Samantha Verant's Blog, page 3

About Samantha (Sam) Vérant

Samantha Vérant is a travel addict, a self-professed oenophile, and a determined, if occasionally unconventional, at home French chef. She lives in southwestern France, where she's married to a sexy French rocket scientist she met in 1989 (but ignored for twenty years), a stepmom to two incredible kids, and the adoptive mother to a ridiculously adorable French cat. When she’s not trekking from Provence to the Pyrénées or embracing her inner Julia Child, Sam is making her best effort to relearn those dreaded conjugations.

HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH FAMILY

Say bonjour to a whole new way of life! 


Take one French widower, his two young kids, and drop a former city girl from Chicago into a small town in southwestern France. Shake vigorously...and voilà: a blended Franco-American family whose lives will all drastically change.

Floating on a cloud of newlywed bliss, Samantha couldn’t wait to move to France to begin her life with her new husband, Jean-Luc, and his two kids. But almost from the moment the plane touches down, Samantha realizes that there are a lot of things about her new home—including flea-bitten cats, grumpy teenagers, and language barriers—that she hadn’t counted on.
Struggling to feel at home in her new home and wondering when exactly her French fairy tale is going to start, Samantha starts to wonder if she really has what it takes to make it in la belle France. But when a second chance at love and life is on the line, giving up isn’t an option. How to Make a French Family is the heartwarming, sometimes hilarious story of the culture clashes and faux pas that, in the end, add up to one happy family

Foreign rights have been sold to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Serbia.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPES IN HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH FAMILY

~~~
BUY HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH FAMILY HERE:AMAZON BARNES  & NOBLE POWELL'S BOOK DEPOSITORY CHAPTERS INDIGO BOOKS A MILLION


~~~~ADD HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH FAMILY TO GOODREADS!

PRESS AND PRAISE

Praise for How to Make a French Family:
"Change is never easy, especially when it’s in another city or, better yet, another country. Verant (Seven Letters from Paris, 2014) managed to do it, with a few challenges along the way, and provides readers a charming and witty look at how in this memoir. The Chicago girl moves to southwestern France to be with her new husband and his children, and is enthralled by a new life in a quaint city, but it’s not everything she expected. After many struggles while trying to raise her stepchildren (and having them develop into testy teenagers), along with not always seeing eye-to-eye with her husband, and dealing with a terrible tenant, Verant’s doubts about her new life continue to grow bigger. Luckily, Verant and her husband’s love of cooking has always helped bring them together, giving them a foundation that is unbreakable. Verant’s memoir touches on universal, real-life themes, like love, loss, and family, while mixing in plenty  of delicious French flavors (and actual recipes) that make for a tasty read that’s true to the heart." — Carissa Chesanek, Booklist
"Verant combines one part second chance at romance, one part travelogue, and nearly three dozen recipes in this heartfelt account of how she reconnected with a lover 20 years after their affair and started life over in France with an instant family. When Verant was 19 and traveling through Europe, she had a brief encounter with a Frenchman named Jean-Luc. Not ready for something serious, she never responded to his ardent letters. Two decades later, divorced and in debt, Verant reached out to Jean-Luc, who had been widowed, recently divorced his second wife, and become the solo parent of his two young kids. The undeniable chemistry was still there, and a year later they married and moved outside of Toulouse. In her new environment, Verant had to navigate the laborious bureaucracy and red tape that come with being a foreigner living abroad, learn how to speak French more fluently, and understand vast behavior and cultural differences (such as the French habit of being very direct and making intense eye contact). Most critically, she had to figure out how to bond with her stepchildren, who were still dealing with grief and distrust after Jean-Luc’s ill-advised second marriage. In the end, as Verant warmly writes, food—and her cooking—gave her a sure-fire way in with the family, as they often prepared meals and dined together. (Apr.)" - Publisher's Weekly
"An honest, heartwarming-and at times-heartbreaking account of the struggles that occur when you dare to make your dreams come true." - Janice MacLeod, author of New York Times bestseller Paris Letters

"Love has no boundaries in Samantha Verant's honest and courageous memoir about leaving it all behind to marry her French husband. How to Make a French Family is a testament to her perseverance to adapt to a new life in Southwest France. In the tradition of Seven Letters from Paris, readers will laugh, cry, and cheer for Verant until the final page." - Susan Blumberg-Kason, author of Good Chinese Wife

"A charming and insightful memoir about what follows happily ever after. The fact that Samantha's quest to create a new family is set in France (and filled with recipes) makes it all the more delicious!" - Jennifer Coburn, author of We'll Always Have Paris

"How To Make A French Family shares the ups and downs, good, bad and funny moments of building a new life and family in France, never letting us forget that in the end, love saves the day." - Kristen Beddard, author of Bonjour Kale 

"Samantha Vérant dishes up a funny and tender memoir in How to Make a French Family. The setup is pure fairy tale but the tale's power is in the ever-after. Vérant's story is genuine, romantic, sometimes heartbreaking, and, in the end, as wonderfully satisfying and rich as the French cuisine detailed on its pages." - Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of A Paris Apartment and I'll See You in Paris

"Like its author, Samantha Verant's new book is sweet and sassy, told from the heart. Her story of creating a new family and becoming a different kind of mom is brave and vulnerable. A tale of what happens when we go looking for our best lives and best selves." - Elizabeth Bard, New York Times bestselling author of Lunch in Paris and Picnic in Provence

Praise for Seven Letters from Paris: as Seen In... 

Seven Letters from Paris was
Woman's Day Magazine's
November Book Club Pick!
Seven Letters from Paris was
reviewed in France and
French Property Magazines! A sweet review in Australia's
New Idea Magazine...















Article: It's a Good Thing True Love Doesn't Come with an Expiration Date
12 Best Summer Reads!
Review


Displaced Nation's: Best of 2014 in Expat Books





As Seen On... 
The weekend edition of the Today Show in Australia.

As Heard On:
ABC Radio's Life Matters Programclick here to listen to the interview
Radio New Zealand National click here to listen to the review

--------------------


Library Journal's VERDICT on Seven Letters from Paris:
"This charming, conversational account of a second chance at a lost love will
delight any reader who has ever thought, “What if?”
The full review can be read here.

Booklist calls Seven Letters from Paris "a passionate, romantic, spring-in-the-step read."

"I recommend this memoir as a great read; a read with the motto 'Follow your heart' and 'Believe in your dreams', because you never know where the whirlwind of excitement may end." ~  Chick Lit Club
ChickLit Club's full review of Seven Letters from Paris can be found here.
"Seven Letters from Paris tells the beautiful story of a romance
twenty years in the making. The best part? It’s true!"  ~ Chick Lit Central
Chick Lit Central's full review of Seven Letters from Paris can be found here.


-------------------------
Praise for SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS...
“A charming story, and a delightful tribute to the power of a good old-fashioned love letter.” ~ Peter Mayle, bestselling author of A Year in Provence“Seven Letters from Paris is a celebration of l’amour across cultures and across decades…Samantha Vérant embraces France, and her French love, with an all-American enthusiasm that is nothing if not infectious.” ~ Hilary Reyl, author of Lessons in French“Seven Letters from Paris is a real-life fairytale. You’ll be rooting for this bubbly American heroine and her prince charmant.” ~ Elizabeth Bard, author of Lunch in Paris: A Love Story"Fairy tales come true in Samantha Verant's utterly winning debut memoir. Effervescent, enchanting and wise, Seven Letters From Paris is a paean to second chances, the power of hope, and the risks real love requires. A romantic page-turner." ~ Christina Haag, New York Times bestselling author of Come to the Edge: A Love Story.
“Enchanting. A captivating real-life fairytale romance that will have you reading slowly so you can savor every delicious word. Castles included!” ~ Janice MacLeod, author of Paris Letters“You’ll tear up reading this inspiring love story… Seven Letters from Paris is sweet, touching, and real.” ~ Kristin Espinasse, author of Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France
 "A sweet and comical modern love story of one woman's wonderful happily-ever-after." ~ Wendy Lawless, author of the NY Times bestseller Chanel Bonfire"A true story of long-lost passion found, but also a cautionary tale on the importance of small gestures and romance in everyday life." ~ Jennifer L. Scott, author of Lessons from Madame Chic

“Seven Letters from Paris is the story of a sexy, passionate, whirlwind romance twenty years in the making...and worth the wait. Sam shows us all the power of second chances and following your heart.” ~ Teresa Rhyne, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dog Lived (And So Will I)

“Seven Letters from Paris is a glorious, life-affirming testament to the power of love to change everything.” ~ Jo Maeder, author of Opposites Attack and When I Married My Mother "In a world where love letters and romantic overtures have all but disappeared, it is reassuring to know that feelings committed to a page still have the power to bring two people together.  Samantha and Jean-Luc were clearly destined to be reunited and their story is an inspiration for anyone still searching for a soul mate." ~ Patricia Gucci, author of In the Name of Gucci"Two star-crossed lovers must go up against the passage of time, the difficulty of distance, and many hilarious dinner-party faux pas to make their 40-something cross-cultural romance survive. Reading this book is like eating a bowl of strawberries in the sunshine. It’s a delicious and joyful story from beginning to end, one that makes you hold your breath and clutch your heart with vicarious excitement as you're carried along what must be one of the sweetest love stories that’s ever been told." ~ Torre Deroche, author of Love with a Chance of Drowning
"Inspirational and heartfelt, this book illustrates that it's never too late to change directions in life. Verant's story reveals how having the courage to follow your heart and a take a big leap when you're feeling stuck can put you on the path that you're truly meant to be."
~ Holly C. Corbett, national magazine editor and co-author of The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World.
“Wonderfully engaging and endearingly honest.”~ Samantha Brick, author of Head Over Heels in France: Falling in Love in the Lot"Seven Letters from Paris renewed my belief in the power of true love and made me believe that miracles can happen!" ~ Jamie Cat Callan, bestselling author of French Women Don't Sleep Alone
"Watch out, Walt Disney. Samantha Verant has lived--and vividly shared--a happily ever after story complete with castles and a dark and handsome hero. But unlike the Disney princesses, Samantha's own honesty, soul-searching, brave leaps into the unknown, and willingness to laugh at her own foibles make her a role model for today's woman." ~ Candace Walsh, author of Licking the Spoon: A Memoir of Food, Family, and Identity
"Not since Dangerous Liaisons has French letter writing been this exciting." ~ Helena Frith Powell, author of Two Lipsticks and a Lover



On Zee Web

US BLOG TOURRebecca Hall, of Leaving Cairo (Interview)
Question and Answer Session at We Love Memoirs
Janice MacLeod, author of Paris Letters (Interview)
Jan Moran, author of Scent of Triumph (Review)
Amy Thomas, author of Paris, My Sweet (Post)
Vicki Lesage, author of Confessions of a Paris Party Girl (Interview)Nicole Meier, of Have Tote Will Travel (Review)
Jacqueline Brown, of French Village Diaries (Review)

Susan Blumberg-Kason, author of Good Chinese Wife  (Post)
Margie White, of American Girls Art Club in ParisMardi Michels, of Eat Live Travel Write (Review Giveaway)

Lindsey Tramuta, of Lost in Cheeseland (Guest Post Giveaway)

Jacqueline Brown, of French Village Diaries (Interview)
Words And Peace (Review Giveaway)
  Write Meg (Review Giveaway)Griperang's Bookmarks (Review Guest Post Giveaway)
Jorie Loves a Story (Review Interview Giveaway)

Kasia Dietz, of Love in the City of Lights (Post)
Unshelfish (Review Giveaway) 
  Jessica Bell, author of White Lady (Guest Post)
Book Lover Book Reviews (Review Giveaway)Tanya, Mom's Small Victories (Review) 


AUSTRALIAN/NEW ZEALAND BLOG TOUR

Jarrah Jungle –Review
Booktopia – Ten Terrifying Questions! (Interview)
Write Note Reviews- Review
Book’d Out - ReviewBook’d Out - Guest PostThe Literary Gossip – Q&A
Write Note Reviews – Guest Blog
Starts at Sixty – Review
1 Girl 2 Many Books - Review
Lets Review Stuff – Review
Paranormal Angel – Guest blog
Book Muster Down Under – Q&A

SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS

Cover for the US Edition.
Twenty years, seven letters, and one long-lost love of a lifetime
 
 At age 40, Samantha Verant’s life is falling apart - she’s jobless, in debt, and feeling stuck... until she stumbles upon seven old love letters from Jean-Luc, the sexy Frenchman she’d met in Paris when she was 19. With a quick Google search, she finds him, and both are quick to realize that the passion they felt 20 years prior hasn’t faded with time and distance. Samantha knows that jetting off to France to reconnect with a man she only knew for one sun-drenched, passion-filled day is crazy - but it’s the kind of crazy she’s been waiting for her whole life.
 


Part travel memoir, part love adventure, SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS is the story of how seven old love letters written in 1989 inspired me to reboot my life and restart my heart.

The Australia/New Zealand Edition.Sourcebooks published my memoir in October of 2014 (Anna Klenke editing), followed by Random House Australia (Fiona Henderson) in November. Random House Australia picked SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS as part of a new marketing initiative called the Random 10- ten books they paid special attention to in 2014.

In addition to the US/Canada and Australian/New Zealand editions, translation rights have sold to TWELVE countries so far: Brazil, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary,  Italy, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia, and the Slovak Republic. Unbelievable! Pinch me! I must be dreaming. Here's to the little book that could!



 BUY SEVEN LETTERS HERE:  AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE BOOK DEPOSITORY CHAPTERS INDIGO POWELL'S INDIE BOUND BOOKS A MILLION


The Polish Edition! The Bulgarian edition!

The Lithuanian Edition!



The Italian Edition!
The Brazilian edition! The Czech edition!


The Hungarian Edition! The Slovak edition!


The Greek Edition!

The Serbian Edition! The Korean Edition! The Latvian Edition!




Paris, 1989... And...twenty years later in 2009...












WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER!



SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS...MY WORDS


Add SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS to your GoodReads!

Merci!(and a gros bisous from Toulouse...)

HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH FAMILY IS AN AMAZON MONTHLY KINDLE DEAL!

My memoir, HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH FAMILY, is a kindle monthly special on Amazon ($2.51) with price matching at B&N and elsewhere! Grab your copy today! Shares of this post are greatly appreciated! Bisous from France!

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N43VLOP
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Make-French-Family-Memoir-e…/…/
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/How-Make-French-Family-M…/…/B01N43VLOP

My Big Fat Book News!

Penguin/Berkley/Remain +




Wait. What? I'm a Penguin/Random House author? With Cindy Hwang as my editor? Pinch me. I must be dreaming. (Just don't pinch me too hard because I bruise easily).

I am thrilled beyond belief! And I thought I'd walk you down the road of barbed wire and persistance that got me here.

In 2007, I was writing middle grade and YA. I linked up with fantastic writers and critique partners. My first book, Alchera, a middle grade fantasy, actually got requests from agents. And it was immediately rejected. (I may want to dive back into this one one day as it holds a special place in my heart. Two kids play a role in saving the Earth's animals from extinction...) I wrote two more books after this: The Goddess Effect (YA) and King of the Mutants (MG). I queried and queried and was rejected and rejected.

Meanwhile, a story was happening to me. I was in the midst of divorcing my husband in 2009 and I wanted to face past regrets while doing so. You know, clear the air and move on. I decided to apologize to a Frenchman I met in Paris in 1989 when I was 19. He wrote me seven love letters.  I never wrote him back until 20 years later. Um, we married and we'll be celebrating our 9th anniversary in May. Crazy. Yes?

I wrote the book, my memoir, SEVEN LETTERS FROM PARIS. And I sold it to Sourcebooks (yes, I sold it) in 2012. Here's my timeline and bumpy path:

2010: Queried Seven Letters. (21) I have a thing for the number 7.  I sent out 7 queries a week until I had seven full requests. Bingo. I had the call with my first agent. I signed on with her immediately. We went through a few rounds of edits. Unfortunately, at the time, an article in the NY TIMES came out bashing "me"-moirs. We decided to hold off on submissions.

2011: I'm on sub! 10 editors! The passes rolled in like waves, pulling me under. The editors, for the most part, loved the concept, but not the execution of it. (It was epistolary, using letters and emails to move the story forward). Then, my agent left agenting. I was assigned to a new person. My agent's replacement (and not the person I was assigned to) sent me a note: "We've reached the end of the line with Seven Letters. Feel free to find representation elsewhere." The dude represented Manga. I called my new agent, shaking, and I was going through shit of my own. Major stuff. I'd just had a second miscarriage. I was hormonal and very upset. I asked my new agent if I should re-write the book based on the editors comments. She said no. She had other ideas.

2012: I gave the new agent five months. I did what she told me to do. And I also re-wrote the book because my GUT told me to. In the end, we parted ways and I hired an editor to help me fine-tune Seven Letters. He tried introducing me to new agents. It was a no-go. The agents didn't want a book that was shopped, lightly as it was. So, I Googled "publishers who take unsolicited submissions" and I found Sourcebooks. I sent my proposal and sample chapters off. If interested, they would get back to me in 6-8 weeks. Around the six week mark, I decided to become a REBEL! I hadn't heard back from Sourcebooks, so I took a risk. I emailed four of the editors who had seen Seven Letters in that first round of subs and had positive things to say. (totally not unsolicited!) I told them about the changes, how I worked with an editor, and asked them if they would like to see the manuscript again. (We're talking big HOUSES here). Two of them got back to immediately. YES! One got back to me, thanking me, but said she was focusing on serious non-fiction. And then Murphy's Law. The day I sent out these emails, Sourcebooks reached out to me, asking for the full. It was a Friday. On Monday, I had the "call" with Anna Michels. The offer came in. I loved her. I loved her ideas for the book. And then I was in a pickle. I had to email the editors I'd reached out to and tell them I had an offer on the table...and that I wanted to accept it. They were all very cool...and, thankfully, hadn't read yet.

In odd news, I also sold King of the Mutants to Month9Books. I was in another pickle. How could I promote a book about mutants and a romantic memoir at the same time? They were launched within one week of another in 2014. Sadly, I didn't know what to do. I now have the rights back to this book.

Let's fast forward now.

I signed on with a new agent in 2014. I decided to let her go a few years later. I wanted (and needed) an American-based agent to guide me and my career. And, on a piece of scrap paper, in 2017, I wrote down the name of my dream agent: Kimberly Witherspoon. And, on a piece of scrap paper, in 2017, I wrote down the name of my dream agent: Kimberly Witherspoon.

September, 2017: I queried 21 agents in the timespan of three weeks, stopping when I had seven requests. I also did #pitmad, received three requests, and promptly deleted my post. Why? Because I'm nuts. I had a dream!!!! I queried Kim, my dream agent, in the second week. (I wanted to see if my queries got any bites!) Then, I thought about it. Eloisa James, who is repped by Kim, is a friend of mine. She supported my memoir Seven Letters. I emailed Eloisa, telling her about my book and that I queried Kim. I said, "No worries if you can't help me out, but if you think Kim would be interested in this, would you mind sending out a word to get me out of the slush pile?"

Eloisa (a.k.a. Mary) got back to me immediately. "Kim would love this! It's right up her alley! I'm on it!"

October 2017: In the end, I had four offers of representation. I chose Kim...and also got a bonus surprise. I'm working with her and the awesome Jessica Mileo. I met with both of them when visiting New York. Before our meeting, I took Eloisa out to breakfast to thank her. (She's amazing!)

October 2018: My book went through two rounds of head to toe edits. We went on submission at the end of July. Yes, during this time I did what writers aren't supposed to do: I twitter-stalked and googled and tried to imagine which editor would connect with my book. And then I found Cindy. Like I did with Kim, I wrote down my dream in the beginning. On my chalkboard. Penguin. Berkley. Remain Positive. It's still on my board. The offer from Cindy came in September. Oh, the "call" was amazing.

I was in NY in October for my mom's 70th. While there, I met up with my agents and with Cindy and her team. Cindy took me out for a delicious lunch, we talked shop, and I was swooning. Mind you, I'd just flown in from France the day before and I was a little bit jet-lagged (a lot jet-lagged), but I straighted my shoulders and hoped I made sense. After all this hard work, after all the tears of frustration, I knew I was in good hands! I'm excited for the future!

Persistance! Following dreams! A little bit of rule breaking (but not too much)! And finding the right fit! That's what we have to do. Write on, peeps, write on!

xoxo-

Sam


Per my methods of madness, comments are closed here. Please connect with me on FB, Instagram, or Twitter. :) And Happy Holidays!!!!!

French Friday: In the French Kitchen with Kids with Mardi Michels

Congrats to the fabulous Mardi Michels, whose book I n the French Kitchen with Kids released on Tuesday! You don't have to be a kid- or even have to have kids- to enjoy her luscious, mouth-watering recipes. You just need to like French food and have the desire to cook it! Plus, the photography is absolutely stunning! Seriously, there is something for everyone!

I was lucky enough to be a recipe tester and made three delicious meals– Shepherd's Pie (Hachis Parmentier), Beef and Carrot Stew (Boeuf aux carrotes), and Pork Chops with Apples (Côtelettes de porc aux pommes). From sweet to savory, the recipes are uncomplicated, easy to follow, and they all come out perfectly tasty! Tasty! Tasty!

I had the chance to meet Mardi for lunch at her home in France last year, where she made me a lovely tarte salée (roasted tomatoes). At any rate, she is as warm, kind, and funny as her sweet recipes.

So go, go, go– grab your copy of In the French Kitchen with Kids today! You'll be happy you did. Miam-miam-miam.

Indigo (Canada)
Amazon
The Book Depository (worldwide – affiliate link)
Barnes & Noble
Indiebound


Connect with Mardi here:

Eat, Live, Travel, Write
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Bon app and Bisous!

Kindness Can Fight Hate

Hey all, it's me, Sam! I haven't been blogging much (I've been busy writing and editing my next book(s)– more news on that later), but I wanted to share something IMPORTANT with you. Believe me, I'm not tooting my own horn. I'd just like to think if more people acted with kindness...the world would become a less hate-filled place. I'm a firm believer in opening my heart and my horizons. I've met many people through my books and I've invited many of them to visit with me in my home. Being an immigrant in a foreign country has  encouraged me to be more open– to new experiences, to new people, to everything.

With that said, I'm sharing a private FaceBook post I shared last week...


"I will NOT tolerate racism in any way, shape, or form. I have just delivered flowers to my neighbor to give her a slice of happiness and to let her know she has my support and my friendship. She's from Morroco, Muslim, and is sandwiched in between two racist homes that seem to be intent on making her life miserable.

You may remember, I was in charge of the neighborhood block party. The two neighbors on either side of her didn't come because her family would be in attendance. They told me this outright. One of them also said she thought her family was Daesh. (Such a ridiculous notion...really).

(I joked with my nice neighbor and told her to leave empty backpacks with wires coming out of them outside of their homes. THIS, although a touchy subject, made both of us laugh so hard we almost fell down).

As for the racists, I bit down on my lip and stated, quite frankly, that this woman and her family are friends of mine. I was met with the blankest of expressions. Like- how could you?

Things between her/her family and the neighbors to each side escalated on Saturday night. JL and I were eating dinner when we heard a man screaming. Loudly. In French. They live eight houses away from us. I couldn't make out the words, but I looked up at JL and said, "This isn't good." My gut told me the yelling had something to do with my friend. I got up and headed out the front door. The whole neighborhood was outside. My friend was crying, tears streaming down her face. Her kids (twins 9-yrs-old, and a 12-yr-old) were also crying on their balcony. I raced up to her and gave her a hug.

The fight? It was about a BBQ-- and not a charcoal grill, but a plancha-- so no smoke. One of our other neighbor's sons, apparently drunk, tried fighting with the evil man. Today, she told me she and her family were speaking in Arabic in their own yard that night. He didn't ask her politely to move the grill. No, he went ballistic. The wife of the yelling man–who is over 6 ft. tall and pretty damn scary– was also screaming at them, telling them that if they live in France that they should only speak French. In their own home. In their own garden. These people have stolen the kid's soccer balls. Have shaken their fingers in front of the kid's faces while saying, "You are mean and wicked." Believe me, these kids are the politest kids I've ever met. My neighbor couldn't believe that her YOUNG kids have to deal with this madness. And it is madness.

I told my neighbor I couldn't imagine being sandwiched in between this kind of hate. People should be able to live their lives the way they want, especially in their own homes. Also, a BBQ shouldn't cause a full-on war. I had one on Sunday– no complaints from anyone. And there was A LOT of smoke. I also spoke in English with my hubs. Where was my lynch squad?

So, I brought her flowers today to offset the hate she's been feeling. She cried again, but they were happy tears."

Please fight hate with kindness.

Note: My neighbor did file a complaint with the police and we, the rest of the 'hood, are all supporting her/her family. I've been playing soccer (which I'm terrible at) with her kids and learned a new wiggly dance. Don't ask me to YouTube it.

Paris Ever After-- Book Launch!

Today we're celebrating the launch of K.S.R. Burns' Parisian adventure Paris Ever After. I became a fan of Burns after I read her first book– The Paris Effect. So. Much. Fun. Here's what I had to say about her latest.


"A roller coaster of a ride, Burns’s Paris Ever After takes us on a fast-paced adventure, the plot plunging through the streets of Paris and right into the hearts of its beautifully flawed characters.  Readers—buckle your seat belts, hang on to your hats, and get ready for unexpected twists and turns. Full of wit and humor, this novel is unputdownable!"

Sidenote: don't you just want to the lick that beautiful cover???


ABOUT LE BOOK:

Can Amy’s rocky start in Paris turn into a happy ever after? From best-selling author K.S.R. Burns comes another highly praised novel. "Magnifique! The surprise-filled narrative is smart, wry and poignant. Five stars!" (Patricia Sands, author of the best-selling Love in Provence series)

Amy didn’t realize how stale her life was until she jetted off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband—and had the adventure of a lifetime. Now as she tries to establish herself in the City of Light, she finds that despite a fun (and quirky) group of friends and the ability to indulge in French pastries whenever she wants, reinventing her life is much harder than she imagined.

Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street.

As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris? Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart.

You can purchase Paris Ever After here:

Amazon US

Amazon CA

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble


AUTHOR BIO:
K. S. R. Burns is the author of Amazon best-seller THE PARIS EFFECT (optioned for film and TV by Papazian-Hirsch Entertainment), its standalone sequel PARIS EVER AFTER, and THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF WORKING GIRL: Real-life Career Advice You Can Actually Use. Burns has lived and worked in four countries and 22 cities, including Paris. No longer a wanderer, Burns now resides in the Pacific Northwest, where in addition to novels she writes a weekly career advice column for The Seattle Times. She can also be found online at KSRBurns.com.


Happy reading!xox
Samantha

How to Make A French Family can be yours for $2.99

Hey, all! My latest (not so late) memoir, How to Make A French Family, is on special for Nook books at Barnes & Noble. If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for? It's only $2.99! And it's being price matched with Amazon, iBooks (just search for the title), and Kobo.

Here is the B&N link:
Barnes & Noble

Here are Amazon links:

Amazon US

Amazon CA

Here is the Kobo link:
Kobo US

(the book is available on special in other countries, too!)

Shares of this post come with so many Karma points! Happy Reading and Many Bisous!

xox