Written in Partnership with Sara Smith
First-time author Charlee Rae Valentine has lived an uncommon life. Writing under a pseudonym to protect her identity – as well as the identities of others – Valentine’s autobiographical novel “Shameful Prowess” delves into her real-life experiences with seduction, manipulation, and the intoxicating power of social status.
Through fictionalized accounts of actual events, Valentine tells the story of her tumultuous life, from humble beginnings in an impoverished small town to mingling with social elites, finding the confidence to wield her innate manipulation powers, and questioning the lifestyle that brought her everything she thought she wanted.
Spanning romance, comedy, tragedy, and shocking moments of coercion and manipulation, the novel’s vivid characters and detailed descriptions spark each moment into life. Readers are along for the ride as an ambitious young Charlee embraces how her vivacious looks and personality can hold sway over powerful men, bringing her closer to the life of opulence she desires. Desperate to escape her hometown and the cycles of poverty it represents, Charlee embarks on a journey of questionable decisions and flexible morality, seducing men to use their money and influence for personal gain.
While the protagonist’s actions may be reprehensible at times, her confidence and commitment to building a future are inspiring, even admirable. As she manipulates, seduces, and takes advantage of the men she encounters, she finds both wild successes and dangerous predicaments. As her encounters become more and more extreme, the book takes a turn toward self-reflection, and the true message of the narrative emerges.
Among the shocking stories, tense moments, and steamy scenes, Charlee’s arc bends in the direction of personal growth, seeing that her actions have consequences, that manipulation is only good for temporary success, and that a genuine, loving relationship may hold the key to the life she’s been searching for.
In her glowing endorsement of the book, Mariel Hemingway, Oscar-nominated actress and granddaughter of legendary novelist Ernest Hemingway, says that “Charlee unapologetically bares the story of her life, taking charge of presenting who she is and what she’s done.”
This brave, sometimes brash, story defies genre as it moves from sultry to hilarious, tragic to triumphant, examining the thorny subjects of love, sex, power, and the psychology of manipulation. Valentine provides a front row seat to the underbelly of elite society, where depravity and vying for influence are commonplace, and explores what people are willing to do to get ahead. Through her journey of self-discovery, she shows both the allure of seductive manipulation and the sheer damage it can cause. With vulnerable honesty and a flare for comedy, Valentine recounts the highs and lows of her life story, including what happens when she takes her scandalous behavior too far.
Charlee’s story is extreme, but it touches on challenges so many people face: the desire to belong, the struggles of poverty, the complex dynamic between men and women, and the arduous process of finding a true sense of self.
The book, like Charlee Rae Valentine’s life that inspired it, is full of twists and turns. It’s a nuanced character study and a salacious, erotic romance. From its funniest moments to its most poignant revelations, the story is layered and unique, and a truly engaging debut novel from a promising writer. Learn more athttps://shamefulprowess.com/
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