Patricia Sands

Author

General Travel

My recent newsletter ~ hiatus over!

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NL #93 August 2, 2022

Bonjour

It’s been a while! I have been on a bit of a writing hiatus and am glad to be getting back into my regular schedule now.


How are you doing? I hope your summer is going well and that you are managing to stay cool in those areas where temperatures have been skyrocketing. Our thoughts are also with everyone impacted by other shocking forces of nature … fires, floods … life has not been easy for many people.


I find it’s often difficult to focus on the positive when such tragic circumstances abound. But, focus on the positive is exactly what I hope to do here with you. But before I go on, here is one way we can help those in need of assistance. Just click here.


Now, here’s my first bit of good news!


As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I was finishing up the final details in order to release my new novel, THE SECRETS WE HIDE. In fact … ta daaaaa … drum roll please … the cover reveal just happened. Only the front cover was revealed but I am sharing the complete cover here with all of you.


The book is ready for pre-order now and will be published August 25. I hope you are ready for a story that ultimately is about commitment, hope and second chances. Life isn’t always what we expect it to be but we should always be open to change. That is Kaito Tanaka’s lesson.


Here’s the pre-order link.

Moving on to my next good news which I’m sure you will all understand, since so many of you have been with me through a lot of years. In June, I finally was able to return to my beloved south of France. It was only for three weeks, but I was thankful to have that.


Apart from simply being thrilled to stroll the colorful streets of the Côte d’Azur again, I also had the pleasure of spending an afternoon in Nice at an author event that was a lot of fun with a full house and great question/book signing session afterward. Organized by the über-efficient Ella Dyer and M-C-ed by the effervescent Adrian Leeds, author, real estate expert extraordinaire and seen on House Hunters International.


There were seven authors in the lineup and I can’t wait to tell you about their books in my next few newsletters. This time I am highlighting Lisa Anselmo and Craig Carlson. In the meantime, feel free to find out more here: Debra Moffitt, Janet Hulstrand, Jeanne Oliver, Oliver Gee.

First, I’ll begin with these two dear friends. Read on:


Lisa Anselmo is an author, branding expert, speaker, and coach. She spent most of her professional career in magazine publishing in New York City, working on such iconic brands as Allure, InStyle, and People. In 2014, she left her “day job,” and now lives (mostly) in Paris where, when she’s not hanging out in cafés, she’s writing and coaching.

Her experiences inspired the fabulous memoir My (Part-Time) Paris Life: How Running Away Brought Me Home, (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press), a candid narrative of a woman searching for hope and healing in the city she loves after the death of her mother from breast cancer. Check out her blog and YouTube series and be amazed at this multi-talented special woman, who also happens to be an exceptional singer and tons of fun!


Lisa and her projects have been featured in New York magazine, Travel and Leisure, Bustle, House Hunters International, The Today Show, The Guardian, New York Times, LA Times, BBC, and CNN International, among others.

You can connect with her here ~ Website: LisaAnselmo.com

New York Times bestselling author (and super nice guy!) Craig Carlson first
came to France as an exchange student in 1985 and instantly fell in love with
the country. He never could have imagined that some thirty-five years later,
he’d be the owner of two American diners in Paris and be nicknamed “Le
Pancake Kid” by the French. With a background in journalism, Craig studied
cinema at the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts, using his experience
as a screenwriter to pen his debut memoir, Pancakes in Paris: Living the
American Dream in France. It’s a great story!


Craig and his husband, Julien (also a super nice guy!), currently split their time
between Paris and Los Angeles. Well, at least they try to. With two busy diners
that can’t be left alone for too long, their lives lean heavily on the Paris side,
which, of course, is not such a bad thing, n’est-ce pas?


You can connect with Craig here ~ Website: Craig Carlson Author

After that first busy week in Nice, it was time to check into Hotel Villa Victoria,
hook up with my tour-host partner and BFF, Deborah Bine (aka Barefoot
Blogger) and excitedly await the arrival of fourteen fabulous women who would
tour with us for twelve-days. This tour was created exclusively for them! You
see, these ladies had all traveled with us previously and wanted to do it again.
And so we did. In style. We made new memories in wonderful places along the
Riviera and folicked in the lavender fields of Provence. You can see more
photos in my Instagram account @psands.stories. You may recall my original
account was hacked in the spring and I’ve had to begin all over. I hope you are
following me there.


Enjoy a few moments from our trip:

More good news! Here are the winners from Newsletter #92. The authors will be
in touch with you. Felicitation! Anne Hardy, Kathi Banholzer, Pat Schelling and
Marlene Gagnon.

This month I have a very special giveaway for two lucky readers. Please note: This giveaway is for Newsletter subscribers only.

My dear friend, Lisa Barr … you may well know her now as a Woman on Fire! Her must-read novel WOMAN ON FIRE has been seen everywhere on all the bestselling book lists and in the news, as actor Sharon Stone will be producing and starring in the movie of this story! How exciting is that?


I have two copies of this book that come with a bookplate signed by Lisa. I
purchased the books at Lisa’s book signing at Books And Books in Coral Gables,
FL, last March. What a pleasure that was! But the lineup for signing was too long … no surprise there … and we had to drive back to Naples, so Lisa sent me the signed book plates.


You know the drill. Send an email to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com and tell me why you would love to own this book. Trust me, Lisa’s writing is exquisite, exciting and engaging.


Here’s a blurb: From the author of the award-winning Fugitive Colors and The Unbreakables, a gripping tale of a young, ambitious journalist embroiled in an international art scandal centered around a Nazilooted masterpiece—forcing the ultimate showdown between passion and possession, lovers and liars, history and truth.

I hope you have enjoyed getting caught up with me here. I would love to hear how you are doing, so never hesitate to drop me a line.


My recipe for you today is an apéro I fell in love with all over again at the fabulous Bistro du Paradou on the last night of our June tour. We had the most wonderful ending to our tour there with the tremendous combination of joie de vivre and always delicious food!

Enjoy this Lillet Spritz ~ mine was made with Lillet Rosé but I understand Lillet Blanc is much the same. My garnish was mint and lemon but a strawberry sounds good too! (Book Club question ~ who remembers in which book Philippe first introduced Kat to Lillet? There might be a prize for the person who gets the answer right! In fact, there WILL be a prize.)


Here are a couple of shots from our farewell dinner. What a fine time! And I hope somehow you are all managing to have fine moments as we work our way through this summer. I trust you have many good books bringing you escape and wonder and great enjoyment.

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!

Note from me today August 20th: I’m working on my next Newsletter right now!

Bonne fête ~ May 1st, 2022

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May 1, 2022 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

Happy May Day!

En France ~ Bonne fête du muguet! Bonne fête du travail! Bon premier Mai! Happy Labor Day! Happy first of May!

In many countries around the world, the first of May is a celebrated Labor Day. In France there’s a special twist to the holiday that I love.
I recycle this post every year because I don’t want to change anything about it. If you read it last year … or the year before , I hope you enjoy it again. And if you can find some Lily of the Valley to give to a friend, all the better.

En mai, fais ce qu’il te plait!

Provençal proverb ~ In May, do what pleases you!


Here’s my May 1st muguet to each of you.

Every May 1st I like to share one of my favourite traditions in France ~ La Fête du Travail or La Fête du Muguet. The day is a national holiday ~ International Workers’ Day, like Labour Day in North America. But more than that it is an occasion when people give little bouquets or sprigs or pots of le muguet (lily of the valley) to each other. Like so many of the things we love about France, the tradition has lasted for centuries. It began in 1561, during the Renaissance.

Click here to read an excellent article by Margo Lestz, about this sweet tradition and all the history behind it.

Here’s another post about the tradition from Kristin Espinasse, everyone’s favourite scribe of daily French life.

A few years ago, my husband and I had just finished a magical stay (but then isn’t it always?) in Paris and the Loire Valley. We were driving south to the Dordogne region on May 1st and in every town, large or small, this was the scene. Even on a drizzly day. I loved it!


Obviously, whether young or old, everyone puts a lot of thought into this tradition.

A vivid memory of that rainy morning, is of an elderly woman sitting under an umbrella beside her small stand of bouquets of muguets. It wasn’t an appropriate picture to take … and no time to stop in the midst of traffic … but I’ve never forgotten the image. Does this happen to you sometimes when you travel? Your eye is the shutter and a particular image is captured forever in your memory?

Le muguet or lily of the valley represents a porte-bonheur, a good luck charm, to special people in your life. I am offering one to each of you.

Does your culture or country have a special May 1st tradtion?

With Mother’s Day next weekend, I’m happy to share that we are having a special Mother’s Day discount for The Bridge Club! The ebook is available for $1.99 and, for the first time ever, the paperback is on sale for $12.99 until May 10.

The story is the perfect gift for those mothers who raised families beginning in the 1970’s. The world was a different place! And if your mother is a bridge player, even better, but not necessary. Included in the book are eight detailed bridge hands contributed by Canada’s bridge guru, Audrey Grant! Click here for your copies.

Bon weekend, tout le monde!

Poisson d’avril! April Fool’s Day in France

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In many countries April begins with April Fool’s Day. Do you indulge? For those who haven’t heard before, you may be interested in knowing how April 1st is celebrated in an altogether unique way in France.

images

Imagine my surprise the first time I saw children sticking paper fish on each other’s back, whispering and giggling, and then hollering, “Poisson d’avril!”

Excusez-moi? Fish?

As Wikipedia explains: “In Italy, France and Belgium, children and adults traditionally tack paper fishes on each other’s back as a trick and shout “April fish!” in their local languages (pesce d’aprile!, poisson d’avril! and aprilvis! in Italian, French and Flemish, respectively). Such fish feature prominently on many late 19th- to early 20th-century French April Fools’ Day postcards.

April-Fools-vintage-Image-TheGraphicsFairy.com

April-Fools-vintage-Image-TheGraphicsFairy.com

I had no idea where the tradition began and, after a bit of searching, found this explanation on France Travel Guide.

“Although the origin of April Fools is obscure and debated, the most widely accepted explanation actually credits the “holiday” as starting in France. The most popular theory about the origin of April Fool’s Day involves the French calendar reform of the sixteenth century.

The theory goes like this: In 1564 King Charles XIV of France reformed the calendar, moving the start of the year from the end of March to January 1.

However, in a time without trains, a reliable post system or the internet, news often traveled slow and the uneducated, lower class people in rural France were the last to hear of and accept the new calendar. Those who failed to keep up with the change or who stubbornly clung to the old calendar system and continued to celebrate the New Year during the week that fell between March 25th and April 1st, had jokes played on them.

Pranksters would surreptitiously stick paper fish to their backs. The victims of this prank were thus called Poisson d’avril, or April Fish—which, to this day, remains the French term for April Fools—and so the tradition was born.”

poisson d'avril

Poisson d’avril

Boulangeries and patisseries deliciously get into the spirit with fish-shaped goodies. Oh … and did I mention the chocolatiers? Schools of fish of all sizes fill shop windows, the larger ones often filled with smaller treats. To a chocoholic, fish never tasted so good!

Since Easter often falls around the same time, fish feature predominantly in shop windows through that holiday as well.

On  The Good Life France   (amazing photography and articles ~ you know I’m a huge fan!), there’s another article by Margo Lestz about April 1st in France.  Margo writes perfectly-researched articles, as well as entertaining books about some of the quirky history and traditions of France.  Click here to visit her website!

Whether you celebrate April Fool’s Day or not, I think we all feel some relief in the Northern Hemisphere that April truly heralds the arrival of spring. Although, as we know, Mother Nature often likes to fool us with a few random snow storms in some areas.

While I’m on the blog, I’ll leave you with this … NOT an April Fool’s joke. A Season of Surprises, Book Two in the Villa des Violettes series is on sale for just $1.99 and it’s a great way to celebrate spring! Click here for your copy.

I love how readers tell me they feel they are right there in the pages of the story! That’s my hope when I write them. Guess what? You can be there! If you are longing to be in the south of France in person to stroll the streets of my stories with me and my bff, Deborah Bine aka #barefootblogger_france, grab one of the few remaining spots on our 12-day September Memories Tour! ✈️Sept 19 – Oct 1 ✈️ Happiness and joie de vivre guaranteed! 💕🇫🇷💕🇫🇷💕🇫🇷💕 #bookclubs receive free books 💕📚💕📚💕 At the moment there are a few spots remaining but they won’t last long. Click on this link for all the details!

THIS COULD BE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!

January Newsletter ~ with links to our 2020 South of France tour!

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Do you subscribe to my monthly newsletter? There’s a sign-up link to the right of this post. In case you missed it, here is my letter from January.

Newsletter #74   January 25, 2020

Bonjour 


With all the crazy weather patterns floating around and many people being visited by a polar vortex or two, I thought some sunshine from the stunning Côte d’Azur might be in order. This header photo was taken looking down on the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, just east of Nice. The ancient old town is one of my favourite places to wander and photograph.

Feel the warmth! 

Even though I won’t be back to France until June, once the new year began my thoughts definitely turned in that direction. I know the time will fly by and I’ll be on my way. But more on that as we get closer to June.

 This month my husband and I relocated to our winter getaway in Naples, Florida. We feel fortunate to spend time here and definitely appreciate the great weather … even when there is a “cold spell”. In Florida that’s quite a different thing than up north!

In the meantime, no matter where I am, there’s much work to be done.

  I’m happy to say that Lavender, Loss and Love, Book 3 in the Villa des Violettes series has just been published. The cover reveal happened on Friday.

Since I have indie published the three novellas, it’s been fun to work on each of the covers. It’s such a collaborative venture. I talk with Donna Fedele and Clare Strohman in the beginning about the story and the details I would like on the cover. After that, they work their magic. Donna creates the drawing and her BFF, Clare, then paints in the colour.

I know I have mentioned this before with the previous covers, and hope you don’t mind if I repeat the story. Donna and Clare were on our 2018 South of France Memories Tour. One morning as we were on our private coach going to explore another charming village, I mentioned I was going to need original covers for this series. They asked a lot of questions, as artists do, and then offered to take on the projects and … voilà! I’m very grateful to them.

It was one of life’s surprising coincidences that occur when we least expect them. You just never know what’s around the corner …

This book is a tad behind schedule as that lovely cover with the autumn overtones was supposed to publish in November. I know I mentioned to you then that I was stepping back a bit from writing, as I was struggling with the loss of several dear friends. It’s taken a while to get back on track and feels good to have it out in the world now. Here’s the Amazon link and the book is also on Kobo and Nook.

Thanks to everyone who has already helped Lavender, Loss & Love at the Villa des Violettes acquire one of Amazon’s golden banners!

Since I mentioned the South of France Memories Tour above, I’ve got more to share with you about it. I’m thrilled to say that Absolutely Southern France Travel is ready to receive registrations for our 2020 tour. The dates are from September 28 to October 10 … we Canadians will get home in time for Thanksgiving!

All the information is available at this link and Deborah Bine and I are excited to greet this year’s group and share our love of France with them! You can see from previous testimonials that the tour is always a great success. It is so satisfying for us to see each group of women become such good friends!Why don’t you join us? On your own, with your BFF, your book club (!), sister, daughter, mother ~ whatever works for you. We guarantee wonderful memories that will last a lifetime!

In fact, today I am having lunch in Fort Myers with five women who were on our 2018 tour. I can’t wait! Of course, we will talk about France … and Katherine, Philippe and the gang … and reminisce about the memories we made.

And now for this month’s fabulous giveaways!

Giveaway #1 ~ Rochelle Berger Weinstein has an exciting new release, This Is Not How It Ends, and she is offering one ebook and one print copy. Please specify which format you would like. Rochelle is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of emotionally driven women’s fiction, including Somebody’s Daughter, Where We Fall, The Mourning After, and What We Leave Behind. She lives in south Florida with her husband and twin sons (when the boys aren’t away at college). She is also one of my sister Lake Union authors. When she’s not writing, Rochelle loves to hike, read, and find the world’s best nachos. She is currently working on her sixth novel.

Blurb: This Is Not How It Ends is a tender, moving story of heartbreak and healing that asks the question: Which takes more courage—holding on or letting go? When Charlotte and Philip meet, the pair form a deep and instant connection. Soon they’re settled in the Florida Keys with plans to marry. But just as they should be getting closer, Charlotte feels Philip slipping away. As a hurricane passes through Islamorada, stunning revelations challenge Charlotte’s loyalties and upend her life. Forced to e-examine the choices she’s made, and has yet to make, Charlotte embarks on an emotional journey of friendship, love, and sacrifice—knowing that forgiveness is a gift, and the best-laid plans can change in a heartbeat.

Connect with Rochelle here at her website.

Giveaway #2 ~ Sara McFerrin is offering two ebooks of What She Saw, a humor-filled cozy mystery from the popular Trunk Doctor series. Sara writes wonderful southern humour and cozy mystery novels. Be sure to try some of the excellent stories from her extensive backlist! She is a five-star, number one best selling author on Amazon and lives in the Florida panhandle with her husband and a sixteen year old Spaniel named Freckles. An avid fan of the Food Network, cooking is her favorite pastime.

Blurb: You never know what lurks among the treasures hidden in an old trunk that has been locked for thirty years. The Trunk Doctor, aka Jix Haynes, discovers a decades-old diary in a customer’s heirloom trunk. The ever curious Jix finds more excitement than she bargained for as time-worn secrets turn to real and present danger in her own life. As she sifts through the dreams, wishes, and fears of a teenage girl, mystery and danger pave a path leading to a face-to-face confrontation with a cold-blooded killer.

Connect with Sara here at her website.

Giveaway #3 ~ Peggy Lampman’s new novel, The Ruby of the Sea, will release on February 5th and she is offering two ebooks. Her passion is writing novels that break down familial and cultural barriers. For her, creating a cast to populate a story is one of the great, cathartic joys of writing.  She was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, but moved back as an adult to Ann Arbor, her college town. Peggy is also a sister Lake Union Author! Her free time is spent reading, binge-watching NetFlix, herding kids and indulging in her fascination with Big Green Egg cult cookery and other deliciousness on her popular website dinnerfeed.com

Blurb:  Lush with devastating secrets, lies, romance and psychological drama…”You tell me about a family without some sort of dysfunction, and I’ll tell you that family is lying.” 

After aimlessly traveling the country for fifteen years, Linnea Chandler returns to her hometown of Key West, Florida keeping the genesis of a life-altering phobia to herself–not a good idea, as she comes to find out. The 19th Century lighthouse that she, her parents and two sisters call home also has a troubled past, carrying the frightening myth that eerily mirrors the mystery of her younger sister today. Should Linnea run while she can? 

The women must decide to what extremes they are willing to go to protect their secrets. Ignore the brutality behind the retrieval of spoils from a fatal shipwreck in 1857? Defy a 2017 hurricane threatening to pummel their town? And when their world is upended, do the women have the strength to move forward?

Connect with Peggy here at her website. Also please visit dinnerfeed.com.

Doing these giveaways each month is a pleasure. I hope you enjoy meeting authors who might be new to you and to connect with those you already follow. Savour their books, find out more about the writers and pass along their information to your friends. Write a short review, thanks! The best way to hear about a good book is by word of mouth from dedicated readers like you.

As always, to enter, simply send your email to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com. This month enquiring minds want to know your favourite winter beverage to drink while reading. Are you a coffee, tea, hot chocolate fan or does a relaxing glass of wine hit the spot?

This month’s winter recipe is one I shared a couple of years ago with you. Fans of Drawing Lessons will recall this soup being served in the story.  🙂 This soup is a popular family recipe and is often served on a cold winter’s evening as an entrée (remember that is the first course in France). Enjoy Potage Parmentier or Leek and Potato Soup. Here’s Julia Child’s recipe and also some suggested variations.

Bon appétit!