Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop

As the days and weeks continue to be a bit troublesome, it’s a pleasure to tell you about this fascinating new book, VANESSA YU’S MAGICAL PARIS TEA SHOP by Roselle Lim.

Just the title itself, VANESSA YU’S MAGICAL PARIS TEA SHOP (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; August 4, 2020), brings to mind fun thoughts.

Roselle Lim is also, the author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune (2019). Roselle was inspired to pen her delicious debut by a childhood cooking alongside her father, as well as the culinary richness of her Filipino-Chinese culture.

Her newest novel is just as full of heart, heritage, and an array of tasty food. In it, a reluctant fortuneteller aims to take control of her unruly supernatural abilities by moving to the most magical city of all: Paris.

Vanessa Yu has been blurting out the fortunes—or misfortunes—of others since she was five years old, and she’s hated it ever since. While some call her abilities a gift, Vanessa thinks of it as a curse—she can’t control her predictions, and constantly serving up bad prophecies to her family and friends makes her miserable.

What’s worse, she’s unhappily single, and it looks like there’s no love in her future. But after delivering the worst misfortune to someone she loves; Vanessa finally decides she’s had enough—it’s time to get this “gift” under control. She enlists the help of the family fortune telling expert, her aunt Evelyn. The only catch? Aunt Evelyn is moving to Paris to open a teashop.

Vanessa has no choice but to journey to the city of love to change her destiny. And when she arrives, she not only finds a handsome stranger who seems to accept her for who she is, but the opportunity to reunite her aunt with a long-lost lover from her youth. What started off as Vanessa’s quest to rid herself of clairvoyance turns into an opportunity to use her skills for good—and maybe even to find love herself along the way.

Meet the Author:

Author Roselle Lim, photo credit Shelley Smith

Roselle Lim was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Canada as a child. She lived in north Scarborough in a diverse, Asian neighborhood.

She found her love of writing by listening to her lola (paternal grandmother's) stories about Filipino folktales. Growing up in a household where Chinese superstition mingled with Filipino Catholicism, she devoured books about mythology, which shaped the fantasies in her novels.

An artist by nature, she considers writing as "painting with words."

For more on Roselle and her writing, you can connect with her on her website at https://www.rosellelim.com/

Thanks for stopping by today. Don’t you agree that this sounds like the delightful, heartwarming, and magical read we could all use during these stressful times?

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

◊ CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber

◊ Series: Caraval, Book #1

◊ Narrator: Rebecca Soler

◊ Audio CD: 8 Discs

◊ Listening Length: 10 hours and 18 minutes

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre: Fantasy, Literature, Fiction

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Macmillan Audio

◊ Release Date: January 31, 2017

◊ Language: English

◊ ASIN: BO1MZ4BMM8

◊ ISBN-10: 1427279748

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1427279743

SYNOPSIS:

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Author Stephanie Garber writes in such vibrant colors. Sounds weird? Then you’ll just have to experience CARAVAL to accurately understand.

The colors surround you through narrator Rebecca Soler’s delivery of this intriguing story. Her rendering of this tale will hold you spellbound. She gives distinct voices to the various characters as she brings them to life. Her cadence and timing are perfect.

The author has created a mesmerizing story of heartache and hope, despair and dreams, betrayal and trust. Her colorful descriptions and eye for detail bring an enchanted land to life as it envelopes you. Listeners/readers are easily ensnared into this magical atmosphere the author has forged.

The characters are likable (except for a few) and all are well-developed. Scarlett’s devotion to her sister Tella is endearing. Tella’s rebellious streak is a bit contagious. The players of Caraval are magical and mysterious.

The story moves at a good pace keep listeners/readers fully engaged from beginning to end. The clandestine setting of Caraval lends itself to twists, turns and many surprises. This enchanted world will hold you spellbound as the lives of these two sisters unravel and rewinds in ways they never imaged.

CARAVAL is that mystical place we all may want to go to in order to reach our fantasies without knowing the price we’d truly have to pay. An enthralling start to what promises to be a fascinating series.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber, Caraval series (Book #1), Narrated by Rebecca Soler, MacMillan Audio, @2017, ISBN: 978-1427279743, Unabridged, Audio CD – 8 Discs, Run Time: 10 Hours and 18 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. What do you think of Caraval so far? Have you ever wanted to play such a fantasy game?

I’ve included a sample of CARAVAL from Soundcloud below for your listening pleasure and to give you a sense of how magical this story is. Enjoy!!