March 2024, Popcorn Press, RRP: $26.99. Available here.
Three women push back against powerful, toxic, manipulative businessmen
Debut novelist Jill Valentine draws on over two decades of experience as a high-flying Communications and Public Relations Executive in the investment banking world to provide a behind-the-scenes peek into the boardroom and executive life.
High Heels and Low Blows follows the story of three different women facing the same crisis: powerful, toxic, and manipulative men who are making their lives miserable. In a The Devil Wears Prada meets The Wolf of Wall Street escapade, we are treated to generous sprinkles of fashion, fun and friendship while also exposed to eye-watering male privilege and old boys’ club behaviour.
Bee Bloom is a beloved and respected CEO who firmly believes in the power of kindness. When a conniving new chairman threatens to bring chaos to her company, Bee must summon all her strength to fight back. Lucy Love, once a vivacious TV presenter, now battles depression, binge drinking, and a husband facing harassment accusations. Will she find the inner strength to reclaim her sparkle? And then there’s Rosie Reid, a PR pro known as Sydney’s “fixer,” who is tired of covering up for misbehaving male clients. When the shit hits the fan yet again, will she decide enough is enough?
This unique premise was inspired by a quote Valentine found while researching toxic workplaces – “not all psychopaths are in prison. Some are in the boardroom.” Beyond that, she insists the story is all fiction! After being ‘restructured’ from a role two years ago, with a bruised ego, crushed spirit and on the cusp of turning 50 Jill began to secretly write her novel.
With its true-to-life dilemmas and highly relatable characters, High Heels and Low Blows is an empowering and entertaining story. It is both smart and witty in the way it examines the stark contrast between kind and callous behaviour, while highlighting the unexpected places where support can be found. By the end, readers will undoubtedly find themselves asking which of the fabulous leading women they admire most.
Jill Valentine will be part of a panel discussion led by Catherine Fox AM on workplace ethics and leadership at the inaugural Manly Writers’ Festival to be held from 14-16 March 2024. See www.manlywritersfestival.com.au
Jill Valentine has spent over two decades in the investment banking industry, crafting narratives as a communications and PR executive. Now, she’s flipping the script with her debut novel High Heels and Low Blows (2024). During her career, Jill has worked closely with a flock of CEOs, giving her a backstage pass to leadership styles and corporate culture. She firmly believes that compassion and kindness rule. Before diving into corporate life, Jill dabbled in a myriad of jobs. She was a singing, roller-skating waitress at Disneyland Paris, and nurtured the little ones of an Oscar-winning movie editor and an Oscar-nominated actress as a nanny. She studied French and Spanish at university in London and obtained a Master of Communication Management from UTS. Born in bonnie Scotland and then whisked off to England at a young age, Jill went on to live and work in vibrant cities such as London, New York, Los Angeles and Paris. In 2000, she arrived in Sydney with just a backpack and never left. She now calls the Northern Beaches home.
In the Acknowledgments in Jill’s book, she thanks four dog park friends for being her sounding board – Billy, Helen, Kate, and Pat. Here they are (with Jill in the centre) with their dogs. L-R: Penny, Jasper, Badger, Billie, and Maggie. Alfie (Jill’s dog) is sitting behind her chewing on a cardboard paper cup (don’t ask).