Top Ten Tuesday: Book That Include the Word Paris in the Title

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Book Titles That Include the Word “[insert word of your choice here]” (Pick a word and share ten book titles that include that word!).

Given that I am currently participating in Paris in July, my favourite annual blogging event, my word of choice is Paris! I have done this type of Paris post before but it has been a couple of years, and I have read more than 10 books that fit this prompt since then so there will be no double ups!

Here are the last 10 books I have read with the word Paris in the title.

In the Paris Fashion by Sophie Beaumont - I have really enjoyed all three of Sophie Beaumont's books. My review for this one will be posted in a couple of weeks.

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl - I liked quite a lot about this book but there was one thing that bothered me. Here's my review.

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K Runyan - A bakery? In Paris? Yes, please. Here's my review from last year.

A Secret Garden in Paris by Sophie Beaumont - Yes, another Sophie Beaumont book. Here's my review.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods - This one is a bit deceptive because it is set in France, but not in Paris. (my review)

The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner - This is a dual timeline WWII novel set in Paris. (my review)

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted by Rebecca Raisin - I love the way that Rebecca Raisin writes about food, books, and yes, Paris. (my review)

The Paris Chapter by Victoria Walters - This is another contemporary novel set in Paris. (my review)

Midnight in Paris by Gillian Harvey - Gillian Harvey writes a lot of books set in France. This is one of my favourites. (my review)

Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel by Rebecca Raisin - I forgot Christmas on my list of things I like about her list. 

Check out more Paris in July posts by visiting the host, Emma from Words and Peace.

Paris in July: A l'année prochaine

 

And so, we come to the end of another fabulous Paris in July. My sincere thanks to Emma at Words and Peace who volunteered to host the event this year. She has done a fabulous job! Thanks also to all my fellow participants who shared about books, movies, history, food and more! 

I have really enjoyed this year, especially sharing some of my holiday memories. Unless something dramatic happens next year I won't have memories to call on, although never say never, as I have lots of holiday memories from Normandy and the Loire valley which I haven't even touched on. Needless to say I am already looking forward to when I can once again visit Paris.

Emma shared a bingo board for us as part of Paris in July. I think I covered off quite a few of the categories

I have claimed a Bingo diagonally as I have read a book with a very small Eiffel Tower on the cover, I have talked about my travels in France, posted about French music and posted about a couple of French films.

I have already got a couple of posts lined up for next year!

Here is a list of all of my posts from both this year, and previous years

The French Chateau Dream by Julie Caplin (book review)

Lunch at a Michelin star restaurant in Paris (food, holidays memories)

TTT- Books that caught my eye in Shakespeare and Company (books, holiday memories)

A Month in Provence by Gillian Harvey (book review)

Driving Madeline (movie review)

Foodie Walking Tour of Le Marais (food, holiday memories)

Party Music 

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico (movie and book review)

Dinner at Le Souffle (food, holiday memories)

Dreaming in French by Vanessa McCausland (book review)

The Flower Market (holiday memories)

Top Ten Tuesday: Last 10 Books I Have Read Which Were Set in France

Chasing the Stars by Virginie Grimaldi (book review)

Sugar and Stars (movie review)

Happy Snaps (holiday memories)

Marques, prêts, partez!

Visiting The Marche aux Puces de Saint Ouen (Quote, Paris landmarks)

The Lost Sister of Fifth Avenue by Ella Carey (book review)

Weekend Cooking: Delicieux (movie review)

Paris Songs (music)

Vintage Weekend Cooking: Romantics Anonymous (movie review)

Top Ten Tuesday: Books set in France on my Kindle that I still haven't read (books)

The Parisian Agency (TV)

Christmas in Paris in July

I Swear I Know This Song (music)

Weeking Cooking: French Onion Casserole (food)
Bestsellers Around the World (books)

Paris in July (music)

Paris in July: Lupin (TV)

Paris in July: An afternoon in Paris (art,food)

Paris in July: Visiting Shakespeare and Co (quote, books)
Paris in July: Easy Skillet French-Style Chicken (food)

Wrap up post (music)

Launch

Everyone Loves Paris (quote)

Cassoulet (food)

French Bookstores (quote, books)

Midnight in Paris (movie review)

Bestsellers Around the World (books)

TTT  - Books set in Paris (books)

Cheese and books (food, books, quote)

Top Ten Tuesday: Paris books!

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Throwback Freebie (Pick a TTT topic that has been previously done. Maybe you missed it, weren’t blogging then, or you’d like to update an old list you made. All previous topics are listed below.)




We are part way through Paris in July (hosted by Emma at Words and Peace), so rather than do a throwback, I am going to choose the last ten books I have read with Paris in the title

A Love Letter to Paris by Rebecca Raisin - My review of this one will be up in the next couple of days! It was good though!

The Last Train from Paris by Juliet Greenwood - WWII, dual timeline and a really good read! (my review)

The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer - I have enjoyed all the Kelly Rimmer books that I have read so far

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico - I fell in love with the movie and then read the book. Here's my review of both

Twenty One Nights In Paris by Leonie Mack - This was my first Leonie Mack but I have read everything she has put out since. (my review)

The Girl from Paris by Ella Carey - Ella Carey has a few books set in Paris (my review)

The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Swan - This is a WWII novel but it is more of a thriller than I would normally read.

An American in Paris by Siobhan Curham - Another WWII novel (my review)

Saint-Germain-des-Pres: Paris's Rebel Quarter by John Baxter - I really enjoyed this short non-fiction look at a specific area of Paris

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George - Books and Paris. Yes please.

Have you read any of these, or have any other Paris suggestions for me?

Paris in July....La Fin!

And so we come to the end of another Paris in July! And already I am looking forward to next year!

I started this year's event with songs about Paris and so it seems fitting to end the same way.  Both of these are kind of melancholy songs but I think that fits my mood. I have enjoyed everyone's contributions to Paris in July this year very much, but it looks unlikely that our international borders will be opened until next year so we are still a long way away from actually being able to head to Europe!


Despite this, I have at least 3 books on my TBR that have a Paris setting, so I am sure that I will be able to start preparing for next year soon!

 Paris Train by Beth Orton
 

Postcards from Paris

My Paris in July 2021 posts

Paris in July

Paris in July: Lupin

Paris in July: An afternoon in Paris

Paris in July: Visiting Shakespeare and Co
Paris in July: Easy Skillet French-Style Chicken

I have at least 3 books on my TBR that have a Paris setting, so I am sure that I will be able to start preparing for next year soon!

Au revoir! Until next year at least.

Paris in July!

I interupt my Music A-Z weekly feature to post my launch for this years Paris in July event.

Over the course of this year's event I intend to post a few different things from music, to books, to a TV show.  I  also intend to go to have a French themed day out and who knows what else.

For today though, it is only right that given that today should have been a Music A-Z day that I share some Paris themed songs. 

Where Do You Go To My Lovely by Peter Sarstedt - We'll start with a song that doesn't have Paris in the title but features lots of Paris locations in the lyrics

Let's Make Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - Whilst this song doesn't reference Paris at all the film clip is definitely Paris forward. I will say I don't know how Faith Hill did all that touristy stuff wearing those shoes all day! 

Paris by The Chainsmokers - There had to be at least one song called Paris right? I do like the definition that accompanies this song - "paris \ 'pa-res\ n 1 : a sentimental yearning for a reality that isn't genuine 2 : an irrecoverable condition for fantasy that evokes nostalgia or day dreams". Isnt this whole month long event somewhat about daydreaming about Paris?

I Love Paris by Ella Fitzgerald - I thought I would finish with this one which not only features the lovely voice of Ella Fitzgerald but also imagery from the movie Midnight in Paris.

I do have a few other songs up my sleeve which I may share a bit later in the month. Do you have any favourite Paris songs?

Paris in July is in it's 11th year and is hosted by Tamara at  Thyme for Tea

Paris in July: A Secret Garden in Paris by Sophie Beaumont

 

Last year I read and enjoyed Sophie Beaumont's novel The Paris Cooking School (review here) so as soon as I saw this one I knew I was going to read it. It just took me a bit longer than I intended it too. That does, however, mean that it is still fresh in my mind so that I can review it as part of Paris in July! Hoorah!

When Sydneysider Emma Taylor's French born mother Corrinne passes away, Emma believes that Corrinne was on the verge of telling her the truth about her life in France before she ran away, most notably who Emma's father is. The only clue that she has is a photo of her mother lying in a field. Corrinne has always refused to talk about her past and Emma has had very little to do with her French grandparents. Emma is determined to repair those relationships, although she does wish that could have done that before her grandfather died. Now, she has come to Paris to get to know her grandmother Mattie, and to try and find out why Corrinne ran so far away and never looked back.

Charlotte Marigny has returned to her native Paris from England to take stock of her life. She is a successful garden designer and together with her husband Tom they have their children and created a great life together. However, Charlotte feels like Tom is drawing away from her and has been for some time. Facing the end of her marriage, she needs some time and space. 

Florist Arielle Lunel has had to start her life over. When she was widowed she also lost her business and she was left with two young children and no assets. Fortunately, she was able to move in with her sister in Paris and now works in one of the market stall at the flower markets where she gets to use her knowledge behind the meaning of flowers to create meaningful and beautiful displays. She doesn't have time to even think about a new romance, especially not after her domineering parents in law seem to be determined to take her children away from her as they believe they can provide them with a better life. 

In both of her Paris books Beaumont does a great job of drawing together several people who are, at first, completely separate but there are invisible webs which connect them all. In this book, those webs all draw the characters to the flower markets. 

Emma decides that she is going to start working on her grandmother's garden, a task that is now too much for Mattie. It also gives her a place to hide when she keeps on butting heads with Marc-Antoine, a successful businessman who has been close to her grandparents for years. There she meets Arielle. Charlotte is also drawn to the markets because of her work and she is impressed with Arielle's design style. And with Charlotte having been Emma's mother's best friend as a teenager the circle is complete.

The closer the circle becomes the closer the three women are to be being able to answer all their questions, even if they didn't know all the questions they needed to ask yet!

There are some lovely little cameos from some of the characters in The Paris Cooking School, but they are things like there is a cheesemaker buying milk from the farm that two of the characters visit. If you haven't read the first book you probably won't even notice the moments, but I did and I appreciated them. 

When we did a walking tour in Paris, we were constantly reminded that behind many of the gates and doors on the streets that we were walking along, if you looked through you might see a gorgeous mansion or a lovely courtyard. This book takes it to the next level and says that beyond those you might find gorgeous gardens. Some are public, and others, like the one at Sophie's grandparents house, is private. I love that there was a version of the gorgeous hand drawn map drawn by Mattie which shows some of the public gardens in Paris. Maybe next time we go to Paris, because there will be a next time, we can use the map to find a little piece of garden paradise. We did go to the flower markets although it was January so everything was a little quiet but it was still beautiful.

There is something about Sophie Beaumont's writing that just really works for me. I find it very relaxing to read. There are some lovely romantic connections for a couple of the characters, a lot of Paris sights, some great food and of course flowers everywhere. I am already looking forward to her next book, In the Paris Fashion, which is due to be released in November.

I am sharing this review with Paris in July. This was also one of the books I nominated to read as part of 20 Books of Winter and this is the sixth book I have read this year with the word Paris in the title!

Rating 4.5/5

Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas

Last year I very nearly tormented myself due to the strength of my longing, palpable longing, to renew my acquaintance with Paris. I read books, watched movies, participated in blogging events. I am pretty sure I dreamed of Paris. This year, I have managed to back away from that a little bit, which is probably a little more mentally healthy, but I very nearly had a relapse reading this book!

This book is the story of blogger turned author Amy Thomas swapping her fabulous life in New York for fabulous life in Paris for a year. Amy has a self confessed sweet tooth and so a lot of the focus on the book is about finding the best French desserts on offer.

The food descriptions in this book are fabulous. I was certainly left wishing that I had a cupcake or a cookie, a macaron or one of those delectable little cakes that seem to be popular in Paris by my side as I read through the pages.

One of the differences between this book and others, is that not only does Thomas talk about the new experiences that she is having in Paris, she also compares and contrasts those experiences with her New York memories. For example, in one of the early chapters she talks about how cupcakes are crossing the Atlantic from New York to Paris, but also that macarons have made the opposite journey and where to find the best of each in both of those cities.

If you had the good fortune to be heading to either city, you could use the author's experiences as a guide to finding some of the best indulgences, especially seeing as there are handy maps and also lists of websites, contact phone numbers, addresses etc for many of the places that were mentioned in both cities.

There was a point where I was a little concerned about the direction the narrative was taking when Thomas started lamenting her lack of a love life. Whilst I have no doubt that it was a very real preoccupation, I wasn't sure that I wanted to read yet another I moved to Paris/Tuscany/choose-your-own-destination and had a fabulous life and fell in love with a fantastic guy too! Fortunately, that was a short aberration!

One thing that I did think the author did a great job of was in explaining the feelings that come when you are living overseas for an extended period of time. I spent five years living in the UK, and I could totally relate to the feelings of knowing that you were lucky to be able to live where you are, but also wishing you were back at home some times too. And then when you do go back, you miss your life in your new location! It's like you are living in two places, never fully in either one! Even when I returned home, it took about 18 months to feel like I was fully at home again, and then within six months of finally achieving that feeling I ended up moving to a different city in Australia.

If you have a sweet tooth, if you want to live vicariously through the eyes of Amy Thomas as she spends time in both Paris and New York, then this may be a good choice for you. She certainly had me wishing that I could spend even just a couple of weeks in Paris exploring some of the culinary highlights!

Rating: 4/5

Forever a girl obsessed with all things French, sweet freak Amy Thomas landed a gig as rich as the purest dark chocolate: leave Manhattan for Paris to write ad copy for Louis Vuitton. Working on the Champs-Élysées, strolling the charming streets, and exploring the best patisseries and boulangeries, Amy marveled at the magnificence of the City of Light.

But does falling in love with one city mean turning your back on another? As much as Amy adored Paris, there was part of her that felt like a humble chocolate chip cookie in a sea of pristine macarons. PARIS, MY SWEET explores how the search for happiness can be as fleeting as a salted caramel souffle's rise, as intensely satisfying as molten chocolate cake, and about how the life you're meant to live doesn't always taste like the one you envisioned.

Part love letter to Paris, part love letter to New York, and total devotion to all things sweet, PARIS, MY SWEET is a treasure map for anyone with a hunger for life.

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. For more information, see the welcome post.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set in Paris

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week is a freebie topic.

A couple of months ago, I did a TTT post all about books set in places I would like to visit. The surprising thing was that there were no books set in Paris on that list, but there as a reason for that. I already knew that for this freebie topic I was going to combine Top Ten Tuesday with Paris In July and feature books I've read set in Paris.

Die for Me and Until I Die by Amy Plum - These are the first two books in a YA paranormal series set in Paris. This is one of those cases where the cover gods smile on an author not once or twice. I did enjoy the books but haven't read any more.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - This is another YA book but no vampires or werewolves in sight. In this book a young girl moves to Paris to go to school. A while ago someone on a TTT post mentioned that there is going to be a special edition cover so I just had to buy it.

For the King by Catherine Delors - I read this book years ago and enjoyed it. It is set in Paris when a police inspector must investigate a failed assassination attempt against Napoleon.

Paris, My Sweet by Amy Thomas - A New York girl moves to Paris for a year and goes on the hunt for the perfect dessert! This is one book that made me yearn to go to Paris.

The Chocolate Kiss by  Laura Florand (or really any of her books)- I mentioned The Chocolate Thief last week, but all of her books are set in France and often feature lots of food. If you like a bit of romance featuring hot French guys with delicious food, this is an author for you!

French Milk by Lucy Knisley - This is a graphic novel about a young woman's trip to Paris with her mother. It's not my favourite Lucy Knisley book but it did make me want to visit. Then again, you're possibly noticing that is a theme for all the books in this post!

The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin - A bookseller swaps her life in small town America for a busy bookshop in Paris. This was my first novel by Rebecca Raisin, but I have read another couple since, and will read more.

Almost Paris by Sarah Turnbull - An Australian woman makes an implulsive decision to move to Paris to live with the French man she has just met. This book explores the cultural differences that she encountered. (review here)

The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B by Sandra Gulland - Sandra Gulland has written a number of historical fiction novels set in France. This is the first in the trilogy focussing on the life of Josephine Bonaparte.(review here)

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo - I am not sure what I need to say about this book other than it is a story of the French revolution.

Blog Tour: A Love Letter to Paris by Rebecca Raisin

 

Have you ever written a love letter?  One where you have to sit down and try to convey who you are, what you feel and what it is that you hope for?

Lilou loves reading love letters and old journals, so much so that she sells them at her market stall in the St Ouen market in Paris. Whilst Lilou tells herself that she isn't interested in love for herself, she still believes in love, and if she can help her friends find it then she will. And so Paris Cupid is born, but this isn't any ordinary dating website. Lilou carefully matches each couple who have agreed that they will only communicate via letter until they both agree that it is time to meet.  Lilou is determined to remain anonymous though. Who would trust someone with as many dating disasters as she has had to help them find love?

It isn't long before Paris Cupid is making news headlines when a famous actor announces that he has found love through the website. Suddenly everyone is speculating who could the mastermind behind the website could be. 

When Lilou starts receiving love notes, letters and gifts, she isn't really sure who could be sending them to her. It could be any one of the three men who have recently been allocated stall spaces next to her in the market. Scratch that. It could be two of the three men. It couldn't possibly be the third one.

Soon Lilou has her hands full trying to work out who her mysterious admirer might by, running her market stall and trying to keep her Paris Cupid business going, as well as keep her identity secret. 

I have read quite a few Rebecca Raisin books now. I love the way that she writes about food, books and the locations, especially Paris! And this book is no exception. The reader is very cleverly taken to a number of sites around Paris in the course of Lilou's activities. Some of the sites are well known, but others not quite so famous. I now need to visit Paris again to visit some of the places mentioned. I mean, I needed to go already, but even more so now. I am already looking forward to her next book

This most definitely is a love letter to Paris, but it is also a love letter to love letters, to the lost art of letter writing, and to falling in love slowly. 

I was contemplating when I last wrote a love letter. When I first started seeing my now husband, I wrote him a letter almost like a performance appraisal where I gave him a promotion from dating to being a boyfriend, and again to partner, and then again when we got married. I don't think I can promote him any higher than husband? Maybe I need to write him another one soon.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog and as part of Paris in July, hosted by Emma and Words And Peace.

Check out other stops on the blog tour below.

About the book

A Love Letter to Paris

Late at night when I wander the streets of Paris, my thoughts turn to her… How do I tell her how I feel? Perhaps, I need to show her…

The pretty little streets of Montmartre are abuzz with a rumour. Apparently a mystery matchmaker, known only as ‘Paris Cupid’, has somehow helped the city’s most famous bachelor find love.

But old-fashioned romantic Lilou is staying very quiet. She’d just wanted to set up her best friend, and to get on with her life selling whimsical old love letters, in Paris’s famous St. Ouen market.

She hadn’t imagined her little Paris Cupid project could ever have attracted so many people looking for true, heartfelt romance. Though the truth is that Lilou adores helping people find the right person. Even if her own love life is nothing short of disastrous.

But then a message arrives. And it’s just for her. Someone is in love with her. Someone who knows her secret. But they’re keeping their own identity secret too… Could it be from cheerful, talkative, flame-haired Felix? Or quiet, beautifully handsome Benoit? Or even Pascale – who drives Lilou mad every day?

After so long of helping others find their soulmate, is it time for Lilou to find love of her own in Paris herself?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/alovelettersocial

About the Author 

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

Social Media Links –  .

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaraisinwrites2/

TikTok: @rebeccaraisinwrites

Newsletter Sign Up: bit.ly/RebeccaRaisinNews

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rebecca-raisin

Passing Love by Jacqueline E Luckett

Nicole-Marie Handy has always longed to go to Paris, ever since she was a little girl and she found a blue French dictionary hidden in her parents bedroom.

Now she is in her late 50s, with a broken marriage behind her, has worked in the same job for years, her parents are aging and unwell, and she is involved in a relationship that is going nowhere. She had planned to travel to Paris with her friend, but when she dies from cancer, Nicole is determined to honour the deathbed promise that she made. " Be wild. Dance in the streets, take French lessons. Walk the wrong way home. Don't play it safe."

What she never expected was that this trip to Paris would end up leading to a search for her past. At first Nicole just enjoyed wandering the streets of the city that she has always loved from afar, but gradually she begins to connect with the people around her. One of those people is an antiques dealer and one day while she is in his shop a consignment comes in, and Nicole helps going through the boxes. Amongst the contents are a lot of jazz records and a book that contains a picture of someone very familiar - her father. How did a photo of her father end up hidden in a box in Paris? A phone call home leads to more questions than answers and the search is on for the truth. With the help of some new found friends, Nicole searches the past with surprising revelations that both change just about everything she knows about her family, but also reinforces the relationships that she had with them.

Interspersed within Nicole's chapters, we are taken back to the years immediately after World War II and we meet Ruby Mae Garrett, an impetuous 16 year old who also yearns for Paris. She meets a musician who she runs away with and finds herself working in lots of bars and music halls working towards their dream - Paris! Arnett is a saxophonist and he believes that if he can make it to Paris he can make it big, and all their problems will resolved. Most of all though, the dream is to live in a place where the colour of your skin doesn't matter, where there are no Jim Crow laws that mean you can never look a white person in the face, that you can only go to certain stores and restaurants, and can only ever enter through the doors marked 'Coloured'.  The post war Paris might be difficult for other nationalities but for African Americans who come to stay after the war, it is a kind of nirvana.

Another reason for Arnett and Ruby Mae to make it work in Paris - the city is alive to the sound of jazz! Whilst I have read a lot of other books set in Paris, usually the focus is the experience of just being there or the food. This time it is the experience, but it is also the history of black jazz musicians who flocked to the city, and that history was quite fascinating!

Whilst the two story lines were interesting, as a whole book this didn't totally work for me. I liked Nicole and I really appreciated the fact that she was a mature woman who had made mistakes, who had lived, and who was ready to follow her dreams. Ruby Mae was harder for me to like. She definitely went after her dreams, but it was a single minded determination, at the expense of many people around her. There were quite a few times when I found myself thinking that the plot was travelling a familiar path and I knew where the story was going, but then there were other times when I was genuinely surprised at the turns in the plot.

I really liked that at the beginning of each of the contemporary chapters the author included a few French phrases that then connected with the events that occurred in the story. It is clear that the author loves Paris as a place. That loves shines through the descriptions of the places that she takes the reader, some of which are the familiar places to tourists and others a little more off the beaten track. I am planning to share an excerpt later in the week.

When this blog tour was first announced, it was long before it had been confirmed that Paris In July was going to be on again this year, but I still volunteered for the tour in the hopes that the event would be running. Regardless, this book fed my own hunger to be in Paris, so that's good, right? Kind of.

Rating 3.5/5

Synopsis

Nicole-Marie Handy has loved all things French since she was a child. After the death of her best friend, determined to get out of her rut, she goes to Paris, leaving behind a marriage proposal. While there, Nicole chances upon an old photo of her father-lovingly inscribed, in his hand, to a woman Nicole has never heard of. What starts as a vacation quickly becomes an investigation into his relationship to this mystery woman.

Moving back and forth in time between the sparkling Paris of today and the jazz-fueled city filled with expatriates in the 1950s, Passing Love is the story of two women dealing with lost love, secrets, and betrayal...and how the City of Light may hold all of the answers.

Tour Details:

Tour Schedule
Jacqueline E Luckett's Website

Facebook

Twitter

Thanks to the author and TLC Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book for review.

Blog Tour: From A Paris Balcony by Ella Carey

When we first meet Sarah West it is 2015 and she has lost both of her parents and her marriage over the previous year, leaving her devastated and emotionally brittle. She find a green box at the bottom of her father's wardrobe, which contains just one object - a letter written by famous courtesan Marthe de Florian. In it, Marthe is writing to Henry Duval, advising him to flee Paris following the untimely death of his wife, Louisa West. It has long been said that Louisa had committed suicide by leaping from a balcony in Paris in the midst of a party. When Sarah reads the letter it is clear that there is more to the story, so she decides to travel to Paris to find out what really happened.

Several years before, Marthe's Parisian apartment was opened (which forms part of the story in the first book of this loosely connected trilogy) and is now occasionally available to rent. Sarah decides that she wants to stay in the apartment in the hope that she might find some more clues. The only problem is, the apartment already has a tenant, so if she is going to stay there, she will have to share the space with French artist Laurent. Sarah decides that her need to search for clues is more important than any uncomfortableness relating to sharing the apartment with a complete stranger, especially someone who has a reputation for being a bit temperamental.

In the past story of the dual storyline, Louisa is a young American woman who is sent to England in the 1890s. She seemingly lives the dream in that she catches the eye of the aristocratic heir to an earldom, Henry Duval, and ends up marrying him. But for Louisa, this is not quite a fairytale. 

Louisa is a modern, opinionated woman who is taking a keen interest in the fledgling suffragette movement, and believes that she can use her new position to support the movement, but this will be frowned upon by the whole family, with the exception of her husband's younger brother Charlie.

As for Henry, he wants to spend all of his time partying hard in Paris, where he consorts with actresses, prostitutes, and courtesans, and he wants his wife to stay away, away from his world.

Sarah's search for clues takes her to the Duval family estate, Ashworth, where Sarah hopes to find the final clues in Louisa's story, and in her own as well. I did have to read the final explanations a little confusing so I had to read it a couple of times until I got it. Not sure if that was just me or not though.

It was interesting to see how three worlds converge in Louisa's life. She marries into the very structured, aristocratic world where there are rules for every situation, especially if you are a woman. There is the world of the suffragettes, where Louisa and others like Emmeline Pankhurst are fighting for the right of every woman to be able to make their own choices in life, and then there is the Paris world that her husband loves so much, where yes, a woman can, if she's lucky and successful, make a lot of herself, but in the case of the courtesan it is often at the behest of the men that provide the jewels, apartments, favours that fund the lifestyle.

I have enjoyed my time reading this trilogy.

This read counts for both the Australian Women Writers Challenge and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.

Thanks to the publisher, Bookouture, for the review copy via Netgalley

Book Description:

The small green chest was concealed at the back of her father’s wardrobe. Its hinges were made of brass that must once have shone, but now the surface was roughened and dull. As she opened the lock, there was only one thing inside: a letter, postmarked 1895, Paris.

England, 1895. Louisa West, a young beauty from Boston, looks like she has it all: a handsome husband, she is lady of Ashworth Manor and one day she’ll be a duchess. But in truth, her life is falling apart. Louisa’s honeymoon is barely over when her husband deserts her, leaving her devastated and alone. She flees to Paris, longing to escape her grief, but finds only tragedy…

Boston, 2015. Life hasn’t been kind to Sarah West. In one year, she has lost both her parents and her marriage. After her father’s death, Sarah is sorting through his belongings when she finds a letter about her mysterious ancestor, Louisa. There have always been whispers in the family about Louisa’s suicide—from a high balcony in Paris—but as Sarah reads, she starts to question everything she was told. Desperate to leave her broken heart behind, she books a trip to Paris to find out more…

When Sarah arrives in the city of lights, the cobbled streets of Montmartre and the river Seine at twilight make her heart sing. Then, on the bookshelf of a beautiful Paris apartment, hidden inside the yellowing pages of an old novel, she finds a note about Louisa which shatters Sarah’s understanding of her family’s past. Did Louisa really throw herself from a Paris balcony? And when Sarah uncovers the truth, will it change everything about her future?

An utterly captivating and emotional historical novel from bestselling author Ella Carey that will transport you to Paris at its most glamorous. From a Paris Balcony will have fans of Rhys Bowen, Fiona Valpy and My Name is Eva totally gripped!

Author Bio:

Ella Carey is the international bestselling author of The Things We Don’t Say, Secret Shores, From a Paris Balcony, The House by the Lake, and Paris Time Capsule. Her books have been published in over fourteen languages, in twelve countries, and have been shortlisted for ARRA awards. A Francophile who has long been fascinated by secret histories set in Europe’s entrancing past, Ella has degrees in music, nineteenth-century women’s fiction, and modern European history. She lives in Melbourne with her two children and two Italian greyhounds who are constantly mistaken for whippets.


Ella loves to connect with her readers regularly through her facebook page and on her website.

http://www.ellacarey.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ellacareyauthor/
https://twitter.com/Ella_Carey


Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2TQf1Xq
Apple: https://apple.co/34MvBxK
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2TJrqN5
Google: https://bit.ly/34OQQze

Paris in July/Top Ten Tuesday: Books with the Eiffel Tower on the Cover

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Freebie/Throwback (Come up with a topic you’d like to do or go back and do an old topic you missed or just want to do again!). Given that today is the kick off for this year's Paris in July event (hosted by Emma at Words and Peace) how could I resist doing something Paris-y? My theme today is Books with the Eiffel Tower on the Cover.

That gives me another chance to share one of my favourite photos of the Eiffel Tower although deciding which one was a challenge!

Some are books that I have read earlier this year. Some are books that I found when I searched the word Eiffel on my blog. The reality is that I could probably do this topic again without too much difficulty.

A Secret Garden in Paris by Sophie Beaumont - I have really loved both of the books set in Paris by this author! I am looking forward to the next one which is out later this year. I will be sharing my review of this book at some point in July!

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted by Rebecca Raisin - This author actually has a lot of books that I could have chosen for this theme. I think this is her best book yet! (My review)

The Anywhere Hotel by Gisele Stein - Unlike the rest of the books on this list, only a tiny part of this book is set in Paris. However, I love the cover, and the Tower is there so it counts for this theme!

The Dressmaker of Paris by Georgia Kaufmann - Haven't read this one yet, but I love the way that the Tower is represented here.

Die for Me by Amy Plum - This is an older book which might count as romantasy these days. It features revenants and numas who are fighting their age old battle in the modern streets of Paris. And the cover is gorgeous! (My review)

The Last Train from Paris by Juliet Greenwood - A WWII story that I read and loved a couple of years ago now. (My review)

Twenty One Nights in Paris by Leonie Mack - The first book I read by this author. Now she is an auto-buy. (My review)

Midnight in Paris by Gillian Harvey - I have loved all of Gillian Harvey's books set in different parts of France. I read this one earlier this year and loved it. I think it is my favourite of hers so far! (My review)

The President's Hat by Antoine Laurain - Another case where I had my pick of several covers! And it's nice to have an actual French author on the list as well!

The Little Paris Toyshop by Lauren Westwood - I will take any opportunity I can get to talk about this book which I read and loved a couple of years ago. (My review)

I am pretty sure that there might be another French themed Top Ten Tuesday this month, but I haven't quite decided just yet! Who am I kidding! Of course there will be! It's just a question of what it will be!