Review: The Paris Model

 

The Paris Model

Alexandra Joel

When Grace Woods wants to escape her life in Australia in the 1950's she heads to Paris, where she's got a job working as a mannequin in the famous fashion house of Dior. She's thrilled about the chance to work with Dior but, she's got other plans as well. Grace is also searching for her biological father, who left Australia during the second world war and never returned. She feels sure he's still alive somewhere, and France is the last place she can trace him to before he disappeared. But before she can find him, her life will be changed in ways unimaginable as she experiences adventures she's never dreamed of before coming to the City of Lights.

The Paris Model started off a little slow, but it picked up its pace, and I found myself thoroughly taken in by the story of a woman looking for independence but finding love, adventure, and a new home on a continent far from the one she knew as a child. This one is peppered with well-known events and famous figures, making it a fun book to read.

Thanks to Harper Perennial for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Universe Is Talking to You

 

The Universe is Talking to You

Tammy Mastroberte

Do you ever wonder if the universe is talking to you when you think of something in your mind, and it suddenly shows up? It could be a book someone mentions more than once that you want to read, and on your way to work, you pass a billboard with the same book advertised, and you wonder if it is a sign. Well, Tammy Mastroberte thinks it is not only a sign, but that life is filled with symbols and synchronicity if you know how to slow down and recognize them.

She provides useful exercises, prayers, meditations, and visualization tips throughout this book to help you find more magic in your life. I loved learning about how to unblock thoughts by understanding the role of the Reticular Activity System (RAS). It filters thoughts between the subconscious mind and the conscious mind. With practice, one can turn the focus towards positive ones.

Whether you want to see signs from loved ones who have passed away or seek answers to current issues in life, Mastroberte guides you through the process with her personal story. She has learned to incorporate many techniques into her daily routine that allow her to feel connected to the universe. By following her lead, you will come to see how magical the universe can be.

This review was written by me and published by City Book Review.

Review: Scripting the Life You Want

 

Scripting The Life You Want

Royce Christyn

What is scripting? It is basically writing down how you want your day to unfold. The author suggests making a list of your wants and beliefs, which include some mundane things that you already know will happen. Some or all of these things are incorporated into your daily script. Which is like writing a journal account of your day as you want it to occur. This is followed by an evening entry into a nightly journal where you write down what actually happened. By using the examples and tips, the author gives you should see your daily script align with your nightly journal in a short time.

I love that the author presents a simple way to bring about changes in our day-to-day lives quickly. If you are drawn to the theory of the law of attraction but have trouble manifesting your desires, this book might help. The author writes with a passion and enthusiasm that inspired me to write my first daily script. This helped me focus on the day ahead. However, he does go into a lot of scientific information about how and why he thinks this works, which I'm not sure I needed.

Nevertheless, this guide is good at showing you how to incorporate scripting into your life. All you need is a pen and paper.

This review was written by me and originally published by City Book Review

Review: The Readers' Room

The Readers' Room

Antoine Laurain

Violaine LePage is the editor and manager of the readers' room for a French publishing house. She has decided to publish a book entitled Sugar Flowers, but no one seems to know who the author is. Violaine gets some messages that suggest the author is aware of her past. If that isn't bad enough, events in the book, particularly several murders, begin to look like real murders. The police now want to know who wrote the book, and if he or she is a serial killer. But is Violaine really in the dark? Does she know who the author is? And how much does the author know about Violaine's past?

I love Antoine Laurain's work, and The Readers' Room is no exception. It is beautifully written and cleverly told. The story has a little bit of everything including a love story, a mystery, and enough about the literary world to entertain the most discerning reader. His characters are always so much fun, and the way he draws on the world of books in this one is marvelous. He never fails to add a touch of the magic to his work. After this riveting story, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

This review was written by me and published by City Book Review. 

Review: The Death of Amy Robsart

The Death of Amy Robsart

An Elizabethan Mystery

Sarah-Beth Watkins

Amy Robsart, the wife of Robert Dudley, was found dead on 8 September 1560. She had apparently fallen down the stairs at Cumnor Place, where she was living. Robert Dudley was Queen Elizabeth I's Master of the Horse, and it was rumored that they were very close. Some even speculated that she wanted to marry him. However, due to his family's history, he wasn't particularly well-liked by others close to the Queen. Perhaps because of this, rumors about Amy's death began to surface. Even though, her death was ruled an accident at the time many continued to suspect foul play.

Ms. Watkins examines the history of the rumors and looks at what or who might have had a role to play in Amy's death if it wasn't an accident. One thing is for sure; it wasn't Dudley himself because his whereabouts were accounted for on the day of his wife's death. But he didn't attend the elaborate funeral fanning the flames of rumors. As Watkins explains, many resented Dudley's closeness to the Queen and his increasing influence at court. They included the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Sussex, and the Queen's chief adviser, William Cecil. Maybe they hoped to discredit him. While we may never know what really happened, it seems clear that the Elizabethan court was rife with intrigue, and this book goes some way to showing how treacherous life could be during the Queen's reign.

Thanks to Chronos Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: All The Devils Are Here

 

All The Devils Are Here

Louise Penny

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, of the Sûreté du Québec, and his family are in Paris. His daughter Anne is awaiting her second child. Unfortunately, Armand's godfather, billionaire Stephen Horowitz, is hit by a van while crossing the road on the way to dinner. The Gamache family is sure it was no accident and, Armand is determined to find out what's behind the incident. He just doesn't know he's stepping into something much bigger than even he could have imagined. Can Armand trust his old friend Claude Dussault, the Prefect of Police in Paris, to help find answers, or will his friend betray his trust? Luckily, he has his son-in-law, Jean-Guy, who was recently his second in command at the Sûreté in Montreal on his side.

Fans of Penny will not want to miss this one. The setting has moved from Three Pines deep in the Quebec forest to the City of Lights. Her eye for detail and atmosphere means this one leaves the reader feeling that Paris is at their fingertips. Frankly, to my mind, this author gets better with every book she writes. If you are like me, you will be glued to every page. I can't wait to see what she does next.

This review was written by me and originally published by City Book Review.

Review: Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table

 

Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table

Carole Bumpus

Inspired to learn more about French cooking and traditions, Carole's friend Josiane agrees to be her tour guide as they try to uncover French home cooking secrets and recipes. They are both inspired by the tales told by Josiane's mother, Marcelle, of growing up in Brittany. With a sense of adventure and the hope of uncovering more of Marcelle's family history, they travel through Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Normandy, Brittany, Loire, and Auvergne. Along the way, they stay in farmhouses, hotels, and family-owned Chateaux where Carole, welding her trusty notepad and recorder, is keen to investigate the lifestyle and history of those they encounter as well as indulge in the region's cuisine.

There are some wonderful descriptions throughout about food, markets, and local celebrations. Plus, readers will be happy to know that some of the recipes mentioned and collected along the journey are included at the end of the book. This warm and inviting memoir will appeal to food lovers and history buffs alike. The two women examine how it was to live during a time of war, especially the Second World War, and how families managed to keep traditions alive even during tough times. As this book points out, family traditions help keep French home cooking entwined in everyday life.

This review was written by me and originally published by City Book Review.