Book Review-I Loved You In Paris by Juliette Sobanet

A few days ago I finished reading Meet Me In Paris by Juliette Sobanet and was blown away at this candid memoir from this romance writer about her divorce and her all consuming affair with a married man. You can read my review of that book here.  In that book she shared a handful of poems she wrote to describe the feelings and thoughts she had during this painful period of her life.

I Loved You In Paris is her companion book that contains a collection of more of those poems she wrote during this time.  The raw emotion in these poems shows through in each stanza.  The book is divided into 3 parts representing each relationship at this time.  The first is called A Mistress and Her Lover, the second is A Wife and Her Husband, and the final part is simply titled A Women.  I could feel her pain, anger, love, depression, acceptance and finally the awakening where she finally realizes that the only place she can truly find happiness is within herself.

I Loved You In Paris is a must read if you have read Meet Me In Paris.  In addition if you have been in a painful relationship or even if you have had your own awakening, you will enjoy this collection of poems.  I have many favorite passages from these but I think one of my top ones is from the poem called Start Again

One day, your heart beats faster

And no longer does it feel

Like a blade has carved out the good parts

And left you for dead

Instead, this beating drum is so very alive

So very full of love

Not for the ones who broke your heart

Or for the ones who shattered it

But for yourself

Tuesday Travel Snapshot...Paris Street Art

Art is absolutely everywhere in Paris.  There is a reason Hemingway called Paris a movable feast.  Turning the next corner can literally take your breath away because you never know what you will discover. A feast of the senses.  This is just one of the reasons I love that city so much.  Both these pictures I took while strolling in Montmartre. Six more months till my next trip to Paris.  My camera will be ready!

Book Review-Meet Me In Paris by Juliette Sobanet

Since I can never get enough of reading about my favorite city either in fiction or non-fiction form, I decided to dig into Juliette Sobanet's telling memoir Meet Me In Paris.  I have read a few of her books before-including Sleeping With Paris, Honeymoon In Paris, and Kissed In Paris and loved all of them.  Juliette typically writes romance novels most set in the city of light which is why I have picked them up.  You can just tell from reading them she loves that city like I do.  It certainly shows in her writing which is rich in details. So much so that you feel like you are strolling the streets of Paris alongside her characters.

Meet Me In Paris is a beautifully written memoir, peppered with poems, about the authors decision to take a chance and live her French dream.  Through a painful process of divorcing her husband and having a lengthy affair with a married man she finds what truly makes her happy. In the end she lets go of the things that are holding her back and decides to take a leap of faith.  Along the way she has an incredible community of friends that are supportive and willing to offer advice (as well as incredible places to stay when she is in France).

From the first page I could not put it down! I too felt that I was French and lived in Paris in another life. I may have only been there once  (my second trip there is coming in September), but the first time I set foot in Paris I felt at home. It was heartbreaking to read about the pain Juliette was in all through her decision to divorce her husband and her self destructive affair, but in the end she overcame all the pain to come to the decision to make the big move to France.  I am so happy for her (and truthfully a tiny bit jealous!).

Fans of Juliette's books will love this look into the authors journey and others will love how revealing she is about her relationships.  I'm sure it was not an easy thing to put her life in words for all to see.  I sure am happy she did and I think it will bring inspiration to women who want to find their own happiness.

If you read this book and like the authors poems, you will love her new book of poems I Loved You In Paris

Tuesday Travel Snapshot...Cruisin The Caribbean

One year ago Hubby and I celebrated our 25th Anniversary cruising the Caribbean with stops at Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.

Stopped in port at Cozumel, our ship looked like a baby besides the massive Oasis Of The Seas

Rain clouds coming in at Grand Cayman.  The cruise ships in the distance.

Tuesday Travel Snapshot.....Happy Mardi Gras

Since it is Mardi Gras time I thought I would share some pictures from last year's Mardi Gras when Hubby and I were in New Orleans  before our Anniversary cruise.  I never had experienced anything quite like Mardi Gras.  Over the top costumes, partying, parades, and great food are a big part of the experience.  We came home with bags of beads as souvenirs along with some awesome parade throws.