Deluged With Books Cafe

When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry.

It's out today! Heat up with a sizzling summer read. Take a trip to the beautiful island of Corfu to witness a Greek wedding and a whole lot of fun. Catch our review soon! Truly, Madly, Greekly by Mandy Baggot Boukoture Summary Sun, sea and a sexy stranger - a whole lot of fun just got a lot more complicated... Capable, confident and career-driven, Ellen had her dream job and a marriage proposal from boyfriend Ross. Life was good, her future set. Until it wasn’t and everything fell apart… Whisked off to the beautiful island of Corfu to plan her sister Lacey’s big, fat, Greek wedding, Ellen is hoping some time out will help clear her head and heal her heart. But letting go of her past is not going to be easy. With Lacey in full on Bridezilla mode, Ellen is soon distracted from her own problems. And when the all-inclusive treats on offer at hotel Blue Vueinclude one gorgeous, brooding Adonis – Yan – Ellen finds him difficult to resist. But Ellen isn’t looking for love or ...

Oh, this one brings some angst and is not typically all romantic and sweet. A feel-good one, not entirely in story per se but, in the form of the village life, its beauty and people, as well as the drool-worthy delicious scones and Greek cuisine. In her rather cheeky voice, Samantha Tonge hits it right about the nostalgia of the carefree summer days of childhood which linger with us through our adult years (especially in the middle of dreary jobs or the tired urban jungle). Game of Scones  is humorous in narrative, flavored with angst (though hardly a Greek romantic tragedy) and filled with heartwarming characters, food and sunshine. The lulling charm of the Greek countryside and its residents may be the high point for me. I like that it was also complimented by practical views in that living away from the city isn't all idyllic and sort of escapist but also hard, almost brutal. Yet the rewards (hearing the birds, the smell of the sea, the natural vistas) appear exhilar...

Somewhere deep inside, a lot of us would like to be Paige Elliot. To just drop away from the urban landscape and start anew, drive into a quiet small town to rejuvenate, live on a cottage with mid-twentieth century furnishing, paint one's own cramp shop space and bicker along with a handsome and aloof antiques dealer who happens to be right next door. Witty and refreshing albeit with a combined spatter of sarcasm and self-deprecation, Nothing Serious recognizes the imperfections in all of us but remains lighthearted and sweet. Its humor really picked up near the end and I really liked all the technology jokes. Though I am quite not sold to the entangled conspiracy part, Barbara Morgenroth makes it out for us not to take it so seriously (which I think is the heart of this book). It could have been a typical small town novel, but what makes this book unique is its hilarious voice that I surmise tickles most of us, esp in dire situations. The town's charm isn't so put ...

With warm feelings, I finished the book wearing a smile on my face. There's a comfortable sweetness to it with a bit of good fun and budding romance. It left me in a lighthearted demeanor that propels me to savor the beauty of surroundings, the charms of people and celebration of family and friendships despite all the aggravation, which is what the book mostly is about. The first of the series, The Grand Reopening of Dandelion Cafe  introduces us to Annie White who finds herself being the owner of an old rundown cafe (which serves delicious cherry pies) in Cherry Pie Island, one of the islands in the middle of Thames near London. By description, it looked like a quiet picturesque community a few hours away from the city and its idyll appeal makes one want to live there. Annie White grew on me like a good old pal. She wasn't so thrilled staying, not to mention owning a cafe, at Cherry Pie Island and her journey in coming to terms with herself, her family and her childhood...

Antique and romance go hand in hand in this gentle story about blossoming love and not settling for the second best. The Antique Love  begins in an awkward note as first meetings go. Perhaps, in part, due to its jerky momentum best displayed by our heroine with her romantic imagination going on full throttle only to have her bubble burst. Apparently our so-called cowboy is not the swashbuckling, lasso in hand, riding into the sunset kind but a man of finance. Yes, with as much romance as there in numbers. It was only after the first meeting that things become quite engaging as we get to know each of them through a succession of meetings. As Penny refurbishes Kurt's new dwelling in London, they settled into a comfortable state and slowly Kurt gets drawn into her dreamer ways. We see Penny become more and more adorable most especially in how she sees beauty in old things and in peoples' hearts. She is the type of person one must look closer to find what a gem she is, ju...

A nostalgic tale about childhood, love, lore and family, When the Cypress Whispers attempts to capture the longings of a young woman who reached the American Dream and yet torn and bound to her old roots. Daphne arrives to the island of Erikousa, Greece after six years. Being a four-star chef in New York, there was no time to visit her grandmother to whom she spent many beautiful Greek summers as a child growing up in America. With all the happy memories the island brought to her, Daphne has decided to have her own wedding take place on the island. But as the day of the affair approaches, the spirit of family and the island life stirs something in her, awakens her into new understandings and reminding her of things she had forgotten in her busy life. Her grandmother, whom she calls Yia-yia, harbors secrets; stories of old about cypresses whispering, stories of wisdom and unfailing courage which Yia-yia yearns to impart to her beloved granddaughter before it’s too late.

Almost a decade ago, prior to the onslaught of New Adult literature, sassy Chic Lit was at the height of its popularity (think Sex in the City, Confessions of a Shopaholic and Bridget Jones's Diary). I bought this book around the same period while craving for something light and fun to read. Its quips and chic repartee was quite the fashion at that time and, hardly admitting to it, I was thoroughly entertained by the hyper reality and indulgence it presented. These Park Avenue princesses get a fair amount of curiosity (perhaps envy, too) with their glamorous lives and foibles. In my case, it was just a guilty pleasure, a random veer from my usual orbit. It was quirky and hilarious in a petty girly kind of way and I'm not sure how the girls got away with almost anything (hey, this is still fiction anyway) but I got carried away all the same by the story.

Lucky Harbor Series #4 Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she's expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she'd like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he's only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he's gone . . .  For the first time in his life, Ty can't bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn?t?including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all . . . anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor. * Lucky Harbor Series #5 Her love has come along. Amy Michael...

Jane Hayes is a thirty-something woman who's been unlucky in love. She's pretty and has a great career, but then she has a secret - she's obsessed with everything Jane Austen, particularly Mr. Darcy ( Colin Firth version! ). To help Jane overcome with her obsession, her wealthy aunt sends her to Austenland - a vacation destination that takes you to the regency era. Jane leaves New York for England with hopes of fulfilling her dreams of wearing period clothing, channeling her inner Elizabeth Bennet and finding her own Mr. Darcy.

Lonely beauty Mirabelle spends her days on the glove counter of Neiman Marcus and spends her nights alone in her apartment with her cats. She captures the attentions of a middle-aged millionaire Ray Porter and the rather queer slacker Jeremy. Shy as she was, like a wallflower, she attempts a relationship with Ray who is almost twice her age and the romantic journey takes her off her comfort zones as they both struggle to place their footing with each other. The short novella's melancholic tone moved me, its subtle overtures quite tender, pushing on the psyche which I believe is what Steve Martin aims for. I look at it as a gradual romance. It touches more the silences, the pauses between the grinding chatter of our minds. Martin isn't afraid to dwell on these still and in-between moments and stretch it beyond the normal length of time to ponder. It exhausts possibilities of a tentative fragile threshold, that short pause before a person starts to speak, before a dec...

Lucky Harbor Series #1  Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover. In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so  not  her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother—a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career—if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too. The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes—and mouth—are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor. *  Lucky Harbor Series #2 ...

At twenty-three, Kayli Stollak, like most starry-eyed twentysomethings, assumed that she and her boyfriend, Charlie, would be together forever. Besides a rockin’ sex life, they shared a passion for motorcycle adventures, hedonistic European music festivals, and wearing matching glittery spandex to the disco. What more could a gal ask for? She envisioned their love burning well into their sixties. And then he dumped her. Heartbroken, Kayli turned to her seventy-five-year-old granny for support. And this ain’t no ordinary granny. Granny Gail is a ball-busting, sh*t-talking, gossipy yenta with an anecdote or piece of unsolicited advice for every situation. Granny didn’t sugarcoat the truth or let Kayli dwell on her failed relationship. No, Granny told her to cut the crap and snap out of it. Why didn’t Kayli give “one of those dating websites” a shot? With her ego on the line, Kayli threw the dare right back at her—if it was so wonderful, why didn’t single Granny join her in the world...

Enjoyed reading Just Add Spice by Carol E. Wyer . Presented in a humor filled often matter a fact way, Dawn Ellis' life reads like any other normal middle age woman does. Feeling the empty nest syndrome with a grumpy husband who lost his job and isn't any help to be around with has made Dawn reach for something she hasn't done before. She joined a writing class. Here she starts enjoying herself and she starts making friends outside of home and motherhood. Dawn also discovers her talent for writing of which she really excels. This book has no world ending surprises but the author has written it in such a way that you go through the story without getting bored. Readers would soon catch on long before the main character does. In fact as Dawn continues telling the tale of Cinnamon Knight, the heroine of her book, its obvious to readers that this is her alter ego. At the start she loves Cinnamon, who is everything she wants to be but feels that she can't ever be....

A sinful, delicious and sensual indulgence. The Chocolate Thief is a fun, charming and decadent read. Although a love story, Laura Florand has crafted a tale that fully imbibes Paris and chocolat in every page. Each word makes your mouth water and just throw caution to the wind (or forget about credit limit) and fly there to try every piece of Parisian chocolate you can get your hands on. Cade and Sylvain's story makes you weep with laughter and heartbreaking poignancy. The author truly has a unique way with words, wrapping around the reader and making you feel the magic in the story. A truly marvelous piece of work.

Love, Actually meets Four Weddings and a Funeral .  Sparks fly when wedding chapel owner Marla Jacobs finds out that a funeral parlor will be opening right near her place of business. Never mind that funeral director Gabriel Ryan is more gorgeous than any undertaker has a right to be. Who cares if that irish brogue of his keeps giving her those sweaty dreams. Keeping her business afloat is of top priority, or so she thinks.  This was a fun and delightful read, full of quirky characters and a few out of the box takes on those romantic tropes. Kat French's writing style is good, keeping the pace flowing, the bantering great and those wicked dialogues (*cough*Claudia was a riot*cough*) to keep on coming. This was basically a romance where the couple eventually got their happily ever after. The quote " You two are like Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers kept apart by the brides on one side and the widows on the other"  just about sums it up.   It does read...