Thursday, June 7, 2012

Falling in love with Paris all over again . . .


Ah, Paris. The city of romance, wine, chocolate croissants, and la Tour Eiffel. Afternoon trips to the market, evening strolls along the Seine, and nights spent sipping wine with friends at sidewalk cafes, the gorgeous sound of the French language swirling through the air

Paris . . . the city that lures me back in no matter how far away I wander. 



I've always loved Hemingway's famous quote:

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." --Ernest Hemingway to a friend, 1950

 
So true, isn't it? I'm absolutely loving life in San Diego, but in a random course of events this week, Paris has drawn me back in. First, a very kind stranger gave me a copy of  Hemingway's A Moveable Feast, which paints a portrait of Hemingway's life in Paris in the 1920's. I'm not sure how it is that I haven't read that book up until now, but I am so grateful to the nice man who gifted me a copy.


And last night, I watched Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris for the second time. Mr. Allen's opening montage of Paris gives me a serious case of mal du pays . . . otherwise known as homesickness. Granted, I only spent a year in Paris, but for that year, I really felt like I was home. And that brilliant opening scene makes me fall madly in love with Paris all over again.

What more can I say except, Paris, je t'aime


One of the best parts about setting my novels in Paris has been the opportunity to connect with all of my amazing readers who are just as in love with this beautiful city as I am. I'd like to send a huge merci to each and every one of you for taking a trip back to Paris in the pages of my books, and especially to those who've written to me and shared your France stories. As a token of my appreciation, my first novel, Sleeping with Paris, will be free for the next two days on Amazon. 

I'm just finishing up the edits on my third novel, Dancing with Paris, which will once again take my readers to the heart of Paris. But this time, we're traveling back to the 1950's where scandal, mystery, and a sizzling Paris romance will surely keep you up at night:) More to come on this book soon! In the meantime, pour yourself a glass of wine, devour a few chocolate croissants (yes, I said a few! I mean, who can only eat one??), and book that trip to Paris you've always been dreaming about. 

The City of Love is calling your name . . . I know she's calling mine!





24 comments:

  1. I spent a marvelous week in Paris in 2005 and I so want to return. What an amazing city!

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  2. great post... im looking forward to reading dancing with paris. for fans of woodie allen and paris, watch 'everybody says i love you'

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  3. Soooo want to visit! I learned French in high school which instilled in me a love of Parisian culture and an intense desire to see this city. Watching Woody Allen's movie reinvigorated that desire. Don't know when I'll have the funds, but it's definitely number 1 on my bucket list! Thanks for the post and the beautiful pics!

    lkhill.blogspot.com
    musingsonfantasia.blogspot.com

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  4. I just came back from a weekend in Paris and will be going back in August. How can one not love Paris?

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  5. Hi Juliette. I understand. My husband and I really like that movie--especially the opening scene. And my sister and her husband have been to Paris several times; they adore it.

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  6. I've been to Paris six times, but I could always go again!
    Thanks for the book :)

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  7. I spent 10 days in Paris in June of 2003, and I am dying to go back. Saving up money as we speak!

    I too found that Midnight in Paris gave me a serious longing--I think it's because the film itself is based around nostalgia, and nostalgia+Paris=an intense case of mal du pays. :)

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  8. Sounds cool. I remember sleeping under the bridges in Paris as a young man. The French commuters were suprisingly polite and some even raised their hats to us as they walked past on their way to work. Then we had coffee and croissants and browsed the bookstores on the banks of the Seine. But the year after that there was a revolution. Daniel Cohn-Bendit, riot police, student sit-ins and cobblestones flying through the air. So peaceful and then so violent.

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  9. Hi Juliette, thanks for the invite! I really need to plan a Paris trip for the fam! Thanks for the pics. They inspire me to plan the vacation.

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  10. I just returned from Paris a couple of weekes ago, and I think I'm still on Paris time, too! Your books sound fun, going right over to Amazon now! I also live in gorgeous San Diego and write about Paris :) nice meeting you!

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  11. Hi Juliette, I love that first scene in Woody Allen's movie. He does something similar with New York in Manhattan.

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  12. Hi there! I've nominated you for the Liebster Blog award! Visit my blog at lkhill.blogspot.com to see what you need to next! Have a great day! :D

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    1. Hi Liesel! Thanks so much for the Liebster Blog nomination:) Just popped over to your blog and left a comment. Happy to connect with you!

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  13. Thanks for the comments everyone! Glad to hear we all share the same love for Paris:)

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  14. I just fulfilled my dream of going to Paris last March. I went with my mother and my 86 year old grandfather. It was such a beautiful city, and although we are three different generations, we all found things we loved. I loved the whole city and when I wal around my town, I keep picturing those cobblestone streets. Thank you for your books, because they bring back memories of my trip of a lifetime

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    1. That's so wonderful that you were able to take a trip to Paris with your family Lauren! And thanks so much for reading my books and stopping by my blog. I'm happy they bring back memories of Paris for you:)

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  15. Beautiful city & reading this makes me want to go there! :)

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  16. I was lucky enough to get Sleeping with Paris when it was free on Amazon and I LOVED IT! I am beginning Kissed in Paris now! Please keep writing! Your books are so entertaining and feed my love of the French language!

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    1. I'm so happy you enjoyed Sleeping with Paris! Hope you're having fun reading Kissed in Paris too. There are more Paris books on the way:) Thanks for your support!

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  17. I would love to go. Maybe it will happen one day, but for now, I'll add Sleeping with Paris to my tbr list. I can live vicariously through your writing :-)

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    1. Thanks for adding Sleeping with Paris to your TBR list Stephanie! Hope you enjoy it . . . and I hope you get to take that trip to Paris one day too:)

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  18. I've also watched "Midnight in Paris" twice now and am definitely ready to book a flight. I'm so happy to discover your blog via Twitter.

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    1. I'm ready to book my flight right now too Patricia! I miss France so much. So glad to connect with you:)

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