I realised that most of the books I'd chosen were:
- written by foreign authors
- murder mysteries
- parts of a series
- quite lengthy
Add to this the heat and humidity, my lack of concentration and the fact that the bulk of my reading is done on my Kindle these days....I made an executive decision to abandon the pile of books by my bed.....
This month's book is "A French Affair" by Lucy Felthouse, one of the "Brit Babes".
Synopsis:
Sydney Tyler is renting a barn conversion in Northern France, planning to spend the fortnight getting some words down on her novel. Unfortunately, construction work in the other half of the building puts an end to her peace and quiet. Genuinely upset that the builders are going to disturb her, the property’s handsome English owner, Harry Bay, offers to make it up to her. He’s a little flirtatious, and after spotting his wedding ring, Sydney keeps him at arm’s length. Sexy as he is, she has no intention of getting involved with a married man. But when Sydney learns the truth about Harry, will their mutual attraction spur them on to work through their emotional baggage and make this more than just a French affair?
The verdict:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The characters and the plot were both believable and likable ...I was rooting for a HEA* almost from the start.
The setting for the story was perfect (for me anyway!). It was set in a country village between Paris and Reims....the descriptions of hot summer days and beautiful countryside really suited my mood and our current weather.
I'd class this as a light, gentle romance - a great read for a lazy afternoon/evening in the garden with a glass of chilled wine.
It's well written and the story flows ....I give it 5*....
The art work:
This was inspired by an article in the latest Scrap 365 and the fact that the nearest town to the barn in the story is Chateau Thierry.
It just so happens that I have photos taken in Chateau Thierry and many happy memories associated with the town.
La Collinette was (it may still be but I'm out of touch) an old country house owned by the town of Ivry-sur-Seine.
I first visited as a teenager but this photo was taken during my last visit in 1987.
The background is collaged from scrap and dictionary pages ,packaging, washi tape and gesso with some stamping (a freebie from a French scrap magazine).
I would have added authentic postage stamps....I know I have some....just can't find them after my last tidy up of my craft area.....I keep saying that housework is dangerous!! lol
I made do with a wooden Eiffel Tower and a stamp embellie from The Works.
*HEA = Happy Ever After
Blogger is still messing around so apologies again for the lack of comments from me..... :(
I do enjoy reading as many of the reviews as I can manage.
13 comments:
I'm glad you explained what a HEA is as I've not seen that before, and I'm glad the story delivered one :) I'm not much of one for romances, but I can see how they would be nice summer reading, maybe out in the garden with a glass of Pimms (or a Magners on ice lol)
Your scrapbook page is lovely, great that you have personal memories of the place in the book, that always adds a certain something to the reading experience, I love reading books set in Dublin as I used to spend so much time there working.
Sounds just perfect for lazing under a sun umbrella by the pool :D And how lovely that it inspired you to scrap :D XXX
Oh Susie that sounds fab a bit of light reading in this heat - awesome stuff!
So glad you enjoyed this. It sounds like a perfect summer read for a romantic! Your collage is great. I'm always losing things, especially little bits of ephemera like stamps I want to use in collages, or else I completely forget about them! Your collage is still nice without them: I just love images of the Eiffel Tower! Julie Ann x
Again, I can relate to your blogger problems. It seemed like FOREVER before I got mine straightened out.
Sounds like you enjoyed the book, and the weather, too. And adding chilled wine was probably what made it most enjoyable (grin).
I loved everything about your collage. It is gorgeous. Using your own photo added even more interest. I wonder how much that evergreen tree has grown since you took that photo.
Yay for happily ever afters! This sound right up my alley!
I think your next holiday might be revisiting this area when you still love it so much!
Wonderful page for your scrapbook! ♥
Sounds like a good, easy read, Susie...perfect for a hot summer day or a cold winter day by the fire!! Nice that you have memories associated with the book!! Good art piece...representitive!!
Some settings just inspire affairs, don't they? It sounds like a sweet read. Particularly if one gets to do it in the garden of the house of your postcard ;-)
How fab that you are acquainted with the place it was set in! It sounds perfect Summer reading and I love all those yummy layers going on in your LO.
Understand completely your decision to abandon the book pile. I only got a Kindle after I had declared my list and have hardly used it. Much prefer the Kindle for ease of use.
Great to have an easy and quick read with a HEA ending. Always the best. Love your collage page and agree that housework is very dangerous indeed!
Janet xx
Whenever I tidy the studio as I have just done, I can never find everything. I agree that tidying is dangerous for art. If it's in Miscellaneous I can find it. Lovely artwork, and it means so much when personal memories and mementoes can be added. What a lovely house.
Enjoyed the review - there are times when it's good to read a HEA (I like that) romance. I'll have a look if it's on Kindle. I LOVE my Kindle, and have just bought Carmen's review book for Kindle, and can also read it on my Ipad. Hope I don't get paint splashes though as she did on the book!
So I'll give your selection a try. Thanks.
Sounds like a perfect summer read. Pity the weather isn't suitable for a sit in the garden with a book and a glass of wine. Like your scrapbook page, lovely idea.
Jen x
sounds like a great summer read, perfect for lazy days where you don't want to think too much. Great scrapbook layout too.
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