June 12, 2026
 Bonjour, Hello my friends, it has been a while and I’m happy to be back with you! How are things in your world? I’ve had some consuming family ‘issues’ … don’t we all … plus an unexpected two-week hospital stay, which was a shock since I never have anything wrong, and ended up being resolved saying goodbye to my gall bladder. Sorry … TMI? Life, right? So, two weeks after being discharged from hospital, I flew off to Paris to spend the month of May in France, driving from north to south in Deborah’s mighty Citroën. You might recall that last September my bff Deborah Bine aka Barefootblogger_france and I spent time in Paris and then road tripped down to Antibes. We set the hashtag #Eightyandepic ( or maybe it was #Epicandeighty or perhaps #80andepic … we aren’t the best techies) to post on Instagram but kept forgetting to use it. Anyway, it was a lot of fun stopping in so many beautiful villages and soaking in the history, so we planned another trip this year.  Before leaving Paris, we had lunch with good friend Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library. We celebrated the new release of her next novel, The Parisian Chapter. Click here to order both of those excellent books.  On May 5th, we left Paris to spend time in historic Rouen, just an hour from Paris. We had a most delicious lunch at the fabled La Couronne restaurant (thank you Julia Child) … established in 1345!!! Mon Dieu! And of course, there is also the magnificent cathedral, half-timbered medival buildings and the history of Joan of Arc. Next, we headed toward the windswept Normandy coast. Since I had explored the region a few years prior with my husband, I carefully mapped out our route to ensure Deborah could truly absorb its profound World War II history. Classic May weather greeted us with relentless wind and rain, turning our journey into a damp, wild adventure—but we loved every single moment of it. As well as being beautiful and pastoral inland, visiting this region is a deeply emotional experience.  Seeing all of the postings for June 6, D-Day Anniversary this week has stirred memories. The towns and landing beaches of Normandy are alive with WWII history and it’s a part of the world everyone would benefit from visiting. D-Day: The Price of Freedom is a documentary worth watching.  After a busy ten days, that included St. Malo (All the Light We Cannot See is set there) and Mont St. Michel, we headed south to spend two weeks in Antibes and Nice. My advice about road trips: if you have a friend who loves to drive like Deborah (and she IS good!), then make plans and get going! I’m the navigator … along with GPS! If you are interested in any of our travel info, just ask us.   We made it to the top! Our decision to stay at Auberge La Mere Poulard was a good one as we managed to avoid the biggest crowd in the morning.Then we headed south with an overnight in La Rochelle (fabulous and worth a longer visit). Arriving in my beloved Antibes, I was once again captivated by the timeless allure of the Côte d’Azur. A week in a beautiful villa with seven cherished friends felt like a slice of paradise. Sun-soaked days and balmy evenings were defined by laughter, infectious enthusiasm, and an ever-present glass of rosé. Stay tuned for a new novel. It’s in the works. 😀  Thanks for your patience in allowing me to indulge in sharing a few memories.And now back to book talk → The day before I flew back to Toronto. I had the pleasure of being part of a Meet the Authors event in Nice. Organized by Ella Dyer, M-C Lisa Anselmo, and supported by Adrian Leeds, it was a great afternoon talking books, writing and sharing our love of being authors in such diverse genres. Take a minute to check out my friends.   These past few months have brought some wonderful new reads, and I’d love to know which ones found their way into your hands … or ears. My favourites so far were The Correspondent, Mad Mabel, Broken Country and Margaret Atwood’s Book of Lives (although her voice is not really suited to audio, nevertheless I’m a fan)… all audiobooks. I’ve been on a roll with them. I love having one on the go in the car and whenever I go walking. How do you feel about them? I’m excited about the audiobook for The French Effect being released soon. I know some of you have heard me say that before and I apologize for the delay.  This Month’s Giveaways ~ Now let’s get to the giveaways for this month, all of them from some of my wonderful Tall Poppy Writer sisters. You all know how my giveaways work, but in case you are new here … welcome! … simply send an email to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com and let me know which book you would like to win and why. If you go to the author’s website and sign up for their newsletters, you will get two extra entries. Let me know in your email. Bonne chance! Good luck! Giveaway #1 ~ Kristy Woodson Harvey is offering one hardback copy of her newest smash hit, Summer State of Mind.New York Times bestselling author and “queen of the beach read” (Cosmopolitan) Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with a heartfelt escape to coastal Carolina. Click here to connect with Kristy. Giveaway #2 ~ Hank Phillippi Ryan is offering a hardcover copy of All This Could be Yours.(Winner of the Mary Higgins Clark Award 2026) “Is a debut author’s blockbuster bestseller about to ruin her life? A glamorous book tour becomes a deadly cat-and-mouse chase in this new and captivating thriller by “master of suspense” (Publishers Weekly) and instant USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan. Click here to connect with Hank.  Giveaway #3 ~ Suzy England is offering an ebook of her brand new release, A Singing Bird Will Come“What if one choice changed everything…and love was the only way forward? Claire Jordan’s life looks perfect from the outside—a thriving career, a Hollywood boyfriend, and a Christmas Eve proposal waiting in Malibu. But then, one reckless decision changes everything.” Click here to connect with Suzy.  It’s a pleasure to offer these giveaways from my writing friends. Thanks for the great response each month. I’m glad you appreciate them and are so keen to enter. I hope you enjoy meeting authors who might be new to you, and connecting with those you already follow. Savor 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.  Giveaway Winners The winners from Newsletter #122 are: Rhonda Pearson ~ Gian Sardar’s Land of Dreams. Karen Komarinski ~ Paulette Kennedy’s The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Author Spotlight Here are a few of my favourite authors whose writing I’m excited to share with you. Follow them on social media and sign up for their newsletters for all sorts of great tips on all things bookish! Featured Author #1: Barbara Josselsohn Book Title: The Secret Orphanage Author Newsletter: Sign up for Barbara’s newsletter for more information about her upcoming releases and the history that inspired her novels, as well as giveaways and book recommendations!  Blurb: An abandoned infant with an ominous note pinned to her blanket; an American schoolteacher with a past she cannot reveal; a tiny town in the French mountainside with a dangerous plan; and an officer who suspects something might be amiss… A breathtaking historical novel, THE SECRET ORPHANAGE will sweep you away to World War Two France–to the realities of the Nazi occupation and the hope that prevailed in the darkest of times. Featured Author #2: Rea Frey Book Title: Dear Mother Newsletter: www.reafrey.com Unlock the Secrets of Publishing. From bestselling novels to book coaching, Rea shares the raw truth of writing, publishing, and what it really takes to succeed—plus first looks at her own new releases.  Blurb:In a tense thriller set deep amid the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a determined mother works to uncover the secrets of her family’s dark past, fearful of what their history may reveal. After a childhood riddled with trauma and unanswered questions, Isabelle Archer vows to chase down the truth. So when her estranged mother dies, the investigative journalist returns to the one story that still haunts her. Isabelle was thirteen when her three foster siblings died tragically in a fire. The blaze was ruled an accident, and despite the neglect, Isabelle never wanted to believe her mother was a killer. But twenty-five years later, the accusations linger. Back in Cedarloch to settle the estate, Isabelle revisits her childhood home. A familiar dread permeates the surrounding woods. And when autopsy reports cast new suspicions, Isabelle unearths much more than just terrifying memories.With help from her ex, Isabelle frantically digs for answers. What really happened the night of the fire? How did her mother die? And are the two somehow connected? What they find could poison long-held memories—and incinerate everything she thought to be true. Featured Author #3: Barbara Claypole White Book Title: The Promise Between Us Author Newsletter: https://barbaraclaypolewhite.com/newsletter/Sign up to learn more about Barbara’s writing journey, unfinished garden, and dollhouse building project. Also receive reading and audiobook recommendations and enter her monthly giveaway.  Blurb:”This is an eye-opening and realistic exploration of mental illness–a topic that greatly deserves to be front and center.” –Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author Metal artist Katie Mack is living a lie. Nine years ago she ran away from her family in Raleigh, North Carolina, consumed by the irrational fear that she would harm Maisie, her newborn daughter. Over time she’s come to grips with the mental illness that nearly destroyed her, and now funnels her pain into her art. Despite longing for Maisie, Katie honors an agreement with the husband she left behind–to change her name and never return. But when she and Maisie accidentally reunite, Katie can’t ignore the familiarity of her child’s compulsive behavior. Worse, Maisie worries obsessively about bad things happening to her pregnant stepmom. Katie has the power to help, but can she reconnect with the family she abandoned? To protect Maisie, Katie must face the fears that drove her from home, accept the possibility of love, and risk exposing her heart-wrenching secret. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Before I go, here’s a reminder that Lost At Sea is on sale this month for $1.99 … practically free, for heaven’s sake! This is a quick entertaining read about two best friends who go on a Mediterranean cruise as Kim is selling jewelry from a boutique on board. She convinces her bff Stephanie to come help her, thinking it would be just right distraction to get over a broken heart. They never could have imagined what would unfold with each passing day.  “A beautifully woven story of food, family, laughter and friendship, anchored by a poignant historical family connection that brings surprising emotional depth and meaning to the journey.” ~ Amazon review Readers are loving each stunning port of call on their cruise around the sparkling Mediterranean and I loved writing the story. Come on along! That’s it for now. See you next time! Stay safe and stay positive, dear friends. Be kind to one another, read often, and cherish every day. Profitez de tous les jours! I’m reminded time and again that the greatest joy of being an author is connecting with readers. Your messages mean a great deal to me, and I treasure every one of them.Thank you as well for sharing my books with your friends and for taking the time to write reviews. Feel free to share my newsletter too! Your support, enthusiasm, and kindness are deeply appreciated and continue to inspire me every day.  Patricia Sands, Author1250 North HighwayPMB 254Colville, WA You received this email because you signed up on our website or made a purchase from us.Unsubscribe |
