Cara Black Takes us on an Escape to Paris!

RHYS:  It's always a treat to host my near friend Cara Black when her new book comes out. I have loved all of her books, loved traveling vicariously to Paris with Aimee. But this book is different and I want to shout about it from the rooftops: It's called THREE HOURS IN PARIS and it is a big WW2 thriller, think Three Days of the Condor only with a warm, real heroine. It took my breath away when I read it.

Now the sad part: it was supposed to be Cara's big break out book, the one that takes her to a new level. Only all her events have been cancelled. So I urge you to spread the word in any way that you can.

Here's Cara now to ease our minds with a little dose of Paris.

CARA BLACK:

Dear Reds, I hope you’re doing well and sheltering in place. Right now, I’m missing Paris and feeling la nostalgie. I’m thinking about some of the hideaways in Paris I’d go to write in, places to get inspiration. Those unique libraries, the corner cafes I love, and gardens in quiet, secluded spots bringing peace and that je ne sais quoi that breathes Paris. I’m so happy Rhys asked me to share a few with you. Even though we’re cooped up inside we can go virtually. And when this ends, I don’t know about you, but I’ll be on the first flight to Paris.

To me, Bibliotheque Mazarine is like a historic hideaway on the Left Bank. A librarian helped me locate a rare archive book then assigned me a 19th century desk overlooking the Seine. I loved the smell of the old paper, being surrounded by leather bound volumes and those old wooden ladders to reach the books under a fresco’d ceiling. Housed in a 17th Century building created by Cardinal Mazarin as his personal library, it contains the richest collections of rare books and manuscripts in France and is the country’s oldest library.

Amazingly, it’s open to the public. You just need to sign up and records and books are available to consult. The library is quiet, you hear pages turn and it’s full of historians, researchers and students.

I took many notes; descriptions, details for my story and soaked in the ambiance under a chandelier owned by Madame du Pompadour.

Cafe la Fontaine became my ‘fountain penning’ inspiration. The irresistible urge hit me when I was walking through the lively Charonne district and stumbled upon La Fontaine. This cafe, near a street corner, pulled me with it’s spiral staircase. I don’t think much has changed since the 19th century.

After my discovery, armed with French notebooks, and a new fountain pen, I went often to write over an espresso. A glass of Champagne. I’d go over my notes, update them and sketch out a scene for my book or work in progress. This is a cafe where you can sit for hours. Watch the neighborhood go by. Full of locals, habitués and the cafe owner greets people by name. A real place of the quartier.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg is a wonderful park in the sixth arrondissement on the Left Bank - with a children’s playground, a puppet theatre, tennis courts, a place to play ‘boules’, and a pond to sail boats. When there I find a quiet spot, sometimes near a statue to sit and let the words flow. Writing for me happens in a quiet space.

The beekeeping school and working bee hives directly inspired a plot line when I was writing, Murder in Saint Germain. I mapped the area, walked its gravelled paths, then my characters did, too.

For a scene in my new book, Three Hours in Paris, my first ever standalone that comes out on Tuesday, I used the bench overlooking the Marie de Medici fountain, one that I’d sat on often. I’d listened to the gurgling water, felt the soft summer air and imagined a scene. This story is set in 1940 but where I sat felt timeless. My characters would feel what I had been feeling; the heat, the sounds of the fountain, the crunching gravel of the paths and in those days, cigarette smoke. It helped me bring the scene to life.

Cara Black’s book, THREE HOURS IN PARIS, her first ever stand alone comes out on Tuesday, April 7.

In June of 1940, when Paris fell to the Nazis, Hitler spent a total of three hours in the City of Light - abruptly leaving, never to return. To this day, no one knows why.

Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc investigations, reimagines history in a pulse-pounding spy thriller. One American riflewoman, one impossible spy mission, one shot at changing the course of history. THREE HOURS IN PARIS is an April Indie Next pick, received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal.

RHYS: Cara’s book tour, as many other authors book tours, has been cancelled. Some virtual events will be on her website at www.carablack.com as they happen. Many bookstores are still operating as of now. In fact some, like the Poisoned Pen, are doing virtual events and are not charging for shipping.

If you feel inclined to share Cara's book news and other authors whose books are coming out this month, or are able to support your local bookseller with an order, or request her and other author's books from the library, it would be heartfully appreciated. We are all in this together, thank you!