Patricia Sands

Author

Author Promotion

The Highlands are calling!

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

And now for something completely different! Next Friday we will spend back in France but today we have a surprise return visit from the talented Nicky Wells. Like the rock stars in her novel, she’s on tour herself celebrating the launch of the second volume, Sophie’s Run, in her hilarious and sweet Rock Star Romance Trilogy. 

Come on Tour with Sophie and Dan… Explore the Scottish Highlands with Sophie and Steve

Sophie’s Run

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Her famous star remains her rock while life takes her on a little detour…

Who says that the road towards true love is straight and even?  Sophie is certainly discovering that it is anything but.

So she has finally found the man of her dreams! Well… she knows who he is, even though she hasn’t actually quite met him yet.  But she misses her opportunity, and then her life goes crazy.  Rock star and ex-fiancé, Dan, keeps getting in the way of her new romance—even if he is just trying to be helpful.  A fire, an impromptu mini-trip with Dan, and a dreaded wedding later, Sophie is still struggling to meet the love of her life. Then, just as she is getting it together with her perfect man, best friend Rachel commits an act of unspeakable betrayal.

Sophie has had enough. Confused and distraught, she decides that it is time for radical change.  Surprising herself and shocking her friends, she embarks on a secret journey and eventually gets her life back on track.

Hi! *Sophie waves energetically* I’m so excited that you’ve visited Patricia’s fab blog today. I’m Sophie Penhalligan, heroine in the Rock Star Romance Trilogy by Nicky Wells. We’re celebrating the launch of part 2, Sophie’s Run, and as part of the blog tour we’d like to take you on tour. Uh-huh, you read that right. Let me show you some of the delights of the Scottish highlands, which is where my new boyfriend Steve whisks me away for a romantic weekend give-away. And the fact that it all went disastrously wrong really wasn’t his fault at all. I know that now!

Anyway, I digress. Here’s how he sold me the holiday:

“Look,” he said. “I got us a surprise getaway.”

He opened up the glossy leaflet and showed me pictures of a grand old castle with big stately rooms plushly furnished. One featured an enormous four-poster bed with a roaring log fire in the background. There was an indoor swimming pool, a sauna and a spa room, as well as a fancy restaurant.

“There’s a beautiful nature reserve round the loch, and we can go for long walks by the water, have pub lunches, come back, rest, sleep, have dinner. It will be wonderful.”

(Excerpt from Sophie’s Run).

So therefore, this is what I expected:

A beautiful loch…


By Rchillyard (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

…staggering mountain views…


By Stefan Krude (Stefan_Krude) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

…and a stunning castle!


By Nilfanion (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

And this is where it all started to go wrong.

“It’s quite Rocky Horror Picture Show, isn’t it?” he offered. I had only ever seen that film once, in the arty cinema off Leicester Square on a Friday night. I had been ill-prepared for it and got absolutely soaked. Nonetheless, I knew exactly what scene he was referring to.

“We’re the couple arriving at the castle,” I whispered. “Oh God, I hope not.”

“And so it seemed that fortune had smiled on Steve and Sophie…” Steve intoned in his best narrator voice. He continued, “…and that they had found the assistance that their plight required…” He gave a little audio ta-ta-ta for the ellipsis before the dramatic rhetorical question, “…or had they?”

“Stop it, you’re frightening me,” I protested. He had a point, though. All we needed was the riff raff to appear and the set would be perfect.

“I’m sorry,” Steve apologized dutifully. “I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s one of my favorite films, and this is kinda great.”

I wanted to thump him on the arm to make him stop, but I never got the chance.

“Can I help you?” a brittle and tremulous voice inquired from somewhere in the dark. “Only I have to inform you that you are trespassing.”

(Excerpt from Sophie’s Run).

You’ll have to read the book to find out the exact nature of this disaster, and everything else that happened afterwards. It’s a rollercoaster, I promise you! But nonetheless, the Scottish Highlands are imposing, breathtaking and beautiful. I fully intend to experience them properly for myself someday very soon!

Meanwhile, thank you for joining me here today! J *waves goodbye* See you soon!!

Sophie’s Run is now available in Kindle edition from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, and in Paperback edition from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. You can also get the paperback at Barnes & Noble, or download Sophie’s Run onto your Nook (coming soon).

Wait, wait, wait, there’s more: Introducing the Sophie’s Run Give Away!

Sophie’s Run GIVEAWAYS

1) Standard Giveaway

Nicky Wells is giving away one delicious chocolate gift to a lucky winner in the UK or North America!

chocolate

The small print: This Gift prize is a product of Unique Chocolate. The Gift prize is subject to availability in your country. If the Gift prize is not available in your country, Nicky Wells reserves the right to offer a substitute gift prize of a similar nature at her discretion. Nicky Wells will require the winner’s postal address for shipping purposes.

Rafflecopter Links:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OTI2ZmY2ZjlkMzQ0YzMxZGFhOTJkMzFjZjBhY2Q2OjE=/

2. Bonus Giveaway

Nicky Wells offers a giveaway of one Amazon gift voucher worth $20/£15 for one lucky winner. To enter, simply share your thoughts on Sophie’s Run with Nicky. Email your comment to nickywells@sapphirestarpublishing.com and your name will be entered into the draw. Competition closes 1 May 2013.

About Nicky Wells: Romance that Rocks Your World!

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Rock On! Nicky Wells writes fun and glamorous contemporary romance featuring a rock star and the girl next door.  A signed author with U.S. publisher, Sapphire Star Publishing, Nicky is in the throes of publishing her Rock Star Romance Trilogy. Nicky loves rock music, dancing, and eating lobsters.  When she’s not writing, Nicky is a wife, mother, and occasional teaching assistant.

Originally born in Germany, Nicky moved to the United Kingdom in 1993, and currently lives in Lincoln with her husband and their two boys. In a previous professional life, Nicky worked as a researcher and project manager for an international Human Resources research firm based in London and Washington, D.C.

Visit Nicky on her blog where you can find articles, interviews, radio interviews and, of course, an ongoing update on her work in progress. You can also follow Nicky on Twitter and find her on Facebook. Nicky is a featured author on the innovative reader/author project, loveahappyending.com and has joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Nicky also has author pages at Sapphire Star Publishing, Amazon and, of course, Goodreads.

Nicky, thanks so much for visiting today and taking us on tour with your characters. Now we are all going to rush to read Sophie’s Run and discover just exactly where Sophie and Dan did end up in those dramatically wild and beautiful Highlands. 

I visited northern Scotland many years ago … hmm, make that many, many years ago … and these photos are tempting me to return. How many of you, dear readers, have been there, apart from our tour today?

 

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

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The holidays are here! After all the planning, shopping, wrapping, baking, and celebrating, find a quiet spot to get comfy with a good book. If you are looking for some new books to read, have I got suggestions for you today! Crime, fantasy, intrigue, romance, drama … it’s all here!

I’ve been tagged by my friend, Steena Holmes, to take part in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. It’s a great way for authors to share information with readers about their upcoming projects and I’m going to share links today with some fine writers who have new books in the making. I’ve mixed it up with several genres so there is something for everyone!

I’m very excited because I finally am  going to talk about my new novel. It’s the first time I’ve ‘gone public’ with it!

Hmmm –  I guess what this means is that I have to keep my head down, finish the edits, and actually publish in February as I plan to do. The pressure is on!

First of all though, I want to say a few words about the amazing Steena Holmes. A prolific writer Author-Photo1in several genres, Steena’s novel FINDING EMMA became an Amazon bestseller this year and brought her into the limelight where she belongs.

Not only is Steena a talented writer, she is also a champion of self-publishing and generously shares her advice and experience with the rest of the writing community. Her brilliance has been recognized and she now has an agent! Woohoo! We are all so proud of her and delighted with her success.

When you visit Steena’s website, you’ll discover that not only is she a busy wife, mother, daughter (she took her parents along on the family vacation to Disneyland this month!) writer, and fantastic friend but she has also established the Author Red Room,  a comprehensive author support business, and is involved in charity work and much more. She’s a fellow Canadian too!  Click here now. You will be very glad you did.

Alrighty – here are the questions I was asked to answer about my Next Big Thing!

Random Q&A about my current WIP

1: What is the working title of my latest book?  

The Promise of Provence

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PSandsPhotos

2: What is the book about?


 It’s the story of a woman in her mid-fifties who suddenly finds her world turned upside down. A home exchange to the south of France, a yellow lab named Picasso, and the magic of Provence combine to turn her life around. What happens as a result is something she would never have imagined!

 3: What genre does your book come under?

 You’ll find it under Contemporary Fiction or Women’s Fiction.

 4: What do you love about this story?

No surprise here – I love that half of the book is set in the south of France! I also love the themes of hope and change that run through the story.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

 It’s never too late to start over. Did I really say that? It may be one of my shortest sentences ever when I talk about my work.

 6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

 I am proud to be an indie author!

 7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

 My first draft was ready in September. I’m finishing my final edits now and to this point it has taken me a year and a half of writing. I hope to publish in February 2013.

 8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

 Under The Tuscan Sun is a good comparison, showing how taking a chance and spending time in a completely new environment might change your life. Other than that, the characters, storyline and setting take you on a very different journey.

 9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

 I love the south of France and my greatest pleasure in writing is telling women’s stories. I am constantly inspired by the strength of women and their ability to meet life head on, no matter what the circumstances. To combine those made writing this novel a joy! I feel lucky to have spent quite a bit of time in France and in the summer of 2011, my husband and I lived in Antibes  for 5 months. I knew I just had to write about life there. To me, it’s magic. 

 10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Oh gosh, where to begin? Let me just say there are plenty of surprises, a charming French suitor who brings cheese instead of flowers, and lots of exploring down intriguing streets like the one here.

Antibes-PSandsPhotos
Antibes-PSandsPhotos

 One of the best things about TNBT is that I have an opportunity to provide links to some other authors for you to check out. 

Here are a few fabulous writers who will be telling you about their Next Big Thing  next week on their blogs … or whenever they have time after the holidays. You are going to enjoy getting to know them … I promise!

Diane Capri ~ License To Thrill

Christine Nolfi ~ Contemporary Fiction

Matthew Merrick ~ Fantasy Author

Tameri Etherton ~ A Cup Of Tea and Sorcery

Sheri DeGrom ~ From The Literary and Legislative Trenches

Tameri and Sheri also tagged me in a Next Big Thing blog a while ago and I just wasn’t quite at the point where I was ready to talk about The Promise of Provence. Sorry it took me so long, my friends! Thanks for thinking of me!

And now it’s your turn, dear readers. What’s THE NEXT BIG THING in your world? Let’s hear all about it!

Book Club Wisdom

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I know I keep mentioning the fabulous online community of literati – writers, bloggers, readers, editors, reviewers, designers –  the list goes on – and it’s such a buzz to be connected with all of you. Yes, YOU – because dear readers, you are an equally important part of the equation!

It’s always a pleasure to welcome a visitor and today author Bette Lee Crosby is popping by. We actually got to meet in person last week, to enjoy a delicious lunch, and to talk, talk, talk. What a fabulous time! Bette is as sweet, genuine, and full of laughter as you might imagine from the delightful stories she writes.

Her books are very popular with book clubs and for good reason. Today she is sharing her views about them. Bette’s links are further down the page and … here’s a suggestion … make yourself comfortable when you visit them. You’ll be there for a while deciding which to read first!

With a lovely trumpet fanfare, here’s Bette!Bette Lee Crosby

First, I’d like to thank Patricia for having me as a guest on her blog. I consider myself fortunate to count her as both a friend and a colleague. Patricia and I met in a group of authors that is not unlike a book club. We are a group with a common interest – books. We share family stories, benchmark achievements and industry news…but we also inspire one another. The group has no bylaws, rules or regulations, but what we do have is that all-important bond of friendship.

Half the people you know probably belong to some sort of book club. Most love it, some tolerate it, some claim they’re far too busy to read a book every month, and others find fault with the quality of books selected.

Still the number of book clubs in existence continues to grow, as does their popularity. Why? Although I can’t speak for all groups, I can tell you a bit about my book club. Our members almost never miss a meeting unless it is absolutely, positively, on-your-deathbed unavoidable. Everyone reads the book, and we discuss it at length. We don’t simply decide we liked or disliked it. We study the characters’ actions and alternatives, compare their experiences to our own, laugh at the similarity of missteps and sometimes shed a tear because of their plight. At times a meeting will start with a negative comment about the book but, even that, inevitably leads to an exploration of the protagonist’s motives and ultimately a greater understanding of the story.

Although I am a voracious reader myself, my book club buddies have introduced me to a number of new authors and wonderful stories that I probably would not have discovered on my own. We have over twenty women in our group, and several others waiting to join, but members seldom leave, because book club is more than just a discussion group, it’s an afternoon of unbridled friendship. Of letting go of things you may not have talked about for years and knowing that not one of your friends will think less of you, or carry the tale elsewhere. It’s having a glass of wine, and conversation that is thoughtful, intelligent and stimulating.

Cupid's ChristmasBook club is having twenty wonderful friends, any one of whom you can turn to for help, even in the dead of night. Sure, there have been occasions when I was so rushed that I barely had time to shower before dashing out the door, and we’ve read a few books that were rather forgettable …but I still would not have missed the experience of a single meeting. The books we’ve shared have taken me to places I may never visit, introduced me to people I will never know, and with the turn of a page they’ve transported me back and forth through time. If you’re not already a member of a book club, I urge you to join one. You may not like every book, but you’ll love the experience. Oh, and if I might make a suggestion…select Patricia Sands’ novel “The Bridge Club” for one of your book club picks…I did, and my book club loved it!

Thanks for dropping by, Bette, and for the endorsement! You can take a look at all of Bette’s books by clicking right here on Amazon. Pour yourself a cup of tea, glass of wine, or fruit punch and enjoy perusing. I just finished reading Cupid’s Christmas and it was delightful. A funny, heartwarming holiday read! When you are through there, pop on over to her blog and visit for a while. Another cup of tea, perhaps?

Do you belong to a book club? Mine is an important part of my life and even when some of us are traveling we are able to attend the cocktail party and gabfest meetings via SKYPE. I love that! Online book clubs are also flourishing so even if you don’t have a group of friends nearby that like to read, you can join one of those.  An excellent place to begin is Goodreads.com where you will find communities of readers for more genres than you thought possible. It’s a friendly, welcoming and unbelievably informed website. Hurry on over!

 

New urban fantasy release from Angela Wallace!

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Ta-daaaaa! Drum roll please!

Book three of Angela Wallace’s Elemental Magic series is out! Earth Tones is an exciting read from beginning to end with Nita, a kick-butt heroine you want to have as your best friend . The supernatural elements Wallace creates are cleverly original and, at the same time, totally believable.I didn’t read this genre until I met Angela over a year ago and she has turned me into a serious fan with the magical way she weaves characters and story.

Here’s a brief description of Earth Tones:

Nita Young doesn’t know if she has a future with college sweetheart Keenan Donovan—two star-crossed lovers of opposing elements—but she invites him up to Alaska to see if Earth and Water can rekindle their old flame.

When a series of wild animal attacks strike the inhabitants of Yakutat, Nita has to put her romantic plans on hold. Mangled bodies are turning up, and a mysterious black panther has been spotted in the woods. Fur, scales, and a venomous bite suggest the cat is supernatural in origin—and evidence indicates that someone not only summoned it, but is using it to target those Nita cares about. It’s the perfect murder weapon: no fingerprints, no evidence. And in a town this small, the killer is someone she knows.

Nita’s strength will be put to the test as she faces losing her friends, her town, and the man she loves.

And now enjoy this excerpt to tantalize you further:

A scream split the air.  Keenan took off toward it, somewhere up the street in the opposite direction of the health clinic.  I bolted out the door, Josh on my heels.  Keenan stopped where the street forked, and I nearly plowed into him.  My gaze followed the direction of his and landed on a huge, black cat standing in the middle of the road.

It looked even more frightful up close.  Its body glinted with scales covered in harsh looking bristles of fur.  Spikes extended from its long tail like a mace.  Its eyes glowed yellow as it stared down at us, and hot, putrid breath puffed from its open maw.  It did have what appeared to be horns: two short, rusty brown ones on top of its head, the tip of one broken off.

I gripped Keenan’s arm.  There were too many people around for us to use our elemental powers against the cat, and I didn’t have a hunting rifle on hand.  What was it doing in the middle of town?

“Maybe I should try talking to it,” I whispered.

Keenan made a negative noise in his throat.  “There’s something very wrong with it.”

I quested out anyway, but recoiled when a sensation like the stinging of needles greeted me.  Communication definitely wasn’t an option.

Available on Amazon – Click here and get your copy! Don’t forget to stop by her Amazon Author Page too!

To look at that sweet smile, you would never guess that Angela loves gun-toting good boys and could have been a cop in another life except for the unfortunate condition of real blood making her queasy. Good thing writing gun and sword fights isn’t a problem. In her books you’ll find the power of love, magic, and redemption.

Impressive, isn’t she? What she doesn’t tell you here is that she is also a qualified sign language interpreter and, for relaxation and a lot of fun, has recently taken up ballroom dancing!

Since Angela has completed all sorts of different interviews on her blog tour, I asked her to simply explain to us here why she loves to write paranormal fantasy. Here’s what she had to say.

I must confess that from my early writing days, I never envisioned myself as an urban fantasy writer. I was strict fantasy: made up worlds with magic and dragons and defying the laws of physics. Granted, urban fantasy is not a far cry from some of those things (I still enjoy defying the laws of science sometimes). And I still write straight fantasy in my Dreamwalker series. But for Elemental Magic I find myself navigating a world that is both magical and very familiar to us. Writing and reading the fantasy genre has always been a method of escape for me. But whereas when I was younger I wanted to run as far away as imaginatively possible from the frustrations and disappointments of this earth, somewhere along the way I came back to it. Urban fantasy became the meeting place between the wonders I saw in my dreams and the world I lived in, culminating in the realization that this earth, however dark and chaotic at times, still holds magic for those searching for it. And the heroes going up against the monsters in the night are a little closer to you and me, to who we could become.

Wow! And for even more WOW-someness, check out her book trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIQdq4Nr2RY

I’m so glad Angela had time to visit my blog during her busy tour! To learn more about this talented young woman and her already impressive body of work, pay a visit to her blog here, visit her on Facebook, and see what she has to say on Twitter. For her blog stop with the hilarious Tameri Etherton, click here.
I know how much Angela would love hearing from you so, if you have the time, do leave a comment or two.