Letters from Paris

A Beautifully written story, full of feeling , that is insightful, and heartbreaking, and hopeful. Its a story of secrets, and hope and love, that captivates you from begining to end. It's about a young women Claire, that has lost her Mother to a car accident, when she was a mear baby, though in the car with her, strapped in her baby car seat, she doesn't remember a thing, being so young, but knows the story so well from her Grandma and relatives and family friends, it's something she grew up hearing and believing her whole life. Her Grandma who stepped in to raise her after her mother died, as her father was an abusive person to her Mother and her, that she does remember, his drinking and abusiveness. Claire is called back home to Louisiana as her grandmother is sickly, and doesn't have much time left. Once Claire is home, she can see how her Grandma's health is very deteriorated, and she's happy to be here with her in her final days, trying to be strong, and hoping that a miracle will happen and keep her dear beloved Grandma here forever. As days and weeks pass, her Grandma tells her her wishes for her funeral, and the big dinner that everyone from their small town will come to after church and her burial. Down to want to cook and bake. She also asks claire to go in the attic and clear out everything in there. Claire finds a century old mask, made out of a plaster chalk like material, of a beautiful women.She remembers playing with this mask as a little girl, making up stories about the lady of the mask, while up in the attic, hiding from her older cousin, especially when she was being very fresh and bossy to her, and teasing her about her not having a mommy and daddy that loved her. As the story progresses, after her grandma passes away, the last thing her Grandma said, Claire go to Paris, find out the story about the mask, and maybe you will find answers to your own life too. Claire does go to Paris and tracks down the makers of the mask, that was a family owned mask making atelier, from before world war ll. She learns through the shops owner, the name and slight history of the girl, who's beautiful face was cast in plaster, that is still being made and bought by tourists till today. Claire develops a friendship with the shop owners, and works for them as their English speaking sales person. Through this friendship, she finds a cache of letters that tells of the young ladys life. And Claire soon develops more than just friendship with the mask maker, and together they unearth the story, and quite by accident Claire learns the truth about her own life, that has been hidden all these years ! Excellent, Crazy Good, you won't believe the ending !! SOOO much more to this beautiful story. An Absolute must read, you will not be disappointed. I so LOVE this Author and her writing . All of 5 stars and more !!

I really enjoyed this book and it made dreaming of Paris that much more intense. I highly recommend reading the authors other Paris themed book as well, she does a great job at captivating the reader with this city :)