Spring in Paris

A note from Janet Skeslien Charles

March is a time of cherry blossoms and beauty in Paris. A few sunny days help us forget the gray gloom of winter.

March is also a month of book sales and giveaways! In this newsletter, I’ll share some news about my work as well as the books and series I am loving.

To start, the giveaway of a chapter that is dear to my heart. A little background:

From 2010 to 2015, my novel The Paris Library was called The War Bride. I focused on Odile Souchet’s war bride experience. I’m fascinated by each of the thousands of courageous women who crossed an ocean to begin a new life with a GI. It is vital to chronicle women’s experiences, and I’m grateful to Montana Historical Society members, who interviewed brides from England, France, Germany, and Japan. While researching in France, I learned that the Red Cross created centers (and named them after cigarette companies such as Camp Lucky Strike), first for soldiers returning home, then for the war brides who would join them. In this short video, we see war brides and their sweethearts, as well as Camp Phillip Morris.

Although I loved the war bride sections of my novel, I had a flash of insight (Literally a flash! Pow!) that I needed to eliminate the scenes that described Odile’s journey to the US with her fellow war brides as well as her first years of her marriage. It’s never easy to cut chapters, and this was my favorite part of the whole book. I’m grateful to be able to share it today. Now that this War Bride excerpt is available, I’d love to know if it is also your favorite. To receive it, preorder my audiobook The Parisian Chapter at one of these stores:

Apple Books Barnes & Noble Google Play Libro.fm Amazon

Fill out a quick form, and a PDF of the story will be send to you. Click here for the form.

I’m excited to see the first reader reviews on Goodreads. From Sarah: “I laughed out loud… at various things characters said throughout the novel, so if you’re looking for historical fiction with a side of humor and the best supporting character list, you will enjoy this novel!” From Katie: “This is a bit of a coming of age story with a dash of romance, second chances and having the courage to face your fears.” From Amanda: “I was immediately drawn in by the setting… I really liked Lily. Hers was somewhat of a coming of age story with navigating a new country, new job, friendship issues and romance. I loved the full cast and cinematic narration. It really added to the story.”

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Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade comes out in paperback on April 1st. Visit Goodreads for your chance to win a copy. Click here.

The Paris Library audiobook is available for $3.99 on Apple Books. Click here.

And the e-book The Paris Library is available on Kindle for $1.99. Click here.

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I’m currently listening to The School for German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan, and wow! The beautiful prose mixed with the talented actors keeps me going, chapter after chapter. If you are looking for audiobook recommendations, Aimie’s Listen Up series is a great way to discover great novels that use voice actors, and not soulless AI.

Online, I’m obsessed with Lindsey Tramuta’s Leaving America series. It is fascinating to learn how other people end up in France. Master plan or accident of fate? True love or starting again after a breakup? Each trajectory is different. Likewise, Lindsey’s book The New Parisienne: The Women & Ideas Shaping Paris is a gorgeous collection of conversations with incredible women. I’m looking forward to her latest book, The Eater Guide to Paris, out April 29th.

Like many of you, I’m very attached to independent bookstores. My happy place is the Red Wheelbarrow. If you are passing through Paris, I hope that you will buy a book and support this great bookstore!

At the Red Wheelbarrow for my Parisian book launch in 2024.

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I appreciate your support.

My best,

Janet