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Vanessa Couchman
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Ocelot Press
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Overture: A story of ambition and determination against the odds (Alouette Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Vanessa Couchman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

All Marie-Thérèse wants to do is sing, but everything conspires against her dreams.

France, 1897.

Born to a modest farming family, Marie-Thérèse has a remarkable singing voice and wants to become a professional singer. But too many obstacles, including her parents' opposition, stand in her way. Through no fault of her own, she makes a dangerous enemy of the local landlord.

The family circumstances change suddenly. Marie-Thérèse and her mother must move to Paris to work in her aunt's restaurant. Her ambitions rekindle, but the road to success is paved with setbacks, until a chance meeting gives her a precious opportunity.

She is close to achieving all her dreams, but the ghosts of the past come back to haunt her and threaten Marie-Thérèse's life as well as her career.

Overture is the first in a trilogy set in France, starting in 1897 and finishing at the end of World War II.

"Vanessa Couchman has the ability to bring history to life and this book was no exception." The French Village Diaries

***

The Alouette Trilogy:

  • Novella prequel: Augustine
  • Book 1: Overture
  • Book 2: Intermezzo (in preparation)
  • Book 3: Finale (in preparation)

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  1. Book 1 of 1
    Alouette Trilogy
  2. Print length
    236 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 28, 2019
  6. File size
    789 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I couldn't put this book down. It's engrossing, fascinating and beautifully written."
Books are Cool

"The characters were very well developed, and the book was a delight to read from cover to cover."
Donna's Book Blog

"I was sorry to reach the end of this beautifully-written and engaging story."
Liza Perrat, BookMuse, top 1% Goodreads reviewer

"Vanessa Couchman has the ability to bring history to life, and this book was no exception."
The French Village Diaries

"The story is beautifully written, rich in period detail and perfectly evokes the sights, sounds and smells of early 20th century France."
Kate Braithwaite, author of The Girl Puzzle

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07QT1B3K6
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 28, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 789 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 236 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 1 ‏ : ‎ Alouette Trilogy
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Vanessa Couchman

    Vanessa Couchman

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Vanessa moved to southern France in 1997 and hasn’t looked back. Being a “history nut”, she’s in totally the right place. The beguiling Mediterranean island of Corsica also provides great inspiration, and she visits whenever she can.

    Two of her three novels, THE HOUSE AT ZARONZA and THE CORSICAN WIDOW, are set on Corsica; the third, OVERTURE, is set in Southwest France and Paris, as is AUGUSTINE, a novella prequel.

    Vanessa’s short stories have been placed in writing competitions and published in anthologies. The stories in FRENCH COLLECTION: TWELVE SHORT STORIES are inspired by and set in France.

    When she’s not writing, Vanessa is reading, singing, walking, or enjoying France’s famed cuisine and wine. She writes a popular blog about French life, Life on La Lune.

    Vanessa loves to hear from readers and always replies. Find her on http://vanessacouchmanwriter.com.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Ocelot Press

    Ocelot Press

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Ocelot Press is an independent cooperation of bestselling and award-winning authors writing mainly historical fiction, women's fiction and mystery. Our books take our readers across time and into faraway places.

    Find out more about us on our website at www.ocelot-press.com.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
35 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Nigel Cronshaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars Overture : L'Alouette, and not a Belgian nun in sight. in sight.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A real treat to be reading another book by Vanessa Couchman. As ever brilliantly written, and the story extremely well crafted. One comes to expect this.
    The story begins at the turn of the century. Not the last one, the one before. 19th to 20th. Rural times in the deep south of France. A young girl with a promising singing voice. Tragedy strikes, move to Paris, the voice is trained, success.
    No, it's not that simple. Get the book.
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  • TRICK
    4.0 out of 5 stars I Want My Day
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2019
    Really enjoyed this story felt so bad for her wanting something so bad and its right there at your finger tips to grab and your fingers cant reach it! This is how she felt about her singing she had to do what mama and papa said but didnt want someone to die to get it. Well written story and when you do read you will actually feel the sadness and joys and excitetment when she is in her way to sing. Two part series to read.Kinda didnt like the end or was disappointed it just left me there. I dont know if the second book is about the same story or not.All is all tge time era this took place you will see and feel why she had to do as she did. Dont like to tell too much of the story cause if I do then to me whats the sense in reading the book and you will miss out on so much!!
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  • jaytarq
    3.0 out of 5 stars Overture
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2019
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    For some reason this book left me hanging.......I hated the end......there was no finale. I was very disappointed. Up til then it was well written.
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  • Kate Braithwaite
    5.0 out of 5 stars A charming historical novel
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I was completely charmed by this first novel in Vanessa Couchman's new trilogy. The story of Marie-Therese's journey from rural farming family to opera singer is beautifully written, rich in period detail and perfectly evokes the sights, sounds and smells of early 20th Century France. Marie-Therese is a highly sympathetic character, but I also really enjoyed her traditional mother, her bossy aunt and her friend and mentor Frederick. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next!
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  • Jean Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Yet again I thoroughly enjoyed Vanessa’s work. She is very gifted in the way she writes. Even though there are many twists and turns with dramas she still manages to write in a gentle way. I enjoyed it very much. I can’t imagine where the story will lead us through the next two future planned books , something we can but only look forward to.
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  • Isobel Blackthorn
    4.0 out of 5 stars Warm and well-composed
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2019
    Overture presents a charming and realistic portrait of early nineteenth century rural France and the struggles that befall a humble farmer’s daughter doomed to labour for her parents and a future husband, a daughter with a natural talent, a gift that sets her apart. From the outset, Marie-Thérèse is forced to face the restrictions of her circumstances, and this she does with resentment but also with loyalty and respect. She is a dutiful daughter, not wilful or rebellious. Opportunity comes her way when her widowed mother moves them to Paris to stay with her sister, Marie-Thérèse’s aunt.

    Couchman has penned a slow-paced and charming coming-of-age tale. The author’s knowledge of the setting and period appear sound and she has crafted a convincing and well-rounded protagonist in Marie-Thérèse. The supporting cast are equally well-presented and the pacing and plot twists are executed with aplomb. A light an entertaining read, Overture will appeal to those who enjoy their historical fiction unladen with complex detail and exposition. Recommended.
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  • Big Red
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A rags to riches story, this novel is rich with emotional responses to the tragedies and challenges in life. The characters are well-written drew me in to share their thoughts and dreams. Great action and a satisfying conclusion that promises more in the future.
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  • ReadRite
    5.0 out of 5 stars A family saga in true French style - but in English!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2020
    I love to read family sagas set in France, to uncover insights into French culture and history. French authors Francoise Bourdon, Christian Signol, Marie-Paul Armand are standouts in this genre, writing in French, of course. But in "Overture" we receive a first installment of a French-family-saga that is equally rich in its historical significance, literary style and character development - and it is written in English, with no loss of the author's magical touch from translation. And better yet, more books are to-come in the series - soon, I hope!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Spellbound
    5.0 out of 5 stars A story that sings from beginning to end
    Reviewed in Canada on June 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A beautifully written novel inspired by the life of a French opera singer. Couchman's skilled writing takes us into a world and era so real, so believable, you can smell it, you can feel it. The detail of human behaviour dealing with successes and conflicts is handled with extraordinary care making this book a winner for me. This is the first in the trilogy and I wait eagerly for book 2.
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  • Elizabeth Moore
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a Treat
    Reviewed in Australia on June 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The author has shifted her writing attention from the island of Corsica to Paris at the turn of last century. I love Paris and lost myself in the rich descriptions of life in the city before WW1, as young Marie-Thérèse and her mother face an uncertain future after being forced from their home in Aveyron. That she will be a singer is never really in doubt, but her journey and the characters she shares it with form a story woven through actual places and historical events. The first book in any trilogy should leave the reader wanting more and I can't wait for Intermezzo, the next book in this series.
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  • nanjar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Being a realist pays off for Marie-therese!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Marie- Therese, a young lady of many talents and great fortitude. Beginning at the turn of the twentieth century, Marie-Therese has the potential to be more than the fate set down by her parents who are small scale farmers in rural France. Marie-Therese finds insurmountable hurdles in continuing her education but the circumstances which then befall her make it almost impossible to make any choices of her own when she and her mother are forced to move away.

    Marie-Therese is a survivor and a realist. She retains a certain degree of innocence and avoids the traps of rancour but when possibilities for a different sort of future present themselves, she embraces the changes with an open heart and downright hard slog. There’s still an innocence about her many years later, especially when her romantic aspirations don’t keep in step with her professionally improved ones.

    Frederic is an interesting character, and one I hope we learn more about in Book 2 of the series. When his fate seems to be very gloomy, I was visibly moved when reading that part of the story, invested so well in the development of his role in the novel.

    Marie-Therese’s relatives– her parents, aunt and uncle – seem very realistic and very much a product of their era and traditional beliefs, residence in Paris in the first decade of the twentieth century not having tarnished their standards.

    The downright nasty and mildly unpleasant characters are consistently mean – Fabre; at times her aunt; and a few other fellow performers – but fortunately they are outnumbered by the nicer ones throughout the story.

    The author pens the specific era in France with great authority, and is excellent at painting realistic images of the settings. The characters interact seamlessly in their environments – in the rural and in the cities mentioned.

    I’d definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a historical tale, and especially to those interested in the Europe of pre-World War I or those who are opera fans!
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  • Janice J. Richardson
    5.0 out of 5 stars willpower, determination and challenges
    Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A beautiful story set in pre WW1 France. Nicely paced, educational historical fiction.
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  • Olga Swan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Loved the Aveyron setting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    There is much to admire in this enchanting story. I loved the excellent character portrayals and the family interactions as the story moves to Paris and then onwards to the Aveyron again. Of particular note is the blossoming of the relationship between the initially brusque Berthe and her country sister as they cook together in the Paris bistro. I also had a mental picture of the local Aveyron Maire, and his offer of some of the local rough wine was very realistic. But it is the bond between Marie-Therese and Frederic which is the mainstay of the plot, their mutual love of opera binding them together despite their difficulties. Perhaps, lovely though this story is, it could have benefited from a little more historical depth. However, I look forward to the two promised sequels.
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