I’m a great fan of Marie’s writing and so it is without a moments hesitation that I welcome her to my blog to tell us about her new novel A Paris Fairytale. Take it away Marie . . . but first, some flowers from me, to you .

Thank you so much, Lizzie, for welcoming me on your blog today to talk about my latest contemporary romance, A PARIS FAIRY TALE, which will be released by Choc Lit today, Tuesday 23^rdJuly.

Such a beautiful cover, Marie. I’m always fascinated to read where authors get their inspiration from. Can you tell us your story?

I can remember exactly where and when A PARIS FAIRY TALE was born in my imagination. I had gone shopping in Manchester with my daughter Clémence and we sheltered from the rain in the beautiful John Ryland’s Library on Deansgate in the city centre. After walking around the impressive, atmospheric building and admiring the various collections on display, I sat in front of a computer and played around with an interactive programme describing the history of illuminated manuscripts in medieval Paris.  I was particularly fascinated by the work of Jean Rémiet, an illuminator also known as ‘the master of death’ for the way he portrayed death and illness – I know, not very cheerful! 

From that moment on, I was hooked… Two years on, and many twists and turns later (owing to the fact that I am a complete pantser!), and the story is written and getting published! 

If it hadn’t been for the rain, I would never have ventured inside the library that particular day and got involved in the interactive display. And if hadn’t been for my daughter standing patiently next to me for over an hour whilst I took frantic notes and muttered to myself like a mad woman, A PARIS FAIRY TALE might never have existed!  

Blurb for A PARIS FAIRY TALE

Is Paris the city of happily ever afters?
Workaholic art historian Aurora Black doesn’t have time for fairy tales or Prince Charmings, even in the most romantic city in the world. She has recently been hired by a Parisian auction house for a job that could make or break her career. Unfortunately, daredevil journalist Cédric Castel seems intent on disrupting Aurora’s routine. 
As Aurora and Cédric embark on a journey across France, they get more than they bargained for as they find themselves battling rogue antiques dealers and personal demons, not to mention a growing attraction to each other. 
But with the help of a fairy godmother or two, could they both find their happily ever afters? 

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie now lives in Lancashire with her family. She works full-time as a modern languages teacher and in her spare time she loves writing romance and dreaming about romantic heroes. 

She writes both historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance The Lion’s Embrace won the Gold Medal at the Global Ebook Awards 2015 (category Historical Romance), and best-selling Little Pink Taxi was her debut romantic comedy novel with Choc Lit. 

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. Her native France, as well as her passion for history and research, very much influences her writing, and all her novels have what she likes to call ‘a French twist’!

Her latest romantic novel  A PARIS FAIRY TALE is released on July 23^rdand is available as a ebook and audiobook on Amazon and various other platforms.

You can find out more about Marie on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/marielavalauthor/) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/MarieLaval1).

You can also find on Pinterest the many beautiful photos of Paris and illuminated manuscripts which inspired the writing of A Paris Fairy Tale (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/laval0232/)