Valentine's Day Greetings + 2 Books You Might Want to Read
Hi all, since it's almost 11pm here chances are you've already enjoyed a night out with your sweetie or if you're a single gal like me, you're ready for a night in with one or two of your book boyfriends! Since I don't have a someone special right now I thought I'd treat myself to a day of rest and relaxation with my Kindle. Boy, did I get a lot accomplished! I read two books straight through with a break in between for some sustenance (Nutella toast for lunch & sub sandwich and a slice of DQ ice cream cake for dinner). Needless to say I'm in pain now but both books were worth a little eye discomfort. So, if you're looking for a way to unwind after a night out on the town or you're just snuggling under the covers by yourself please check out the reviews below and make sure you read the fine print! Both books are on sale today only (Feb. 14, 2013) for $0.99 each!
Bon Appetit (French Twist, Book 2) by Sandra Byrd
Book Two in the French Twist Series: Pastries, Paris and romance - Lexi's adventure has just begun!
Lexi Stuart is risking it all. Saying au revoir to the security of home, her job, and could be boyfriend Dan, Lexi embarks on a culinary adventure in France to fulfill her life dream of becoming a pastry chef.
As she settles into her new home in the village of Presque le Chateau to study and work in a local bakery, her twenty-something optimism meets resistance in the seemingly crusty nature of the people and culture around her. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine–as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.
As Lexi lives her dream, the only thing she has to do is choose from the array in life’s patisserie display window: her familiar home, friends, and family in Seattle or her new life in France. Lexi discovers that as she trusts herself and leans more on God the choices become a little clearer– and making them, well, c’est la vie!
My Thoughts:
Following on the heels of Let Them Eat Cake, Book 2 in the French Twist series Bon Appetit is just as good--if not better! Picking up almost immediately where Let Them Eat Cake leaves off we once again follow Lexi, this time in France. If you're like me you expect a book set near Paris to be fun and this book definitely is. It still has that chick lit feel so there isn't loads of romance. I could definitely see the change in Lexi which is must in a series that follows a character book to book. I love to see characters grow and evolve, if they don't things getting rather boring rather quickly. The relationships that Lexi establishes are intriguing to say the least. I can honestly say I have no idea if Lexi is ever going to find Prince Charming. Unpredictability isn't something you come across everyday when reading Christian fiction so that's why I adored this book!
Piece de Resistance (French Twist, Book 3) by Sandra Byrd
Book Three in the French Twist Series.
Having earned her chef’s hat, Lexi Stuart bids au revoir to her glamorous and deliciously satisfying pastry mentorship outside of Paris and returns to her hometown of Seattle, Washington. There, she finds life unexpectedly complicated.
She’s put in charge of a high-end catering bakery called Bijoux, which should be her dream job, but there’s a catch: She has to make this lavish bakery into a successful business in just a few, short months, which will require more than her ability to make an amazing wedding cake. In over her head and at a loss for creative marketing ideas, Lexi isn’t sure what the recipe for success needs to be.
Stir in a complicated relationship with her French beau Philippe and his daughter, Celine, then add a dash of romance with down-to-earth lawyer Dan, and life suddenly contains more ooh la la than Lexi can handle.
With the fate of her career and her love life hanging by a thread, the phrase “piece of cake” has never been more daunting. Lexi learns that she must trust the dreams in her heart as well as the God who put them there.
My Thoughts:
I have two words for this series--tres magnifique! Piece de Resistance is the icing on the cake of the French Twist series. In the style of the first two books Sandra Byrd weaves a tale that's both uplifting and inspirational while keeping a fun, and sometimes flirty, feel. Having followed Lexi through 2 books you would think you would be able to see things coming but still I was more than 1/3 of the way through the story before I could decide whether Lexi would choose bachelor #1 or bachelor #2. I loved how Ms. Byrd kept me guessing and that both men were extremely likable characters. It is definitely more of a romance than Let Them Eat Cake or Bon Appetit but not unrealistically so so it still maintained the true-to-life feel. I loved this book and series but be warned, you may find yourself craving petits fours or men who wear suspenders after reading. ;-)
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
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| Fine print: On Sale! $0.99 February 14, 2013 only. |
Book Two in the French Twist Series: Pastries, Paris and romance - Lexi's adventure has just begun!
Lexi Stuart is risking it all. Saying au revoir to the security of home, her job, and could be boyfriend Dan, Lexi embarks on a culinary adventure in France to fulfill her life dream of becoming a pastry chef.
As she settles into her new home in the village of Presque le Chateau to study and work in a local bakery, her twenty-something optimism meets resistance in the seemingly crusty nature of the people and culture around her. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine–as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.
As Lexi lives her dream, the only thing she has to do is choose from the array in life’s patisserie display window: her familiar home, friends, and family in Seattle or her new life in France. Lexi discovers that as she trusts herself and leans more on God the choices become a little clearer– and making them, well, c’est la vie!
My Thoughts:
Following on the heels of Let Them Eat Cake, Book 2 in the French Twist series Bon Appetit is just as good--if not better! Picking up almost immediately where Let Them Eat Cake leaves off we once again follow Lexi, this time in France. If you're like me you expect a book set near Paris to be fun and this book definitely is. It still has that chick lit feel so there isn't loads of romance. I could definitely see the change in Lexi which is must in a series that follows a character book to book. I love to see characters grow and evolve, if they don't things getting rather boring rather quickly. The relationships that Lexi establishes are intriguing to say the least. I can honestly say I have no idea if Lexi is ever going to find Prince Charming. Unpredictability isn't something you come across everyday when reading Christian fiction so that's why I adored this book!
****************
Piece de Resistance (French Twist, Book 3) by Sandra Byrd
 |
| Fine print: On Sale $0.99 February 14, 2013 Only. |
Having earned her chef’s hat, Lexi Stuart bids au revoir to her glamorous and deliciously satisfying pastry mentorship outside of Paris and returns to her hometown of Seattle, Washington. There, she finds life unexpectedly complicated.
She’s put in charge of a high-end catering bakery called Bijoux, which should be her dream job, but there’s a catch: She has to make this lavish bakery into a successful business in just a few, short months, which will require more than her ability to make an amazing wedding cake. In over her head and at a loss for creative marketing ideas, Lexi isn’t sure what the recipe for success needs to be.
Stir in a complicated relationship with her French beau Philippe and his daughter, Celine, then add a dash of romance with down-to-earth lawyer Dan, and life suddenly contains more ooh la la than Lexi can handle.
With the fate of her career and her love life hanging by a thread, the phrase “piece of cake” has never been more daunting. Lexi learns that she must trust the dreams in her heart as well as the God who put them there.
My Thoughts:
I have two words for this series--tres magnifique! Piece de Resistance is the icing on the cake of the French Twist series. In the style of the first two books Sandra Byrd weaves a tale that's both uplifting and inspirational while keeping a fun, and sometimes flirty, feel. Having followed Lexi through 2 books you would think you would be able to see things coming but still I was more than 1/3 of the way through the story before I could decide whether Lexi would choose bachelor #1 or bachelor #2. I loved how Ms. Byrd kept me guessing and that both men were extremely likable characters. It is definitely more of a romance than Let Them Eat Cake or Bon Appetit but not unrealistically so so it still maintained the true-to-life feel. I loved this book and series but be warned, you may find yourself craving petits fours or men who wear suspenders after reading. ;-)
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| From Pinterest via BBC |
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Happy Reading!
I love it! I went in search of a guy wearing suspenders to put on my post, and couldn't find one to my liking. When I saw who you picked, I couldn't help but laugh! ;) That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteHehe you know me if i can throw a Doctor Who reference or or picture out there I will :)
ReplyDeleteXoxo,
Renee C.
Fabulous review, Renee! It sounds like you've really enjoyed this series by Sandra Byrd.
ReplyDelete