Author Archives: Vanessa in France

Summer newsletter out soon

My regular author newsletter is coming out shortly with exclusive content for subscribers. In this edition: How French women’s fashions changed during World War I. An extract from a work in progress set in Corsica. A delicious (and easy) recipe for a summer soup. Book recommendations. Plus my writing news and news from the bookContinue reading “Summer newsletter out soon”

Writers Inspired by Corsica

The island of Corsica has long exerted a fascination on writers, enthralled by its history and culture and by the charismatic power of its mountainous landscape. My friend and fellow Ocelot Press author, Sue Barnard, kindly invited me onto her blog. I look at some of the novels and other writings that have been setContinue reading “Writers Inspired by Corsica”

Strong women…imagined and perhaps real. Guest post by Nancy Jardine

I’m delighted to welcome Nancy Jardine back to the blog today. Nancy is a fellow member of author co-operative, Ocelot Press. She’s hugely knowledgeable about Roman Britain and has written a gripping series set in northern Britain during the Roman occupation. Nancy’s book The Beltane Choice, Book 1 of the Celtic Fervour series, is ourContinue reading “Strong women…imagined and perhaps real. Guest post by Nancy Jardine”

The ‘Other’ South of France

I was honoured to receive an invitation to appear on her blog from a writer I greatly admire, Alison Morton. Alison is not only a prolific and highly regarded author, with an extended alternate ‘Roman’ history series and a thriller under her belt. She is also a mainstay of the indie writers’ community and aContinue reading “The ‘Other’ South of France”

Corsica novels on Easter promo

Throughout Easter, my two Corsica novels, The House at Zaronza and The Corsican Widow, are on promo on Amazon Kindle. The House at Zaronza is free during that time. It’s a dual-timeline novel based on a true story. Hidden letters found after more than a century reveal a tale of star-crossed lovers against the backdropContinue reading “Corsica novels on Easter promo”

The Father of the Leap Year: Guest Post by Sue Barnard

Today, I’m delighted to welcome my Ocelot Press fellow author and friend, Sue Barnard, to the blog. Sue’s novels often take inspiration from classic works of literature, including Shakespeare. Her The Unkindest Cut of All is set in the present day, but takes Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, as its starting point. It’s our Book ofContinue reading “The Father of the Leap Year: Guest Post by Sue Barnard”

Augustine and Overture on promotion

My most recent series of books, the Alouette trilogy, is set partly in Southwest France, where I live, so it’s very close to my heart. Since I’ve lived here for 23 years, I know the places that appear in the book well. It was fascinating to go back in time and research them as theyContinue reading “Augustine and Overture on promotion”

Christmas Book Flood!

The prize draw has now taken place. Congratulations to Crystal, Lesley and Nicky, who each win an e-copy of Augustine. This post is taking part in the Historical Writers Forum Christmas Blog Hop. This year, we’re celebrating the delightful Icelandic tradition of giving books and reading them while eating chocolate on Christmas Eve, called JolabokaflodContinue reading “Christmas Book Flood!”

Augustine is now available in paperback

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 onlyContinue reading “Augustine is now available in paperback”