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Patricia Sands

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Contests

January 6th ~ la fête des rois in France

January 6, 2025 by Patricia Sands

Eat cake like a king!

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? 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 bite down on it … they’re usually a small porcelain or plastic trinket!

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.

And while you are feeling like you are in France, pick up a copy of the fabulous Book One of the Love in Provence series. Amazon has the ebook on sale for ALL OF JANUARY! Magnifique! Click here for your copy or the copies you want to gift to your besties!

Here’s more news on our newly released series about the most adorable pups! There’s a giveaway for January just waiting for you to enter! Win all eight books ~ signed print copies plus a few surprises!

Wanna win the whole series, all printed and pawtographed? Woof, of course, you do!
Here’s how you can fetch this awesome prize:

  1. Give this post a LIKE! Give it a virtual belly rub!
  2. Pawsitively drop a comment with a picture or meme of your doggo self!
  3. Tag three of your coolest canine-loving pals. Let’s make this party grow!
    Oh, and if you really want to increase your chances, share this post with your fur-tastic pack! More shares, more treats!
    When the clock strikes January 31, we’ll pick one lucky doggo, who will be proudly announced in the original post. So, cross your paws and wag those tails – it’s time for some serious fun! Good luck, fur-iends! 🐾📚❤️
  4. Click here to enter!
    Ready to binge on the whole series?
    See all books here on Kindle and in print:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLTKBJ78

I couldn’t resist leaving you with this sweetie! Happy reading everyone! I hope you are safe from the snowstorms ~ cuddle up with a good book and a warm drink! Stay cozy.

Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, Contests, France, News, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: A New Leash on Life, Dragonfly Cove Dog Park series, Kindle sale, new release, Patricia Sands, puppies, The Promise of Provence, Yellow Labrador Retriever

October giveaway!

October 18, 2024 by Patricia Sands

Let’s get spooky! Click here to get in on this great giveaway!

https://bit.ly/ReadInPeace

Enter to win EIGHT author-signed books plus a Read in Peace metal bookmark! Easy entry with NO newsletter signups – just follow the authors on Amazon and/or BookBub. The more authors you follow, the more likely you are to win – plus you might just discover some new-to-you authors whose books you will love!

Winner will receive:

Read in Peace metal bookmark

Signed copy of A HEART LIKE HOME by Christine Nolfi

Signed copy of THE SECRETS WE HIDE by Patricia Sands

Signed copy of THE APOLOGY by Jimin Han

Signed copy of CRAZY TO LEAVE YOU by Marilyn Simon Rothstein

Signed copy of ECHOES OF US by Joy Jordan-Lake

Signed copy of THE FORGOTTEN ITALIAN RESTAURANT by Barbara Josselsohn

Signed copy of LET’S PRETEND THIS WILL WORK by Maddie Dawson

Signed copy of THE ECHO OF OLD BOOKS by Barbara Davis

https://bit.ly/ReadInPeace

US ONLY PLEASE. MUST BE 18 TO ENTER

Contest ends October 30th. Good luck everyone!

If you happen to be in Collingwood, Ontario on Saturday, October 19th, I hope you will drop by our first major literary event at the Collingwood Library from 10 to 4!

COLLINGWORD ~ a day-long festival of the stories authors tell. Celebrating the written word ~ author readings, panel discussions, presentations, book sales. Featured speaker is screenwriter Jesse T. Cook.

Refreshments available through the library’s community services collaboration with the wonderful Happy Day Café!

Bon weekend, everyone!

Filed Under: Blog, Contests, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: book contest, book event, Collingwood Public Library, CollingWord, giveaway, October, Patricia Sands, read in peace giveaway, South Georgian Bay Writers Collective

Goodreads Giveaway until August 29

August 25, 2024 by Patricia Sands

There are five paperbacks waiting to go to new homes. Click on this link https://bit.ly/3AAm7rY to enter. Good luck one and all.

I’m extremely proud of this novel, the awards it has won and reader reviews.

Here’s a brief synopsis, which I hope will entice you to read the story even if you don’t get lucky with the giveaway:

The deep traditions and values of Kaito Tanaka’s Japanese heritage are severely tested when he returns home to Honolulu from duty in Vietnam to find his wife, Hana, in the grip of progressive mental health challenges

As Hana’s condition worsens, Kaito’s life becomes absorbed in protecting and caring for her and their daughter, Kiana. Hana becomes increasingly reclusive while their daughter Kiana grows troubled and rebellious. A friend’s mysterious death followed by Kiana’s sudden disappearance cut deeply into Kaito’s soul. Meditation is Kaito’s drug of choice. Secrecy hides the truth from others but Kaito’s commitment to Hana is unwavering.

As years go by, Kaito begins to make an annual pilgrimage to a Buddhist retreat in Koyasan that renews his spirit. In the end, a serendipitous coincidence there opens the door to happiness – if he can allow himself to accept it.

“Set against lush backdrops in Hawaii, Japan, Corsica, and the south of France, this beautiful story of resilience perfectly balances the heartbreak and destruction of mental illness with the compassion and serenity of an unforgettable hero.” Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son and The Promise Between Us.

Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, Contests, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: award winner, book club fiction, Goodreads giveaway, Patricia Sands, The Secrets We Hide, womens fiction

August 20! Don’t Miss It!

August 19, 2024 by Patricia Sands

A great day for book lovers everywhere! The READERS COFFEEHOUSE GREAT BIG BOOK GIVEAWAY is an annual book giveaway extravaganza. It’s a fabulous opportunity to chat with authors you love or ones who are new to you. Take a chance and enter to win free books ~ please remember to write reviews after you read them!

Click on this link after midnight Eastern tonight and check in all through the day to see what new giveaways have been added. See you there!

Good luck everyone! Have fun!

Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, Contests, Writing Tagged With: authors, books, giveaway, Patricia Sands, readers, Readers Coffeehouse, Readers Coffeehouse Great Big Book Giveaway

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