The Hypnotist's Love Story

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty is exactly what it says it is: the heroine is a hypnotherapist and the book is about her journey to love. But wait, it's not as bland as it seems: her love interest has a stalker, an ex girlfriend from hell. Or is she?

This is a book about dating a widower, being a step mom, growing up without a father and a multitude of other small issues that make up modern relationships. The highlight for me was when the hero was revealed to be a hoarder - being married to one, certainly made me empathise with the heroine.

Dan Carter - My Story

This is Dan Carter's love story with rugby. I love it because of the cover and because it's Dan. I mean, isn't he just the ultimate hero of any romance book?

The blurb:
Dan Carter: My Story is an up close and personal account of a New Zealand sporting icon: a down home country boy who went on to become a world superstar. Acknowledged as the greatest fly-half to have played international rugby and a veteran of more than 100 test matches, he is the world record holder for most test points, has twice been named the IRB’s Player of the Year and twice named New Zealand Player of the Year. 

Carter, though, is renowned for his modesty and unassuming nature, and argues that he has he always 'just tried to do the best job I can for the All Blacks'. In this authorised biography, the great All Blacks pivot with the model good-looks opens up for the first time about his stellar 12 year career. He looks back on the myriad highs, including that virtuoso performance for the All Blacks against the Lions in the second test of the 2005 series. 

And with an equal measure of honesty, Carter also reflects on the lows of his career, speaking frankly of the mental anguish he felt after twice being invalided out of Rugby World Cups. He talks about his unflinching loyalty to the famous black jersey and the reasons why he elected to make a long-term commitment to New Zealand.

Whether you want to get up close and personal with this sporting legend or you're looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your household rugby tragic, clickBuy to get your hands on a copy of the most hotly anticipated sports biography in years.

Who would like to review "Sweet Somethings"?

If you'd like a review copy of "Sweet Somethings" or "Spicy Somethings" by Eve Summers, please send me an email to yve at xtra dot co dot nz.

Jurassic World

Yes, it has a love story angle.

Sweet Somethings - extract

This is my To–Do–Before–I–Turn–30 list:

·        Eat an ostrich egg. Check.

·        Play with a cheetah cub. Check.

·        Swim with a dolphin. Check.

·        Scuba dive in a foreign country. Double check for doing it at night.

·        Skydive. Check, bonus points because I wasn’t scared.

·        Dare to love again. Nah, cross it out. So not going to happen. I’ve learned

        my lesson.

·        Make love on a yacht.

·        ... With a stranger for extra points.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not into one–night stands. The idea of getting close and intimate with someone I’m not emotionally involved with gives me the creeps. I only included it in my to–do list because I was hurt and devastated and not thinking straight.

Getting dumped wasn’t on my to–do list.

Neither was an impromptu trip to Africa.

When my now–ex–boyfriend broke up with me, I simply sold my engagement ring and booked the first holiday package I found. My Before–I–Turn–30 list was born on the long flight towards the Dark Continent.

And now I’m in Africa. The sun is hot. The air is hot. My energy levels are up there with over–boiling. In just two short weeks, I managed to put a big fat checkmark next to five items on my bucket list.

Beats choosing the wedding cake, that’s for damned sure.

Sweet Somethings

Salmon fishing in the Yemen

Not a traditional love story, but a story about what love is and what love is not. Also about the love of fishing, and about the fact that faith can move mountains (or at least make fish swim in the desert).

I read the book and haven't seen the movie yet, but I loved the book so much, the movie's definitely on my to-see list.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Not as good as the original, but a much needed sequel to complete Evelyn's love story. The Sonny and Sunaina drama wasn't necessary, though, IMHO.