Patricia Sands

Author

If it is France...

Newsletter #124

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Bonjour,

Ha! September already! But please don’t mention anything pumpkin spice or Hallowe’en related to me. I am a firm believer that summer ends when October begins. On Tuesday, September 1, I spent a beautiful day at Allenwood Beach in Wasaga with my youngest grandchildren. Summer is definitely still on here.

How are things in your neighbourhood? Keep collecting lots of great summer memories while you can!

September is taking me back to Nice and Antibes for a month, and I couldn’t be more excited. My hope is to spend those thirty days tucked away with my laptop, focused on finishing the first draft of my next novel.

There’s something about the Mediterranean that brings out thoughts and feelings unique to the Côte d’Azur. Maybe it’s the light, the colours, the sea, the rhythm of everyday life—or simply the magic of being there. Whatever it is, something seems to happen when I’m in that beautiful part of the world. Ideas surface, characters become more real, and the story begins to take on a life of its own.

So, fingers crossed, I’ll return home with a finished first draft—and a few more memories of Riviera life woven into the pages. Wish me luck. I so want to bring you another story to love.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram where I will be posting special photos for 30 days with you in mind. Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoy them.

I’m thrilled to let you know that the audiobook for THE FRENCH EFFECT is now available, narrated by the fabulous Hillary Huber. If you haven’t met this story yet, it’s a Paris and Provence at Christmas romance that Camille Pagán calls ‘a glittering gem of a story that promises it’s never too late to begin again.’

Click this link for audiobooks, ebooks or print, whichever suits your taste!

Choosing the right narrator for an audiobook is a little like casting a movie—you need someone who can bring your characters to life and capture the heart of the story. I listened to several auditions, paying close attention not only to the sound of each voice, but to the emotion, warmth and subtlety behind it. When I heard Hillary Huber, I knew immediately: that was the voice I had been hearing in my head all along.

Here is her bio: Hillary Huber is an award winning narrator. She was recently named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and was inducted as an inaugural member of the APA Hall of Fame as well as the Audible Hall of Fame. Hillary has narrated over 800 audiobooks spanning a wide range of genres. She is especially acclaimed for her work in gritty thrillers and emotional literary fiction like The Neopolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante. Drawn to stories of redemption and emotional depth—particularly those centered on women’s resilience—Huber brings a compelling, nuanced, and instantly engaging narration style that has made her one of the industry’s most respected voices.

Have you listened to any other books narrated by Hillary? I would be interested to hear your thoughts. Here’s the link to her website.

I know I’ve mentioned many times how hearing from readers is the best reward for an author and I want to share part of a touching message I recently received from a reader in the UK. Amongst other things, this reminds me that the publishing date of a novel really doesn’t matter. The life of a good story lives on forever.

I have just finished reading your book The Promise of Provence and wanted to thank you for all the joy and wonder it provided me.

My world as I knew it has been turned upside down very unexpectedly. And I’m slowly processing and figuring out what the future “me” will be.

Your book has been a light in my life, it’s transported me to the beautiful memories of France and has also ignited hope within me that you can start life all over again no matter how dark things may become. And that they can actually turn out to be even better once you get through the darkness!

The second book in your series is ordered and I can’t wait for it to arrive!

I truly hope you get this message and know that the words you have put out to the universe have such a positive effect.

I cannot tell you how much receiving this message warmed my heart … and inspires me to keep writing.

Needless to say, I shed a few tears and we exchanged more emails. I feel so fortunate to be a writer and especially at this stage of my life.

Have you read the Love in Provence trilogy? If not, I hope you will ~ over 200,000 copies have been sold and it makes me feel satisfied and happy to know readers are discovering it every day. Here’s the link. At just $3.99 for the ebook, it’s truly a steal.

Because I had such a great response to my newsletter giveaway, I’m going to bring back treasures from France in October and do another giveaway. If you purchase any of the Love in Provence series books, send proof of your purchase to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com and be entered to win. Buy the trilogy for extra entries. Good luck. Bonne chance!

THE NEWSLETTER GIFT BOX HAS BEEN MAILED TO MARLENE GAGNON. CONGRATULATIONS!

Giveaway Winners

Speaking of giveaways, here are the winners from my last newsletter. More congratulations!

Sarah Taylor ~ Summer State of Mind

Katie Myers – All This Could be Yours

Melanie Bracco – A Singing Bird Will Come. 

The authors will be in touch with you to send your prize.

This month I have a special giveaway offered by my good friend, Canadian author, Dorothy McIntosh. Dorothy has used a pen name, E.M. Westbrook for this novel. She has a close relationship with nature and wolves in particular. In fact, 35% of every e-book sale goes to PETA (People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

Here’s the blurb:

Niko is a rare white eastern wolf. Snatched from his den by a hunter when barely a week old, he’s raised by Jade, a young woman. The hunter returns promising he’ll take the wolf to a sanctuary, instead, he sells Niko to a hunting preserve. Jade risks everything to rescue the wolf as trophy hunters track Niko through the shimmering beauty of the Adirondack mountains.

The deep attachment we all feel to home entwines the fates of three principal individuals: Jade, grieving the loss of her family farm, Conrad Lang, a hunting guide who could lose his ranch as it teeters on the edge of bankruptcy, and Niko raised in captivity, who finds the early trust he placed in humans threatens to become a curse. The young wolf too, longs for home – his birthplace high up on Mount Seymour. But to survive, he must learn how to be wild again.

This story is a testimony to the passion and courage of all three.

“Much of the novel is from the wolf’s point of view, but he is not anthromorphised in any way, and Westbrook has done a sterling job of representing him as he grows, determined to set his own fate. The human characters he encounters are fully realized, both the good and the bad, those wanting to help the wolf, those wanting to make money off him, and those fixated on hunting him. A thriller like no other, with a deep heart, compelling message, brilliant writing, and a deep seated love of nature in all its complications.” —Vicki Delany, National Bestselling Author.

I know you will love this story as much as I do. She is offering two ebooks. Good luck!

As always, I hope you enjoy meeting authors who might be new to you and connecting 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. And if you take a minute to thank an author when you win a free book or post a photo on Facebook, trust me, we all appreciate that more than you know.

Author Spotlight

Featured Author: Kerry Schafer/Kerry Anne King

Book Title: Party Planning Can Be Murder

Retail Link: https://books2read.com/u/bWxP6M

Author Newsletter: www.allthingskerry.com.

Sign up now to get a free read and FUN emails from Kerry. Cross her heart — no boring dreck. What could possibly go wrong since you can unsubscribe at any time?

Blurb:

Murder, media, mayhem—and maybe love—await in this witty small-town mystery, perfect for fans of Stephanie Plum and Finlay Donovan. 

Despite a few harrowing incidents with nervy Bridezillas, Addy Winters’ small town party planning business has been 100% murder free—until now. Everything changes when her former classmate, now a legendary rockstar, comes home to Fox Valley to die. Leno Masterson’s dying wish is a star-studded ‘after-I’m-dead’ extravaganza in place of a funeral, and who better to plan it than his old friend Addy? But when he turns up dead four days earlier than the date-with-death he’s circled on his calendar, Addy suspects that somebody helped him along. Sure, he left a melodramatic goodbye letter and his right-to-die paperwork is all in order, but something feels wrong. With a flair for events and a knack for nosing into trouble, Addy’s on the case, dragging her family, friends, and Leno’s older brother along with her. She’s woefully unprepared for the inevitable media onslaught and the secrets her nearest and dearest are hiding, but nothing is going to stop her from getting justice for Leno— and throwing a killer party while she’s at it.

GET READY TO LAUGH. THIS BOOK IS A KILLER!

Now that you’ve finished reading all of this news, here’s something to satisfy another appetite.

From my dear friend in Paris, Jill Colonna aka Mad About Macarons, I’m delighted to send you to her amazing website which is overflowing with French recipes for every kind of food imaginable. Jill is a true wizard in the kitchen.

It’s apple season where I live and probably where you are too. Jill shares a wealth of apple recipes here. Have fun sampling them. Click here to get started.

That’s it for now. See you next time! I will be in touch from France and leave you now with warm wishes for a safe and happy rest of summer. Remember autumn doesn’t start until October.

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.

Newsletter #123

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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.
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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.
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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, Author



1250 North HighwayPMB 254Colville, WA
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Happy May Day

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On Sun, Apr 26, 2026 at 11:44 PM Patricia Sands <psands.stories@gmail.com> wrote:

Bonne fête ~ May 1st, 2026

Happy May Day from Paris! I arrived yesterday to meet my good friend and traveling buddy in France, Deborah Bine aka @Barefootblogger_France. We’ve enjoyed strolling around Le Marais district today and seeing people of all ages sharing bouquets or simple sprigs of lily of the valley … le muguets, in French. Here’s the explanation.

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, big or small, this was the scene. Even on a drizzly day. I loved it!


Obviously, 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?

Stay tuned for more updates during the month of May as Deborah and I drive our road trip through Normandy and eventually end up in Antibes. Come along with us!

Sweet or savory … or both? And a happy Groundhog day!

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February 2, 2026 by Patricia Sands 

Now that we’ve finished celebrating January in France by eating les galettes des rois, the kings’ cake, it’s time to sweep away those crumbs and haul out the crêpes pan!

French-Candlemas-La-Chandeleur-Crêpe-Day
February 2nd, is La Chandeleur, Fête des Lumières, Jour des Crêpes. You might know it as Candlemas.

Churches will celebrate the tradition of the lighting of candles.

Then it will be all about … what else, this IS France … food!

Crêpes and cidre. Unlike our apple cider, this drink has a touch of alcohol.

The day is often accompanied by fortune telling and in many kitchens, crêpes are flipped in the air with the pan in one hand and a coin in the other. If the crêpe lands back in the pan, the year will be a prosperous one. Children hold their breath in anticipation!

Similar to our North American Groundhog Day, there’s a prediction about winter at this time of year. “Rosée à la Chandeleur, hiver à sa dernière heure.” If there is dew at dawn, winter will soon be over.

As the French do so well, the day is a fun-filled, family time. If you’re tempted to celebrate your own Jour des Crêpes, they are delicious and light and easy to make. Click right here for a recipe.


There are crêpe stands or crêperies everywhere in France and today, as well as through the weekend, there will be few people not enjoying this simple and delicious food with a filling of choice ~ sweet or savoury. Crêpes have a history that goes back to Biblical times and in France, Britanny is said to have established the true crêpe recipe.

Get in line right here! Bon appétit!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gypy4R2hj00%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Have you ever made crêpes? Which do you prefer, the French crêpe or it’s slightly heavier English cousin, the pancake? Are you a fan of sweet or savoury?

Here’s what The Good Life France has to say about French traditions on February 2nd.

And here’s a chuckle in honour of Groundhog Day. I hope your groundhog’s prediction was what you wanted to hear … but as Phyllis says below …

Happy February everyone ~ stay warm, safe and read some great stories! I hope one of those is THE FRENCH EFFECT! Readers are loving it and the audiobook will be out this month. Once you’ve enjoyed your getaway in France, please remember to leave a review … short is fine … on Amazon and Goodreads. Thanks so much!