• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Patricia Sands

Author

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • Can I visit your Book Club on Zoom?
  • Books
    • The Bridge Club
    • Love in Provence Series
      • The Promise of Provence
      • About Promises to Keep
      • I Promise You This
    • Drawing Lessons
    • Les Villa des Viollettes series
      • The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes
      • A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes
      • Lavender, Loss & Love at the Villa des Violettes
    • The Secrets We Hide
  • Travel
    • Photography, France & d’Ailleurs
  • Instagram
  • If it’s Friday, it must be France…
  • Contact me

Janine Marsh is in the house!

February 12, 2015 by Patricia Sands 22 Comments

1.IMG_5711

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

I’m posting a little earlier than Friday this week … and do I have a treat for you! The one and only Janine Marsh is on the blog! Yes, that’s right … Janine Marsh, the originator, creator, gatekeeper, researcher, reporter, photographer, writer, editor and muse of the exceptional website and ezine, The Good Life France. (Talk about multi-tasking!) She will be the first to assure you that she has assembled a talented support group and team of writers to keep up with the extraordinary growth of TGLF.  Those who work with her attest her leadership is key.

Humble, unassuming, and with a sharp wit,  Janine graciously shares a few personal thoughts with us here.

Janine Marsh with chickens

PS ~ Janine, so many of us have grown to know and admire you through your wonderful creation, The Good Life France. Would you mind giving us a peek into what came before the website and ezine, and how the concept of TGLF came about?

JM ~ Zut alors, I’m blushing, but, thank you. I’ve known I wanted to be a writer since I was three years old but life got in the way. My first “real” job was for a glossy in house magazine for a diamond company, I worked my way up to features writer and editor and I loved it. But as a divorced Mum with a young son I needed a more secure job that didn’t require me to work until the early hours of the morning every time an issue was being “put to bed”. So, I went into banking as a project manager and I loved that too.

When my wonderful Mum died at the young age of 60, it was a massive wake up call for me. I started to think about what I really wanted out of life. By then I was married again and back working crazy hours, away from home a lot. When my husband told me he wanted to take some time off to go to France to renovate our old shack, that we’d bought for the same price as a decent car, it seemed the ideal time to start writing again. I wrote posts about what life in France is like for my friends and family and they called me The Good Life France after a UK TV sitcom (The Good Life about a city couple who seek a more rural life). My audience just grew and grew and with it The Good Life France website.

PS ~ Were you always enamoured with all things “France”?

Yes! On the day I was born in London (I am technically a true Cockney), my Dad went to a horse race and won £50 on a French horse called Janine. When he returned home, happy with his winnings, he insisted I was called after the horse as it would make me “a lucky filly”. It imbued me with a sense of being a bit French from a very early age.

Sipping Sancerre in Sancerre

PS ~ The photography in TGLF is exceptional. Which came first for you, writing or photography?

Writing! My professional photographer friends all say that taking good photos isn’t all about technique but having “an eye”. I use a fairly standard camera but I love to take photos and I try to capture a view that best show readers what I’m really seeing more than trying to line it up so that its technically good. People share photos with me on my Facebook page, usually just “holiday snaps” but often because they are enamoured of the subject matter it really shows and makes for a great photo.

PS ~ Your love of animals is obvious and you introduce us to your delightful menagerie on this page in TGLF. Is there any one story in particular you would like to share with us here?winston the kitten

JM ~ Well, I have 6 cats, 3 dogs and about 40 chickens, ducks and geese and I love them all. All the cats and one of the dogs were strays we’ve found. I’d never had an animal of my own before France and to be honest I never wanted one. But, shortly after I came to France I found a kitten underneath our van. He was being attacked by a much bigger cat so I rescued him and took him home. His nose was hanging off, he was bleeding and so small I had to feed him with a pipette. I didn’t think he’d make it through the night. I called him Winston after Winston Churchill. Now he is the biggest cat in the village, completely neurotic and thoroughly spoiled!

PS ~ TGLF followers enjoy fascinating and unique journeys to all parts of France. There is no shortage of the best travel information and surprising ‘insider’ secrets. Readers are transported from magnificent, history-filled chateaux to obscure, picturesque villages to those simple boulangeries you discover, that have been preparing the most delicious treats through generations. Do you ever take time off and relax? If so, where do you choose to visit for holidays?

JM ~ I never take time off because every experience is something I like to share – good or bad. I haven’t had a holiday in years but its okay because I love what I do so much that I’m doing what’s important to me and what I want to do. To relax I read and I’m trying what the French call “Art Therapie”, colouring in books for grown-ups basically! I’m just trying it out but it is surprisingly enjoyable!

PS ~ Do you have a “guilty pleasure” you care to divulge?

I love to dance but I’m awful at it. I can’t help my hankering, my Italian grandmother was a trapeze artist in a circus so I’ve got movement in my blood but it just hasn’t translated to my feet. I dance in the kitchen and one day I was boogying away Flashdance-style only to look up and see Pierre the farmer from down the road and his 80 year old mother peering in the window looking completely bemused. I hadn’t heard them knock at the door; I dread to think what they all call me in this little French village behind my back…

Thanks for taking the time to join us today, Janine … and for providing Francophiles around the world with such a welcoming “belle maison”.

Do you while away hours on www.thegoodlifefrance.com? Have you signed up for the exceptional (ezine) THE GOOD LIFE FRANCE MAGAZINE, published 6 times a year. It’s hard to believe all this is FREE! There’s a link here in the column on the right.

You can also reach Janine here: 

Sales and Media enquiries: Sales@thegoodlifefrance.com

Editorial enquiries: editor@thegoodlifefrance.com

Facebook, Twitter

The Good Life France, from inner London to rural France

 

 

~~~~~

Thanks for joining me today. If you like today’s post, please use the share buttons below. It all helps!

PatriciaSignature200

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • More
  • Pocket
  • Print
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, France, General Travel, If it is France..., Writing Tagged With: ezine, France, Janine Marsh, Patricia Sands, photography, The Good Life France, The Good Life France Magazine, website, www.thegoodlifefrance.com

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bette Lee Crosby says

    February 12, 2015 at 7:30 pm

    You have the most interesting blog and newsletter. Your newsletter is one that I never fail to open! It is charming, informative and just plain fun. Thank you for sharing your travels and knowledge with us all.

    Reply
  2. Patricia Sands says

    February 12, 2015 at 8:51 pm

    Thanks, Bette ~ you know how I can’t stop sharing my love of France. I’m glad you enjoy it and can’t wait to hear all about your stay in Paris this summer!

    Reply
  3. evelyneholingue says

    February 12, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    Fun post, Patricia. I smiled when I read that Janine wondered how the neighbors called her behind her back. When I visit my maman in Normandy, I’m known as l’américaine, so I supposed that Janine is still l’anglaise.
    The photos make me a little envious too!

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      February 13, 2015 at 10:25 am

      Evelyne, I’m sure you have some interesting tales to tell as well. Janine’s stories make me laugh out loud!

      Reply
  4. Liane Partridge says

    February 12, 2015 at 11:03 pm

    I am truly addicted to everything French, even though my French is deplorable. Your blog, Janine’s blog and several others keep me yearning to pack if all up and just get me there!! I’m 66, divorced, no children, but fearful. So, I live through you. I own everyone’s books and thoroughly enjoy myself with all your stories. Please never leave…I love it all so!! Mille mercis!

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      February 13, 2015 at 10:21 am

      Liane, I’m glad you receive so much enjoyment from our blogs. You have a lot of positive factors going for you and I encourage you to overcome your fears and have an adventure like Katherine! I can’t guarantee a Philippe … but then not all of us want one! 🙂 However, there are interesting home sitting opportunities and other ways to lessen the expense of travel. Keep the dream alive! Thanks for stopping by to comment. It’s always appreciated! Bonne Saint Valentin!

      Reply
      • Liane Partridge says

        February 13, 2015 at 1:30 pm

        Thank you for those encouraging words! And I,m thrilled to hear that there is a. Third book in the works – there is just “something” about those small French towns that keeps me waiting to see where else Katherine ends up.

        Reply
  5. janineatthegoodlifefrance says

    February 13, 2015 at 4:50 am

    Evelyn, I would like to think they call me la Danseur but it’s more likely to be Madame Merde after a traumatic event in which Pierre the farmer came to empty the septic tank in my garden and pushed blow instead of suck. His shouting and screaming at his helper (you know how French people are NEVER wrong!) bought people from all over the village to join in the “fun”. Best wishes, Janine

    Reply
  6. Edith says

    February 13, 2015 at 8:42 am

    Lovely post and gorgeous photos!

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      February 13, 2015 at 10:27 am

      Thanks, Edith. Janine is such a fine example of a woman making dreams come true. I love her story and celebrate the success of The Good Life France.

      Reply
  7. Karen Wojcik Berner says

    February 13, 2015 at 9:45 am

    Loved Janine’s interesting anecdotes. Beautiful pics.

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      February 13, 2015 at 10:30 am

      Merci, Karen! Janine is someone who never has a shortage of tales to share. With her delightful sense of humour, there is always a sunny side to be found. What an exceptional life she leads and how fortunate we are that she shares it! Bon weekend!

      Reply
  8. Angelia Sims says

    February 13, 2015 at 11:23 am

    Love it! Living the dream and enjoying life to the fullest. Wonderful person to have on your blog. 🙂

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      February 14, 2015 at 9:10 pm

      Exactly! Although I rather think of you that way too, Angela! Janine is truly a wonderful person ~ genuine, kind, and smart.

      Reply
  9. Anneli Purchase says

    February 13, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      February 14, 2015 at 9:10 pm

      That’s it, Anneli! That word captures it all.

      Reply
  10. Gloria Bulthuis says

    February 14, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I love reading about life in France. Always wanted to visit there for a couple of weeks, We drove through the countryside and stayed on the outskirts of Paris many years ago. Sincerely, Gloria Bulthuis

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      February 14, 2015 at 9:12 pm

      Gloria, it sounds like you have some fine memories of your lovely trip. Perhaps you can do it again. But, in the meantime, enjoy hanging out on our blogs and let us know if there is anyplace in particular you would like to know about.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A treat for the weekend! - says:
    November 6, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    […] Read more about Janine’s remarkable journey from when we chatted during her visit here on the blog last February. You will find all the links there to subscribe to and follow on all the social media platforms. Trust me, you don’t want to miss any of it! […]

    Reply
  2. The Good Life France SPRING Magazine - says:
    March 4, 2016 at 11:07 pm

    […] from the beginning. Take your time, mesdames et messieurs, and savor this gem. Once again, kudos to Janine Marsh, the tireless […]

    Reply
  3. Last day to enter! - says:
    January 9, 2017 at 9:44 am

    […] a huge fan of The Good Life France website and emagazine that are the extraordinary creations of Janine Marsh. Here’s a post from my blog when Janine visited a while […]

    Reply
  4. My Good Life in France ~ Janine Marsh ~ pre-order - says:
    April 21, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    […] I’m SO excited to share this news with you! May 4th is the publishing date for this long-awaited memoir by Janine Marsh! […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Join Me Here!

RSS
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Tweet
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram

Follow Me on BookBub

Follow Me on BookBub

Follow me on Amazon

Follow me on Amazon

Available from Amazon!

Available from Amazon!

Available Now!

Available Now!

Available from Amazon

Available from Amazon

Join me and 9 of your favourite women’s fiction authors

Join me and 9 of your favourite women’s fiction authors

The Good Life France Magazine

The Good Life France Magazine

Categories

Archives

Footer

Copyright Disclaimer

© 2020 by Patricia Sands. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use short quotes provided a link back to this page and proper attribution is given to me as the original author. All photographs on this site are copyright of Patricia Sands

Follow Me!

RSS
Facebook
Facebook
fb-share-icon
Twitter
Visit Us
Tweet
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram
  • Privacy Policy

FTC DISCLOSURE

The Federal Trade Commission requires that I disclose any relationship I have between a product manufacturer or service provider when I write about a product or service. I may receive a small commission for purchases made via affiliate links on this site such as Amazon. The above does not affect my opinion of those products and services. I am committed to sharing the work of other authors with my friends and readers.

Copyright © 2023 By Patricia Sands · Theme created and maintained by Bakerview Consulting