If it’s Friday, it must be France …
Well, in fact, it’s Thursday, December 11, and a major snowstorm in Toronto is causing mayhem with flight schedules … and so we sit in the departure lounge of Fort Lauderdale International Airport … and wait … and wait …
There are times when hanging out in an airport departure lounge for 8-1/2 hours, after two flight cancellations, can be a positive. Lots of work gets done! And that’s a good thing because tomorrow will be a busy one in Toronto … if we get there by then … we’re told that our departure time will be 1:30 a.m.. That means we will arrive at 4 a.m. … hmm … it’s been a while since I pulled an all-nighter, but this might just be the time!
Let me have another piece of chocolate and then get down to business. Mmmm ~ Cadbury’s Milk Chocolate Fruit and Nut Bar hits the spot!
How is your holiday shopping going? If some people on your list love France like I do, you might consider these books by a few friends of mine. They are all on my bookshelf or iPad and I love spreading the word about them.
THE FRENCH RIVIERA: A LITERARY GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS ~
So much more than a travel
guide! Assisted in extensive research by his absolutely charming wife, Joan, and combining a love of literature and familiarity with the Côte d’Azur, Ted Jones offers readers a lively and fascinating report. I love this book and reread sections before I go traipsing off to different towns.
My copy is lovingly dog-eared and filled with post-it notes and comments! Even if you never plan to visit France, this is a great read!
FIRST FRENCH ESSAIS ~ The latest by Kristin Espinasse, combining words and photography from her enviable life in the south of France.
I’ve been following Kristin’s French Word-A-Day blog for years and have enjoyed all of her books.
I’m featuring this one because her photography is a delightful bonus!
TAKING ROOT IN PROVENCE ~ You’ve heard me (many times here on my blog) talk about this 
wonderful collection of stories about life in Provence by my friend Anne-Marie Simons.
Here’s what I said in a review: “Taking Root In Provence is a delightful anthology, engaging all the senses in a portrait of Provence painted in vivid brushstrokes of words and feelings. Ms. Simons’ background as a journalist is apparent in her insightful observations and comfortable writing style. She invites us into the heart of the life they now enjoy and leaves us wanting to move in with them … or at least next door!”
Start packing!
WOLFSANGEL ~ Liza Perrat was featured here on my blog recently but, if you happened to miss that, here’s another chance to find out about this gripping WW2 novel.
I couldn’t put it down and am making plans to visit the preserved site when we are in France next year.
It would make a treasured gift for the historical fiction fan on your shopping list.
CHRONICLES FROM CHÂTEAU MOINES ~ YA! For the young readers in your life! Author Evelyne
Holingue was born and raised in a small town in Normandy. Since 1990 she has lived in the USA and is now settled with her family in central California.
Through her fiction, Evelyne shares her affection for her native and adoptive countries. In addition to the French settings, she incorporates a few French words and short sentences or expressions, all easily understandable and a perfect introduction to France for young readers. Find out more on her website.
Oh! In case you haven’t heard, the print edition of Promises To Keep is now available! I know, I know! It took me long enough!
I’ve mentioned before that the learning curve in this business is a veeeeerrrrry long one for me and there most definitely were a few lessons learned by yours truly in the process!
I’m so grateful for the knowledgeable and patient team that guides me along the way!
AND NOW FOR A SUPER GIVEAWAY!
FRENCH HOLIDAYS & TRADITIONS ~ Francophile Alert!!!
This is a new release by the peripatetic Margo Lestz, compiling many of the celebrations one finds in France along with some fascinating facts. Margo makes her home in Nice when she isn’t off exploring. Her blog posts on The Curious Rambler are always informative and entertaining!
Leave a comment here if you would like your name included in a draw for a free copy of Margo’s book! Check back next week to see if you were the lucky winner. I’ll announce it here and then Margo will contact you. Bonne chance tout le monde!
I’ll be popping back here next week. Will you? In case we miss each other, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all for a joyful holiday season with the hope that the New Year brings the best of health and happiness to you and yours. Peace on earth always tops the wish list .
Please enter me
With pleasure!Bonne chance!
I love to learn about everyday life in France from your blog and Kristin Espinasse also. A book about French holidays would be very helpful.
Thanks for your comment, Lucy. Margo’s book contains a great deal of entertaining information. The French know how to celebrate very, very well!
I do hope you get back to Toronto safe and sound. Our flight to Spain via London was delayed 24 hours. And we had 6 large check in bags and 4 carry-ons. Not a great start to our adventure. Wishing you a wonderful Canadian Christmas and hoping many people get your books for Christmas so they can escape to Provence!
We’re home! I hope you weren’t at the airport when your flight was delayed! Our 5 a.m. arrival, with a full agenda for the day, wasn’t the best … but then, better than not getting here at all. Thanks for your kind words and I wish the same for you as you start your new adventure! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
I wouldn’t miss my Friday in France…amongst all the other treasures here.
Please add me to the list of applicants… a ticket to France would be lovely too.
Thanks, Susan … that gives me a nudge not to miss a Friday, as I sometimes do *hanging head in shame*! You are added to the list and, trust me, if I could dispense tickets I would love to do so! I’ll just have to keep taking you to France in my books. Back to writing …
Always love reading about All things French….. 🙂
That makes two of us, Sue! Bonne chance!
I would love to be included in the drawing for the book. Thank you for the chance.
Great ~ consider yourself included and thanks for taking the time to enter. Giveaways are good fun!
thanks so much for the giveaway. I’m curious to see how this compares to my own memories, lol. Emma ehc16e at yahoo dot com
Bonne chance, Emma!I am betting there will be a great deal of familiar information that sparks happy memories!
I absolutely love, love, love all of these books…I look forward to either having the chance to win your book or going out and buying it myself!
Liane, I love, love, love your enthusiasm! Good luck with the draw!
I WOULD LOVE TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING. I HAVE A HUNDRED BOOKS ABOUT FRANCE AND HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE. BOO HOO. LOVE HEARING FROM YOU PATRICIA, I AM ORDERING THE NEW BOOK THIS MINUTE. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS OUT, IN BOOK FORM. CALL ME OLD FASHIONED, BUT I LOVE BOOKS. NOOKS AND KINDLES, FAGETTABOUDIT. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO A LOVELY LADY. JOY WOOD
Hi Joy ~ You are entered. Bonne chance! It sounds like you spend a lot of time in France through all of those books of yours! Don’t stop dreaming and you may well get to visit in person one day. You have a lot of company sharing your love of print books, no question about that! I must admit, I’m an ebook convert … much to my surprise!
Thanks for your good wishes and I send the same back to you. Joyeux Noël!
Finally started my holiday shopping today! Have a bunch more to do. It’s torture!
Sounds like a guy! Maybe you will win this book and you can check one more name off your list. 🙂
Hope you got to Toronto by the time you check your blog, Patricia. Winter is beautiful but makes traveling a challenge.
Thank you so much for adding my latest novel to your holiday list. I really appreciate your support.
I love to see so many books with French ingredients.
Happy Holiday Season to you and everyone on your blog.
I hope you get where you need to be. Promises to Keep is on my list. Can’t wait to read it. The reading list is daunting… I am already behind, but every couple of days I cross a book off my list.
Brenda, I don’t know how you manage to cross a book off your list every couple of days. You put me to shame! One of my plans for the new year is to designate one day a week just for reading novels. Fingers crossed I can actually make that happen! Warmest wishes for the holidays!