Book Review - Summer at The French Cafe - Sue Moorcroft - Feel good family drama/chic lit

 

TITLE - Summer at the French Cafe

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft 

GENRE - Family Drama/Chic Lit

BUY LINK - Click 

SYNOPSIS - 

Sparkling sun, strolls in the gorgeous French countryside, that first sip of cool, crisp wine – Summer is Kat’s favourite season. And this year should be no exception…

‘Fun, emotional and packed with French sunshine. I adored it!’ – Sunday Times bestselling author Milly Johnson

As soon as Kat Jenson set foot in the idyllic French village of Kirchhoffen, she knew she’d found her home. Now she has a dreamy boyfriend, a delightful dog and the perfect job managing a bustling book café in the vibrant Parc Lemmel. ‘

But when she learns her boyfriend isn’t all he seems, it’s the start of a difficult summer for Kat. Vindictive troublemakers, work woes and family heartache follow, and the clear blue sky that was her life suddenly seems full of clouds.

Then she gets to know the mysterious Noah, and her sun begins to shine brighter than ever. But Noah has problems of his own – ones that could scupper their new-found happiness. Together, can they overcome their many obstacles, and find love again?

I may have said this before with Sue Moorcroft books, but she has the amazing ability to whisk you to some of the most amazing picturesque locations, making you want to go there right now. 

I couldn't wait to read this on holiday. I always love a Sue Moorcroft summer chic lit read, and this was no exception. I was mesmerised with the wonderful destination I had been transported to. This location was the pretty French countryside. 

The main character Kat, lands a job managing a book store, for an older couple. The way the bookstore with cafe was described, it made we want Kat's job! 

This book subjects you to a fabulous tale of romance (and a little heartbreak too). I loved the well constructed storyline and all the characters, even the hateful ones. 

To me, this is another Sue Moorcroft triumph. 

BOOK TOUR & REVIEW -- Grape Expectations ~ Caro Feely -- Non fictional life story.

Book Title: Grape Expectations

Author: Caro Feely

Release Date:  October 1, 2013

Length: 288 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1-84953-257-0 

Publisher Link: http://www.ipgbook.com/grape-expectations-products-9781849532570.php?page_id=21

   

Purchasing Information:

Available in bookstores across the country as well as at online retailers, including Amazon

Synopsis:

Filled with vivid descriptions of delicious wines, great food, and stunning views, this is a unique insight into the world of the winemaker, and a story of passion, dedication, and love.

When Caro and Sean find the perfect 10-hectare vineyard in Saussignac, it seems like their dreams of becoming winemakers in the south of France are about to come true. But they arrive in France with their young family (a toddler and a newborn) to be faced with a dilapidated 18th-century farmhouse and an enterprise that may never, ever make them a living. Undeterred by mouse infestations, a leaking roof, treacherous hordes of insects, visits from the local farm "police," and a nasty accident with an agricultural trimmer, Caro and Sean set about transforming their "beyond eccentric" winery into a successful business as they embark on the biggest adventure of their lives—learning to make wine from the roots up.

My Review  

This non-fictional read is about a couple who escaped the rat race, and along with their young children travelled to the wonderful French countryside and bought a vineyard; a rather run down and dilapidated vineyard at that. This in itself was quite eventful for them. 

I'm not a wine drinker, but having visited some of the vineyards in France in my school years, I was keen on reading the couple re-cap their journey, sharing with the readers their triumphs and tribulations. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the author talking about the renovations that were being made on the farmhouse, and it made me want to go and help out and get stuck in too. However just when they thought they had solved one problem, another appeared in its place. All the while this was being described, I was picturing this in my mind. 

I couldn't believe how stressful it was having your own vineyard. You expect it to be hard work, with the planting, the pruning and the gentle tending of the vines. You expect it to be hard work at harvest time. What I didn't ever really think about was the vast amount of French bureaucracy that is involved. These workers work so hard, only to be knocked down at each hurdle by some form that needs filling or something else that needs doing. Even filling in a form isn't straightforward.  When you see the hoops they have to jump through, it makes you wonder how French wine is not far more expensive.

What delighted me was the friendliness, kindness and helpfulness shown to them by the locals and other wine growers, even their competitors. 

I learnt a lot from this book about the wine making process, and what to look out for in different wines. I loved how all aspects of their life was shared with us. I am full of admiration for them and I don't know if I could give up a secure well paid job to go to another country and work all the hours under the sun.  I really liked the author, her family and friends and sincerely hope that all they are doing to live their dream works out well for them.

** At the end of the book, the author directs you to her website about the vineyard. Read the book first and then visit the website to see if its how you pictured it, whilst reading the book **

Author's bio:

“Apart from smoking on the fire escape at school – don’t tell my parents – I was a co-founder of the first magazine published by students which covered chocolate obsessions, and the funny, eccentric and bizarre things that happen at girls only boarding schools.
After university I wrote intermittent articles for newspapers and magazines related to my career in IT consulting. I started writing books in earnest Dublin in 2003 while on maternity leave but it took a gift of Maeve Binchy’s ‘writers club’ from my husband Sean to get my first published book Grape Expectations into good enough shape to attract a publisher – Summersdale – to whom I am eternally grateful for lifting me from the slush pile.” [from the author's website]

Get in touch with the author:

Books: 'Grape Expectations' at www.carofeely.com/books.html
Certified organic biodynamic wines: www.terroirfeely.com | www.feelywines.com
Award winning tours: www.frenchwineadventures.com
Luxury eco gites: www.luxurydordognegites.com

Twitter: @carofeely | www.facebook.com/terroirfeely

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, Oct 21

Review + Giveaway at I Am, IndeedReview at Books A To Z

Tuesday, Oct 22

Review + Giveaway at Breadcrumb Reads
Review at Words And Peace

Wednesday, Oct 23

Review + guest-post + Giveaway
at Boxes of Paper

Thursday, Oct 24

Review at The Most Happy Reader
Interview at Words And Peace

Friday, Oct 25

Review at Bookalicious Travel Addict
Review by author Paulita Kincer

My Obsession with Paris, France

Having spent 20+ years in the travel industry before leaving and working for the Police, I was lucky enough to travel the world. I have seen some wonderful places and met some wonderful people on my travels. I've seen some beautiful sights and some heartbreaking ones. Most of all though travelling has enriched my mind and I'll never stop wanting to travel.

Often people ask me "Where is the best place you have travelled to?". Well that is so hard to answer as I have loved so many places. My heart lies in Texas, Crete and many other places, but the one city I always want to return to is Paris, France. If you asked me why it would be difficult to say. Honestly? I haven't always found the people very friendly especially if you don't try and speak French to them, and as hard as you try to speak in your best French accent some of them will pretend they don't understand what you are saying. So why do I return? I love the atmosphere; the architecture (hardly a modern ugly monstrosity in sight); the museums; the churches; the restaurants and I could go on.


Champs Elysees

My most recent trip was with my Mum. We just decided we'd go on a girly few days away and leave the men at home. Mum originally wanted to go to Rome but thought she was going with her sister so we decided to look for somewhere else. I had been to Paris about 5 times before, but Mum wasn't keen. She finally agreed to give it a try however, and the plans were set. We got the train from our nearest station to London and went to London.
From London St Pancras we joined the Eurostar train which would take us direct to Paris in just over 2 hours. It was an efficient service and took us into the centre of Paris to Gare Du Nord station.


Hotel Rochester

Courtyard

 From there we got a taxi which took us to our little hotel, The Rochester, which was just off the Champs Elysees, in a little side street, so about 5 mins walk to the main strip of Champs Elysees, but a lot quieter. It was a lovely small hotel, with a small bar, a reception, an outer courtyard with some wonderful statues. Our room was furnished in typical French design and overlooked the street.


The Louvre

SIGHTSEEING - After a comfy nights sleep, we had a lovely breakfast in the hotel, and then decided we would catch the metro. It was 5 mins walk from the hotel and we got off just a couple of stops along the line, where we were to visit the Louvre. My Mum paints and has a love of art, so she was quite looking forward to the visit. I had been before but it was a long time since and I could only really remember the Mona Lisa painting. It is a most magnificent building and is an example of what makes Paris an awesome place to visit. It is a former Royal Residence. It houses not only paintings, but sculptures and so much more. In fact the Mona Lisa is a disappointment in comparison to all the other things that there are to see. There is a glass atrium which you can go up into and it comes out in the courtyard (just seen to the right above). Below it are the most wonderful sculptures.
There are artifacts dating back many years, and so much to see. You need a good full day here really if you want to take everything in. I recommend you buy a Paris Pass before you go as you can get to the front of the queue and it is also more cost effective than paying single entry into each museum. The Paris Pass also includes a 2 day hop on hop off bus ticket; A river cruise; A metro travel ticket and so much more.

We visited many other wonderful museums. One was the Orangerie which was housing a Monet exhibition. Monet being my Mums favourite artist.



La Tour Eifel

The next day we went on the hop on hop off bus which takes you passed all the sights, like The Eifel Tower, The Opera House, The Notre Dame, The Left Bank, Les Invalides to name but a few.











The Opera House



You can get off and see the sights and then get back on the next bus that comes along. The architecture is wonderful and unlike London, has no ugly buildings. If you have children you may want to travel outside the city and go to Disney Paris. You can catch a train there which goes quite regularly. Also on the outskirts is the Palace of Versailles. This is also well worth a visit too.



Les Deux Magots

EATING OUT - Paris is a wonderful place to eat. You can choose to eat from a very wide range of different restaurants. You have places you can choose to visit for morning coffee where they do some wonderful pastries and the Paris speciality of Macaroons. For lunch you can choose from any nationality of restaurant and have anything from a croque monsieur (a type of toasted sandwich with ham and cheese), or shellfish delicacies or some wonderful salads. At night the world is your oyster (excuse the pun). There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from all across the city. Mum and I stayed local to the Champs Elysees which is one of the most expensive places to eat, and not necessarily one of the best places to eat. Try if you can and eat in one of the back streets, and use trip advisor to get recommendations. The Left Bank has some great places to eat. Try Les Deux Maggots, which is very well visited.

SHOPPING - Another thing Paris is good for is shopping, and us ladies love to shop. There is a magnificent shopping arcade called La Galeries Lafayette. It is on several floors and housed in the most magnificent building. It has all the top names there at top prices, but also smaller stores too.

Galeries Lafayette

I took a photo of Mum outside a Gucci shop and their security guard chased us away. For some reason they did not want us to take any photos there. Whether there was some famous person inside I don't know but they were very rude.
Here she is outside Louis Vuitton, which you could not get inside as it was full of Asians shopping. I think it must have been their favourite store.
We did come home with several purchases of clothes but sadly not from the designer stores, but little boutiques which were much more interesting to visit. Parisians are certainly stylish and have a wide variety of stores to chose from.

NIGHTLIFE - Nightlife is varied, and there are numerous cinemas and nightclubs.You have the famous nightclubs like Le Lido, which is on the Champs Elysees or the Moulin Rouge, which is in the red light district, and certainly not a place I would want to stay as it is the seedier side of the city. Certainly if you choose to visit the Moulin Rouge, get a taxi right to the door and don't take valuables.


Moulin Rouge during the day looks like a toy town!

Moulin Rouge is the older of the two venues, with the can can dancers. Le Lido, which Mum and I chose, is classier and houses the Bluebell girls. Dance routines are choreographed by Craig Revell Horwood of Strictly Come Dancing fame. You can book a table with just champagne or you can go for the meal option.

Whatever it is you choose to see and do in Paris, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.



Artist in Montmartre

Check out the Tourist Board website - click here

Check out the Trip Advisor Paris Pages - click here 

For bookings on Eurostar - click here

For trips to Disneyland Paris - click here

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

 

For books set in Paris - Click here

 

Title - Anna and the French Kiss

Author - Stephanie Perkins

 

Blurb - Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

Title - The loveliest chocolate shop in Paris 

Author - Jenny Colgan

 

Blurb - Life is sweet in this heartwarming tale of a little chocolate shop in Paris, by the bestselling author of Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams and Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe.

Mouth-watering recipes inside!

As dawn breaks over the Pont Neuf, and the cobbled alleyways of Paris come to life, Anna Trent is already awake and at work; mixing and stirring the finest, smoothest, richest chocolate; made entirely by hand, it is sold to the grandes dames of Paris.

It's a huge shift from the chocolate factory she worked in at home in the north of England. But when an accident changed everything, Anna was thrown back in touch with her French teacher, Claire, who offered her the chance of a lifetime - to work in Paris with her former sweetheart, Thierry, a master chocolatier.

With old wounds about to be uncovered and healed, Anna is set to discover more about real chocolate - and herself - than she ever dreamt