The French Collection

Author: Kim Louise Clarke
Genre: Devotional

In this series of devotions, the reader travels through Paris with the author on her vacation and her journey of faith. Six days are spent exploring some of the city's lesser known sites in anticipation of meeting up with her daughter for another three days of sightseeing. Together reader and author become familiar with the fascinating history and culture of the city of Paris.

Certain moments stand out above all others from the vacation. They are more intense, or more amusing, sometimes more embarrassing, or even more fearful. Kim has written about these moments, developed them around the sights and history of Paris, wrapped them in Scripture, and turned them into The French Collection.

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Reviewer: A. A. Adourian

I love Paris and I love God—not necessarily in that order. While it isn’t necessary to love Paris before reading this book (it is quite likely the author’s love for Paris will infect the reader anyway), it is obvious the author loves God, too.
 
I was drawn to this collection because I wanted to walk with the author in Paris and see how God revealed Himself there. And I was not disappointed. It was as though I was walking with a funny, creative, thoughtful friend who not only has right words at the right moment but is also a knowledgeable tour guide. So much so that readers may want more detail around facts mentioned in the book than what is provided in the notes section at the back.
 
If you have a friend thinking about going to Paris, be sure to give them this collection. It may even help with their trip planning. As for me, I scarce believe this is the author’s first book. I look forward to other collections by Kim Louise Clarke. Vive The French Collection!

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Reviewer: Cheryl Colwell

What an enjoyable read. Kim’s adventures reminded me of my time in Italy. While traveling alone, we can make any choice we want, but sometimes there are just too many choices.
 
I love that Kim took the time to reflect and collect those special moments when God grew close and whispered to her. With no one else to lean on, it becomes a special time of drawing close to the God who is really there.
 
The descriptions of the sites she visited ramped up my desire to visit France all the more. This book is well-written and personal, a combination I thoroughly enjoyed.

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Reviewer: Jane Daly

I thoroughly enjoyed travelling the streets of Paris with Ms. Clarke. She wove in timeless truths from God’s word using real-life examples from her observations of Parisian life. For instance, she tells of trying to cross a busy intersection after misreading the signal. “My mistake had been in looking at a signal too far ahead. Looking too far into the distance can be a problem. Focusing on the wrong thing way up ahead means that the things in between are often missed.”

This book is wonderful as a devotional, or for anyone who would like to experience Paris without the cost of a plane ticket.

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