Critics have compared your novels to the works of Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy, and Joanne Harris. What is it like to join the ranks of such illustrious writers?
I’m enormously flattered. I would never presume to compare myself to any of them and am extremely grateful that someone else has.
Enhance Your Book Club
1.
Dine at a French restaurant or feast on French food prepared from one of the cookbooks featured on SimonSays.com, such as Williams-Sonoma Collection: French or The Tante Marie’s Cooking School Cookbook.
2.
Toast your discussion of The Gypsy Madonna with a glass of wine from the Bordeaux region of France (ask for a recommendation at your local wine shop).
3.
Serve delectable chocolatines (also known as pain au chocolat), the French pastry Mischa loves, using the recipe from frenchfood.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=frenchfood&zu=http%3A%2F%2Frecipe-chocolate.com%F16%2F091315.shtml.
4.
Learn more about Titian, one of the most celebrated artists of the Italian High Renaissance, at arthistory.about.com and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titian.
5.
Take a virtual tour of Bordeaux at www.bordeaux-tourisme.com.
The Gypsy Madonna Page 34