Patricia Sands

Author

Author Promotion

My February loveletter to you

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NL #108 February 14, 2024

Bonjour! This is my Newsletter #108 for those of you who are not subscribed. Here’s the link if you are interested.

That header photo is my dream at the moment. Call me crazy but I like having a cold, snowy winter. We’re halfway through February, in the blink of an eye, and in southern Ontario we are still waiting for winter to arrive! It’s like spring here at the moment with no snow in sight. Many of my friends are happy about this but … you know I love to see snow in the winter. I have only skied twice so far and that is just plain disappointing. (I have to add here, that the day after my NL was sent out we had a fabulous snowstorm! I’m happy to tell you that winter finally arrived and skiing yesterday was perfection. No more whining from me!)

What’s happening in your corner of the world?

For one thing, no matter where we are, there is a never-ending flow of great new books to read in every genre and get us through the winter! No reader is left behind. My TBR is tipping precariously and if you follow me on Instagram, you will see a lot of great books I’ve been posting about recently.

Right now, I want to share some love with all of you since February is the month where we see hearts and words of love floating around. So why not here?

You all are the reason I keep writing and I hope you feel the love from me more than once a year. Thanks so much for the fabulous response to the release of Deck the Halls at The Villa des Violettes in December. I’m happy to let you know the print copy of the books is now available. Just click here for your copy on Amazon and on Barnes & Noble.

Now here are some other links I hope you will love too.

First of all, I’m loving that the countdown has begun for our 2024 South of France Memories Tour, September 2nd to 14th. The photo below is from our 2022 Tour. I love it because it truly shows the joy that everyone feels, not just in stunning Eze, but everywhere we go. Trust me!

You will probably notice me mentioning the Tour frequently these days, since we like to have all the spots filled by spring. I love posting reels on Instagram and I wish I knew how to share them here. You can also see Tour photos on my website.

We always sell out and would love to have you and perhaps some of your friends or family come along … or your book club, fitness group, whatever. You will find all of the details here. Nancy McGee, owner of Absolutely Southern France Travel, has been busy securing our two luxury hotels (just two, as we only move once, from Nice to Arles) and fabulous restaurants. She takes care of all the logistics and makes certain everything is in place for us to have amazing experiences every single day.

If you have any questions, contact Nancy McGee through the website or DM me on Facebook or email me at patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com. We would be so happy to have you join us!

Now I’m excited to announce that Deborah Bine, one of my BFFs who I love to travel with, also known as Barefoot Blogger, has an exciting new website loaded with great information about her life in France.

As she says: “Ten years ago, I started writing the blog as a “letter home” to keep my friends and family updated on my life as an American expatriate in France. It was intended to document my new reality through stories and pictures, capturing the events and emotions I encountered.

To my delight, people began to follow my adventures. Over time, The Barefoot Blogger found a special place in the hearts and minds of those who dream of living abroad, particularly in France.

As a solo female, who still has challenges speaking the language, my ups and downs continue to encourage others to reach beyond their boundaries. To be curious. To say “yes, I can” for as long as I can. Along with you, I continue to explore, to laugh, and to learn about my new home, Uzès, and France — the land of castles, chateaus, and champagne.”

Click here to follow Deb’s adventures with her adorable dog, Fanny. You will love the stories she has to tell and if you are traveling in France you will find priceless information about many areas that may call to you. If the information isn’t there, just ask her.

Next, I want to give you the link to the website of my friend, author Jan Crossen, who writes heartfelt and educational stories for children about the animals on her farm as well as other wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. A former educator, Jan has a heart of gold and I highly recommend her books for families everywhere.

Her Farm Adventures Series is a collection of eight books written for readers ages 6-9.

Children under age 5 enjoy shorter versions of these same stories. These read aloud picture books have interactive questions, and a couple even have fun songs to sing! These titles are in the Farm Stories for Wigglers’ Series.

Jan is in the process of developing companion products which are perfect for classrooms and homeschooling families. These additional materials provide engaging activities for multiple age groups and can be used for science, language, and social studies.

Find out more and sign up for her Animal Krackers at Jancrossenauthor.com. They receive tips of caring for their pets, interesting information about domestic and wild animals, and fun activities to do with their kids.

Giveaway #1
Jan is offering one print copy of whatever book you choose. For more details of her many books, please click on this link to help you choose.

Giveaway #2
One of my very favourite authors, Maddie Dawson, is offering two ebooks of her upcoming release LET’S PRETEND THIS WILL WORK. It’s publishing June 1,2024. I love all of her novels, each one filled with love, humour, surprises and lessons about life in all the best ways. I’ve just finished reading an ARC of this and LOVED it! You will too!

Here’s the blurb: The search for happiness turns a woman’s life upside down in a warm, quirky, and bighearted novel about the joys and chaos of finding love by the bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners.

Contact Maddie here. Follow her on Instagram.

Giveaway #3
Paulette Kennedy (a Blue Sky Book Chat writing sistah!) has a new release coming to you March 5, 2024 ~ THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT. I just finished an ARC of this as well … set in the 1950’s and completely the opposite of Maddie’s book BUT equally a great read. Paulette’s story introduced a genre new to me … gothic fiction, historical thriller, psychic suspense … what a ride! As she says, she writes “dark books with happy endings”. I was mesmerized by Paulette’s fine writing and obvious research. I highly recommend it. She is offering two ebooks.

Here’s the blurb: The bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain and Parting the Veil mines the subtle horrors of 1950s America in a gripping novel about a woman under pressure—from the living and the dead.

The first day of autumn brought the fever, and with the fever came the voices.

Contact Paulette here. Follow her on Instagram too ~ she’s publishing great reels of recipes from the 1950’s to get us in the mood for her story. So clever!

You all know how my giveaways work. Simply send an email to patrciasandsauthor@gmail.com and let me know which book you would like to win and why. Bonne chance! Good luck!

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.

I hope you spend all of February celebrating love and all good things … and then just keep doing that through the rest of the year. The recipe I’m sharing is from a cocktail that I LOVE in France.

And there’s a surprise giveaway involved. If you notice it, email me your answer! I’m reposting this from my newsletter two years ago.

My recipe for you today is an apèro I fell in love with all over again at the fabulous Bistrot du Paradou on the last night of our June 2022 tour. We had the most wonderful ending there with the tremendous combination of joie de vivre of our wonderful group of women and always delicious food! The staff, the service and the ambiance here are beyond compare. The menu is Michelin rated!

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. Send your answer in an email to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com.

Oh the joy of happy memories. As we work on bringing balance to our lives, let’s do our part to help those less fortunate and in parts of the world under siege … whether it is somewhere in our own country or elsewhere around the world. Let’s spread love not hate.

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.

Á bientôt!

If you have read the The Bridge Club or any of the Love in Provence books or any of my novels and can find a minute to leave a short review on Amazon and Goodreads, I thank you in advance.

AmazonUS | AmazonCA | AmazonFR | B&N | iTunes

Good news at the Villa des Violettes!

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Book #4 is coming in just five days! Preorder now to save $2.00.

I’m excited to let you know that things have been happening with Kat and Philippe and the gang! I’ve worked this year on a new story for you and hope you will enjoy it as much as I loved writing it.

When readers first began asking me to write more about the characters from my Love in Provence trilogy, who knew this series would keep growing? It is so much fun for me to continue to write about the characters and find out for myself how their lives are unfolding. At times it’s a surprise to me too … part of the fun of writing fiction!

So I thank all of you!

You can place a preorder here and the ebook will arrive in your mailbox on December 15th. Print copies will be available shortly thereafter.

I look forward to your reviews and to hearing your comments about life at the Villa des Violettes!

Oh! And The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes is on sale this month! If you haven’t begun the series, now’s a good time!

Bonne lecture! Happy reading!

Just one week left!

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Happy left over whatever day to all those who have been celebrating American Thanksgiving. We used to simply say left over turkey day but the times have certainly changed and I wonder what the percentage of turkey dinner for Thanksgiving is in 2023. There must be a statistic somewhere.

Whatever was on the table where you dined yesterday, I trust this special holiday has left many happy memories for you.

To make it easy for you, here are the links:

Promises To Keep, Book Two

I Promise You This, Book Three

And did you also know that when you finish these three books you can dive into the Villa des Violettes series? These stories are all about Kat and her family and friends and were written because so many readers wanted to know more about them and how their lives are progressing. I am so thankful for the motivation to write these books and spend more time with the characters that I love too!

I am waiting for my editor to return the manuscript for Book 4 ~ Deck The Halls at the Villa des Violettes. Coming soon!

Don’t over eat and enjoy the rest of this weekend of Thanksgiving. I’m so thankful for all of you and the wonderful books that unite us through good times and bad!

Happy reading! Bonne lecture!

My latest newsletter

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NL #100                                                 April 28, 2023
Bonjour! In case you don’t receive my newsletter, I’m happy to share it with you
My memories of a spring visit to this chateau in the Loire Valley are keeping my spirits high today. With random snow alerts popping up on my phone screen, I’m still waiting for spring to truly arrive here in southern Ontario. How are things in your part of the world?

Here’s something that’s warming my heart these days.  THE SECRETS WE HIDE was recently honoured with the Book Excellence Award for 2023 in the Women’s Fiction category. This international book awards competition recognizes books for their high quality design, writing and overall market appeal. I’m so proud of the recognition of this story and want to thank Tiffany Yates Martin for her superb editing skills and encouragement throughout the entire process. 

Now here come the giveaways!
To celebrate the award, I’m giving away two ebooks of The Secrets We Hide this month along with the following two great giveaway opportunities!

CRAZY TO LEAVE YOU by Marilyn Simon Rothstein, who is offering two ebooks! This is Marilyn’s third novel and a hilarious but poignant story that is great entertainment.

Blurb: From the author of Husbands and Other Sharp Objects comes a witty, bighearted novel about the happy accidents that lead to love and second chances.Forty-one years old, the last of her friends to marry, and down to a size 12, Lauren Leo is in her gown and about to tie the knot. There’s just one thing missing: the groom. With one blindsiding text, Lauren is unceremoniously dumped at the altar.In the aftermath, her mother is an endless well of unsolicited advice (Stay on your diet and freeze your eggs). Her sisters only add to the Great Humiliation: one is planted on Lauren’s couch while the other is too perfect.Picking her heart up off the floor, Lauren turns to her work in advertising as she gathers courage to move on and plan her next step. She should know by now that nothing in life goes according to plan. What lies ahead is the road to self-acceptance and at long last feeling worthy. With a new way to measure love and success, Lauren chucks her scale—and finds a second chance in the most unexpected place.



Christine Nolfi is offering two ebooks of her most recent bestseller, A BRIGHTER FLAME. Check out her website to learn more about her busy life and many other novels.

Blurb: She’s always wanted a sense of belonging. The last place she expects to find it is home.Vale Lightner’s dreams turn to ash when the Pittsburgh bar she owns goes up in flames. Just like the past she escaped, very little seems salvageable. Facing unavoidable change, Vale returns to her hometown of Philadelphia to stay with her grandmother.She knows that returning also means facing everything she left behind: a mother and stepfather who shunted her into the background from the day they married, and her charmed and favored half sister, Blythe, who has abandoned a perfect marriage and is now at a crossroads of her own. Everyone has their secrets, and this reunited family racked by them is about to reach a crisis point.For a mother and her two daughters, this reunion is a chance for closure, newfound love, and forgiveness. As each of them reassesses her own memories of the past, only the truth can bring them together—in ways that could last forever. From the bestselling author of The Passing Storm comes a poignant novel about family secrets, healing, and the hope of second chances.



It’s always a pleasure to offer these giveaways to you! 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 with your choice of book to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com. This month share with us the title of your favourite read this month.

Both Christine and Marilyn are also on the author team of our Blue Sky Book Chat community. This is a fabulous and fun Facebook page where readers and writers gather to share book chat, have awesome giveaways and celebrate the love of literacy, life and laughter! Have you joined? If not, you will be glad you did. Just click here, answer two simple questions that Facebook insists we ask.

More book news! Lost At Sea is on sale for a couple of weeks at $1.99. If you have not picked this book up so you can cruise the sparkling Mediterranean, now is a good time for that. You might want to read the entire series! Each one is so different in setting and plot, you will experience a new vacation with each book! Ship Ahoy!

This Month’s Free Read!
As you know, I’ve joined with eleven other author friends to make a free book available to our loyal newsletter subscribers each month in 2023! There’s nothing to do except click on the Book Funnel link and download your copy.

We thought it would be a great way to say thanks to all of you! Of course, we would all be grateful if you could take a few minutes after you finish the book to post a review on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, KoBo, Barnes & Noble and wherever else books are sold. It takes a few extra moments to copy and paste the same review into each platform. A few short sentences expressing your feelings about the story is all that is needed and helps the author immensely. Thank you so very much in advance.

Here’s the link to this month’s book, Blind Eye by S.W. Hubbard.

Download before the end of the month. 

In March I mentioned that a very good friend of mine, author Heather Burch, had recently been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour.


Here is how she shared her news with us: “It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. Last week, John took me to the ER where we found out I have a very aggressive brain tumor. Although it is considered operable, between the brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I would have to undergo, the outcome is not favorable and would only extend my life by a few months. In those months, I would be very sick. Right now, I feel great. I’m enjoying time with family —sitting and talking and laughing a lot. I don’t feel sick. I’ve decided to opt out of treatment because the benefit does not outweigh the cost. So in the next three months, John and I plan to take our granddaughter Nevaeh to Disney World for her very first visit. The rest of my time I will spend visiting friends and with family and of course, John will be at my side every moment of every day. He withdrew from the Medical Dosimetry school that he’s been in for the last several months. They have guaranteed him a spot to return later—that makes me very happy. If you’re wondering, I have no fear. I am full of faith, and I know that when I step off this planet, I will step right into heaven. If you have my phone number, feel free to call or text me. I’m not able to answer every call, but if you leave a message, I will call you back when I can. Texting is pretty easy for me too so that’s a great option. I am very blessed by the circle of friends that I have had over the years. I cannot tell you how much you mean to me, and how valuable you are. Thank you for the support over the years and through this difficult time. Please believe me when I say we can feel your love and prayers.”

One thing I love about being an author is the way the writing community around the world supports each other. Author Cindy Kirk immediately set up a GoFundMe account to help Heather’s family cope with some of the many unexpected medical expenses. If there is any way you might be able to make a donation of any amount (every dollar counts), here is the link. 

I thank you in advance. We never know when tragedy may strike any one of us. Millions of readers have enjoyed Heather’s bestselling books. Click here to check them out …why not order a few?

Memories of the South of France Tour
It will come as no surprise that I’ve begun counting the days until I get to spend time in France in September. I believe there is one spot open in our unforgettable 12-day Memories of the South of France tour (that is based on my novels and way too much fun!) from September 11 to 23.Come and join us or share the information with any friends ~ click here for all the details.


By now the Provençal sun is beginning to warm the soil, although days can still be chilly. The bushy, fragrant scrubland (the garrigue or maquis I often write about) in the limestone hills, forests, and along the Mediterranean coast, fills the air with scents of rosemary, wild thyme and Mediterranean pine. Before long, bursts of color will paint the landscape with purple-pink centranthus, yellow broom and red poppies. The visual feast begins … after this, bring on the sunflowers and lavender!



It’s also time for freshly harvested asparagus … white, purple and green … to appear in the local marchés. This is truly synonymous with spring in Provence. Of course there will be asparagus festivals … who celebrates food better than the French?

White asparagus is the most eagerly awaited. Vulnerable, it needs protection from the sun as it grows and is best lightly boiled or roasted until it is tender. My French friends assure me it is seldom eaten alone, but usually married with a sauce (the classics are hollandaise in the north, vinaigrette in the south). And it is devoured in abundance before it disappears in June.

Click here for an article that offers good information for serving this springtime delight! Are you a fan?

That’s it for now, my friends. Stay well, 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!


If you have read the The Bridge Club or any of the Love in Provencebooks or any of my novels and can find a minute to leave a short review on Amazon and Goodreads. I thank you in advance.

AmazonUS | AmazonCA |  AmazonFR |  B&N |  iTunes
Patricia Sands, Author
2405 Lakeshore Blvd W., Etobicoke
Ontario M8V 1C6 Canada
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