Patricia Sands

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January 6th ~ Epiphany ~ la fête des rois in France

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January 5, 2025

Happy New Year … now Eat cake like a king!

January 6 is the official date of Epiphany, when this celebration occurs. However, many people in France this year would have taken advantage of the nearest Sunday to serve their King’s Cake. This date is said to be the day that the three kings (or magi) visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem. It is the end of the 12 days of Christmas, being 12 days after the 25th December.

If you are in France (or Louisiana, hello N’awlins!), it’s again time to celebrate  … oui …  bien sûr … more food! Don’t you love it? It’s the French way! This time it’s all about a rich, almond cream (frangipane) enveloped by layers of light, flaky pastry (feuilleté).

Another joyful opportunity to bring friends and family around the table to share La Galette des Rois/The Kings’ Cake, takes place on the first Sunday of January or January 6th and recognizes Epiphany, the arrival of the three wise men (Magis). The history of this special pastry can be  traced to Roman times.

If you read my Love in Provence series, Kat first finds out about the tradition in Book #2, Promises to Keep. 

During the French Revolution, the name was replaced with ‘Gâteau de l’Égalité’ (equality cake), as the word ‘king’ was a little out of fashion!

It’s so popular, many patisseries make the scrumptious cake through the entire month of January.

The cake is cut in the specific number of slices for the people present, with one extra symbolic slice for the first poor person passing by. The youngest child  (or the most innocent adult, if no children are present, which can result in great hilarity) goes under the table and calls out who will receive each slice to ensure fair distribution. The greatest excitement comes when one person discovers la fève (a lucky charm) hidden in a single slice. Just don’t accidentally bit down on it … they’re usually a small porcelain or plastic trinket!

This really is a lot of fun and a joyful time to celebrate with family and friends.

Bon appétit!

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Click here to read an excellent account of the history and traditions of this special fête by my friend, Margo Lestz.

Happy New Year everyone! May 2026 bring you and your loved ones the best of health of happiness … peace in the world would be nice too. We can only keep hoping.

I’ve been so pleased with the response to my new novel, THE FRENCH EFFECT. If you haven’t read it yet, here is the link to all the platforms where you can purchase it…either ebook or print. I’m excited to announce that the audiobook will be out in February.

‘Tis the season!

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The festive giveaways are under way and I want to share some with you.

All of my sister authors at Tall Poppy Writers have a two-day Holiday Haul Giveaway!

Here’s mine for today and there will be a new one from all of us tomorrow. Sign into Bloom (you should pop in there every week for the best book news … it’s free!)

Then today, December 1, click on this link to join Kerry Schafer’s book launch party for A PARTY TO DIE FOR! This story is a doozy!

Mark your calendars for Bookapalooza 2025! Sunday, December 7th, join me and many of your favourite authors at My Book Friends for a massive #giveaway extravaganza! Over 50 authors will be spreading holiday cheer with free books and other goodies. It’s also the perfect way to meet new authors and connect with fellow book lovers. Let’s make this #MBFBookapalooza2025 the best one yet! Join us here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbookfriends/

I will be back tomorrow with more good news. In the meantime, drop by the links above and leave your comments. Good luck! Bonne chance!

THE FRENCH EFFECT HAS ARRIVED!

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Salut! The French Effect launched on November 15th and it’s been a wild ride ever since. Thank you to all the pre-order readers and everyone who has picked up a copy since then.

The reviews on Amazon and Goodreads have been wonderful, and—as authors do—I’ve been busy with promotion. I had the chance to appear on Canada’s CP24 Breakfast television, and I was also invited for a fantastic conversation on The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing podcast with the fabulous Bianca Marais.

This Thursday, I will be interviewed at our local Collingwood Public Library by Librarian Lori Crossan. It’s possible to reserve a spot here. I’m happy to say I’ve received a good supply of books to bring along for sale. If you are in the area, I hope to see you there. I love celebrating with my hometown.

Sending good wishes to you this Thanksgiving! May you be blessed with good food that fills your table, good health as you work hard, and good times with family and friends. May you have all the best delights in life.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American friends, wherever you may be.

Tomorrow is Pub Day!

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THE FRENCH EFFECT will pop out into the world on November 15th! I’m excited to bring this story to you. This is just a quick reminder it’s not too late to pre-order.

Full disclosure ~ At the end of 2024, I was in a bit of a dip, which was most unusual for me. But it happens from time to time to most of us, right?

To be honest, I have to thank Ann Garvin and all of the Tall Poppy Writers for the fact that this book exists. At the end of 2024, I was having a bit of a meltdown that my next birthday in July would be my 80th. My age has never bothered me in the past and I’m blessed with good health, BUT … mon Dieu … that was suddenly a number I couldn’t quite deal with. Out of nowhere, the invitation arrived from Ann to join the author/reader group she created in 2013! What an honour to be part of this collegial and encouraging group of writers. Inspiration followed and my words began to flow. I loved writing THE FRENCH EFFECT. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Here’s the blurb: Here’s the blurb … Sorry for the crazy spacing. Being totally a non-techie, I have no idea how to fix it and it is too late at night to ask my tech assistant. So I’ m just going to post it like this. Please forgive me …

From the bestselling author of the LOVE IN PROVENCE series, comes a hopeful and
heartwarming journey that reminds us it’s never too late for a second chance.

France has a way of changing your mind … and your heart …

Novelist Nora Bennett is living her fifties with more doubts than dreams. Once content with her
quiet life, she’s recently found herself battling writer’s block, a growing restlessness–and
resistance to a holiday season she’s long stopped celebrating. So, when her daughter Chloe, an
artist living in Paris, asks her to dog-sit an intimidating Doberman named Atticus, Nora surprises
them both by saying yes.

Delicious meals, long walks through the storied streets of Montmartre, and a chance to
rediscover a spark of joy in the glittering holiday lights of Paris: Six weeks in the City of Light
might be just the escape Nora needs.

Except Paris has other plans. Nora agrees to ghostwrite a memoir for 93-year-old Marie-Louise,
who reveals haunting memories of surviving the Occupation as a child of the Resistance. A
charming younger tango partner with secrets of his own introduces Nora to the French art of
pleasure. All the while, the city’s irresistible festive spirit envelops her gently.

Chloe invites Nora to spend Christmas at her husband Olivier’s centuries-old ancestral farm in
Provence. There, Nora is embraced by the warmth of family and treasured traditions. She’s also
unexpectedly drawn to Pierre, her son-in-law’s moody and magnetic father. Their connection is undeniable, even as he seems intent on keeping his distance.

But when Atticus suddenly goes missing, Pierre joins Nora in searching for him. Soon a winding
road trip returning to Paris softens their defenses … and reveals complicated truths behind
their guarded hearts.

Yet as Nora’s time in France begins to wind down, she must decide: Return to the comfort of
the life she knew – or leap into a bold new chapter she never imagined beyond the pages of her novels.

Happy reading! Bonne lecture!