Thursday, February 4, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Wedge Sandals

 During my teen years, wedge shoes - and especially wedge sandals - were THE thing.  They were also called platform shoes.  Of course I loved these, even though I wobbled a bit wearing them!   It's interesting to see how fashions in clothes and shoes change and evolve over the years.  The wedge has gone in and out of style several times in the past decades. 

This was the quintessential wedge sandal during my teen years.  It had a wood sole.  Some of these sandals had cork soles (nice and light to wear) or rope (cute but not durable in rainy weather!).
Do you remember wedge shoes from retro years?  Or perhaps more recent versions?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Book Review - Moonlight Over Paris by Jennifer Robson

Book Synopsis

An aristocratic young woman leaves the sheltered world of London to find adventure, passion, and independence in 1920s Paris in this mesmerizing story from the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of Somewhere in France and After the War is Over

Spring, 1924 

Recovering from a broken wartime engagement and a serious illness that left her near death, Lady Helena Montagu-Douglas-Parr vows that for once she will live life on her own terms. Breaking free from the stifling social constraints of the aristocratic society in which she was raised, she travels to France to stay with her free spirited aunt. For one year, she will simply be Miss Parr. She will explore the picturesque streets of Paris, meet people who know nothing of her past—and pursue her dream of becoming an artist.

A few years after the Great War’s end, the City of Light is a bohemian paradise teeming with actors, painters, writers, and a lively coterie of American expatriates who welcome Helena into their romantic and exciting circle. Among them is Sam Howard, an irascible and infuriatingly honest correspondent for theChicago Tribune. Dangerously attractive and deeply scarred by the horror and carnage of the war, Sam is unlike any man she has ever encountered. He calls her Ellie, sees her as no one has before, and offers her a glimpse of a future that is both irresistible and impossible.

As Paris rises phoenix-like from the ashes of the Great War, so too does Helena. Though she’s shed her old self, she’s still uncertain of what she will become and where she belongs. But is she strong enough to completely let go of the past and follow her heart, no matter where it leads her?

Artfully capturing the Lost Generation and their enchanting city, Moonlight Over Paris is the spellbinding story of one young woman’s journey to find herself, and claim the life—and love—she truly wants. 

Purchase Links 
Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble 

My Review
Every now and then I come across a book I don't want to end because I enjoy living in the world of the book so much.  Moonlight Over Paris is one of those books.

Moonlight Over Paris is a delight for fans of historical fiction.  Jennifer Robson has a gift for making historical details fascinating.  You will meet Gerald and Sara Murphy in this book, along with other members of the Lost Generation in Paris.  You will ride on an old fashioned sleeper train - evocatively called "the train bleu."  You will spend time living in Paris in the 1920's.  As a Francophile, Moonlight in Paris is fascinating. 

Helena is one of my favorite protagonists in recent reads.  She starts the book unsure of herself and her place in the world, but during her trip to Paris, her study of art, and her connection with Sam Howard, she becomes more self assured and grows.  The book begins with a quote from Paul Valery:  "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up."  This is a perfect summary of Helena's time in Paris.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for fans of historical fiction.  I have already purchased another Jennifer Robson novel, and am sure I will reread Moonlight in Paris again at some point.  I look forward to visiting this book world again.
 


Author Bio

Jennifer Robson is the USA Today and #1 Toronto Globe & Mail bestselling author of Somewhere in France. She holds a doctorate in British economic and social history from Saint Antony’s College, University of Oxford, where she was a Commonwealth Scholar and an SSHRC Doctoral Fellow. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and young children.

Find out more about Jennifer at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter
I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.