France et Moi with author Karen Aldous

Welcome to ‘France et Moi’ where this week, as part of her blog tour for One Moment At Sunrise , I am talking to author Karen Aldous about what France means to her.

Karen Aldous

Karen enjoys village life on the edge of the north-downs in Kent with easy access to the buzz of London. Not only does she love the passive pleasures of reading and writing but craves the more active pursuits, walking, cycling and skiing especially when they involve family, friends, food, and…wine!

Much of Karen's inspiration comes from her travels. The UK, France, Switzerland and USA are just some you’ll be transported to in her books, but wherever she goes, new characters invite themselves into 'Karen's World' screaming at her to tell their stories; strong independent women who are capable of directing their own lives - but struggle to control them...especially when temptation strikes!

As a member of the Romantic Novelists ‘Association and The Write Place, Karen feels she owes so much of her success to the love and support of her fellow writers

Firstly, I think France is a special place and it is famed for many things including its cheese, wine and diverse holiday locations plus, dare I say it strikes and dog poo littered streets. What do you think makes France so very unique and ‘French’?

Karen: Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog. Yes, I simply adore France, it is extremely alluring and I love that the regions and landscape can be quite diverse whilst retaining that French ‘ambience’ which I think is what I’m drawn to.

2) How does France inspire your writing?

Karen: It’s rather like the itch of writing – it’s just in me. It speaks to me. France has something magical about it, which excites and inspires my fingers; its, culture, landscapes and the light, particularly as you go south. I love its simplicity and diversity, from sunny beaches to stunning hillsides and vineyards to skiing in the Alps. I think it’s a love affair I couldn’t ever give up!

3) When you are writing about France, are you able to write in France and if so do you have a favourite location?

Karen: Me and France are like pen and paper; we go together. Yes, it’s so easy to write there because it’s so inspiring. I would live there tomorrow if my heart would allow me to leave my family. It’s mostly notes or scenes that I write when visiting but I always have my laptop if I need to work. Provence is heaven on earth, it’s so beautiful and its villages and markets are just divine. Provence, Mougins, Canal du Midi, Dordogne, Burgundy vineyards, are among my favourites but this list could go on.

4) The French love their patisseries, what is your favourite thing to buy in a Boulangerie/Patisserie?

Karen: I love their rustic loaves, seeds or cereal, so tasty – and of course, a fresh croissant.

5) Every region in France has its own culinary specialty, do you have a favourite regional dish?

Karen: Oh, the French Savoyard Tartiflette is high on my list of favourites. Not the healthiest of dishes but irresistible with all those alpine cheeses. It’s worth a hard days skiing just to indulge. I also love a Paysanne salad, although not necessarily regional, for me it exemplifies the country with its explosion of colour and taste.

6) France has many different cheeses, a silly question, but which French cheese are you? A hard and mature Tome, a soft, fresh and lively goat cheese, the creamy and rich Camembert or maybe the salty and serious Roquefort?

Karen: You know how to make my mouth water! I would say I’m a soft, fresh and lively goats cheese – it livens up any dish for me.

7) Can you describe your perfect French apero for us the drink, the nibbles, the location and the company?

Karen: The combination of sunshine, olives and a cool Rose wine is tres seductive especially on a balmy evening sitting on an outside terrace with hubby overlooking Provence and the Med. Then of course, the Apres ski Vin Chaud.

8) France has some beautiful cities and there are a few that constantly battle to be my favourite, what is your favourite French city and why?

Karen: There are still so many to visit but Cannes has to be up there with the best. I like to stay in the Place Gambetta, close to the market and among the community, just a short stroll to Rue Antibes and the railway, which gives access to all the coastal resorts.

9) If money and commitments were no object, where in France would you like to own a property and what sort of place would it be?

Karen: Money no object, I would have two, I’d love to live in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Cannes in a small but beautiful apartment with a sunny terrace but also, have a villa with a stunning view across the hills and sea, so somewhere like Mougins or Grasse.

10) Do you have any plans to visit France again soon?

Karen: I’ve just returned from a ski trip in the French Alps but there’s a good chance I’ll be back some time this year.

Finally, do you have any current projects you would like to tell my readers about?

Karen: I do have a couple of projects but I won’t commit until I know what is next. Of course, the setting will be beautiful and is likely to include lakes or mountains.

Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions about France and you.

You can follow Karen on Twitter at: KarenAldous_

To read my review (and enter the giveaway) of her latest novel One Moment at Sunrise click here.

All of Karen's novels are available in ebook format from Amazon.