Thursday, September 17, 2015

Ella Carey always has time for friends...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to introduce you to Ella Carey today. Thanks to TLC Book Tours, we have one copy of her debut novel, Paris Time Capsule, for a lucky reader in the US or Canada!

Ella Carey is a writer and Francophile who claims Paris as her second home. She has been studying French since the age of five, and she has degrees in music and English. Carey’s work has been published in the Review of Australian Fiction. She lives with her two children and two Italian greyhounds in Australia. Visit Ella at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Synopsis of Paris Time Capsule:
New York–based photographer Cat Jordan is ready to begin a new life with her successful, button-down boyfriend. But when she learns that she’s inherited the estate of a complete stranger—a woman named Isabelle de Florian—her life is turned upside down.

Cat arrives in Paris to find that she is now the owner of a perfectly preserved Belle Époque apartment in the ninth arrondissement, and that the Frenchwoman’s family knew nothing about this secret estate. Amid these strange developments, Cat is left with burning questions: Who was Isabelle de Florian? And why did she leave the inheritance to Cat instead of her own family?

As Cat travels France in search of answers, she feels her grasp on her New York life starting to slip. With long-buried secrets coming to light and an attraction to Isabelle de Florian’s grandson growing too intense to ignore, Cat will have to decide what to let go of, and what to claim as her own.
(Courtesy of Ella's website.)



Friendship

I have to confess that I love the word friendship. It conjures up all sorts of warm images for me. I have always preferred it to the word ‘relationship,’ which seems to allude to a far murkier sort of connection. Friendship is ultimately a happy word, a word that is classic, that we can return to again and again with a sense of lightness- the same feeling we have when we meet up with a friend.

But what is it that turns this word, and indeed a friend, into a classic?

I have no doubt that friendship starts with some sort of unseen connection, a recognition from the outset that there is something there between you and the other person. I have read that we have a sort of sense with these things, something is triggered within us when we transfer from acquaintance to friend. How, when, why that happens can be a beautiful mystery- but I know that it does. It just exists.

I have many friends with whom I’ve shared fun times, crazy times at university, friends who have shared the ups and downs of adulthood, the raising of children, all the steps along the way.

But let’s take this a step further- let’s come back to the word classic, which means of the first or highest quality- what makes a friend cross the border into this territory? Certainly, it is something very special indeed.

Is it a shared sense of humor? Is it that you laugh at the same things? That can be immensely powerful. I have several close friends who share my quirky sense of humor. I love that our conversations and often texts can go towards all sorts of mad destinations!

Or is it that you have similar interests? Does that make or break a friend? I love my friends who enjoy the same films, books and so on as I do. A real bond can happen when you are both sobbing at the same storyline…

What about developing a friendship over similar life circumstances? What about that. The fact that you both might have children growing up together, meet partners together, or even do something like buy your own first apartments at the same time can give you a real sense of friendship. It’s great. With these friends, you have something to talk about!

All these things are wonderful, and terrific friendships can be formed out of all these circumstances. But what else? There is more. What turns a fun and happy friendship into something else, into something of the highest order, that will probably last a lifetime, that is, in all sense of the word, classic, and that is, undoubtedly of the very highest quality.

I’ve just learned what it is. I’ve just had an experience where I can tell you that friendship is probably the most valued relationship (there it is, that complex old word) that we can ever have in our lives.

I can tell you that the best thing in my life right now are my five oldest and best friends- and I can tell you what has done it- the answer is easy- they have been there for me during a really rough time. And that, quite simply, is what makes them classics. Of the highest quality, of the best class, unchanging.

And that, in life is one of the best things that you can ever have. So, here’s to friends- and if there was a golden measure that could tell us which of our friends are going to become classics, then we would treat them with the utmost care, love and attention from the word go, but in the meantime, go on out there and make lots of friends. Enjoy friendships- because they can become something that can be so much more, so enduring, invaluable.
Xxx


Thanks to Ella for sharing her thoughts on friendship and TLC Book Tours for sharing Paris Time Capsule with our readers. Visit all the blogs participating in this tour for more chances to win!


How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US/Canada only. Giveaway ends September 21st at midnight EST.

31 comments:

Janine said...

I love the support I get from my friends when I need it. I can always depend on them to make me smile or laugh even when times are tough.

Suburban prep said...

They care about their family and friends. They want to see the best for others.

Melanie Backus said...

I love the laughter that we share when we are all together.

susieqlaw said...

My friends are so loyal and so fun!

Linda Kish said...

They are always there and they don't judge.

Bonnie K. said...

My friends keep me entertained. I'm generally quiet and like being around those that are extroverts. Keeps me from hiding out. :P

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

bn100 said...

they're fun to be around

Unknown said...

Hi there Janine- I know. I always feel better if I've had a chat to a friend. They just lift your mood!
Thank you for commenting!

Unknown said...

Yes, I agree Suburban prep- they do want to see the best for others. I think that's a powerful statement.
Thank you. xx

Unknown said...

Melanie- laughter is just one of the best things in life. And I find I remember laughing with my friends. I love having funny friends. Just love it. Thank you!! xx

Unknown said...

susieqlaw- yes, loyalty is amazing. I have a friend whom I hadn't seen for years and years, but recently we've reconnected. The loyalty is just incredible. It's very special. Thank you for calling in here! xx

Unknown said...

That's so true Linda Kish- having people in your life who accept you as you are is a real treasure. I agree with you. xx

Unknown said...

That's a good thing Bonnie K. If you have friends with whom you go places where you might not normally go, or who encourage you, I agree, that's great. Thank you. xx

Unknown said...

Yep, I agree bn100- if you get that buzz when you are with your friends, that's a very very good thing. I love being around friends who are fun- that's classic stuff. Thanks!! xx

traveler said...

Spending time with friends who are sincere, and thoughtful and fun.

Jennifer said...

I am very lucky to have some supportive, loyal friends that I can count on. Thank goodness for good friends!

Terri. said...

I love that they are always there for me and spend time together.

Unknown said...

Hi traveler, I think sincerity is so important. You've nailed it there. xx

Unknown said...

Yes, Jennifer, I agree- thank goodness for good friends! They are just the thing. xx

Unknown said...

Terri - you are right. It's great to spend time together- and important to make the time in such a busy world. xx

susieqlaw said...

Through Facebook, I have managed to reconnect with my childhood friends. I cherish having loyal friends who have known me most of my life. Blessing!

So excited about your book.

Grandma Cootie said...

The best thing about my friends is that they let me be me.

Great story. Thanks for the giveaway.

Heather J @ TLC Book Tours said...

Thanks for featuring Ella for the tour!

Unknown said...

I like their honesty. My friends tell it like it is and I love that about them.

Unknown said...

That is great to have been able to connect with childhood friends through Facebook susieqlaw- there is something about old friends.

Unknown said...

I think that's a powerful statement Grandma Cootie. I have to say I agree with you. Thanks for commenting. xx

Unknown said...

Thank you Heather!!

Unknown said...

I think having friends who are honest is incredibly important Deborah Blanchard- honesty and telling it like it is are things that I feel are important in a friendship too. Thanks. xx

Kathleen C. said...

My friends accept me as I am. They do not try to change me, instead they embrace my quirky sense of humor, need to take some control of a situation, and my need to be as creative as possible.

Kimberly V said...

Their honesty and support.

Letty Blanchard said...

Their loyalty, honesty, support. I enjoy our coffee time, happy hour time, travel time, movie times, and just being there time!!