Review: 'Christmas Confessions & Cocktails' by Vicki Lesage (2015)

Party girl Vicki tells it like it us, from her crazy Christmases growing up in the Midwest (book auction, anyone?) to her even crazier holidays in her new home of Paris (like a marathon 8-hour meal sitting on a stool). Bizarre gifts, weird food, and holiday travel disasters are just some of tales you'll chuckle at in this collection.
This Christmas-themed memoir features 25 funny and heartwarming essays, all with a tenuous tie to Christmas, and pairs each with a delicious drink recipe. So grab your martini shaker and get ready for some great cocktails and some hearty laughs this holiday season!
I've had the pleasure of reading and reviewing several of author Vicki Lesage's works over the past two years, such as 'Confessions of a Paris Party Girl' (click here to read my review) and 'Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer' (click here to read my review). Earlier this year, Vicki released a festive collection of short stories titled 'Christmas Confessions and Cocktails' which I looked forward to reviewing this festive season. The book consists of 25 different parts: several short stories focusing on Vicki's own memories of the Christmas season over the years, and multiple recipes for delicious festive cocktails. 
Vicki Lesage really has her own voice which make her collections of stories based on her own life experiences always fun and entertaining reads. Vicki grew up in America but now lives in France with her husband Mika and two children, Leo and Stella. Her stories are set throughout her life, so back in the day when she was still a party girl to her days as a new mum. I really enjoy Vicki's writing style and loved being able to sneak in a few short stories every now and again when I found myself with some free time during the holidays. 
Some of the stories have already been used in some of Vicki's other books, so people who are familiar with her work might recognise some of the stories here and there. However, there's a big selection of new fun tales and I really liked the idea of switching it up with festive cocktail recipes. 'Christmas Confessions & Cocktails' a festive seasonal anthology of stories told in Vicki Lesage's own fun and entertaining voice; once again, a Vicki Lesage story collection I really enjoyed and worth picking up if you're looking for an enjoyable and quick read with a fun French/American touch!

Rating:8,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'That's Paris' by various authors (2015)

Paris-the most romantic, beautiful and frustrating city in the world! If you've ever traveled to Paris, lived in the City of Light or dreamed of setting foot on its cobblestoned streets, you'll enjoy escaping into this collection of short stories about France's famed capital.
From culinary treats (and catastrophes) to swoon-worthy romantic encounters (and heartbreaking mishaps), this anthology takes you on a journey through one of the most famous cities in the world.
View this cosmopolitan metropolis through the chic eyes of Parisians, francophiles and travelers who fell in love with the city and haven't quite gotten around to leaving yet...
That's Paris: a glimpse into living, loving and surviving in the City of Light.
Over the past two years or so I've had the pleasure of reading and reviewing several of author Vicki Lesage's novels, such as 'Confessions of a Paris Party Girl' (click here to read my review) and 'Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer' (click here to read my review). What Vicki's works have in common is the scene setting: Paris, the city of light. If I'm completely honest I have to admit I am not a big fan of Paris. I don't know what it is exactly, but I never fell in love with the city as so many others do when they visit it. However, I do really like Vicki's writing and I often enjoy books set in Paris, so when Vicki contacted me about an anthology with short stories about Paris, I said yes. I really enjoy collections of short stories every now and again, so I looked forward to picking this up... and who knows, perhaps it would end up making me want to visit Paris again!
'That's Paris: Life, Love and Sarcasm in the City of Light' is a collection of short stories and essays about the capital city of France and to many the city of romance: Paris. Numerous authors, such as Vicki Lesage, Marie Vareille and Adria J. Cimino have contributed to this anthology by writing about the same place, but in various ways: whether it's the city itself, French food, thoughts about the city, or the Parisian atmosphere. Filled with both fiction and non-fiction, the collection will take you across the border and make it feel as if you're walking on the cobble stoned streets of the City of Light yourself.
Even though I am not the biggest fan of the famous City of Light myself, I still really enjoyed this anthology of both fiction and non-fiction stories and essays linked to Paris in one way or another. It's great to have a collection of short stories to pick up every now and again, because it's the ideal book to sit down with if you only have a short period of time to read, such as your lunch break or the bus ride home after a working day. 'That's Paris' has something for everyone since it includes a diverse collection of stories by different authors from all kinds of backgrounds.
The collection includes a few stories in French (with the English translation as well) and, as with every anthology, there were some pieces I really liked and some that didn't really do anything for me personally. Some of my favourites have to be Vicki Lesage's contributions, the short story by Vicki's mother Elle Marie about her daughter moving to Paris and how that influenced her life, Cheryl McAlister's story 'A Scoop of Henry', and Didier Quemener's 'Half Past Midnight'. For people who can't visit a particular place, what better way to get to know it than to read about it? 'That's Paris' is a fun and enjoyable collection of short stories, each of them inviting the reader to enjoy a different side of Paris. A wonderful read for those of you who long for a trip to this famous city!

Rating:8,0/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'Petite Confessions: a Humorous Memoirette' by Vicki Lesage (2015)

From champagne bottles to baby bottles, this memoirette offers a humorous look at an American mom's decade in Paris.
Party Girl Vicki moved to Paris hoping to drink her fill of wine and fall in love. She accomplished her goal, but encountered many bumps along the way: romantic encounters gone awry, absurd French bureaucracy threatening her sanity, and two adorable but impossibly energetic kids keeping her on her toes. This memoirette takes you on a journey of the ups and downs of Vicki's 10 years in the City of Light.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to open another bottle of wine.
It's already been quite some time since author Vicki Lesage first e-mailed me with a review request regarding her book 'Confessions of a Paris Party Girl' (click here to read my reviewy). I straight away liked the sound of the story which is partly biographical and based on Vicki's own experiences of being an American girl who decides to pack up everything and move to the City of Love, Paris. After her first book, Vicki released a second one titled 'Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer', which is just as entertaining (click here to read my review). On the 8th of March, 'Petite Confessions: a Humorous Memoirette' was released and when Vicki contacted me about it, I already looked forward to sitting down with another one of her works!
'Petite Confessions' is a collection of author Vicki Lesage's personal experiences living as an American in the city of Paris. The book is a short and quick read (approximately 60 pages) and consists of several stand-alone chapters which showcase the author's writing style. I personally really enjoy Vicki's stories; her writing is funny, easy to get into, and flows well. Vicki doesn't mind sharing all of her personal experiences with French culture with her readers, embarrassing or not. 
This is a great introduction to the author's work, if you want to check out her writing style before picking up one of her longer books. If you enjoy these short stories, definitely give her other books a try; you won't be disappointed. 'Petite Confessions' is the perfect read for when you have a few minutes to spare, either on the bus home or during your lunch break; a funny, short but sweet read!

Rating:8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: 'Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer' by Vicki Lesage (2014)

Diapers, tantrums, and French bureaucracy - the crazy life of an American Mom in Paris.  Party Girl is back, this time as the sassy mommy of two kids trying to navigate the beautiful, yet infuriating, city of Paris. 
How does she steer a stroller around piles of dog poop? How does she find time for French administration between breastfeeding and business meetings? And can she ever lose the baby weight with croissants staring her in the face from every street corner? 
Answers to these pressing questions - and many more - are in this hilarious sequel. Laugh, cry, and wipe up drool right alongside Vicki as she and her ever-patient French husband raise two children in the City of Light.
In May this year I got the chance to read and review Vicki Lesage’s debut novel ‘Confessions of a Paris Party Girl’ (click here to read my review and an interview with Vicki Lesage!). The book is a collection of Vicki Lesage’s stories of her time living in Paris, which started out as blog posts. I’m not a big fan of memoirs, but I ended up really enjoying reading about Vicki’s experiences in France. So, I was really excited when Vicki contacted me a few months ago about possibly reviewing the sequel to her first book, ‘Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer.’ I looked forward to reading more about Vicki’s experiences in the famous city of love, especially since this time we are introduced to a new main character, her first baby!
Vicki is still living her life in the wonderful city of Paris; trying to find her way as an American in the land of the French. After having found the love of her life and discovering she is pregnant with her first child, big changes are around the corner and Vicki’s life is about to become completely different from what she’s used to. The hunt for a new and bigger apartment in the French capital is forming quite a challenge, and Vicki has to do it all without the support of a glass of wine. As soon as the baby is born, Vicki’s life is completely taken over by him and as a reader we are invited to join Vicki and her husband on their Parisian adventures with a newborn...
I really enjoyed the chance of going back to the city of Paris and once again joining Vicki on her everyday adventures as an American in France. The great thing about this memoir is that Vicki Lesage managed to make the reading experience feel like you are chatting to a friend and laughing at her life stories. She has a great and fun outlook on life and with these collections of stories she has found  a great way to share her experiences with the world. The book isn’t complicated or boring; it’s filled with funny anecdotes, is fast-paced and basically just really entertaining. 
Personally, I would definitely recommend reading ‘Confessions of a Paris Party Girl’ before picking up this one, because I think you will enjoy it more if you know the characters and the history. In this sequel, there’s one new main character and that’s Leonardo, Vicki’s newborn son, and it was great fun to see what kind of situations Vicki and her husband found themselves in. I’m sure many parents will be able to relate to Vicki’s experiences, but if you’re not thinking about children just yet the stories are definitely entertaining as well. Overall, ‘Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer’ is another thoroughly enjoyable book that is light-hearted, easy to read and filled with funny, entertaining stories. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a third part of the series! Rating:

8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review & Interview: 'Confessions of a Paris Party Girl' by Vicki Lesage (2014)

Wine, romance, and French bureaucracy - the ups and downs of an American's life in Paris. This laugh-out-loud memoir is almost too funny to be true! 
Drinking too much bubbly. Meeting sappy Frenchmen who have girlfriends or are creeps or both. Encountering problème after problème with French bureaucracy. When newly-single party girl Vicki moved to Paris, she was hoping to taste wine, stuff her face with croissants, and maybe fall in love. 
In her first book, this long-time blogger and semi-professional drinker recounts the ups and downs of her life in Paris. Full of sass, shamefully honest admissions, and situations that seem too absurd to be true, Vicki makes you feel as if you're stumbling along the cobblestones with her. 
Will she find love? Will she learn to consume reasonable amounts of alcohol? Will the French administration ever cut her a break?
I’m not the biggest fan of France. I don’t know what it is exactly, but my experiences with both the country itself and French people just haven’t been too positive. Yet, I have to admit I do have a bit of a soft spot for Paris, because in all honesty, who doesn’t love Paris (or at least certain parts of it), right? I’ve read some wonderful books set in Paris over the years, so when I received an e-mail from author Vicki Lesage about possibly reviewing her novel, ‘Confessions of a Paris Party Girl’ I was looking forward to reading another story set in the city of love. The lovely Vicki also took the time to answer some questions about her book and writing career, so be sure to scroll down to read an interview with her!
Vicki is an American twenty-something who after losing her job decides to pack her bags and move to Paris for an unforeseeable time. With the money she earns with her work as a freelance web designer, Vicki can afford a small apartment and is ready to throw herself into the Parisian night life (which of course includes lots of wine in all forms!). The reader is taken along on Vicki’s Paris adventure, which consists of numerous hilarious situations, a large amount of complaining about France, but also her transformation from an American in Paris to a true Parisian who happens to be from America.    
‘Confessions of a Paris Party Girl’ is a collection of Vicki Lesage’s stories of her time living in Paris, which started out as blog posts. I’m personally not a big fan of memoirs, but I really enjoyed reading about Vicki’s experiences in France. The book felt more like I was chatting to a friend who was telling me all about her adventures in Paris; stories which made me both shake my head in amazement and laugh out loud. I think it’s great how Vicki managed to convey this particular feeling into words and it’s definitely one of the strengths of this memoir. The fact that all of it is based on real-life experiences also gives it a realistic feel, because it gives a true account of what life in Paris as an expat is like.
I love how, as the book progresses, you can really see Vicki grow as a person and experience how her initial plan of going to Paris for a few months turns into a stay that lasts for much longer. I am sure people who love to travel and/or read about other cities and cultures will really enjoy this because of its distinctive voice and entertaining stories. ‘Confessions of a Paris Party Girl’ is a fun, light and quick-paced memoir, and I already look forward to reading the sequel, ‘Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer’!
Rating:

8/10   For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads    Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.  

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Author Interview with Vicki Lesage

Can you tell us something about your book, ‘Confessions of a Paris Party Girl’? Confessions of a Paris Party Girl takes the reader on a journey from my first confused days in Paris, through some crazy years of partying and unbelievable bouts with French bureaucracy, and ends up with me finding a life for myself in France. Much to my mom’s relief, I do finally settle down (a bit).
The book is based on your own personal experiences. Why did you decide to move to Paris and start blogging about your adventures? After losing my job and running into my ex-boyfriend seemingly everywhere around town, I decided I needed a change of scenery from my Midwestern town. I’d always loved Europe and figured, why not go to Paris? I blogged about my adventures to keep my family back home in the loop, but the blog kind of evolved into a “What did I miss in Paris last night?” update for other people on my bar circuit. Because, you know, it’s really important to know what so-and-so said at such-and-such bar!
Is everything in the book based on your own true experiences or is there also a part fiction? It’s all true! A few names have been changed and some storylines have been combined for simplicity’s sake (like, maybe a particular conversation was actually two separate conversations on two separate days) but the gist is the same. And in fact, much of the dialogue is actually what people said. Like the florist who wouldn’t let me order my wedding flowers more than a week in advance literally said “I could be dead by then!” (in French). I remember things like that word for word because they’re so unreal!
If you had to pick three things you like the most about Paris, what would they be? The unique charm of walking down a characteristic Parisian street, the insanely affordable prices of wine, cheese, and baguettes, and running into people you know on the streets – reminding you that Paris is just a big small city.
And the three things you dislike the most about the city of love? Only three? Just kidding. I dislike the ever-present smell of human urine and dog poop, rude taxi drivers, and the sheer quantity of people who walk around with frowns on their faces (though with the offensive odors and even more offensive taxi drivers, I guess I can’t entirely blame them)!
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans as an author? Are you already working on a next book? My sequel, Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer, is due out this month. It picks up where Party Girl left off and covers my life as a mom in Paris. If you thought my partying days were crazy, wait until you see what it’s like raising kids! I also have plans for a few more books in the series, with stories about my travels around Europe and even juicer confessions that didn’t make it into the first two books. Stay tuned!
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Write a little every day. Eventually you’ll finish your book! Even one page will get you that much closer. Then when it’s time to publish (either traditionally or self-publishing), edit the heck out of your work and have others give feedback as well. Proper editing turns good work into great work, work you’re proud of that gets rave reviews!
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? I loved Build-A-Man by Talli Roland. It’s the first book I read by her and now I’m hooked on all her books. She writes fun chick lit that never disappoints.
Which book could you not live without? The Very Hungry Caterpillar. My son likes me to read it to him at least 10 times a day. It’s our special time together and even though I’ve read it so many times I have it memorized, I still love it.
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Confessions of a Paris Party Girl’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Sassy, hilarious, real
Thanks so much, Vicki!