Patricia Sands

Author

Writing

November 11th ~ Remembrance Day in Canada

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November 10, 2023 by Patricia Sands

Lest we forget ~

Tomorrow at the 11th hour of the 11th day in this the 11th month, Canada will pause for two minutes’ silence to remember those  heroes who have given their lives and in respect of all who offer their service … in every country. 

We owe so much to so many. 

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I have posted this page in years past on this date. Since there are many new followers of my website, I want to share it again for those who haven’t seen it. For others, I hope you don’t mind the repetition. I feel these stories can never be shared too often.

In 2010, my husband and I went on a journey to locate the grave of my Uncle Harry whose Lancaster bomber had been shot down on June 13, 1944, near Cambrai, France. All six crew members  perished.

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We discovered they are buried in a small Allied cemetery in the middle of farmland, rather than in one of the major cemeteries in France.

It was quite an experience just finding it, but that’s a story for another day. When I inquired as to why they were in that location, the Office of Military Affairs explained that they had been buried there by the nearby villagers at the time and so would remain close to where they had died. The cemetery was immaculately tended … and watched over by curious cows.

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Coincidentally, just a week before our visit, another relative of one of the crew had visited the cemetery. He left a note in the guest book (found in metal boxes at every cemetery) that gave us some personal information about the day these men died. They had been on a bombing raid over the rail yards in Cambrai. The war was being won. The men were heading back to their base in England to make it in time for the local dance that evening.

Sadly, they did not arrive.

Learning this small piece of personal information, made our visit that much more emotional and intimate.

As a child, I had always been intrigued by stories about my Uncle Harry, the youngest of 5 boys, and only 20 years old when he died. There were framed photos of him in his uniform with a dazzling smile in my parents’ and grandparents’ homes. You could feel his pride. And theirs.

When we went on our mission to ‘find Uncle Harry’, we also spent a few days in Normandy and did the tours of the WW2 landing beaches, something I recommend to everyone who has the opportunity.

It’s an emotional experience as the history of the war becomes vividly presented by guides who must take courses in this information and pass exams before receiving a license to guide. The French take the preservation of this history very seriously and are to be commended for doing so.

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As we toured the museums and memorial centres, it struck me that in so many of the photographs of men and women in service for their country, pride was stirringly evident in their expressions. It seems to go with the wearing of the uniform and the understanding of what that represents.

Thank you to every one of the members of armed services – past and present – for putting yourself in danger for your country and taking on that onerous task with such commitment. We are proud of you and eternally grateful.

Thank you, Uncle Harry.

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Wear your poppy proudly. Please make certain to preserve and keep alive the stories of the members of your families who have served in the armed forces. Always remember.

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No matter what our country, hearts are touched by the selfless giving of all who serve. The museums and preserved landing beaches of Normandy offer an emotional lesson in history to all who have the good fortune to visit that part of France.

Most Canadians proudly wear a poppy for a week or so before November 11th to show their respect for veterans. Click here for an  excellent explanation of how the poppy came to be such a strong symbol of remembrance.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have you preserved stories of your family’s service? Please do before it is too late.

Our wonderful autumn weather seems to be slipping away. I’m getting the snow tires put back on next week … we know what is coming soon! So it’s a good time to stock up on some excellent books for those indoor days!

November bonus sale ~ 2 ebooks

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Happy November everyone! I hope you are safe and happy wherever you are!

If you have read The Promise of Provence and did not know there were two more books to follow that story, here they are! And on sale for November!

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

Promises To Keep, Book Two

I Promise You This, Book Three

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.

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Patricia Sands, Author
2405 Lakeshore Blvd W., Etobicoke
Ontario M8V 1C6 Canada
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THE SECRETS WE HIDE ~BOOK EXCELLENCE 2023 AWARD FOR WOMEN’S FICTION

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News Flash! The Secrets We Hide has received a Book Excellence Award!

Authors take a chance when they enter a book award competition, knowing there are thousands of excellent novels published to which ours will be compared. But this is part of the journey of publishing that helps writers grow and learn more about their craft. Yes, we do take chances.


I am incredibly excited to announce that I have been recognized as a Book Excellence Award Winner for my book, THE SECRETS WE HIDE, in the Women’s Fiction Category.

Out of thousands of books that were entered into the Book Excellence Awards competition, the notification of my award stated that my book was “selected for its high quality writing, design and overall market appeal”.

To view my complete award listing, you can click here. Since the award is new, the listing may not be complete yet.

I was delighted to see my dear friend, author Alison Ragsdale, winning the award for best novel in the Family Category. I highly recommend Dignity & Grace ~ a fine story! And what an honour us to be recognized in the Winner Category with the amazing Adriana Trigiani, beloved by millions around the world, who won in the Historical category.

The Secrets We Hide was released in August 2022 and is a captivating story of the highs and lows of life’s journey, including the complexities of living with a loved one with a mental illness and dealing with grief. The story is set in enticing locations in Hawaii, Japan and France, with hope, friendship, trust and love interwoven throughout.

The book is perfect for readers of Kristin Hannah and Jodi Picoult, who enjoy a story about second chances.

Available in ebook and paperback, you can get a copy for yourself at Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble.

When you do read this story, I encourage you to leave a brief review where you purchase the book and also on Goodreads and Bookbub if possible (simply copy and paste it). Just say why you like the story (no need for anything longer, unless you wish to share more thoughts) and know that every review is greatly appreciated by authors.

Thanks so much for sharing in my good news! Happy reading!