Monday, August 24, 2015

GUEST POST AND GIVEAWAY!!!! with Isabelle Andover, author of Cocktails at Le Carmen

Being an expat in Paris, as Chloe in Cocktails at Le Carmen quickly discovers, can be both utterly infuriating and completely amazing.

Let's start with the not so good stuff first: the housing situation. Paris' chronic housing shortage means high demand, high prices, and a lowering of expectations on the part of the prospective tenant. Never mind being a young professional with a foot firmly on the career ladder; if you don't have a French person earning a substantial sum who will agree to pay your rent in case you can't, that flat you have your eye on will mostly likely get snapped up by someone else. At worst, you'll probably wind up living in a tiny garret on the sixth floor, no lift. And if you're lucky enough to escape the "shared toilet on the corridor" situation, your shower cubicle will most likely be positioned in your 'kitchen'.

Administration. French administration is notorious, form filling is laborious, and sometimes rules defy all reason. Picture the following. You can't open a bank account without an electricity bill, but you don't have an electricity bill as you can't find a flat to rent.... Because you don't have a French bank account. As crazy as it sounds, this really did happen to a friend of mine. Luckily, you can usually find a way around it.

French television. In a popularity contest with English television, I have a feeling the latter would win, hands down.
The language barrier: you will make a faux pas, not have a clue what is going on and feel completely bewildered, never mind how good your French is. Top tip: obsédé basically means a sex maniac. So next time you try and complain about how your boss is obsessed with work, be careful how you phrase it.
Thankfully, the good far outweighs the bad.

Paris is pretty. So, so pretty. No matter how long you’ve lived in the city, you’ll never get tired of wandering around and admiring the view.

You can eat croissants or a pain au chocolat every morning for breakfast. So much better than boring old fruit and yoghurt. Hell, you can even eat macaroons for breakfast if you feel like it.

Transport is cheap! For a capital city, the price of a Paris metro pass is pretty reasonable, particularly when compared to other cities like London. And when you factor in your employer paying half under French law, it's a win-win.



Your life sounds amazing by default, because it's PARIS. Never mind that 90% of the time it's "metro, boulot, dodo" ('metro, work, sleep'). It's actually quite embarrassing when you go back to England for a holiday and mention to someone that you live in Paris, and their eyes inevitably widen and they look seriously impressed. "Wow," they say, their mouth hanging open like that of a thirsty Labrador. "That's amazing". While you might be an honorary Parisienne, you're still a deeply modest, self-deprecating Brit at heart. So even though deep down you secretly want to shout "yeah, it is!", you feel compelled to reassure them that "it's not that great really".

You'll never run out of things to do. Museums, parks, rooftop bars, Disneyland, walks by the Seine, a beach in summer, Paris has it all.

The shopping is fabulous. Department stores, chain stores, hip boutiques in the Marais–wherever you prefer to shop, you'll be spoilt for choice. Just make sure you have a healthy bank balance beforehand.
The food: also amazing. Nutella crepes, juicy steaks, moules frites, all-you-can-eat sushi. You name it, Paris has it. How do French women not get fat?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Tucked Away by Jennie Marts

SUMMARY
Sometimes you find what you need in the most unlikely places...

Charlie Ryan's cheating fiancé left her with a broken heart and even broker bank account. She's hit rock bottom, but everything is about to change. Suddenly, she's inherited a Montana farm named Tucked Away from a grandmother she never knew existed. A fresh start is just what she needs - and no men in her future this time, even if the local vet is as hot as a Montana summer.

Zack Cooper is content with his simple life. Running his veterinary practice and raising his daughter are enough to keep him busy, and he doesn't need a high-maintenance city girl like his ex who plans to sell her grandma's ranch and split faster than a setting sun. So why can't he stop thinking about Charlie and her hot-pink cowboy boots...and the way her eyes say she wants to stay while her lips tease him with plans of leaving?

Just when both start to believe love might be worth the risk...one night will change everything.


MY REVIEW
What a fun romance from beginning to end.

Charlie Ryan didn't have the storybook ending that she always wanted.  Her boyfriend in NYC cheated on her and she wanted to escape the city and start over.  As luck would have it, she was left a Montana Farm known as Tucked Away.  Her grandmother she had never met wanted to get the true experience of what life could be like there for Charlie.  So what better place to hide then Montana?

She had a fun run in with a bull ( you will enjoy that scene ), met a handsome cowboy within seconds and was not prepared one bit for true farm life, animals and all.

She meets this fun loving girl names Sophie who can't seem to get enough of hanging around with Charlie.  They become best friends and help each other grow after experiences in each of their lives that threaten to hurt their futures. 

Then one day along comes Zack Cooper, the handsome vet in town.  She can't get him out of her mind.  She then hears him mention his daughter and she just chalks him up to being another man flirting with her, married with a wife and kids, and that reminds her of her cheating ex.  She doesn't want to be the other women.

He on the other hand sees her as a spoiled city girl who will live her life on the farm for a few weeks and when times get tough she will turn tail and head back to the big city!

The story has so many twists and turns - will she keep the farm or sell it off for good?  Will she let her guard down and really get to know the handsome cowboy or the family oriented vet? So many questions, you will need to read it and see!

WINE SELECTION 
 I would pair this selection with a Pinot Gris, specifically this amazing brand from The Four Graces Winery:
It has hints of honeydew and cantaloupe and amazing honeysuckle lure!  You won't be able to have just one glass.

MY RATING
I give Tucked Away a five wine glasses rating!  It had me coming back for more around each and every twist and turn.


Juicy and ripe aromas of honeydew and cantaloupe, stone fruits and fragrant, heady honeysuckle lure the senses with each swirl. - See more at: https://www.thefourgraces.com/product/2014-The-Four-Graces-Pinot-Gris-Willamette-Valley#sthash.OtMhWkkz.dpuf
Juicy and ripe aromas of honeydew and cantaloupe, stone fruits and fragrant, heady honeysuckle lure the senses with each swirl. - See more at: https://www.thefourgraces.com/product/2014-The-Four-Graces-Pinot-Gris-Willamette-Valley#sthash.OtMhWkkz.dpuf
Juicy and ripe aromas of honeydew and cantaloupe, stone fruits and fragrant, heady honeysuckle lure the senses with each swirl. - See more at: https://www.thefourgraces.com/product/2014-The-Four-Graces-Pinot-Gris-Willamette-Valley#sthash.OtMhWkkz.dpuf
Juicy and ripe aromas of honeydew and cantaloupe, stone fruits and fragrant, heady honeysuckle lure the senses with each swirl. - See more at: https://www.thefourgraces.com/product/2014-The-Four-Graces-Pinot-Gris-Willamette-Valley#sthash.OtMhWkkz.dpuf

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Guest Post - From Rom Com to Middle Readers by author, Whitney Dineen

From Rom Coms to Middle Readers

As a romantic comedy writer, it never occurred to me to write in any other genre. I love the surprises, ridiculous escapades and happy endings you always get with rom coms. I read them, I write them, I adore them! So why write anything else? The answer is because my kids hit the planet.

My darling little girls are in preschool and first grade this fall, and while there are a plethora of fabulous reads for them now and as they mature, there are no books I had written for them. There are ideas and journeys I want to share with my littles that they don’t automatically dismiss because I am their mother. 

I want them to learn to be a good friend, to know that bullies have no power over them and realize life is rich in adventure. I want to help mold their little minds, shape their futures and to do it in a way they love. So I created a series of stories for them that take place right in their own backyard.


Wilhelmina and the Willamette Wig Factory is the tale of Wilhelmina Snodgrass and her family’s move from Illinois to the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Red-haired, freckle-faced Willy is terrified she won’t make any friends. That is until she meets her eccentric blue-haired neighbor, Thomasina Andretti.

Willy and Tommy become embroiled in a plot to reopen an abandoned wig factory in their town of Monteith. In their journey they befriend ghosts, battle bullies and meet the most surprising and prominent person they could ever imagine!

The Willy and Tommy adventures are my way of sharing life’s magical journey with my kids.  They are what I like to call chick lit for younger readers. They are full of lessons, moral dilemmas, baby bitch fights and budding romance. There are currently six books in the works. The next adventures are Who the Heck is Harvey Stingle?, Beware of the Basement, Operation W.iG C.H.eeS.e, Two Months in Atlantis and The Brethren.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Wilhelmina and the Willamette Wig Factory is available on Amazon:

Wilhelmina and the Willamette Wig Factory

Whitney’s romantic comedies, She Sins at Midnight and The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan have both met with high reviews from Kirkus, Writer’s Digest and reviewers. They have both received Reader’s Favorite 5-Star seals. 

She Sins At Midnight

The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan


Author Bio:
While attending the University of Illinois in Chicago, Whitney Dineen was discovered by a local modeling agent and began an unexpected career as a plus-size Ford model. She modeled in New York City before moving to Los Angeles with her husband.
When she wasn’t modeling, she was in the kitchen, baking delights to share with friends. Soon, her friends began asking her to send baskets of her wonderful candies and cookies to business associates, agents and production studios. Word spread like wildfire, and the rest, as they say, is history. Whitney’s sensational creations are still in great demand by her loyal celebrity clientele (www.WhitneysGoodies.com).
Whitney and her husband, Jimmy, now live the beautiful Pacific Northwest where they are raising their children, chickens and organic vegetables.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

RELEASE DAY and AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!! - Dopey Women by Laura Barnard

SUMMARY 
Sadie had a bumpy upbringing but she’s still managed to drag herself out and carve a career for herself. That all comes crashing down when she, along with the women she manages; Mags, Lexi & Steph, get made redundant. She’s screwed. In hindsight she shouldn’t have attacked her colleague in a moment of rage. There goes the reference.

When they all bump into each other a few months later at the job centre Sadie finds she’s not the only one in a hole. Steph’s boyfriend has left her holding the baby, Lexi’s stuck in an abusive relationship and poor Mags has breast cancer. They’re all struggling to keep on top of their bills. They all need money to get out of their situations, its as simple as that.

Mags mentions that some women find marijuana helps ease the sickness caused by chemo. With the desperation mounting and the coffee spurring them on they somehow decide to start growing it. They’re only going to sell to ladies going through chemo, so its not too bad, right? They’re not going to be proper drug dealers. And its only temporary.

They didn’t bet on the business taking off so well though. Before they know it they’ve got orders coming out of their ears, a sexy detective on their trail, suspicious neighbors and drug dealers angry they’re working on their patch.

Can Sadie pull them out of this dangerous world they’ve found themselves in? And can she do it before they end up in prison?


MY THOUGHTS
Hello there lovers of all things books!  Isn't this just the best cover you have ever seen?  I LOVE the colors and the design is awesome!  Congrats Laura and I can't wait to find out what happens to these lovely ladies!  

I will be posting my review to follow very shortly and hope that you will all come back and check that out soon!  In the mean time, I would suggest that you too pick-up this great book and HAPPY READING!

GIVEAWAY
Hop on over to Laura's Facebook page for a fun giveaway:

Rafflecopter


Bethany
 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

COVER REVEAL! How to Bake the Perfect Wedding Cake by Gina Henning

A PIECE FROM THE BOOK:



A three-tiered cake. A groom to take. Here comes the bride!
After an explosive 4th of July, Lauren Hauser is glad to finally be home with gorgeous fiancé Jack by her side. With only three months to go till their wedding, Lauren needs to get planning. But she can’t even choose a wedding dress, let alone a maid of honor!

And with her job drastically taking a turn for the worse, the wedding quickly approaching and a blast from the past causing problems, Lauren feels like she’s losing the bridal battle.

At least baking their perfect wedding cake together is something she and Jack, as award-winning bakers, are excited about! But when a surprise wedding gift arrives earlier than expected, suddenly Lauren must take back control of her job, her life and her wedding – before she says ‘I do’!


RELEASE DATE:
 September 25, 2015



 



Monday, August 10, 2015

Review - Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabelle Andover


SUMMARY 
When job cuts at Chloe Saddler’s London communications firm result in an unexpected transfer to Paris, she finds herself leaving behind her friends, family, and boyfriend Scott to start a new life in the City of Light. Getting to grips with La Vie Parisienne and keeping a long-distance relationship afloat is not made any easier by the culture shock. Committing the odd French faux pas and inadvertently indulging in a few too many flirtations with her very sexy (and very taken) boss, Jean-Luc, is just the start of it. Factor in her bridezilla of a sister’s wedding (the hottest event of the year in the Saddler family’s social calendar), an unexpected session of hot, naked yoga, a slightly psychotic stalker, and one incredible kiss at an infamous Montmartre nightspot, and Chloe can say au revoir to her old, safe London life and bonjour to the romance, splendour, and glamour of Paris.


MY REVIEW 
What a lovely story set in London and Paris!  Two cities that I would love to venture to one day soon.  This story cemented those dreams even more into my bucket list with every page turned.

Chloe seemed to have everything she ever wanted - a steady job, a nice flat in London and her boyfriend Scott.  Then her life is turned upside down - she is being sent to Paris for her job!  At first she is not sure how to take this news - 1st happy thought - At least she still has a job - 2nd happy thought - She enjoyed Paris from her previous stay - 3rd happy thought - She and Scott could move together  and continue their relationship.

Her family is happy for her new career opportunity but Scott isn't as excited.  He job is here and he doesn't plan to leave, they can handle a long distance relationship (or so he says).

So Chloe heads to Paris - her first mistake - not looking for a proper place to live a lot sooner - I can't believe how crazy the housing scene is in Paris!  Talk about stress!

Thank goodness her boss steps in and offers her a temporary place to stay while she continues to look.

And let me tell you - Jean-Luc sounds like an absolute dream!  How will she get any work done - let alone stay in the same flat with him and his expecting gf Isabelle.

Thank goodness for all the friend that Chloe has made along the way!  They have helped her find a permanent place to lay her head, comfort when she is down, fine nights out drinking, excellent clothing advice (and pieces to borrow) and so much more!

The story has ups and down around every corner - from cheating boyfriends, to new roommates, to new friends, a new boyfriend and crazy family.

How does this girl do it without cracking is beyond me!  My head would be spinning!

There are so many scenic examples of Paris - you will want to take a trip there sooner rather than later!



WINE SELECTION

I had to slightly deviate from my wine selection with this piece and go with Chloe's signature drink - The White Russian!  Cheers Chloe!

 
MY RATING 
I give this book 5 wine glasses - I am so happy that I read it and I can't wait to recommend it to everyone that I know!  







Sunday, August 9, 2015

Blog Tour Stop and GIVEAWAY! Q & A with Tracy Krimmer, author of Jay Walking

This gorgeous Sunday morning, I have the chance to chat with Tracy Krimmer, the author of Jay Walking which is available as we speak! 
Here are a few great books Tracy has written:
The highly anticipated release of - 
Other books include:
And:
These are just a few titles from Tracy!  Check them out!  You will not be disappointed! 

Tracy, Thank You so much for taking some time out of your crazy schedule to meet with me today!  I am so overjoyed to be able to interview you for my new blog, One Book At A Time!  Welcome!  Let me begin by saying congrats on your newest publication, Jay Walking!


Tracy, let me begin by saying, I just finished Jay Walking and loved every minute of it! A little bird has told me that there is another book in the works. Can you give my readers a little insight into what the next story may be about?
First, thanks so much for having me! Yes, I have just finished the very rough first draft of Kate’s story. You first meet Kate in Caching In, and she is Seth’s sister. People have asked for more about her. She is not in Caching In a lot, but people don’t care for her actions in the book. Hopefully this book will give more insight into her life. She picks up and leaves town to start over. I hope to release this in 2015, but 2016 may be more realistic. Stay tuned!

Where did you get your inspiration for Caching In and Jay Walking?  

For Caching In, geocaching had always been something that intrigued me and when my friend Rebecca took me for the first time, I loved it. The title popped into my head and the rest just flowed into place. Jay Walking started off as an entirely different book, but I wanted to grow Chelsea’s character from Caching In. In most reviews, people don’t like Chelsea because she has a ton of growing up to do. She does this by the end of Jay Walking. I love fitness and I wanted to write a book with that as a theme, and I also wanted to focus on loving your own body.

If Caching In and Jay Walking were to be made into a movie, who would be cast?  

This is a hard question, and why Pinterest boards are awesome! Here’s my cast for the main characters:
Caching In: 
Ally – Jennifer Lawrence
Seth – Jake Gyllenhaal
Jay Walking:
Chelsea – Scarlett Alice Johnson
Jay – Zachary Levi

How do you handle writer’s block if you stumble upon it? Does it typically last for a few days? A few hours? 

I don’t want to say I never get writer’s block anymore. I think I have learned to move past it. I work on a blog post or skip ahead to a scene I already see playing in my mind. If I take a shower, ideas tend to come to me. If I’m that stuck on a scene, it probably means I should axe it.

Lastly, when you are not in the zone writing another great book, what do you like to do for fun? 

I’m always in the zone. Ideas never leave my mind. However, I do love to read (obviously!), watch television (I’m kind of a couch potato), workout (yes, that contradicts, but I work out and then sit on the couch!), play games (love Scrabble), and go places like the zoo, mini-golfing, or bowling. I just love spending time with my family!

Tracy,  THANK YOU so much for visiting One Book At A Time this morning!  I had an fun time catching up with you and helping your readers learn more about the woman behind these amazing books!  I look forward to hearing more details about your next book when we chat more!  You will have to stop by and fill my readers in as well!!
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find Tracy at the following links:

Twitter 

Website 

Facebook 

Amazon