After a career-altering injury, violist Adrienne Pearson digs deep into her French roots. As the second of five sisters, she seeks individuality. But when several of her family members and friends decide to join her on a French excursion, she must navigate old and new relationships while finding her place in a foreign land. Will she rediscover her voice in the home of her ancestors?
Jean-David Béranger, a brooding, reclusive French journalist, finds his life upturned when his eccentric godmother invites an entourage of American students to live with them while studying music at the local conservatoire. Can Adrienne, a beautiful American sunflower girl, dismantle the fortress surrounding his heart and convince him to turn toward the light?Sunflowers in Paris takes the reader on a journey through the Loire Valley, Versailles, and Paris, the City of Light, weaving elements of historical and contemporary French life with a centuries-old cold case about a real, 18th-century composer.
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Adrienne Pearson waited, camera poised, ready for the happy couple to arrive. Fall foliage swirled around her as a gust of wind whipped her yellow skirt. She adjusted her scarf and took a deep breath of the crisp fall air. What a refreshing scent!
A red brick building of four interconnected towers surrounded the “secret garden” enclosure in which she stood. Vines crawled up the walls of the historic building, or “castle,” as everyone called it, here at Belton University. What she wouldn’t give to see an ancient European castle someday!
Marie Pearson, Adrienne’s younger sister, leaned against a massive oak tree a few yards away. The high school senior had ditched her usual jeans and T-shirt for a flowy blue maxi-dress, which matched her azure eyes. She’d pulled her dirty blond hair into its standard ponytail and clutched an antique violin in her hands, a family heirloom from Papa Leclair.
READ MOREAdrienne’s eyes rested on the violin case next to her sister. Like the instrument, the case looked hundreds of years old. Made of leather covering an oblong box, it bore no resemblance to the sleek modern ones. How odd. Why would people use leather for instrument cases? Cracks, stains, and gashes covered this one. Perhaps that was normal for something made hundreds of years ago? She squinted. A few gashes even looked like letters, but she couldn’t quite make them out from this distance. How had she not noticed them before?
“This is taking forever!” Marie sank onto a bench nestled in a bed of fading flowers, violin still in hand. "I thought they would be here by now."
“I know.” Adrienne tore her eyes away from the mysterious case. “Jerry said he’d bring Victoria here right after the matinee. What could they be doing?”
“Really?” Marie cocked an eyebrow. “They’re probably wrapped around each other in Jerry’s car.”
“Right.” Adrienne ran her fingers through her short blond hair. Victoria, her oldest sister, deserved this special day. No one could deny that she and Jerry Chang were meant for each other. A sigh escaped Adrienne’s lips. She’d harbored a small crush on him a year ago. Honestly, that had been more to annoy her sister than anything. Perfect Victoria with her successful music career and amazing boyfriend-almost-fiancé.
Marie pointed to the brick facade behind her. “How old do you think ‘the castle’ is?”
Adrienne jolted back to attention. “I can’t remember the exact date. Mid-nineteenth century. Nothing like European castles. But I’m sure they’ll teach you that at freshman orientation next year. Are you excited to start college?”
“Eh,” Marie shrugged.
“I understand. We’ve spent our whole lives here. Someday, I’d like to live away from the Midwest.”
“You mean Paris?” grinned Marie.
“I wish that were pos—.” Adrienne spun around at the sound of crunching leaves. “They’re coming!” She hid between a tree and a tall bush, then pointed her camera toward the entrance.
Marie jumped up and slid the violin under her chin. Seconds later, her sweet melody of “The Swan” from Saint-Saëns’ Le Carnaval des Animaux filled the air as the happy couple appeared under the archway.
COLLAPSEKerri Parr wrote:Sunflowers in Paris is everything we want in a novel–romance, drama, plot twists, finding identity, sibling rivalry, exotic travel, and more. Rescot's narrative is a joie de vivre for musicians, historians, globetrotters, and romantics everywhere.
Katie James
Violist and Teacher
Friend of the Author
Stacy L. Peterson, M.D. wrote:Sunflowers in Paris is a delightful sequel in The Strings of Sisterhood series. Ashley Rescot provides the reader with a little Parisian getaway in which you travel throughout France with the endearing Pearson family.
I thoroughly enjoyed sight-seeing with the Belton students, as it brought back so many memories of my own time spent abroad. It was like catching up with an old friend over coffee as you reminisce about memories of old.
However, the romance, along with a little murder mystery, was what really captivated me and kept me wanting to know more. It is a perfect beach read, filled with restored hope!
-Kerri L. Parr M.A. LPC
Co-Founder / Principal Player of Uptown Violins
Former French Teacher
Sister of the Author
In Sunflowers in Paris, Ashley Rescot captivates your interest acting as an incredible tour guide, across the streets of Paris, throughout French history, music, romance, and even a murder mystery. Having lived in Paris, I can attest to her excellent scholarship. This is evidenced by her accuracy in not only covering Paris today, but also in seamlessly incorporating Parisian history in the 18th century.
The best part of the book, however, is how Rescot brings the reader along on a fun-filled adventure with surprises along the way.
-Stacy L. Peterson, M.D.
Semi-retired Plastic Surgeon
Christian Medical and Dental Societies: Former Kansas representative
University of Kansas: Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery
Father of the Author