Jackie Collins is back with "The Power Trip"

The lifestyles of the (fictional) rich and famous are once again put under the microscope by best selling author Jackie Collins (Goddess of Vengeance), who delivers her trademark elements of romance, action and excess in the new book The Power Trip (St. Martin's Press). The story centers around a party throw by Aleksandr Kasianenko, a wealthy Russian businessman, and his fiance Bianca, a world famous model, aboard his Yacht, which has been christened Bianca. The guest list includes a domineering senator, a movie star, a well known sports personality and an immensely popular singer, along with their significant others.

The primary focus of The Power Trip is on the relationship issues between the large cast of characters and a plot by an unknown enemy of Kasianenko, who threatens to disrupt the luxurious party, while potentially placing all of their lives in danger. Some of Kasianenko's guests have known each other for years and share a romantic history, which threatens to cause problems for their current partners, while others sense a potential fling should the opportunity present itself. For instance, Senator Hammond's wife, Sierra, encounters a former flame and, perhaps, her one true love, Flynn Hudson, aboard ship. Flashbacks flesh out their tortured romantic past, which leads to startling revelations concerning a plot to break them up and keep them apart.

Readers familiar with Jackie Collins will not be disappointed with The Power Trip. She clearly knows how to weave an exciting, interlocking story with many characters that is part soap opera and part action adventure. Collins also displays a keen understanding of human nature, especially where sex is involved, but she is rather restrained in that area, while focusing more on the interpersonal relationships of her interesting and diverse characters. In addition, references to contemporary themes and events help to add a degree of realism to the various storylines. The author weaves her story for more than 500 pages, thus allowing readers to have a thorough understanding of the characters and become attached to some of them before their lives are put in danger. The result is a mostly satisfying and sometimes unexpected story that hints at the possibility of a sequel. Indeed, unfinished business can be a real bitch.

The Power Trip was released on February 12.