Review by TashNz
5 Stars
An incredibly written and spellbinding book which keeps you entertained and enthralled through the whole mesmerizing read.
I have had the absolute pleasure of reading the two previous books written by Ella and I have to say, that although you don't think the writing could possibly get any better, it does!
Again alternating between the now and then Ella has again created two strong and beautiful women and written with such an element of magic I felt I was right there with Sarah and Louisa. I love the French authenticity and I love the drama and sweeping story.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy a damn good story with all the feels.
Review by Hina
5 Stars
I started this book without expectations as such as I had only read one book by this author previously. Nonetheless, I was looking forward to the stories as I enjoyed the previous one I read by Ms Carey.
And yes, you read that right. Stories. You need to read her books to know what I mean by that.
While I read this book, I felt acutely the emotions that were experienced by the protagonists. The flow of the story would not let the situation be otherwise for me.
The characterisation and scenarios of both past and present makes for an enjoyable read.
I won’t go into discussion of everything about the book however I may wish to because I want to keep the review to a length people will consider reading and there are points that I would definitely like to talk about.
Firstly, this talks about the struggle women have been to for us to breathe in a relatively very free atmosphere. his novel set in past and present talks about the struggles of women in the late 19th century. How one decision after another is forced on them. How they are given to believe they have power while they are nothing but mere puppets of society. Not just that, it also brings to light the taboo surrounding divorce (at least in my part of the world). It talks about how life doesn’t end after a divorce. Unlike society thinking it ruining a woman’s life, divorce actually helps a woman better her life once she is no more in a stifling relationship.
Secondly, one thing that I must say that intrigued me so much about the ending of the novel was how it refuted an old saying that history is written by the winners. This book shows how people think they are winners and try changing the course of history but they are in fact the ones who have lost. The truth comes to fore however deep it be hid.
I loved it and will recommend it to anyone who is reading this.
Review by Nas
5 stars
FROM A PARIS BALCONY by author Ella Carey is a Lake Union Publishing Ltd release for October 2016.
Sarah West finds about her ancestor Louisa’s death by accident from a letter from Marthe de Florian. And she is intrigued and wants to find out more. How did Louisa really die? Was it a suicide? She goes to Paris and moves in with artist Laurent Chartier. And starts seeing life in a new way.
Then we follow Louisa’s story and find out about her remarkable life and love as Sarah delves in her ancestor’s story. Now Sarah knows what path to follow for her own life.
FROM A PARIS BALCONY is an intriguing story following the lives of two remarkable ladies centuries apart. Both their stories are interesting and will take a reader on a journey of self-exploration. Author Ella Carey pens these spell-binding tales with her books that hooks readers and keeps them engrossed till the very last page. And still keep them in the story world long after they close the book.
Highly recommended for all readers.
Review by Helen
5 Stars
MS Carey has done it again taken me on a journey back in time with heartfelt emotion, romance and drama I felt like I was back in these times, times of courtesans wild living before wars came and changed the world where people had to be what was expected of them and there were the few that could let themselves be who they wanted to for a short time and struggling females could become famous.
Sarah West is struggling to get her life back on track after the death of her parents and the breakdown of her marriage but a letter found among her father's possessions from the famous Parisian Courtesan Marthe de Florian dated 1895 is about to change her life send her to Paris to investigate a long lost relative Louisa West and actually stay in the Paris apartment that belonged to Marthe herself and to meet the artist Laurent Chartier and then delve back in time to the age of the Belle Epoque and the mystery surrounding her great great aunt how did she die?
This is a fabulously written story that delves back in time and brings Sarah's life full circle there is such a blossoming romance between Laurent and Sarah and the settings both in the 1890's and the present are amazing I honestly felt that MS Carey was transporting me to these places. So much history and romance the characters come to life and of course we got to meet up with Cat and Loic from The Paris Time Capsule and to see how woman struggled back then and the courage that Louisa West showed during her life. I hope I have done justice with this review truly I loved this one from page one and can't recommend it enough do yourself a favour and spend a few hours engrossed in this book. Thank you MS Carey for another keeper
Review by Amanda
4.5 Stars
From a Paris Balcony by Ella Carey is a riveting, engrossing tale about two women from different eras…a book where discovery, intrigue, drama and self-realization transport you through a portal of time.
Sarah West discovers about the death of an ancestor named Louisa, through a letter. This letter intrigues her and she wants to know more about this woman, so she travels to Paris to dig further. Her discoveries fascinate her. The story then shifts and we are enlightened about Louisa's history and what Sarah learns changes her perspective on life. She discovers herself through her ancestor's story...and the ending shows how much she has changed compared to the beginning.
Overall, From a Paris Balcony makes for a pleasant and fulfilling read. So kudos to author Ella Carey for writing yet another fascinating tale that intertwines the past and the present.
Recommended
Review by Alexia
5 Stars
"From a Paris Balcony" by Ella Carey is one of the BEST books that I've read this year, and I've read quite a few. Sarah West is trying to find strength with the death of her parents. When she is going through her parents possessions she finds a letter that tells about previous time in the life of her family. We are taken into the past to the 1890's and back to the present with such a flow that it is easy to follow and enjoyable to read.
Review by Alexandra
5 Stars
After reading the description of this book. I was intrigued, i just had to find out what happened to Louisa.
The story alternates between the present and the past, so we can see events from the point of view of Sarah and Louisa. Sarah is feeling lost in life, having recently lost both her parents and divorcing her husband. She just doesnt know what to do with herself.
While going through her parents belongings, she comes across a letter from Marthe de Florian, a famous Parisian courtesan. The letter mentions the death of her great great aunt Louisa. Who supposedly died by commiting suicide. It also implies it wasnt suicide. Feeling the need for a connection with her family. Sarah flies off to Paris, determined to find out what really happened.
Staying in Marthe's apartment, Sarah hopes to find some letters from Louisa or Henry. Unfortunately the apartment is already occupied by Laurant a Parisian artist. Desperate to escape her life, Sarah agrees to share the apartment.
I really felt for Louisa, she wasnt a typical woman for her time period. Marrying and giving birth didnt appeal to her. She was all for womens rights, and idolised Emmeline Pankhurst. Something her mother abhorred.
When she meets Henry she thinks he is different from other men. And when he proposes she accepts. Believing her husbands station in life will help her spread the word about womens rights.
Instead she gets a disinterested husband who is only interested in his needs
Luckily Louisa has her brother in law who actually thinks her views are important. To be trapped in a loveless marriage must be awful. And in those days divorce wasnt the done thing.
Sarah doesnt have much luck in finding anything about her ancestor. Only one other letter is found, from Henry to Marthe. On the advice of Laurent she goes to England , to see if the Duvals will tell her anything else.
At first they are reluctant to help Sarah .Eventually Jeremy admits that the part of the house Louisa Henry and Charlie lived in, had been shut up and left how it was. Here Sarah finds one more letter between Henry and Marthe. Nothing to tell her about Louisa.
As she is about to leave the house she asks a member of staff if he knew anything.
Telling Sarah to go to his house away from prying eyes. He finally reveals all.
I wont say anymore, i hope i have peaked your interest into picking up a copy.
Review by Lynn Brooks
4 Stars
An intriguing story! We come across a bit of familiarity from her last novel THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE in this story as answers from the past are sought once again.
Boston art curator Sarah West is newly divorced and trying to find her place in the world alone after also recently losing both parents. While sorting through her father's belongings, she stumbles across a letter that mentions the 1895 death of her great-great-aunt Louisa in Paris. Family legend had always stated that she committed suicide, but some things stated in this letter lead Sarah to wonder if that is actually the case. She sets out on the adventure of a lifetime to see if she can find out the true story.
Sharing an apartment with artist Laurent Chartier in Paris, she visits various locations looking for info. Laurent encourages her not to give up when she hits road blocks, and she eventually finds a source that will be invaluable to finding the answer she seeks.
