Please help welcome Australian debut author Ella Carey to Romance Reader. And she's got a kindle copy giveaway of her debut release THE PARIS TIME CAPSULE to one commenter.
Ella on the web, please make friends:
Facebook Twitter Author Page The Paris Time Capsule
As this site is concerned with love, I thought I would write about that wonderful, eternal subject ... I was chatting with a friend the other day about the mysteries surrounding the true story of the abandoned apartment which inspired my novel, when she asked me a question. 'Is the novel a love story?'
Well, the answer is yes, yes and yes! Love weaves its way through the story in all sorts of guises. As I wrote, I became interested in how our perceptions and expectations of love have changed across time and across generations ... and how the time in which we live affects our attitudes to love so very much.
A respected writing teacher once told me that he thought the best love stories were those that ended in tragedy. What do you think? It is something that I have pondered ever since I first heard the idea.
I would never dream of giving away the ending of the love story in 'A Paris Time Capsule.' Things take many turns and we will see what happens to Cat as she tries to unravel the secrets in the beautiful apartment.
There is always a sense of sadness for me when I finish working with characters and a place, in this case, Paris ... but I am looking forward to writing the second novel in the series. That does cheer me up!
Inspired by the true story of an apartment in Paris that was abandoned for seventy years. The owner fled Paris on the eve of the Nazi invasion in 1940 … but why did she never return?
New York photographer Cat Jordan has fought hard to free herself from the past, but when a stranger dies, Cat finds herself the sole inheritor of a treasure filled apartment in Paris that has been locked up and abandoned for seventy years. A stash of love letters belonging to Marthe de Florian, one of the Belle Époque’s most famous demimondaines, and the appearance of the mysterious Isabelle de Florian’s grandson leads Cat in search of the reasons why Isabelle kept her Paris apartment a secret, and why she left her entire estate to Cat. As Cat unravels the story, she too begins her own journey, realizing that the secrets in the apartment may finally unfasten the future.
Praise for Ella Carey:
"Ella Carey creates an almost impossibly romantic atmosphere." Rachel Edwards, Review of Australian Fiction.
I am so looking forward to the release of The Paris Time-Capsule. Ella Carey is one of the most talented writers I have ever worked with. Roll on release day!'Melanie Milburne, USA Today best selling author
For more information please visit www.theparistimecapsule.com
Read Reviews
Ella on the web, please make friends:
Facebook Twitter Author Page The Paris Time Capsule
As this site is concerned with love, I thought I would write about that wonderful, eternal subject ... I was chatting with a friend the other day about the mysteries surrounding the true story of the abandoned apartment which inspired my novel, when she asked me a question. 'Is the novel a love story?'
Well, the answer is yes, yes and yes! Love weaves its way through the story in all sorts of guises. As I wrote, I became interested in how our perceptions and expectations of love have changed across time and across generations ... and how the time in which we live affects our attitudes to love so very much.
A respected writing teacher once told me that he thought the best love stories were those that ended in tragedy. What do you think? It is something that I have pondered ever since I first heard the idea.
I would never dream of giving away the ending of the love story in 'A Paris Time Capsule.' Things take many turns and we will see what happens to Cat as she tries to unravel the secrets in the beautiful apartment.
There is always a sense of sadness for me when I finish working with characters and a place, in this case, Paris ... but I am looking forward to writing the second novel in the series. That does cheer me up!
New York photographer Cat Jordan has fought hard to free herself from the past, but when a stranger dies, Cat finds herself the sole inheritor of a treasure filled apartment in Paris that has been locked up and abandoned for seventy years. A stash of love letters belonging to Marthe de Florian, one of the Belle Époque’s most famous demimondaines, and the appearance of the mysterious Isabelle de Florian’s grandson leads Cat in search of the reasons why Isabelle kept her Paris apartment a secret, and why she left her entire estate to Cat. As Cat unravels the story, she too begins her own journey, realizing that the secrets in the apartment may finally unfasten the future.
Praise for Ella Carey:
"Ella Carey creates an almost impossibly romantic atmosphere." Rachel Edwards, Review of Australian Fiction.
I am so looking forward to the release of The Paris Time-Capsule. Ella Carey is one of the most talented writers I have ever worked with. Roll on release day!'Melanie Milburne, USA Today best selling author
For more information please visit www.theparistimecapsule.com
Read Reviews
BUY LINKS:
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Paris Time Capsule
by Ella Carey
Giveaway ends April 30, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Welcome welcome Ella. I wish you every success and I'm sure this fantastic story will be a winner xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Tash! I was so inspired by the original true story. I just seemed to have so much empathy for a woman who obviously felt so much that she was unable to return to her home. xx
DeleteHi Ella
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release I love the idea of this story and am very much looking forward to reading it :)
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Helen, I am so glad you're looking forward to reading it. The idea that of course came from the original story about the apartment evolved in a really organic way until my lead character Cat took on a life of her own, with her own unique problems ... but then it was just so great to have these female characters inspired by the true story to kind of 'oversee' Cat ... women from the past almost guiding and helping women from our time xx
DeleteThis sounds like a really interesting book. I love the concept.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kelly. There was so much interesting material to draw from with this topic. There was the artist, Boldini, who was the leading society portrait painter in the Belle Epoque, several beautiful places in Paris and around France, and more. Like so many topics, you could go on forever with the research, would be lovely to have all the time in the world! xx
DeleteThese books sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathrina! I hope you enjoy them. I am working on the second novel now ... it's great to be able to stay in this story world for a bit longer xx Ella
DeleteI remember reading about the Parisian apartment and thinking it'd make a brilliant story. I can't wait to read your book Ella, the cover is amazing and it sounds like a fantastic story.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Georgina! Thank you for your kind comment regarding the cover. The designer is Italian and his name is Giovanni, just like Giovanni Boldini, the painter who painted the portrait that was found in the real apartment ... kind of fun. There is a stack of letters wrapped in silk ribbon, beautiful old perfume bottles and a view of Paris on the back of the print cover. :))
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful read.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynda. I do hope you enjoy it. Honestly, for me it was a pleasure to write. Being so immersed in Paris did make me want to be there though ... ah well, a little romantic yearning does us no harm every now and then! xxx
DeleteOooh, exactly my kind of story. I'll buy anything set in Paris...and some history too! Story sounds great. Congratulations Ella !
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Denise! The history part was so interesting to me. There are certain aspects that I found very moving when researching the story. Having such heart achingly beautiful settings in Europe for these true events to happen just seems to make things more poignant, perhaps. xxx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an intriguing premise - very interesting! :)
ReplyDeleteHi there Jemi :) The secrets here did intrigue me. There were quite a few. and stories behind everything in that apartment, I would think!
DeleteIts ages since I have read a love story, I will be adding this book to my TBR pile. The cover is amazing. And Paris is such a romantic city.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachna! I like to read the sort of novel that I haven't picked up for ages too sometimes too. I agree, Paris is just so romantic. The cover made me catch my breath when I first saw it. I think that initial reaction helped me to choose it over several other designs which could have worked very well too.
DeleteI like the set up with the reference to the Nazi invasion. It makes me think of Sarah's Key. I don't usually go for romance, but this sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteThat question about the best love stories ending in tragedy is a good one. Why do stories like Romeo and Juliet persist? Perhaps a psychologist could tell us.
Hi Tamara, Thanks so much for that. I seem to be drawn to reading and writing about the era surrounding the Second World War - the impact is still very much there in Europe today, it is still felt and this is poignant, moving. One thing I find useful when thinking about the power of love and tragedy is to ask myself, what if Romeo and Juliet had lived long lives but never loved the way they did, never felt the way they did? Would their story have any power? Lovely to chat to you, drop by on my facebook page www.facebook.com/paristimecapsule any time to chat. xx
DeleteThis books sounds terrific. I think it should be a movie!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you Sherry, that is so very kind! I was just fascinated with the whole thing. I have a blog idea evolving in my head about how I found the setting for the apartment. I'm going to put it on my website and facebook page, because, honestly, I trawled around the ninth arrondissement looking for a building that hinted at the lost apartment ... and what I found took my breath away. (But it's fictional) xxxx
DeleteThe title is epic. Just those four words have my attention.
ReplyDeleteThank you Crystal, that's interesting. I mulled over the title for quite some time. The working title of this ms was quite different, but I am glad that it is what it is; it just seems right. :)
DeleteSounds like a great story and I love the title. It really lets the reader know what the story is about. I visited Paris and was very disappointed, but the city itself was very enchanting. The people who lived there were so mean, I doubt I'll ever go back.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOh Stephanie! I can help you with your dealings with the French. There are definitely some things you need to know when you go there. Post on my facebook page www.facebook.com/paristimecapsule and I can help. You will love Paris if you just understand the French ways. Hopefully my Cat will inspire you to wander those cobbled streets. xxx
DeleteBest wishes, can't wait to read!
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather for dropping by! I hope you enjoy the novel! xx Ella :)
DeleteI'd never thought about it, but I generally agree with your former teacher's philosophy about the best love stories. Granted, I'm cynical about love and very much in favor of the anti-fairytale tale.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Ella. The cover is beautiful.
xoRobyn
Hi there Robyn, thanks so much for your kind comments. I understand where you are coming from too. It sounds to me as if you don't like endings that are too saccharine. Of course, other readers do like these sorts of endings. We bring our complete selves to a novel - every experience we have had, and so on - every time. You as a reader are creating while you read. :) Shakespeare understood the duality of life - his endings contain irony even when they are ultimately positive. I think we all go through phases of being cynical about love - perfectly normal I'd say!! Nice to chat! :))
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds amazing. I remember reading about the time capsule apartment. Of course it would be a source of inspiration. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Medeia, lovely to see you here! Thank you for your kind comments about the story. The original story did have so much inspiration - history, mystery and the most romantic setting of all: Paris. xxx
ReplyDeleteMe and that teacher would not get on well at all. I need a happy ending with my romances. Now I'm not opposed to tragedy (I've read my fair share of those), but not in a romance. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great story!
Hi Stina! Sounds like you may be a romantic at heart. (Me too.) xxxx
ReplyDeleteCat's story sounds as utterly gorgeous and sumptuous as the book cover!! So lovely to meet you Ella! Oh l'amour!! Secretly I always want happy endings to romance but it's the tragic ones that linger most!
ReplyDeleteTake care and all the best!
x
Bonjour Old Kitty! Such lovely comments, thank you! I do agree with you. I think I have to be in a certain mood for a tragic ending. It's almost as if I have to brace myself, and say "right;" here we go ... so pleased you like the cover, thanks for dropping in! xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cover! And intriguing premise! Love ending in tragedy does do something to you. It's all those what if scenarios you can never stop toying with. :)
ReplyDeleteHi there, and thank you so much Pk! Yes, it is fun to play with scenarios. I wonder what would have happened to Romeo and Juliet had they lived. Imagine the next chapter in their lives ... xx
ReplyDeleteI understand how it's hard to stop writing about people and places you've come to be so connected with. I see why so many authors love to write sequels. They don't want to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! Yes, that's so true. One of the characters in this novel was jumping out at me; I wanted to explore her story too ... x
ReplyDeleteHi Nas and Ella,
ReplyDeleteElla, your cover is magnificent.
Hi Maria, the cover shows the portrait of Marthe de Florian by Belle Epoque artist Giovanni Boldini that was found in the abandoned apartment. Thanks for calling in! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Medeia and Old Kitty! You both won a copy of Ella Carey's THE PARS TIME CAPSULE!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled since this looks so amazing. sharif(at)sharifwrites(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.