August means it is still summer!

How is your summer going? I hope the answer is a resounding “GREAT” for most of you. If any of you, or your loved ones, are living in one of the areas around the world affected by the terrible wild fires, please know you are in the thoughts and prayers of many.

It’s three weeks today since I returned from the south of France. As you know from my last two newsletters, every day was memorable. However, it didn’t take too long to get settled back into life in Toronto.  After time away, it’s always so good to get caught up with family and friends. (And then get back to serious writing, of course!)

We love the view from our condo (above), but I can’t say France is far away from my thoughts! Bring on 2018!

I must admit I didn’t accomplish a lot of proper writing while I was away. What I did was a tremendous amount of observing and absorbing and note taking. My camera shutter was steaming! Details, images and memories were captured that I will use as I write more stories for you.

The header shot in this letter is one of my favourite photos from this summer. The colours, textures, and play of light/shadow were impossible to resist. I walked past this door whenever I took one of several routes to the daily marché in Antibes. It took my breath away every single time.

Our Women’s Fiction Fans Summer Party was an enormous success, and we are so grateful to all of the enthusiastic readers who joined in the fun! We can’t begin to thank you enough! Congratulations to all the winners of books, bags and macarons! Those were just some of the sought after prizes!

If you haven’t had an opportunity to join our group, just go to this page and click on “joined”.  It’s as easy as that!

I would also like to invite you to join me at our #LakeUnionAuthors page. Click on this link and be connected. Every week one of the 72 authors signed to Lake Union Publishing hosts the page. I will be hosting from August 7th to 13th and hope you will find some time to visit with me then.

With both of these groups there is absolutely no commitment on your part, except to learn about new reads, chat with authors and connect with book lovers like yourself. You can be as engaged as you like … or not. But do be part of the community! We look forward to spending time with you!

The aim of these friendly groups of authors and readers is to share thoughts and comments about books (old and new), or simply talk about reading in general … or anything else that’s on your mind. Ask us questions, enter our giveaways, enjoy our special events and, by all means, please invite your friends!

Now it’s time for this month’s giveaways!

You are no doubt familiar with my friend and fellow Lake Union author, Christine Nolfi, as we are often involved in author events together. We’ve met several times in person and will be together again at the Novelists, Inc. (NINC) writers conference in October. Can’t wait!

A few months ago, Christine gave away copies of her new release Sweet Lake. This month you have the opportunity to win one of two ebooks of the sequel, The Comfort of Secrets. Isn’t it a beautiful cover?

From an Amazon reviewer: 5 stars ~ “This is a delightful and charming story that describes the Wayfair Inn in Ohio and the quirky, complex and complicated characters. Many of the characters are the same as in the first book.”

Award-winning author Christine Nolfi provides readers with heartwarming and inspiring fiction. Her novel TREASURE ME, Liberty series book 2, is a Next Generation Indie Awards finalist. The Midwest Book Review lists SECOND CHANCE GRILL, Liberty series book 1, and the other Liberty books as “highly recommended”. Connect with Christine here.

Our next giveaway is for one of two ebooks of the exciting new release, I Wish You Happy, from another fellow Lake Union author, Kerry Anne King. I don’t know how Kerry manages all she does. She spends her days working as an RN in a clinic, spinning her tales early in the morning and in the evenings after work. She believes passionately in the idea of the “whole self” and is ever in pursuit of balancing mind, body, and spirit. She also writes fantasy and mystery novels as Kerry Schafer.
Connect with Kerry here.

From an Amazon reviewer: 5 stars “I Wish You Happy is a heartfelt book, a story that exudes warmth and feelings. The characters in this book are quirky, genuine, and a bit tortured; they are all searching not only for their own happiness but also for the happiness of the people they love.”

As always, to have your name entered for the random draw for each giveaway, send an email to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com . This month please tell us your favourite summer activity. Good luck, everyone!

With the giveaways in my newsletter, I hope you enjoy meeting authors who might be new to you and connecting with those you already follow. Savour their books, find out more about the writers and pass along their information to your friends. The best way to hear about a good book is by word of mouth from dedicated readers like you.

If you have time to write a short review, even better, and always appreciated.  Good luck! Bonne chance!

Congratulations to the winners of last month’s giveaways: Camille Clark-Laclergue, Donna Faulkner, Cynthia Daniel, Barbara Taptich, Helen Hoadley, and Janet Graham.

Amy, my irreplaceable right hand, is always on top of things so I’m certain you have all heard from her by now. If not, please let us know.

Who wants to win a Kindle? Take a chance in this event and add some new books to your summer reading list. Good luck. Click right here to enter!

A few summers ago, we discovered this delicious drink at Le Phenecia, an excellent Lebanese restaurant overlooking the Med in Antibes. They call it Lebanese Lemonade and here’s the closest recipe I could find. At the restaurant they said they added only a pinch of sugar. To help sweeten, they added a dash of fleur d’oranger, as the French often do.

You may have to play with the recipe a bit for sweetness. Make sure the mixture has a nice frothy topping. It’s deliciously refreshing!

I took this photo one day in Antibes when I met a reader who asked me to sign her copy of I Promise You This. That made the moment even more pleasurable for me!

Stay well, my friends, be kind to one another, read a lot and appreciate every single day. Profitez de tous les jours! I’m reminded on a regular basis that the best part of being an author is hearing from readers. I value the messages I receive from you. Thanks also for sharing my books with your friends and for the reviews you write. It’s all most appreciated and inspiring. See you next month!

À bientôt!

Thanks and mille mercis to everyone who has pre-ordered my new novel, Drawing Lessons. If you still haven’t, you can do so by clicking right here! Right now I’m awaiting the final sign off on the manuscript. We’re eager to have the book available on Net Galley for everyone who is interested in writing a review. Stay tuned! I will let you know the minute it is there.