Memories Tour/18 ~ Day 3

By September 19, 2018

I’m in catch-up mode! Do you ever find yourself in this situation with so many good intentions but not enough time?

On this day we began by settling into our comfortable private coach and driving up into the hills above Nice and Cannes to Grasse, the world’s perfume capital since the late 1700s. Our first destination was to tour the Fragonard perfume factory, family-run since 1926.

Next we drove along a picturesque winding road to the medieval village of, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, one of my favourite places. We had time for lunch and a quick stroll.

A half-hour later we were in the charming hilltop walled village of Saint-Paul de Vence , with its storied history of attracting artists. After talking about this fabled past during our bus ride, there was free time to stroll the cobblestone streets and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and art galleries … and, of course, shop. Many also took the time to visit the grave of Chagall who lived there for the last 30 years of his life.

Stay tuned for Day 4!

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Memories Tour/18 ~ Day 2

By September 13, 2018

And away we go! Day #2 began with us exploring the old town of Nice with guide extraordinaire, Stephanie.

We ended the morning at the popular Promenade du Paillon.

Le dejeuner ~ This Niçoise favourite was a  newly discovered taste sensation by many in the group! Pan bagnat is often described as a salade Nicoise on  a bun. Nom! Nom! Miam! Miam!

After lunch it was time to climb aboard the Hop On-Hop Off Bus and travel further afield.

From the Promenade des Anglais to breathtaking Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Then back to Nice again, through the heart of the city, up and down the hills to Cimiez before returning to the sea … an impressive overview of this stunning area.

La Chaise Bleue ~ the official symbol of the Ville de Nice. To learn the history behind it, click here.

Rolling along from Nice and the Baie des Anges …

… to Villefranche-sur-Mer!

Back to Nice just in time for an apéro in the quiet ambiance of the bar of the iconic  Hotel Le Negresco. The original walnut woodwork dates from 1913 and the walls are adorned with an ancient tapestry as well as fine artwork.

Hanging out in the Royal Lounge with a melange of classical and contemporary artwork like this sculpture by Nicky de St-Phalle .

Going back to home base, Beau Rivage Hotel, in style!
And a good night to all! These night owls outlasted the others!

For more photos and additional details, please check the Barefoot Blogger’s website. My bestie, Deborah Bine, and I are having a blast sharing our love of France with the enthusiastic Francophiles on this trip … all 16 of them!

For more information about this tour and to sign up to join us next year,contact Absolutely Southern France Travel Company. It’s easy … just click on this link.

 

 

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On y va ~ follow along on our 2018 women’s tour!

By September 10, 2018

The fun in the south of France began in Nice today as sixteen ladies arrived from Canada, the United States and Australia. They will spend the next twelve exciting days with my good friend, Deborah Bine aka Barefoot Blogger, and me.

Day #1 ~ Dinner on the beach kicked things off tonight, with a delicious meal at the Plage Beau Rivage .

A perfect Côte d’Azur evening was the best reward after arduous hours of travel. The journey from Melbourne, Australia, to Nice was definitely the longest. So much fun getting to know everyone!

We hope you will follow along as we visit some of the beautiful historic and charming locations I write about in my novels and Deborah blogs about.  Thanks to the awesome Nancy McGee of Absolutely Southern France travel agency for putting all of our details into such an impressive package. 

Come join us as we make some memories for a lifetime!

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Never too much of a good thing, n’est-ce pas?

By August 10, 2018

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Do you ever come across something special when you are looking for something else? Then you read it or hold it in your hands to admire and remember all sorts of good things about it?

This afternoon I was sending some information about Antibes to my good friend Julie Mautner, creator of the excellent website, The Provence Post.

The next thing I knew I was re-reading this article and a wealth of great memories wrapped around me. My husband and I often drop by the Hotel Belles Rives for a meal in the exceptional La Passagère restaurant or a drink on the dazzling terrace. It’s always memorable. But the particular morning I gathered information for this article is something I will not forget.

Today I’m reposting the article I wrote for The Good Life France in 2016. If you read it then, I hope you will enjoy it again. After all, we can never have too much of a good thing, n’est-ce pas?

Hotel Belles Rives ~ Antibes southern France

Written by in Provence-Alpes

Entrance of the hotel Belles-Rives in Antibes with purple bougainvillea growing round the door

The frivolous lyrics from Cole Porter’s Let’s Misbehave might very well have epitomized the mood on the Côte d’Azur when the song was published in 1927.

“There’s something wild about you child, That’s so contagious. Let’s be outrageous, Let’s misbehave!!!”

Not only was he penning the song, but quite possibly Porter was working through it while he hung out with Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald. They were staying at their rented Villa Saint-Louis on the shore of a scenic cove on the west side of the iconic Cap d’Antibes. The Fitzgeralds loved partying with their Jazz Age friends. The semi-Bohemian crowd included wealthy Americans and visiting artists, writers and hangers-on. Picasso, Hemingway, Cocteau, John Dos Passos, Gertrude Stein and Dorothy Parker were just a few of the regulars. Porter was a fixture at the piano in the music room of Villa Saint-Louis, overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean.

From all accounts, notably captured in Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night, along with letters, journal entries and recorded memories by others in the Roaring Twenties, the French Riviera was rather a wild place to be. It was also, and continues to be, a fabled coastline of incomparable beauty and light that inspires artists to settle there and create.

The  Belle of the French Riviera

View from the bar of the Hotel Belles-Rives overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea

Since 1929 the privately-owned Villa Saint-Louis has been known as Hôtel Belles Rives. At the time it was the only hotel on the water along the Côte d’Azur. And since 2001, the gracious third-generation owner, Marianne Estène-Chauvin has guided her beloved 5-star, 43-room gem with a clear desire to keep the best of the Fitzgerald years alive.

TO CONTINUE READING, CLICK RIGHT HERE  for the link to the entire article and photos on page 55 of The Good Life France magazine. It’s a long article but worth the read (she said modestly …). ENJOY!

It was a pleasure to spend the morning with Madame Estène-Chauvin, a charming, savvy businesswoman and artist, who loves what she does. To sit and chat and then be shown around the beloved property by her was truly an honour. Have you visited this iconic hotel?

 

 

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Canadian author Dorothy McIntosh is here!

By August 8, 2018

One of the best aspects of being involved in writing is the opportunity to meet and often become friends with other authors. It’s my distinct pleasure to have my friend, author Dorothy McIntosh (DJ McIntosh) visit here today.

When Dorothy is not at home in Toronto, she can be found at her beloved cottage in the wilds of the Bruce Peninsula, keeping company with her trusty companion, Bruin.

Okay, let’s chat!

PS ~ Your award-winning novel, The Witch of Babylon, published in 2012, was a Canadian best seller and the first in The Mesopotamian Trilogy.  There was obviously a great deal of research that went into this thrilling read, as well as The Book of Stolen Tales and The Angel of Eden. What inspired you to undertake this tremendous project?

DJM ~ I wanted to write about age old stories that were familiar to everyone and give them a new twist, so I thought:  why not start at the beginning with the stories of  Genesis?  After researching the bible’s first book, I learned a number of the Genesis stories were based on Mesopotamian myths written long before the Old Testament. This started me on my journey to research      Mesopotamia and I fell in   love with their history and culture. At the same time I embarked on this journey, the Iraq war broke out. I watched, dazed, as the famous Baghdad Museum was looted, precious objects destroyed and stolen. It seemed as if thousands of years had come full circle because I’d been studying the sacking and burning of the ancient Mesopotamian cities. Out of that synergy, The Witch of Babylon was born.

PS ~ There are fascinating, some even exotic, locations in those stories. Would you describe some of the literary pilgrimages you took in order to write the trilogy and any particular experiences that stand out as most significant?

DJM ~ My second novel, The Book Of Stolen Tales, featured some of our best    known fairy tales told in a new way. I learned that the first fairy tale anthology, called The Tale Of Tales, was written by a fascinating Neapolitan poet and courtier, Giambattista Basile. So off to Naples I went. My friends gave me dark warnings about muggings and mad drivers but I encountered none of that and really loved the city. Spanish style buildings and churches abounded, their beauty shining through even though the city had little   money for upkeep. The National Library where I held an original copy of Basile’s book in my hands. The ruins of Pompei where you could even see an ancient fast food café. Walking   gingerly on top of a volcano. And the best food anywhere. But what left the most lasting  impression was to stand on the harbour promenade and gaze across at green sloped Vesuvius, sitting innocently in a gentle purple haze and knowing it has lost none of its  power.

PS ~ When did you begin writing and what inspired the direction you have chosen with your novels to this point?

DJM ~ I began writing in earnest around 2003; my first novel was published in 2011. I’ve    always loved learning about culture and history in books I read and so was drawn to write historical thrillers.

PS ~ Does writing energize or exhaust you?

DJM ~ For me, writing the first draft is pure torture, but I revel in the re-writing and editing stages because that’s when you can shape the book and really let loose on narrative and language.

PS ~ How many hours a day do you write and do you have a routine?

DJM ~ I envy those authors who rise early, sit down with their coffee and bang out a couple of thousand wordsof marvellous prose. As to my ‘routine’ it is most definitely not recommended, lol! I don’t write every day, rather months might go by and then I’ll write seven days a week for many more months. As a night owl, I usually don’t start until late afternoon and carry on until midnight (the time Ialways feel most energetic).

PS ~ I feel privileged to know your current project and am excited for you to share it here.

DJM ~ Thanks so much Patricia. I’m really excited about my new novel because  it’s a subject that’s really close to my heart. It’s a departure from my previous historical thrillers; the working title is The White Wolf.  It’s the story of a rare white wolf stalked through             the Adirondacks by three trophy hunters. Raised in captivity, the wolf must learn to wild  again to survive. Here’s a brief blurb:

Unable to make ends meet, Jade Wentworth is forced to sell her family farm. When a local hunter asks her to foster a newborn white wolf, she  reluctantly agrees. She names the pup Niko. As time goes on, the wolf and the woman form a close bond and Jade realizes that caring for the little wolf has turned into a gift, making her life brighter. But for the wolf, that unnatural alliance with humans threatens to become a curse.

PS ~ Do you have a list of long-term writing plans?

DJM ~ I’d like to continue with canine themed novels and hope to start a new  one this summer and would also like to write a screen treatment for my most recent book.

PS ~ Some writers work on several projects simultaneously. Do you or do you find you focus on your current work before you move on?

DJM ~ For me, it would be too distracting to juggle several works at once.

PS ~ Who are your favourite writers for your own reading enjoyment?

DJM ~ That question always throws me into a tizzy because there are so many writers I love, it’s difficult to choose! Wuthering Heights remains one of my all-time favourites. Cormac        McCarthy’s Border Trilogy is always at the top of my list. I go back to it again and again just to marvel at his writing. These days I’m drawn to adventure thrillers especially those related to mountaineering and adore Jeff Long’s The Wall and Ronald Malfi’s The Ascent. And some older magnificent novels:  Belle De Jourby Joseph Kessel, James Dickey’s Deliverance, Cornell Woolrich’s The Night Has A Thousand Eyes and James M Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice.Those books combine maximum suspense with stunningly good writing.

PS ~ Dorothy, thanks so much for taking the time to chat here. You always bring so much good ‘book talk’ to the table!

Click here to connect with Dorothy on her Amazon authors page and please remember to click on “Following” there. This is a big help to authors and most appreciated. You aren’t signing up for anything, but you are letting Amazon know you like the author’s work. We love to have Amazon hear this!

Click here for Dorothy’s website.

Dear readers, if you have not read Dorothy’s Mesopotamian Trilogy, and you enjoy historical thrillers, I strongly suggest you do! 

 

 

 

 

 

7 Comments

What a weekend …

By July 15, 2018

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Wow! It was all happening this weekend … not just in Nice but all over France! So please excusez-moi for being a little tardy with this post.

Saturday was the biggest national holiday of the year, la Fête Nationale, which is also known as le Quatorze Juillet and Bastille Day (although the latter is a term used more by people not in France, for some reason). It’s always fun to be in Nice for this holiday. It’s a great family time and the beaches are popular gathering spots here. Normally the beaches are busy at night too as everyone enjoys the fireworks.

After the horrific attack here two years ago on the 14th, remembering and honouring those who lost their lives has taken precedence over everything else on this date. I’ve been so touched by the sensitive and emotional homage organized last year and this. Fireworks have been dispensed with, out of respect.

Today the mood changed as France played Croatia in the final game of the World Cup. Horns have been honking all through town for the last four hours after France won 4 to 2 over Croatia. Flags are waving all along the Promenade des Anglais and cries of Allez les Bleus fill the air, as soccer (le foot as it’s called here) fans celebrate the win. It’s been twenty years since the last one!

July also means one more given in France ~ le Tour de France is underway! I’m in awe of these athletes. But even if you are not interested in the race, watching every day is a wonderful way to feel like you are taking a trip to France. The countryside and towns the tour visits are featured in a beautiful way. Here’s the map of this year’s course in case you want to follow along. I will! Click on the map for a larger view. 

And to top off the weekend, I had to start packing! Our stay in Nice is over for this summer and it’s time to get back to Toronto. Normally I would be in serious whining mode now. However, knowing I will be back in six weeks to prepare for our women’s south of France tour, makes the leaving easier.

This past week was made even better with a visit from Nancy McGee, owner of Absolutely Southern France, who is co-ordinating our tour and my good friend and co-host on the tour, Deborah Bine (aka Barefoot Blogger). All the details are in place and we can’t wait to take this show on the road! Click here to read about the Memories Tour. 

Have you followed all this exciting sporting news? Did you celebrate le Quatorze Juliet? What are your summer plans? Are you coming on a tour with us in 2019?

 

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So much to do, so little time …

By July 6, 2018

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Bienvenue juillet! July … here so soon! So many photos and so little time to organize them.

Setting aside the Promenade and the Med for now, I’m fascinated by the details of the splendid Bourgeois, Belle Epoche and Art Deco architecture in Nice. Strolling around each day, never fails to bring a new discovery.

And then there was a day in intriguing medieval Entrevaux … another peek … If you recall, that’s the town where I set the beginning of Book 2, Promises To Keep. After my husband and I accidentally visited there, I couldn’t take this village out of my mind. I just had to write about it. It was great fun to go back this past week with friends and find it has not lost its mystique.

 

And I haven’t given you a peek from Antibes yet, but I’ve got to get back to writing! Next week, Antibes.

I’ve realized I should put all the photos into their own albums or slideshows and then make them available for those who want to see them. Another project! Are you finding your summer is filled with projects too?

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Celebrate the Summer Solstice!

By June 22, 2018

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

I love being in France for June 21! It’s officially summer, for one thing, and the longest day. Although I must admit summer seems to have been well established on the Côte d’Azur for several weeks now. The weather has been magnifique!

Not only do we welcome the Summer Solstice at this time, but throughout France, since 1982, La Fête de la Musique is celebrated in every community big or small. From a single performer on a street corner to groups of all sizes … choral, instrumental or a combination thereof … there is music. The whole town turns out and age is not a factor ~ young or old, it’s usually a late night filled with laughter, song and general bonhomie. Great fun!

All this week, Place Massena has been closed off as the stage for the biggest concert of the fête was being constructed. Security measures were also being put in place to ensure the safety of everyone.

 

We decided to watch from the comfort of our living room as the entire event was televised. The weather was perfect and everyone appeared to have a fine time right up until it ended around 1 a.m.! It was a pleasure to watch such a joyful event. You can get an idea from this shot taken of our television screen. The lighting became more spectacular as the evening wore on. A fête indeed. Bravo, la ville de Nice! 

I‘m excited about the new exhibit “Matisse, Picasso and their models“, opening tomorrow at the Musée Matisse. Click this link for an excellent website, Best of Nice Blog, to see what options you have for getting to the museum. Whatever information you would like about Nice, can pretty much be found here.

It’s a beautiful building, n’est-ce pas? Well worth a visit at any time. Matisse had such a history with Nice and the surrounding area. This excellent article from The Good Life France gives you more details about the legacy he left here.

 

And not to be outdone in the excitement department , I’m happy to be participating in an author event, being held in Nice tomorrow.  Here’s the info and if you are available to drop by, please do!


There are just a few days left to take advantage of this Amazon promotion. Once you’ve read Book 1, The Promise of Provence, you won’t want to miss the rest of the adventure!

Bon weekend tout le monde! Enjoy your weekend everyone!

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Sharing my May newsletter

By May 29, 2018

Hi everyone! Bonjour and Buon Giorno!

I’m traveling in Italy with my husband before we settle in Nice on June 5th.  We are revisiting some of our favourite places here and, as you can imagine, my camera shutter is steaming. Check in to my Instagram account if you would like to see some of my shots from Italy … a bit of a change for me, oui?

In the meantime, here’s my May newsletter that went out last week just before we left Toronto. There’s still time to enter the giveaways!
Newsletter #56                            May 21, 2018Bonjour Patricia

Spring has finally arrived in Toronto! I hope it has appeared in all its glory in your neighbourhood too.  One sign of spring in France is the proliferation of peonies ~ les pivoines ~ in the markets and florist shops. I can’t wait to bury my nose in them.

As I write this, fireworks are bursting into colour in the night sky over Lake Ontario. We are enjoying the performance from our condo as we celebrate the last hours of Victoria Day. If you aren’t Canadian, allow me to explain. This is the unofficial start to summer here and Mother Nature has blessed us with appropriate weather.

Along with glorious pyrotechnic displays, this long holiday weekend also traditionally involves picnics, bike rides, hikes, parades, garden planting and long lines of traffic heading to various areas of cottage country. Opening cottages, getting boats in the water, clearing summer properties of reminders of winter storms, are hallowed May 24th rituals for many Canadians. We all hope for a warm summer to enjoy those efforts.

One of my spring rituals is preparing to leave for France. Planning and packing has been the focus this week as well as spending time with family. Now my husband and I are ready to fly off tomorrow evening. *doing a happy dance*

We’re taking a sentimental side trip to Italy for twelve days before we arrive in Nice. I’ll take you along in Instagram and blog photos and hope you will enjoy the journey.

Having said that, I still have a little to-do list, so I will move right along with this letter! As always, there are some great giveaways and in a variety of genres. It’s gratifying to see so many of you enter your name each month and thank you also to winners for taking the time to send thanks to the authors whose books are sent to you. I’ve heard from many of my author friends how much they appreciate your thoughtfulness. Book lovers rock!

Giveaway #1 ~ A Bad Night for Bullies (The Goolz Next Door) by Gary Ghislain. This is a book for children over 8, either to read with them or for them to read on their own. There are some scary bits that are totally offset by the humour.

Gary is offering 1 print copy to any destination!

Here’s a blurb: In this humorous, witty ghost story, Harold, who uses a wheelchair, accepts a mysterious artifact from a horror novelist’s daughter and discovers that while it may help him fight bullies, its power can’t be controlled.

This school review puts everything in perspective very well. Kids love this book and parents approve of the important lessons about values skillfully woven into the narrative.

“From School Library Journal
Gr 4–7—Harold, a wheelchair user since an accident at the age of seven, is a quiet 12-year-old. He lives with his mum and enjoys the quiet little town of Bay Harbor. But the arrival of a famous horror writer, Frank Goolz, and his two daughters, sees Harold’s world shaken up as he suddenly finds himself skipping school, chasing ghosts, and battling the bullies he’s been trying to escape for years. Not only do the adventures take a paranormal turn, but Harold is quickly drawn to Ilona Goolz, and a budding romance adds a bit of a realistic touch to this fast-paced supernatural jaunt. VERDICT The ending hints at more to come from Frank Goolz and his outfit of paranormal sleuths. Younger middle grade readers looking for something spooky without too much gore will snatch this up.—Stephanie Wilkes, Good Hope Middle School, West Monroe, LA”

Connect with Gary here.

Giveaway #2 ~ A brand new release from bestselling Canadian author Steena Holmes. I know many of you are very familiar with Steena, a sister Lake Union author, mother of three busy teenagers and prolific author. She describes herself as a writer, travelholic and coffee addict. I might also add chocolate lover extraordinaire … and I can prove it!    And just as sweet!

Steena is offering one ebook and one audiobook! She also asked me to include this comment from her. I’m blushing … but we do share a special friendship. “It’s rare to find people you connect with right away. It’s even rarer for the connection to last for years. I feel that with Patricia (who is a full bottle of awesomeness herself). Thank you for sharing me with your readers!”

Her new story is creating quite a stir!  The Forgotten Ones, is a spellbinding novel about an unspeakable secret that could destroy a family.

Here’s the blurb:  Elle is a survivor. She’s managed to piece together a solid life from a childhood of broken memories and fairy tales her mom told her to explain away bad dreams. But weekly visits to her mother still fill Elle with a paralyzing fear she can’t explain. It’s just another of so many unanswered questions she grew up with in a family estranged by silence and secrets.

Elle’s world turns upside down when she receives a deathbed request from her grandfather, a man she was told had died years ago. Racked by grief, regrets, and a haunted conscience, he has a tale of his own to tell Elle: about her mother, an imaginary friend, and two strangers who came to the house one night and never left.

As Elle’s past unfolds, so does the truth—if she can believe it. She must face the reasons for her inexplicable dread. As dark as they are, Elle must listen…before her grandfather’s death buries the family’s secrets forever.

“Buried secrets, a family mystery…The Forgotten Ones is a haunting tale of loyalty in the face of mental illness and the name of love. Heartbreaking, utterly compelling, the kind of book that grips you and will not let you go far beyond the last page.” —Tosca Lee

Connect with Steena at her website by clicking here.

Giveaway #3 ~ Another new release! Also from a sister Lake Union author! Award-winning writer, Camille Di Maio lives in historic Williamsburg, Virginia with her husband and four children. Her third novel, The Way of Beauty, is an expansive story that brings the reader on a journey through the first 63 years of twentieth century New York.

Camille is offering one ebook anywhere and one print copy.

Here’s the blurb:  Hearts and dreams evolve in the shadow of the once-magnificent Penn Station.

Vera Keller, the daughter of German immigrants in turn-of-the-century New York City, finds her life upended when the man she loves becomes engaged to another woman. But Angelo Bellavia has also inadvertently opened up Vera’s life to unexpected possibilities. Angelo’s new wife, Pearl, the wealthy daughter of a clothing manufacturer, has defied her family’s expectations by devoting herself to the suffrage movement. In Pearl, Vera finds an unexpected dear friend…and a stirring new cause of her own. But when Pearl’s selfless work pulls her farther from Angelo and their son, the life Vera craved is suddenly within her reach—if her conscience will allow her to take it.

Her choice will define not only her future but also that of her daughter, Alice.
Vera and Alice—a generation and a world apart—are bound by the same passionate drive to fulfill their dreams. As first mother and then daughter come of age in a city that is changing as rapidly as its skyline, they’ll each discover that love is the only constant.

““The Way of Beauty is a charming multi-generational love story, but it is more than that: it is a story of family, love lost, and love found…A loving tribute to the workers who risked their lives and health in building iconic structures in New York City…” —Historical Novel Society

Connect with Camille here.

Giveaway #4 ~ Rituals of The Dead: An Artifact Mystery  is the third in the exciting Adventures of Zelda Richardson series by Jennifer Alderson. Jennifer S. Alderson was born in San Francisco, raised in Seattle, and currently lives in Amsterdam (the Netherlands). Her love of travel, art, and culture inspires her ongoing mystery series, the Adventures of Zelda Richardson. Her background in journalism, multimedia development, and art history enriches her novels. When not writing, she can be found in a museum, biking around Amsterdam, or enjoying a coffee along the canal while planning her next research trip.

Jennifer is offering two ebooks.

I also want to give Jennifer a shout-out for being the creator of the TRAVEL BY BOOKS Facebook page. It’s a fabulous place to discover books, both fiction and non-fiction, that carry you off to wonderful places around the world. Be sure to drop by on a regular basis!

Here’s a blurb:  Art, religion, and anthropology collide in Alderson’s latest art mystery thriller, Rituals of the Dead, book three of the Adventures of Zelda Richardson series.

Art history student Zelda Richardson is working at the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam on an exhibition of bis poles from the Asmat region of Papua—the same area where a famous American anthropologist disappeared in 1962. When his journal is found inside one of the bis poles, Zelda is tasked with finding out more about the man’s last days and his connection to these ritual objects.

Zelda is pulled into a world of shady anthropologists, headhunters, missionaries, art collectors, and smugglers – where the only certainty is that sins of the past are never fully erased.

Join Zelda as she grapples with the anthropologist’s mysterious disappearance fifty years earlier, and a present-day murderer who will do anything to prevent her from discovering the truth.

“Jennifer Alderson’s first-hand experience and meticulous research make this well-written novel a fascinating read. Her attention to detail is bound to captivate anthropology fans. It also poses the moral question as to who owns the rights to ancient artifacts and how they should be treated. The protagonist, Zelda Richardson, is an engaging, ethical researcher that readers will easily applaud. My compliments to Jennifer Alderson for another enjoyable read.” – Pamela Allegretto

Connect with Jennifer at her website by clicking here.

To have your name entered for one of these great prizes, as always, send an email to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com and answer the following question. Where will your summer travels take you or are you planning a relaxing staycation?

It’s always a pleasure to offer these giveaways. 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.



Congratulations to the winners of the last newsletter giveaways: Valerie Hildebrand, Jan Tomalis, Carol Boyer,  Mary Furman, Robin Batterson and Marla Bradeen.

Good news for our UK readers this month! Amazon is featuring Drawing Lessons in its May Avid Readers Promotion for £1 ~ DEAL until the middle of June! If you already have your copy, why not gift some to your friends? That’s what I do whenever I see a great book on sale.

And speaking of the UK, did you watch the royal wedding last Saturday with millions of others of us? Wasn’t it a wonderful diversion from the usual news? If you are still feeling in the mood for something kind of British, here’s a wonderful dessert with a French flair. This recipe is from one of my favourite bloggers, who is also on Instagram ~ Jill Colonna, of Mad about Macarons. She’s a Scottish-French foodie, who lives in Paris, and is absolutely delightful!  The photo is from her blog too.

Try her Macaron Berry Sherry Trifle and let me know how you like it. Bon appétit!

I’ve got to dash. It’s almost time to go to the airport and I still have a few of those little last-minute “things” to take care of. As long as they don’t involve packing one more item in a suitcase, I’ll be all right!

See you from France next month!

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!

If you have read the The Bridge Club or any of the Love in Provence books or Drawing Lessons and can find a minute to leave a short review on Amazon and Goodreads.  I thank you in advance.

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Print copy giveaway ~ 2 days left to enter!

By May 18, 2018

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

FIVE PRINT COPIES OF DRAWING LESSONS ~ TWO DAYS LEFT TO ENTER YOUR NAME ~ May 20 is the deadline ~ ONE OF THESE BOOKS MAY BE YOURS!  GOOD LUCK/BONNE CHANCE

(USA only … sorry, Goodreads rule, not mine!)

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

I loved writing this story, although the beginning caused me to use a few boxes of tissues. That part of the story is partially based on the true experience of a friend of mine and I felt her pain with every word. 
But the hope and happiness that grows as the story progresses, lifted my spirits as I hope it will yours. Let me know!
In case you are not familiar with Drawing Lessons, here are a few reviews to give you an idea. 90% of the reviews are 5 and 4 stars. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave one!
5.0 out of 5 starsyet beautifully hopeful. Patricia Sands’ novel Drawing Lessons is a …
ByChristie Sitterlyon May 9, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Devastatingly tragic, yet beautifully hopeful. Patricia Sands’ novel Drawing Lessons is a story about a wife forced to face difficult circumstances. She has lost herself over the years, and gets the opportunity to attend an art course in Europe. There, she meets colorful characters and lets go of things beyond her control. She finds truth and hope in her art, and embarks on a new adventure. Sands’ characters are unique and inspiring, and her story gives the reader hope that happiness can, indeed, be found even when life’s curveballs attempt to thwart us.
5.0 out of 5 starsA wonderful novel!
ByBookwomanon April 24, 2018
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
If you love France and you love reading, read Patricia Sands! Drawing Lessons is a trip to Arles in three hundred pages as a woman living with heartbreak learns the art of leading a new life.
5.0 out of 5 starsLessons of the Heart
ByCathi Newtonon April 22, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
New to Patricia Sands books, I am fortunate to have found a new favorite. Though being a small-town girl who has never even seen any ocean, I could see, feel, and taste the beautifully written depiction of Provence and its wonders. The images will remain forever.
5.0 out of 5 starsCame Alive
ByGary Grableon April 13, 2018
Format: Paperback
Friendships in France once again came alive along with the food and wine. I loved the storyline which was sad at times but illustrated that love can come at any age or under any circumstance. Marilyn Grable
5.0 out of 5 starsSuch an emotional book…..Loved it
ByLinda S Mooreon March 25, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition

I have to thank NetGalley for letting me have a copy of this book for my honest review. Also a big thank you to the Lake Union publishers.

This story starts out very emotional. Ben and Arianna have been deeply in love forever. They get the most devastating news that a couple can get. Ben has dementia. It did not take long for him to get to a state where he did not know Arianna any longer. Her children talked her into taking a retreat to Arles.

Arianna meets several other artists while in France and learns to live her life again. She goes through many ups and downs with guilt and finally does learn that she needs to live her life. She meets a man there who is an artist and decides to take him up on an offer to spend a few days with him on his boat before she leaves to go back home.

Arianna and Jacques de Villeneuve develope deep feelings for each other and she ends up staying longer. She goes back home to see Ben but he has no idea she’s even there or who she is anymore. It’s so hard for her that everyone decides she does not need to stay and just be upset all the time.

Arianna finds a life. She deserves to have a happy life.

Although I had a hard time reading a lot of this story, due to lots of tears, I also laughed along with the characters. They were fun and got on very well together. They all seemed to need to be where they were and together. This book is beautifully written and describes France in a way that makes you feel like you are there. It’s a very emotional book and one that will keep you turning pages until the very end. I enjoyed it immensely and would recommend it to anyone that loves a tearjerker and love story.

I look forward to reading more by this author as this was my first book by her.
It was a definite 5 star book

5.0 out of 5 starsWonderful!
ByAmazon Customeron March 4, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Such a wonderful and moving book as you travel to the South of France. It’s one you will not want to put down.
5.0 out of 5 starsRomance in France
BySamon March 2, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I discovered the book and author through French Word A Day. Kristin recommended it and I ordered it on Kindle for my iPad. I enjoyed reading the novel on our holiday in Mexico. The well written book delighted me because I love France, French, Food, Art, and Romance.
5.0 out of 5 starsA heartwarming novel
ByElisabeth – Comet Readingson February 13, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition

Drawing Lessons is a fantastic portrait of a woman in her sixties, who suddenly must face suffering and loss, and fight again for her dreams. Patricia Sands has wonderfully presented all her characters. She has drawn them, like in a painting. While I was reading, I could actually see them, and all her descriptions have such strength and delicacy.

Years before Arianna Papadopoulos Miller have abandoned all her artistic dreams when she and her husband Ben decided to manage the family restaurant which represented all the hopes of her father, Nikos and the anchor to their Greek origins. Now with Ben’s illness, everything is going to change, and after about two years in dealing with this situation, her family encouraged her to take part in an artists’ workshop in Arles, France, to finally rediscover her dreams and herself.

This challenge could be a new beginning for Arianna, a deserved second chance to observe in a new perspective all the events which have colored her life, both joyful and painful. In Arles, Arianna will learn to share her story and emotions with new courage, thanks to a wonderful group of artists that will live side by side in the amazing atmosphere of the Mas des Artistes. Juliette, Bertie, Barbara, Joan, Lisa … you will like every individual of this colorful group. In fact, each one with different and sometimes painful experiences will receive and give support to the others, not only in the artistic field.

I really enjoyed reading about Arianna and her family and all the love and enthusiasm which made the Papadopoulos Miller family bond so special. Patricia Sands is really an acute and emotional observer. I appreciate her talent in describing with so many details not only her characters’ personalities but also the beautiful panorama, that give you a perfect glimpse of Arles and surroundings.

Drawing Lessons is a very heartwarming and touching novel about love, dreams, being faithful to open our heart and soul to new opportunities, and don’t be afraid to rediscover all the colors’ beauty and their numerous nuances.

 

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