For fans of all things French, a collection of short stories from the author of The House at Zaronza. France is a land steeped in history, whose landscapes and light have enthused writers and artists for centuries. Beneath the dust of ages lie buried countless personal histories, which have inspired this collection of twelve fictional short stories. Can Arlette resolve her predicament while her sweetheart fights in the trenches on the Western Front? By escaping to the countryside, will a woman be allowed to leave behind her troubled past? The celebrated painter Edgar Degas wants to paint an exotic circus performer, but will the portrait match her expectations? Can the unsightly Pierre get the girl he is afraid will never want him? These are just four of the dilemmas that must be resolved by the stories' end. Most of the tales are set in the past and a few contain a hint of the supernatural. All are infused with the essence of France. "e;Vanessa Couchman has a huge potential talent, and will be an author to watch."e; Discovering DiamondsA 2-3 hour read of 100 pages (print version).
