If it’s Friday, it must be France …
Last Friday I had the immense pleasure of keeping company with the talented and oh-so-sociable writers who host the Romance and Beyond blog. Sherry Isaac, Sharon Clare and Carole St.-Laurent are women with a zest for life and a talent for writing stories that go straight to our hearts.
They invited me to write about how I became so obsessed … er … how I first discovered the romance of France. Magnifique! As you can imagine, they only had to ask once!
Here’s a little taste – un petit goût!

First of all, full disclosure: I love France. I love everything about France. I need to state that right up front. To me, everything about that country oozes romance. When I am in France my senses are embraced and caressed by the romance in the scenery, the architecture, the food, the wine, the sea, the language. I’m a fool for love there and I can’t help myself. If you didn’t know this about me before, you do now.
It all goes way, way back.
For the rest of my guest post, please click here to be transported into an enticing world of romance.
To make your visit there even more pleasurable, I’m serving up some scrumptious virtual strawberry cupcakes. Be careful though, they are addictive!

from Choopy’s, my favourite coffee shop in Antibes. Bon appetit!

Is there a special place in the world that defines romance for you? Is it far afield or in your own back yard?
Thank you to all the readers who clicked here and sent me their e-mail address to be entered in the giveaway of my new novel, The Promise of Provence. I can’t tell you how satisfying it was to see how many of you are already looking forward to reading it! The draw will be held on March 31 so there is still time for everyone to enter. We are chugging along to a publication date in the first week of April.
I really love that cover!
I do too! Thanks!
Lovely! Your photos make me long for a vacation! 🙂
Then I hope your longing is realized soon!
I love the painterly effect of the cover. I am now going to eat my chocolate cupcake and think of you. ^_^ Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Sherry. It was fun bringing you gals over to my blog … I wasn’t actually referring to the three of you as ‘cupcakes’ but after the fact I thought perhaps it might sound that way. But then again … why not … ?
I thought it was kinda funny because I was sitting here looking at my chocolate cupcake while I was reading your post. I have been saving it, because I only allow myself one. And then you have cupcakes. lol
When I saw Sherry in that comment, my noggin immediately traveled North — to The Land of the U Hogs and Sherry Isaac. Then, I read “chocolate.” The only romantic on earth (of whom I’m aware) who can not tolerate, smell, or look at chocolate.
Can’t wait to bebop over to R&B to check out your post, Patricia!
I’m even more anxious to read your book.
Glorious Gloria! Thanks for stopping by … and you are so right, how can we truly have a romantic not in love with chocolate? There must be some sort of immersion program to remedy this aberration! I’m investigating …
Fantastic! Sounds like a wonderful book and I love the cover. Beautiful!
Susie, knowing that you are a fellow francophile, I think you will enjoy the travels in this story. Glad you like the cover!
This book looks great! I love stories that take place in other countries. This is on my TBR list. I entered in the draw.
Good luck in the draw!
France is one of my favorite destinations and I like your opening line – it makes sense to me!
Hey Meg! With all the traveling you do, I love hearing France is one of your favourite stops. I’ll be there in September/October if you happen to be passing through Nice.
Your wonderful pics make me want to go everywhere. France is on our vacation list and hopefully we will be there soon!
Phil
http://www.blog.theregularguynyc.com
I hope you will get there soon too! Dream big!
Such a wonderful Blog!
France, books and cakes = Heaven!
Oh, Patricia – How could anyone not be in love with France. BTW, that’s not a question. I’ve loved every visit, every stay when I was working there, and even every fly over. You are so right, romance is in the air. Of course, I love almost all of Europe but there really is something extra special about France.
I am drooling over those cupcakes, Patricia! And I LOVE your cover, it looks magical!
So happy to host you, Patricia. Thanks for sharing all things French. Those cupcakes are so pretty, and that little cafe tucked in a narrow alley? So quaint. Easy to see why you love France.
Choopys! Oh, man I need one of those strawberry cupcakes. As always, it’s been a pleasure to travel with you to France. That was so great you got to hang out with Carole, Shannon, and Sherrie!