Archive | November 2014

The Best Man for a reason

Synopsis

Colin is a trouble making best man at his brother’s wedding. Usually the epitome of a quiet English gentleman, the reason for his out-of-character behavior is that he was once dating the bride. She dumped him for his brother, but in a crazy, dysfunctional way, he was guilted into not only being in the wedding but being the best man.

Beth is a wedding planner with her personal goal to be named partner in the business. She needs for the wedding to go on without a hitch. In this case, it means dealing with Colin’s antics so that he does not ruin his brother’s big day.

Opinion

The story premise was original enough. However, Colin fell in love too quickly for me.

Even with that, I thought Colin was such a sweet cutie with a sense of humor. He was too nice and let his family railroad him when they should have been more understanding. For that one point on its own, he deserved a happy ending.

In the beginning I agreed with Beth when she questioned the relationship. But after a while, I started to get annoyed. Since falling in love did not fit into her plan, she keeps trying to minimize what Colin and she have. Beth was, at times, a grumpy killjoy when it came to love, and then would be despondent that she might be missing out on something.

Overall, the story was cute. I liked Colin and he deserved all the hugs and kisses. But this is how I felt about Beth.

Should you buy? Yea it was cute enough to have in your Kindle collection. This is one of those light romances with a feel good hero.

This is who I imagine will play Colin in the movie version of this book.

Wishy-washy Gypsy love

Nov25

Gypsy Bond ♥ ♥

Synopsis

Juliet married a Gypsy man named Marko and then he left with his Gypsy group. Years later, the Gypsy group is back camping near her home. And she wants her husband. Marko thinks it is best for her to marry a nobleman since the law does not recognize Gypsy weddings anyway.

Opinion

Since the story was short, there was not a lot of character development. The author tried to give a little history of why Marko left Juliet after they first got married. I thought Marko was a jerk when he was trying to hurt Juliet’s feelings as a way to persuade her to forget about him.

He was unnecessarily mean considering Juliet waited so long for him to return. He acted as if she should just forget him because he demanded.

THEN when it suited him, the mutual attraction has him listening to his body instead of his mind. I had about enough of him and began grit my teeth. He cannot claim her and then say she needs to marry someone else.

Juliet was so sweet – possibly because she was pining for her first love and ignoring how he was really treating her. I did not think that Marko deserved her love. But since she loved him, he should have been gracious enough to accept it instead of treating her the way he did.

I do realize these are not real people, but I have strong feelings about the way men should treat women who love them.

Should you buy? No. If you must read this book, try to find it at the library or your local thrift store. There are a lot of books out there for 99cents with better heroes.

Is your Man of Fantasy as good as this

Nov15

Man of Fantasy (Arabesque) ♥ ♥

Synopsis

Nayo is a photographer who is being commissioned to provide artwork for Ivan’s house. His interior decorator said he needed artwork on the walls since the houses design was going to be featured in a prestigious architectural magazine. During the course of the story, they fall for each other.

Opinion

The story consisted of a clichéd plot: a love-then-leave-them, relationship challenged man who is intrigued by a woman who does not want a promise of commitment.

I think a lot of Ivan’s change in attitude towards relationships and marriage had to do with the fact that his two best friends were engaged and had wonderful significant others. They took every opportunity to tell him how great life was to be committed to one woman.

As for Nayo, I cannot understand her reluctance to even consider a relationship and career at the same time. Why not tell the man up front, “A relationship with me does not mean I will not pursue my career”? She acted as if she had to choose one or the other. Granted her ex-fiancé wanted her to choose, but that is why he became an ex! She built a relationship barrier over something that could have been cleared if she would have communicated more.

I did enjoy the characters in a few instances. The scene where Nayo photographed Ivan was cute.

However, most of the time, I was rolling my eyes in annoyance. Ivan was a man not used to having to chase the woman. Plus it seems that he is mostly doing the “relationship thing” not to be left out of the loop with his buddies. As for Nayo, she did not know how to have a work-life balance.

After they get married, the thrill will be gone.

Coupled with the fact that they seemed like they will have to work very hard to make the relationship succeed (as opposed to other couples whose personalities seem better suited), and I wonder how long will they stay married.

Overall, Man of Fantasy is okay if there is nothing else to read. I do not know if I recommend buying this book, but get it from the library.

Go Greek in Atlanta GA

Nov5

I was talking to a foodie friend about places to go to eat in Atlanta and he asked me “Ever went to Nick’s?”

He said it was a takeout place that serves Greek food. He spoke highly of the place and said that a lot of ATL chefs will grab lunch.

I was intrigued.

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When we got there, I realized why everyone just “grabs lunch to go”. The large cement building is mostly the kitchen. We walk in, there is little space to move around. We order our food and wait outside while our order is being prepared. Mainly because we needed to get out of the way of the other people who were standing in line behind us.

Sitting outside at one of the tables gives me an opportunity to look around. If this restaurant has not come highly recommended by someone who I respected their food opinion, I probably would never have stopped there. Broken signage and peeling paint do little to entice newcomers. I would call this place a dive restaurant rundown looking restaurant known by the locals for their good food and low prices.

As we all know, looks can be deceiving. I guess that the owners cannot be concerned with the outside because they are too busy throwing down in the kitchen bringing authentic Greek food to the South.

I ordered the lamb gyro with fries. The meat was tender and flavorful. I loved the house made tzatziki sauce. Up until the best gyro I eaten was from Bronx, NY. This rivaled that. Maybe one day I will get to Greece and have a gyro from its homeland. Until then, I will have to satisfy myself with Nick’s.

However, next time I go, I will forgo the fries because the gyro is enough.

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