Have you ever held a book and wondered where it had been before you came to own it, or where it will end up once you have finished with it? Well, welcome to the world of bookcrossing.

It would make someones day if you add a journal entry to tell those who had the book before you where you found it. You can remain anonymous if you want to, though if you create a screen name you will be able to get notification each time someone else journals this book.

When you have finished please release the book (and make a journal entry stating where you left it) to let it continue on its journey.

Following this book on its travels can be very fun.

"The story follows a transplanted American woman in southwestern France as she connects through dreams with her distant Huguenot ancestors. The primary plot concerns the plight of Ella Turner, an insecure American midwife of French ancestry. Her architect husband, Rick, has been transferred from California to Toulouse, France, with Ella accompanying him. Often left alone, she becomes lonely and isolated, and when she decides it's time to have a baby, she begins dreaming of medieval scenes involving a blue dress." amazon review

This book was sat on my shelf waiting to be read for a long time; finally got around to it.

The opening chapter describes how 16th century Isabelle gets pregnant and thus has to marry into the arrogant Tournier family. If you did not know anything about the novel you would think that it was going to be typical historical novel. Chapter 2 introduces us to Ella Turner, who has moved to France and changed her name back to Tournier as a way to get in touch with her French ancestors.

Each chapter then alternates between Isabelle and the trials of her Huguenot family as they try to evade persecution, and the modern day as Ella goes on a mission to research her family tree. The title Virgin Blue refers to a colour which is a part of Ella's nightmares and also results is tragedy in Isabellas life.

This is an interesting take on an historical novel, though I am not convinced by the genetic memory idea. I think that people only start looking into their family of the past when they are not happy with that they have in the present; this is true of Ella who found herself in a foreign country unable to work and not feeling accepted by the locals. The two women are similar in some ways yet while Ella does reassert control over her own life, Isabelle would never have the same opportunity.

Being sent to Arvores who requested it from the Europe only: Pay it forward book relay forum.

Arrived yesterday.
Thanks a lot, bookowl1000. It will be read and move on.

I liked the plot but, somehow, the writing was not so appealing to me.
It's finally on its way to alexiapapa, in Greece, after the wishlist tag game.

Enjoy!
Warm greetings.

Finding a new home, in Greece :)

Thank you so much for this book! :)