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A Fine Romance: Falling in Love With the English Countryside Hardcover – August 15, 2013
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Susan Branch is the American author of twelve best-selling "Heart of the Home" lifestyle books, almost four million in print, all of them hand-written and watercolored ~ books that celebrate the home arts of cooking, gardening, homemaking, family, best friends, entertaining, and the little things that make life sweet. Born and raised as the oldest of eight children in Southern California, she makes her home now in her 1849 Captain's House on the island of Martha's Vineyard, MA. A FINE ROMANCE is Susan's thirteenth book, her "lucky thirteen."
More About the Author
Susan Branch was born in Southern California but calls her 1849 home on the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard her "heart magnet" because she was drawn to New England from childhood and loved it before she laid eyes on it. She finally moved there in her early 30's, no longer "able to live without four seasons and white picket fences as everyday architecture." She is the oldest of eight children and inspired by "almost everything." Her hand-lettered and watercolored Heart of the Home series of books are a reflection of the things she loves to celebrate, the home-arts of cooking, gardening, homemaking, family, best friends, entertaining, and the little things that make life sweet. Her newest book, A FINE ROMANCE ~ Falling in Love with the English Countryside, is a diary of her two-month jaunt through the back roads of England in search of her literary and artistic roots. It's filled with the little details, both in words and pictures, that readers have grown to love in Susan's books.
Susan has a large and loyal following on her blog at www.susanbranch.com and her personal newsletter ("Willard," named for her grandfather, "another story"), filled with photos, recipes and art, is emailed to approximately 50,000 subscribers monthly.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
93 of 98 people found the following review helpful
By
Madison
on August 3, 2013
Format: Hardcover
2 Comments
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I have just finished this much anticipated journal! I couldn't put it down! Susan's journal, documenting her recent trip to England, takes us along with her and Joe, every step of the way ~ over hill and dale, visiting friends, castles, landmarks, pubs, tea rooms and antique stores. If you can't get on the QE2, this is, by far, the next best way to see England. This gem is handwritten, and illustrated in Susan's wonderful watercolor style and peppered with lots of fun, candid photos.
As an added treat, Susan has an interactive appendix on her website ([...] complete with tips and additional details about where they went, where they stayed and what not to miss. A great take-along guide if you happen to sail to England!
As an added treat, Susan has an interactive appendix on her website ([...] complete with tips and additional details about where they went, where they stayed and what not to miss. A great take-along guide if you happen to sail to England!
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77 of 81 people found the following review helpful
By
G. Mondello
on August 4, 2013
Format: Hardcover
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I have to admit, I'm a huge fan of Susan Branch. I follow her blog regularly and was so excited to finally read this latest book. Susan handwrites and illustrates all her books and she writes as if she's a close, personal friend sharing her story with you. If you've ever wanted to visit England, this is the book for you. As she journals her trip and you follow her storytelling, you feel as if you are there, traveling with her, Joe (her husband) and their friends. She literally paints the English countryside with pictures and words and pulls you in so you feel as if you're visiting The Lake District, the Cotswolds and walking the gardens of Hill Top Farm, breathing in the scents, taking in the sights. The book has a bit of everything a good travel journal should and more. She talks about driving in England and makes you laugh as she takes you with her and Joe on their first drive in England, in the chapter titled "Yanks on Shore...Look out England".
I could go on and on. The book is full of pictures, her illustrations, beautiful storytelling, recipes, book suggestions; music and movie suggestions (as they relate to England) and so much more including the trip to England on the Queen Mary 2 and the winding down on the trip home.
There is a particularly poignant passage when Susan writes about visiting Hill Top, "I didn't feel like I needed to go back into the house; it was already permanently woven into the fabric of my heart. I know, someday, when my feet fail me & my legs don't want to go anymore, I will remember the view of the green hills through the wavy panes of glass in Beatrix Potter's bedroom, the smell of the rain, the soft bleating of the lambs....". I felt when I finished the book, that Susan had gifted me with a trip to England. Order the book, you won't be disappointed.
I could go on and on. The book is full of pictures, her illustrations, beautiful storytelling, recipes, book suggestions; music and movie suggestions (as they relate to England) and so much more including the trip to England on the Queen Mary 2 and the winding down on the trip home.
There is a particularly poignant passage when Susan writes about visiting Hill Top, "I didn't feel like I needed to go back into the house; it was already permanently woven into the fabric of my heart. I know, someday, when my feet fail me & my legs don't want to go anymore, I will remember the view of the green hills through the wavy panes of glass in Beatrix Potter's bedroom, the smell of the rain, the soft bleating of the lambs....". I felt when I finished the book, that Susan had gifted me with a trip to England. Order the book, you won't be disappointed.
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40 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By
Minette H. Murphree
on August 8, 2013
Format: Hardcover
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For all Anglophiles, for all those planning a trip to Engalnd, for all those who love to remember their trips to England, for all Susan Branch admirers and for all those who just love a great read, this book will absolutely delight and inspire! Susan Branch recorded her trip to England with her wonderful husband, Joe Hall, from the romantic crossing of the Atlantic on an oceanliner to the shores of England where they toured the English countryside, taking their time to visit the country homes and gardens of famous writers and artists (including Beatrix Potter, Vanessa Bell, Vita Sackville-West, Jane Austen) as well as personal friends. Susan's descriptions of these places and experiences as well as her impressions are beautifully recorded and full of charm with accompanying photos and lovely watercolor illustrations. This is more than just a travelog on England. It is a book about living life and giving back. A Fine Romance: Falling in Love With the English Countryside
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By
Julie Borg
on August 8, 2013
Format: Hardcover
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Dust off your passports and call your travel agents! Susan's wonderful book will have you planning your own trip before you even finish the first chapter! It is charming! Along the way I had to watch Miss Potter, bake lemon cookies and orange lavender cake, and bought my first journal. I especially loved the online appendix that goes along with the story! Susan's style of writing makes you feel as if you are traveling with her! And her art work is delightful! Grab a cup of tea and go enjoy!
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31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By
KarenP
on August 7, 2013
Format: Hardcover
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A Fine Romance...Falling in Love with the English Countryside is a book like no other! It is a look into Susan's personal travel journal of her 2012 trip to the England she loves so well....beginning with the romantic trip across the ocean on the Queen Mary 2 and then traveling to the beloved spots (Beatrix Potter's Hilltop, Sissinghurst, and the home of Jane Austen to name a few) that have personally impacted her life and work, while enjoying the gorgeous English countryside along the way. Every page of the book is so beautifully hand-penned, even the index and copyright information! The inside cover pages are filled with images of "A Fine Romance" sheet music and memorabilia from her trip. At the beginning of the index she includes information to go to her website ([...] you'll find an Appendix with links to read further about all the places she visited (marked with a star)to aid in your own travel planning. She sprinkles her gorgeous, original, watercolor paintings among the pages, along with the photographs she took on the trip. It's really a feast for the eyes! And, in following with her previously published recipe books, she even includes some traditional English recipes here for you to try in your own kitchen! It's a treasure of a book that I will read over and over again! I was sad when I came to the last page! Also, with its approx. 6"x 8 1/4" size, it's perfect to tuck into your bag for on-the-go-reading or travel reference! Comes complete with a beautiful dust jacket and a red ribbon bookmark.
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