Kevin Kwan must have the most amazing life. His books are filled with fantastic food, locations, and clothing. I wish I had a gazillion dollars to visit some places and stay in the incredible hotels! Kwan wrote the Crazy Rich Asian series. His latest book is Lies and Weddings. As I read it, I was reminded of Victorian farces, where the characters strive ridiculously hard not to be unmannerly while pursuing their true love. Rufus, future Earl of Gresham, has been instructed to marry rich to save the family from bankruptcy due to the profligate spending of his mother, who strongly reminds me of Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. However, Rufus' heart belongs to Eden Tong, the girl next door. The action moves quickly, between glamourous spots and beautiful people. Kwan gives a modern-day peek into the stratified world of the über wealthy.
💍🤥🌺🛩️
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center was a twist on the classic famous woman falling for her bodyguard. In this case, Hannah Brooks is the bodyguard, and Jack Stapleton is the hunky Hollywood star with a persistent stalker. Does she have to pose as his girlfriend? Why, yes! Do they both have secrets and baggage? Also yes! With romance novels, I find it isn't that the destination is unknown--it is headed toward a happily ever after--but how you get there, what obstacles are overcome, and how invested in the characters the author makes you. Hannah Brooks does a job doing it all with some twists.
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The final travel book for my book club was Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy. Murphy recounts her 1963/64 cycling journey. A previous and similar cycling book, Lands of Lost Borders by Kate Harris, recounted her cycling The Silk Road with a friend in 2018. Review here: https://barbpruittwrites.blogspot.com/2024/05/traveltalking-cows-and-magic-attic.html. Dervla Murphy traveled solo through Afghanistan--her favorite country--often staying with tribesmen and in rural settings. She comes across as fierce and determined in pursuing her dream of cycling to India. Here is a link to make of her travels: https://lovecrewar.best/product_details/19269420.html. What stands out to me are the physical hardships and privation she faced, as well as her connection with people.
For the next season of my book club, we will read Newberry Award winners. So excited!
🚵♀️🏔️🐐☀️❄️
Travis Baldree is a rising name in the fantasy genre--high fantasy but with some crossover. Here is a link to his recently published prequel to Legends & Lattes: https://barbpruittwrites.blogspot.com/2024/06/its-all-about-sci-fi-and-fantasy.html.
Legends and Lattes came first, an inventive, beguiling story. An orc named Viv is finished with a career as a mercenary for hire. After a final score, she fulfills her dream of owning a shop. However, can she abandon her usual problem-solving method--off with their heads--to build a business? She will need help, but who will trust an orc?
🧌☕️🥐❤️🔥
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