When She was Bad, by Louise Bagshawe (Orion, £9.99)

FOR those who hanker for the glamorous days of Dynasty or Dallas, here comes a book with two beautiful, bitchy women who could easily have been plucked from that diamond-encrusted world.

Stunning Hispanic girl Lita Morales might have a poor background coming from the Bronx, but her fierce intelligence and demanding attitude have got her exactly what she wants, be it success, power or money. The savvy Lita is finally brought down, however, when her aristocratic lover Rupert walks out, leaving her devastated.

Heiress Rebecca Lancaster was orphaned as a child and brought up in America. But at 18 she suddenly finds herself in England, the proud owner of a stately home and the family business. Both beautiful and domineering, the two women enter each other's lives through a betrayal and are immediately at logger-heads. Revenge soon becomes the name of the game.

Sassy and riveting, this is a must as a light-weight holiday read or to chase away the January blues. It has romance, glamour and Lita and Rebecca are two powerful and intriguing characters.