Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar - Margaret Gardiner

Welcome to the world of model Joey Superstar - a whirlwind of cocaine, sex, and money.

Josaphina Brinkley seems to have it all: she’s a superstar model in 1980s America, a cover girl plastered naked on fashion billboards above Sunset Blvd. Women want to be her. Men simply want her.

But underneath the glossy veneer she hides a traumatic past. The end of her marriage to Italian Aristocracy led to a stint in rehab. As she returns to parties, premiers and modeling, she’s hoping a life of designer clothes and beautiful people won’t take her back to blow. If only she could be truly seen, heard and understood, perhaps she wouldn't self-destruct again?

Joey sets out to confront the roots of her wildness – but must admit to a youthful act that haunts her. As Joey fights from addiction to redemption, can she change the course of her life, deal with her dark past and become the superstar she was always destined to be? 

Former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner gives readers the key to a secret world of supermodels, sex, style and scandal in her deliciously intoxicating debut, Joey Superstar, the first in an exciting Damaged Beauty series.

 

What did I think?

The world of fashion and modelling is not a subject I would usually read about but one of the great things about book blogging is that my attention is drawn to fabulous books that I might have otherwise missed.  Although it's often dark and disturbing, I really enjoyed my glimpse into the world of a supermodel in Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar. 

Joey is not a character I instantly warmed to as she seems to care little about other people's feelings (including her own), but there is a very good reason for that.  I have to admit that I actually disliked her at first but that soon changed as her story progressed and I could see that Joey has been shaped, and continues to be haunted, by past events that understandably dulled her emotions and taught her that it's better to feel nothing at all than hurt and pain.

There are a lot of dark and disturbing elements to the story but Margaret Gardiner portrays these delicately and sensitively.  I think it goes a long way to describe character development when my dislike for Joey at the start turned into admiration and respect at the end.  It also reminded me to never judge a book by its cover as those of us who are aesthetically challenged may envy beautiful people but what is perceived as a blessing may actually be a curse.

Honest, raw and powerful, Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar is an eyeopening glimpse into the world of beauty and it's an important and courageous book in the #MeToo movement.

Many thanks to Hannah Hargrave for the gifted ARC.  I chose to read Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

About the author:

Margaret Gardiner became an international cover girl at 16, Miss Universe at 18, and ultimately, the fashion editor at GoldenGlobes.com. She’s worked with A-list stars from Angelina Jolie to Zendaya. She knows what it is like to be on the red carpet, in the spotlight - and what goes on behind the scenes. With a degree in psychology, and a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, her debut novel is for every woman who has ever been made to feel less.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.margaretgardiner.com/

Instagram: @margaret_gardiner

Facebook: @MargaretGardinerOfficial

BLOG TOUR: The Dressmaker of Paris - Georgia Kaufmann

I need to tell you a story, ma chère. My story.

Rosa Kusstatscher has built a global fashion empire upon her ability to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. But tonight, as she prepares for the most important meeting of her life, her usual certainty eludes her.

What brought her to this moment? As she struggles to select her dress and choose the right shade of lipstick, Rosa begins to tell her incredible story. The story of a poor country girl from a village high in the mountains of Italy. Of Nazi occupation and fleeing in the night. Of hope and heartbreak in Switzerland; glamour and love in Paris. Of ambition and devastation in Rio de Janeiro; success and self-discovery in New York.

A life spent running, she sees now. But she will run no longer.

Breathtaking and utterly enthralling, The Dressmaker of Paris is perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton and Dinah Jefferies.

What did I think?

This book is as beautiful inside as out; just take another look at that stunning cover and let your eyes devour every little detail on there.  I usually read historical fiction at a slower pace than other genres but I was so completely enthralled by Rosa's story from the very start that I couldn't put the book down.

I adored the structure of the novel with chapter headings relating to an item that Rosa is using to get ready for her meeting but also causing her to reminisce about her past.  What a past Rosa has!  After escaping her Nazi occupied Italian village, Rosa has travelled the world and taken it by storm.  Rosa's life is not all glitz and glamour as she suffers more than her fair share of heartbreak but it's her strength and resilience that impressed and inspired me.

It soon becomes clear what sort of meeting Rosa is preparing for and I couldn't help but read most of the book with a lump in my throat.  Life can be so unfair at times but it's how you cope with it that counts; Rosa tackles each of life's hurdles with so much elegance and grace that it's awe-inspiring.  I think we could all learn a thing or two from Rosa.

Georgia Kaufmann's writing is so beautiful; her prose seems to flow like a babbling brook taking the reader on a journey over hills and vale.  Everything is described so vividly that I could easily visualise the stunning scenery and the designer gowns and I swear that I could even smell the fragrance of Miss Dior.  

So very elegant and completely captivating, The Dressmaker of Paris is a sweeping story of love and loss and a wonderful piece of 20th century historical fiction set in the world of fashion.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Christmas at the Cornish Confetti Agency - Daisy James

I absolutely love Daisy James books so I'm thrilled to be one of the bloggers opening the Rachel's Random Resources blog tour for Christmas at the Cornish Confetti Agency, the third book in the fabulous Cornish Confetti Agency series.  Read on to find out more about the book and what I thought about it.

It's Christmas at The Cornish Confetti Agency!

When Lexie Harrington is asked to choreograph Phoebe and Sam’s Christmas-themed wedding, she can’t wait to create the perfect winter wonderland - elegantly dressed fir trees, glossy garlands of holly and mistletoe, baskets of yule logs and pine cones, and the mouth-watering fragrance of gingerbread, cinnamon sticks and warm mulled wine floating through the air.

With handsome wedding columnist-cum-fledgling scriptwriter Theo Barker at her side, she’s confident that she can create the perfect festive ambience the bride and groom have been dreaming of since their engagement in the Swiss Alps; no rampant hosepipes, no mechanical mice, no confetti-filled hairdryers.

But this is The Cornish Confetti Agency, and the words ‘plain-sailing’ and ‘hassle-free’ do not feature in the promotional brochure. So, when a much-loved portrait of the groom’s father is adorned with pirate eye-patches and black plastic moustaches, and his expensive cologne is switched for toilet cleaner, Lexie and Theo must once again don their metaphorical deerstalkers and unravel the mystery before the wedding dissolves into Christmas-themed chaos and calamity.

A perfect Christmas wedding?

Is there such a thing for The Cornish Confetti Agency?

A glittery, feel-good story perfect for the festive season, and the third book in The Cornish Confetti Agency series.

What did I think?

As much as I like to read books in order, I jumped into the Cornish Confetti Agency series at book two in Summertime at the Cornish Confetti Agency.  I don't usually like starting mid-series but Daisy James writes so brilliantly that all of her books can be read as a standalone, so don't be put off if you haven't read the earlier books as I still haven't read the first one.  

Lexie is temporarily at the helm of the Cornish Confetti Agency whilst its owner is working in America.  Lexie may not own the business but she lives and breathes it, constantly striving to plan the perfect wedding for the brides who request her services.  Striving for perfection means that there's always something that goes wrong, although Lexie does seem to have more than her fair share of mishaps that result in her and her lovely boyfriend Theo doing some amateur sleuthing.

There are some wonderful character stories to read about from among the wedding guests and Lexie's friends.  I particularly enjoyed reading about Lexie's friend Freya and her wedding dress show that has been a life long dream for the two friends.  Lexie really makes it hard for herself by arranging a fashion show at the same time as organising a Christmas wedding, but it shows off her amazing organisational skills and quick thinking.  It's certainly double trouble and opportunity for more things to go wrong, which they inevitably do.

Christmas at the Cornish Confetti Agency is so festive that I felt I should have been having an eggnog and a sweet mince pie whilst reading it.  Daisy James’ writing is a feast for the senses; portraying all of the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Cornwall.  I often found my mouth watering as various baked goodies were mentioned, especially the gingerbread that sounded so yummy.  I think I put on a pound in weight just reading about it!

I absolutely adore Daisy James' writing and there's always something in her books that stands out and stays with me.  As much as I loved the sleep fairies in the previous book, I loved the reference to Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams and son of the god of sleep, Hypnos.  Travelling down Morpheus' highway is such a beautiful phrase for falling asleep and perfectly encapsulates the immense talent of Daisy James.

Fabulously festive, charming and entertaining, Christmas at the Cornish Confetti Agency is tremendously heart-warming.  It's the perfect book to read as the cold, dark nights are drawing in to add a bit of sparkle to your day.  It's wonderfully uplifting and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

I received a gifted ebook for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

Daisy James loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. She especially likes to create sunshine-filled settings in exotic locations - the Caribbean, Tuscany, Cornwall, Provence - so she can spend her time envisioning her characters enjoying the fabulous scenery and sampling the local food and drink.

When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea - china plates and teacups are a must.

Social Media Links – 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/daisyjamesbooks

Twitter - https://twitter.com/daisyjamesbooks

Instagram - @daisyjamesbooks

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BLOG TOUR: Friend of the Family - Tasmina Perry

She thinks your life is perfect. She thinks you don't deserve it.

Your job

Amy is more than happy to offer the daughter of an old friend work experience at her London magazine. Josie is young and ambitious. She just needs a foot in the door.

Your home

When Josie arrives, she swiftly makes herself indispensable at work and at home. And when childcare falls through before a long-awaited university reunion in Provence, it begins to look as if Josie may be staying longer than Amy had bargained for.

Your husband

In the heat of Provence, Josie's presence starts to unsettle Amy, especially around her husband. As cracks begin to appear in Amy's perfect life, she cannot shake the feeling that the family friend may not be a friend at all...

What did I think?

I'm delighted to open the blog tour for Friend of the Family by Tasmina Perry by sharing my review today.

Amy Shepherd has it all: a handsome husband, a much coveted job and the cutest little daughter but everything seems to fall apart when she does a favour for her old friend, Karen.  Inviting Karen's daughter, Josie, into her life appears to be a big mistake for Amy and paranoia quickly sets in over Josie's motives.  Josie is young, attractive and clever and she seems to have everyone wrapped around her little finger, while Amy becomes discredited at every turn.  Why is Josie out to get her?

The setting for Friend of the Family is a fashion magazine, so if you've ever watched Ugly Betty you will easily be able to visualise the cutthroat environment portrayed here.  There is so much backstabbing and bitchiness behind smiling faces!  Josie is painted as so sweet on the outside but dark and manipulative on the inside that you can't help but dislike her, but I wondered where her motivation to destroy Amy had come from.

I loved the flashbacks to Amy's life at Oxford in 1995; a small group of young men and women who have remained friends for many years.  Their lives intermingle as they work and holiday together and anyone would give their right arm to be part of their tight-knit group...but what is hiding behind those smiles?  Everyone has secrets so put your crash helmet on as they're all about to come out!

Friend of the Family is proper bitch-lit; trust no one in this cutthroat psychological domestic noir novel...but remember to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Tasmina Perry is the Sunday Times bestselling novelist of twelve novels including Daddy's Girls, one of the biggest selling debuts of 2006. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages and have sold over two million copies around the world.

A former lawyer and award-winning magazine journalist, she has edited several national titles including In Style and More. She also writes psychological thrillers under the pseudonym JL Butler. JL Butler's debut thriller Mine has been optioned by Sony Pictures and is in development with Original Film.

She lives in London with her husband, son and too many shoes.

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