4 facts this French Girl loves about Emily in Paris

Anna Adams is a French YA author living in Paris. She’s bilingual and is the author of A French Girl in New York .

As a Parisian author whose novel is about a French girl who moves to New York, I was curious to see how  the opposite storyline (an American girl who moves to Paris) was handled and why French people were so furious with Emily in Paris.

While I agree with some of the criticism (the main character is at times really annoying), I also thought the series shows aspects of Paris that are overlooked by French media.

Here are the top four facts about Paris that Emily in Paris gets right.

1. Beurk, Paris is dirty!

Ah yes! Sorry to shatter a few illusions, here. Every Parisian complains about Paris being dirty. The scene in which Emily steps in dog poop is priceless. I laughed so hard!

2. Oui, Paris is diverse!

It’s refreshing to see a show set in France with women of all ages and young people of different origins in its main cast. You can find everyone in Paris! Unfortunately, French TV shows and movies still fail to show French diversity. Hopefully, this show will encourage them to do so. I think Emily in Paris could go further in season 2 if it steps slightly away from the touristy arrondissements, to where all the real fun happens!

3. Oh mon Dieu, Paris is beautiful!

Paris is still the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen, despite the dog poop, trash, strikes. As an author, I travel around the world because I want to capture its beauty, and open a window to my young readers, but Paris continues to inspire me and brings me home every time.

4. J’adore Paris dating life!

Emily’s love triangle is super fun and romantic!

As a single girl in Paris, I feel it’s amazing to date in the City of Lights, especially when doing so in the Parisian artistic scene. But those are stories for another article… or book!

Anna Adams is the author of A French Girl in New York that has garnered over millions of reads on Wattpad. She’s worked with multiple brands such as Coca-Cola.

To learn more about Anna Adams, visit her official website annaadamsauthor.com

Cover Reveal-The Untold Stories by Rhiannon Paille

  Hey everyone! Check out the new book in this exciting series by Rhiannon Paille! The cover’s gorgeous and the other books are out so grab your copy.

Synopsis:

Skeleton & Dust
In the First Era, before Kaliel and Krishani fell in love, Tor runs. He escapes the Land of Kings and the tyrannical Valtanyana. In the depths of Tempia he forges weapons– The Flames– strong enough to oppose the Kings he betrayed.

Aria, The Amethyst Flame, cannot touch the living or the dead and her kin are silent ghosts. Hidden in a cairn deep in the haunted forest, Aria becomes obsessed with the Ferryman, the only boy who can feel her touch.

Before Aria knows it, The Flames, The Ferryman and Tor are swept up in the first war against the Valtanyana.

Lantern & Poison
Hadwen is no more. The Daed have no choice but to travel to Avrigost to awaken Crestaos. They’re thrown into a whirlwind quest for the Flames, not knowing how ruthless and sadistic Crestaos can be.

Blood & Gold
The Daed are pawns to one of the most powerful members of the Valtanyana. Crestaos is insane, his hunger for the Flames insatiable. The closer the Daed get to achieving his goal, the more expendable they become.

 

AUTHOR BIO:

Rhi was never a normal girl. Her life was an urban fantasy wrapped in a paranormal romance and served with a side of horror. To escape her everyday weirdness she began writing fantasy. She studied at U of Sedona and MIMT, obtaining a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology. She’s married to a chef/comic book shop owner and has a fondness for architecture. She frequents twitter and facebook, but if you really want to get to know her you should visit her site: www.yafantasyauthor.com

Author Links:

Website: http://www.yafantasyauthor.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4653530.Rhiannon_Paille

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhiannonPaille

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhiannonpaille

 

Book Blitz-The Tempering by Adrianne James

 

 

I’ve heard about this very special book that I want to share with everyone called The Tempering! Check out the amazing cover!

SYNOPSIS

“The Mythology department at prestigious Harvard University is tiny—and Mackenzie Duncan has just been selected as one of the lucky few. Her love for myths and legends is deep, but she never thought any of it could be real.

After being attacked by a large wolf while walking home alone, Mackenzie realizes something is not right. She heals quickly, has suddenly become super strong, and is experiencing mood swings that can’t possibly be normal. The myths she’s studying aren’t myths at all. Werewolves are real, and she’s one of them. Fear of what she is, and who she might hurt sends Mackenzie running from the life she’s worked hard to build–and straight into the arms of a handsome Were named Geoff and into the home of his pack. Living with her new pack takes the edge off her confusion and self-loathing, but the arrival of new pack members changes the dynamic, and tests Geoff and Mackenzie’s growing relationship.

The hardest part of being a werewolf is to have no control and no memory of her time as a bloodthirsty beast. When a moon cycle passes, and she is actually able to remember bits and pieces of the night, she starts to ask questions, and the more questions she asks, the more she realizes she doesn’t like the answers. Can she set aside her own sense of morals to belong to a pack that is like a family or will she leave everything behind yet again in search of a life she can be proud of?”

Purchase your copy on  Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Want to know more about The Tempering?

Here’s an  excerpt of The Tempering of this exciting new novel!

Mackenzie pulled her coat tight around her as she took the first few steps onto the walking path along the bridge. Looking out over the Charles River, she smiled at the beauty the lights created when they reflected off the water. The sky had an almost bluish purple glow and the full moon was high in the sky. She may have been better suited to sit inside and work, but if she were able to admire the beauty the world had to offer through a window, that was what she considered perfect.

Stepping off the bridge, Mackenzie checked her watch and was shocked that it was already ten-thirty. She looked down the well-lit street that held a throng of students partying with the game blaring on their radios, and then to her left at the quiet park. She loved the park. It had plenty of trees and most of the time it was completely deserted. It reminded her of Colorado at times. Even though she didn’t like to admit it, she missed her home state. She quickly made the left turn and found herself walking amongst the tall maple trees. Had there been any light, the beautiful oranges and reds would have created a kaleidoscope of color in a canopy above her. The trees stood so closely together that almost no light was able to break through the leaves. It was pitch black with the exception of one clearing about thirty feet in front of her where the moonlight was shining in like a spotlight.

The sounds from the street behind her slowly faded away with every step, but at the same time, her unease grew. Looking over her shoulder every few moments to confirm that she was still alone, she quickened her pace. She didn’t know why, but she felt as if she were being watched. When a noise from the tree line echoed through the area, her heart began to race. Goosebumps erupted on her skin and fear gnawed at her.

The rustling from the trees had Mackenzie on high alert. She stopped and searched the trees as best as she could, but without any added light, she knew she had little chance of seeing anything. Just walk quicker. It’s just an animal.

Swallowing down the fear that threatened to engulf her, she tried to look in all directions at once, not wanting to be surprised from any angle. With every step she took, the noise in the trees never faded. It has to be an animal. It has to be an animal. Animals are not scary. It’s probably a raccoon or something. Raccoons are nocturnal, so are possums. That’s it. Nothing to be frightened of. Just another few steps and I will be in the light, then another five minutes and I’m out of the park. Just a few more minutes. She wanted to believe anything except the truth– that she was in danger.

 Time seemed to slow in those last few seconds before Mackenzie reached the light-filled break in the trees. The noise she heard was growing stronger, louder, and she didn’t know what to do. She began walking backwards, trying to keep an eye on the tree line, but in doing so, she tripped over a large rock.

A menacing growl sounded from the trees and when she turned to look behind her, a giant wolf leapt at her from the darkness. The fear overtook her, making her feel trapped within her own skin and unable to move or scream.

The wolf had a large head with strange yellow-green eyes. Its brown fur was matted and for some reason, its size reminded her more of a bear than a wolf. When Mackenzie realized the wolf’s mouth had opened and she could see the razor sharp teeth, she flew into protective mode. Her arms rose up to cover her face and she tried to push herself backward, away from the beast. Within seconds, the pungent aroma that was the beast’s hot breath seeped around her arms and over her face. Her stomach wretched but before she could heave what little lay in her stomach up, the beast bit down on her arm. The sharp teeth pierced her flesh and she could feel the tearing of her skin as the beast flung his head back and forth.

As Mackenzie’s blood filled the wolf’s mouth, she finally let out a blood-curdling scream. She tried to pull away. She pounded against the side of the beast with her free hand while kicking her legs about hoping to make contact, but everything she did was useless against the giant monster as it continued to tear her arm apart.

Mackenzie had to do something, or she knew she was going to be killed by the wretched wolf. Her thoughts swirled around, trying to think of anything she could do to free herself. She pushed and pulled at its muzzle with her free arm, trying to dislodge the teeth embedded in her flesh. The sharp pain in the mangled limb became an incredible burn, but the wolf must have severed a few nerves because she could no longer feel anything but numbness from her shoulder down to her fingertips.

Remembering what had put her in this position to begin with, Mackenzie reached behind her and grabbed the damn rock and swung it at the wolf’s head. With a loud crack, the rock connected with the top of the wolf’s skull. Briefly shocked, the beast’s grip released  as her arm fell from its mouth. Before he could go in for another bite, Mackenzie gouged her thumb straight into its freakish yellow-green eye. With a loud yelp, the wolf retreated and snarled once again, baring his teeth. She had angered it, and she was suddenly more frightened than she had been when her arm was being shredded in its mouth. Pure rage marred its face. She quickly threw the rock, hitting it square in its bloody snout. A loud crack resonated through the park before the beast turned and ran off.

About the Author

Growing up, Adrianne couldn’t get her hands on enough books to satisfy her need for the make believe. If she finished a novel and didn’t have a new one ready and waiting for her, she began to create her own tales of magic and wonder. Now, as an adult, books still make up majority of her free time, and now her tales get written down to be shared with the world.

During the day, Adrianne uses her camera to capture life’s stories for clients of all ages and at night, after her two children are tucked in bed; she devotes herself to her written work. Adrianne is living the life she always wanted, surrounded by art and beauty, the written word and a loving family.

As a young adult and new adult author, Adrianne James has plans to bring stories of growing characters, a little romance, and perhaps a little magic and mythology down the line for her readers to enjoy.

Maude Laurent’s World

Before moving to New York Maude Laurent grew up in Carvin, a small town in the north of France.

It’s an actual French town that I visited a few years ago .  I didn’t want Maude to grow up in Paris, because everybody’s already heard of Paris and nobody knows Carvin. Hell, I’d never heard of Carvin until I found a short internship there  in a tribunal completely by a lucky mistake (that’s a story for another time).

If you must know, I love the north of France and I’m proud to have spent my teenage years over there.

The north of France is known for a couple of things, mainly its bad weather.

I spent my teenage years in Lille and when I moved to Paris for my studies, every time I said I came from Lille people were like ‘oh the town where it’s always raining.” Then I’d tell them I spent my childhood in Miami and they’d be like “Man, it never rains over there! Why’d you come back to France?”

What Parisians say about Lille’s weather is accurate. But Parisians tend to exaggerate the brightness of their weather.  Having lived in Paris the last couple of years I can assure you Paris isn’t all sunshiny all the time, but the beauty of the city makes up for the grey weather. I love Lille, but the weather is truly awful. People hibernate during winter and we hardly ever have an actual summer. We haven’t seen a real summer in years!

Lille isn’t far from Carvin, but is actually a very pretty city unlike Carvin, one of the the biggest in France after Paris, Marseille, Lyon. At first, I thought Maude would grow up in Lille, but I didn’t want my hometown to be associated with Maude’s difficult childhood, so I thought of Carvin. And it’s important to know that Lille is just an hour away from Paris when traveling with the TGV, our fastest train. So Paris is Lille’s backyard!

Also, Maude learns to play the piano in her library. I don’t know if that’s done in the USA or elsewhere, but in France you can find pianos in the library and people can practice sometimes with a cask sometimes without.

I thought that was pretty cool so I made Maude learn the piano in the library where she was able to find all the scores her heart desired.

Students are taught musical theory at school from an early age in France, so from there, it’s not too difficult to read a score.

I went to music school during middle school and high school  where I learned to play the piano and hated musical theory, but Maude doesn’t seem to dislike it.

Finally, I gave Maude a classical background, because in France, in musical schools, we essentially learn classical music not modern music, at least not right away. Classical music is very important in  French  music school curricula.

Hope this helped you understand Maude’s world a little better!

Au revoir!

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

Summary:

“When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .”

My opinion:

Vampires and demons, what’s not to love?
My main reproach is how the author starts out by flooding the reader with tons of info, tons of supernatural vocabulary that we know nothing about at first. Vampires and demons, I get. But then in a couple of pages you hear about Shadowhunters, and Raveners, Silent Brothers, the Clave, and organizations and categories and it goes on and on. So you really have to follow.
However the pacing of the narrative is very good. I was rarely bored, and the action moves along pretty fast so that’s great.
BUT and this a big but, I disliked Clary thoroughly!

Clary : I thought was very boring as a main character. She was not just average, but also sometimes outright dumb. For example when she arrives in the City of Bones and asks Jace“Where do the Silent Brothers sleep?” –total facepalm moment-.
At first she’s very reluctant to try things that might help her save her mother. I mean come on ! Her mom’s the only member of her family left! A little courage, please!

Jace : By far the character I liked the most : his wit and humor , sometimes a jerk face that’s for sure. But very entertaining nevertheless.

Simon: a very good sidekick in a Ron Weasley kind of way. Very funny although sometimes a pain.

Valentine : Why oh why name a villain Valentine ??? It sounds too nice for a villain. I mean, Voldemort sounds threatening; but VALENTINE ?? You picture a villain with hearts and roses and candy. : The worst he can do is give a bad toothache.

All in all a good book, not without faults, but with an entertaining read nevertheless which is why I give this book:

“Legend” by Marie Lu

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

“What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.”

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Wow, wow, wow!! I loved this book from start to finish! It completely blew me away!

The cover: the cover is absolutely gorgeous, puts you straight into a dramatic atmosphere.

The story: What I loved most about this story is the pacing. It’s fast, it’s precise and not one word is superfluous. 

It’s a two point of view story which perfectly suits the narrative because it allows the reader to see how similar Day and June are although everything seems to separate them.

About June: she’s a great female heroine. I disliked her a little at one part of the story because her actions hurt Day. I know, I know, she was acting out of revenge, and it is perfectly understandable. But still, I hold a mild grudge. Other than that, she’s one of the coolest female characters I’ve read about. 

Kaede is also a kick-ass character although she doesn’t appear often in this novel. I’m assuming she’ll play a more important role in the sequel, “Prodigy”.

As for Day! Aie, Aie, Aie: he’s a mixture of funny, sweet, kick-ass, intelligent , loyal and also thought-provoking. Definitely someone I want to read more about!

The dystopian premise is described just enough for the reader to feel the oppressive atmosphere. But was is interesting is that the author introduces the Patriots and Colonies, but doesn’t give too much detail in an already action-packed book. Why is this interesting? Because I’m sure those key elements will be properly developed in Prodigy. I feel like it might’ve been rushed in the first novel.  I guess “Legend” is sort of a 300-page teaser for its own sequel.

And it works because I’m dying to get my hands on Prodigy!

Of course there is romance: not so much that you want to gag, but just enough to get that warm, fuzzy feeling. So sweeeeet!

However, I don’t know if it’s just me, but for now, I don’t really get the whole governmental scheme with the viruses, what the endgame is. But I guess this will be further discussed in the sequel.

Anyway, if you didn’t know already: I loved, loved, loved this book which is why my rating is:

 

 

“Wander Dust” by Michelle Warren

Synopsis:

“Ever since her sixteenth birthday, strange things keep happening to Seraphina Parrish.

The Lady in Black… burns Sera’s memories.

Unexplainable Premonitions… catapult her to other cities.

The Grungy Gang… wants to kill her.

And a beautiful, mysterious boy… stalks her.

But when Sera moves to Chicago, and her aunt reveals their family connection to a centuries old, secret society, she is immediately thrust into an unbelievable fantasy world, leading her on a quest to unravel the mysteries that plague her. In the end, their meanings crash into an epic struggle of loyalty and betrayal, and she’ll be forced to choose between the boy who has stolen her heart and the thing she desires most.”

Review:

I thought this book was a very entertaining read. Seraphina is a strong and smart heroine one can easily get attached to. Her love interest, Max Bishop, is absolutely perfect except for one blatant flaw: his choice in women.Yes, he’s in a relationship with Perpetua. Why, you ask? I absolutely don’t know! She’s not that nice, and she’s definitely nothing compared to Sera.

Although the beginning was a little slow, the moment Sera’s shoes hit the Chicago pavements, you’re in for an adventurous ride. Between the Washington Square Academy, the Wandering mythology the author wonderfully develops, and the enemies Sera encounters, by the end of the book the reader is left breathless and wanting more.

Which is why I gave this book:

3, 5 stars