Blinded by the Brass Ring is a tale about Jewelle Joseph – an ambitious young woman climbing her way up the corporate ladder in the demanding, high-paced field of television sales. The only woman of colour in her office, she feels the need to push herself even more than her competition – Chantal Mercier – the over-the-top, pushy, and often conniving counterpart that is vying for the same VP job as Jewelle.
“Patricia Scarlett has written a story that speaks to all women – especially women of colour.”
Jewelle learns many lessons along the way, and her family and friends find they need to remind her often that career isn’t everything. Despite their warnings, Jewelle comes close to losing it all – her long-term boyfriend, her friends, even her dream of a promotion. Her loved ones are hurt that she continues to place her career above them – often passing up their calls and attempts to see her. Meanwhile, a work friend/client from Sweden encourages her to expand her horizons and consider moving closer to him. Watching all of her hard work get sabotaged by Chantal has Jewelle asking herself some serious questions. Should she risk it all for this job that doesn’t seem to acknowledge all the hard work she’s put into this company over the years? Is she really taking advantage of those she loves, or do they just not appreciate her ambition? Her run-ins with her nemesis Chantal make for a page-turning read that keeps you rooting for Chantal’s ugly demise.
Woven amongst her trials at work, are the stories of Jewelle’s family and her connections with friends; The bond a woman shares with her girlfriends, and the duty and love that a daughter feels for her mother; The give and take of a loving relationship and the need to prioritize what’s important. All of this takes part in the busy city of Toronto, with visits to France & Montreal. Vivid descriptions of scenery make you feel as though you are right there with Jewelle, nudging her on.
Patricia Scarlett has written a story that speaks to all women – especially women of colour. The struggle of trying to have it all and be enough for everyone in your life is all too real for women in today’s society. Keeping up with work, family and friendships is a constant balancing act for women, and Jewelle Joseph is a very relatable, lovable character to cheer for.
Patricia Scarlett’s stories reflect contemporary Black life in Canada and explore the intersections of race, class, and culture through a Caribbean-Canadian lens.
- Publisher : Baraka Books (April 1 2023)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 280 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1771863145
- ISBN-13 : 978-1771863148
I am a homeschooling mom of three. I have a degree in Psychology, but my passion is the arts – I love to create. Painting, sketching, sewing, and writing bring me joy. I love to spend time outdoors, surrounded by Nature. We live in a quiet neighborhood in Newfoundland so luckily I have ample opportunity to do just that. When I’m not trying to school the kids, you can find me lost in a book, creating, or outside with my two dogs enjoying the fresh air.
- Holli Corbetthttps://miramichireader.ca/author/hollic/
