Who didn’t want to escape somewhere during the height of the pandemic? Personally, going anywhere outside the confines of our townhouse was a diversion. At home in England, author Sophie Claire crafted her pandemic “getaway” by writing her latest novel, An Escape to Provence, about an unlikely love match in …

George Bellairs, Death in High Provence, Ipso Books, London, 2016. Originally published in 1957 in Great Britain by John Gifford Ltd., and in 1963 in the U.S by Penguin. A review by Mary-Jane Deeb. About the Author George Bellairs is the nom de plume of Harold Blundell (1902-1982), a mystery …

Sophie Claire just published her latest novel, An Escape To Provence. Her writing features uplifting emotional stories with their heart in Provence, where she spent her childhood summers. Half French, half Scottish, Sophie Claire was born in Africa and grew up in England. She felt she didn’t belong anywhere – …

Grab a transat (lounge chair) and settle for a great summer read complete with family dynamics, hot bodies, yachts, and a tour through Provence. Sunshine and Shadows at the Vineyard is the latest novel by Jane Dunning and here is our review. The Author Following a diverse career in advertising, …

There are nuances in French with words that mean different things depending on pronunciation or capitalization. Midi is one of those words indicating a geographical location, the southern part of France; the 45th parallel is the dividing line for some people. However, in lowercase, midi also means mid-day and the …

Book Review by Mary-Jane Deeb of M.L. (Mary Lou) Longworth, Death at the Chateau Bremont. Penguin Books, New York, 2011. The Author Mary Lou Longworth, better known as M.L. Longworth, is a Canadian writer best known for her Provençal mysteries set in Aix-en-Provence, where she moved with her family in …

The largest village in the Alpilles, St Rémy de Provence, has dangerously tempting boutiques, excellent restaurants, a dynamic Wednesday morning market, and even a movie theatre. Located at the base of the mountain range, St Rémy was the birthplace of Nostradamus (1503), and many of Vincent van Gogh’s canvases feature …

France Part-Time A summertime sabbatical from Colby College in 2013 led William D. Adams and his wife Lauren Sterling to Provence. After exploring the Aix region during that break, they decided to spend more time in Provence. The couple now split their time between Portland, Maine and their home in …

Holiday Shopping Made Easy Browse this 2021 holiday gift guide for books from Provence for the people on your list who love reading, travelling and dreaming of France. These books are for anyone who wants a literary “dose” of Provence. Whether you have visited the region or always dreamed of …

We recently met Keith and Val Van Sickle for a glass of rosé while we were all in Provence. They were in France for a short visit while Keith researched and completed final drafts for his latest (3rd) book, An Insider’s Guide to Provence. The Author Keith Van Sickle is …