Available at a bookstore near you!

Published in August 2020, and can be ordered here on Amazon or Books Inc.

In this engaging new installment of Carole Bumpus’ heartwarming culinary memoir/travelogue series, Carole and her trusted guide and dear friend, Josiane Selvage, complete their gastronomic and cultural tour of France. The trip was inspired by Josiane’s deceased mother, Marcelle, and in a touching tribute, Carole and Josiane also search for Marcelle’s roots—a mystery created by the chaos of both world wars. This second title works as a stand-alone and at the same time is a powerful companion to the first volume, released in 2019.

Beginning in Paris and heading north into Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Normandy, Brittany, Loire and completing the tour in the Auvergne, Carole searched for the traditional “cuisine pauvre” (peasant foods) common to the French table, but she also treasured visits to cultural sites that illuminated the French character and history: ancient cathedrals, a truffle farm, the troglodyte caves in the Loire Valley, Mont St. Michel, and the Bayeux Tapestry.

As she traveled, Carole listened to French families describe their personal histories, the myths and traditions unique to their communities, and learned the family recipes used for festivals and celebrations. But alongside the joy of discovering delicious dishes and making new friends, Carole was reminded of the sobering economic and political realities of both world wars, and the ways those wars have shaped France, its people, and its cuisine—realities made all the more poignant by Josiane’s efforts to uncover her mother’s family history.

This series celebrates families coming together to share traditions, history, and meals. More important, it highlights how understanding one’s history, especially understanding how relatives survived difficult circumstances, brings greater compassion and heartfelt connectedness within families.

Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table, Book One (2019) covered the first half of Carole’s culinary adventure in France. The third book in the series moves into Italy and is called Searching for Family and Traditions at the Italian Table.  The publisher for all three volumes is She Writes Press.

It can be ordered here at Books Inc.  or  Amazon

Awards and Recognition of Book Two

• 2021 – Benjamin Franklin Awards™ 38 – Regional
• 2021 – I&I Book Awards – Finalists – CIBA
• 2021 – CIBA – How-to Travel Guides – (1) – I&I FIRST PLACE WINNER
• 2021 – IBPA – GOLD – BOOK SERIES OF THE YEAR
• 2021 – FOREWORD INDIE BOOK AWARDS – Travel – Non-fiction – Gold medal winner
• 2021 – ERIC HOFFER AWARD – Category – Culture – FINALIST – SILVER AWARD

 Praise for Book Two

“The author’s straightforward narrative delivers vivid imagery of both the surroundings and the people . . . An engaging gastronomic presentation of French history and culture.”  – Kirkus Reviews

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 Bumpus’ Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table: Book Two is a culinary travelogue of French proportions . . . prose is lyrical, conveying the romance of France in each location, interview, and observation . . .attention to detail creates a rich sense of people and places . . . The food that Bumpus tastes and writes about is unforgettable, thanks to the array of included recipes with unusual names . . .Eloquent and packed with history, geography, and recipes, Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table: Book Two is a melting pot text––a travel memoir that’s concerned with cuisine and culture, too.  –Foreword Clarion Reviews

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Bumpus weaves wonderful stories into her adventures. But, at the same time, she gives her readers fly-on-the-wall glimpses of ordinary family life, and the opportunity to savour with her the incredible cuisine of France. Whether you love France, enjoy discovering new things, want to try some of the traditional recipes at the end of this book, or just want a thoroughly enjoyable read, I highly recommend this book! –A Good Life France

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“…her conversational style easily draws the reader into the experience. An enjoyable book for those interested in France, WWII, and French food.”—Story Circle Book Reviews

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This book captures the French people, their love of family and friends, their generosity, and their passion for sharing good quality fresh local food. The author has generously ended the book with a collection of some of the wonderful recipes for us to enjoy making in our kitchens, whilst embracing the flavors and traditions of French family life.  . . . I would highly recommend this excellent book, and I am sure it will be enjoyed by anyone loving, France, cooking, traditions, and history.  “TheColumbiaReview.com”

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“This warm and inviting memoir will appeal to food lovers and history buffs alike. The two women examine how it was to live during a time of war, especially the Second World War, and how families managed to keep traditions alive even during tough times.”  – Seattle Book Review