Francophiles discussion

Introduce yourself! What is your name, why do you consider yourself a Francophile and anything else you wish to share with the group.

My name is Linda Kovic-Skow and I am the new moderator of this wonderful group of ours! Originally from Seattle, I currently winter in Gilbert, Arizona and spend summers on a boat in the Pacific Northwest Waters of Washington and British Columbia. I have been married for 30 years and have two daughters. "French Illusions: My Story as an American Au Pair in the Loire Valley," is my debut memoir. The sequel, "French Illusions: From Tours to Paris," recounts the rest of my adventure in France.

Nice to meet you Linda and glad to see the group has become active again! My name is Eileen and I live in Florida. I've taken years of French and have vacationed/worked in France. In my little free time I enjoy reading books with French themes across many genres. :)

Eileen wrote: "Nice to meet you Linda and glad to see the group has become active again! My name is Eileen and I live in Florida. I've taken years of French and have vacationed/worked in France. In my little free..."

Bonjour, Eileen! It's nice to meet you too. My daughter lives in St. Petersburg, FL so we have that in common as well. I'm hoping to enhance and expand the group with author giveaways and, perhaps interviews. Would this be interesting to you?

That's interesting you have that local connection. I'm sure the group would love author giveaways and interviews. :)

Bonjour mes amis! How wonderful to reconnect with fellow Francophiles. I love France. I've spent a fair amount of my life living in Paris although I now reside in Los Angeles. I've written extensively about my years raising children in a foreign culture and living as an ex-pat in the always surprising, seductive hexagon. I adore reading anything on the subject of life abroad and look forward to hearing what you are all reading.

Hi all - I have just spend a long while (since 2001) researching a murder/mystery novel set in 1869 in France - we traveled to Paris and Alsace a number of times to find things. Such an amazing period of time when the Second Empire began to unravel. The French seem to love storing things away. I don't speak French but do speak Italian so I can get through reading although it made the research hard. Next novel is in English or Italian! But then I do have another French story...

Thank you for the invite! I'm Jessica, I live in Seattle with my husband and our two cats, and I have been interested in French culture since childhood. I have taken many French classes in high school and college and am currently taking private lessons. I have been to Paris twice and hope to take another trip to France in Fall 2016!

I love France Linda, but apart from visits and photos, I don't know if I will be of any value to the group. For everyone else, my name is Lucinda, I live in Spain, I'm a writer and all my books are set in Africa where I have lived for most of my life. After Rome, Paris is my favourite city.

Bonjour! I live in Atlanta, and spent my junior year of college at UNC Chapel Hill studying in the south of France in the city of Montpellier, the same year that Linda spent in Tours as an au pair. My debut novel is a Young Adult Romance based on that year called "Make That Deux." It's NOT a memoir, but is fiction :-)
I studied French in high school and college and am the mother of 4 grown kids. My youngest and only daughter is now studying on the same study abroad program I did, and in the same city! When she started taking French in high school, I took a French conversational to regain my French fluency. My husband of 33 years and I are going to visit her there and travel to Avignon and Lyon for the holidays this year. I love France and everything French!
I'm also the author of a suspense novel, "Underwater," and a memoir published this year called "All the Above: My son's battle with brain cancer." My 24 year old son survived cancer, graduated from college and is doing well. I'm happy to join this group and share recommendations about books set in France!

Hello, I have been a Francophile since I first read Peter Mayle's, A Year in Provence, many years ago. Since then, I have read many books set in France. Unfortunately, I have never been able to travel there. I did take a couple years of French in high school, but sadly, my teacher said that I was the only student she had ever had that spoke French with a southern accent! I'm always on the lookout for more books set in France, I particularly like the memoirs, like Mayle's and Carol Drinkwater's and Ruth Silvestre's. My name is Betty Jo, BJ to my friends. I grew up in the Tidewater of Virginia and now live in Greenville, North Carolina.

Hello, and thank you for the invitation! I've been a Francophile since high school (when dinosaurs roamed the earth); that's when my French instructor started my life-long love affair with the language and culture. I am primarily a historical fiction author; four of my books are set in France (two of them have won awards). I live in the Silicon Valley. I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Therese wrote: "Bonjour mes amis! How wonderful to reconnect with fellow Francophiles. I love France. I've spent a fair amount of my life living in Paris although I now reside in Los Angeles. I've written extensiv..."

Hi Therese. It's nice to meet you. My daughter lives in Los Angeles - what a small world. I'll look forward to French-themed conversations with you in the future.

G.S. wrote: "Hi all - I have just spend a long while (since 2001) researching a murder/mystery novel set in 1869 in France - we traveled to Paris and Alsace a number of times to find things. Such an amazing per..."

Hi G.S. It's nice to meet you. Your well-researched novel sounds interesting. Please add it to the group bookshelf. I'll look forward to French-themed conversations with you in the future.

Jessica wrote: "Thank you for the invite! I'm Jessica, I live in Seattle with my husband and our two cats, and I have been interested in French culture since childhood. I have taken many French classes in high sch..."

Hi Jessica. We share some other common ground besides our love of France. I lived in Seattle for most of my life and now my husband and I spend summers on our boat in the Pacific Northwest Waters of Washington and Canada, and winter in Arizona. I'm looking forward to hearing from you in the group conversations.

Lucinda wrote: "I love France Linda, but apart from visits and photos, I don't know if I will be of any value to the group. For everyone else, my name is Lucinda, I live in Spain, I'm a writer and all my books are..."

Hi Lucinda. Thanks so much for stopping by! Anyone who loves Paris, is a friend of mine!

Julia wrote: "Bonjour! I live in Atlanta, and spent my junior year of college at UNC Chapel Hill studying in the south of France in the city of Montpellier, the same year that Linda spent in Tours as an au pair...."

Hi Julia. It's nice to speak to you again. Please add "Make That Deux" to our bookshelf. Also, you might want to add it to the "Bargain French eBooks under $5" thread under the Authors Folder. I'll look forward to some French-themed conversations in the future.

BJ wrote: "Hello, I have been a Francophile since I first read Peter Mayle's, A Year in Provence, many years ago. Since then, I have read many books set in France. Unfortunately, I have never been able to tra..."

Hi BJ. It's so nice to meet you. I have a feeling you may yet travel to France one day. Until then, you can experience the beauty and excitement of France in books, right? I'll look forward to some French-themed conversations with you in the future. Oh, and if you want to add A Year in Provence to the book shelf, I'd be delighted :)

Sharon wrote: "Hello, and thank you for the invitation! I've been a Francophile since high school (when dinosaurs roamed the earth); that's when my French instructor started my life-long love affair with the lang..."

Hi Sharon. It's so nice to meet you. Yes, it sounds like you caught the "French Bug" early on, just like many of us. If you like, please add your French-themed books to our book shelf. I look forward to conversing with you in the future :)

Bonjour Linda and thanks for the invite as well as moderating the group. Bonjour to all of you too!
I'm Jill, always been smitten with France after discovering Peter Mayle's world but while growing up in Scotland, never thought that I'd marry a Frenchman and have to speak French one day! That was 23 years ago when I whisked over to Paris. Now still very happily married to my French-Corsican and with 2 teenage girls who follow a bilingual education just outside Paris, I'm loving the culture and particularly the food and wine here and love writing about it via my blog.
I've written "Mad About Macarons" but my latest recipe book (just published), "Teatime in Paris!" (both published by Waverley Books), has an underlying theme related to my chocolate and pastry walks here, as I walk you through the different pastry shops and tea salons as we make the recipes.
Lovely to meet you here and share in French life together!

Linda wrote: "If you like, please add your French-themed books to our book shelf."

Thank you! I have added them; it is very kind of you to permit me to do so.

Bonjour, everyone!

I have been something of a Francophile for ages--I started French at eight, and while I never became completely fluent, it's been an attraction for me (and I've never been to Paris, although I've been to parts of eastern France). I plan on taking refresher language classes in the spring because I'm lucky to work at a university with generous tuition allotments.

I am very interested in the French-overseas world literatures and histories, as well as a lot of the regional elements of the hexagon itself. I listen to French pop and read RFI to practice my language skills, and really just enjoy French-language writing and stories as a window to other parts of the globe.

It's wonderful to read everyone's stories!

My name is Cheryl. I've known Linda for a few years now and have enjoyed her work. My family is French Canadian on both sides. My maiden name, Gevry, is a small village in France. I attended a Catholic elementary school where French was part of the curriculum. My father has been to France, but I haven't made it there yet. Hope to one day.

Hi, thanks for your kind invite.
I love French cuisine and culture. I have even included some French phrases in my book in English on Amazon called Wandering Feelings - a story about travel around Europe, love and drama.
My name is Boyko and am proud to be part of this group.
Best wishes,
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C6X030G

Bonjour à tous,

My name is Armand Chauvel, I'm french, from Burgundy, but I live in Spain and my first novel, written in french, The Green and The Red, has been published in english (after being transladed by Elisabeth Lyman) by an american publisher, Ashland Creek Press.

I know, this seems a little bit confusing but the fact is that my novel is set in Rennes, France, and is full of french recipes (vegetarian ones, as my book features an unpredictable love story between a vegetarian and a carnivore).

I'm currently writing another "ecolit" novel, set in the Vexin Français, north west of Paris, where I spent my late teens, a beautiful scenery (near Auvers-sur- Oise, where Van Gogh and other impressionists used to work).

Anyway, I'm very glad to be part of this group!

A bientôt, j'espère !

Catherine wrote: "Bonjour, everyone!

I have been something of a Francophile for ages--I started French at eight, and while I never became completely fluent, it's been an attraction for me (and I've never been to Pa..."

Hi Catherine. It's so nice to meet you. We share a love for the French language. As a matter of fact, my desire to learn French first drove me to France in 1979 (and recently became to basis for my memoirs). If you like, please add your favorite French-themed books to our book shelf. I look forward to conversing with you in the future :)

Cheryl wrote: "My name is Cheryl. I've known Linda for a few years now and have enjoyed her work. My family is French Canadian on both sides. My maiden name, Gevry, is a small village in France. I attended a Cath..."

Hi Cheryl. It's so nice to see you here. I'd like to point out to everyone in the group that Cheryl was one of my editors for both of my memoirs. I can highly recommend her!

Armand wrote: "Bonjour à tous,

My name is Armand Chauvel, I'm french, from Burgundy, but I live in Spain and my first novel, written in french, The Green and The Red, has been published in english (after being ..."

Bonjour Armand. Your book sounds interesting - who doesn't like a book filled with French recipes? Please add "The Green and The Red" to our bookshelf. I'll look forward to some French-themed conversations with you in the future.

Bonjour à tous! My name is Will and I've lived and studied in Paris. I've always been fascinated by the reign of Louis XVI about which I've written several books. Francophile? Well, I have a Masters degree in French literature and I love confit de canard! A glass of Brouilly or Chinon goes great with it!

Looking forward to getting to know you all!
Will

Will wrote: "Bonjour à tous! My name is Will and I've lived and studied in Paris. I've always been fascinated by the reign of Louis XVI about which I've written several books. Francophile? Well, I have a Master..."

Hi, Will. It's nice to meet you. Hmm...yes, from your introduction, I'd definitely call you a Francophile! If you'd like, please add your books to our shelf, and if any of your books are under $5, add them to the Bargain Book thread as well!

Julia wrote: "Bonjour! I live in Atlanta, and spent my junior year of college at UNC Chapel Hill studying in the south of France in the city of Montpellier, the same year that Linda spent in Tours as an au pair...."

Julia wrote: "Bonjour! I live in Atlanta, and spent my junior year of college at UNC Chapel Hill studying in the south of France in the city of Montpellier, the same year that Linda spent in Tours as an au pair...."

Hi Julia, what an interesting story you have! My 24-year old daughter lives in Montpellier, and I have lived with my French husband in a small rural village near Lyon for over 20 years! Looking forward to some lively discussions about France in this group.

Sharon wrote: "Hello, and thank you for the invitation! I've been a Francophile since high school (when dinosaurs roamed the earth); that's when my French instructor started my life-long love affair with the lang..."
Hi Sharon, where can we find out about your award-winning books? Cheers.

Jill wrote: "Bonjour Linda and thanks for the invite as well as moderating the group. Bonjour to all of you too!
I'm Jill, always been smitten with France after discovering Peter Mayle's world but while growin..."
Ooh, your recipe books sound just my cup of tea, Jill!

Linda wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "My name is Cheryl. I've known Linda for a few years now and have enjoyed her work. My family is French Canadian on both sides. My maiden name, Gevry, is a small village in France. I ..."
Excellent! Do you do proofreading too, Cheryl?

Bonjour everyone,
I was so pleased when I received your email, Linda, saying that you were the new moderator and planning on livening up this group. I've been a member for a while, but it was not a very active group, but now, with your enthusiasm, I hope to participate more, to make it an interesting group. I'm an Aussie girl, who's been living in rural France (just outside Lyon) for over twenty years now, with my family. I've just completed the 3rd novel in my French historical "The Bone Angel" series (Spirit of Lost Angels, Wolfsangel and Blood Rose Angel, all three books set during different historical time periods. I have added them to the group bookshelf, after your kind invitation to do so. I would be happy to participate in author interviews, giveaways and group reads. Thanks again, Linda and I look forward to chatting with everyone!

Bien le bonjour (as they still say in parts of rural France),
I'm so pleased you are resurrecting this group. I'm a Brit who has lived in Southwest France for the past 18 years. I love living in France and find inspiration for my own writing both locally and on the lovely French island of Corsica. I set my first published novel there, am working on a second and have a third in mind!

It's fascinating to read others' experiences of France and I look forward to participating more now that the group is active again. Thanks for taking it on, Linda.

Jill wrote: "Bonjour Linda and thanks for the invite as well as moderating the group. Bonjour to all of you too!
I'm Jill, always been smitten with France after discovering Peter Mayle's world but while growin..."

I think we have "met" on The Good Life France, Jill, when we had a discussion about Corte and the Corsican surname Colonna. Nice to meet you here as well!

Vanessa wrote: "Jill wrote: "Bonjour Linda and thanks for the invite as well as moderating the group. Bonjour to all of you too!
I'm Jill, always been smitten with France after discovering Peter Mayle's world but..."
Hi Vanessa, glad to see you here! The Good Life France will be hosting a giveaway of my new book in January, along with my article on Guédelon castle. Hope all is well with you. Cheers!

Hi everyone,

I was born in Lyon, France, but have been living in Canada for the last 16 years. So I don't know if I can call myself a Francophile, since I am not technically a foreigner. But I love my birth country, and I'm always interested in knowing how others see France. I read Linda's two books, and I really enjoyed them. I highly recommend them!

Cecile wrote: "Hi everyone,

I was born in Lyon, France, but have been living in Canada for the last 16 years. So I don't know if I can call myself a Francophile, since I am not technically a foreigner. But I lov..."
Hi Cecile!

Cecile wrote: "Hi Liza! I am almost done reading your book. I think I have about 40 pages left. It's really good! I will post my review by the end of the week. Sorry for the delay, I'm a little behind with my to-..."
Aw no hurry at all Cecile. Please, take your time and glad you are enjoying it!

Hi Liza! I am almost done reading your book. I think I have about 40 pages left. It's really good! I will post my review by the end of the week. Sorry for the delay, I'm a little behind with my to-be-read list...

Liza wrote: "Linda wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "My name is Cheryl. I've known Linda for a few years now and have enjoyed her work. My family is French Canadian on both sides. My maiden name, Gevry, is a small village..."

Yes, Liza. Cheryl did the final proofread on both my books. I can highly recommend her. You can contact her here: ccmal@charter.net

Liza wrote: "Bonjour everyone,
I was so pleased when I received your email, Linda, saying that you were the new moderator and planning on livening up this group. I've been a member for a while, but it was not a..."

Hi Liza. It's so nice to meet you. Thank you for your kind words. I can feel your enthusiasm from my desk chair! Yes, I'm trying to breath some new oxygen into the group and it's people like you who will make that goal easier. I'm so pleased to see your comments on this thread. I hope you'll pop over to the group often :)

Vanessa wrote: "Bien le bonjour (as they still say in parts of rural France),
I'm so pleased you are resurrecting this group. I'm a Brit who has lived in Southwest France for the past 18 years. I love living in Fr..."

Hi, Vanessa. It's nice to meet you. It sounds like you are living the dream in Corsica. Good for you! If you'd like, please add your books to our shelf, and if any of your books are under $5, add them to the Bargain Book thread as well!

Cecile wrote: "Hi everyone,

I was born in Lyon, France, but have been living in Canada for the last 16 years. So I don't know if I can call myself a Francophile, since I am not technically a foreigner. But I lov..."

Bonjour Cecile. Yes, I see what you mean about not being a Francophile, but I'm glad you joined us anyway. We're all celebrating your marvelous country. Thank you for your kind words about my memoirs :)

Linda wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Bien le bonjour (as they still say in parts of rural France),
I'm so pleased you are resurrecting this group. I'm a Brit who has lived in Southwest France for the past 18 years. I l..."
Hi Linda, and thanks so much for replying. Well, actually I am in SW France (Toulouse area, basically) but the island of Corsica is where I base some of my fiction. Thanks for suggesting that I can post in the bookshelf area. Really looking forward to connecting with other Francophiles here.

Hi Linda, thanks for the invitation to join the Francophiles. I'm so glad you're rejuvenating the group! I live in England, and like you, I grew to love France after working there as an au pair. I worked in Lyon, and loved the city so much I made it the setting for my first novel, The Silk Romance
I'm looking forward to connecting with you all and discovering more French reading.

Cecile wrote: "Hi everyone,

I was born in Lyon, France, but have been living in Canada for the last 16 years. So I don't know if I can call myself a Francophile, since I am not technically a foreigner. But I lov..."

Good to meet you, Cecile! You might have seen from my last post, I spent some time in Lyon working as an au pair, and fell in love with your beautiful city. I have written quite a few posts about Lyon on my blog, such as this one about silk-weaving: http://helenafairfax.com/2013/05/03/a...
I'm also good friends with author Marie Laval, who is from Lyon but now lives in England. You can find her here on GR: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
I'm sure she'd love to hear from you if you'd like to get in touch.
Good to meet you!

Helena wrote: "Hi Linda, thanks for the invitation to join the Francophiles. I'm so glad you're rejuvenating the group! I live in England, and like you, I grew to love France after working there as an au pair. I ..."

Hi Helena. I'm so glad you found your way to our group. Wow, we do have a common thread - both of us were au pairs in France. What a small world! If you'd like, please add your book to our shelf and if any of your books are under $5, add them to the Bargain Book thread as well! FYI, I clicked on your Goodreads Amazon link and it's not working. I thought you'd want to know :)