Kristin Espinasse is a rock star in the Francophile blogging world; her site and its corresponding newsletter, French Word a Day, has an astounding 33,882 subscribers. The site, now updated three times weekly, introduces new words and phrases in French and then illustrates their meaning through charming stories drawn from Kristin's daily life: she's an American married to a French winemaker, raising two very-French children in Provence . A number of these short, autobiographical vignettes became Kristin's first book: Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France.
And now Kristin has published her second book, this one called Blossoming in Provence. Here Kristin recounts more of her French adventures with her trademark honesty and humor, things such as meeting her husband's ex at a wedding, taking the French drivers exam and being humbled and enlightened daily as her children try to teach her, in their native tongue, the finer points of the language and culture she loves.
To celebrate the publication of the new book, Kristin has generously offered to give away four copies to my readers. To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment at the end of this post and we'll pick four winners in the next couple weeks. Unfortunately this giveaway is open only to readers with U.S. adresses...but feel free to enter and, if you win, have the book sent to a U.S.-based friend. Don't forget to leave us your email address in the body of your comment or we won't be able to reach you. Go on then...enter now!
In the meantime, you can buy both of Kristin's books on Amazon, the first one here and the second one here.
I love reading Kristin's blog - I have for several years! I would love to read her new book.
ReplyDeleteJeanne
jlg912@sbcglobal.net
Have enjoyed reading Kristin's blog, as well as her first book. Am awaiting another one, perhaps a take on life from Smokey's perspective!
ReplyDeleteloveskona@yahoo.com
Since finding Kristin's blog (probably through this one) I have been an avid reader. She brings love and laughter to your day, I encourage everyone to sign up and I can't wait to read the book.
ReplyDeleteHello and happy new year.
ReplyDeleteFrancophile that I am I move to France with my family this year. I read everything I come across books from France. So I would like to be included in your give-away.
Maliva from Norway;o)
Happy New Year! I love both your and Kristin's blogs and would love to participate in your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you both for the opportunity.
xo Ida
Isachandler@gmail.com
This is a new blog for me Julie and I am keen on the French word a day concept.......my high school french is long gone. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year! XO
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to have discovered Kristin's books! I have just added them to my January 2012 list! Thank you Julie for the wonderful information once again!
ReplyDeleteA Bientot and continued success with your amazing blog!
Lisa
NYC
lisalevittnyc@gmail.com
Happy New Year. Thank you for the update on the new book which would be a joy to win. I love the French word a day, I hope some day it will help me when I travel to France.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Pat
pvs@dmv.com
I found Kristin's first book several years ago, fell in love with her style, and then found her blog and have been following it faithfully ever since. I would love to read her new book. Regards, Claudia
ReplyDeletewardclaudia@gmail.com
Funny, Kathy was just saying we should use French more around the house... thompson3519@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteSalut Julie and Kristin ;
ReplyDeleteKristin transports me back to Provence whenever I need a mini vacation and can't go to France . I go to my local "Provence cafe" here in the U.S. have a cafe au lait and a pain au chocolat and bring along one of her books to read et viola ! Merci Kristin !!!
Cynthia
ladyeiffel@msn.com
We love Kristin's blog. We now live in New Orleans and plan to move to Fance next year and we devour all we can read about it. Thanks for all your work
ReplyDeleteJack Snyder
Jack713@att.net
Yes, I love her blog and would love to have her new book. Thanks and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeletePat
phpr@bellsouth.net
Having access to both your blog and to Kristins' provides me with regular "Provence fixes," from October through August. Only another 244 days until we're back in the place that we think of as "Heaven on Earth," - but hey, who's counting ...
ReplyDeleteAlpillesGal
Love Provence and dream of going back. Would love to read this book to bring back wonderful memories.
ReplyDeletesandyparis2@verizon.net
Kristin's blog is delightful but so is Julie's. Since I can't get to Provence that often reading these two blogs gives me a little piece of Provence every day. Would love to have Kristin's new book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda from Memphis, Tennessee
J'aime le blog de Kristin, and I am even more devoted to you, ma chere Julie, bien sur. Hoping to visit you and Provence, avec ma fille francophone. A bientot, "Marc" Gilbert
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. I've been reading the Provence Post for about a year as was preparing for our trip to Goult last June. Sure would love to win a new book about France/Provence.
ReplyDeleteSince I can improve my
French vocabulary I will definately get some help from
subscribing to Learning a French Word
Jim (jbc930@aol.com)
Choose me...choooooose meeee....choooooose meeeeee! (Oh, and Happy New Year to all!)
ReplyDeletevicki2201 at mac dot com
Would love to own her latest book!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the emotional honesty that's always present in Kristen's blogs. I have her first book both in hard back & on Kindle, and always get a lift from her posts. Would love to put volume two next to her first!!!
ReplyDeleteBonne Annee a tous!
I am new to Kristen's blog and looking forward to becoming a regular follower. Best to all in 2012!
ReplyDeleteI would love to own her book. I subscribed to her blog. I need all the french lessons I can get. Thanks for a great blog and keeping up my memories of St Remy and Provence.
ReplyDeleteI've been enjoying kristen's blog for a while now as well as yours and other France newsletters.
ReplyDeleteWould love to be part of the give away.
Happy New Year -
Rose
Rose6848@aol.com
What a gorgeous Book! I would like to make a painting of the cover photo. I would love to win a book: newbold0505@bendbroadband.com
ReplyDeleteJacqueline
Hey Julie: Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to buy this book... but will wait in hopes that I win one copy!
Hope all is well with you..
Libby
I am a member of Kristen's blog~ I even make one of her recepi's for Tomatoe Pie! Delish!
ReplyDeleteI have dreamed of meeting her one day<3
How exciting. Already on my 2012 order list. This would be a gift to California friends we met in Provence. Thanks for the opportunity to be considered.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading Kristen's word a day for some time now and really enjoy it, plus I learn the words/ phrases. Really want to read her book. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI love Kristin's blog. Have been a faithful reader of her stories about her family and life in Provence. Was going to order from Amazon, but will wait to see if I win a copy. Merci.
ReplyDeleteGeraldine Ventura
gerrybonj@aol.com
Bonjour and Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI love Kirstin's blog and enjoyed her first book, Words in a French Life, very much. Living in Maine it is such fun to read of life in Provence. I am attempting to teach myself French and the blog is very helpful with my project.
Would love to own a copy of the new book!
Margaret Shively
shively.ma@yahoo.com
I've read Kristin's blog for years enjoying her insights in French culture. I would love of get a copy of her book to give away as I have all of books including the self published ones.
ReplyDeleteShane Cook
shane_p_cook@yahoo.com
I've read Kristen's blog for years enjoying her insights into French culture. I would love a copy of her latest book to give away as I have all of her books.
ReplyDeleteShane Cook, Austin, Texas
shane_p_cook@yahoo.com
I've been reading FWAD for three years and enjoy it so much!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading Kristin's blog for three years and enjoy it very much. Her photos are wonderful too!
ReplyDeleteHere it is a new year and I am so pleased to know about a new blog to read when I am home (in Frederick, Md.) and missing the S of Fr.! Thanks for the tip, Julie.
ReplyDeleteDevoted francophile who loves to read your posts as well as Kristin's--isn't it great that we have the opportunity to engage this way--even if we can't be in France right now. Thanks and Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteas i am lucky enough to live here,(albeit not in provence...) i can vouch for kristin's accurate observations! i would love to win her second book!
ReplyDeleteWould love to enter! Fan of Kristin's. My email is tclaire.oconnor@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI never heard of Kristin or her
ReplyDeleteblog, but immediately signed up.
God knows I need all the help I can get with my French vocabulary.
Bonne et heureuse Annee to you, too.
Barbara Gillam BGPRnyc@aol.com
Love that she left like her mom, or did her mom leave like her?? And I'm glad she's at peace with her Step dad, I wish my beau's daughter would learn that lesson. I certainly accepted my dad's girlfriend, and so did my mother. That's one thing one should learn early, it's not for us to choose who makes another person happy. Not even someone who has to run away to MEXICO for god knows what... LOL... Is he a SERIAL KILLER ?? LOL.. As long as he makes your mother happy... What's for us to question?? Now send me the book, so I can learn how to say, sweet talking serial killer, with killer blue eyes.. yankee -- en francais!! LOVE to you all,, the francophile, Nathanajpr@aol.com
ReplyDeleteKristin, I too was a Francophile living in France! The only difference is that I did not find a charming French soulmate! I enjoy sharing your adventures, trials and tribulations, joys and sorrows
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for pursuing your dreams!
Bonne Annee, tout en pensant de bonnes choses!!
Andrea Feuardent Hughes, Redondo Beach, CA
mome1975@yahoo.com
Count me in please!
ReplyDelete-Britt T.
fieldofbread(at)aol(dot)com
Pick moi,s'il vous plait! I have Kristin's first book already, and it would be such a thrill to win a copy of her second one! J'adore the French-Word-A-Day blog. It comes to me via email thrice weekly, and I love reading about Kristin and her family. My four dogs love to read about Braise and her son, Smokey.
ReplyDeleteJulianna
julia000702@gmail.com
I greatly enjoy French Word A Day. I have been reading it for several years now and like Kristin, I have a deep passion for French culture..
ReplyDelete~ Dana
danarenee18@gmail.com
Fantastic book giveaway!
ReplyDeletesarainlepetitvillage@gmail.com
I've been reading Kristin's blog for over 3 years, maybe 4 now. She has definitely helped me keep up my french! lesliemoss@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am much older than Kristin, I am also an ardent Francophile and have enjoyed her email column and her first book for several years now. I also have a maman in the Phoenix, AZ, USA, area and I just missed meeting Kristin at her husband's wine tasting event a couple of years ago. If they come back for a visit, I hope it is in February or March, 2012, and this time I will be there to meet her for sure! She was kind enough to sign my books & mail them to me chez ma maman. J'espere que I win one of her nouveaux livres! Leslie G. lg0306@cox.net Merci beaucoup!
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to Kristin's blog. I love reading you and now her as well. Would love to read this book. I hope to get to Provence one of these days and you make me feel I am there already.
ReplyDeleteRuthlshehigian@live.com
Thank you for offering to give away four of Kristin's new book, Blossoming in Provence. Her short stories are a delightful way to be transported back to Provence and enjoy the daily life of French life and to learn the French language.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Kristin and to you for this wonderful opportunity to possibly have such a enjoyable book.
I look forward to receiving 'French.Word.A.Day' each time it is posted. I Love France and the French language and culture! I first learned French in 4 years of U.S.high school. Also,I was a teaching French major,as well as Spanish and History, in college, but unfortunately I only taught History and Humanities during my 32 1/2 year teaching tenure. Kristin's blog is so helpful for me in reviewing and remembering my French language and culture studies. Now I have discovered another route to reading and learning more about France, Provence, through your Post newspaper. I am subscribing to it today. I would be so grateful and appreciative to receive a copy of Kristin's newest book via this contest.I Love France and the French. Language!!! Debby Polly. Debbypolly85@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'm one of her subscribers and enjoy it very much.
ReplyDeleteTheresa N
weceno(at)yahoo)dot)com
love Kristin's french word a day...the books are even better
ReplyDeleteWould love to have a copy of Kristens 2nd publication...I look forward to reading it...
ReplyDeletelizsilva11@gmail.com
Thanks so much for offering this giveaway - I'd love to have a copy of Kristin's book - Provence is my favorite place in the world :)
ReplyDeleteLove Kristin's blog and first book -- they've helped me immeasurably with my still-mal French. Love Julie's blog, too -- which transports me to Provence while I'm sitting in LA.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
orangetokyo@aol.com
I definitely want to get my hands on a copy of this book for my mother in Philadelphia! She loves to stay updated on the French way of life and I just know she'd enjoy this read.
ReplyDeletecontact@lostincheeseland.com
I love reading Kristin's blog... I know I would love the book! rbianchi@zoominternet.net
ReplyDeleteI've ordered Kristin's new book from Amazon who generally deliver extremely quickly ... and I'm told I'll have to wait THREE WEEKS!!!
ReplyDeleteFeeling very fustrated, but I'm glad it's so popular!
Receiving Kristin's newsletter three times weekly is like a ray of sun appearing on my computer!
I love Kristin's blog and can't wait to read her latest book.
ReplyDeletecarriegroves@gmail.com
Kristin's stories are the perfect anecdotes for when life gets a bit humdrum. I LOVE her stories and her writing...keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read Kristin's new book. I follow her blog and even contributed a few comments-suggestions when she was editing it. So glad she let me know about your blog. I will subscribe aujourd'hui!
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying Kristin's blog and wonderful photos (especially those of Smokey and Blaise, I admit it!) for years now. Rock star, indeed! Marjie arkanjill@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI have been subscribed to Kristin's blog since the member counter only had four digets. Through the years it has been how I start my day in Oregon on the days that it arrives in my in box. I though I would be learning French when I joined, but what I have learned is life.
ReplyDeleteA few day ago I accidently stumbled upon Kristin’s blog, subscribed, and now am enjoying this petite excursion into French culture. It would be great to win this book and acquaint myself more intimately with her writing, but if not, I’d like to thank Kristin for her work (books and web blogging) as it is an absolute joy to read.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Penn from Palmdale, California:
ReplyDeleteHave been reading & enjoying Kristin's blog for almost a year now. Love reading about her adventures & her photography makes me long to go to France. Have bought her two books (Blossoming in Provence just arrived.) Her books and blog are great for learning French language & culture. If I win a book I will give it to my French teacher friend who helps me brush up on my rusty French & goes to French movies with me!
I read Kristin's blog all the time and love it. I'd also recommend another of my favorites: Emily in the Glass (http://emilyintheglass.wordpress.com/) I'm a little partisan as she just had me guest-post on her blog....
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading Kristin's blog for a while now. She has made it feel as though we are friends, even though we have never met. Thank you Kristin. Have a great day, friend. : )
ReplyDeleteDiana
dianakb@gmail.com
I have enjoyed reading Kristin's blog for quite some time. I recommend it to everyone. In fact, Kristin's book was the first book I bought for my Kindle. I love it. I also love how Kristin makes us feel like we are friends - even though we never met. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day, friend. :)
Diana
dianakb@gmail.com
Kristin and her books bring our dreams of France to life. Congrats Kristin.
ReplyDeleteLove Kristen's blog. It was inspiring to follow along as she worked on this book. Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteTerry
Terry.lukaslittman@gmail.com
I feel like Kristin is a personal friend of mine...have followed her good and not-so-good times on her blog for years. France is one of our favorite places and Kristin has made it even more real and alive for both my husband and me. I'd love to read her second book...it looks wonderful. I loved her first book...certainly helps me keep up with my French!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Hugs,
Abby Lazar