Invitation to Provence

Rating:
Summary: What - are you kidding?
Review: Another trite romance with shallow characters who are all beautiful (with the bluest of eyes), thin, rich and always say the right thing. The descriptions of the countryside and food were very good (thus the extra second star). But the one thing that will stick with me from this novel is the silly description of death "He had played his last card in the game of life" pulllleeease. I know this writer can do better!

Rating:
Summary: Love Blooms at Family Reunion in Beautiful Provence
Review: Rafaella Marten is the lonely matriarch of a wine-producing dynasty in Provence. Once a beautiful and vivacious woman, she has become a recluse in her beautiful chateau. Out of sheer and desperate loneliness she plans a reunion of her strange and dysfunctional family.

The most prominent invitee is an unknown niece, Franny, who as a veterinarian in Santa Monica has found herself at the end of a tumultuous love affair with a married man. The man himself sends his wife to break the relationship off, but instead of a cat fight we get two women who bond and become the best of friends.

A second invitee is Jake Bronson, the son of famed polo player Lucas Bronson who was once the love of Rafaella's life. Also receving invites to the reunion are: Shao Lan, a young orphan from Hong Kong; Juliette, a long-ago friend of Rafaella's; Haigh, a devoted butler; Clare, the "other woman" in Franny's affair; Felix and Alain, the wayward sons of Rafaella who left the chateau years ago after an unsolved murder and bitter fight with their mother; and Scott, a handsome wine merchant.

Each of the participants has a secret past that must be dealt with before the future can be faced. Amidst the sensuous setting of Provence, love and intrigue run rampant as Elizabeth Adler weaves a tale of contemporary romance, family ties, and surprising twists.

Devoted fans of the author will be pleased to see Lola and Jack Farrar from the Hotel Riviera once again and to enjoy this pleasant escape to a land famous for azure skies, the scent of rosemary and mimosa, champagne toasts, and exquisite cuisine. So, curl up and enjoy a little armchair travelling to romantic Provence.



Rating:
Summary: terrific contemporary romance
Review: Southern California veterinarian Franny Marten is stunned to learn that her long distance romance with Atlanta based Marcus marks is over as he not only has a wife, he sent her to break it off with her. The spouse Clare and Franny hit it off and the former persuades the latter to take up her Aunt Rafaella Marten des Sauvages' invitation to spend three weeks in Provence at a family gathering although she never even knew this aunt existed.

Franny, accompanied by Clare, goes to France where she is shocked by her dysfunctional relatives who seem at war with one another in spite of the warm welcoming from her elderly aunt. Worse someone wants Franny to remain in the dark on family secrets and will go to great lengths to achieve this objective; Franny wonders if her nasty cousin Alain would harm her. However, the biggest emotional roller coaster is Jake Bronson, who she falls in love with, but wonders if she can trust him with her heart and her life though she wants too.

No one does travelogues inside terrific contemporary romances better than Elizabeth Adler does. Her latest tour of the Mediterranean is superb as readers obtain a taste of Provence while also reading an interesting family drama. Franny is a wonderful protagonist and the support cast shines a light on her or on the region. As she has done with A SUMMER IN TUSCANY and THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS, Ms. Adler provides a delightful tale for armchair travelers to enjoy.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: Don't pass on this invitation
Review: You are all invited to spend 3 magical weeks at the Chateau des Roses Sauvages in Marten de Provence with Elizabeth Adlers newest book, Invitation to Provence.

As Rafealla Marten looks out the window of her magical chateau she feels the loneliness of her home and decides to bring back what is left of her family for a long awaited reunion. Included in the guest list are the following people.

Franny Marten and Clare Marks - Franny was having an affair with Clares husband and when Clare confronts Franny with the truth they surprisingly become fast friends. Franny receives an invitation to the reunion and invited Clare to accompany her to France.

Jake Bronson - The long lost son of Rafeallas famous lover. Although Jake has not visited the château in years, he has always considered it to be "home" because of his love for Rafealla.

Juliette - Rafeallas best friend. The two women went their separate ways years ago but always stayed close.

Shao Lan - Rafeallas new found grand daughter.

Alain and Felix - The two sons who turned away from the family years ago.

Once these people get together you will love reading about the secrets and love that transpires between the guests and feel the joy along with Rafealla as her home once again fills with laughter and life.

If you have not ever read a novel by Elizabeth Adler I highly recommend that you treat yourself to one of her books and transport yourself to another world. Adler has a way of writing that makes you feel as though you are right there with the characters living the story.