May 18, 2014

Sunday Smooch With Ella Carey....

Welcome to another LoveCats DownUnder Sunday Smooch!


Today we have a smooch from  Ella Carey ---- but first 

... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Give-away is Elsa Winckler.....

Can you please contact Annie West on annie (at) annie-west  (dot) com to receive your ecopy of Back In The Billionaire's Bed.........

And now for today's Sunday Smooch from The Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey........



In 2010, New York photographer Cat Jordan fights against her difficult past. But when a stranger dies in Paris, Cat finds herself the sole inheritor of an apartment in the ninth arrondissement that has been abandoned for seventy years since its mysterious owner, Madame de Florian, fled on the eve of the Nazi invasion in 1940.

A stash of love letters belonging to the owner’s grandmother, the infamous Belle Epoque courtesan Marthe de Florian, and the appearance of the beautiful and mysterious Isabelle de Florian’s grandson, Loic Archer, leads Cat in search of the reasons why Isabelle kept her Paris apartment a secret until her death, and why she left her entire estate to Cat.

As Cat unravels the story, she too embarks on her own journey, realizing that the secrets in the apartment may finally unlock the future…


Scene set-up- [Cat and Loic find themselves with a free day in the gorgeous market town of Sarlat, France. They are unable to locate their lead, and spend the day wandering around the charming markets. Afterwards, Loic insists on taking Cat out to one of the local restaurants. But Cat becomes swept away …]


Loic called for the bill, sat back in his chair. Didn’t say anything while they waited. When he had signed, and they had put on their jackets, he held the door open for Cat and she shivered, as the cold night air hit them. Loic took off his coat, laid it over her shoulders. Cat took it. It seemed churlish not to accept.

But as they walked down the street, he caught at her hand, stopped her, just on the edge of a pool of light, shimmering from the elegant street lamp onto the pavement.

‘Cat,’ he said, gently lifting her chin with his thumb and forefinger. Then he bent down, his lips resting on hers with the lightest of touches.

Cat shook her head, ‘No,’ she whispered, but as his lips touched hers, her entire being shot into life.  For a few moments, she gave into it, kissed him back, her hands wanting to run up and through his hair, to hold him, just as he was holding her around her waist.

It took every last reserve that she had to step back. ‘That’s unfair, Loic,’ she said, but her voice was husked, almost sounding like something that she had never heard before. Like someone else’s voice.

Loic was breathing hard. His eyes, intense, were on her. ‘Stay with me in France,’ he said. ‘Start up your own studio here. Sell those beautiful photographs of yours, take commissions that interest you, Cat. Collaborate with people who write coffee table books. Whatever it takes, I’d support you.’


Cat forced herself to take another step back, couldn’t look into his eyes. It was clear what she would see there. If she looked, she would never turn away again. 


To go into the draw to win a signed copy of ‘The Paris Time Capsule,’ please leave an answer to this question: What is the most romantic place that you have ever visited?

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced and a smooch from the fabulous Sue Mackay will be posted!


Smooch Graphic by WebWeaver

18 comments:

  1. Hi Ella

    I have not travelled a lot but I have been on a couple of cruises and one place we visited was an island called Maree and while there there was this litlle hotel holiday place close to the most beuatiful beach I have ever seen and to stay there for a while with walks along the beach would be wondoerful.

    I have to say I have read this story and it is a story not to be missed I loved it I felt like I was in France when reading this one and it was wonderful :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Hi Helen, This sounds like a beautiful place. I think walking along the beach would have to be one of the most romantic experiences in the world, and a little hotel near a beautiful beach sounds perfect!

      Thank you for your kind comments,

      Ella x

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  2. The most romantic place I have been was a bungalow in the beach in Hawaii, We had a romantic dinner watching the sun set,

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    1. Hi Tammy! I agree, there is something about Hawaii. The very name conjures up romance ... Thank you. xx

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  3. Hi Ella,

    Thanks for sharing from your book. Sarlat is such a wonderful, atmospheric place - just perfect for a tender scene like this. Actually, I think that whole area of the Perigord and the Dordogne has to be one of the loveliest and most romantic I've seen.

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    1. Hi Annie, Yes, the Perigord region is just stunning. I think so too. Ancient villages tumble down green hills, a wide river runs through the valley, and there are castles dotted about ... along with villages running along the bases of the hills, set right against the river. It honestly blew me away. We were in Sarlat on market day. Thank you, xx

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  4. Replies
    1. Hello there, well I do agree with you about Paris! xx

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  5. The Paris Time Capsule sounds so intriguing, Ella! And it's lovely to have you visit with the LoveCats today.

    I honeymooned in Paris, so I'm probably biased in thinking it's the most romantic place in the world. Mind you, I thought Geneva was pretty romantic too. :-)

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  6. Hi Michelle!

    I can see that if you honeymooned in Paris, that would make it extra romantic for you. It really would be the perfect honeymoon spot - strolls along the Seine, meanders around the Left Bank, the food ... so beautiful.

    Switzerland is also just stunning. I am working on the second novel in a collection of three about The Paris Time Capsule, and part of this novel is set on Lake Geneva.

    Thanks for your kind comments. xxx

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  7. Hi Ella, welcome to the LoveCats for a Sunday Smooch! Your story sounds fabulous and such a fascinating idea. I see that it's inspired by a true story - I'd love to know more about that.

    As for romantic places - the beaches up the top end of Western Australia are wonderful. White sand, turquoise water, red cliffs.

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  8. Hi Sharon!

    Thanks so much for your kind comments. I have a friend who goes to the beaches in Western Australia each year. She says that they are just stunning, enormous, open spaces, endless ... I would love to go there too!

    Lovely to meet you here,

    xx Ella :)

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  9. Hi Ella, your story sounds intriguing with two of my favourite things in a novel: Paris and family secrets. I'm off to check it out! My favourite romantic place is anywhere on or by the water. I have a particularly soft spot for Sydney Harbour or anywhere with a view of the harbour.

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    1. Hi Bronwyn,

      Sydney Harbour is beautiful. I find it so spectacular, whether being out on the water, looking at the houses lining the hills, or watching the yachts, and the bridge from the land. When the sun is shining, it is magical. Thank you for your kind thoughts on the book, and I hope you enjoy it! xx

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  10. Hi Ella,
    I LOVED The Paris Time Capsule, but then you know I'm a little biased. It was beautifully written and I felt like I was back in Paris, which is one of my favourite cities in the world.
    Can't wait for your next book! xxx

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    1. Hi Melanie,

      Thank you so much for your lovely post. I agree, Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world. There is just something about it. One of my favourite things to do is to stand on one of the bridges, and gaze down the Seine. I am working on the next book. There will be three books in a series set around The Paris Time Capsule apartment. xx

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  11. Congratulations, Elsa. Enjoy.

    What an interesting idea for a story. As the recent finding of a collection of WWI love letters and a journal in a London attic, the premise is a real possibility. Paris is the perfect location for a story of love and mystery.

    As for the most romantic place I have been, hard to say. We have been to many wonderful places over the years. The ones we have relaxed and enjoyed the most - in bot a personal and romantic way - have been cabins in the woods. One of our favorites was in Carrabassett Valley, Maine. Canoe trips, walks in the woods, and quiet evenings by the fire are perfect for us.

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    1. Hi librarypat,

      What a fascinating find you have made too! How moving these finds are, how evocative. I think your time in Maine sounds perfect. There is something wonderful about an open fire after a long walk in the countryside. I hope you enjoy the book, and thank you. xxx

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