Straight from the Library: Straight Chatting from the Library: Marielle de Vassoigne

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Marielle de Vassoigne will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE CHARACTER INTERVIEW

I made the lead character, Maxime, write the prequel in “Choosing Love Over Pride” and of course, she will be the one writing it in the last book of the trilogy.

This is an interview she could deliver:

Miss Maxime, tell us about your second novel.

“Choosing Love Over Pride” is the sequel to “New Beginning in Vancouver”. My first book was the tale of my life two years after I moved to Vancouver from Montréal. The contemporary romance mainly introduced readers to my encounter with the Smith-Eunoia family, and of course to my love story with Gabriel.

About that first book, the epilogue left us hanging, eager to know about the events in your life that led you to remarry. Is this what “Choosing Love Over Pride” is about?

About those events, and the impact they had on me, my family in Vancouver, and Gabriel (I know many readers are fond of him). The past few years were so rich in challenges and surprises, that I felt the need to write some more, as a therapeutic exercise. This fiction is inspired by our lives, so it’s more psychological than my previous book.

Who is your favourite person in your story?

You ask me to choose among my close ones. That’s tough. Now that my dear Granps has passed, I guess my Bloom, Sophia, is. And my husband, of course.

How did you come up with the title of your second book?

The common thread and theme of the series are “New Beginnings” my in life. In this book, my new beginning is related to choices I had to make following my divorce. I didn’t think of the title until late in the story, following a statement I made to help a friend with her own choices.

You mention writing as an exercise to unwind. How about reading? What's your favourite book?

I have a few. I love creative books that help change narratives through fiction. Anything from Bernard Werber or Boris Vian. My French origins influence my taste of course. But I believe my Caribbean background speaks loud when I consider “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” as my favourite book.

What else would you want people to know about your story?

Some will be challenged by the events I share. My story will navigate you through a broad range of emotions. I did cry and laughed during those events. Also, as a BIPOC woman and LGBTQ+ ally, and because people close to me are members of the community, my books convey me values of diversity and inclusion.

Thank you, Miss Maxime, and we’re looking forward to the final of your story.

READ THE BLURB

"Max, do you remember the proposal-gate?"

"How could I ever forget, sweetie? You made sure no one would. Why do you ask?"

"Was it worth it? I mean, I recall being a fierce advocate for the 'I do.' But when I think of how much Dad and you have suffered because of love I wonder. Was it worth it?"

Maxime's stepdaughter refers to her father's legendary attempt to propose in New Beginning in Vancouver, the prequel to this book. This new stage of Maxime's life navigates us through a rollercoaster of emotions while she must face new joys and challenges. I hope you will enjoy, laugh and cry reading their story as much as I did when I wrote it. I offer you an opportunity to complete the experience of reading this novel appealing to all senses with a soundtrack, available on my author website: marielledevassoigneauthor.com. Finally, as I identify as a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ ally, this book reflects once again my core belief: a rich life is filled with kindness, curiosity, and exploration, as well as values of diversity and inclusion. Enjoy! READ AN EXCERPT

However, the sight of Lilian makes me tighten my grip on Gabriel’s hand. Our last encounter was her summoning me to try to find a way to put an end to our relationship because she couldn’t let my marriage to Gabriel happen. We grew up in different worlds and she didn’t feel I was right for her grandson.

Gabriel immediately senses my sudden edginess and gazes at me with his hazel and honey-coloured loving eyes. “Max, love. Are you all right?”

“Yes. Lilian seems glad to see us. It’ll be fine,” I say as I try to convince myself of that fact, surrounded by my husband and stepson.

As we get closer, in a rare public display of affection, Gramps brings his wife closer with a hand on her shoulder and kisses her temple. “They’re all ours Lil’. They’re all ours.”

“Yes, Charles. And our boys are happier than I’ve ever seen them.”

MEET THE AUTHOR