Candidate by Tracy Ewens

Synopsis 
If only life were as simple as choosing between Toaster Strudel and Fruit Loops.

Katherine Galloway is two years divorced and still living out of boxes. Between her brothers (cops that work with her ex) and her mother’s constant reminders that her clock is ticking, Kate is trying to hold it all together. But the truth is, she’s eating Toaster Strudel for dinner, and living and breathing her PR career. When it comes to public relations, there’s nothing she can’t handle . . . or at least that’s what she thinks.

Grady Malendar, the only son of United States Senator Patrick Malendar, has a reputation as a playboy who likes to have a little too much fun. The senator is running for re-election and needs Grady’s help with the youth vote. But what they want is a new and improved, headline-free Grady, so they hire a PR firm. Grady is willing to participate in the dog and pony show to help his father win, but there are some things about Grady’s life he wants to keep hidden. Especially from his snoopy new PR “babysitter,” Kate Galloway.

Somewhere between campaign stops and fundraisers, Kate and Grady discover that neither of them are what they appear to be on the surface. Tensions between them grow until there is no denying they are falling in love behind the scenes of a façade they both need to keep in place. Will scandal, old wounds, and secrets tear them apart, or will Kate and Grady realize, despite appearances, they are both candidates for love?

Reactions
Easy, funny and not at all cheesy ! It has been a long time since I haven't spent such a great time with a romance story.
Of course, even if the plot is predictable, the author has done a really cool job with her characters.

Katherine is locked inside her perfect suit, more like an armor, after a bad divorce. The only person she is not supposed to open up and learn to live again will force his way through her heart in a really lovely way.

Grady is not the normal guy. He is rich and is playing a persona to hide a part of himself that he really cherishes. Meeting Katherine will be the time for big changes. Full of humour and great with repartees, he is touching.

Was hooked from the start even if I thought it will be another rolling eyes kind of romance. Have to say, I was wrong. :-p
The writing is dynamic, there is a lot of funny touching moments. You don't see the time flying when reading.

Perfect for a relaxing evening!

I really recommended this story !


Source
*Arc provided by Netgalley
I received this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.

Trust No One by Paul Cleave

Summary
In the exciting new psychological thriller by the Edgar-nominated author of Joe Victim, a famous crime writer struggles to differentiate between his own reality and the frightening plot lines he's created for the page.

Jerry Grey is known to most of the world by his crime writing pseudonym, Henry Cutter-a name that has been keeping readers at the edge of their seats for more than a decade. Recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at the age of forty-nine, Jerry's crime writing days are coming to an end. His twelve books tell stories of brutal murders committed by bad men, of a world out of balance, of victims finding the darkest forms of justice.
As his dementia begins to break down the wall between his life and the lives of the characters he has created, Jerry confesses his worst secret: The stories are real. He knows this because he committed the crimes. Those close to him, including the nurses at the care home where he now lives, insist that it is all in his head, that his memory is being toyed with and manipulated by his unfortunate disease. But if that were true, then why are so many bad things happening? Why are people dying?

Hailed by critics as a "masterful" (Publishers Weekly) writer who consistently offers "ferocious storytelling that makes you think and feel" (The Listener) and whose fiction evokes "Breaking Bad reworked by the Coen Brothers"(Kirkus Reviews), Paul Cleave takes us down a cleverly twisted path to determine the fine line between an author and his characters, between fact and fiction.

Reactions
The plot of a crime writer who is diagnosed with Alzheimer picked my interest immediately. Thought it will be a great scenario for a psychological suspense thriller. And it has worked for a few chapters. I was turning the pages eagerly.
Then all the coming back and forth between the past and the present, the countless time when the author remind us that Jerry has dementia has started to get cold and not really thrilling.
I was lacking the suspense factor and started to read diagonally.

Because I really wanted to know the answers for some Jerry's questions about the reality of his murders, I've kept reading. The ending was creepy, confusing and not at all the way to close this story.

I've seen great review about this book so you may really enjoy yourself. Personally, I just feel like a great potential for a thriller has been missed.



Source
*Arc provided by Edelweiss
I received this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.

Second Life by S.J. Watson

Summary
The sensational new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Before I Go To Sleep.

She loves her husband. She's obsessed by a stranger.
She's a devoted mother. She's prepared to lose everything.
She knows what she's doing. She's out of control.
She's innocent. She's guilty as sin.
She's living two lives. She might lose both . . .


Reactions
"Before I Go to Sleep" was a story that really made an impression on myself. From the start, I've been hooked and really enjoyed the author writing style. My imagination has been played by all the twists until a very good ending.
So I was very excited to put my hands on a new story.

While reading the synopsis, telling you nothing but making you anticipate a lot…I was already thrilled to start.
And the author has been able to keep my interest until the middle of the plot.

A murder, a woman trying to find the killer of her sister, online dating or more like cyber sex. The main character Julia will jeopardize her married life by crossing the line between fantasy and a real life affair.

It was interesting but the characters were not strong enough. Julia and her husband have trouble in their relationship but they don't really work on it. The heroine has a colorful past but nothing made her deep or likable enough. It's like she has stopped living by submitting to her husband. The death of her sister and the online encounter with a young stranger will bring her to life. Unfortunately, she seems more like a lost naive child than a woman who has a second life.

Then, it has become ugly with a bit of rough sexual encounters or dark fantasies about rape or threesome and the author has lost me. It was not an issue with the subjects, it was the way the author bring it up. It was more boring than scary.
Since it was supposed to be a psychological romantic thriller, it's always a bad sign when the reader is getting bored.
Worst: the more I was trying to turn the pages, the more I was losing interest in the story.
So I've never finished it.
And I'm very disappointed as I was really expecting to enjoy myself.


Source
*Arc provided by Edelweiss
I received this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.

The Econest Home by Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte.

The Econest Home: Designing and Building a Light Straw Clay House by Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte

Summary
An EcoNest is not just a home—it is a breathtakingly beautiful structure that nurtures health and embraces ecology. This unique approach to construction combines light clay straw, timber framing, earthen floors, natural plasters, and other natural techniques with the principles of Building Biology to create a handcrafted living sanctuary. By bringing together time-honored traditions and modern innovations, owners of EcoNests enjoy living spaces that reflect the best of both worlds.

The EcoNest Home is an in-depth exploration of the benefits of choosing this technique over conventional alternatives, combined with a complete practical guide for prospective designers and builders. Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte draw on their own extensive experience to provide:


A detailed explanation of the nature-based science behind EcoNests
Fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions to guide you through construction
Dozens of inspiring photos of completed projects

The most comprehensive North American resource on light clay straw construction, written by its leading proponents, The EcoNest Home is a must-read for anyone considering building their own healthy, affordable, environmentally friendly natural home.

Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte are the creators of the EcoNest concept and the authors of Econest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw and Timber. Robert has built over fifty houses using the EcoNest system and has trained hundreds of professional builders and aspiring owner-builders in using the techniques. Paula has worked as the architect for the EcoNest Company for nearly two decades and is the author of Prescriptions for a Healthy House.

Review
As the minimalist way of living is interesting me, I was curious about this book. I wanted to see what material you can use and how you can build a house by yourself while using natural stuffs.
I was not disappointed. It's full of tips, plans, pictures and informations for people who are really into construction.

To be honest, as I'm not at all at this stage in my life, i was just browsing through the pages and learning about the process and looking for ideas.
The book is amazingly well pictured and detailed.

So, if you want to build your own paradise with healthy products, this book is for you.

Source
*Arc provided by Edelweiss
I received this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.

Words

Words

They mean the world to me
With their magical powers
Able to tell you a story
Or free your mind from bothers

They mean the world to me
When they provide temporary answers
To enjoy life with relativity
Or with smiles and laughters

They mean the world to me
Until they get dangerous
Used to make you happy
When they are just treacherous

They mean the world to me
Until they are empty
Pretty shadows on papers
Plaguing you like monsters

Words can be pretty shallow
With no actions, they become blurry
In the heart of the one in sorrow
Sad time when words lose beauty

Photo: Matthew Spiegelman - Portal.