Coming Spring, 2026!
Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance
(Musical Romance with Historical Mystery)
Blurb
Sidelined by an injury that stole her music, violist Adrienne Pearson studies abroad in France, hoping to find a new purpose. There, she clashes with her host’s brooding godson, Jean-David. After discovering a 300-year-old family journal, they must work together to solve the murder of a famous ancestor. As they unravel the past, they must also dismantle their own emotional fortresses to find love and a new harmony in their lives.
Setting
The story begins in the present day at Belton University, located in the American Midwest, in autumn. The primary setting quickly shifts to France, centering on the picturesque, fictional town of Lavaloire in the Loire Valley.
Key locations here include Cici’s historic 18th-century house, the local brasserie, and the ancient Château de Lavaloire. The narrative also features extensive scenes in Paris, exploring iconic landmarks such as the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opéra Garnier, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of Versailles, creating a rich tapestry of French culture, history, and art.
Themes & Motifs
- Finding Your Voice: The most prominent theme is the journey of rediscovering one’s purpose and means of expression. Adrienne, having lost her ability to play viola professionally, seeks a new path through music history. Her journey culminates in her playing music again, not as a career but for love. This is mirrored by Jean-David, a writer who struggles to write with “soul” until he confronts his past trauma, ultimately finding his professional and emotional voice.
- Past and Present Intertwined: The story constantly weaves historical elements into the contemporary plot. Pierre Leclair’s 18th-century journal serves as a direct catalyst for the plot, with its family rivalries mirroring the Pearson sisters’ own dynamics. The settings—from ancient castles to the restored Notre Dame—act as portals to the past, forcing characters to reckon with history to understand their present and future.
- Overcoming Personal Fortresses: Both protagonists have built emotional walls to protect themselves. Jean-David lives as a recluse in his “fortress” (the old castle, his quiet life) to avoid the pain of his parents’ death. Adrienne feels walled off by her injury. Their relationship is the key to dismantling these fortresses, symbolized by Jean-David finally sharing his beloved castle with her and overcoming his fear of flying.
- Light: The recurring motif of sunflowers turning toward the light reinforces this theme of seeking hope and openness. As the settings progress, they become more open and light themselves, for example Versailles in comparison to the Medieval Chateaux.