Travel Secrets: Book One - Rio de Janeiro
by Shar Lemond
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Pub Date May 24 2018 | Archive Date Aug 19 2019
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Description
Can travel change who you are?
Travel writer Rachel Moore sets out for Rio de Janeiro to find a scoop but her trip to the gorgeous tropical city has a lot more in store for her.
Her job is on the line, but Rachel is also challenging her preconceptions about herself and her view of the world. With the help of sexy tour guide Otavio, Rachel must learn how to use the power of another culture to conquer her insecurities, fend for herself in the face of undermining co-workers, and create a new version of herself.
But her real challenge is to discover the greatest travel secret of all.
Advance Praise
“Wonderfully written, extremely descriptive, and inspiring. It made me laugh, cry, fall in love, and wish the story never ended!” Author, Debra King.
“Smart steamy chick-lit for travel lovers” – Author Kristy Jo Volchko
“Loved the message of women's empowerment and self-love. This book ignited the travel bug in my heart! What a fun read!” M. Palmer
"Laugh, cry, cheer, gasp, and blush right along with Rachel as Travel Secrets has you feeling every emotion while winding through the streets of Rio on a grand adventure. It's a little romance, a little self-discovery, a little travel, and a lot of fun! Set in a colorful and exotic backdrop, Shar Lemond has created real-life characters that leave you on the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next!" - Trista S.
"Wow; I couldn't put it down and loved every minute! I haven't had the opportunity to travel much but the rich descriptions in the book made Rio come alive for me. In today's society so many women have negative body images and bullying is such a growing problem. This book made me stop and think about views I had on life and of myself and there is a great message of learning to love yourself that all women can learn from. From beginning to end I was immersed in this book and I can't wait until the next one comes out to see where she goes next." - Rebecca S.
"A fascinating combination of serious literature and contemporary women's fiction that men can enjoy too! Travel Secrets is a fun and insightful personal growth story about a young woman that men can enjoy too! The protagonist is a young woman, and one thing male readers can gain from it (especially through the first person narration) is to better empathize with women by seeing her struggles and how she responds. There are some pretty sexy scenes, but don't worry about it being a cheesy "romance" novel. It's a fascinating combination of serious literature and contemporary fiction that should appeal to a broad spectrum of readers of all ages." - Scott P.
"Unlike many books that contain sexy scenes, the sexy scenes in this book were integral to the plot. Throughout the book, we see the evolution of our heroine from someone who hides behind drab clothing, while denigrating her own body, to one who learned to revel in her body and sensuality. I thoroughly enjoyed, and appreciated the body-positivity message this book conveys." - SA.
"The beautiful weaving of Rachel's story kept me not only engaged throughout the book but also touched me so deeply I felt I was in the story, that I could actually be Rachel. Instead of simply being drawn into a story, I was drawn into an individual. Knowing her fears, understanding her thoughts, and glorifying in her growth as a person. The artful first-person telling offered a seamless experience of a woman who finds her strength and femininity. It reminds us that embracing our masculinity and femininity can help us to find strength, success, and happiness." roggedance
"Travel Secrets has everything you look for in a modern, contemporary novel. The plot is original and well developed. No useless stereotypes pollute a single paragraph. The underlying themes of the story as noted in the description are fleshed out and thoroughly explored without beating you over the head, and leave you to come to your own conclusions rather than tell you what to think. I wish I had this book to read in my early twenties. The contemporary novels and romances I did have were trite by comparison." Tilia J.
"wild ride through the lesser traveled parts of Rio, but more importantly, a glimpse into the mind of a young woman deciding exactly how to best experience life while navigating the pitfalls of toxic colleagues and her own insecurities. I found it fascinating." Lynne B.
"This is not some run of the mill romance novel, but rather an adventure travel story. I learned the history and the socio-economic circumstances of Rio's residents all while rooting for Rachel and her dreams, her job, and her sexy Octavio. I can't wait to read what intriguing travel secrets will be revealed next!" Lisa H.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781775337300 |
| PRICE | $4.03 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Lindsey C, Reviewer
This book is so much fun and such a delight! I felt transported to Brazil and what more could you want in a book really?! This was fantastic!!
Ashleigh L, Reviewer
The first book of the Travel Secrets series was based in Rio de Janeiro, and let me say, as a fan of travelling, I was amazed and impressed by the level of detail about the culture and traditions that Shar Lemond paid attention to.
Rachel or dare I say Raqauel, a journalist who is attempting to kickstart off her career makes a bet with her new boss that may cost her job is she doesn't meet the bet. Now, what's the bet? If her boss funds her trip to Rio De Janeiro she has to come back with some scoop and secrets to what this beautiful city holds in the heart of Brazil if not, it might just get her fired from her job.
Determined to keep her job and impress her new boss, Rachel alongside two of her arch-nemesis colleagues, Kevin and Chantel, take the trip to Brazil, to learn more and discover what the so-called heart of brazil has to offer them. Just in time for the annual carnival, her plan of attack is to attend, gain some insight, tour Brazil, and come back with unexpected inside scoop to her boss. However, her plan goes out the window when she meets her tour guides, one of them being the charming and sexy tour guide, Otavio.
Isabel and Otavio, her tour guides, give her a glimpse into the rich culture of Rio, and the perspectives they have. And soon enough, these two people become two very important people in her life. She explores what Rio has to offer, from the beautiful beaches to the colourful nightlife, Rachel attempts to take it all in and record it to write with.
Shar Lemond has done an amazing job painting the way of female empowerment and accepting who you are in this book by showing us the perspectives of females in Rio, who in fact, accept who they are and appreciate their body. She sends the very important message of body image and that you should never be shameful of it. I am looking forward to see the return of Rachel in the books to come!
I was generously provided an ARC of this novel by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and views expressed are my own.
Reviewer 441055
I LOVED this book! The vibrancy, the sensuality, the colors...I truly felt like I was in Rio. And for Raquel to become the beautiful woman she is and deserved to be? Even better. Truly a great read.
Caroline K, Reviewer
Oh my goodness this book just gives me so many positive vibes and I love it! I loved it from the cover to the end of the story. loved the young, hip vibe that it also gave me which as a 20 something is super easy to relate to and I appreciate it. I loved the BBW representation in this book. Also super easy to relate to. Really loved the whole premise of the book. The main character not only betting her job on this, but also doing it well and succeeding just gave me tons of warm fuzzy feelings. Loved the scenery of Rio and that mainly this is a journey about the main character coming out of her comfort zone and revealing how much life really has in store for her. Absolutely going to read the rest in the series. 5/5 stars.
Destiny B, Reviewer
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have read story like this, but there was something different about this one. Rachel is a realistic character that has hopes, dreams, goals and insecurities but they did not hold her back. She knew that her major issue is herself and she just has to keep going forward. The description that was done in this book was great. I found myself pulling for her and wanting her to succeed in what she was doing. That is a good thing and the story flowed so well I did not even know I was getting close to the end. I can't wait for the next one.
Maria M, Librarian
This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased
This is part of a series and I have been lucky enough to have been sent books one and two to read and review
This was a real treat
Great, well written characters - I really enjoyed this and found myself invested in Rachel's life from the beginning, wanting her to succeed.
This is a quick light summer read - perfect for the beach
Now onto book two !!
Amanda B, Reviewer
Travel Secrets Book One is the definition of a light, contemporary romance. A young reporter/writer is about to lose her job and makes a daring bet to keep it. She travels to a new place, meets a hot guy, and goes through a period of transition during her assignment in Brazil. I love and hate this book. It's super fun, light and quick reading. The story is happy and carefree, but predictable, like most contemporary romance novels are. I feel like there could have been more development in some areas than there was, which I could potentially see coming about in the 2nd and 3rd book. Rachel/Raquel, the main character, is like-able enough, I just feel like there are some strange things that happen. I understand the trip helps her to transform how she feels about herself and her body, sexuality, as well as who she is as a writer. I just feel that some of the choices she makes don't align with the strong and independent woman she is supposedly becoming.
Overall, I give 3.5 stars.
Nancy W, Reviewer
I am thinking what a fun experience this would be for a travel writer who needs a new direction to go after writing about the same area year after year. Rachel Moore has made a bet with her boss that she could go to Rio and write something new and different. If it did not work then she would leave her job, Two weeks in Rio de Janeiro with a model and photographer who don't want to be helpful at all but two tour guides who are fun and bring out the best in Rachel. She comes home a different person.
Jane F, Reviewer
Afraid of losing her job at Travel Secrets magazine, Rachael grasps at the last straw and pitches an idea to her boss, Ryan that covering a new locale with fresh eyes would help boost the magazine. She then assures Ryan that she can find an exclusive scoop on Rio de Janeiro and produce a good piece from her trip. She even bets her job. Ryan agrees and sends Rachael on her writing assignment.
She embarks on a trip to Rio and returns with more than an exclusive scoop.
Thank you to Shar Lemond, NetGalley, and the Publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewer 562763
I wasn't sure what to expect but oh i loved this book so much! Seeing Rachel blossom through the story was amazing. The characters are all great, the dialogue is flowing, and reading about Rio culture was eye opening. Can't wait to read the next book!
sue w, Reviewer
Travel secrets: book one-room de janeiro by Shar Lemond.
Can travel change who you are?
Travel writer Rachel Moore sets out for Rio de Janeiro to find a scoop but her trip to the gorgeous tropical city has a lot more in store for her.
Her job is on the line, but Rachel is also challenging her preconceptions about herself and her view of the world. With the help of sexy tour guide Otavio, Rachel must learn how to use the power of another culture to conquer her insecurities, fend for herself in the face of undermining co-workers, and create a new version of herself.
But her real challenge is to discover the greatest travel secret of all.
A fantastic read with some great characters. Loved Rachel. How she got her own back on Chad. Brilliant. Looking forward to the next book. 5*.
Gayle G, Librarian
Who wouldn't love this book!? The characters make you feel you are part of their lives, you experience their highs and lows just as you would in your own lives with the hope that the ending would turn out well for them, after all a fairy tale always does doesn't it? Set in wonderful cities this is a fabulous book, humorous, poignant and a true reflection of modern life. A great read - highly recommended.
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