Blog Tour with Giveaway: Paris Ever After by KSR Burns

K.S.R. Burns

on Tour May 1-14 with  

Paris Ever After

(women’s fiction) Release date: May 1st, 2018 at Velvet Morning Press ASIN: B079H32ND3 260 pages

Author’s website Goodreads

 

SYNOPSIS

Can Amy’s rocky start in Paris turn into a happy ever after? Amy didn’t realize how stale her life was until she jetted off to Paris without telling a soul—not even her husband—and had the adventure of a lifetime. Now as she tries to establish herself in the City of Light, she finds that despite a fun (and quirky) group of friends and the ability to indulge in French pastries whenever she wants, reinventing her life is much harder than she imagined. Then on Amy’s thirtieth birthday, two unexpected visitors leave her wondering if she will soon be saying au revoir to Paris and the new life she’s struggled to build. Her estranged husband, Will, shows up—but is he interested in reconciliation or separation? And a young woman who arrives on Amy’s doorstep unleashes chaos that could push Amy out into the street. As Amy’s Parisian dream starts to fall apart, she must decide: return to the stability of Will and Phoenix (if that’s even still an option) or forge her way forward in Paris? Amid secrets and surprises, set in enchanting gardens, cozy cafés, and glittering Parisian streets, Amy must choose between two very different worlds. And each has a claim on her heart. *** NB: The author’s previous book, The Paris Effect, featured here on France Book Tours, was just optioned for Film & TV!

EXCERPT

Whatever happens, he must not see me. Not yet. Not like this.

I sprint to the opposite side of the street, barely avoiding a speeding purple Peugeot, and duck into the shadowy recesses of a nearby doorway. From here I can see without being seen.

Unbelievable. I pass the Hôtel du Cheval Blanc almost every day. But today—on my “special day,” as Margaret has been calling it, when I feel particularly at ease and happy and hopeful and just plain good—William appears.

Checking into my former hotel.

William.

At least I think that’s him, hunched over the cluttered reception desk, writing in the old-fashioned registration book. I creep forward a few feet. The street is very narrow, and the hotel lobby is brightly lit so I have an excellent view.

Yeah, that’s him all right. His hair is shorter and he has one of those hipster stubble beards and I think he’s gained weight, but it’s unmistakably William. As tall, as grave, and—I have to admit—as beautiful as ever.

Oh no. He can’t see me. Not today, not yet. I’m not ready.

And though he doesn’t know it, he’s not ready either, because I haven’t had a chance to tell him my big news. I study his profile as he extracts a blue American passport from the inside pocket of his jacket and hands it to the deskman. Seeing William again shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. We are still married after all.

My scalp prickles. The last time I talked to William—about four months ago—he was furious at me for taking off to France for a week without telling him first. OK, I see now how this reaction could be understandable. Yet at the time, I was so freaked out. So mad. And so sad. All I wanted was a break—from my life, from my past and present and future. When I returned to Arizona and tried to apologize, he didn’t accept that apology.

Nope, he informed me he never wanted to see my face again. Boom. Just like that. So, feeling I had little to lose, I turned right around and came back to Paris. Just like that. Now it’s September (already), and as crazy as it might sound, I haven’t had a single reason to regret my rash move. Not so far.

The deskman holds up a key, which William accepts with a polite nod. In addition to it being weird for William to show up in Paris with no warning, it’s weird he would opt to stay in the dumpy little Hôtel du Cheval Blanc, where the beds sag, Wi-Fi is not included, and the rooms lock with massive brass keys instead of compact twenty-first-century digital key cards.

It’s also a major clue that he isn’t here on some kind of company business. Absolutely. A cheapie hotel is all the confirmation I need that William is paying his own way. And that can mean only one thing: He’s come to Paris to look for me.

I admire the straightness of his nose and the curve of his neck. Maybe he wants to get back together. Maybe he’s lonely. In our four years of marriage, I’ve noticed he has no friends other than work friends and no family other than his granddad, who lives in Minnesota and only visits Phoenix at Christmas. William is a guy with many fine qualities that I’ve always admired, but he can be cool, aloof, stern. Withdrawn even. He may be coming to a realization that, in an important way, he needs me.

It’s been hard to tell sometimes. On my wedding day I believed I loved him and he loved me. Simple. But it rapidly became more complicated. I know I haven’t met his expectations, and I’m not sure he’s met mine.

One thing I’m absolutely sure of, however, is that he has no idea I’m in possession of the wildest of wild cards. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K. S. R. Burns is the author of the Amazon bestseller, THE PARIS EFFECT, its upcoming standalone sequel PARIS EVER AFTER, and THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF WORKING GIRL: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use. She has lived and worked in four countries and 22 cities, including Paris. No longer a wanderer, Burns now resides in the Pacific Northwest, where in addition to novels she writes a weekly career advice column for The Seattle Times. Visit her website. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter Subscribe to her newsletter Buy the book: Amazon | Kobo | iTunes | Nook

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GIVEAWAY

Enter here

Visit each blogger on the tour: tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form]

Global giveaway open to all 5 winners

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CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ OTHER REVIEWS, EXCERPTS, AND INTERVIEW

 

MY REVIEW

SaveParis Ever After is a fun and at times emotional read. Amy is definitely one I could relate with. KSR Burns did a fabulous job making Amy a true to life character. I felt like I knew her and understood her life. Of course, I would love to go off to Paris for awhile! I am glad I was able to see the city through her eyes. The author’s talent shines by describing the details of the setting, making a reader feel as though they were part of the story. Amy goes on quite the adventure that she would have never expected. Will this lead to a new life and perspective for Amy? There was in no way could I have predicted how it would have ended for her.

I give Paris Ever After 4 1/2 stars and look for more by this author in the future.

I recommend this book for those who love good contemporary fiction.

I received this back from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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