I’m delighted to announce that Augustine, the novella prequel to my Alouette Trilogy, is now available in paperback. Augustine is a bittersweet romance that takes place in 19th-century rural France. It sets the scene for Book 1 of the trilogy, Overture, but it can be read as a standalone.
I originally published the novella only as an e-book in April 2020, but following a number of requests, I decided to bring it out in a paperback edition as well. Many people still like the experience of reading a physical book and, of course, it makes a more memorable present than an e-book!
This book is particularly close to my heart, since it’s set in the part of SW France where I live. As I wrote it, I could picture in my mind’s eye the perched hilltop villages and glorious countryside of this region. And I could easily visit them, too, if I needed to refresh my memory about a detail.
Here’s the blurb for Augustine:
Love conquers all. Or does it?
Rural France, 1880. Augustine is not pretty and fears she may never marry. Joseph rents his land and dreams of owning a farm one day. But without a wife and children, he lacks the help he needs.
When Joseph saves Augustine from a drunkard at a dance, they are immediately attracted to each other. They meet again, and the attraction deepens, but they face fierce opposition from Augustine’s parents, who want better prospects for their daughter than Joseph can offer.
And dramatic events threaten to drive them apart forever.
Will Augustine and Joseph overcome the barriers? And at what cost?
Set against the rolling landscape of Southwest France, Augustine is a prequel to the Alouette trilogy but can be read as a standalone.
“I love Vanessa Couchman’s writing: the historical accuracy, atmospheric descriptions and vivid characterisations. Augustine is no exception.” Liza Perrat, author of the Bone Angel Trilogy.
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You can buy Augustine on Amazon, where it’s also available in Kindle format and is free to read if you belong to Kindle Unlimited. It’s advisable to order early for Christmas this year if you’re buying it for a gift.
Copyright © Vanessa Couchman 2020. All rights reserved.
Vanessa Couchman 