nothing but trouble by Rachel Gibson

Book Review - Nothing but Trouble by Rachel Gibson

I'm part of the Transworld Reading Group!

What does the cover say?

Chelsea Ross knows she’s a great actress. Which is lucky, as she’s just got the toughest role of her life!

Washed up from Hollywood and in serious need of cash, Chelsea jumps at the $10,000 opportunity to act as ‘carer’ to famous hockey player Mark Bressler, injured after a car crash. After all, how hard can it be to play nice and pick up after an incredibly hot invalid in need of her tender loving care? Just three months of playing nurse and the cash is hers.

But Mark Bressler doesn’t need help. The moody hockey player’s glory days may be over, but he has no intention of letting anyone aid his recovery, least of all the maddeningly cheerful Chelsea. He’s determined to get her to quit – and Mark isn’t the type to give in. But then, neither is Chelsea…

What I thought

I am partial to a bit of 'chic lit' and enjoyed the story of this book. Chelsea is an aspiring actress who gets a job looking after an arrogant hockey player who is unable to play following a tragic accident. I devoured this book in 3 days so an extremely easy to read book. I hadn't read any others in the series but it did not affect the story in any way. It can be best described as 'trashy chick lit'... yes the development of the characters is lacking and the writing isn't brilliant. It was almost as if Chelsea was narrating in the 3rd person with some of the language used but you know what? If you like a raunchy, trashy chic lit novel, this is for you. I've read a fair few heavy titles recently and this is just what I needed. Enjoy...

Book Review - The Obscure Logic of the Heart by Priya Basil

http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/

I'M PART OF THE TRANSWORLD BOOK GROUP!

The Obscure Logic of the Heart by Priya Basil

What does the back cover say?

An epic Romeo and Juliet for the 21st century

In a bustling London café, Anil, now a famous architect, sits waiting for Lina. It is years since he last laid eyes on her, the love of his life.

Lina is running for the train – punctuality has never been her strength. After all this time she cannot be late to meet Anil.

Together, they think back to tragedies both personal and political, betrayals large and small. A past played out across three continents that house their rival worlds: Sikh and Muslim, wealthy and modest, liberal and orthodox, corrupt and moral….

Lina has one more revelation that must be shared with Anil. Might it unite them once and for all, or has it come too late?

What I thought...

Where do I start? The back cover of this novel sold it to me, akin to Romeo and Juliet, Lina and Anil fall in love despite their differing religions and backgrounds. I have read many a novel following this theme and enjoyed most but I could not get into this novel at all. I am not the fastest reader but I struggled to get through 100 pages of this. What I found most frustrating is the development of the characters, we are introduced to a lot of people very quickly. So quickly that I felt little for any of them and truly didn’t care whether Lina and Anil were together or not. This is a real shame as the novel had such potential, it promised angst between families on the basis of their differing religions as well as underlying questions relating to Anil’s family and where their wealth has come from.

Back to the blog with a book review!

Wow... August 2010 was the last time I wrote in this Blog. How shameful! Granted I'm not an everyday blogger type but I am sure I can do better than 1 post every 18 months. I am now part of the Transworld Book Group! You can check them out here:

http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/

Still doing the diet (although I had a break and put on all that I lost before and more) but determined this time to lose the weight before I turn 30 in January. 22lbs to go.

There will be lots of dress and shoe posts soon too with the wedding of my boyfriend's sister in the Dominican Republic in October. Very exciting and 2 weeks worth of pretty outfits to put together.

Day 2 and Wedding outfit for tomorrow!

I've not done great food wise today and went 1/2 a syn over the higher limit I should be allowed. No excuses... I'm going to a wedding tomorrow so I am not looking forward to trying to count my alcohol and buffet 'syns'!

Thursday 5th August - Green


Breakfast - Hi Fi Bar, fruit and vanilla Muller Light yoghurt

Lunch - Tomato and Herb Mugshot, pack of Worcestershire Sauce French Fries (4.5 syns)

Snacks - 2 Mini Babybel and cup of tea with splash of milk (HEA)

Dinner - Chicken Noodle Stirfry

Snack - 4 Finger Kit Kat (11.5 syns)

I also did an hour Zumba fitness class so don't feel as bad about going 1/2 a syn over. I can almost feel my waist being sucked in with all the mambo and salsa moves!
 
So tomorrow I am going to a wedding and am quite embarrassed to say I will be wearing mainly Marks and Spencer's clothes, including Marks and Spencer nail varnish. I can't find an image of my dress anywhere but it is beige silk with sequin embellishment on the bust and a big bow. My shoes are beige peeptoe with a hidden platform and a turquoise heel. To enhance the turquoise heel I have a Jacques Vert turquoise clutch and turquoise nail varnish. I can't find pictures of any of these things online so I'll have to post a picture after the event!

Officially a Slimming World member

So I joined Slimming World last night. I was truly horrified with my weight gain meaning I am now 'overweight' according to the BMI. Can only get better from here though right? I'm not sure the actual meeting is for me. The whole 'woo I lost a 1lb, everyone clap' thing seems a little laborious but I would be devastated if I had to sit there and explain why I had put weight on so I can't think of anything that is more of a motivational tool!

I decided a trip to the supermarket was in order so bought lots of Muller Lights, chicken, steak, potatoes, fruit, etc. I love that Percy Pigs are only 1.5 syns each and Galaxy Bubbles bars at 8.5 syns each are great too.

Wednesday 4th August - Extra Easy

Breakfast - Hi-Fi Bar

Snack - Galaxy Bubbles (8.5 syns)

Lunch - Jacket Potato with left over quorn bolognaise

Snack - Hob Nob biscuit (3.5 syns)

Dinner - Chicken, Noodle and Veg Stir Fry
             Orange with choc sprinkles Muller Light

2 Percy Pigs (3 syns)

I'm reading Dead Sky by Tami Hoag at the moment. I've not read any of her novels before but I am enjoying it so far. It is a 'suck you straight in' type book.

I bought a new dress that arrived today.... it is for a friend's wedding and was supposed to be £120 from Monsoon but I found it on Ebay for £34. Bargain if you ask me and the picture is below! I bought the size bigger than I would normally buy and it is ever so slightly too big. I like clothes to be this way but when I lose my 2 stone excess weight I will have to get it taken in!

Newbie to blogging... God help me!

I'm new to this blogging malarky but not new to what a blog is so that is a good start.
I lost over 6 stone on the Weight Watchers diet around 2003 but have managed to pile 2 stone back on. Not an enormous amount considering and I am still within a healthy BMI weight range but I'm not comfortable and want to lose it so I can get back in all the pretty dresses I own. So I thought the best way to stay on track would be for me to have to write something in here.
I am a self confessed dress and shoe addict. I daren't count the amount of dresses and pairs of shoes I own but I have an addiction to any kind, expensive or cheap.
I am a huge book worm and regular on http://www.readitswapit.co.uk/ forums. Here I will post my thoughts and reviews of any books I am reading at the time. This is also a bit of an addiction to me as I own over 250 books that I am yet to read. Ouch... this list and previously read books can be found at http://www.goodreads.com/ with the username SparkledPixie. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
I'll include a food diary, any shopping trips or purchases and a general overview of my life as this is pretty much what my life consists of! Any hints, tips or observations are welcomed.