Back from Paris

Bonjour,

I’m just back from Paris and how many ways can I say I love Paris in November!

Countless ones; from the orange and umber leaves crackling underfoot on the quai, researching my next story, chestnuts roasting at a corner on the Left Bank, apricot peach sunsets and brisk air requiring a hunt in the Marais for a Parisian scarf!

#Ihavethisthingwithdoors as some of you do,too!

It’s almost hard to believe my book HUGUETTE comes into the world tomorrow - finally! After Libération, spring 1945: Seventeen-year-old Huguette Faure is a survivor and we follow her journey through postwar France. The novel’s a standalone but touches on characters in the ‘Aiméeverse’ where we meet a young Claude Leduc. I shared an advance copy with Huguette’s ‘real’ Cafe de Soleil!

I’m so thankful the New York Times included HUGUETTE in 15 Books to Look for in December

Tomorrow I’m thrilled to launch my novel at my favorite Indie bookstore Bookshop West Portal with long time friend and book tour travelling companion, author Rhys Bowen! Not only will we share our books and experiences of being on book tour - a presentation at a book group in a nudist colony among others - expect wine!

Here’s the in person and virtual book tour, links are at Events - I hope to see you.

Here’s a lane in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the outskirts of Paris, which features in the book! Together with my friend and amazing resource in BB, Françoise, we discovered this and of course, it went into the book.

My conversation with Madame over expresso. She shared her story of being a Resistant and life in post-war Lyon and helped make my story richer.

We’re preparing for April in Paris. We’re sold out but if you’re interested in a possible October trip, please contact Meg, my pal and organizer extraordinaire, at whalenmj55@gmail.com (cut + paste her address).

Some reviews for HUGUETTE

A Historical Novels Review Editors’ Choice

“Cara Black’s Huguette is a propulsive dive into the demi-monde of postwar France, full of moral ambiguity and striking characters.”

—Sasha Vasilyuk, author of Your Presence Is Mandatory

“A fast-paced, gritty thriller . . . A wonderful novel about a natural survivor whose actions often fall outside the law, but who is so likeable that you cannot help but root for her . . . Highly recommended.”

—Historical Novels Review

“Black is a consummate storyteller, and this fast-paced, enthralling novel features many of the elements her readers have come to expect: expertly drawn characters, a twisty plot, and richly detailed settings (here, a side of Paris seldom seen by tourists).”

—Library Journal, Starred Review

I hope you enjoy HUGUETTE - whether you request the book from your library, listen to the audio or order from your local Indie bookstore bookshop.org or online- thank you so much and your support means the world!

Thank you for reading mes amies and hope to see you!

Cara