The Essence of Provence: the Story of L’Occitane Book Review
Books on ProvenceInspireMary Jane Deeb

The Essence of Provence: the Story of L’Occitane a Book Review

The Essence of Provence: the Story of L’Occitane, by Pierre Magnan, translated from the original French L’Occitane: une histoire vraie, Denoël, Paris, France, 2001, by Richard Seaver, Arcade Publishing, New York, 2nd edition, 2012. Book Review by Mary-Jane Deeb About the Author Pierre Magnan (1922-2012) was a prolific French writer …

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Anglo-French Learning French Book French Language Tool
Books on ProvenceCarolyne Kauser-AbbottInspireLearning French

The Anglo-French Exchange a Great Guide for Learning French

When The Anglo-French Exchange landed on my doorstep, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Dr. Allswell E. Eno’s first book. At over 700 pages, this manuscript is not for holiday goers who want to order off a menu when they visit Provence. Instead, The Anglo-French Exchange is a reference …

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Chanel's Riviera by Anne de Courcy
Books on ProvenceInspireMary Jane Deeb

Book Review: Chanel’s Riviera by Anne de Courcy

Chanel’s Riviera: Glamour, Decadence, and Survival in Peace and War, 1930-1944, by Anne de Courcy, St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2019. Book Review by Mary-Jane Deeb About the Author Despite her French name, Anne de Courcy is a British writer, biographer and journalist who lives in London and Gloucestershire. She …

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Death in High Provence Book by George Bellairs
Books on ProvenceInspireMary Jane Deeb

Book Review: Death in High Provence by George Bellairs

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 …

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Exploring biodynamic vineyards
Books on ProvenceCarolyne Kauser-AbbottInspire

Delicious! Menu from the Midi a Book Review

There are nuances in French with words that mean different things depending on pronunciation or capitalisation. 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 …

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Book Review Death at the Chateau Bremont
Books on ProvenceInspireMary Jane Deeb

Book Review: Death at the Chateau Bremont

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 …

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L'Appart by David Lebovitz
BeefMain CourseProvencal RecipesTasha PowellTaste

L’Appart by David Lebovitz a Book and Swedish Meatballs Recipe

While we were in Provence last fall, I began reading L’Appart: The Delights and Disasters of Making My Paris Home. Why read about Paris ex-pat experiences while living in the South of France? There were several reasons I wanted to read this book, starting with the fact that I love …

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An Insider's Guide to Provence by Keith Van Sickle
Books on ProvenceCarolyne Kauser-AbbottInspire

An Insider’s Guide to Provence by Keith Van Sickle

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 …

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The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson
Books on ProvenceInspireMary Jane Deeb

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson a Book Review

A book review by Mary-Jane Deeb of “The Lantern” by Deborah Lawrenson, Harper, New York, London, 2011. The Author Deborah Lawrenson is a British writer and journalist, issued of a diplomatic family, who spent her childhood travelling around the world, accompanying her parents and sister wherever they were posted. Before …

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Paris-Part-Time-Book-Cover
Books on ProvenceCarolyne Kauser-AbbottInspire

Who Doesn’t Dream of Paris Part Time? A Book Review

Lisa Baker Morgan did not plan to live in Paris, although she dreamed of spending time in the “City of Lights.” She certainly did not intend to write a book called Paris, Part Time, but life takes us on an uncharted journey, and as a result, this lady has her …

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