Most would agree: Paris Is Always A Good Idea. Who can resist the lure of French wine, food, art, and history? The City of Light is loaded with charms and wonders you can't find anywhere else on the planet.
Books about Paris are a surefire hit – from romance to mystery to history, you can't go wrong when you decide to lose yourself in a story set in that fabulous city.
I've hand-picked a selection of French-themed books below and to help you decide which ones fit your style, I've asked each author the following questions:
1. Why is your book a "good idea" for someone who loves Paris/France?
2. If your book was a drink, what would it be?
3. Which scene might raise a few eyebrows?
4. Who would absolutely hate your book?
Read their responses and check out their books!
Becoming Josephine
by Heather Webb
Why is your book a "good idea" for someone who loves Paris?
Becoming Josephine is about a famous and beloved French historical figure and much of the novel takes place in Paris.
Which scene might raise a few eyebrows?
One of the scenes set during the September Massacres, also, perhaps one of the hotter scenes between Napoleon and Josephine.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction
Buy now or read the book's description:
Print: $15.00 http://www.amazon.com/dp/0142180653/
Kindle: $7.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMCV2SC
Connect with Heather:
Website: http://www.HeatherWebbauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Webb-Author/124095350992513
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/msheatherwebb
Je T'Aime, Me Neither
by April Lily Heise
Why is your book a "good idea" for someone who loves Paris?
Paris is almost a character in my book rather than the setting, perhaps a coy antagonist? I'd like to think that the passion of Paris was a root of most of my romantic misadventures, but I can't blame it all on Paris!
Who would absolutely hate your book?
Readers looking for an idealized story of Paris. Truth is more interesting than fiction, but reality can clash with some people's dreams of perfect Paris.
Genre: Memoir
Buy now or read the book's description:
Print: $13.49 http://www.amazon.com/dp/0992005302
Kindle: $6.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DAI30I8
Connect with Lily:
Website: http://jetaimemeneither.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeTAimeMeNeither
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JTaimeMNeither
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18129584-je-t-aime-me-neither
Gastien: The Cost of a Dream
by Caddy Rowland
If your book was a drink, what would it be?
If The Gastien Series was a drink, it would be absinthe, of course! That was the preferred drink of the bohemian artists of nineteenth century Paris. Strong, beautiful and mind-altering, the "green fairy" is a drink that forges its own path, daring to be different.
Who would absolutely hate your book?
People who don't like dark, raw, gritty, emotional, and - at times - brutal stories would hate my book. I don't write "pretty" stories, I write about the sublime joy and bitter tragedy of being human. That doesn't guarantee "happy" but it does guarantee "real".
Genre: Historical Fiction, Family Saga, Drama
Buy now or read the book's description:
Print: $14.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1492890391
Kindle: $4.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FI62BS
Connect with Caddy:
Blog: http://caddyrowlandblog.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcaddyrowland
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/caddyorpims
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5106723.Caddy_Rowland
Paris, Rue des Martyrs
by Adria J. Cimino
Why is your book a "good idea" for someone who loves Paris?
It will transport you to the Paris of Parisians... You won't feel as if you have vacationed in Paris, but as if you have lived there.
If your book was a drink, what would it be?
Café au lait: Bitter and sweet, dark and light... Opposites come together, creating unforgettable flavor!
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Buy now or read the book's description:
Kindle: $3.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IAY344W
Connect with Adria:
Website: http://ajcimino.com
Blog: http://adriainparis.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdriaJ.inParis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Adria_in_Paris
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7751480.Adria_J_Cimino
Confessions of a Paris Party Girl
by Vicki Lesage
If your book was a drink, what would it be?
A glass of red wine – classy but accessible. You want to share it with friends and you have fun drinking it.
Which scene might raise a few eyebrows?
The airplane vomit story, for sure. Or maybe the passing-out-on-the-bathroom-floor story. If you enjoy drinking, this might make you stop. If you don't drink, you can smugly watch me learn my lesson. I do eventually grow up, it just takes a while.
Genre: Memoir
Buy now or read the book's description:
Print: $14.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1494701529
Kindle: $4.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/0992005302
Connect with Vicki:
Website: http://vickilesage.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vickilesagewriter
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/vickilesage
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20521413-confessions-of-a-paris-party-girl
I see London, I see France
by Paulita Kincer
If your book was a drink, what would it be?
An Absinthe Chocolate Cocktail (http://dyingforchocolate.blogspot.com/2013/03/chocolate-absinthe-truffles-chocolate.html). Traveling with three kids while figuring out if a marriage is worth saving brings some definite worries, thus the absinthe to help forget those worries. And the chocolate, well that makes everything better, right?
Which scene might raise a few eyebrows?
Some of the scenes in my novel are hot, but they don't get into graphic details of slot a fitted into slot b. What might raise some eyebrows would be Caroline, the main character's, realization that she may have some prejudices. She rolls around the beach in Nice and is certain she is ready to break her marriage vows to have sex with a sensual gypsy man (think Johnny Depp). She leads him up to her hotel room and realizes she's never been inside a building with the man. She only pictures him outdoors. And the prejudice of the hotel clerk plants doubt in her mind. Most middle class Americans have trouble admitting they may have prejudices.
Genres: Fiction, Women's Fiction
Buy now or read the book's description:
Print: $14.00 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1304698882
Kindle: $4.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HBY90M2
Connect with Paulita:
Website: http://paulita-ponderings.blogspot.com
Paris Was The Place
by Susan Conley
Why is your book a "good idea" for someone who loves Paris?
At times Paris Was the Place is like a guided walking tour of Paris. You get to eat delicious crepes, hear some good jazz music, drink red wine and fall in love.
Which scene might raise a few eyebrows?
When narrator Willie Pears falls for a Frenchman she meets in Paris, she jumps in his truck and heads to the South of France. It's a drive that turns out to be one long roadtrip of foreplay.
Genres: Fiction, Women's Fiction
Buy now or read the book's description:
Print: $26.95 http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307594076
Kindle: $10.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BVJG4CM
Connect with Susan:
Website: http://www.susanconley.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanConley.Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Susan_Conley
The Paris Game
by Alyssa Linn Palmer
Why is your book a "good idea" for someone who loves Paris?
It's an especially good idea if you're fond of late night jazz, or wandering the streets of the Left Bank. That's where I focused most of the story.
If your book was a drink, what would it be?
Something quite strong, whiskey on the rocks.
Which scene might raise a few eyebrows?
The entirety of chapter one.
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Suspense
Buy now or read the book's description:
Print: $15.95 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1484834828
Kindle: $4.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1484834828
Connect with Alyssa:
Website: http://www.alyssalinnpalmer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaLinnPalmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyslinn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5625881.Alyssa_Linn_Palmer
Hi Caddy! Thanks for sharing the list. I hope your readers find a book or two that match their style - I know I did!
ReplyDeleteCaddy, I talked with Vicki when I saw your book was included on the list. She said I should just delete your book if I was uncomfortable with it. I decided to include it without the cover, which I still cannot look at without flashbacks to how brutal the scene was in your book. Maybe it was the wrong decision, but I don't feel, from the number of responses on your blog, versus the number of responses on my blog, that you gave me a bunch of advertising that you didn't receive.
ReplyDeleteSorry if you felt like I should have handled it differently. I haven't written negative reviews about your book or done anything to make people think badly about it.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWell, not making the links live did nothing to help you with your trauma. I fail to see how links could bring trauma to you. I appreciate that you didn't like my book. But, yes, you shouldn't have gone behind my back about it. Also, I do use social media for my blogs and many people who view blogs don't comment.
DeleteYou could have just asked me not to post your book because you weren't posting mine. And it was tacky to post mine without a cover and without any links to buy it OR to reach me. If that isn't indicating to people that you don't want them to buy my book, what is?
I"ll leave yours up because I agreed to do this promotion. That's only right.
Good luck with your books. I hope in the future you are open with other authors in regard to how you will handle their books. Oh, and interesting how you felt you should delete my comments on your blog, but felt free to come here and post. I am surprised you could even come here. After all, my book cover is on here.
I will leave your comment up. I don't believe in censorship. People will decide for themselves who acted above board here.
And, no, I won't one star you, either. I haven't read your books and I try not to treat people in a way I don't want to be treated. Karma and all that.
Excellent list about the many faces of Paris, Caddy.
ReplyDeleteI loved Gastien: The Cost of a Dream. I especially liked Gastien's ideals and the often rude awakening when they clashed with real life. It certainly isn't a sugarcoated rosy romance, but I can highly recommend it for mature people who after all the sweetness crave a book with a bite to it.
I'm glad you enjoyed Gastien, Andrew. Thanks for posting here!
DeleteYou're a class act, Caddy. :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have deleted a couple of my comments due to spelling errors. I should know better than to post without my computer glasses!
ReplyDeleteOne final thought: Mentioning you haven't posted a negative review also puzzles me. If I write a brutal scene so well that I traumatize people, I would say that speaks well for my writing ability. So why would that person write a negative review about it? Just because you don't like a scene doesn't mean the book is without merit. In fact, one could argue the opposite.Should The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo have all negative reviews because of the rape scene? Of course not. It was very well written and a great story. A brutal scene SHOULD make the reader feel sick. If it doesn't, the writer has failed.