Posts from the ‘Paris’ Category

Velvet Morning Press

 

velvet-morning-press-logo

Some time ago, France Book Tours presented

  Confessions of a Paris Party Girl - cover and Paris Rue des Martyrs - cover final

So today I have the pleasure to present to you the fruit of the cooperation of these two wonderful authors, Vicki Lesage and Adria J. Cimino:

Velvet Morning Press

Good news for authors:
if you get your book published with Velvet Morning Press and you sign up for an Eiffel Package, you will get the Book of the Month feature for free! Right now, that’s a $15 value.

So for you to know more about Velvet Morning Press, here is an interview of  Adria J. Cimino and Vicki Lesage, co-founders of Velvet Morning Press LLC:

1. What makes Velvet Morning Press (VMP) different from traditional publishing houses and different from vanity presses?

 

Adria J. Cimino

A.C.: We are completely different from vanity presses.
We don’t assist authors in self-publishing, are very selective about the manuscripts we accept and don’t charge fees.
So we sound pretty much like a traditional publishing house, right? Almost. The big difference between VMP and larger publishing houses is that we keep our costs low so that we can afford the “risk” of investing in new authors. And our turnaround time is much quicker than larger publishing houses.
From the time we have the final manuscript in our hands, we need just a few months to bring it to publication.

 

 

2. By new authors, do you mean authors who need help rewriting their manuscript or need a lot of editing?

 

A.C.: No, we are looking for writers who have spent the necessary time (that depends on each individual) developing their craft. We are looking for polished work that has been edited many times by the author, or his or her writing teachers or editors. We, of course, will do light editing, but we are not interested in rewriting a manuscript. Our real role is to discover authors who have worked hard on their writing and are “ready.” And we aren’t publishing first-time authors exclusively. If you have a good story, we want to hear it!

 

3. Is the Velvet Morning Press author someone who, if your company wasn’t around, would self-publish?

 

A.C.: Perhaps, but not necessarily. I think the writer who really wants to self-publish because he or she wants to earn the maximum percentage of royalties will go that route, and that is fine. I think that our authors, for the most part, will be those who are seeking to be traditionally published, yet are discouraged by the high rejection rate at larger publishing houses, the long turnaround time and some of the exclusivity clauses in most publishing contracts.

 

4. Both of you live in Paris. Does that influence what types of books you accept? For instance, do you prefer novels with some link to France?

 

Vicki Lesage

V.L.: We met because we’re both Americans living in Paris and love books about France,
but we are not specifically looking for work with that connection.
We are mainly interested in contemporary fiction, chick lit, YA, and romance works,
and primarily focused for American audiences.

 

 

5. Vicki, you’re the author of “Confessions of a Paris Party Girl” and “Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer,” and Adria, you’re the author of “Paris, Rue des Martyrs.” All three books are set in Paris and both of you have toured with FBT. At Velvet Morning Press, what is next on your agenda?

 

V.L.: Velvet Morning Press is releasing a Paris-themed anthology in early 2015, and Adria and I are both contributors. Adria is also releasing a new novel, “Close to Destiny,” in early 2015, and it has no connection to Paris. I have a few more memoirs lined up, which will naturally tie in to the Paris theme, but I’m also planning to write fiction that has nothing to do with Paris. Neither of us wants to get locked into the Paris theme, but it seems to keep finding us!

 

6. What are your future goals—as publishers and as writers?

 

V.L.: As the publishing landscape keeps changing, we look forward to helping authors make it big in this increasingly competitive market. As a smaller pub house, we are nimble and can adapt quickly to changes in the industry. We are web-savvy and aren’t afraid to take risks—both on new authors and new marketing ideas!

 

Adria J. CiminoAdria’s Bio:

Adria J. Cimino is the author of novels “Paris, Rue des Martyrs,” and “Close to Destiny” (set for release in January), and is co-founder of indie publishing house Velvet Morning Press (http://www.velvetmorningpress.com). Prior to jumping into the publishing world full time, she spent more than a decade as a journalist at news organizations including The AP and Bloomberg News. In addition to writing fiction and discovering new authors, Adria writes about her real-life adventures in her blog “Adria in Paris.” (http://adriainparis.blogspot.com/)

Website | Blog  | Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter

 

Vicki LesageVicki’s Bio:

Amazon best-selling author Vicki Lesage penned two books, “Confessions of a Paris Party Girl” and “Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer,” in between diaper changes and wine refills. She co-founded Velvet Morning Press as a way to help new authors get to market. She and Adria strive to make Velvet Morning Press be everything they wish they had when they first launched their writing careers. In the tiny amount of spare time she has, Vicki blogs about life, love and sarcasm in Paris at http://www.vickilesage.com/

Website | Facebook | Twitter

velvet-morning-press-logoVelvet Morning Press

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Tour quotations: A Paris Apartment

Paris Apartment bannerAuthor Michelle Gable

on Tour

October 1-10, 2014

with

Paris Apartment coverA Paris Apartment

 [Women’s Fiction/Historical Fiction]

 Release date: April 22, 2014
at Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press

384 pages

ISBN: 978-1250048738

***

SYNOPSIS

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

Bienvenue à Paris!

When April Vogt’s boss tells her about an apartment in the ninth arrondissement that has been discovered after being shuttered for the past seventy years, the Sotheby’s continental furniture specialist does not hear the words “dust” or “rats” or “decrepit.” She hears Paris. She hears escape.

Once in France, April quickly learns the apartment is not merely some rich hoarder’s repository. Beneath the cobwebs and stale perfumed air is a goldmine, and not because of the actual gold (or painted ostrich eggs or mounted rhinoceros horns or bronze bathtub). First, there’s a portrait by one of the masters of the Belle Epoque, Giovanni Boldini. And then there are letters and journals written by the very woman in the painting, Marthe de Florian. These documents reveal that she was more than a renowned courtesan with enviable decolletage. Suddenly April’s quest is no longer about the bureaux plats and Louis-style armchairs that will fetch millions at auction. It’s about discovering the story behind this charismatic woman.

It’s about discovering two women, actually.

With the help of a salty (and annoyingly sexy) Parisian solicitor and the courtesan’s private diaries, April tries to uncover the many secrets buried in the apartment. As she digs into Marthe’s life, April can’t help but take a deeper look into her own. Having left behind in the States a cheating husband, a family crisis about to erupt, and a career she’s been using as the crutch to simply get by, she feels compelled to sort out her own life too. When the things she left bubbling back home begin to boil over, and Parisian delicacies beyond flaky pâtisseries tempt her better judgment, April knows that both she and Marthe deserve happy finales.

Whether accompanied by croissants or champagne, this delectable debut novel depicts the Paris of the Belle Epoque and the present day with vibrant and stunning allure. Based on historical events, Michelle Gable’s A Paris Apartment will entertain and inspire, as readers embrace the struggles and successes of two very unforgettable women. [provided by the author]

 ***

PRAISE FOR A PARIS APARTMENT

“With its well-developed, memorable characters and the author’s skillful transitioning between story lines…this stunning and fascinating debut will capture the interest of a wide audience but particularly those interested in stories about women behind famous men like Melanie Benjamin’s The Aviator’s Wife or Nancy Horan’s Under the Wide and Starry Sky. Highly recommended.” –Library Journal (starred review)
“A charming read about a fascinating history and the woman behind it.” –Historical Novel Society

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle GableMichelle Gable is a writer and also a mom, wife, financial executive, sports-obsessed maniac (Go Chargers! Go Aztecs!),
Southern California native, barre class fiend, tennis player, and card-carrying member of the Chickasaw Nation.
She grew up in sunny San Diego and attended The College of William & Mary,
where she majored in accounting as most aspiring writers do.
Throughout a career that started in public accounting and then moved to private equity, then investment banking,
and ultimately to the head of FP&A for a publicly-traded software company, Michelle continued to write. And write and write.
Her first novel was released on April 22, 2014, her second scheduled for Spring 2016.

Michelle currently resides in Cardiff by the Sea, California, with her husband, two daughters, and one lazy cat.

Visit her website. Follow her on Facebook, and Twitter 

Buy the book

***

TOUR QUOTATIONS

Indiereadergirl0329

This was a phenomenal debut. It was entertaining while informative, the characters were extremely well written and developed, the transition between story lines were seamless, and it leaves you wanting more. I can’t recommend this enough. It was such an engrossing read that I can’t imagine anyone wanting to pass this up. Next time you are thinking of buying a book, look into this one. You won’t regret it.

Griperang’s Bookmarks

I enjoyed this book from page one. Another book I could not put down… After reading this book it makes me want to go to Paris even more than I already did if that is possible. I look forward to more books by this author.

Bookish Wanderlove

Michelle Gable’s writing style is beautiful. I’ve never been to Paris, and I really hope to make it there someday. Michelle’s words and descriptions really brought Paris to life for me. The atmosphere and detailing of April’s surroundings felt so real to me!

Caffeinatedlife.net

I enjoyed reading A Paris Apartment: it piques your interest at the beginning and the character interaction throughout keeps you rather glued to the book. Readers who enjoy novels set in France and the Belle Epoque and who enjoy history and handling the antiquities may want to check out this novel.

Words And Peace

In the company of the furniture assessor April, go spend a month in Paris and get to know with her a remarkable woman who lived their at the end of the 19th century. This fascinating historical novel will open a new world to you, with messages that may give you a new lease on life.

Jorie Loves A Story

Gable allows her American and French characters to respond and react within the perimeters of this well-established awareness between the two cultural divides, yet she always attempts to step out of the stigma and re-align a sense of forward progression.

An Accidental Blog

I also enjoyed the fact that the main character was well-respected expert in her field and didn’t apologize for being a businesswoman, even when the Frenchman accused her of working too hard.
I zipped through this book, anxious to see what happened next.
I’d definitely recommend picking it up and whiling away some time in Paris.

Book Nerd

This was a very well-written book, the story line was effectively delivered and the characters were memorable.  I enjoyed and highly recommend.

Mirasol Press

I loved the story of Marthe, the “demimondaine” apartment owner, and her relationship to the famous artist Boldini, Victor Hugo, and other 19th century personages, and the descriptions of the possessions she accrued in her work. I appreciated the historical accuracy and descriptions of Paris.

***

 

A Paris Apartment: giveaway winner

Paris Apartment winners

won a copy of

Paris Apartment coverA Paris Apartment

 [Women’s Fiction/Historical Fiction]

 Release date: April 22, 2014
at Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press

384 pages

ISBN: 978-1250048738

***

SYNOPSIS

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

Bienvenue à Paris!

When April Vogt’s boss tells her about an apartment in the ninth arrondissement that has been discovered after being shuttered for the past seventy years, the Sotheby’s continental furniture specialist does not hear the words “dust” or “rats” or “decrepit.” She hears Paris. She hears escape.

Once in France, April quickly learns the apartment is not merely some rich hoarder’s repository. Beneath the cobwebs and stale perfumed air is a goldmine, and not because of the actual gold (or painted ostrich eggs or mounted rhinoceros horns or bronze bathtub). First, there’s a portrait by one of the masters of the Belle Epoque, Giovanni Boldini. And then there are letters and journals written by the very woman in the painting, Marthe de Florian. These documents reveal that she was more than a renowned courtesan with enviable decolletage. Suddenly April’s quest is no longer about the bureaux plats and Louis-style armchairs that will fetch millions at auction. It’s about discovering the story behind this charismatic woman.

It’s about discovering two women, actually.

With the help of a salty (and annoyingly sexy) Parisian solicitor and the courtesan’s private diaries, April tries to uncover the many secrets buried in the apartment. As she digs into Marthe’s life, April can’t help but take a deeper look into her own. Having left behind in the States a cheating husband, a family crisis about to erupt, and a career she’s been using as the crutch to simply get by, she feels compelled to sort out her own life too. When the things she left bubbling back home begin to boil over, and Parisian delicacies beyond flaky pâtisseries tempt her better judgment, April knows that both she and Marthe deserve happy finales.

Whether accompanied by croissants or champagne, this delectable debut novel depicts the Paris of the Belle Epoque and the present day with vibrant and stunning allure. Based on historical events, Michelle Gable’s A Paris Apartment will entertain and inspire, as readers embrace the struggles and successes of two very unforgettable women. [provided by the author]

 ***

PRAISE FOR A PARIS APARTMENT

“With its well-developed, memorable characters and the author’s skillful transitioning between story lines…this stunning and fascinating debut will capture the interest of a wide audience but particularly those interested in stories about women behind famous men like Melanie Benjamin’s The Aviator’s Wife or Nancy Horan’s Under the Wide and Starry Sky. Highly recommended.” –Library Journal (starred review)
“A charming read about a fascinating history and the woman behind it.” –Historical Novel Society

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle GableMichelle Gable is a writer and also a mom, wife, financial executive, sports-obsessed maniac (Go Chargers! Go Aztecs!),
Southern California native, barre class fiend, tennis player, and card-carrying member of the Chickasaw Nation.
She grew up in sunny San Diego and attended The College of William & Mary,
where she majored in accounting as most aspiring writers do.
Throughout a career that started in public accounting and then moved to private equity, then investment banking,
and ultimately to the head of FP&A for a publicly-traded software company, Michelle continued to write. And write and write.
Her first novel was released on April 22, 2014, her second scheduled for Spring 2016.

Michelle currently resides in Cardiff by the Sea, California, with her husband, two daughters, and one lazy cat.

Visit her website. Follow her on Facebook, and Twitter 

Buy the book

***

Disappointed you didn’t win this book?

Buy it now, you won’t regret it!

Buy the book