Tag Archives: Wildflowers

Wild Poppy (Wildflower #4) by Vivian Winslow-Review

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WILD POPPY (Wildflower #4) by Vivian Winslow-a review

Wild Poppy

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /

The daughter of a renown media mogul, Poppy Koslowski has her life turned upside down overnight when her father is indicted for a massive fraud that leads to the loss of her family’s fortune. In the wake of the scandal, Poppy moves to Paris at the behest of her aunt, the Countess Domel, who, unbeknownst to Poppy, intends to find a wealthy husband for her niece in order to ensure her future. Poppy, however, has her own dreams of finishing school and realizing her goal of becoming an award-winning journalist. When she meets Henri Olin, the passionate and seductive illegitimate son of one of France’s most powerful politicians, his political and social ideology introduces Poppy to a world very different from her own. Yet, Poppy ultimately learns that everything comes at a price, even love. After suffering a devastating loss, Poppy finds herself alone and virtually penniless, and is forced to make her way back to America to piece together the remnants of her life in New York City. There, she rediscovers her passion once again, only to be confronted with yet another life choice, one that will forever shape her destiny.

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Be still my freaking aching heart VIVIAN WINSLOW! Give a reader a warning next time why don’t you hunny! I was a freaking mess of emotional goo by the end of this book and I have to say you delivered some serious “AHA” moments here. This out of all of the books I have reviewed for you is my absolute FAVE!

Wild Poppy by Vivian Winslow is a contemporary romance and the fourth book in her “Wildflowers” Series. I suppose you do not have to read the previous 3 to appreciate this book, but I will say that you will be missing out on a great experience if you do not. This book is about a character in previous books that is very influential and understanding why she is the way she is was the best part of this book for me. You can totally love the story for what it is, but you will enjoy it so much more understanding the history.

Poppy Koslowski is the daughter of a prominent couple, privileged and her direction is mapped out for her. When her father is arrested her mother and her are left with nothing and Poppy is sent away to Paris to stay with her aunt. She meets and falls in love with a man named Henri who shows her a life she never could have imagined possible. But not all is as it seems and before we know it she is desolate and alone again. Her next step in life takes her across the ocean where she is hoping to put the pieces back together and live her dream of becoming a journalist. She however is afforded an opportunity that can shape the rest of her life and she is left with a question of living for the now or for the future.

Ok so not quite the best synopsis of what this story is about, but I am not ruining any of the story for you an quite frankly I want to review something far different than mapping out how this story happened. I want to review what Vivian so wisely did here. Vivian laid out a “life lesson”, “heart vs security”, “what would you do” kind of story. So much has been thrown at Poppy in her young life. So much hurt and pain, cruel life lessons that one has to wonder how she picks herself up and carries on. How does one believe in dreams and love when one has been beaten down? This book really made me stop and think. Would I want a life of maybe’s and happiness, or of security and a colder existence? After what this strong woman went through I can only imagine how hard of a choice that is. I tell ya Vivian, I sure understand Poppy a whole heck of a lot more in the previous books now.

Poppy is one of the best female characters I have read in a while. She is multi-layered and while naive (that comes with her age), she is developing into a very strong woman. I am really looking forward to the next book and I am really anxious to see what decisions are made next. Excellent story flow with some yummy scenes, and I love that we travelled the world a bit as well.

HAPPY READING!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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Uncovering Camila (Wildflowers #3) by Vivian Winslow-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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Uncovering Camila (Wildflowers #3) by Vivian Winslow-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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UNCOVERING CAMILA
Wildflowers #3
by Vivian Winslow
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: June 27, 2016

Uncovering Camila

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

Add to your GOODREADS shelf

Camila Cohen is a highly ambitious and driven third-year NYU law student who works as a part-time bartender to help pay her way through school. She prefers no-strings attached relationships, afraid that anything serious could get in the way of her goals. But when chef Eliseo Perez ditches her for a job in Miami, she realizes even a casual arrangement can leave you feeling burned. Just as Camila’s close to accepting a position at the high-powered law firm of Sullivan & Moore (more appropriately known by its initials, S & M), her uncle Arthur, the head of the Cohen Real Estate dynasty, makes a proposal that compels Camila to question the career path she’d always assumed would be right for her. As she attempts to balance her busy final year of law school with her bartending job, what should have been a random Tinder date for a hot hook-up leads to something unexpected. Meeting the incredibly brilliant and handsome Marshall James forces Camila to face her greatest fears and realize that creating a life for herself means making decisions that could potentially hurt the ones she loves.

REVIEW

4.5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

One thing I really LOVE about being a reviewer here at The Reading Cafe is experiencing authors bloom in their personal art. I have reviewed Vivian Winslow many times now, and I have seen a distinct positive change in her writing style. She has always been a great author to me, but when I pick up one of her books, it’s almost like she has author “tells”. Through these “tells” I can say she has bloomed. It’s not reflective of her story as it is her writing style. Maybe that sounds strange, and I have totally confused you (my mind can be a real confusing place sometimes LOL), it’s just something that hit me as I was enjoying this particular book of hers.

Uncovering Camila by Vivian Winslow is the third book in her “Wildflower” series. You can read this as a stand alone if you choose, but I have to say, one of these “tells” that I am talking about it is Vivian’s way of weaving characters from from previous stories into her current one. She is VERY GOOD at this, and when you feel invested in not just the main characters, but in the secondary characters as well, it gives you a richer experience of the story being told. Uncovering Camila revolves around Camila Cohen and Marshall James.

We experienced Camila getting her heart broken in a previous book, so it’s believable when we discover that Camila has sworn off relationships and wants to concentrate on her law degree and her bartending job. She has been hurt, is guarded, has had to work very hard to get where she because nothing comes easy to her .. quite frankly she is one tough cookie! One tough cookie who is about to have her world rocked by a well intending cousin.

Marshall is smexy, a lawyer, from a wealthy family, strong in ambition but not so much that he is annoying about it. He is also smexy .. I know I said it again, but it’s because he really really is! LOL Marshall is ready for a progressive step in life, and has agreed to a blind date with our Camila. Only problem is .. Camila didn’t realize she was on one until she is well and truely on it! BAHAHAHA Loved that!

Marshall proceeds to friend Camila before loving her (class act right there readers) yet when the loving started, WOWEE! Very “telling” of Vivian’s style as well! Both have issues to sort through and Camila suddenly finds herself questioning her choices and has to face making decisions where someone will be hurt. Including herself.

I loved both Camila and Marshall and I believed in this pairing. It was a mature pairing, and one that was “sweet” before it was “hot”. I can go on about angst in the story, but you can read that for yourself. While it was present, it was the relationship of these two that took front seat for me! My only small negative would be it took a little while for this story to get going. I do assure you though, that when it did, it took off from there.

Another great option to read this summer, but I would go the extra step and read Vivian’s other books first. I promise you will enjoy this one all that much more for it!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Rachel T.

Uncovering Camila Teaser

excerpt

 

 

“Soooo, the host,” he says. “Obviously single, no kids . . . .”
Camila shrugs. “Someone new to the school. I’m not in any of his classes, so I don’t know much about him.”
“You’re being weird. You’re always about extraneous details, and now you can’t say the man’s name or look at me.”
“What? I’m making you a cocktail.” Camila forces herself to look at Jared.
He regards her suspiciously. “You’re a terrible liar, my friend. I’ll figure out what you’re hiding.”
It takes all of one second when he sees Marshall walk into the apartment.
“Oh my God, it’s Mr. Gucci,” he whispers into Camila’s ear.
“Shut up. This isn’t the time.”
“Oh, it totally is,” he replies and heads into the adjacent kitchen to introduce himself to Marshall.
“Good evening. I’m Jared. I work with Camila over at L,” he says, hinting he recognizes Marshall from the bar that night.
“It’s great of you to come.” Marshall casually extends a hand.
“Remind me of your drink of choice, and I’ll be sure to keep your glass full tonight.”
“Yeah, that’d be great. You know how to mix a Metropolitan?”
The bartender suppresses a smile. “Funny. Camila really enjoys those too. I’ll be right back.”
“You fucked him didn’t you?” Jared wags a finger at his friend.
“How can you tell? You spoke to him all of two minutes.”
“While you hid in here like a scaredy cat. What happened? Buyer’s remorse? Hard to imagine though.” He turns in the direction of the kitchen and shakes his head. “No way. With that mouth, the way he stands, and his posture. He’s definitely good in the sack.”
Camila makes a face. “I didn’t realize he was my Professor.”
“I thought you said you weren’t in any of his classes.”
“I dropped it on the first day when I saw him. But what’s worse. He’s my faculty advisor for Law Review.”
“That’s classic,” Jared laughs out loud. So loud it gets Marshall’s attention. He spots Camila standing by the bar. “Oh, hey C.,” he begins to say then clears his throat. “Camila, I didn’t realize you were here.”
“I came early to help Jared set up,” she says, finishing her drink in one gulp.
“This is worse than my cousin’s bar mitzvah down in Palm Springs,” Jared groans to Camila when she approaches him for another drink.
“It may kill you to hear this, but this is one of the better networking parties I’ve been to,” she replies.
“That guy in the corner talking to your boyfriend looks like my Uncle Mordy.”
Camila slaps his arm. “Shut up already. And that man happens to be the foremost expert in Trusts and Estates in the country. I think Oprah is his client.”
“Seriously, honey. You do not belong with this crowd. You are so downtown cool, and they’re uptown uptight.”
“For your information, I just spoke with a woman who runs a legal aid office in the Bronx. She said her work was ‘rewarding’. How many people ever say that about their jobs?”
“Most teachers, except middle school ones, and saints.” Jared leans on his elbow. “So fine, not all lawyers are like my Uncle Mordy. But most of them are.” He checks his watch. “Cover for me a minute. I’m going to the bathroom.”
“I thought I was paying Jared to work, not you.” Marshall says.
“He’s taking his Union fifteen,” Camila answers wryly.
“I guess I can’t interfere with that. I would hate to get a letter from a union lawyer.” He holds up his glass. “Would you mind? I think I prefer your Metropolitans to his anyway.”
“I told you it’s because I don’t sweeten it. Besides, I could use something to do.”
“You’re not giving up so quickly, I hope. There are plenty of attorneys I can introduce you to.”
“So this was a plan to get me to consider a different line of work.”
“Not a plan as much as a hope. But I know better than to interfere in your life. You know what you want.”
Camila looks up when she hears that last word. “Up until recently I would’ve agreed with you. But I realized that I’ve been confusing need with want. I need a job. I don’t know if I want the one I thought I did.”
Marshall furrows his brow. “That’s a tough one. You want to talk about it?” He looks around at the party. More people have arrived. Students are always game for free alcohol, as he knew they would be. However, if he could, he’d snap his fingers and make them all disappear so he could be alone with Camila.
“Maybe later,” she says vaguely, pouring his drink into a clean glass.
Marshall drops five dollars into a tip jar. “Later then.”

“I’m glad you came tonight,” Camila says as she stacks the shakers and places them into a small box. “It was nice to have a friend around.”
“Students are terrible tippers, but you know I’d do anything for you,” Jared replies. He hooks a cord around the box of alcohol and stands. “At least I got to check out your secret boyfriend.”
Camila slaps his thigh. “Shh. He is not.”
“Oh please. You and Felicity should start a club. You guys can make a SLAM book and write Felicity + Todd and Camila + Marshall on the cover. This is so junior high with your sad, longing faces.” He presses his cheeks down. “A crush on your professor, and a crush on your boss, I swear I am living in the middle of a young adult drama.”
“Oh come on. You said they’re probably sleeping together. That’s not happening here.”
Jared puts a hand on his hip. “You’re lying to me, and you’re lying to yourself. I can see what’s going on. My vision is 20/10.”
“Enough. You’re being weird.”
“Pot, kettle, honey. I’ve known you for seven years, and I’ve never seen you act this strange.”
“But he’s my professor,” she whispers as the catering staff bustle around her, clearing out the dishes. Most of the party has emptied out with the exception of a few lawyers who seem to be friends of Marshall’s.
“No he isn’t. He teaches at the law school where you happen to be a student. I’m not an idiot. That’s gray area at best, but still within acceptable boundaries. And I should know a thing or two about boundaries because I’m always breaking them.” Jared hands her the container with the shakers. “Walk down with me and wait while I get a cab.”

 

About the Author

Vivian WinslowElizabeth Ann Hayes writes Romance under the pen name Vivian Winslow. Elizabeth was born in San Diego, California but has spent most of her adult life as the consummate wanderer. Her nomadic life took her abroad to Paris, Madrid, London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and São Paulo. After eleven moves across four continents over a span of seventeen years, her journey brought her back to New York City in 2011 where, despite the chaotic pace, she’s managed to make it home for herself and her family.

Since 2014, Elizabeth has published nine novellas in her Gilded Flower Trilogies as well as two installments of Wildflowers, a New Adult series of standalone novels. These contemporary romance books are female-driven with strong, beautiful and intelligent women as well as diverse characters, reflecting her own multi-cultural heritage.

Social Links:

Website: http://www.vivianwinslow.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/vivianwinslowauthor
Twitter – https://twitter.com/VivWinslow
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/VivWinslow/
Amazon page – http://amzn.to/1p4dE3N
Google+ – https://plus.google.com/u/0/+VivianWinslow760/posts
Instagram – https://instagram.com/vivwinslow
Tumblr – http://vivwinslow.tumblr.com
Medium – https://medium.com/search?q=vivian%20winslow
Spotify – https://play.spotify.com/user/vivwinslow

Spotify playlist for Uncovering Camila
https://open.spotify.com/user/vivwinslow/playlist/6Aeao0ntFKPcoAvqQfV5jR

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Blossoming Flower (Wildflowers #1) by Vivian Winslow-Review and Book Tour

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Blossoming Flower (Wildflowers #1) by Vivian Winslow-Review and Book Tour

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BLOSSOMING FLOWER
Wildflowers #1
by Vivian Winslow
Genre: adult,contemporary, erotic, romance
Release Date: October 19, 2015

Blossoming Flower

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

In the wake of the collapse of her father’s business empire, Flor, the gorgeous twenty-one year-old daughter of disgraced former Brazillionaire Gustavo de Lima, is forced to forge her own path in life. Flor decides that none of it—the private jets, the vacation homes and the luxury cars—were real. Or at least they really didn’t matter. The only thing that’s real for Flor is her love of horses and her desire to go to veterinary school. Heading into her final year of college, Flor seeks out the help of an unlikely benefactor to secure a summer internship working with horses. Arriving at the secluded Belo Horizonte ranch, Flor is awed not only by the majestic beauty of the place, but also by handsome cowboy and skilled horse trainer, Collin Taylor. Yet nothing is quite as it appears on the surface. When the hidden past is revealed, will love end up blossoming for Flor?

REVIEW

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Blossoming Flower by Vivian Winslow is the first book in her Wildflowers series which is a spin off of her Gilded Flower series. A wonderful contemporary romance with more mystery and lies that blends in with the previous series beautifully. Bringing back a character that one loves to hate, Vivian allows us to to become reacquainted with familiar characters and story lines while introducing us to a whole other branch of the story.

Flor is the daughter of Gustavo de Lima (he is the man we love to hate and hate to love from the previous series). Trying to hide from the scandal that is unfolding by her fathers incarceration and ruin, Flor is determined to move on with her life without all the privileges money enabled her to have. After seeing Poppy (remember Lily and Dahlia’s bad mommy?? LOL), Flor decides to spend her summer on a ranch where she knows she’ll feel more free with the horses she connects to so easily.

Collin Taylor is one moody dude. Having been brought up on this ranch and having quite the past himself, he does all he can to fight off his attraction to this Brazilian beauty that has come to the ranch. When he realizes that there is more to Flor than meets the eye he decides a friendship is possible. Having secrets of his own, Collin finds it way to bask in Flor’s company and before we know it the inevitable happens.

With secrets, mystery and betrayal blanketing the entire ranch, Flor comes to realize that not all is as it seems. Is the love that Collin and Flor share enough to allow then to ponder a future, or will her name de Lima once again make her run for the hills?

Another solid book by Vivian Winslow. A little slow at times, but her love scenes certainly make up for any of that. The chemistry between Flor and Collin was HOT and so believable and I absolutely loved all the secondary characters. I enjoyed meeting Gustavo and Poppy once again and I dare say that I am not thinking this story is done just quite yet. I would recommend reading The Gilded Flower series first as it’ll add to your understanding of where Flor comes from and how she became to be the person she is. I do suppose you could read this as a stand alone but you would miss out on so much if you did!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Rachel

Spotify Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/user/vivwinslow/playlist/3Spgf47w10a8MLDvzZQoKs

Blossing Flower Teaser1

Guest Post beige

The 5 books my HEROINE loves best and why …

Flor is a lover of classic literature, and her love of books is peppered in throughout the story (probably because I’m such a booklover as well).

1. Daisy Miller by Henry James – Flor loves the story of the naïve Daisy’s adventures in Europe. She can relate to the young woman’s desire for fun and freedom while ignoring the societal rules she’s expected to follow.

2. Nana by Emile Zola – Flor studied French Literature at her Swiss boarding school. Sex and prostitution in 19th century Paris fascinated Flor, who grew up sheltered by her parents.

3. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens – Flor is no stranger to life’s ups and downs, much like Pip, the main character. The humor, passion and humility with which he learns to navigate his world serves as an escape to Flor as she attempts to ignore her own family issues.

4. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – Flor defines herself as a feminist. This dystopian tale was an awakening for Flor who found it offered a new perspective on the double standard of living in a male-dominated world, such as living in Brazil.

5. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez – Beautifully written story of the Buendía family over several generations. It made Flor aware of how history tends to repeat itself and question how and when she may be subject to her own family’s destiny of misfortune.

About The Author beige

Vivian WinslowVivian Winslow was born and raised in Southern California. Before becoming a writer, she made a career out of moving around the world every couple of years thanks to her husband’s job and her incurable wanderlust. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and two elementary school age children, and is grateful to finally have a place to call home for more than two years.

New York is the perfect city to indulge her love of fashion, the arts and especially food. If she’s not at home writing or running around the city with her kids, you’ll most likely find her eating at the newest restaurant in her beloved Lower East Side or having a cocktail at her favorite bar in Alphabet City. That said, she’s still a California girl at heart and would gladly trade in her heels for a pair of flip-flops to catch a sunset on the beach.

Website: http://www.vivianwinslow.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8183361.Vivian_Winslow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vivianwinslowauthor?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VivWinslow
Blog: http://www.vivianwinslow.com/blog

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