ARARAT - Renowned Adelaide journalist Nadine Williams will speak on the trials of love and French culture, which play out in her best-selling tale `From France With Love' at the Ararat Library.

The story, sub-titled `A Love Story with Baggage' tells how Ms Williams met her lovely Frenchman who took her to travel around France with him, meeting his family and facing many cultural clashes.

Her book has gone into a second printing and the author's event - part of a major promotional tour of southern Victorian regional cities - is the first time Ms Williams has brought her book to cities outside Melbourne.

Ms Williams, arguably South Australia's best known relationships columnist, has been a full-time journalist at The Advertiser (Adelaide) for 20 years and has received the Centenary Medal for her writings on women's issues.

She is also a freelance travel writer and her articles are published around Australia.

She is a direct descendant of a 19th century German Lutheran widow, Johanna Haeusler, who migrated to the southern region of Victoria in 1847.

However, Nadine's passion was turned to all things French when she fell in love with a French/Australian widower, bridal manufacturer Olivier Foubert in mid-life.

She joined him on a 5000 kilometre journey around France staying with his family and friends, which lifted the lid on French culture around the kitchen table.

"I had been a feisty feminist writer, very independent and divorced and Olivier was a new widower after a 47 year marriage, so the trip was bound to be fraught with ideological clashes as well as troubles with the language and French culture.

"At the end of the day, our story proves that love is possible at any age and it can heal many scars of the past, including grief,'' Ms William s said.

Their explosive and passionate relationship is played out among some intriguing real-life characters including a European Count and sophisticated French women.

Ms Williams said Australians can learn a lot from the glorious French lifestyle, but it was also important `to scotch many myths about the Francophilia Phenomenon'.

Ms Williams will speak at a morning tea at the Ararat Library on October 2 at 10.30am. The author will sign books sold at the event. Bookings for the free event can be made on 5354 1722.