Patricia Sands

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February 14th is many things…

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February 13, 2026 by Patricia Sands (Edit)

Happy Valentine’s Day ~ Bonne Saint Valentin ~ One Billion Rising ~ V-Day ~ Break The Chain

Click here to order your special Valentine’s trip to the south of France.
Of course there’s a place for hearts and flowers and chocolate and mushy love songs, but there are many girls and women around the world who receive none of those. Not on February 14th. Not ever.

Have you raised your voice? “Every February, we rise – in countries across the world – to show our local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors most often face. We rise through dance to express joy and community and celebrate the fact that we have not been defeated by this violence. We rise to show we are determined to create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.”

This year, once again, One Billion Rising is set to escalate RISINGS against all forms of violence against women and will continue to highlight where all these issues interconnect.

Click here to see V-day events happening around the world today.

Here’s a song we should all add to our repertoire. It too is a song about love. This infectious anthem shares a message that is universal. Share it everywhere you can. Help break the chain of violence towards women and girls. BREAK THE CHAIN.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fL5N8rSy4CU%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Break the Chain
Lyrics by Tena Clark
Music by Tena Clark/Tim Heintz

I raise my arms to the sky
On my knees I pray
I’m not afraid anymore
I will walk through that door
Walk, dance, rise
Walk, dance, rise
I can see a world where we all live
Safe and free from all oppression
No more rape or incest, or abuse
Women are not a possession
You’ve never owned me, don’t even know me
I’m not invisible, I’m simply wonderful
I feel my heart for the first time racing
I feel alive, I feel so amazing
I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
Its time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain
Dance, rise
Dance, rise
In the middle of this madness, we will stand
I know there is a better world
Take your sisters & your brothers by the hand
Reach out to every woman & girl
This is my body, my body’s holy
No more excuses, no more abuses
We are mothers, we are teachers,
We are beautiful, beautiful creatures
I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
It’s time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain
Dance Break Inst.
Dance, rise
Dance, rise
Sister won’t you help me, sister won’t you rise (x4)
Dance, rise
Dance, rise
Sister won’t you help me, sister won’t you rise (x4)
This is my body, my body’s holy
No more excuses, no more abuses
We are mothers, we are teachers,
We are beautiful, beautiful creatures
I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
Its time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain
(Repeat chorus)

A post-Valentine’s Day VERY special deal. Mark your calendar for February 18 when THE FRENCH EFFECT will be on sale for .99. ONE DAY ONLY! CLICK HERE ON THE 18TH.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE BRIDGE CLUB EBOOK FOR $1.99

Wishing you love and joy and happy reading every day!

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!

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!

canstockphoto12196982

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!