Author(s): Amanda Taylor-Ace with Ann Rickard

Travel Writing

Amanda Taylor-Ace lives her life by her philosophy of Joie de Vivre - unlimited joy.

So when her 14-year-old son was falling in with a bad crowd and her life in Auckland needed a shake-up, she packed her bags and headed to France with her son for a year. Joie de Vivre is the story of how and why she decided to stay and how her new life has unfurled. Finding two adjoined 18th-century houses and converting them into guest accomodation and a cooking school was her next adventure. Amanda tells of renovation disasters; French tradesmen, both good and bad; meeting fellow villagers over champagne; charming the local police and Mayor; and starting the cooking school. Above all, her joy in new and old friendships, lovers and her daily life in France shines through. With mouth-watering descriptions throughout of French food and wine, Joie de Vivre also contains recipes from Amanda's cooking school.