"A beguiling novel of romance, adventure, and tongue-in-cheek suspense set in the South of France, from the beloved, best-selling author of A Year in Provence.
Simon Shaw, a rumpled, fortyish English advertising executive, has decided to leave it all behind, and heads of to France to transform an abandoned police station in the Lubéron into a small but world-class hotel. On his side, Simon has a loyal majordomo and a French business partner who is as practical as she is ravishing. But he hasn't counted on the malignant local journalist--or on the mauvaise types who have chosen the neighboring village as the site of their latest bank robbery. Slyly funny and overflowing with sensuous descriptions of the good life, Hotel Pastis is the literacy equivalent of a four-star restaurant."
"A second idyllic helping of rural life in France from the bestselling author of the classic A YEAR IN PROVENCE.
Skulking through customs with a suitcase full of truffles, toads singing the Marseillaise, taking pastis lessons and finding gold at the bottom of the garden, you might think there is little time left for pleasures of the table.
TOUJOURS PROVENCE proves that while you might not be able to get away from it all, you can have fun trying.
'Peter Mayle's idyllic portrait makes you almost taste the wonderful food and wine, feel the sun and balmy breezes' Sunday Express
'Anyone with any feel for the land and the people who lead their lives close to it will be enchanted' Yorkshire Evening Post
'Splendidly amusing... filled with things which will help you to understand, at least in part, the glory of this wonderful place' Dirk Bogarde"
"From the moment Peter Mayle and his wife, Jennie, uprooted their lives in England and crossed the Channel permanently, they never looked back. Here the beloved author of A Year in Provence pays tribute to the most endearing and enduring aspects of his life in France-the charming and indelible parade of village life, the sheer beauty, the ancient history. He celebrates the café and lists some of his favorites; identifies his favorite villages, restaurants, and open-air markets; and recounts his most memorable meals. A celebration of twenty-five years of Provençal living-of lessons learned and changes observed-with his final book Mayle has crafted a lasting love letter to his adopted home, marked by his signature warmth, wit, and humor."
"Bestselling author Peter Mayle showcases his talents in this delightful children’s storybook.
Tomorrow night, just before you go to bed, creep into the kitchen very, very quietly. Go up to the fridge, and don’t make a sound …
Once you meet Chilly Billy and hear of his adventures inside the refrigerator, you’ll never open the fridge door in quite the same way again. Chilly Billy is a fun and lovable character you won’t soon forget."
"Acquired Tastes, originally published as Expensive Habits, is a celebration of life’s extravagances. It explores an aspect of human nature that, although dormant in hard economic times, is capable of erupting with the hint of good fortune and the drop of a credit card. It samples the luxuries of Havana cigars, Parisian hotels, bespoke London tailoring, and hand-made shoes; discusses the proper color for a stretch limousine; and weighs the cost versus the pleasure of keeping a mistress. The proper way to eat true caviar is explained while providing the listener with hours of pure, unadulterated escapism."
"With an updated foreword by Peter Mayle, Acquired Tastes, originally published in 1993, is a celebration of life's extravagances. Exploring an aspect of human nature that, although lying dormant in hard economic times, is capable of erupting with the hint of good fortune and the drop of a credit card, it samples the luxuries of Havana cigars, Parisian Hotels, bespoke London tailoring, hand-made shoes, and the proper color for a stretch limousine. It weighs the cost versus the pleasure of keeping a mistress, and explains the proper way to eat true caviar, all while providing the listener with hours of pure, unadulterated escapism."
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