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Ready for a good summer read filled with romance and French history? The grab a copy of Discovery, Leslie Schweitzer Miller’s debut novel. This fascinating story is divided between the turn of the 19th century and the mid-2000’s.

Historical figure Abbé François Bérenger Sauntière is an unconventional priest who’s inexplicably been left a fortune that he uses to rebuild a dilapidated church in Rennes-le-Chateâu. He’s popular with the small community and is happy with his lot in life.

Entrance to churchyard and cemetery Rennes-le-Chateau
[Entrance to churchyard and cemetery at Rennes-le-Chateâu]

During the church’s renovation, he discovers a pair of ancient documents hidden in a first-century urn that leads him to make some important decisions with his unbelievable discovery.

The book’s other half is a love story between biblical scholar Giselle Gélis and archeologist David Rettig, whose beautiful, whirlwind romance begins in Amsterdam during a conference they both happen to attend.

Orangerie Rennes-le-Chateau from Belvidere
[Orangerie Rennes-le-Chateâu from Belvidere]

You’ll follow the couple through the south of France as they hope to unearth the story behind Giselle’s great great uncle, Father Antoine Gélis, while linking Giselle’s heroine Marie-Madeleine to the scenario.

From Amsterdam to Paris, ancient Jerusalem, southern France and later to New York City’s Greenwich Village, Discovery is a entertaining read that links the centuries while giving readers a glimpse into French theological tidbits.

Orangerie Rennes-le-Chateau from garden
[Orangerie Rennes-le-Chateâu from garden]

New York-based author Miller drew upon her own personal experiences to create the characters of Giselle and David. These two come from completely different backgrounds yet are destined to fall in love.

It takes some time to get used to the “back and forth” of the centuries conveyed through the book’s chapters however rest assured: this amazing story unfolds in an intelligent and engaging manner.

Sainte-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume-Mary-Magdalene Skull Reliquary
[Mary Magdalene skull reliquary, Sainte-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume]

Discovery is available in both paperback and Kindle formats via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Smith Publicity sent me an advance copy of Discovery for the purpose of this review. Opinions, as always, are my own. Images courtesy of Leslie Schweitzer Miller.

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