Harriet Welty Rochefort is the author of a just-out historical novel, "Final Transgression", and three nonfiction books about the French, "French Toast, "French Fried", and "Joie de Vivre". A French-American dual national, Harriet grew up in Iowa, earned degrees at the University of Michigan (B.A.) and Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism (MSJ), then traveled to France - and never left. She lives with her French husband, Philippe, in a garden apartment in the "far east" of Paris. Her fourth book and first novel, "Final Transgression", is set between Paris and southwest France before and during WW2. Its beautiful, sparkling and strong willed heroine ignores advice not to travel from Paris to her beloved hometown in the southwest, where résistants hide out in the remote countryside to combat the Nazis and their own compatriots who have chosen to collaborate with the pro-German Vichy regime. When she discovers that her wealthy, collaborationist husband has betrayed her, her sole desire is to re-unite with friends and her past which she remembers as a kind of Paradise. Instead, she discovers a town overrun by the enemy and, in spite of her desire to remain apolitical, finds herself caught up in the complex and dangerous political climate of this time and place. In the words of the eminent historian Robert O. Paxton: “Harriet Welty Rochefort’s historically well-grounded "Final Transgression" starts with rural tranquility and accelerates to a shocking end as a young woman’s high spirits entangle her in the turmoil of Nazi-occupied France. A vigorous and compelling tale.” All of Harriet's books reflect her fascination with the French. Her first book, "French Toast", is a humorous account of what it's like to be an American in a French family, honing in on all the things she can't figure out, whether it's the French educational system (positive reinforcement is definitely not on the agenda) or how the French women manage to look so terrific with seemingly little effort. "French Fried", describes the culinary capers of an American in Paris. She tells how, thanks to her French mother-in-law's tips, her cooking evolved from opening a can of peas to casually slinging out four-course meals as a matter of routine - in a tiny French kitchen. Along the way, she explores the wonderful world of French cuisine, touring cheese and wine cellars and lands a hard to come by invitation to a champagne tasting at the Ritz. "Joie de Vivre: Secrets of Wining, Dining, and Romancing Like the French" investigates the French way of enjoying life. The French, she writes, revel in the moment and add style to small things; they enjoy more leisure time than most Americans can dream of - without an ounce of guilt. Their joie de vivre can come where you least expect it. Ever wonder why the French look like they're shouting at each other? They are! That's because part of their joie de vivre is in disagreeing with each other. A day without discord is a sad day indeed. In "Joie de Vivre", as in all her books about the French, Harriet writes from long experience, with good humor and genuine affection for the inhabitants of her adopted country. You can find more about Harriet at www.harrietweltyrochefort.com or visit her on Facebook and Twitter.
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