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1938, 2000s: Château Bellevue has some secrets to share…
The Beekeeper’s Promise
What you need to know before your trail
Heartbroken and hoping for a new start, Abi Howes takes a summer job in rural France at the Château Bellevue. The old château echoes with voices from the past, and soon Abi finds herself drawn to one remarkable woman’s story, a story that could change the course of her summer—and her life.
In 1938, Eliane Martin tends beehives in the garden of the beautiful Château Bellevue. In its shadow she meets Mathieu Dubosq and falls in love for the first time, daring to hope that a happy future awaits. But France’s eastern border is darkening under the clouds of war, and history has other plans for Eliane…
When she is separated from Mathieu in the chaos of German occupation, Eliane makes the dangerous decision to join the Resistance and fight for France’s liberty. But with no end to the war in sight, her loyalty to Mathieu is severely tested.
Travel Guide
Bordeaux
“Once upon a time, not so very long ago, nor so very far away, an ancient chateau sat on a hilltop among the vines, high above a golden river.”
Chateau Bellevue de Coulliac
Sadly fictional but we’ve put Soulliac on the map as it sounds very similar and a few castles in the Bordeaux area. Chateau Bellevue (The French for Always) is an amalgam of several different places, amongst them Chateau Rigaud and Chateau Soulac, which are both beautiful wedding venues, and the peaceful retreat centre of the Moulin de Chaves (north-east of Bergerac) which has a weir across the river.
The Chateau has been a witness to history and it’s the time during which it was overtaken by the Nazis that proves to be the most fascinating part of history. Eliana Martin lives there and tends the bees in the chateau. A world of peace and beauty and even love – that’s until the war comes bringing tragedy and change that no -one welcomes.
However you will be transported to Bordeaux if you read this. The historical sections in Occupied France during the war show a deep leve of understanding and respect for France and the story of the castle and the bees transports you to a time and place you’ll never forget.
The descriptions of the Chateau and the local village are very vivid as the experience of sipping a glass of wine in the late evening sun….
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
A lovely story which the author was compelled to write after readers asked her about the past history of the fictional castle! I love it when this happens and when the author explores something that has already captured the readers imagination.
The two timelines here are nicely done and once again the setting,the way Fiona writes and evokes the setting via all the senses is lovely to read. Eliane of the past story influences Abi and her story in the present. A lovely touch with the castle as a major player in both parts of the timeline.
It’s like putting a black and white photo over a present day building and imagining the whispers of the past. The story of the bees, and everything to do with them and the honey was a lovely touch – the buzz of history come to life!
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Beekeeper’s Promise
Destination : Bordeaux Author/Guide: Fiona Valpy Departure Time: 1938, 2000s
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