Blurb
After
a harsh brush with her mortality, shadowed by a premature divorce,
Wanda St. Hilaire pledges to be true to her primary passion—living
ardently through travel. On the fateful day her life intersects with
Jean-François, a charming Frenchman, on a bustling street in Lisbon,
every fiber of her being feels as though she has finally entered the
doorway to a magical world that she knew existed since she was a
young girl.
St.
Hilaire turns a complicated romantic ballet full of missteps into a
collage of people, places, and cultures. Fragments of French is an
exquisitely detailed travelogue of Portugal, Canada, France, and
Mexico, filled with minor characters who delight with their humanity.
However, what really makes this tale a standout is a gift for pacing
and description to rival Tom Wolfe.
The
hero’s journey is not only for the characters of our favorite
stories or mythical legends. At some point, each of us receives the
call to adventure. Fate summons the hero; we can refuse the call, or
step into something that will turn our lives upside down, and
potentially change everything we know to be true.
From
feeling “completely disarmed, no fortress standing”, to embracing
her untethered strength, the author turns this account of living life
out loud into lessons for us all.
Excerpt
My
internal time clock askew, I awaken before dawn, eager to investigate
Lisbon. With only one night booked in this over-priced hotel, I will
search for another room in the heart of the city. Taking my breakfast
and a frothy cappuccino on a vine-shaded terrace, I then wander the
busy streets. I find a suitable room that is antiquated and stark,
but larger than any of the others. Although I don’t need space, I
like it. Retrieving my bags, I make my way back to the pensão near
Rossio, the center of the action. The rotund owner is a cheery and
welcoming man, and I feel that I am in safe hands.
Collapsing
on the small bed, I find the room warmed by the unseasonably high
temperature today. I daydream about what I shall do on this trip, my
brain swinging from thought to thought. Slowly, my monkey mind
settles into meditation. Relaxed, I drift into a blurry theta state.
Like
a bud unfurling, an intense longing begins to push its way up my body
and into my consciousness. Forming a prayer, I am cognizant of its
power - a force that can be generated only from fervent desire and
clear intent, unified in a deeply contemplative state. I pray that I
will meet a man - not a typical holiday fling soon forgotten - but a
real romance.
A
man who will rock my world.
About
the Author
Her
prime passion is the thrill of travel—of experiencing other
cultures, traditions, lifestyles, and languages—thus expanding her
perspective.
Wanda
St. Hilaire has a predilection and passion for all things Latin, and
she believes life is too short not to do what you love, where you
love. She spends time writing in Mexico for inspiration, and to
escape the frozen landscapes of Alberta.
Through
writing, St. Hilaire shares what she’s learned from the high peaks
of adventure and love, to the dark valleys of illness and heartbreak.
Her mission is to help people overcome the self, and tap into their
wise inner guidance system. Her wish is to inspire others to live
true to their unique and beautiful nature.
Fragments
of French on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Fragments-French-Unexpected-Journey-Heart/dp/189433115X
Companion
Poetry Book, Of Love, Life, and Journeys
(Inspired
during the story of my travel memoir, this collection of poems and
verse was first published in 2004 and became a Canadian bestseller
for poetry. This second edition was created as a companion book to
Fragments of French,)
Book
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPp3vMOpFFw
Twitter:
@spicytraveler (https://twitter.com/spicytraveler
Wanda
St. Hilaire will be awarding a ribboned beret & Paris coin bag
with an E-book of Fragments of French to a randomly drawn winner via
rafflecopter during the tour. (International offer)
2 comments:
Hello, Wanda!
I signed up to host your tour at least partly because I also love to travel. Your memoir sounds wonderful.
Hi Lisabet,
Unfortunately Google would not let me post yesterday. If you love travel, you'll enjoy Fragments of French. Lots of places to visit with me with twists and turns!
Wanda St. Hilaire
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