If it’s Friday, it must be France …
As I was working on my WIP this morning, my characters were lingering (on the pages) over a delicious lunch and a few glasses of rosé, in one of my favourite villages. I began thinking about joining them! Right there in this inviting little square! Do you know where we (… in my dreams …) are?
If you think you know, please leave a comment below. Even if you don’t know, leave a comment anyway because I have a very special giveaway that you aren’t going to want to miss. We’ll do a random draw from all the names and if you guess the correct name of this village, your name will go into the draw three times.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, you’ll be pleased to know that my friend
Liza Perrat is offering an ebook of her WW II novel, WOLFSANGEL today on my blog. I read it last month and simply could not put the book down. Coming from me, it’s no surprise to discover it is set in France. Oui?
“A beautifully laid-out spiral of unfolding tragedy in German-occupied France; a tale of courage, hardship, forbidden love and the possibility of redemption in times of terror.’ Perry Iles, proofreader and author of A Dictionary of Linguistic Absurdities.”
We also offered a giveaway of this in my latest newsletter, so if you are a subscriber and entered there, you can enter again here too. Bonne chance! (And if you aren’t a subscriber, you can be by clicking right here!)
For more information about the talented Liza Perrat, please visit her website. Originally from Australia, she lives my dream with her family in the countryside not far from Lyon. Wolfsangel is the second book in a trilogy, but easily read as a stand-alone novel. The story is based on the true history of events that occurred in the village of Oradour-sur-Glane in 1944.
After Liza visited the historical site, she knew one day she would write about it. In her words: “I visited the ruins several years ago, staring in disbelief at the burnt-out homes and buildings as I walked about. Tram tracks ran everywhere, but to nowhere. The car from which the village mayor was hauled and shot lay rusting by the roadside. A few items had survived the inferno: a sewing machine, plates set at a table for the midday meal, the
charred remains of a child’s doll, the blackened, crumbling façades of their homes. A rusty, flattened pram littered the church floor in front of the altar – all gruesome witnesses to a village full of living, laughing and loving people; families cut down in the midst of their usual daily routine.
Fortunately, there were barely any tourists, so I could stop and listen, and it seemed their ghostly sounds echoed in my ears – the banter of adults, the playful shrieks of children, the barking of dogs, the cries of the village artisans. The echoes of a village obliterated.”
The entire village was left as it was on the orders of General Charles DeGaulle, as a permanent memorial.
Trust me, Wolfsangel a gripping tale from beginning to end. You can also visit with Liza here:
Blog: http://lizaperrat.blogspot.com
Twitter: @LizaPerrat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liza.perrat.5
Say hello to Liza from me if you stop by! It’s always fun to be introduced to new authors, isn’t it? Do you have a favourite historical fiction novel? Share it with us here!
Villefrance? Eze?
Désolée, non … both beautiful towns though.
looks a lot like Albufeira, Portugl
Don’t know where this charming place is but I’d love to go there. Bea
You would love this village, Bea. The colours are so soothing. I’ll tell you where it is next week.
I don’t know where the picture is from but I like to think that it was once Oradour-sur-Glare. When we were in France we tried to go there, but in the end just couldn’t find the time to get there. I did read all about it and cried. I’m sure it was once a charming French village where friends would gather for morning coffee and catch up on their friendships. I think it is very important that they left the village as a memorial so we can remember and pay tribute to the many people who gave their lives during this terrible time in history.
It really is a shocking, moving place to visit, Lin… I’d highly recommend it if you are anywhere near there again. Yes, and so important it’s left as a memorial, so future generations can learn about it, and (hopefully) avoid this type of thing happening again.
It’s Place de la Mairie, Roussillon, France.
No idea where it is Patricia, but I love the sunshine and colour! Looks like a place I’d like to be in right now! 😉
Me too, Edith! It’s a lovely sunny day where I live in France, but I’m sure it’s warmer where Patricia’s pic is taken!
I do believe we would all love to be there right now! I’ll tell you where it is next Friday. 🙂
I’m not sure, but it’s definitely got a quaint Euro feel for it that I absolutely adore.
On this blog, you’re in good company adoring that quaint feel!
Could it be Aix? I woukd like it to be but does not look like Cours Mirabeau
Is it Aix? I would like it to be!
Non ~ not Aix. I love that town too!
I used to read historical romance but I haven’t in awhile. I will say learning about places I haven’t been in those novels at the time, left me dreamy. A nice escape.
And we can all use nice escapes from time to time, can’t we? That’s why I love writing about that part of the world. I feel like I’m on permanent escape … even when I’m not!
It looks like it might be Rousillon, but the courtyard reminds me of a place we sat in Gourdes! All the French Provencial cities are beautiful!!
I have no clue where that village square is, Patricia. Well. France, of course. Not even .0001 point for that, eh? Drat!
I do know the words written by Liza about the ruins were haunting. They pulled me into the tragedy even as I fought to shield myself from the senseless brutality. Her voice is both compelling and emotive.
Congratulations, my friend, on all those LOVELY book covers I see displayed in the right sidebar. You are one busy and prolific writer. Whoop! And, talented. Nearly missed talented.
Thanks for your kind words, Gloria! I hope you get to read the whole book and find the words just as compelling as this short excerpt!
I scrolled up to look for the linky-love to The Amazon, Liza.
Looks like I’ll have to do it the LOOOOOOONG way. Three Internet clicks instead of one to find that magic BUY NOW button.
Sigh. Heavy sigh.
Gloria … if you simply click on the book cover or the highlighted Wolfsangel title in the text beside it, you go directly to the Amazon buy page. ‘Twas ever thus. I just double-checked. Stop sighing!!!
YAY! It worked! My Kindle now over-floweth (forsooth) with a number of new books to read.
Hey Glorious Gloria ~ I love seeing you pop up here! I had lunch with Sherri and Sharon last week and your name was frequently mentioned! I was sorry to hear you had been under the weather and happy to know you were on the mend! We wanted you to be sitting in the empty fourth chair at the table. How much fun would that have been?!?
Thanks for your kind words re the book covers. I love them too! You are so right about Liza’s “haunting” words. The story is one we don’t want to believe but know we must … and never forget.
And now … I’m picturing your dazzling and devilish smile! Hope to see you in 2015 … somewhere, somehow …
I SO look forward to seeing your perky smile again too, Patricia.
Perhaps I’ll make it to The Land of the U Hogs on my next trip to the Northeast.
That is very sweet of you to read my book, Gloria, I’d love to know what you think of it… if it does justice to what I speak about in this blog post. Cheers!
Hmm. It looks as if this will be a pretty small prize draw. I’ll put myself down on the list of those who haven’t got a clue. Somewhere in Provence, I suppose, but apart from that……
As much as I would love it to be Antibes, I somehow have my doubts because of the cameras…so, I’ll just dream and place myself at a table nearby with my glass of vin and say Salut! It’s just sooooo perfect!
You’re right, Liane, it isn’t our beloved Antibes. However, you would love this village too and all of the other charming places in the area. One of these days you will be sitting at a table in a lovely square like this, enjoying your verre de vin! I just know it!
Thanks for your comment, Margaret and yes, I’d only be able to place it in Provence!
You’re in the draw, Margaret, and that’s the main thing. Bonne chance!
I have no idea, but it’s calling my wandering heart. Clicking over to visit Liza.
Thanks for your comment, Brenda!
Lovely looking village – though I don’t know where it is. I’ve read Wolfsangel and can recommend it – heartbreaking at times and beautifully written.
Barbara, for stopping by to comment and for your endorsement of Wolfsangel. I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you, Barbara!
Sounds great! I’m a big history fan so maybe these kinds of books are something I would read.
Phil, Liza’s writing makes the history of this period live through characters who are regular people caught up in the horrible tragedy of war. We would wish this experience on no one and yet these stories must be told.
Hi Patricia. This sounds like a great book.
Hi Jay! Nice to see you here. With your wealth of knowledge about world history, you would appreciate the power of this story.
This is a sad part of French history. A neighbor of mine visited this summer and was quite saddened.
I love historical novels and it is hard to take a pick. Maybe I would say that Ken Follett is pretty good at this genre.
Thank you for introducing us to a writer I didn’t know, Patricia. And best to you.
Yes, Evelyne, France has suffered through some terrible times and WW II has to rank with the worst of tragedies. Leaving the village as it is makes it a powerful symbol for the ages. It’s my pleasure to introduce Liza Perrat to those of you who don’t already know of her fine work.
Thanks, Patricia, for your kindness and for everyone’s support!
Thanks for your comment, Evelyne… I’ve just been reading on your blog about your interesting Franco-American life!
Don’t know where this is, but it is beautiful! Have read your books and am sharing them with all my friends….trying to convince my best friend to take a trip with me and you next spring.
Thanks,Pat! Sharing books with friends is one of the great joys of reading.
Hi,
I’m going to have to say Roussillon town square, Provence.
A great post thank you.