Dear Readers,

Greetings! I’m delighted to share my very first newsletter with you. Naturally, my books are always top of mind, but I thought I’d also chronicle some highlights from life here in the south of France.

🍷 Life in the South of France

It has been a wonderful summer. While I haven’t traveled far, I’ve enjoyed exploring the area with my partner. Sometimes we take short drives—or even go by scooter (yes, really!). With summer traffic and the tiny lanes in the villages, scooters are often the most sensible way to get around.

This season, we treated ourselves to some fine dining at one hotel that makes an experience out of a meal, and we previewed the other with cocktails.

🌊 Hotel Belles Rives – Juan-les-Pins

The legendary Hotel Belles Rives, once a retreat for F. Scott Fitzgerald, is perched right on the water. Dining at La Plage restaurant felt like stepping into a scene from the Jazz Age. Their Niçoise salad was formidable, wonderful, fresh, balanced, and unforgettable. As we lingered over our meal, we watched swimmers, water-skiers, and sunbathers enjoying the day.

🏰 Château Hotel – Théoule-sur-Mer

A couple of weeks later, we visited a newly opened (2024) hotel in Théoule-sur-Mer, a converted château, Château de Théoule. Its old-world elegance was stunning, and we sipped cocktails on the terrace overlooking the Bay of Cannes.

That day, the Port de la Rague next door hosted a lively joutes nautiques (water jousting) where two boats glide past each other, carrying a competitor (a jouteur) perched on a small platform at the stern, balancing with a long wooden lance. The goal? To send the other fellow splashing into the sea. It was noisy, colorful, and thoroughly entertaining—a family event full of cheering, laughter, and splashes. A centuries-old tradition still alive today.

📚 Book News

I hope you’ll continue to follow my newsletter! Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Updates on upcoming releases
• Contests and giveaways
• Special offers and free reads

✨ Coming soon: A Suitable Woman
A period love story set in Victorian England and post–Civil War St. Louis, filled with romance, travel, beauty and a twist.

💌 Let’s Connect

I love hearing from readers and book clubs. Don’t be shy—hit reply and share your thoughts with me!

📖 Want a sneak peek of my writing? Visit sunnymason.com for free samples and extras.

🌟 👉 Join me on this journey:

• Keep an eye on Amazon and sunnymason.com for book updates.
• Forward this newsletter to a friend who loves historical romance and updates about life in France.
• Follow along, and let’s keep celebrating stories, travel, and the joy of reading together!

Until next time—happy reading and happy fall!
Warmly,
Sunny Mason