Book Review: Kissed in Paris

Book: Kissed in Paris 

Genre: Chick Lit, Romantic Comedy, Action Adventure 

Authors: Juliette Sobanet 

Cover Critique:

Stunning, dazzling, very stylish cover! I love the collage of bright colours here – orange, yellow, green, red and of course there is the trademark of Paris, Eiffel tower in the background. This is, so far, my favourite cover in 2012.

Book Blurb:

“You are in Paris, the City of Love. You must not be so controlled. Here, have another glass. I promise you, it will not hurt.”

When 29-year-old event planner Chloe Turner wakes up penniless and without a passport in the Plaza Athénée Hotel in Paris, she only has a few fleeting memories of Claude, the suave French man who convinced her to have that extra glass of wine before taking all of her possessions and slipping out the door. As the overly organized, go-to gal for her three drama queen younger sisters, her anxiety-ridden father, and her needy clients, Chloe is normally prepared for every disaster that comes her way. But with her wedding to her straight-laced, lawyer fiancé back in DC only days away and a French con-man on the loose with her engagement ring, this is one catastrophe she never could have planned for. As Chloe tries to figure out a way home, she runs into an even bigger problem—the police are after her due to suspicious activity now tied to her bank account. Chloe's only hope at retrieving her passport and clearing her name lies in the hands of a rugged, undercover agent named Julien who has a few secrets of his own.  (Blurb Courtesy: Amazon.com) 

Review:

This is the story of an impulsive girl (Chloe), who is robbed by a French conman (Claude). She decides to trust an undercover agent (Julien) who is apparently trying to save our heroine from the clutches of police in the hope to recover her passport so she can fly back to America in time for her wedding (which is in next few days!). Does this sound like a promising premise for a well-written novel? And the answer is, YES!!!

This madcap romantic comedy (I would not call it the usual chick-lit, it is much better than that!), is full of thrills and adventure and the more it progresses, the faster it gets, like a furious car race with more U-turns and twists at every step of the way. With the sensational opening chapter, which perfectly sets the tone, mood and setting of the story, the writer drives the story forward in fifth gear and takes the readers for a “wild ride”.


The book gives a splendid tour of France (not just Paris!) and its beautiful countryside as a backdrop while the French agent (the hero) and the heroine run to get their life in place, but the more they try to solve things, the more they get entangled in bigger mess. While the story is written from first person perspective, it follows the hero to lead them from one situation to another.

The character of Chloe and Julien is brilliantly carved by the writer. She not only gives them signature traits (such as Chloe’s love for chocolate croissants and Julien’s bad habit of smoking) which make the characters memorable, but also gets into the hidden crevices of their minds, to reveal their secret desires (i.e. how Chloe finds Julien smoking hot) and conflicts (as Chloe decides between Paul and Julien) to the readers. There is a certain amount of craziness to their behaviour which adds to the momentum of the story.

What I loved most about the novel is that it does NOT have typical chick lit ingredients like BFFS, whining and sulking by the heroine or the search for a perfect gentleman. On the contrary, this novel has thugs, tattooed badass men, suspicious activities by our hero (Julien) who is street-smart and not really trustworthy. To know how he leads (rather misleads!) our heroine, read the novel!

You can understand how much I enjoyed every bit of the novel, from the fact that it kept me up all night long! I was up till 6 in the morning turning the pages swiftly to finish it. This is the first novel in many years that interrupted my sleep and left me craving for more (the previous one was “Zoya” by Danielle Steel which I would recommend as well). Seriously, I did not want this excellent novel to end. It was so much fun – “pure escapism” and that is why, equally hard to bid farewell to the characters!

Final verdict: Highly recommended for the natural flow in the story, unconventional and gripping writing style of the author, flawless execution of original plot, unforgettable characters, exotic French scenery and laugh-out-loud crazy adventure. A must-read for those who enjoy a little bit of eccentricity to spice up the routine.

Review Girl Rating: 10/10

“I would like to thank Juliette Sobanet for sending me a free copy of this book, for the purpose of reviewing it on my blog. You can buy this book from Amazon, by clicking here.” 

Want to read this book free? Then, click here!

Was this review helpful? Have you already read this book? Did you enjoy it as much as I did? Tell me in the comments section below! 

Movie Review: Fast Five

Movie: Fast Five (2011)

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Thriller, Crime, Mystery & Suspense

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Vin Diesel Paul Walker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Jordana Brewster

The latest installment of “The Fast and The Furious” franchise packs the best of the bunch to deliver fastest, slick, louder than ever before action packed thriller. Director, Justin Lin keeps it straight-forward with good and bad guys chasing each other in the backdrop of shanty streets of Rio, with the blend of high-levels of testosterone and speedy collisions thrown in for good measure.

Pretty much like previous films of this franchise, the plot revolves around former cop, Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) who teams up with ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) again, to pull off another heist. But this time, they face the fury of hulking agent Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) who makes every possible attempt to hunt them down. For added suspense, we have a corrupt businessman (the so-called villain) in Rio, who wants them dead.

The movie kicks off with the dramatic prison break and we see them on the run to dodge the federal agents. To gain freedom once and for all, they decide to confront the said villain and get his “easy money”. In order to execute this secret assignment, they start assembling their trusted team of street-racers. It goes without saying that the plan involves clever manoeuvring of more fast and more powerful cars.

Do you love “over-the-top” hard-core action? Are you a fan of “The Fast and The Furious” franchise? Do you drool over shiny, muscular, seriously tattooed “The Rock”? Then, this movie is a must-watch for you! With cheesy dialogues, mind numbingly stupid action that defies all physical explanations, lack of originality in plot and loads of slam-bang popcorn munching action, this film not only manages to keep the audience glued to its seats but also provides hell lot of fun and entertainment. In spite of its crappy craft, the action sequences look spectacular on screen and delivers what it promises, 2 hours of family fun! So stop counting and complaining about the logistics, just fasten your seat belt and get ready for this fastest ever “joy” ride!

I would have enjoyed more car-racing scenes, but nevertheless, one action sequence after another, from shootouts to fist fights is engaging enough to stay in the cinema while munching buttered popcorns and a giant can of coke. Fast 5 proudly shows off the bad-ass attitude, lots of cursing, bikini-clad sexy girls, glossy cars, full-on speed and violence in the most intense fashion as compared to its previous installments. It is definitely not a letdown for the fans of this franchise. My favourite scene would be the clash which results in a nasty fight between Vin Diesel and Rock, brilliantly executed by both actors!

That being said, I still find the first movie, The Fast and The Furious (2001) as the best work of this fuming, adrenaline pumping street-racing series. The inclination of Fast 5 seemed more towards Ocean’s Eleven style cunning heist plotting than on mad car-racing, so the genuine flavour and charm was a bit missing from this sequel. The fact that this movie has grossed millions in its opening week and is still going strong after one whole month, there is no slowing down this drive! I would not reveal the ending for those who have not seen it yet, but from the shots when the credits start rolling, it is a clear-cut possibility that there is another installment coming in future which is absolutely great news for its fans! 

Rating: 8.5/10

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.

Movie Review: Rio (2011)

Movie: Rio (2011)

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

Rated: G

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg Anne Hathaway Jamie Foxx Jemaine Clement Leslie Mann

Brazilian director Carlos Saldanha and Blue Sky Studios combine again after the hit series Ice Age in this latest animated adventure film, which focuses on the adventures of domesticated Macaw named Blu, who gets the taste of the wild and learns to fly like a free bird. 

Much comfortable living in wintry Minnesota in his cage with his best friend and bookstore owner Linda (Leslie Mann), Blu’s life gets quite complicated when he is moved to the exotic land of Rio to mate with his female counterpart, Jewel (Anne Hathaway). Being a bird who does not know how to fly, Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) seeks the help of a group of wise-cracking and smooth-talking city birds along with the street-smart and beautiful Jewel, to cross all odds and discover the meaning of freedom and flying. The adventure starts when Blu and Jewel are kidnapped by a group of animal smugglers and a scary and evil cockatoo, Nigel (Jemaine Clement) follows them to assist the smugglers. There begins a chase that never seems to end as the people in Rio prepare for the biggest carnival. Nerdy macaw, Blue will have to conquer his fears and learn to fly if he has to attract the free-spirited Jewel and survive in Rio.

As much as this kid flick is a visual delight, it falls short in narration and screenplay. Rio becomes a splash of colours, lacking in a genuine storyline and boring characters with some awkward jokes and an endless chase which drags the second half of the movie at a snail’s pace. It comes out as more of a spectacular travelogue in 3D than an entertaining, full of fun, action-packed, wholesome animation for adults and children alike. While the visual palette is charming and lush to the core and leaves spellbound, there is less effort thrown in the actual story.

There is a hang-gliding sequence where Blu and Jewel piggy-back on a glider as it soars past the Christ, the Redeemer statue and over the city, which is stunning in its diversity of visuals thrown in to make you realize that animation technology and 3D effects can make an uninteresting movie look spectacular. The music of the film has some good tracks but nothing too memorable.

The only part I enjoyed truly was when the monkeys come on the screen with their rap and dance and some “monkey business”. What I really disliked was the scene when Blue and Jewel glider is coming down and bumps everyone on the beach including the bum of a lady in a bikini. The bum-lady (her face is not shown) gets kicked by the ball on her bum and the whole scene looks extremely inappropriate for a kids movie as well as sloppy, because the scene was not required and turned out to be disgusting for many (I could gauge it from the way parents started making remarks in the cinema while watching it).

The first half of the movie is fast paced and keeps you engaged, but once the chase begins, it gets monotonous and stops making any sense. There is not much good quality romance or comedy like you see in Disney movies, but the heavy dose of dull adventure which will work for kids aged between 3-10 years. It cannot be enjoyed equally by adults and the concept of family flick goes down the drain. If you have nothing better to do on a weekend and want to have some popcorns and drink while sitting comfy in the cinema, go for it. Otherwise, wait for “Gnomeo and Juliet” DVD release and till then, take your kids for some bowling fun!
Rating: 6/10