? Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus,” by John William Waterhouse, 1891. Circe was among one of the most famous femme fatales in Greek mythology. Credit: Public Domain