Friday, August 7, 2015

Aloha to Leah Marie Brown and FAKING IT - Book Review

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Vivia Grant couldn’t be happier. She has her dream job and is about to marry her dream man. Does it really matter that she’s led him to believe she’s a virgin? After all, being in love makes every experience feel like the first time anyway! But an unexpected encounter with an ex-lover is about to expose her embarrassing lie…

When Vivia’s fiancé discovers the truth, he ends their engagement—via text—and uses his connections to get her fired. Unemployed and heartbroken, Vivia begins planning her new future—as a homeless spinster. But her best friend has a better idea. They’ll skip the Ben & Jerry’s binge and go on Vivia’s honeymoon instead. Two weeks cycling through Provence and Tuscany, with Luc de Caumont, a sexy French bike guide. Too bad Vivia’s not a big fan of biking. And she’s abysmal at languages. Will she fib her way through the adventure, or finally learn to love herself—and Luc—flaws and all?


Who's to know if your soul will fade at all
The one you sold to fool the world
You lost your self-esteem along the way
- Seether, Fake It

Vivia lost her soul in pursuit of the dream job, dream man, and dream wedding.  Rather than trust her fiance (and have faith in herself), she lied to portray herself as something she is not.  We all know in Romanceland that secrets always come to the surface.  Brown reveals the secret in a funny way ... sending Vivia on her way to her honeymoon with her best friend instead of her fiance.  The honeymoon becomes an opportunity for Vivia to rediscover herself.

FAKING IT is pure escapism.  Brown delivers laugh out loud comedy along with heartwarming moments, making it the perfect beach read.  Although FAKING IT follows a predictable path, it is a path worth taking in celebrating our own self worth.  I particularly enjoyed Brown's vivid description of Provence and Tuscany.  I could hear the accents, I could smell the delicacies, and I could feel the cobblestones of these romantic cities.

Recommended read for fans of contemporary romance, European culture, and humorous adventure.

I received a print copy from Kensington at the RWA Annual Conference in New York City.


I am giving away my copy of FAKING IT, plus a book choice from my convention stash, to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about bike riding - love it or loathe it?  I enjoyed biking around Pearl Harbor to soak up the colors of Hawaii (link).

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 15, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 16.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Leah and her books at this link.

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Coming September 29, 2015

21 comments:

  1. I like it have. Not done
    Kimh

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  2. I enjoyed bike riding as a child, but I haven't ridden one in years.

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  3. I loved it when I was younger. I have not had a bike in many years. I am sure I would enjoy riding one if I had a bike.

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  4. I really enjoy riding my bike. It's wonderful to get on and go wherever you want. It feels like freedom :) The wind through your hair, your leggs going round and round.... Yes I absolutely love it.

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    1. Your enthusiasm stems from the fact that you live in a country which embraces bike riding! The Netherlands offers bike paths and picturesque countryside to make exercise fun!

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  5. I used to ride all the time as a child, but this town has way too many hills for riding.

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  6. Used to ride all day long as a kid. Haven't ridden in many, many years.

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  7. I used to love it but I haven't ridden in years.

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  8. OMG I haven't ridden in a bike in over 50 years......I used to love to ride my bike.

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  9. I loved it as a child but have not ridden lately.

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  10. I never had a bike as a kid and don't know how to ride one - little to old for training wheels lol.

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  11. I always enjoyed riding my bike as a kid, but haven't ridden one in years.

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  12. I haven't been on a bicycle since I was a teen, but I always liked it.

    Denise

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  13. I enjoy biking, but haven't done much lately. There are some good biking trails in the area (you can also hike them) but we haven't taken the time to do either. It is too hot in the summer here to do much of anything outside. Even gardening waits until evening or really early in the morning. Hopefully we can do some this Fall.

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  14. I have not ridden a bike in a very long time.
    Karen T.

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  15. I cannot remember when I last road a bike.
    Would love to win this books plus a surprise one.
    Patty B.

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