Category Archives: Paris

Choc Lit, contemporary romance, Marie Laval, Novels, Paris

Launching today ~ A Paris Fairy Tale by Marie Laval! #contemporary #romance

July 23, 2019 Melanie 5 Comments

Thank you so much, Melanie, for welcoming me on your blog on the day my latest contemporary romance, A PARIS FAIRY TALE, is published by Choc Lit.

A Paris Fairy Tale

Blurb for A PARIS FAIRY TALE

Is Paris the city of happily ever afters?

Workaholic art historian Aurora Black doesn’t have time for fairy tales or Prince Charmings, even in the most romantic city in the world. She has recently been hired by a Parisian auction house for a job that could make or break her career. Unfortunately, daredevil journalist Cédric Castel seems intent on disrupting Aurora’s routine.
As Aurora and Cédric embark on a journey across France, they get more than they bargained for as they find themselves battling rogue antiques dealers and personal demons, not to mention a growing attraction to each other.
But with the help of a fairy godmother or two, could they both find their happily ever afters?

Extract

Aurora glanced up, and met the amber gaze of a tall, dark-haired man who stood in front of her, blocking her view of the rest of the room.

He had high, sharp cheekbones, his mouth was set in a cynical smile, but it was his eyes that held her attention. They were the most fascinating colour, warm brandy with flecks of green. Immediately, the names of pigments she would need to paint them flashed into her mind – Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber and Verona Gold Ochre, with a touch of Cobalt Green or Malachite.

‘Castel,’ Nenachko snarled.

The newcomer ignored him and looked at Aurora, holding her captive in his intense, mesmerising scrutiny. ‘I see Nenachko lost no time in securing your services, Mademoiselle Black. I guess he needs people like you to help him plunder the museums and art galleries of Europe.’

Aurora drew in a shocked breath and snapped out of her trance. Straightening her back to make her five foot two appear taller, she pushed her glasses up and gave him the frosty look that caused her colleagues to call her ‘Black Ice’ – those who liked her, that is.

‘It’s Doctor Black, actually,’ she corrected, ‘and I do not help anyone plunder museums, nor do I condone those who do it.’ Never mind the colour of his eyes. Who was this man and how did he dare question her integrity?

He arched his dark eyebrows as if he didn’t believe her and turned to Nenachko again. ‘I hope you’re enjoying the party. There must be plenty of rich people you can swindle here tonight.’

Nenachko’s face flushed harder. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Letting you know that I was back from my trip in the Mediterranean.’

The Russian’s blue eyes narrowed to slits. ‘Ah yes. I heard you were still on a crusade to rescue refugees. What a shame you didn’t drown… By the way, I didn’t see your name on the guest list.’

Castel shrugged. ‘That’s because it’s not.’

‘Then how did you get past security?’

‘I have my ways.’

It was like watching a verbal tennis match, Aurora thought as she glanced from one to the other. The Russian looked like a man it was dangerous to cross, but Castel, whoever he was, didn’t seem to care. Worse, he seemed to enjoy goading him into a dark rage.

Author bio

A Paris Fairy Tale

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie now lives in Lancashire with her family. She works full-time as a modern languages teacher and in her spare time she loves writing romance and dreaming about romantic heroes.

She writes both historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance The Lion’s Embrace won the Gold Medal at the Global Ebook Awards 2015 (category Historical Romance), and best-selling Little Pink Taxi was her debut romantic comedy novel with Choc Lit.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. Her native France, as well as her passion for history and research, very much influences her writing, and all her novels have what she likes to call ‘a French twist’!

Her latest romantic novel A PARIS FAIRY TALE is released on July 23^rd and is available as a ebook and audiobook on Amazon and various other platforms.

You can find out more about Marie on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/marielavalauthor/)

or Twitter (https://twitter.com/MarieLaval1).

You can also find on Pinterest the many beautiful photos of Paris and illuminated manuscripts which inspired the writing of A Paris Fairy Tale (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/laval0232/)

#AtoZChallenge, Paris

P is for Paris ~ 2018 #AtoZ Challenge

April 18, 2018 Melanie Leave a comment

P is for Paris

2018 #AtoZ Challenge

Today we’re flying to Europe – France, specifically – for P is for Paris day on the #AtoZ Challenge tour.

What can I say about our destination? Other than

J’adore Paris. C’est Magnifique!

The City of Lights earned that moniker from the 56,000 gas lamps illuminating the streets and famous monuments.

Probably the most iconic of all is the Eiffel Tower built for the Paris Universal Exposition in 1889.

P is for Paris

In 2003, I was fortunate to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The views from that vantage point looking down over the city are amazing.

If you start walking the Avenue des Champs-Élysées at the Arc de Triomphe, by the time you reach Place de la Concorde, you will have walked 1.9 kilometres.

If you look through the centre arch of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel (at the Louvre) above, you can see the gold at the top of the obelisque and beyond that, the Arc de Triomphe. All perfectly lined up.

Boat tours on the Seine take you past many landmark locations.

If you’re lucky enough, you might even get to climb the steeples at Notre Dame Cathedral and get up close and personal (sort of) with the chimeras gracing the building’s facade.

When I returned to the City of Lights in 2014, my mobility was somewhat hampered. I tore my gastrocnemius muscle shortly before my trip. At least I had graduated from crutches to a cane by then.

cycling, Paris, Tour de France

Tour de France

July 28, 2015 Melanie 4 Comments

I’m not a cycling nut. It’s been ages since I’ve been on a bicycle, myself (unless you count a stationary bike and even then, it’s been a while). Truth be told, I have no immediate desire to get on one any time soon.

But I do have an annual ritual. I watch the final stage of the Tour de France. Not for the fit men dressed in spandex shorts (believe it or not) but to see Paris. It’s fun to watch the race and see places I’ve been on my trips to the beautiful city.

Opening lap was the only time they rode near the Eiffel Tour.

Later on the same lap, they rode past our favourite eatery in Paris, La Frégate, at the corner of Quai Voltaire and Rue du Bac before crossing the river to continue the circuit.

Over the Pont du Carrousel and through the archways at the Louvre.

Over to Rue de Rivoli and another left turn, riding by the Jardins de Tuileries following through Place de la Concorde and up the Champs-Élysées, circling the Arc de Triomphe and returning to Place de la Concorde.

The riders stayed on the this side of the river for the remainder of the race. Back through Place de la Concorde and a left turn onto Quai des Tuileries followed by a left turn at the tunnel entrance to the Louvre.

They emerged at the other end on Rue de Rivoli under the watchful eye of Joan of Arc.

Prior to watching the last stage of the men’s race, we saw the women race on this same circuit. When they raced, it was pouring rain making the cobbles and asphalt treacherous to say the least. There were a number of multi-rider crashes.

I’ve seen more of Paris than just these few photos but during my two trips to this beautiful city, I spent a great deal of time in this area.

Do you watch the Tour de France? If so, what’s your favourite part?

haunted houses, Hogmanay, New Year, Niagara Falls, Novels, Paris, Quebec City, Shadows from Her Past, Tradition, Travel, Writing

Saying goodbye to 2014

December 31, 2014 Melanie 4 Comments

And to all my Scottish friends and family…

Happy Hogmanay!

I’d share the wordpress helper monkeys stats for my blog here for 2014 but since I went most of the unable to connect to Jetpack, it hardly seems worthwhile. Besides, I have some other things I’d rather share about this past year and not the cheesy thing that Facebook puts together.

So, here we go! Fasten your seatbelts, we’re ready for takeoff!

April, Easter to be exact, my husband and I spent 10 days in beautiful, romantic Paris.

april 2014 — Don and me at the Arc de Triomphe

at the trocadero — “Able” and me at the Trocadéro

Then in September, another romantic destination was on the cards – Niagara Falls, Ontario. Okay, there are the tatty, touristy places but overall, it’s a lovely place.

Niagara 2014 — Horseshoe (Canadian) falls at night

While we were here, we decided to take a horse-drawn carriage ride. We’d seem them on previous trips and have always wanted to do it…

… so we did.

We even did a wine tour while we were in the region and came home with at least 4 bottles of wine – including a couple icewines!

2014 — Don and me wearing our silly hats before our wine tour – photo by Grape and Wine tours

Before the year was out, we spent a week in Quebec City. It was close enough to Christmas that the decorations were in the process of being put up. In hindsight, second week of December might be a better time to visit this beautiful city so that the baubles and lights and everything are in place.

And again, we did a horse-drawn carriage ride. Our driver, Philippe, was amazing and made the ride extremely fun.

Quebec 2014 — in front of the Chateau Frontenac

No trip to Quebec City would be complete without a short drive further east to see my ‘haunted’ house which is between Quebec City and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

Sadly it’s more run down since the last time I was down in this part of Canada but it’s beautiful nonetheless. And doesn’t being in a state of disrepair add to the mystery and the possibility of it being home to ghosts?

And when we weren’t gallivanting here, there and everywhere, I managed to write over 74,000 words in one of my works in progress (the first draft of the sequel to my debut novel)! While it was with my beta readers, I plotted and started another project and have some cracking ideas for even more writing projects.

So before I get all sappy and sentimental, I’ll finish this post with a little Auld Lang Syne.

SHOULD auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.—For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a
weary fit,
Sin’ auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, &c.

Robert Burns

What will you do to see out 2014 and see in 2015? Any traditions you take part in?

#PostfromParis, Guillotine, Pantheon, Paris, Pub Saint Germain, Saint Germain des Prés

#PostfromParis – Day 8 Saint Germain des Prés

May 2, 2014 Melanie 5 Comments

We had originally planned a custom walking tour around this area today, well before I hurt my leg. We had already managed to get a few stops in along this walk earlier in the week (Jardin du Luxembourg, the Church of Saint Sulpice, and Shakespeare and Company) but thought we’d give the other stops on the walk a go.

After our breakfast, we got on the metro at the stop we’d used all week (Chateau Rouge on line 4 in the 18th arrondissement) and took it to the St-Michel stop in the 6th arrondissement.

We wound our way through the narrow streets in the Saint Germain des Prés neighbourhood in the Latin Quarter until we arrived at L’Hotel where Oscar Wilde died on Rue des Beaux-Arts.

From here, we were on our way to Pub Saint Germain but not for a drink or pub meal. Soon after we turned down Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, there was a close that led to yet another narrow cobbled street so we went there. I immediately recognized it as a location on a walking tour I did back in 2003.

There was a method to my madness for slipping through here to the back side of the pub. High on the wall, there’s a plaque of interest.

The plaque reads:

Ce passage fut un haut lieu
de la Revolution Français
~~~
Au No 8 etait installee l’imprimerie
dans laquelle Marat
fit paraitre son journal
L’ami du peuple en 1793
~~~~
Au No 9 se trouvait l’atelier du
charpentier SCHMIDT qui fabriqua
la premiere guillotine en 1792
~~~~
Au no 20 (emplacement
de l’actuelle statue)
DANTON habita de 1789 jusqu’a son
arrestation le 30 Mars 1794

translated to English using Google Translate:

This passage was a hotbed
of the French Revolution
~~~
In No. 8 was located in printing
in which Marat
did seem his diary
The Friend of the People in 1793
~~~
In No. 9 was the workshop
SCHMIDT carpenter who manufactured
the first guillotine in 1792
~~~
At No. 20 (location
of the current statue)
DANTON lived from 1789 until his
arrested Mar 30, 1794

Entrance to Cour de Commerce St Andre at Bd Saint-Germain

Our walk did cover some of the same territory as earlier in the week, but we did things a wee bit differently. This time we went inside the Church of Saint Sulpice.

In order to get to the catacombs, we had to walk by the Jardin du Luxembourg again, so this time we went along the opposite side.

At one of the fountains in the Jardin du Luxembourg near Rue D'Assas — At one of the fountains in the Jardin du Luxembourg near Rue D’Assas

By now it was raining a bit harder and we discovered that the umbrella we had brought with us today was in worse shape than the one we had the day we went to the Eiffel Tower and the wind blew it inside out many times in the sudden storm that blew up. Anyway, this one had a broken rib and the fabric hung limp when it wasn’t blown back on top of itself so there wasn’t a lot of room for two people.

Since the catacombs didn’t open until 2:00 pm, we decided to hop the metro back to the hotel, change umbrellas, ditch the camera bag and just each carry a camera use the toilet then go back out. After all, we each had two 5-day unlimited use passes and intended to get our money’s worth out of them.

After our brief pit stop, we hopped back on the metro and this time rode all the day to the Denfert-Rochereau stop which is at The Catacombs.

The queue stretched around the corner so we thought we would join the end and wait since it still wasn’t opening time. Well, we walked almost all the way around the block before we found the end!

Back of the line 3/4 of the way around the block

Standing in the rain, umbrella or not to wait at least an hour wasn’t my idea of a good time, so we walked around the circle before going back to the fountain in the Jardin du Luxembourg for a selfie by the fountain where Don took a photo of me earlier.

On up Rue St Michel to Rue Soufflot and over to the Pantheon. We had seen a dome covered with scaffolding from many vantage points throughout the city and unfortuntely, this was the one. This building is gorgeous when it’s not wrapped up.

By now we were getting thirsty so it was time to head to the Auld Alliance for something to quench our thirst.

It wasn’t this dark when Don took this picture of me outside the pub but definitely overcast and raining.

After a few pints and laughs with the bar maid, we made our way to our usual restaurant for a bite of supper before heading to the metro to go back to the hotel. This time, we thought we’d check out the Rue de Bac stop since it appeared to be much closer than the one at Concorde we had been using all week. The added bonus here was, we found a Nicholas shop where we could get a bottle of champagne!

We stopped in, bought a bottle of Canard-Duchêne (the same champagne we drank in London) and one of Armagnac (similar to Cognac) that came in a bottle shaped like the Eiffel Tower.

Rue de Bac was so much more convenient from getting from the heart of the city to our hotel, we kicked ourselves for not looking into it sooner.

#PostfromParis, Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Paris, Place Vendome

#PostfromParis – Day 3 Parc des Buttes Chaumont +

April 21, 2014 Melanie 5 Comments

I can’t believe how quickly the time is flying by. Day 3 already. After breakfast we headed to our first destination of the day – Parc des Buttes Chaumont. We’re becoming quite familiar with the metro stations and are finding it easier to get around in the underground maze of tunnels and tracks.

When we got off the metro at the Buttes Chaumont stop, we were rescued from walking up 300+ stairs to get out of the station by a young woman who told us that there was an elevator available to get you to the top. I know I would never have been able to climb that far.

We knew there was waterfall in the park so when we heard the rushing water, we walked in that direction. This one wasn’t the one we expected to find but it was pretty.

waterfall in butte chaumont — One of the two waterfalls in Parc des Buttes Chaumont

After a brief stop here for photos, we walked across the viaduct and made our way to the Temple de la Sibylle. I might look like I’m walking at a good pace in this photo but not really. Thank to our pedometer, we’re able to keep track of our speed which ranges from .7 to .8 mph. Almost a snail’s pace.

On our first day here in Paris, we walked from our hotel to Sacre Coeur so you can see how far we are now from there.

After enjoying the view, we made our way back down the hill from the Temple and across a bridge which bounced up and down with each step we took. Of course, someone who shall remain nameless thought it would be great fun to jump up and down to really get it bouncing and while I was attempting to take a photo. Yeesh…

We walked down this set of stairs so that we could walk under the viaduct we had walked on earlier.

After walking under the viaduct, we heard the roar of waterfalls again so continued in the direction of the sound. This turned out to be the one we were looking for in the man-made cave complete with stalactites hanging from above.

butte chaumont — Waterfall inside the cave

After our “fun” in the park, we returned to the metro and headed off to our next destination – Opera.

From here we walked to Place Vendôme. It being Sunday (and probably even more importantly Easter Sunday) the shops were closed. This is an area of exclusive ones, too. Had Cartier’s been open, I likely wouldn’t have been able to get my picture taken standing so close to the place. When I was here in 2003, security guards stood at every entrance.

place vendome — Standing outside one of the Cartier locations

Back to the metro and over to Trocadero…

We walked down to street level along the river to the Pont de Bir Hakeim, crossed back to the Rive Gauche and made our way back to the Eiffel Tower to see where the statue of Gustave Eiffel is located where we’re to meet for our Tuesday tour.

By now we were getting hungry and in need of a WC, so we continued down along the river and stopped at La Frégate for a late lunch/early supper. Very nice place and we’ll likely stop in again before we go home.

And that’s day 3…

#PostfromParis, Champs-Élysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

#PostfromParis – Day 2 Champs-Élysées and more

April 20, 2014 Melanie 7 Comments

The leg started out a bit stiff first thing but the more I walked, the better it got… well, to a point. Our first stop was the local metro station where we took the subway to Chatelet where the plan was to take Line 1 to the Charles de Gaulle Etoille station. Well, that part of the line was down for maintenance this weekend. Of all times – Easter weekend? Anyway, I digress. We were directed to take the RER A train and it would take us exactly where we wanted to go.

My plan was a leisurely stroll down the Champs-Élysées and see what happened from there. Well follow along and you’ll see what all happened and where…

I really wanted to go to the top but with my leg, I knew that there was no way I could do the stairs, even though there is a lift that takes you approximately 2/3 of the way to the top. And with scaffolding around it, not being able to go to the top wasn’t a huge disappointment.

Today, we remembered to bring the pedometer purchased specifically for the trip. We were curious to know how far we walked each day.

The Grand Palais is an impressive building but I was more taken with the bronze statue with the horses than the rest. Does that make me bad?

So by now, we’ve traversed the length of the Champs-Élysées and haven’t been trampled by pedestrians or run over by cars, the drivers of which begrudge having to stop for those of us on foot.

We didn’t go inside the Louvre but here’s a photo of one of the buildings just to give you an idea of how far we walked… so far.

After crossing over to the Left Bank, we continued towards Notre Dame cathedral. Unfortunately, the sidewalks were no place for me with my cane with the number of people there, so we took to the lower walkway along the Seine. It wasn’t much better because of all the cobblestones, but at least (for the most part) there were fewer pedestrians.

The bridge in the background here is where lovers bring padlocks with their names/initials on them and fasten them to the sides. The street vendors above even sell locks to those who didn’t bring theirs with them.

I knew it would be a zoo around Notre Dame with it being Easter weekend, but I had affixed the zoom lens to my camera so i could get photos of the chimeras from the ground as I wouldn’t be able to climb 380+ steps. I had told Mr MR-K about the guy feeding the birds there when I first visited Paris in 2003. I didn’t see him, but there was another man there feeding corn to the pigeons.

He put some of the corn in our hands (and on our heads) and the birds flocked to us. Having them pecking corn off our heads didn’t hurt, but their claws were a bit on the sharp side.

So this trip, I had to settle for the zoom lens to get my chimera pictures – no up close and personal with them. Oh well, I think these pictures turned out not too bad at all.

By now we were parched and I knew The Highlander (one of the Scottish pubs) in Paris was close by so we headed there, passing by the Shakespeare and Company bookstore.

We looked for the Greek restaurant where I’d had a meal back in 2003 since it was between here and the pub but it’s no longer in business – or at least no longer in business under that name.

Two pints of Caledonian 80 each later, we thought we would stroll to the Eiffel Tower to get an idea where we would have to meet for our tour on Tuesday but my leg had other plans. We made our way to a metro stop – stopping first at a public toilet. Convience and having to go were the only things it had going for it.

When we finally got back to our hotel, we stopped in to the small supermarket beside it and picked up something for our supper and a small bottle of champagne rose.

According to the pedometer, we walked 25,255 steps. Trust me, it felt like twice that many.

So what’s on for day 3? You’ll have to come back later and find out.

#PostfromParis, Montmartre, Paris

#PostfromParis – Day 1 Montmartre

April 18, 2014 Melanie 5 Comments

Let me backtrack a bit first. After we checked in at the airport and were waiting at the departure gate, our name was called “King, party of two” and we were asked to present ourselves to the airline representative at the check in line. We were… drum roll please… given a complimentary upgrade to Club Class – aka First Class! What treatment! Real china plates, stainless cutlery, stemless wine glasses. The champagne was offered while we were still waiting for the rest of the people to board… did I mention we got to board first, too?

As our meal was being served, there was a medical emergency (apparently in the seat directly behind me) and they called out over the PA system asking if there was a doctor on board and if so, would he make himself known to the cabin crew. Yikes! Scary moments but eventually, normalcy was restored and we got out meal.

Our airport to hotel shuttle never did show up and after a number of phone calls made by a wonderful man at the airport on our behalf, they sent a private mini van to collect us. This van wasn’t even one of the company’s that I hired’s fleet. In the end, we did get to the hotel, checked in (about 2 hours after our plane landed) but our room wouldn’t be ready until at 2:30.

Paparazzi Pair –

Able Cane here with a breaking news story. Roxie Rebel and I have discovered world famous author, Melanie Robertson-King’s, whereabouts. She’s in the Montmartre area of Paris, but once again she gave us the slip. It’s amazing how fast she can move with her cane.

Roxie, did you manage to get any pictures?

Sorry, Able. She was too quick. I did get shots of places she’d been but by the time I was able to preview them on my computer, she wasn’t in the frame.

Well what did you manage to get then, girl?

See for yourself.

Excellent shots, Roxie, well if you don’t count the fact that Melanie isn’t in any of them.
But we don’t want our followers to be disappointed. We’ll track her down and maybe even she’ll agree to an interview.

This is Able Cane signing off for now…

#AtoZChallenge, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

#AtoZChallenge – P is for Paris

April 18, 2014 Melanie 5 Comments

Paris

Known also as the City of Lights, Paris is the capital of France and the country’s largest city. And possibly most importantly, where my husband and I will be from today until 27th April! Woo hoo!

Places we’ll be visiting whilst on our trip (and in no particular order) include:

The Arc de Triomphe. When you climb to street level at the George V metro stop, the sight as this massive structure comes into view is truly breathtaking. This trip, I plan on going to the top since I didn’t get there on my only other trip. The views down the Champs Elysees should be spectacular.

Notre Dame Cathedral. I visited here in 2003 but didn’t get up to the gallery where the gargoyles that keep watch over the city reside. I think they are wonderous creatures and have to get at least one photo of me, and maybe even a selfie of hubby and me with a gargoyle and definitely one with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

And no trip to Paris would be complete without going to the Eiffel Tower. The views from the second and third levels are amazing and this time, we might even push the boat out and have a glass of champagne at the top.

And given my Scottish heritage, no trip would be complete without a trip to a Scottish Pub. My two favourites in Paris are The Highlander and The Auld Alliance.

Of course, there will be others but to find out what they are, you’ll have to come back to my blog each day as I plan to write posts from here every day.