Book Review: Wedlocked

Book: Wedlocked

Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction / Women's Fiction

Author: Bonnie Trachtenberg

Cover Critique:

The cover of the book is so funny. The couple wearing handcuffs on wedding day perfectly fits the title and theme of the book. Since pink and aqua are both my favourite colours, I love it.

Review:

When we say, “Relationships are complicated”, we are usually thinking of either love relationships ending in marriage/divorce or lasting friendships getting sour. But there are other relationships which are as strong and sometimes full of complications. We do not choose them, we are born tied to them. Yes, I am talking about parent-child relationship, which has its turns and twists especially when children grow up and want to make their own life decisions, sometimes parents are so imposing or dominating or just too over-protective to let go of things and face the fact that their children are adults and should be given space and understanding, even confidence to make important decisions of their life such as: which career to choose Or who should be their life-partner. They think that just because they have given birth to them, it is their right to control their lives forever! I am not saying that all parents behave that way, but some do! I see some of you can relate to what I am saying. 

This book explores such a chaotic relationship between a mother and a daughter (the main protagonist of this story). Rebecca is a 30 plus woman who wants to try her luck in Hollywood. One of her great passions is to become an actress but her mother strongly disapproves of this because she belongs to a traditional family who find it against their ethics and morals. Nonetheless, she follows her interest but partly as a revolt to her mother’s decision. She feels suppressed and longs for her mother to back her up in her career move but nothing of that sort happens, rather this issue causes them to drift apart as they end up hardly speaking to each other for a year.

While things remain topsy-turvy between the two, she keeps struggling for her dream role by working as a part-time waitress and looking for that golden chance to make her a star. Her (failing) attempts end up in depression and she starts seeing a psychologist who makes her realize that she is doing things half-heartedly and out of grudge for her mother, not because of her passion. Find out whether her dream of starring a big role gets true or not. Most of all, does she manage to patch up things with her mother or things go insane after that.

Besides her acting career, there is another typhoon going in her life, her wedding with the wrong guy, Craig which follows another roller-coaster ride, full of (mis)adventures and mishaps. It gets quite ballistic at the end but then the author finally manages to pull all strings together which saves it from getting off the rail. The story gets interesting when she gets away from that “psycho”, lands up in the arms of a flirtatious movie director whose charm makes her blind – well, “love is blind” so not much of her fault. But is he “The One”? or is there someone else waiting to be discovered by her. Read the book to figure out who is her “true love” and does she get to have a “happy ever after”.

I managed to read this book in just two sittings as I found the plot and the storyline well-drafted and well-executed though there were a few clichés and hitches here and there but overall, the whole thing turned out just fine. The author narrates it in a hefty fashion in the start but after a few chapters when you are totally engrossed in the story, you get used to it. In the middle, it gets better as the writer gets hold of her initial inertia and gets in the groove. Since this is Bonnie’s first novel, I would say it is a good attempt though there is always room for improvement. The few tweaks in writing style (such as more use of smart dialogues and keeping the pace of the story even from beginning to end) need to be taken care of, to keep the readers at the edge of their seats.

The book is easy-to-read as it is not overloaded with characters or viewpoints. It is written in first person POV. The secondary characters such as those of Rebecca’s sisters, her parents, her boyfriends and even of her best friend and therapist, Karen is sketched nicely. They all provide a direction to the story. I really liked how the character of Craig was shown, in spite of his weaknesses and craziness, it was not all-evil. The author kept it genuine and believable. I also loved the main character of Rebecca who goes through a lot of upheavals and learns to survive and make right decisions for herself. Even when she is vulnerable, she is smart and it shows the strength of her character.

The book is written from a mature perspective. It is engaging and heart-warming while making you learn a thing or two about practical life. I can see that Bonnie has put her heart into it and surely does not disappoint the reader/critic in me. I hope that her next endeavour will turn out to be more exciting than this one. All the best, Bonnie!

Review Girl Rating: 8/10

“I would like to thank Bonnie Trachtenberg for sending me a free paperback of her book, Wedlocked for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon, click here. You can also buy this book direct from her website, by clicking here.” 

Book Review: Darcy and Fitzwilliam

Book: Darcy and Fitzwilliam

Genre: Historical Fiction

Author: Karen V. Wasylowski

Cover Critique:

I heart the cover of this book - the background in lush green colour and the image of suave Darcy running after carefree Fitzwilliam is just perfect. There is a mystery to it which makes it so fascinating that you want to pick it up the moment you see it. On the back flap, it is written, “a gentleman in love cannot survive without his best friend” – which sums up the book superbly.

Review:

I was looking to read something different, as you know it is good to get out of your comfort zone sometimes and try something new. I do not read historical fiction but I decided to give it a go as there was something about the cover which prompted me to read Karen’s take on one of the most loved books in literature of all times, Jane Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice”. I have not read other adaptations by present novelists so I will not be comparing it to their imitations but I will take a note of the development of the story as Karen (the author) interprets and develops it further in this book.

As we already know that Elizabeth Bennet is the protagonist of “Pride and Prejudice” known for her intelligence, liveliness, beauty and a great sense of wit, although with a tendency to judge on first impressions – more or less personified as “prejudice”. The other main character in Jane Austen’s popular novel is of Mr. Darcy who is the wealthy owner of the famous family estate of Pemberley in Derbyshire. By appearance, he is relatively taller than his cousin Richard Fitzwilliam. Although intelligent, but his extremely reserved nature leads others to think he has excessive “pride”. Those who know him well, like his cousin and best friend Richard, value him because of his manners.

Now coming back to Karen’s book, she focuses on developing the character of Richard Fitzwilliam and the unflinching bond of friendship between two cousins, Darcy and Fitzwilliam. In prologue, she opens with the interaction between the two of them while Fitzwilliam is going to war and how Darcy is feeling empty and alone thinking that he would be away in France. The notable point is the connection and the attachment which prepares Jane Austen’s fans that this is going to be the tale of “a gentleman and an officer”.

The author very smartly starts the opening chapters with the main characters of Jane’s novel, showing Elizabeth and Darcy’s marital relationship, the unpredictability yet the obvious chemistry of their love comes forward through various scenes. Then, we see that Richard has returned and the scene when he meets Darcy in his drawing room while Elizabeth is taking a walk outside, is worth-noticing. Here, the author shows us the jolly and playful nature of Richard and his closeness with Darcy, thus keeping up the momentum of the story.

What I really liked was that Karen did not spoil the charm of Jane’s novel, she simply started from where Jane left it. It was like reading a perfect sequel while keeping the most beloved characters true to their form – as enjoyable and lovable as before. The interactions between Darcy and Fitzwilliam are to die for – subtle hints here and there while bringing out their contrasting personalities. The author keeps the charm of the early 19th century alive by showcasing the mannerism, social norms and issues with her clever writing style. I felt I was transformed into that period and was part of the story when I was reading it. It shows the immense talent of the author as she does not let down Jane Austen’s fans.

My most memorable scene from the book is when Elizabeth and Darcy have a nasty fight (due to Caroline Bingley) and Elizabeth gets into labour when Darcy is out of the house. We see how she is rescued by Fitzwilliam’s wife Amanda and how Fitzwilliam saves Darcy’s marriage from collapsing and bringing them together again. That scene literally made me cry! It is written beautifully and Karen deserves all the praise for handling such a sensitive situation carefully so as not to make it look disturbing or morbid.

Don’t worry the part after that will make every reader smile as she ends the book on such a positive note. It just strengthens your belief in true friendships while Richard’s jokes will keep you laughing all through the book. I like how Karen keeps it open-ended so it can be turned into next book if required. Read it to know more!

The book manifests the works of brilliant and fluid writing which makes your heart jump along with the characters. I got angry, I cried, I laughed, and I even blushed – as I read this book. Pick it up if you love Darcy and Fitzwilliam and wonder how Jane would have written it, had there been a sequel to this cult classic. Highly recommended!

Review Girl Rating: 9/10 

“I would like to thank Karen V. Wasylowski for sending me a free copy of her book, Darcy and Fitzwilliam for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon, click here. You can also buy this book direct from her website, by clicking here.”

Check out the amazing video trailer of this book: 

Book Review: A Tiny Bit Marvellous

Book: A Tiny Bit Marvellous

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Author: Dawn French

Cover Critique:

The cover can be described in three words:
Simple.
Artistic.
Eye-catching.

I love it! Who wouldn’t love a tiny little dog on the cover?



Review:

The title of the book caught my attention when I was browsing through Tesco store while on a holiday in Cornwall few days back. I was tempted to get a hint of the story and started reading first chapter right there, it instantly grabbed me and I bought it to accompany me on the beach. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed. It was so brilliantly written that I read it whenever and wherever I could, put it in my handbag, read it on beach, late night in my hotel room, kept me so engaged that my husband got irritated *laughs*. So here is the story:

Dora is a teenager about to turn 18 and she has a younger brother named Peter (who likes to call himself Oscar – well, he has his reasons). There is Mo Battle, 50 year old mother to these two very hot-tempered teenagers. Mo has got her own problems- she is reaching menopause age and constantly worries about her family, career, more or less about – everything! Dora is always at war with Mo and blames her for everything that goes wrong in her life. She writes “like” about each and every torture inflicted upon her by her mom (according to her) in her diary which I (as a reader) got a sneak peek into. Look what she has written:

“My mother is like a totally confirmed A-list bloody cocking mingling arsehole cretin cockhead of the highest order.” 

Now you know what I am talking about. A typical teenager with all those jumping hormones trying to get out and she has got major problems like getting laid by some handsome dude and lose her virginity, get her belly pierced, audition as a singer for X-Factor show, get some hot pictures of her on Facebook profile and some more crazy stuff. She has some real crises too, like how to pass university exam.

The author depicts her character in such a way that it makes you laugh while noticing her acute observations of teenagers and their changing roles in the family. Sometimes, you want to scream at Dora for being so annoying and frustrating and suddenly you want to give her some space and remember how you felt when you were going through this awkward phase of your life.

We also get a slice of Mo’s mind through her diary. While she is so right in guiding her daughter and stopping her from acting foolishly in front of others, she herself gets overdramatic at times and is unable to handle Dora tactfully. Ironically, she is a child psychologist by profession. The mother-daughter relationship gets complicated to the extreme and needs someone mature from the family who could fix this glitch. Did I mention Dora’s father? His role is in the background till the story takes a sharp turn and reaches its climax.

There is Peter who thinks he is Oscar Wilde and gets infatuated by older men. It is so humorous to read his interpretations of his sister, Dora and his mother, Mo as well as his lovesick poems about Noel (a middle-aged man). So, we get multiple viewpoints and angles which make this book unputdowntable. There is also a sugary sweet character of Dora’s grandmother, Pamela who likes to bake cakes for everyone and ‘listens’ to their problems with a smile on her face. There is also a dog named “Poo” (yes, I know you guys are laughing on “Poo”) who gets the affection of both arch- enemies Dora and Mo.

The author keeps the reader thoroughly absorbed in the interesting characters with contrasting personalities. This book is like a case-study on dysfunctional British family on the verge of collapsing. Read the book to find out what makes them stick together and who turns out to be the real binding force in the family. The book is a page-turner because of its dark humour, fast-paced chapters, genuine characters and intriguing situations.

The book showcases the distinctive style of the author – her clever wit, sharp observations on family structure and the changing role of modern families in Britain. I think all of us can relate to it, considering we all belong to families – each crazy in their own way but equally special. Highly recommended book because it is a lot more than just a “tiny bit” marvellous!

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

To buy this book on Amazon, click here. 

About the Author:

Dawn Roma French is a British actress, writer and comedian. In her career spanning three decades, she has been nominated for six BAFTA Awards and also won a Fellowship BAFTA along with her best friend Jennifer Saunders. She is best-known for starring in and writing her comedy sketch show,French and Saunders, alongside her comedy partner Jennifer Saunders, and for playing the lead role of Geraldine Granger in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley. “A Tiny Bit Marvellous” is her first novel. 

Book Review: Beatrice Munson

Book: Beatrice Munson

Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction / Women’s Fiction

Author: Lorena Bathey

Cover Critique:

The cover is quite simple and gives an impression of a hand-made drawing. Though it makes sense after reading the story, it definitely has room for improvement. I like the whole concept but maybe bright colors would have made it more attractive and eye-catching.

Review:

This is a story about Marissa Lyons, a divorced woman in her forties with two kids, which made me think that why is the book named after some other character? Well, I found out soon as we get introduced to Beatrice in the first chapter. In the opening scene, we see Marissa spying on one of her neighbours who have just moved in. This peculiar neighbour is, Beatrice Munson: smart, beautiful blonde and her high-school arch enemy. Why she hates Beatrice so much? Because in high-school, she had a crush on this cute guy named Jeffery, but he chose to date Beatrice instead of her. Hang on, let me tell you that it was not Beatrice’s fault, nor was she “mean” to our "insecure" heroine in any way.

Anyways, let’s move on to what happens next. Years later, she still holds that grudge against Beatrice and fears that she will steal every one’s attention due to her impressive personality and beautiful looks. With those negative thoughts and just a smidgen of self-esteem, she bakes some delicious cupcakes (her mom’s favourite recipe) which is just a great excuse to meet her and find out why she has landed in her neighbourhood and more importantly, in her life again.

Soon, we are surprised to see that Marissa has not only forgotten about her hatred, she is also totally captivated by Beatrice’s charm. Looks like, Beatrice has moved her magic wand and Marissa is under the spell as she finds her an epitome of all-good. Is that because Beatrice’s crazy, adventurous and exciting life, makes her feel small in front of her? Does she envy her for being so passionate and daring and wishes secretly that she could be like her and follow her dreams? Read the book to find out!

This book sucked me right in with its warmth, passion and high dosage of good humour, along with ample twists and turns to keep me hooked from first chapter till the very last pages. The characters are drawn in such a way that you feel like they are part of your neighbourhood and like your friends with whom you can share your secrets and feel comfortable. In spite of their faults, they are well-rounded, realistic, relatable and extremely adorable.

The writer has kept a very candid and frank style throughout the story which made me feel as if I was reading someone’s private diary, written without inhibitions and with utter honesty. Though this book is Lorena’s first novel, she is successful in involving the reader into her fictional world of memorable characters so much that the readers lose track of the real world around them. I think this speaks volume of her calibre as a writer.

The book is aptly named after Beatrice whose character is like some sort of “guru” or a “revolutionary spiritual leader” who has the power to convince people and bring a positive change in their lives. She makes things "happen" rather than just sitting and dreaming about them. She infuses this spirit in the whole neighbourhood with her presence and ideas.

There is Marissa, who lacks confidence and guts. She does not want to take charge of her life but soon, she finds herself acting on her long-lost passion of photography by opening a studio and joining a newspaper as a journalist. Soon, all the ladies of Vista Heights: Andrea, Lily, Deidre get spontaneous and the whole neighbourhood catches “Beatrice fever”. They start embracing opportunities lying in front of them, thus explore and widen their horizon.

The book is a joy-ride full of excitement and nervous energy. It reminded me of Katy Perry’s upbeat song, “Firework”! There is lot of activity going on, which keeps the story fast-paced. It also delves into the various aspects of divorce, marriage, flirtations, friendships and much more but in such a way that it does not burden the reader; instead it is heart-warming and enlightening. There are laugh-out-loud funny scenes, especially the one with drag queen parties. I was stumped by Lola Rau’s character and wanted to read more and more of her. There is a lot of mention of yummy food, which made me hungry, looks like Lorena is fond of tasty treats! *smiles*

Apart from fun surprises, there is also a rape scene. But it has been written in a very mature way and it did not make me gag, so I think the writer pulled it off neatly.  I loved this book as the story reached a satisfying climax and gave many underlying messages as well. Well done Lorena! I would love to read more of Lorena’s work in future too. Highly recommended!

Review Girl Rating: 9.5/10

“I would like to thank Lorena Bathey for sending me a free copy of her book, Beatrice Munson for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon, click here. You can also buy this book from her website, by clicking here.” 

Book Review: With Just One Click

Book: With Just One Click

Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Fiction / Women’s Fiction

Author: Amanda Strong

Cover Critique:

The cover is brilliantly designed. By looking at its cover, one can easily tell that the novel revolves around relationships influenced in one way or the other by online social networking sites. The blue background is used to link it to Facebook’s signature colour. I love it!

Review:

The book deals with the “relationship issues” of three women, whose lives change dramatically due to their connections on Facebook. First is Chloe, a thirty-one year old movie reviewer who works for some entertainment magazine. The novel opens with Chloe dealing with her latest break-up, who joins Facebook on her friend’s insistence. Reason to join: To get over her recent break-up. Soon, she finds that her first love Kyle wants to add her as a friend on Facebook. The writer goes in flashback to tell us how they were a perfect teenage couple when due to certain circumstances, they grew apart. Now, will their relationship work this time? Does it have a chance to grow into something mature and meaningful than just a teenage crush? Will it help Chloe re-adjust the priorities in her life?

Second is Morgan, married woman, in her early thirties who joins Facebook to get a break from her housework routine, which involves managing the two little kids, Ashley and Tony. Yes, she is a stay-at-home mum who loves to spy over her friends’ lives through Facebook and finds it a lot of fun. She even starts to spy on her hubby’s Facebook account and that is where a rift comes in their otherwise happy marriage. Apparently, she thinks that her husband has befriended his ex-girlfriend and something fishy is going on behind her back. Is she true in her assumptions? Or Is she ‘paranoid’ and ‘obsessed’, as her husband EJ likes to put it?

Wait a minute, before we find out more, there is a third leading lady of this novel. So let me introduce her. Her name is Brynn. She lives with her husband Chad and two teenage kids, Hailey and Finn. From the start, she seems to have lost interest in her husband (though she thinks it’s the other way around), vying for attention and to fill the vacuum in her so-called empty life, she tries to kill her isolation through Facebook and finds her love from the past, Timothy. Soon, the reader sees how she wrecks her happy family life and welcomes Timothy’s advances with open arms. Rekindling old passion leads to some ugly decisions. Is she right in finding her ‘own’ happiness at the cost of ruining her kids and husband’s life? Is she plain selfish and mean, who will go to any lengths to re-do her past and spoil her present?

The book unfolds the lives of Chloe, Morgan and Brynn in each chapter to reveal what happens next when these women enter the world of Facebook and how this social networking site is merely a "catalyst" and a "tool" which affects their relationships and their life-turning decisions.

When I read the starting chapters, I felt that the book has a wonderful premise and it would be interesting to see it develop and shape into a full-blown exciting story. Sadly enough, I was wrong.

First of all, each chapter is told in three small chapters subscribed to three leading ladies, which confused me a lot. I had to go back and forth many times, to keep track of the developments happening in each lady’s life. It is like having three protagonists in one novel, each telling their story and that too in first-person POV. I think it would have been better if the writer focused on one story instead of developing three stories simultaneously. In my humble opinion, it could have been put into three novellas separately instead of one lengthy complicated book.

There are lots of secondary characters, from Blonde Bianca to gay Bryan, also there is ample room given to Morgan’s supporting cast, and then there is the most sensible character of Ivette who plays the role of Brynn’s friend. While I felt that the supporting cast of Chloe and Morgan consisted of predictable characters, the character of Ivette presented a breath of fresh air.

There are sub-plots, for example, Morgan’s preparation for mini-triathlon which felt like dragging the story to a halt, as it did not do anything to progress the story, rather presented a distraction. The situations like Hailey’s broken leg, Chad’s last kiss, Timothy’s outbursts had the potential to develop into something, but it seemed that the writer picked up so many threads and failed to weave them together in a page-turning climax.

The reader can easily figure out that Chloe’s story deals with the problems of long-distance relationship, her over-emotional behaviour and her desperate boyfriend trying to get hold of her, while she keeps busy with her career and her gay friend’s life. Her story is interesting but predictable.

With every passing chapter, Morgan’s jealousy goes to annoy and irritate not only her husband but the reader as well. Brynn’s story is more like a fling which goes beyond control and ultimately brings a crack in her marriage and her relationship with her kids. The reader sees her as an emotionally unstable woman who is full of self-pity and loves to blame others for her wrong actions. No matter how much I wanted to love the characters, I ended up disliking them, except for Kyle and Chad’s character.

While I would not say that this book is all-bad, it surely has some loopholes in its craft, for example, the slow pace and an abrupt ending. It also lacks growth in terms of character-development. With 350 pages to read, the story could have been chopped at places to save it from getting dull at the end. Overall, I think it is a good effort considering this is Amanda’s first book. Hopefully, her future endeavours will offer much improved version of her writing skills.

Review Girl Rating: 6/10

I would like to thank the author Amanda Strong for sending me a free copy of her book, “With Just One Click” for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon, click here. 

I would also like to thank Samantha of Chicklitplus.com who gave me the opportunity to be part of her amazing CLP Blog Tour. To visit other blogs taking part in this tour, click here. 

Coming soon: Author Interview: Amanda Strong

Book Review: The Gift

Book: The Gift

Genre: Non-Fiction / Memoir

Author: Ita Willen

Cover Critique:

The cover is as simple and effective as it should be. It shows the picture of Ita Willen’s grandmother, which shows a striking resemblance with her own picture given inside the book.

Review:

This book is a memoir of a survivor of the atrocious crime of Holocaust. Those of you who would like to jitter their memory and know what exactly this book is about, I am going to make things easier for you and present you with the gist of this historical event:

“The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. "Holocaust" is a word of Greek origin meaning "sacrifice by fire." The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were "racially superior" and that the Jews, deemed "inferior," were an alien threat to the so-called German racial community. 

During the era of the Holocaust, German authorities also targeted other groups because of their perceived "racial inferiority": Roma (Gypsies), the disabled, and some of the Slavic people (Poles, Russians, and others). Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological, and behavioral grounds, among them Communists, Socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals.” – (Courtesy: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Website) 

Now, let’s talk about the book. This memoir starts with a Prologue and ends with an Epilogue. The chapters are named after the four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall which metaphorically explain that life itself is like the continuous cycle of Nature, it moves on, no matter what. Before Prologue, the writer quotes a line of Nietzsche, “We have art in order not to die of the truth”. This gave me a feeling that in spite of the fact that this book is going to be about the tragic, heinous and ugly events of Holocaust told from the eyes of a child who came out as a survivor, it will still have an optimistic approach towards life and I was right.

In the Prologue, the writer sets the mood for heart-wrenching events described in the following chapters of the book by saying, “I am afraid of opening wounds. I am afraid of onrush of emotion. I am afraid the survivor will begin to tell me about everyone he lost and overflow with pain at the memories. I am afraid the survivor will fall apart on me into a weeping heap of bones.”

I loved her honest and straight-forward approach of writing. As I moved on to the chapters one by one, I felt sympathetic towards her loss as she goes on to describe how she lost her family members in Holocaust with vivid descriptions of death camps, especially Auschwitz concentration camp.

But the book is not just about these tragic losses, it is more about her views on life in the aftermath of that incident that changed her life. She not only debates about various religions from Judaism, Hinduism, Islam to Buddhism and Dalai Lama’s but also refers to many philosophers while trying to explain her way of perceiving things in life. While I may not agree with many of her judgements on various religions, I was still extremely interested to read more and find out how she interprets various concepts.

The beauty of her thoughts lies in her ideology of “hope” and seeing the “good” in things in spite of carrying the burden of dreadful memories of Holocaust. As she says, “Anyone can look beautiful or hideous depending on what you want to see in them....If I were a photographer I would try to capture the miraculous, the elegance of nature, the beauty of things, the goodness of people, the innocence of children, the wisdom of age, the Zen quality of even resignation.”

She talks about post- Holocaust trips to India, Nepal, Tibet and refers to pre-Holocaust bliss of her childhood in Poland with so much intensity and passion that I felt I was able to visualize things and events as she told them. She quotes about the inhuman conditions of Auschwitz many times in her book, but always in a way that surprises me. I can’t help but quote a few lines to capture the positive effect that it caused on my outlook on life.

It is pretty much the crux of her memoir, she says, “The whole problem with people who had an easy childhood and have no image of Auschwitz in their minds is that they don’t see that the ordinary world in which one is safe and fed and loved and sheltered is extraordinary. I realised suddenly what a wonderful effect the Holocaust has had on me. To be alive and healthy and free is like a miracle. Normal life is a miracle. That is the great gift I have received.”

There are so many lines and paras that I would love to quote to share with my readers, but that is not possible. Those of us who have interest in history and politics, would definitely like to read this wonderfully written memoir. It is insightful and thought-provoking. It does not matter whether your views match with hers or not, the whole point is the overall impact of her book, which is that one should be grateful and cherish every moment of life.

It is written in a poignant and literary style, which made me finish this book in one sitting. It also shows her inclination towards philosophy as she refers to Freud, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Dante and many others while dictating her doctrine. Though I may have found some of concepts outdated or ridiculous but then everyone’s experiences in life make them what they are and how they think.

So, the book gave me a frame of reference which I had not witnessed before, and a familiarity and knowledge which added to my awareness of things around me, about various aspects of life and most obviously, about the writer and her life. The book is worth a read for lovers of literature, history, comparative religions and philosophy.

Review Girl Rating: 9/10

“I would like to thank Sandra Sanchez of “The Wessex Collective” Publishing House as well as the author of this book Ita Willen for sending me a free copy of her book, “The Gift” for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon, click here.” 

About the Author: 

Ita Willen was born in Poland in 1945, has a BA in philosophy from University of Texas in Austin and currently resides in Colorado. She was named for her paternal grandmother who died in a concentration camp, exact time and place unknown. In 1972 Random House published The Grubbag, a collection of weekly columns she wrote (under the name Ita Jones) for the Liberation News Service from 1968-70. 

BE MY GUEST: Travel Review by Author Barbara Conelli

Guest Post: 

Travel Review: Prague (Czech Republic) 

Author/Travel Writer: Barbara Conelli

As you know that writers who love to travel and tell their amazing travel stories, stop by here on my blog, to share about their unique experiences, sometimes, fun and at other times, quirky. So, let’s read and find out what Barbara (Author of “Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita”) has in store for us about her memorable and romantic summer in Prague. 

French Summer In Prague 

Maxim was a charming Frenchman and a born Parisian who never forgot to mention that his family came from the correct, wealthy bank of the Seine. Actually, to be precise, it concerned only his mother. His father’s presence in the family was considered an unpleasant social slip which had been held against him bitterly all his life.

Maxim, with a sweet apologetic smile, often interrupted his colleagues’ English classes when he passed through the room in order to get into his office. He always left behind him the intoxicating smell of his luxurious perfume, of coffee and dark chocolate. He enjoyed showing off his carelessly elegant walk and the perfect manicure on long, sinfully sexy fingers that evoked even more sinful ideas in every woman.

“I’m looking for an Italian teacher. Would you happen to know any?” said Beautiful Maxim during one of his flights over the English class. He had a voice of the Marlboro Man and spoke English with a cute French accent.

“I would, myself,” I answered in French which obviously surprised him very pleasantly.

“And would you like to teach me?”

“Of course, if I manage to find some time.” With a professional look on my face, I took out my diary and started looking for “the last available gap in my schedule, only because it’s you”. But in my mind, between the lines of the diary, I envied the silver Parker pen that his fingers softly played with.

As Beautiful Maxim refused to indulge in the secrets of the Italian language in the mundane environment of his office, our regular, even more regular, and finally daily meetings were transferred to secluded cafés, bars and restaurants, over French wine, seafood and chocolate fondue. To conversations about how he loved when the wind blew through my hair, about my perfume making his head spin and about how adorably I sipped cappuccino from my cup. He had no male vices, he always called when he promised to and looked most dazzling over a glass of red wine with a cigarette in his hand. His perfect fingers surpassed all expectations and he seemed to be one of the last few specimens of the disappearing stock of French charmers and lovers.

“My aunts are coming tomorrow,” he said slackly in front of the cracking fireplace of his apartment, naturally on Parisian Street, on a rainy November Tuesday twenty minutes past midnight.

“They want to take care of the last details of the wedding because my fiancée is not coming from London until next week.”

I started to laugh at his wonderful sense of humor, and as I didn’t want to ruin all the fun I asked playfully: “And when are you getting married?”

“Next week of course. Don’t tell me you didn’t know that.”

I started to panic. There must be something wrong. Beautiful Maxim who walks like a lion in the bush and whose eyes are gloomy like the sky in Marseille is only mine. I’m sure of it; he loves my perfume, my hair in the wind and all my gestures, his famous fingers know every curve of my body. He cooks excellent dinners, whispers into my ear and his laugh makes me feel butterflies in my stomach. He’s MINE!

During the following twenty minutes, I listened in a sort of trance to his lecture about the hard life of a man who had decided to sign a lifelong deal and enter holy matrimony with a blond Swedish girl who was deeply loved and adored by his Provence aunts, his Dijone grandmother and both banks of the Seine. About his brave life decision to give up other women forever because the arrangement between family clans, sealed by their marriage, could not be broken. What would his deaf granduncle Hugo say, and what about his cousin Agnes who dragged her irritating pinscher everywhere and who wanted to give them a set of 19th century family porcelain for twelve people, and what would...

“Hang on, you’re really serious? C'est vrai? C'est possible? And what about me?”

“What about you?” He looked at me, baffled. “You... You are like a chocolate tart.”

“Excuse me?!”

“You know, SHE is like a raspberry cake. A homemade cake that is always handy, that is good and tasty, and that neither offends nor thrills anyone. But you... You are like a chocolate tart. A luxurious chocolate tart that melts in the mouth, that we savor with delight but treat ourselves to only a few times in our life. A sumptuous dessert, passionate pleasure, the last adventure before I become a responsible man and the head of the family.”

A few months ago, I ran into Maxim in Paris. We said Hi, and Maxim assured me that he was going to call next week and that we’d have lunch together. He hasn’t called yet. It’s better this way. I don’t know if he really got married, if he keeps the deal, if he’s happy with his raspberry cake and if he renounced chocolate tarts forever. I don’t know, and whether it was true or not, I don’t really care. Simply because all sinfully beautiful, wicked and damn irresistible Maxims of this world enter our lives for one single reason: To fly through it like the spring wind over a lavender field in Provence and leave behind that bittersweet taste of chocolate noir.

About the Author: 

Barbara Conelli is an internationally published bestselling author and Chiquenist on the mission to bring Fantastic Fearless Feminine Fun into women's lives. In her charming, delightful and humorous Chique Books filled with Italian passion, Barb invites women to explore Italy from the comfort of their home with elegance, grace and style, encouraging them to live their own Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world.

Barb lives between New York and Milan, and as a real globetrotter, she's always on the move, accompanied by her adorable and very spoiled beagle. Barb's motto is: "When life gives you twists and turns, Chique Yourself Up in Italy." To her, writing is like breathing, and she's currently working on her new book. To know more about her and her writing, visit her website: http://www.barbaraconelli.com

About her Book: 

Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita - "Put on your Borsalino and swing those hips, baby."

Charming, poetic, delightful and humorous travel and life stories about extraordinary Milanese women, men who have succumbed to their temptation, and the art of living your own dolce vita no matter where in the world you are. An entertaining storyteller, Barb has a unique ability to capture the magical atmosphere of the places she writes about.

Through the pages of her books, Barb takes your hand and guides you through the irresistible beauty, captivating secrets, unrepeatable spell and fugitive moments of Italy. She makes them come alive easily and spontaneously, and her writing is like a magic carpet that carries you to Italy and back in the blink of an eye. She introduces you to fascinating women who have created the face of Italy, lifts the shroud of their mysteries, and reveals adorable places off the beaten track where the authentic Italian heart hasn't stopped beating.

To buy this book, click on the links below:

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback

Note: The pictures and illustrations seen in BE MY GUEST are compiled by Review Girl.

Book Review: Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita

Book: Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita

Genre: Travel narrative/ Non-fiction

Author: Barbara Conelli

Cover Critique: 

A sketch of a bohemian chic girl with a big Italian hat and funky travel bags on the cover is good enough to understand that this book is about a girl’s journey to the fashion capital of Italy, Milan. The lemony background is bright and lively in sync with the zest of life which this book promises to talk about.

I just love this glamorous shiny cover!

Review:

“Chique” means stylish and hip girl. “Dolce” means ‘sweet’ and “vita” means ‘life’ in Italian, so the title suggests that the book is quintessentially about knowing the secrets of living ‘a sweet life’ in a stylish way – more precisely, the Italian way! The writer has used a mix of Italian words and phrases here and there, which makes the stories of Italian people, sensually sweet and fascinating to read. The book starts with these words which perfectly sum up the gist of life as well as the theme of this book, “La vita e bella, life is beautiful and the most amazing wonders of this world often hide in the simplest things.”

There are sketches with every chapter which help you visualise the things, scenery or people which the writer talks about in detail. The book is not a travel guide with maps and locations to tour Italy; it explores further into the lives of common people and tells the stories of simple Italian men and women from fashion designers to small village bakery shop owners. It does not just tell about Italian art and its awe-inspiring museums and galleries but about life in general and how to make the most of it by being aware of who you are and by appreciating the people and the place around you. It is more like a “self-discovery” than just being able to witness the lifestyle and the rich culture of Milan.

It helps the reader appreciate the breathtaking ‘sights and sounds’ of Italy while reading about the hidden aspects of its cultural heritage and legacy, apart from ‘fashion’ and its famous ‘nightlife’. The chapters are short and words used are irresistibly sweet filled with the warmth of Barbara’s heart and made me feel the heat and soul of Milanese. For example, while telling about Brera, she personifies this Milanese quarter near La Scala, by calling it a “capricious woman” who “gets under your skin, whether you like it or not”. In another chapter, she talks about a mysterious saxophonist who plays in the streets and how she later finds out about his real identity. There is so much passion in the stories infused with elegance and wit that it made me finish this book in one sitting.

I have never been to Italy but after reading this book, I want to go there and witness everything from my eyes especially the places that Barbara describes in this fantastic book and maybe meet that sixty years old lady who has been working at a local silk factory for past 30 years or perhaps go to eat Da Gancio’s famous polenta with butter and home-made cheese along with a glass of home-made rose wine. The diversity of famous Italian food made me sigh with temptation and filled my mouth with the unknown flavours like those of delicious home-made saffron risotto. Ah! The gourmet pleasures!

At the end of each chapter, the writer concludes one secret towards achieving that ‘tranquillity’ and finding ‘happiness’ from within. It is like a spiritual journey and reminded me of the pulsating energy I felt when I used to listen to Ricky Martin’s “Livin La Vida Loca”. The book does not teach or preach with moral lessons but states a philosophy, a way of living which is “to stay young at heart, forever, no matter where you are or what you do”.

I highly recommend this book to people who love to travel and unravel the mysteries of different cultures and who are open to learn and experiment new things in life, without any inhibitions. I enjoyed this book a lot and being a sucker for travel books, I have already read it three times. For me, it serves like meditation. It does not matter whether you have been to Italy, you will never go to Italy or you live in Italy, the book still offers something for every kind of reader. Just read it, you will love it for sure!

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

“I would like to thank Barbara Conelli for sending me a free copy of her book, “Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita” for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To buy this book on Amazon in Kindle or Paperback, click here.”

Book Review: Treasure Me

Book: Treasure Me

Genre: Romantic Comedy/Mystery/ Contemporary Fiction

Author: Christine Nolfi

Cover Critique:

The cover is somewhat straight-forward and simple like a textbook with dull colors. It gives me an impression that I picked one of the books from the classical literature section. I am saying it as a good thing because I am fond of classics! I like the cover as it is well-fitted to the theme of the book but it needs to be perked up a little.

Review: 

A ‘bold and beautiful’ female thief named Birdie and a nosy but handsome investigative journalist Hugh come together in this sizzling romantic comedy as they uncover the mystery of the treasure left by Birdie’s ancestors. In this “peel the onion” kind of mystery, each chapter unfolds one layer after another in the form of clues. As Birdie gathers all the clues to hunt the family treasure, lots of other ambiguities emerge to the surface. With many twists and turns that follow in the story, the complexities grow as the plot thickens!

While she works as a part-time waitress in old town Liberty’s restaurant, “The Second Chance Grill”, she gains trust and support from her newly made friends, keeping her actual identity and motive ‘a secret’ from the people of Liberty. But how long will she be able to keep her criminal instincts a secret? Will Birdie succeed in finding the treasure: bags full of precious gems? Or Is she going to be exposed by someone whom she dared to trust? Will she be able to leave the life of a criminal and start afresh? Most importantly, will she learn to trust her guts and build relationships? There is thrill, there is adventure and of course, there is romance!

The story starts with the main character, Birdie Kaminsky pick pocketing an old guy and running away from him, finally landing at her tiny apartment and managing to escape with the help of her good-hearted neighbours. Soon we see her setting off to Ohio, to a small town named Liberty. The writer uses “flashback” technique to tell the readers about her family background. She belongs to a family of con artists and criminals. Her mother, Wish Kaminsky lures rich gullible men and then vanishes with all their wealth to a far off place.

The writer lends an emotional touch to her character showing that even a thief has a heart. Birdie longs for family and friends and affection which she could never get in her childhood as she got dragged along with her mother from one town to another, stealing and running heists. But unlike her mother, she wants to settle down in her life and leave illegal stuff. Thus, the reader starts to feel sympathetic towards her.

She is hoping to gain a lot of wealth very soon (as she sets off to Liberty to discover the family treasure) to fulfill her dream of living a normal life. But even this shortcut is filled with many hurdles which she has to pass to reach the jackpot! She has just got one clue with her, “Liberty safeguards the cherished heart” and that she is somehow related to freedwoman of Civil War, Justice Postell whose picture she finds hung on the wall of the restaurant, “The Second Chance Grill”.

Things get a lot spicy with the entry of cynical journalist Hugh, who also comes to this restaurant to expose a scam for his next article. The plethora of engaging characters, each holding their charm and uniqueness work as perfect catalysts to advance the story. We come to know angry cook Finney, easy-going waitress Delia, the ever-amusing Theodora, wise teenager Blossom, depressed father Landon, strict boss Bud and several other secondary characters. The igniting chemistry between the hero and heroine of the story is a treat to watch as the novel advances towards its end.

As I started reading the first chapter, I felt that this book is not going to be an ordinary book, because of the ways in which the writer uses “literary techniques” at her disposal. Starting the book with a female thief doing a lot of ‘action’, gave me an adrenaline rush which I think is a perfect start to the story. The mood for some thrills and excitement is set right from the start! It definitely grabbed me and I was turning pages fast to find out what happens next.

There is a lot of “dramatic visualization” to describe the characters of Theodora and Hugh as well as Birdie which made me feel as if the reel is going on in my mind and I could imagine in great picturesque detail, what they were doing. The writer gets into the skin of the characters which pulls the reader close to the characters in spite of their faults and eventually you come to like them. The characters made me laugh, cry, feel sorry for them, despise them, get angry at them as they go all berserk, but most of all, I loved them!

The writer has a perfect blend of words when it comes to define characters, incidents and even beautiful scenery. For example, there is so much poetic beauty in these lines:

“A moist haze settled over the countryside reflected through the glass. Sunlight pooled in orange puddles beneath the hills as the blue of night bled into the horizon.” 

What an amazing vivid imagery! The writer does not shy away from using  metaphors and personification whenever it is required to highlight the intensity of the scenes. We see that there are sparks flying all over the place as Hugh and Birdie collide with each other. To describe the sexual tension between the two, the writer describes Hugh’s desire for Birdie in these lines:

“He was a red blooded male, which meant he was hardwired with the need to bed her. So his programming was infected with a bad case of lust. Emotionally, he was the Sahara Desert."

The writer uses “back-story” in the form of narration, dialogue, and even recollection to take out all the pieces of the puzzle before putting them together and placing them one by one to complete the maze. This is probably one of the reasons that in spite of so many characters, the reader does not feel lost or confused. There is not one boring line or sequence. The chapters are long but the advancement of the story is faced-paced with a lot of activity to keep the reader engaged. The only thing which the book needs is re-editing as it suffers from a few typos, other than that, I do not think that there is any loophole in story or form.

I think this book was out-an-out entertaining and I won’t be surprised if this series becomes a regular drama series on television or turns into a Hollywood project. There! I said it! Highly recommended due to great plot, excellent writing style (which proves great writers do not need traditional publishing methods to succeed!) and of course, the tangy witty banter between Hugh and Birdie!

Review Girl Rating: 9.5/10

“I would like to thank Christine Nolfi for sending me a copy of her book, “Treasure Me” for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To know the review rules and policy, click here. To buy this book, click here.”

Book Review: Size Eight in a Size Zero World

Book: Size Eight in a Size Zero World

Genre: Chick Lit/ Contemporary Fiction/ Women’s Fiction


Author: Meredith Cagen


Cover Critique:
The cover is so stylish. With fashionable ladies gracing the cover, it perfectly matches the women-centric theme set in the backdrop of posh NYC. Very apt and convincing! It has got this "Ooo la la" factor and I like it!


Review: 

This is a story of a thirty-something married working woman, Lindsay Chandler. She lives on the Upper East Side of New York, in a posh apartment, with two school going children (Kristen and Jake) and her husband, Grant. To complete this picture perfect family, they have a dog as well, named Digby. But the truth is that her life is not as perfect as it looks. Being a misfit among the trophy wives of rich men, she yearns for a life of meaning and a burning desire to fill the vacuum inside her. We see that her relationship with her husband is as chaotic as it can get and we learn that she is extremely unhappy and craves for her husband’s care, love and attention.

On the other hand, her husband does not only have a “don’t give a damn” attitude towards her and kids but is also filled with egotistical male-chauvinistic demands, which he expects (rather orders) Lindsay to fulfil. Lindsay not only performs all household chores but also her job, which do keep her occupied but not enough to fill the emptiness in her married life. When she encounters a handsome bachelor (addressed in the novel as, “The Man Upstairs”) living in the building, she starts to fall for his physical charm, much like a “desperate wife” hungry for attention. An extra-marital affair starts and the reader is taken on a whirlwind of relationship problems, lust, love, temptations, social taboos and a journey of self-discovery for Lindsay.

If you are thinking that it is just another chick lit with a non-serious, superficial story, then you are wrong. The story can be read on many levels. The title serves double meaning: apparent and underlying. The apparent meaning is of course about the physical appearance of Lindsay which does not match the Upper East Side ladies who are thin, one-dimensional and blonde. But underlying meaning would be that she is like an outsider; a misfit in the shallow world of trophy wives.

The novel beautifully narrates the story of a woman who wants to re-invent herself and her failing marriage gives her the golden opportunity to analyse her self-worth and potential. On this journey of self-discovery, with the support of her friends, she finally comes to understand the complicated world of adult relationships and masked personalities which make her realise that she was living in a world of illusions and day-dreams.

The novel is written from the point of view of female protagonist and the opening chapters are filled with her constant whining about house chores, her husband’s indifference to her needs and her wish to land on a better job profile. While Lindsay’s complaints irritated me a little, they did not put me off at all. On the contrary, the novel hooked me from the beginning and made me want to know how her character develops and grows in the coming chapters. As the dilemma of Lindsay’s marital life is laid in front of the reader from the start, the theme of the novel gets wide and clear with all its complexities that are sure to follow.

The writer keeps the chapters short yet meaningful as we witness a whole lot of activity going on from first chapter till the last. So, as the pace does not slow down at any point of the story, it keeps the reader totally absorbed. Half-way through the story, I was so much engrossed in Lindsay’s character, that I could feel and imagine what she was going through in her life. In spite of its mature and complex story line, the writer does not digress from the plot, which is extremely remarkable!

There is also a lot of thought put into the secondary characters. There is quirky Jodee (her friend who is more like her sister), sex-expert Tanya (who is her best friend and a great aunt to her kids), helpful guy Ryan, smart kids, her compulsive mother and a very loud father. While the character of “The Man Upstairs” is complete and original and other characters are also believable, surprisingly the character of Grant is the epitome of all-bad, so much so that it looks fake and plastic! Since the story is told from first person’s POV and the readers see characters from Lindsay’s eye, it is justified to an extent. Overall, it is a smartly written book.

The ending of the book is bound to make you happy, but I will not spoil it for you. Read to find out what she decides for her future life. I will recommend it to all, especially working mothers and housewives who can empathise and maybe even learn something from Lindsay’s story. The readers get a glimpse of modern lifestyle and the changing rules of marital relationships in this social satire. A well-rounded novel which is worth a read!


Review Girl Rating: 8/10

“I would like to thank Meredith Cagen for sending me a free copy of her book, “Size Eight in a Size Zero World” for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. To know the review rules and policy, click here. To buy this book on Amazon, click here.”

BE MY GUEST: Travel Review by Author, Lyn Fuchs

Guest Post:

Travel Review: Zihuatanejo (Mexico)

Author/Travel Writer: Lyn Fuchs

I have been thinking to add “travel section” in my “reviews”, so you can enjoy and know about different places and cultures. I wanted to make it fun, so I requested this awesome travel-writer, Lyn Fuchs, to share some of his crazy adventures, in this travel segment. A gentleman that he is, he readily agreed and sent me this wonderful and soul-stirring piece, which I am so pleased to share with all my readers. His bold style and his sublime sense of humour reflect in his writing style. Read on and enjoy!

The Winter of Our Content

An Internet site that described Zihuatanejo as “a small fishing village just south of Ixtapa” was packed with stunning photos, but what can I do here for a whole week, I wondered. The pirate Francis Drake once parked in this cove to keep an eye out for Spanish booty. “Well, shiver me Freudian timber!” I quipped, “Sounds like a plan.”

My rental condo had a beach view from the window and a pizza delivery sticker on the fridge. Damn near paradise in my book. The décor was typical tropical: Casablanca fans and terra cotta tile, mahogany closets and calla lily sofa. I’d stocked the kitchen with papaya, yogurt, oats, and beer—all part of a complete breakfast. As the sun rose over banana trees, I headed out for a stroll along the surf.

With sandals dangling from my hand and foam swirling around my feet, I pondered the many historic footprints that had been made and erased on this spot. Doctor Timothy Leary conducted psychedelic LSD experiments here in 1963. Author Zane Gray caught a 135-pound world record sailfish here in 1924.

Still, I was more intrigued by the countless, nameless indigenous lovers who had no doubt left their marks on this lunar-powered etch-a-sketch, where every night the silvery moon draws hearts together then draws waves to obliterate all tracks. The very name Zihuatanejo stems from the Aztecan language Nahuatl and means “place for women.” Nothing says amorous rendezvous like a beach.

In my past wanderings up the Pacific, I’d seen the coconut-strewn crescent bays of Huatulco and the dope-smoking nude surfers of Zipolite. What could be so special here? I rounded a promontory and there she was, sitting on a tidal rock, squeezing water out of long dark hair.

I asked her name. Chocolate eyes sparkled and native cheekbones flushed, but the voluptuous lips said nothing. (Generally in Mexico, guys are expected to show a little more effort; what Gringos call stalking, Latinos call unrequited love.) Pleasantly shitfaced, I tested a ridiculous line, “I know you’re Azteca, but I hope you won’t rip out my heart.”

She didn’t even blink, “I know you’re Americano, but I hope you won’t invade my territory.” I grinned sheepishly; she laughed playfully. Five minutes later, we were conversing as friends. When a pelican dove for something eye-catching by the water and crashed headlong, I was relieved that his fate apparently wouldn’t be mine.

As the breeze changed direction and came in off the ocean, I sensed the fresh wind a beautiful woman can usher into your life. The next few days were as perfect and hazy as those rock islands shimmering across the turquoise bay. We swam offshore for hours, talking and fucking to the rhythmic shoves and tugs of the sea. 

Waves are the music of the planet. Combined with the polar magnetism of boy meets girl, they constitute a primal symphony. Art is the pursuit of beauty. Hand led by a bikinied silhouette into a shining ocean, one transcends mere hedonism for an earthly apprenticeship in the heavenly forms.

Alas, I’ve metamorphed from a normal guy into a wannabe poet. Blame the tropics. While the northern turning leaves mark the passing of years and urge productivity, the southern rolling waves hint of changeless eons and instill contentment. Whatever my future might bring, I was satisfied just to be there and seize that day.

She and I now live in different worlds—worlds forever different from each other, as well as from what they were before we met. Whenever I stroll on the coastline of any ocean, the breakers seem to emanate from a distant shore, a shore where my Azteca forever sits on a tidal rock.

 

About the Author: 

Lyn Fuchs is a travel writer who may be found in the Canadian rainforest or the Mexican desert, but you won't find his by-line on anything that doesn't captivate and inspire. His travel writing has appeared in Outdoor Canada, The Dalhousie Review, Eclectica Literary Journal, Traveling Stories, The Best of Bluefoot Publishing and other publications. When he is not writing or travelling, he works as a professor of communication at the University of Papaloapan in Mexico with Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Communication and Philosophy. To know more about him and his writing, visit his blog: lynfuchs.blogspot.com

About his Book:

Sacred Ground and Holy Water: Travel Tales of Enlightenment

The book is a collection of seventeen stories filled with humour, tragedy, adventure, sexual innuendo and spiritual insight. Author Lyn Fuchs should be called Lyndiana Jones. He has survived enraged grizzlies, erupting volcanoes, Japanese sword fights and giant squid tentacles. He has been entrapped by FBI agents and held at gunpoint by renegade soldiers. He has sung with Bulgaria's bluesmaster Vasko the Patch and met with Mexico's Zapatista Army commander Marcos. He has been thrown out of forbidden temples in southern India and passed out in sweat lodges off the Alaskan coast. His navel has been inhabited by beetles and his genitals have been cursed by eunuchs. He has shared coffee with presidents, beer with pirates and goat guts with polygamists. He has contracted malaria, typhoid, salmonella and lovesickness around the world. All these adventures and more are found in this extraordinary work. – (Courtesy: Amazon.com)

To buy this book, click here.

Note: The pictures and illustrations seen in BE MY GUEST are compiled by Review Girl.