Hi readers!!
I still don't have a date for the release of "Under the Norman Sky," but the first three chapters are out with Alpha readers, and I also got a sneak peek of the beautiful book cover by Suzanna Smith of Funky Book Designs. I can't wait to share it with you all.
Today, however, I wanted to give you a background story. Most of you know that my husband is French. Although he was born in Paris, he is actually of Norman stock. His parents, grandparents, and many ancestors have called Normandy home for hundreds of years.
As for me, well after living in London for a decade, we moved to Paris and then Normandy, where we spent two magical years exploring the beautiful and verdant French department.
And here are a few places that inspired the places in my book, "Under the Norman Sky."
Deauville
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| ©Marilyn Jeulin |
This is where our story begins, at a hotel during Victoria's eighteenth birthday celebrations. The inspiration for the hotel is the hotel my husband worked at while we lived in Normandy. The hotel is called the Royal Barriere Hotel. And if the story doesn't change much, it'll also make a few cameos in the rest of the book.
Les Planches, Deauville
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| ©Marilyn Jeulin |
I added this place to the prologue because it was the most fun I had in Deauville. We spent a long time walking along the boardwalk, playing I Spy using the actors' names on the boardwalk.
Les Ajoncs
Our family uses this name for my husband's grandparents' house as that's its location.
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| ©Marilyn Jeulin |
Victoria's grandparents live on this property, and for the book cover, I asked the illustrator to capture the kitchen as it was. So when you see the book cover, please remember, that's our Bonne-Maman and Bon-Papa's actual kitchen.
I also gave Victoria Bonne-Maman's surname, Garnot.
And this was the view from the house, a beautiful view of Mont St. Michel.
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| ©Marilyn Jeulin |
Mont St. Michel
The Mont St. Michel is the third main character in this story. Most of the story takes place on the island, at a restaurant called Chez Armand, where our warring chefs get a second chance at getting things right.
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| ©Marilyn Jeulin |
If you ever visit France, please take the few hours' drive or take the train into Normandy and visit Mont St. Michel. It's beautiful and full of history as it's been occupied by monasteries and churches for more than 1.300 years.
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| ©Marilyn Jeulin |
I hope you enjoyed this little tour around Normandy, and I'll keep you posted when I have a release date for "Under the Norman Sky."
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