Chronicles From Château Moines, my middle grade novel, is now Released!
Check here what Publishers Weekly wrote about my novel.
Chronicles From Château Moines is entirely a work of fiction, but the cultural, social, and historical backgrounds of the early 1970s in France and the USA inspired the writing.
The story starts on September 14, 1970.
This is back to school day in Château Moines, a small French town.
Sylvie isn’t too happy. Her maman has said no to the pair of Levi’s and other American clothes Sylvie dreams to wear for her first day in seventh grade.
Her best friend Annie on the other side is over excited: A new boy has just moved to town. And he is American.
A Few Words About Chronicles From Château Moines:
Although Sylvie is immediately drawn to Scott, looking so exotic with his American accent and perfectly faded Levi’s, she cannot say a word to him. Later that day, she can’t even write any good lyrics in her secret notebook either.
Sylvie has the feeling that this first day of school marks the beginning of a lot of unpleasant firsts.
If only she knew how Scott is feeling!
His mom has recently died and his father has moved his family from California to Normandy. Now Scott has to learn to live without his mom while adjusting to France.
On this first day of school he’s as displaced as can be. In his seventh grade class there is only Ibrahim who comes from another country. At home his eight-year old sister Stacey misses their mom very much, so Scott tries to be a good big brother, but this is hard.
Scott doesn’t even want to play his guitar anymore. Why does his father think that life will be better so far from home? This move is crazy.
While Scott and Sylvie struggle with their daily lives, the world around them is also in turmoil.
Chronicles From Château Moines is set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War protest era and social and cultural changes in France.
Told in alternating first-person chapters, from the perspectives of Scott and Sylvie, the novel is a story about loss and friendship, music and peace, and also about secrets.
A Few Thoughts on my Mind:
When my first novel Trapped in Paris was released, I wrote this blog post.
What I wrote is still on my mind but I want to add this:
Over the last two years I have been writing almost every day. Short stories in French, two novel-length manuscripts in English… Enough material to keep me busy for a while!
I also wrote many blog posts. Keeping up with my bilingual blog is teaching me discipline and patience. I have no doubt that I have been able to revise, edit, and seek professional help to move Chronicles From Château Moines from manuscript to publication, because of my blog.
A blog exists through its readers. I cannot tell you how much your interest in my writing, your support and encouragement through your ‘like(s)’ and comments matter to me. You play a crucial role in my writing journey.
To Each of You: Thank You.
P.S. Check out Chronicles From Château Moines HERE where you can purchase either the paperback or eBook version. You can also order Chronicles From Château Moines from your favorite bookshop.
Evelyne Holingue 
I’m so in LOVE with that cover that I just got a paperback copy. I can’t wait for it to get here already!!
I know next to nothing about France in the 70’s, and I loved your last book, so I’m really stoked. Thanks for making my day!
I’m glad you like the cover, Katie. Jenny did a great job, I agree. The back cover work is lovely too. Thank you for your constant support and for your enthusiasm. YOU make my day! And congrats to you too, since your book is out today as well. Anyone reading this: check Katie’s work. Worth your time.
Congratulations on the release of your 2nd book! The cover image is wonderful, and your description of the book intriguing! I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, Karen, for your congratulation message and your support. I hope that you will enjoy the book and can suggest it to a young reader.
Congrats on the release! I like the sounds of this story and week definitely check it out soon!
Thank you for your kind message and for your interest. Let me know how you like the story.
This is wonderful, Evelyne. I’m so excited for you! That is so very much to accomplish in just two years. Wow. Congratulations on Chronicles From Château Moines — may sales be phenomenal! Hugs 😀
Thank you, Teagan, for being so supportive. I hope for good reviews for this new story. Sales would be lovely too, of course! See you soon.
Congratulations! Tu vas le traduire?
Merci pour ton message de félicitations, Pomdepin. En fait, je pense traduire un autre manuscrit dont je parlerai un peu plus tard sur ce blog. Et ton avis ainsi que celui des français et françaises qui me lisent aura de l’importance. Alors sois un peu patiente…
Quant à ce nouveau roman, si tu connais un jeune français quii apprend l’anglais en classe et veut s’améliorer, cela peut faire un petit cadeau aussi. Merci encore pour ta visite et félicitations.
Je pensais égoïstement à mes petits bilingues qui ont bien besoin de lire en français. Mais j’ai des neveux et Noel approche!
So exciting for you Evelyne, many congratulation, this is wonderful news and your story sounds intriguing. I do wish you every success and booming sales. I’m so glad we met here, you have accomplished so much and I would like to thank you for all the support you give me. It is great to know we are all in this together 🙂
Thank you, Sherri, for your visit and constant support. I also hope that many young (and not so young) will like this new story. I am happy for the journey and appreciate every ‘like’ and comment I have received on this blog. They have helped me to move on. See you soon on your blog.
I’m so glad Evelyne, and I feel just the same way about my blog. I wouldn’t be doing any of the writing I’m doing now without the support of you all. It is wonderful this community of ours isn’t it? Yes, I actually really want to read your book and hope to get the chance to do so as soon as I can. The more the merrier 🙂 I always look forward to your visits Evelyne, see you soon 🙂
Thank you, Sherri. See you.
I’m putting you on our wish list 🙂
You are too kind and too cool. I really appreciate your support, Marilyn.
Such wonderful news – Congratulations!
Thank you, Dan. This is a much quieter novel than Trapped in Paris. The kids are twelve years old and the setting is a small, peaceful town. In appearance…
Thank you for yoru support and visit. See you on your blog.
Congrats…I’ll buy a copy as soon as this merry-go-wheel my life has become stops spinning long enough for me to draw breath!
Love,
Elizabeth
Thank you, Elizabeth. I know how busy you are. Been there, done that. Take it easy. But if you get a chance to read it or suggest it, I thank you in advance for your support. See you on your blog.
Congratulations on the release of your book, Evelyne. It’s a wonderful accomplishment. You’ve been so productive over the past couple of years. Congratulations on all your hard work.
Thank you so much, Nicki, for your encouraging message. I still need to work harder on promoting my books and on improving my productivity, but I am glad to see this new story in print. I appreciate your positive comment and all the supportive words I hav received over the last monts a lot. They push me to continue this writing journey, between my two languages and cultures. See you soon on your blog.
Congratulations! Sounds like an amazing story – I’ll be getting this for my 6th grader who loves France and French (comme sa mere), and I’ll be stealing it to read for myself. So very pleased to read this post, Evelyne! Congratulations!!
You are too kind and cool, Kimberly. I would love to know how your son and his mom like this story. This is such an important part of writing to know how people feel about your stories. Thank you so much for your congrats message. See you soon on your blog.
Congratulation for all your work ! It sounds like a great story ! Have you/your editor planned to get it translated into French?
Thank you, Mary. No, a translation is not planned. So far, at least. But it would be a great story for a young reader who is learning English at school. See you soon, Mary.
Many congratulations Evelyne, I’ve just bought a copy and looking forward to reading it.
Missed this comment of yours, Andrea. Thank you for your support.
ohlala ! Simon and Garfunkel…mes 15 ans…
Merci, Simone. Je me rends compte que je ne suis pas vraiment au top de mes commentaires. Sorry!
That sounds so good! You make me want to take a week and just read. I bet my daughter would love this one too.
Sorry for this late reply, Crystal. Looks like I didn’t get any WordPress feedback for a bunch of comments. Hope you’ll forgive me. Thank you for your interest and support.
Congratulations and félicitations on this wonderful accomplishment, Evelyne! I’m terribly behind in my blog reading and so a little belated with my best wishes but assure you they are no less sincere.
And I’m terribly being replying to your kind comment, Patricia. I’m usually good with that, It’s almost as if WordPress hadn’t kept me informed of a bunch of comments. I’m sorry!
I absolutely adore your cover, I’ll try and get a copy soon, after the holidays!
Blessings. 🙂
I hope you did, Seyi, despite my absence of feedback. For some reason I missed a whole bunch of comments. I’m sorry and wish you well. Thank you for your compliment on the cover.
Congratulations!
Thank you, Sabra.
How exciting! Congratulations! One of my goals this year is to read more middle grade books. Chronicles From Château Moines will be at the top if my list :).
Thank you! So kind of you. Hope you’ll enjoy.
Congratulations on the release of your excellent book! Thanks again for allowing me to review it. I’m sure it’ll do very well 🙂
No idea how I could have missed your visit, Stella. Thank you for your support. Hope all is well for you too.
No worries! Hope you are well, too 🙂
Thanks for sharing the novel with us. Looking forward to it! I love your blog. Glad you came by and commented on mine, Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
Thanks for checking out my tahini cookies. I have downloaded your book to my Kindle and I can’t wait to start it! A good day 🙂
I absolutely loved it! Such a beautiful story with wonderful characters. I’d love to see how they grow up!
Thank you for your kind words, Petal and Mortar (cool name BTW) and sorry for this very late reply. Looks like I missed a whole bunch of comments. Interesting that you’ve asked to read more about Scott and Sylvie. Readers have asked the same for Trapped in Paris.
I should give some thoughts to the idea!
I think there’s more to their story! 🙂
Post your article very useful and beneficial, many useful quotations that I can take from your website as well as with many people and how do you think about my website? Thank you
This book sounds so interesting. I want to read it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Cecilia, and sorry for my late reply. If you haven’t read it yet, you can find the review by Publishers Weekly (available from my website) helpful to decide.
How very exciting! The release of your second book! Good luck with it!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Thank you so much, Linda, and sorry for my late feedback. I’ve missed (for a strange reason) a lot of comments on this post.
Thank you for following my blog. Best of luck on your book.
Thank you, John. And sorry for this late reply. I missed many comments on this post. WordPress usually keeps me updated and it looks like a glitch happened.
🙂
Bonjour Evelyne. Mon cher et moi are going for a European trip. We have bought plane tickets and plan to bike for just a few days in Dijon area and go just to Beaune, back to Saint-George-de-nuits. In a loopy way, we then take train to Barcelona, Spain.. couple nights in medieval German town before return.
Any thoughts /recommendations in that part of France? I’ve been to Paris, Strausborg and loved it.
I’m so sorry, Jean, for this late reply. For some strange reason I didn’t receive any WordPress alert for this post. I must be too late to give you some tips for this trip of yours to France. If you’re still in Canada I’ll suggest Normandy since I’m not familiar enough with Dijon and the area. But if you’ve already bought your tickets and planned your biking tour I’m probably too late. Hope you enjoyed!
We won’t be going until fall this year. Yes, we’ve bought our tickets already. 🙂
I’m stopping by from the A to Z Challenge. If you get a chance, would you add the badge for the Challenge to the sidebar of your blog page? That way, people will know you’re doing it. The code and the badge are on the main A to Z blog page. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing you during the Challenge…
John Holton
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Co-Host
The Sound of One Hand Typing
PS Great news!
For some reason, I missed your comment from 2016! I am sorry! I will do the challenge again in 2019 (my fifth year) and will see how and if I can add the badge. My techie husband customized my website/blog and I know it’s a challenge (sorry for the pun!) to add things to the sidebars. I’ll do my best.
Sounds great! I am going to check it out!
Thanks, hope you’ll enjoy, then.
I am definitly going to 😉
It sounds like a wonderful/meaningful story, Evelyn. Once more you are bridging the cross cultural gap, and doing it for young people. Few things are more important. –Curt