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Linda Kovic-Skow
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French Illusions: From Tours to Paris Paperback – June 12, 2019

by Linda Kovic-Skow (Author)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 443 ratings
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I’m Free. Life is good…until it isn’t. Still determined to learn French and fulfill her dream of becoming an international flight attendant, Linda puts her disastrous stint as an au pair behind her. She finds lodging, enrolls at the French institute, and spends eight glorious days with Adam before he leaves for the holidays. When he returns, his shocking announcement propels her in a different direction.Purchase the second and final book in the French Illusions Series now, with one click, and join Linda as she struggles with money, faces challenges at school, and learns some tough lessons about life and love.
Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 3
    French Illusions
  2. Print length
    244 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 12, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.61 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0988464047
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0988464049
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Written from the authors journals and her memories, this is a heartfelt book that will keep you turning pages and happily entertained until the very end." -Ionia Froment, Top 1000 Reviewer, Readful Things Blog"
I read and reviewed Linda Kovic-Skow's first book, French Illusions, a year ago and had been looking forward to reading this sequel. I enjoyed this second book even more than the first because the author was more experienced in life and had mastered enough French to be able to communicate. In fact, the French conversations sprinkled throughout the book (with translations), gave the characters and setting a very authentic feel..." -Lisa Kearns, Top 500 Reviewer Vine Voice

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dreamland Press, LLC (June 12, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 244 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0988464047
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0988464049
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.61 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 443 ratings

About the author

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Linda Kovic-Skow

Linda Kovic-Skow

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Linda is an award-winning author and travel enthusiast. Her two-book memoir series, French Illusions, My Story as an American Au Pair and From Tours to Paris, is based on her diaries from 1979 and 1980. Originally from Seattle, Linda now resides in Saint Petersburg, Florida with her longtime husband. To this day, she tells people that she’s thankful for her storybook life.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
443 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kathleen Pooler
5.0 out of 5 stars You'll experience romance and adventure as a 20-something young woman in Paris
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2015
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When I finished reading the first book in this series, my main thought was what happens next? The author did a masterful job of piquing my curiosity and need to find out. From Tours to Paris is the delightful sequel and answer to my question.

As she did in her first book, Linda Kovic-Skow brought me right into her world of romance and adventure and kept me turning the pages through her descriptive and engaging writing. I am with her as a twenty-something experiencing the agony and ecstacy of young love in the City of Love. Her scenic details are exquisite and brought me into the scenes. Her rollercoaster of emotions had me recalling what it was like being twenty-something again. It was an honest and believable portrayal in that she weaves in the realities of dealing with her parents, honoring their wishes as well as the many friendships she forges with her peers while over there. The fact that she made this all work –taking off for France when she didn’t know the language, then extending her stay-is a testament to her resilience, courage and creative imagination. It makes for a very engaging and satisfying read and one I highly recommend
8 people found this helpful
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Zuri
3.0 out of 5 stars Not much story, too much jumping into bed.
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015
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After reading Linda's first book (My Story as an American Au Pair ... ) which I could not rave about, I was nonetheless curious as to how her story would unfold further -- the ending of the first book is a bit lame. So I quite enjoyed this book, as Linda is now a more delineated character and I grew to like her more. I like her descriptions of places (showing that she was not all superficiality) as well as descriptions of some of the meals they ate. What I did not find endearing was her quick jump from Adam's arms into Michel's, and the constant sex ... which she handles fairly sensitively. Even so -- too much of the youthful lust, and not enough story!

This book has very little "story" to it. I read it because I wanted to find out what happens in the end, especially with the mysterious Michel as her lover. Well, read for yourself -- again the ending is flat. I'm still convinced that Michel were embroiled in much more than just "translating from Arabic to French" (or vice versa), but we never find out what his dark secrets might have been. And Linda returns to the States alone.
2 people found this helpful
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LizzieHBooks Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A new adventure - different from book one and hugely enjoyable!
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2015
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French Illusions Book 2 follows Linda Kovic-Skow's first memoir divulging Linda's life at the age of 21 when she lived in France, but book 2 is quite different to book one - (as are a lot of true-life stories).

This book is about life outside the au pair job - grappling with real-world issues of love and maturing. It's a fast fun read with many leaps in tension and I wondered what the heck would happen to Linda at every turn. Even though she's out of the French au pair context, she's still isolated and has to look to her own resources to manage.

This is 1980: she's phoning 'collect' from a post office to communicate with home and has no internet, email, mobile phone, craigslist groups for instant friends, the lines of communication are vastly different and the language barriers are high. I liked how the author takes us into her experiences from the get-go and conveys how much of a learning curve she was on without ever throwing herself a pity party when things go nothing like she imagines. Her tenacity and spunk shine through.
5 people found this helpful
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Jojo
4.0 out of 5 stars I truly enjoyed reading your books.
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2020
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I loved revisiting some of the beautiful, iconic places in Paris. I also enjoyed reading about Tours and the Loire Valley.
I felt that you shouldn't have given away your ring to Michel. I felt all along that he was taking advantage of you, expecting you to ask your parents for more money was a turn off for me.
Mais en général , j'ai vraiment aimé les deux livres. Bonne journée!
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BrittdogPub
5.0 out of 5 stars More Fun in France
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2015
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I have been looking forward to reading this book for quite a while. I enjoyed the first book in the series and I was anxious to read about Linda's adventures after she was fired from her position as a nanny.

Like many young adults, Linda fell in love. She was head over heels for a guy who borrowed money from her and sometimes disappeared for a few days or weeks. The young people and their friends liked to drink, smoke, and party even though they seemed to have a constant cash flow issue.

Linda had gone to France to learn the language and become an airline stewardess. Read the book to find out if she achieved that goal. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written memoir.
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Linda R.
3.0 out of 5 stars Sexy Times instead of Syntax
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2018
I read both books, and they had many good points in common. But if Linda had spent half the time studying French grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and idiom from a book instead of clubbing, drinking with pals and making love with hot French men she would have achieved her goals more securely and rapidly. This book concentrated far too much on her dates and sexy times with boyfriends who ended up dumping her or borrowing money. Character development was weak compared to Book 1, and the plot kept recycling with a new man instead of going somewhere.
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sfrost
1.0 out of 5 stars Reading these two books is like listening to a punk teenager brag about all the ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2016
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While the book is well written, I don't think the author & I would be friends. Reading these two books is like listening to a punk teenager brag about all the lies, tricks, & deceptions with which they were able to get away. I feel sorry for her long-suffering parents. She seems very shallow, ungrateful, & self-centered. I hope that with age she has gained maturity & moral character.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Louise Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars Tale of youth, young love and growing up in the city of love.
Reviewed in Spain on May 5, 2020
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The memoir covers a love affair in Paris. The author discovers slowly more secrets about her enigmatic lover and doubts appear in her mind as to whether the relationship is leading anywhere. Love is blind and you see what you want to see but niggling questions mean all is not as rosy as it seems. Raw feelings are related here and many readers will probably identify with how they felt at some stage in their lives. A good read!
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Julie Haigh
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read, a beautiful presentation.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2015
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I read French Illusions Book 1 quite a while ago and was so pleased when a follow-up was released. I was eager to get to it and I wasn't disappointed. Book 2 continues straight on from where the previous book left off-Linda is no longer working for the Dubois family and is staying in France for a while longer. What lovely descriptions and thoughtful choices of words, she depicts the scenes of the Christmas season beautifully. I LOVED this! Such care has been taken with the presentation: some of her actual Diary entries are included and these aren't just normal text, they look like photos of her actual handwriting? All this book just says 'beautifully neat'-it's these little touches which make a very polished package. I always said I'd never get a Kindle; I loved the look and feel of a real book-of course, I got one and am hooked! This kindle edition by Linda is so lovely, it looks beautiful-the little picture for the part number page, the ornate chapter beginnings, how she's presented the diary entries-it just looks so good on the page and is a delight to read. There's plenty to keep you reading-something totally unexpected, then lovely romance scenes, ups and downs, let downs, struggles with money etc. It's a wonderful read which I think is even better than her first book. There was a touch of nostalgia with the mention of Anais Anais-I used to wear this perfume and had forgotten about it-also the mention of many pop songs from those times; a lovely step back in time. Wow, this was so good! Really gripping and intriguing. So many happenings. It keeps you guessing. I loved the mouthwatering descriptions of the food and the wines. Excellent descriptions. Richly detailed. This book seemed to take quite a while to come after her first book; I kept checking if it was out and wondering how much longer-but it's been well worth the wait and Linda's book is all the better for it-it's accurate, polished, flowing, very readable, a quality presentation, really quite sumptuous! It builds to a satisfying conclusion, she tells what happened next in her author's note which brings the series to a close. A lovely sentence right at the end. A wonderful read.
5 people found this helpful
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Kate 'griz' Pill
5.0 out of 5 stars Everything stopped for me whilst I read this memoir!
Reviewed in Australia on August 9, 2015
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I read the first French Illusions memoir and was “busting” to find out what happened next, so you can image my delight when book 2 came out! I particularly enjoyed the sense of development in this memoir; Linda’s growing maturity and immersion into the French lifestyle. What I enjoyed even more was my complete absorption in Linda’s day to day life, to the point where I missed not one, BUT TWO Yoga classes (!!). This unheard of event indicated my engagement not only with Linda’s journey but also the accomplished was she wrote about it. I’m not going to deliver any spoilers but I adored “accompanying” Linda as she settled in to her new life in France, with its joys and challenges. I found myself saying “Noo!” a few times as she explored relationships and then cheering at other times. Linda’s recount of her relationship with her parents, back in the States was lovely. I could go on and on, but I’ll finish with this – some books you read and love and some books you read and love AND they become family. French Illusions is the latter for me.
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Linda
4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed the sequel to Linda's first book
Reviewed in Canada on November 11, 2015
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I enjoyed the sequel to Linda's first book. Her fortitude, along with a bit of gullibility, made for a good read. I wish I had exhibited her courage at that age!
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Average Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Another great read from Linda
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2016
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This second book in the French Illusions series is another great read from Linda. Her first memoir in the series documented her time as an au pair to the children of the difficult and capricious Mme Dubois and her discovery of France and all the highs and lows a seventeen year old girl, thousands of miles away from home, with a very difficult employer might experience.

In this second book Linda has left the Dubois household in Tours and is going it alone in Paris with the help of the friends she's made there. She rents an apartment and attends a local college. It's a struggle at times for her, but even living on a tight budget with partial parental funding, Linda still needs to eat and enjoys French cuisine that is mouth-wateringly described with each meal. Linda also falls in love and has relationships that take her through the sometimes painful aspects of becoming an adult and learning about life. At times this is a little too descriptive, but all part of the story.

The reader learns what Linda discovers on her sojourn in Paris. All is eloquently described and is a must read for any Francophile. I hope there is another in the series.
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