Sandra's Book Club: Blog Tour: CHOOSING LOVE OVER PRIDE by Marielle de Vassoigne

Choosing Love Over Pride

by Marielle de Vassoigne

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GENRE: Fiction

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BLURB:

"Max, do you remember the proposal-gate?"

"How could I ever forget, sweetie? You made sure no one would. Why do you ask?"

"Was it worth it? I mean, I recall being a fierce advocate for the 'I do.' But when I think of how much Dad and you have suffered because of love I wonder. Was it worth it?"

Maxime's stepdaughter refers to her father's legendary attempt to propose in New Beginning in Vancouver, the prequel to this book. This new stage of Maxime's life navigates us through a rollercoaster of emotions while she must face new joys and challenges.

I hope you will enjoy, laugh and cry reading their story as much as I did when I wrote it. I offer you an opportunity to complete the experience of reading this novel appealing to all senses with a soundtrack, available on my author website: marielledevassoigneauthor.com.

Finally, as I identify as a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ ally, this book reflects once again my core belief: a rich life is filled with kindness, curiosity, and exploration, as well as values of diversity and inclusion.

Enjoy!

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Excerpt One:

I wake up the next morning and smile with my eyes still shut. I know Gabriel is scrutinizing my face—well, probably not just my face.

“Good morning wife.”

“Hmm. Good morning husband. Promise me again that every morning will be like today, whatever the circumstance or experiences life may hold for us,” I beg paraphrasing our wedding vows. Is this insistence of mine a premonition of what is to come?

“I do Max. I do my love. I want this sight of you smiling as you regain consciousness to start each of my mornings until we meet our angels.”

We both believe our respective angels, including Gabriel’s late parents, have brought us together.

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What drives the characters in your story?

Greetings, Esteemed Readers,

"Choosing Love Over Pride" is the sequel to "New Beginning in Vancouver”. At the center of this narrative lies Maxime, a grounded and resilient woman who has transformed her life after moving to Vancouver from Montréal. In this psychological romance, Maxime faces new blessings and challenges, prompting her and her close ones to make choices. My novels are full of twists and turns, and roller coasters of emotions.

Let me guide you through the journey, introducing the motivations that drive her and the other characters in this captivating story.

The lead character, Maxime’s key driver, her core belief

Maxime's life decisions are driven by her core belief that a rich life is one filled with kindness, curiosity, and exploration. These values serve as her steady anchor in her world swirling with action and “life happens” events. They are the garden where her “butterfly mind” forages around and that soothes her “insecure brain”. Her belief and values instruct her choices and actions throughout the story.

As we witness her journey, we see how Maxime's commitment to self-authenticity and kindness influences her interactions with others, fostering genuine connections and leading her to redefine the boundaries of relationships. Her curiosity acts as a catalyst, driving her to explore new perspectives, cultures, and experiences, enriching her own personal growth while she faces dreadful challenges.

Diversity and Inclusion: Agents of Change

Maxime and I, the author, are both members of the BIPOC community and identify as LGBTQ+ allies. Within "Choosing Love Over Pride," the values of diversity and inclusion resonate deeply.

The reader finds themself immersed in a vibrant and diverse community in Vancouver, which acts as a catalyst for personal and social change. Inspired by the multicultural mosaic that surrounds her, Maxime becomes an advocate for inclusivity, breaking down barriers and promoting understanding and forgiveness prompting us to keep an open mind while choosing Love over pride. This pursuit of a more inclusive society serves as a significant driver in her journey, as she strives to create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Family Values: The Smith-Eunoia Connection

Maxime's integration into the Smith-Eunoia family further strengthens the driving forces within the story. The values of family, love, and unity are pivotal in shaping the story. Embracing the Smith-Eunoia family's values, Maxime becomes a magnet within the family, an embodiment of the patriarch’s motto: “In times of crisis, we take care of our own”. She discovers the transformative power of connection and belonging. The unwavering love and acceptance she experiences fuel her desire to create a harmonious and nurturing environment for herself and her own.

Conclusion

In the pages of "Choosing Love Over Pride," the motivations that drive the characters, particularly Maxime, are multifaceted and deeply intertwined. Amidst personal goals, internal conflicts, external pressures, past experiences, and complex relationships, Maxime's core beliefs of kindness, curiosity, and exploration provide a compass for her actions and choices. Her journey towards personal growth, sparked by her new family in Vancouver, showcases her resilience and determination to transform her life fully with benevolence.

Additionally, the values of diversity, inclusion, and family play a significant role in shaping the narrative. The celebration of diverse perspectives and the importance of fostering an inclusive society serve as catalysts for change and personal transformation.

As readers, we are invited to embark on this journey alongside Maxime, witnessing the profound impact that her motivations have on her character development and the relationships she forges.

Fasten your seat belt, and enjoy the roller coaster!

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

After spending half her life in Montréal, Marielle de Vassoigne moved to Vancouver during the pandemic in January of 2021.

Just like her main character Maxime, she was born in France and grew up in Martinique, a French Caribbean Island, before moving in Canada.

An organic writer, she's publishing her first novel, which is an outcome from her many experiences. The story has been influenced by her core belief—that a rich life is filled with kindness, curiosity, and exploration—as well as values of diversity and inclusion.

CONNECT WITH MARIELLE DE VASSOIGNE

WEBSITE

www.marielledevassoigneauthor.com

FACEBOOK

https://web.facebook.com/marielledevassoigneauthor?_rdc=1&_rdr

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/marielledevassoigneauthor/

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON.COM - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0228883989

AMAZON.CA - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0228883989

AMAZON KINDLE - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV4SWRQV

BOOKTOPIA - https://www.booktopia.com.au/choosing-love-over-pride-marielle-de-vassoigne/book/9780228883982.html