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Cognac & Couture (The Passport Series Book 2) Kindle Edition
When Fall Fashion Week descends upon Paris, so do very pregnant Charlotte, hobnobbing Hillary, snarky Marian, and bombshell Tiziana. As they dash between Stella McCartney and Rahul Mishra showings, hilarity and complications ensue. Charlotte has false labor pains. Marian’s on a quest for a bon homme, and Kathleen’s Frenchman seems to turn up everywhere, reminding her of a drunken confession.
Instead of enjoying a week of fashion and fine dining, Kathleen may be due to reveal a few long-held secrets of her heart—to the world. Could it be any other way… in The Passport Series?
Grab your copy of this hilarious romantic comedy with heart, romance, and adventure. Previously self-published under the title "Kathleen's Undressed, The Accidental Enigma." There is new material and it has been re-edited.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 17, 2016
- File size2821 KB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
The girls are back and living large in Paris. I'm living just as large in Celia Kennedy's Kathleen's Undressed, The Accidental Enigma, all in the comfort of my favorite chair, wearing my favorite designer sweats.
Kathleen, a fashion maven and in the business of high fashion and beauty, seems to be at a crossroads in her life. Her friends are solid besties, but their lives are evolving and the often dark and morose Kathleen cannot even decide on the décor for her apartment. Is it a sign that something is missing in her life? Will a mysterious and charming Frenchman awaken her desires for closeness and love or will she fortify her defenses against love? Caught between enjoying her solitude and yearning for companionship, Kathleen must remove her well-worn armor and leave herself exposed to taking chances.Will she be willing to risk total honesty with her friends, knowing they could turn their backs on her?
Celia Kennedy whisks us to Paris and beyond, through the staged world of fashion, where reality can be avoided, but skillfully plunges us into the life of one woman, alone and inwardly damaged. Kathleen is complex, intelligent and yet, one can feel there is something missing in her life that she fights to admit. With a brilliant set of characters that jump off the pages, the flashing of the bulbs of the photographers, and the beauty of Paris at its shiniest, this emotionally charged tale is alive, breathing and begging to be read and embraced. Character-driven, and intense, Celia Kennedy's Kathleen's Undressed is the perfect thought-provoking look into one woman's life and the struggle she faces as her happy ending may be just around the corner....
From the Author
So, I looked at Kathleen as I would a person I've never really gotten to know well. Why had Kathleen remained undeveloped? What wasn't I seeing? Was there something she was hiding? From there, Kathleen's Undressed, The Accidental Enigma was born. In my coming to understand Kathleen, I realized that I could create a character who still meshed well with the intelligent, quick-witted, high-fashion, well-travelled, group of women from book one - but I could make her so much more - give her that sparkle, and add twists! So, she becomes an enigma. As book two unfolds, readers quickly come to see that there is much more to Kathleen than Charlotte, Tiziana, Hillary and Marian - her five closest friends - know. She has secrets, some quite dark.
As for location, I write books that takes us travelling, help us enjoy a side of life we might not get to otherwise know. Kathleen and cast are a driven group of successful business women. Kathleen works for a well-known company in Paris, The City of Lights, and is far enough up the ladder of success to be invited to designer showing during Fall Fashion Week. What's better is that her friends join her for a week of food, fashion, and fun... just as Kathleen meets a special someone.
Much like Charlotte's Restrained, this book is very much about the strong bond of friendship between these five women. As in real life, there are highs and lows, love and heartbreak, chipped nails and bad hair days, they just happen to take place in some of the most glamorous settings in the world.
As an author, you get to steer your book in the direction of your choice. I love strong, capable women, who make the lives they want happen. I also love snappy, quick banter - sometimes snarky, sometimes loving, but usually funny. So, come travel with me! We'll laugh, we'll cry, we'll meet women we wish were our friends, we'll meet men swoon-worthy!
From the Back Cover
Book Two, The Accidental Enigma
The ladies from Charlotte's Restrained are back together! Joining Kathleen in Paris, France, for Fall Fashion Week, the ladies and their men mingle with celebrities, royalty, and the fashion elite.
Kathleen's thrilled to have her friends in town, but what should be a week of camaraderie and fun is about to take a darker turn. Because Kathleen has secrets. Dark secrets her friends would be devastated to learn.
A special someone enters Kathleen's life who urges her to reveal what she's kept hidden. It becomes clear she will have to make a choice when the group reunites for an unexpected wedding.
Will Kathleen continue deceiving her friends at the risk of their friendship -- or reveal the truth at the risk of herself?
About the Author
The imagined world has always fascinated Celia. She has studied Art History, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Architecture. Her thirteen year career at UW in Seattle ended in 1996. Not wanting to be homeless, she left the academic world and worked as a Landscape Architect, married the love of her life, become a mom, been PTA President, and Girl Scout Leader.
The unimaginable wealth in her life is the most fascinating thing to her.
Her love of travel, the designed and natural world, friendship, self-discovery wine, chocolate, AND love are the foundation of her books.
Celia published her first book, Charlotte's Restrained, in December 2012, Venus Rising in August of 2013. Kathleen's Undressed, a sequel to Charlotte's Restrained to be published in January 2015. Three other works are in progress.
Currently she lives in Washington State with the loves of her life.
Product details
- ASIN : B01J1XNP1C
- Publisher : Girl Parts Press (August 17, 2016)
- Publication date : August 17, 2016
- Language : English
- File size : 2821 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 342 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,549,314 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #4,911 in Women's New Adult & College Fiction
- #37,231 in Contemporary Women's Fiction
- #46,165 in Women's Romance Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Celia Kennedy was born in Wurzburg, Germany on a military base. Her parent's penchant for traveling has stuck with her, she's lived in and traveled through several countries.
The imagined world has always fascinated Celia. She has studied Art History, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Architecture. Her thirteen-year career at UW in Seattle ended in 1996. Not wanting to be homeless, she left the academic world and worked as a Landscape Architect, married her best friend and became a mom to two extraordinary people. It was while raising these two lovely people she embarked upon her lifelong dream of writing a novel.
Her love of travel, friendship, romance, and a good giggle (accompanied by wine and chocolate) are the foundation of her life and books.
Celia is the author of:
Prosecco & Paparazzi, Book One, The Passport Series
Cognac & Couture, Book Two, The Passport Series
Venus Rising
Seen Two, Take One
She is currently writing book three of The Passport Series, Gin Fizz and Grit as well as What We Remember.
You can send her an email, sign-up for her newsletter or follow her on social media by going to CeliaKennedyBooks.com.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2015After enjoying the first book in the series, Charlotte's Restrained, I HAD to read the next installment. Once again, Ms. Kennedy does not disappoint - spinning an intriguing tale of mystery, love and friendship. This second book explores the life of Kathleen, perhaps the most reserved member of the motley group of girlfriends. Nursing pain most of her loved ones were unaware of, Kathleen eventually finds the courage to open her heart to a charming Frenchman who accidentally crosses her path. It was a pleasure to follow their story from extreme caution to unstoppable passion. You will definitely find yourself sucked in early on, so find a comfy place to snuggle up with a glass of wine! I will never cease to be amazed by Ms. Kennedy's ability to paint the most lifelike scenery; I honestly felt like I was sitting right there with the ladies during one of their many jaunts about the continent. And the icing on the cake? The vivid descriptions of the glamorous ensembles worn by this collection of international beauties. Looking forward to book three!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2015I loved Charlotte's Restrained, the first novel in this series! It was a international Sex in the City. Full of sumptuousness and opulence. Kathleen's Undressed, believe it or not, was better than the first! The characters feel like your best friends and you become very invested in their lives. Kathleen is a very sympathetic heroine that you pull for through the whole story. The added bonus is that you catch up on all the friends and are left wanting more and more! I'm dying to see what happens with Marian and Des's stories. I hope Ms. Kennedy gives up sleep until these stories are told as well. I want to read them now!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2015Kathleen's Undressed is book two of the Accidental Series and continues the story of the Kathleen, Hillary, Miriam and Tiziana, taking you on adventures with each of them into the bright lights and mixing with celebrities and fashion stars! The story delves into each of their lives and the twists and turns that make them so complex and so interesting.
The scenes written in the book and much like what ones pictures on the best vacations in some of the most desirable places, from the quaint restaurants and pubs in Paris, to the beautiful beaches, to lounging on a yacht on crystal blue waters. Each scene leaves you drooling and wishing you could hop a plane to see it all in person.
The story hopes from character to character bringing you unique and different views and allowing you to see the larger picture of the four women giving you a glimpse of each of their lives and their story and at the same time allowing the reader depth and contemplation of ones own live. It also is a great story of friendship and the bonds that are shared between girlfriends, as that is never something to take lightly.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2015If you enjoyed the ladies in "Charlotte's Restrained" you will be pleased to know they are back in this book! This story takes place in Paris during Fall Fashion week and bring us right to the runways, bright lights, cafes, restaurants and romantic settings of that beautiful city. In this story we learn more about the character Kathleen and what makes her tick - as well as learning more about her friends: Charlotte, Marion, Tiziana and Hillary. Ms. Kennedy has written a story that looks at our pasts and how those experiences influence our relationships - both romantic and friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2019Love this story can wait to read the next one, I like books like this that really tells a story and continues in another book. The friends
Truly are like family they support each other. You got to read all the books in this series
- Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2016I felt this story bounced all over the place. It was annoying to read and filled with such superfluous stuff, I wanted to scream. It is not anywhere near as well-constructed as the first book. I am sick of these silly selfish women and the flighty lifestyles. This isn't even slightly interesting. I was generous with two stars.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2015Kathleen’s Undressed is a must read if you love fashion, Paris, love, and a bit of mystery. Kathleen is a complex, elegant women that you will learn has secrets that she fears may change how others feel about her. I loved how easy it was to get a feel for all of her friends, her new love, Sebastien, and I found myself immersed in their lives.
Ms. Kennedy captures the sisterhood in the friendships amongst the girls with both love and annoyance between them all. I really related to how Kathleen was uncertain about her new relationship and had self-doubt since it had been a long time since her last relationship.
I love a happy ending, and no spoilers, but there is definitely room for another book about Kathleen, her friends, and the next chapter of their lives. I hope Ms. Kennedy is already working on it!
- Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2016I stumbled onto this author and fell in love! Such an engrossing tale of friendships that span the globe and the love these girls find. Highly recommended if you enjoy a funny book with a quick wit and fast pace.
Top reviews from other countries
- JayReviewed in Canada on September 4, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
I love how it made me travel! So many visuals of the fashion, scenery and feelings. Can't wait to read what is next for this group.
- Susan BakerReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Good