Friday 26 July 2013

Artistic Readers Club - July

I've gone "off piste" again this month I'm afraid.

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.