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~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #203
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube
Author of The Provençal Mystery series, featuring Antoine Verlaque and Marine Bonnet, M.L. Longworth joins me on today’s episode of the podcast to discuss her latest mystery in the series which was just released on April 3rd, The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche.
Having lived in Aix-en-Provence for more than 20 years, M.L. shares insights into her daily routine, what she most looks forward to when it comes to Provençal spring cuisine as well as shares tips and recommendations for what to pack might you be traveling to the region. As a writing professor at NYU’s campus in Paris, I also had the opportunity to ask her about her writing process and how she instructs students to find their narrative voice.
Most importantly, we talk about the plot for her new novel The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche, where her inspiration for her lead characters comes from and other details that fans of her series will love to be privy to (I know I was). Be sure to tune and don’t forget to enter the giveaway on Instagram (details shared below).
~TSLL’s office (Norman waiting for his treat) pre-taping of my interview with M.L. Longworth, shared on Instagram~
Read M.L. Longworth’s entire series in order:
- 1st – Death at Chateau Bremont
- 2nd – Murder in the Rue Dumas
- 3rd – Death in the Vines
- 4th – Murder on the Ile Sordou
- 5th – The Mystery of the Lost Cézanne
- 6th – The Curse of La Fontaine
- 7th (discussed in today’s episode – the latest!) – The Secrets of the Bastide Blance
Learn more about M.L. (Mary Lou) Longworth:
- Her website – mllongworth.com
- Instagram @mllongworth (the image in the upper right-hand corner if from M.L.’s IG account)
~Listen to past French-Inspired episodes of The Simple Sophisticate here.
~Sign up for TSLL’s Weekly Newsletter or learn more here
Shop Les Tropezienne sandals discussed in the episode:
Giveaway
Update 4/13/18: The winners have been selected! Thank you to all who entered, shared with a friend and said hello!
Three lucky listeners/readers will receive:
- a copy of The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche by M.L. Longworth (released April 3, 2018)
- AND a L’Occitane lavande sachet parfumé (lavender sachet)
- Both can be seen in the image below
How to Enter:
- Only on Instagram
- Three ways to enter (you may enter each way, so you can increase your chances of winning)
-
- (1) Follow @thesimplyluxuriouslife & like the respective post with the similar image seen below on Instagram
- (2) Leave a comment on the respective IG post
- (3) Tag a friend who you think might enjoy the book
- Monday April 9 – Thursday April 12 (midnight, Pacific Time)
- Winners will be chosen at random
- Winners will be announced on Instagram AND in TSLL’s Weekly Newsletter (learn more here) on Friday April 13th
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What a beautiful pairing Shannon, a new book together with lavender from my all time favourite store. L’Occitane. I can also recommend the savon liquide lavender with shea butter hand wash, (the golden coloured bottle). The almond shower oil and lavender bath soak are amazing. Both look and smell divine and take me straight back to Provence. Can’t wait for my next trip to Nice in June. Best wishes from the UK, Sue.
Thank you for the recommendations! Lovely to hear from you Sue. 🙂
I read this over the weekend & thoroughly enjoyed it. As soon as you gave the head’s up that it would be published in April, I asked the library to purchase it. It’s fun to follow the main characters as life happens. Now I wait for her next book.
Merci beaucoup Shannon
A very enjoyable podcast and the introduction to MLLongworth. She’s new to me but after listening to her am now intrigued to find out about her characters. She is so right about learning the language that you have to immerse yourself in the daily rythmns of French life. It’s the only way and it’s truly a wonderful experience. I too loved Nancy Drew. She was so sassy!!?
Shannon,
I look forward to reading, listening and living all of the insights and ideas you share. Thank you for creating the Simple Luxurious Life for all of us to live. With peace, Gretchen
Love love this interview. One of my favorite writers. Thank you so much for asking all the
questions that I would have asked her if I had the chance.
I don’t have instagram (a mature senior citizen, lol) so not able to participate,but would love a copy o f the book anyway.
Thanks for tuning in Merdi and consider yourself entered! 🙂
I just finished listening to this and now I have one of the book selections for my blog’s May book club! I’m going to start with the first in the series, though. Also, as an aspiring novelist I really enjoyed that part of the interview. Thank you for all your fun Francophile episodes. I administer a Francophile group on Facebook and I often share your podcasts there. This one will be scheduled soon!
Thank you so much for sharing with your group! M.L. was so much fun to have on the podcast.
Hello! I’m definitely enjoying ML Longworths mysteries. I came to read these in my search for something to read after completing all of Martin Walkers , Bruno Chief of Police. To my surprise, the books were very similar, characters, the focus of village life, Bruno and his relationships, food, appreciation of wine etc… So much similar I felt like one of these author is a ghost writer.
I was hoping you could perhaps shed some light on this mystery.