View in browser Newsletter #78 May 28, 2020Bonjour! Here comes June! May seemed to blow by in the blink of an eye, in spite of continuing to shelter at home. How was it for you? Along with all my writing projects, I continued to treat myself to reading more books in a month than I ever have before. I also visited with a few wonderful book clubs via Zoom, which is always a lot of fun. (I’d love to visit with yours!) There were many family/friends Zoom chats and online bridge games too. Seriously, our social calendar was b u s y … and we didn’t have to dress up! The best news here is that our Corona Virus numbers continue to decrease. Another reason to celebrate is that spring finally arrived in Toronto. What a difference it makes to go out for a walk in warm sunshine and see beautiful blossoms all around. I hope you are experiencing the same good weather and seeing the same kind of beauty around you.  I spend a good deal of time lingering in my photos which I love to share on social media and here with you. I also use the images as writing prompts … and even more, as a way to feel pure pleasure. Particularly now when we can’t necessarily go where we may want to be. That, as you know, for me is the south of France. So here are a few shots for us to enjoy together, almost as if we were there at this time of year.      The newsletter header shot is a park in Nice and this gorgeous tree below is a jacaranda, always in bloom at this time. The first time I ever saw one was in Australia and I was surprised to discover them in France. Do you have these where you live?  I’ve been busy working on preparing box sets of The Villa des Violettes Complete Collection and can now tell you that these ebooks are available on Amazon, Kobo, and Nook. All three novellas that were published last year are together here. The print copy is also available and it’s a BIG book! Lots of good reading there. 🙂 So much of what we do in writing is a collaborative experience. My friend, renowned Florida Everglades artist and conservationist, JoAnn Sanborn, created the wagon full of violets for these sets and inside you still see the wonderful covers created by Clare Strohman and Donna Fedele. The formatting talents of Carolyn Ring pulled everything together. I’m so grateful for their friendship and the opportunity to work together.   These days I am busy working on the 10th anniversary edition of The Bridge Club which will publish in the autumn. It’s great fun for me to be back on the pages with these women. As I work, I’m listening to the music from the 1960’s on as the story works through the decades and I’m loving it! I will keep you updated as things progress. It’s hard to believe it is ten years this summer since the book was first published! The original story will have a new edit and there will be an entirely new chapter added at the end bringing you up to date on these great friends. I’m honoured and excited to share with you that there will be eight brand new bridge hands contributed by Canada’s own international bridge expert, Audrey Grant! How cool is that?There also will be a new cover, on which we’ve already begun to work.  June is going to bring a big sale from Amazon for the Love in Provence trilogy. With over 2000 reviews and a 4.3 out of 5 star rating, readers all over the world love these stories. All three ebooks will all be available for $.99 each in the USA for the whole month. Now is the time to pick them up as gifts for others if you already have yours. The sale begins June 1. Click right here for your copies. Alrighty, time to show you this month’s giveaways. I’m happy to say that all three authors are Lake Union Publishing ‘sisters’ and Sandi Kahn Shelton is also part of our very special author team at Blue Sky Book Chat. As always, to enter simply send your email to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com. This month let us know what you are most looking forward to doing once the world around you opens up little by little. Please specify your choice of book. All winning names are randomly drawn. Good luck! Bonne chance!Giveaway #1 ~ Sandi Kahn Shelton aka Maddie Dawson is offering an ebook and a print copy of her hot off the press new release A Happy Catastrophe. Her bio is long and hilarious. The short story is that she grew up in the South, born into a family of outrageous storytellers–the kind of storytellers who would sit on the dock by the lake in the evening and claim that everything they say is THE absolute truth, like, stack-of-Bibles true. The more outlandish the story, the more it likely it was to be true. Or so they said. Today she lives in Connecticut and turned out pretty normal, as she says: married, children, dishes in the sink, deadlines, laundry, sleep deprivation, toothpaste cap lost, cashmere sweater in the dryer by accident. Connect with Sandi by clicking here.  Here’s the blurb: Marnie MacGraw and Patrick Delaney have been in love for a few years now, enough to realize that they are imperfectly perfect together. Still, there are some things that maybe need a little attention. Marnie’s ebullient; he’s brooding. She thrives on change; he prefers stability. She sees marriage and parenthood in their future, but he can’t see beyond the shadow of an earlier tragedy.Then an eight-year-old surprise from Patrick’s past shows up on their doorstep, cartwheeling into their lives and spinning things in all directions. While it’s not exactly the change she envisioned, it looks like instant family to Marnie. But Patrick, afraid of being hurt again, retreats further into himself. Suddenly, two very different pieces of a beautiful puzzle find it harder and harder to fit. How can Marnie trust in the magic of the universe when it seems to be doing its best to knock her off her feet?But some love stories are worth waiting for. And what’s love without a little chaos anyway?Giveaway #2 ~ Camille Noe Págan is offering one ebook and one print copy of her recent novel, This Won’t End Well. I love her quirky characters and laugh-out-loud humour. In her words, her fiction focuses on love, loss, and making the most of this wonderfully messy life. She is also a journalist specializing in health, (articles in The New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parade, Time, or WebMD.) and most recently served as the health editor at Real Simple magazine. She has lived in Brooklyn and Chicago and is now settled in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband, two children and a nutty dog (her words!). Connect with Camille by clicking here.  Here’s the blurb: No new people: that’s Annie Mercer’s vow. It’s bad enough that her boss sabotaged her chemistry career and her best friend tried to cure her with crystals. But after her fiancé, Jon, asks for space while he’s gallivanting around Paris, Annie decides she needs space too—from everyone. Yet when Harper moves in next door, Annie can’t help but train a watchful eye on the glamorous but fragile young woman. And if keeping Harper safe requires teaming up with Mo, a maddeningly optimistic amateur detective, who is she to mind her own business?Soon Annie has let not one but two new people into her life. Then Jon reappears—and he wants her to join him in France. She’s pretty sure letting anyone get close won’t end well. So she must decide: Is another shot at happiness worth the risk?Giveaway #3 ~ Steena Holmes has a brand new release, The Perfect Secret, and she is offering a print copy to one lucky reader. Steena and I met ten years ago when we were both new to publishing and I treasure our friendship. She lives in in Calgary with her husband, three daughters and assorted dogs, including the cutest muse ever, Charlie. In Steena’s words, “For me, realizing my passion was to write, that THAT is who I am, I started to find joy in the roles I played in my life. Mother, wife, friend, entrepreneur … Now everything I do is about my passion. Whether it’s traveling, writing, enjoying each cup of coffee or snuggling with my sweet Charlie…I am determined to live my life with passion and live it fully.” Connect with Steena by clicking here.  Here’s the blurb: Everyone has secrets—some deadlier than others. She was on cloud nine after accepting an offer of a lifetime. A simpler life than what she was accustomed to. What could go wrong? Starla Bishop learned to survive in the foster-care-to-jail system in New York City. There she learned the tools and skills she put to work later to con jewel thieves, drug traffickers, and mobsters out their fortunes. Now fresh out of her latest stint in jail, she accepts a too-good-to-refuse offer—a perfect life on a silver platter. Starla has everything she ever wished for: a simpler life, a normal life, a new start with new job, a straight job—as receptionist for Soil and Springs Landscaping run by a famous botanist. And it got even better—a whirlwind romance and engagement to her boss’s charming ex-husband.But everything comes with a price. When bodies start turning up in the gardens of her employer, Soil and Springs Landscaping, Starla and her fiancé are hauled into jail for questioning. The revelation of Starla’s secret, previous life and her special skills make her a prime suspect. How much does Starla want the perfect life, and did she use her special skills to keep it, or is this just her biggest con yet? The shocking truth is closer than anyone thinks? Everyone has secrets, some worth killing for.  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 trust me, we all appreciate that more than you know. Here are the lucky winners from last month:  Lynn Washington Rettig, Fran Thomson, Veneta, Clare O’Beara, Lysette Lam, Linda Moore, Karen Mercer, Michele Waite, Julie Sambell Don’t forget to sign up for our Blue Sky Book Chat monthly newsletter! Have you joined our group of welcoming book lovers? Do you pop by our page to join in the great chat and giveaways? I hang out there every day with good friends Bette Lee Crosby, Alison Ragsdale, Peggy Lampman, Sandi Kahn Shelton, Marilyn Simon Rothstein, Judy Keim, Barbara Davis-author, Kerry Schafer, Loretta Nyhan~ join us! Blue Sky Book Chat followers and friends will now be able to sign up for our newsletter!! We’re excited to be able to offer you this chance to know more about us, our books, and, of course, to have some bookish fun! Sign up now to get a free download of our favorite recipes!! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/2Smq0I5  Are you getting tired of cooking during these days of home confinement? I know I am! I envy people who love to prepare three meals a day … day after day. You are blessed!For all those Francophiles who would like to serve some traditional French cuisine, Rachel Ray has put together a fabulous collection of recipes … EASY recipes … the kind I love! Take your pick from thirty recipes right here. Bon appétit!  Hang in there, everyone. We are slowly making progress against this terrible virus. If your health or that of someone you know has been affected, I hope the road to recovery is in sight. If there has been a tragic loss, please know everyone mourns with you. So many of you are working from home and at the same time trying to take care of your family. Some of you are home schooling children and doing your best to keep your world and theirs revolving in some kind of “normal”. Families and friends are talking to each other more than ever before. Let’s keep that going. So many of you have had your employment seriously impacted and are being forced to rethink how the rest of your life looks. You have strengths. Keep believing in yourself. So many of you are taking risks every day and leaving the safety of your home to take care of the rest of us in a multitude of different ways. There are not enough words to express our gratitude and admiration to all of you, and also to all those people around that I see doing such thoughtful acts of kindness, day in and day out. Let’s keep believing that we will get through this by continuing to help each other. I will continue sharing this graphic until the day comes when we can all do our part. No matter what, we will never stop saying thank you to all who are mentioned below.  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. Please stay safe. Let’s follow guidelines, wear a mask outside and in crowds, and continue to be kind and helpful to each other. See you next month!   If you have enjoyed this newsletter, please share it!Patricia Sands, AuthorPO Box 175, Toronto Canada You received this email because you signed up on our website or made a purchase from us.Unsubscribe |
Author Promotion
If it’s Friday, it must be France…
Who doesn’t love a surprise? You can imagine how pleased I was to receive an email a week ago informing me that The Promise of Provence was included in this awesome collection! And what fun to see the delightful memoir of my friend, Lisa Anselmo, right next to me! Not only that, but to also be in the company of the awesome Patricia Wells, Evie Gaughan and Andrew Gallix … oh là là!
At this time of year, I would often be preparing to leave for France. Sadly, that’s not to be in 2020 while we are all sheltering in place and following guidelines to battle the Corona Virus. So many people around the world have had plans and dreams put on hold. My heart goes out to those who have suffered loss, health challenges and loss of employment during these difficult times. We have to keep believing that by working together we will get through this.
One of the ways I try to distract myself, apart from writing, is to lose myself in happy memories in my photo files. Since at this time of year wisteria will be in full bloom in France, I hope you enjoy these images.
Wherever you are , please follow the medical guidelines and stay safe. I wish you and yours a happy weekend.
Bon weekend!
Warm wishes to all ~ December Newsletter
Newsletter #73 December 14, 2019
Bonjour
Wow! December started off with a bang in many places including Toronto. Freezing rain, wind and snow are never a nice combination. If you were traveling, I hope your journey ended safely.
It’s that busy time of year again. I hope it’s a ‘good busy’ for you and that your celebrations include happy times with family and friends.
To help with the festivities this month, several of my friends are offering holiday stories in this month’s giveaways. So I’m going to get started sharing them with you now. Think of this as an early holiday gift! Take your time reading through everything and enter as often as you like. Let us bring some cheer to you!
Giveaway #1 ~ Judith Keim is offering to take you to sun-kissed Florida on the pages of this heartwarming story, A Christmas Star. Enter to win one of two ebooks of A Christmas Star. For more information about her work, visit Judith’s website.
Giveaway #2 ~ Who can resist those two canines on the cover of The Magic of The Season by Tammy L. Grace? Enter to win one of two ebooks. Find out more about all of her books at Tammy’s website.
Giveaway #3 ~ Are you ready for a feel good read to get in the festive spirit? Enter to win one of two ebooks Susan Schild is offering of Mistletoe at the Lakeside Resort. Connect with Susan at her website.
Giveaway #4 ~ There are two stories in this giveaway by Tess Thompson. The Santa Trial is a sweet holiday novella and Riversnow is part of Tess’s River Valley series. Enter to win either an ebook and or a print copy of each. Please indicate which format you would like. Find out more about Tess’s work on her website.
Giveaway #5 ~ This giveaway is not about the holidays, but it is about my favourite topic … and I know many of you feel the same … FRANCE! Keith Van Sickle is offering one audiobook and two ebooks of Are We French Yet? Have fun learning about the ongoing adventures of Keith and Val as they follow their dreams living in France. Connect with Keith here.
Doing these giveaways each month is a pleasure. I hope you are pleased to meet 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 there is no question to answer … simply share your good wishes and know they are received with thanks!
My December gift to readers is the $.99 price for The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes. Click right here for your copy or to gift the book to someone. I invite you to join the Blue Sky Book Chat FB page and come and chat with me on January 7th when this book will be the featured read! I’ll be on LIVE … and hopefully not upside down or sideways (as I have been known to be in the past)! It would be great fun to have you join in the chat!
I’m finally almost through edits on Book #3. Whew … life interfered a few too many times as I worked on this book. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Watch for the cover reveal in January!
Congratulations to Tammy Lenski, the winner of the market goodies from France! Your package will be off to you this weekend. Félicitations!
Now I am delighted to share a story that has warmed my heart for several years and I am happy to help support Rikki’s efforts each year. It’s such a fine example of how one person can gather others around and make a difference in the lives of some children. Rikki Neukom is a busy mother of three, living in beautiful Alberta. Here’s how the 40 Books in 365 Days project began, in her words: “It was 8 years ago when I began my journey of reading 40 books leading up to my 40th birthday. The inspiration to do more with this challenge came along that July to buy backpacks and school supplies for some children at Dago Kokore Primary School in Kisumu, Kenya. That year we raised enough money to purchase 123 backpacks, 2000 exercise books and 8000 pens. From then, I felt like I couldn’t just stop. I found a way to help some children in Africa, keeping them in school and giving them an ounce of joy as well as making something a little easier for them.”
This project has only continued to blossom and you can read all about it here.
And just because we all love photos from France. Here are a few from my return to Paris last September, before I went on to Nice for our 2019 South of France Memories tour. It had been four years since my last visit to the magnificent City of Light and it was just as beautiful as ever. Of course, there was heartbreak seeing Notre Dame in scaffolding … mixed with hope for the future. Some of these shots are from the area in the Latin Quarter that I consider my ‘hood. If you are planning to visit Paris, don’t hesitate to send me any questions you may have.
I can’t wait to go back! Click here to see my photo journal of Paris from a previous trip.
One of my favourite traditions of the season is baking shortbread, just as my grandmother and mother did with me. For many years now this has been a special day with our grandchildren.
Do you pass along holiday baking traditions in your family?
Every year I like to share this. Here’s Gram’s shortbread recipe. Give it a try! It’s simple and delicious!
1. 1 lb. salted butter – softened overnight
2. 1-1/2 cups golden yellow (brown) sugar (no substitution, Gram insisted)
3. 4 cups enriched white flour
In a glass or ceramic bowl, mix #1 and #2 thoroughly by hand (this is important) and then gradually add #3, again mixing by hand, until dough does not stick to bowl.
Flatten with your hand and cut cookie shapes. Add sprinkles if you like. Bake at 300 F for 15 to 20 minutes (depending on oven) on ungreased cookie sheet. When cookies begin to look golden brown, they are done. You can decide how dark you like them. Enjoy plain (our favorite) or add sprinkles before baking or icing when cool. WARNING: these cookies are extremely addictive! Let me know if you try them.
And now I need to start thinking about Christmas shopping. I hope yours is going well!
I am so immensely grateful to each one of you for your support and encouragement through the past years. It’s my pleasure to be connected with you and I am sending my warmest wishes for you and your family. May the New Year bring the best of health, happiness and the opportunity to follow your dreams. See you in 2020!
A chance to win a $500 Amazon gift card!
The tree is up, the lights are bright, so it’s time for The Kindle Book Review’s $500 Amazon Giveaway. You could win a $500 Amazon shopping spree.
The Kindle Book Review is the #1 site for readers and authors where book sales are featured in regular promotions. As authors we know that having our books go on sale from time to time is a wonderful way to expand readership. Readers who may not be familiar with our work are often tempted to try a new author when the price is right! And for that we are grateful!
Just click the link and enter (everyday if you want). It’s easy & fun. If you love #reading, enter now; giveaway ends December 23, 2019. Click here for details: ~> http://ow.ly/SXTy50xpZ0h
While you are on that page, scroll through all the book covers and click on any that call to you. They are all on sale this month and The First Noël at The Villa des Violettes is one of them! Click here for the December sale of the story of Kat hosting her first Christmas in the south of France. Have you ever had a Christmas conundrum? If you already have the book, send one to a friend or two or three. It’s so easy to gift books through Amazon.
Good luck with the Holly Jolly draw. Bonne chance! If you haven’t signed up to receive The Kindle Book Review’s book sales, you will be glad you did.
