Patricia Sands

Author

books

Hello December!

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The wonder and magic of December begins early this year and the first thing I want to do is send warm wishes for light, love and happiness to everyone who is celebrating Hanukkah. Candles lit daily. Faith renewed. Tradition preserved.

Hanukkah Sameach!

A big part of the writing community at this time of year are the special book/reader events that take place. The spirit of giving is alive and well.

So be sure to mark your calendars for this! On Sunday, December 5th, I’m excited to be one of many invited authors to join my friends at My Book Friends for another BIG BOOKAPALOOZA! This is an all-day extravaganza where you can chat with your favourite authors, meet new ones and enter to win an amazing array of books and other prizes.

Here’s the official promotion:

CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS! JOIN THE FUN with DOZENS OF AUTHOR GIVEAWAYS on December 5th as THIRTY-SIX invited authors (Including me!), and the founding authors, host the Season of Giving Bookapalooza! Don’t forget to join us in My Book Friends. https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourbookfriends/ GIVEAWAYS ALL DAY! FREE BOOKS, I SAY! TELL YOUR READER FRIENDS! And YOU are invited! #MBFBookapalooza (¯`•.•´¯)¸•´¯`☆ .`•.¸¸.•´•• Be sure and click over to the group, answer the easy questions, and you’re in. You won’t want to miss this event on this Sunday, so join us TODAY.

I hope to see you there!

I’ll be giving away some signed print copies of some of my novels on Sunday, but if you want to pick up a wonderful stocking stuffer right now ~ THE FIRST NOEL AT THE VILLA DES VIOLETTES is on sale for just $1.99 until December 15th. Just click here to order!

See you soon!

Bonne fête de Pâques ~ Warm greetings for Passover and Easter (and an April 1st update)

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This is a special holy weekend around the world and I send warm wishes to those celebrating Easter or Passover ~ Chag Sameach. Of course, in these days of the CoronaVirus or Covid-19, all observances will be unlike ever before for everyone around the globe. I hope you are finding ways to connect with family and friends. Thank goodness for Zoom, Skype and FaceTime. At least we can see each other.

As I was doing some reading this week, I came across an article that spoke volumes to me about a meaningful message for both Passover and Easter.  It had to do with hope, something so important to us even more so now.

I want to share it with you here.

 This week in Prime Minister Trudeau’s daily address to the nation, he suggested children draw colourful pictures of Easter eggs and put them in the windows of their home. This was to remind the Easter Bunny to leave extra treats for healthcare workers and people performing essential services to help us through the current crisis. We owe them our gratitude in so many ways and I thought it was a lovely way to encourage children to think of these people. It’s such a hard time for youngsters and difficult to understand how their world has changed for the moment.

The tradition of Easter chocolate in France is very different. On the Thursday night before Easter, all the church bells go silent for the weekend. The ringing of the bells throughout the country on Easter Sunday morning alerts children to wake and search for their chocolate treats … not delivered by a bunny! Click on this link and get the full story from my friend, author Margo Lestz, who knows all the details of this longstanding tradition. She has an excellent post here comparing the traditions of children and chocolate at Easter. You will be surprised how the legends differ.

Chocolate is not quite so important at Passover.  But the traditions and foods that go along with the special meal, the seder, are celebrated every year.

In many countries the month begins with April Fool’s Day, although again this year I think it was cancelled more than anything. But for those who haven’t heard before, you may be interested in knowing how April 1st is celebrated in an altogether unique way in France.

images

Imagine my surprise the first time I saw children sticking paper fish on each other’s back, whispering and giggling, and then hollering, “Poisson d’Avril!”

Excusez-moi? Fish?

As Wikipedia explains: “In Italy, France and Belgium, children and adults traditionally tack paper fishes on each other’s back as a trick and shout “April fish!” in their local languages (pesce d’aprile!, poisson d’avril! and aprilvis! in Italian, French and Flemish, respectively). Such fish feature prominently on many late 19th- to early 20th-century French April Fools’ Day postcards.

April-Fools-vintage-Image-TheGraphicsFairy.com

April-Fools-vintage-Image-TheGraphicsFairy.com

I had no idea where the tradition began and, after a bit of searching, found this explanation on France Travel Guide.

“Although the origin of April Fools is obscure and debated, the most widely accepted explanation actually credits the “holiday” as starting in France. The most popular theory about the origin of April Fool’s Day involves the French calendar reform of the sixteenth century.

The theory goes like this: In 1564 King Charles XIV of France reformed the calendar, moving the start of the year from the end of March to January 1.

However, in a time without trains, a reliable post system or the internet, news often traveled slow and the uneducated, lower class people in rural France were the last to hear of and accept the new calendar. Those who failed to keep up with the change or who stubbornly clung to the old calendar system and continued to celebrate the New Year during the week that fell between March 25th and April 1st, had jokes played on them.

Pranksters would surreptitiously stick paper fish to their backs. The victims of this prank were thus called Poisson d’Avril, or April Fish—which, to this day, remains the French term for April Fools—and so the tradition was born.”

poisson d'avril

Poisson d’avril

Boulangeries and patisseries deliciously get into the spirit with fish-shaped goodies. Oh … and did I mention the chocolatiers? Schools of fish of all sizes fill shop windows, the larger ones often filled with smaller treats. To a chocoholic, fish never tasted so good!

Since Easter usually falls around the same time, fish feature predominantly in shop windows through that holiday as well.

On  The Good Life France   (amazing photography and articles ~ you know I’m a huge fan!), there’s another article by Margo Lestz about April 1st in France.  Margo writes perfectly-researched articles, as well as entertaining books about some of the quirky history and traditions of France.  Click here to visit her website!

I hope you find this post a bit of a diversion from more pressing issues. One positive aspect of these days of confinement is the opportunity to do a lot of reading, pursue other interests and stay connected with each other. It’s so important to stay home and stay safe.

My heart goes out to anyone who has been impacted by the virus, either directly or indirectly and I send heartfelt wishes for a full recovery to those who are sick and hope for the future to those whose jobs have been impacted. Sincere condolences to families who have lost loved ones. The selfless healthcare and essential workers around the world who are on the front lines are inspiring. We are so grateful to you.

Keep hope alive. Stay well.

Let these books take you on an adventure. Bon voyage!

Newsletter #62

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Do you subscribe to my newsletter? In case you don’t, I’ll post it here today. Good luck with the giveaways! Bon weekend!
Newsletter #62                                                             November 15, 2018

 

Bonjour

 

I’m excited to let you know that today is a special one for me! It’s launch day for The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes. This is a Christmas story featuring Katherine, Philippe and friends from the Love in Provence series. I wrote it because so many of you have asked what was happening with them. I love becoming engaged with characters in books I’m reading, and it’s a thrill for me when someone writes and tells me the same about my characters.

 

I must admit it was a lot of fun for me to be back on the pages with those familiar personalities. As happens so often with fiction writing, they had a few surprises in store for me!

 

The header photo above is one that I often referred to as I was working on this book. The story is about the first Christmas/Noël that Katherine and Philippe are celebrating in their restored villa. Katherine hopes there would be snow on the mountain tops, just like in the picture.

This is the café where Kat likes to sit to read her copy of Nice-Matin and practise her French. I like to do the same when I’m in Antibes and it was here that I worked on edits last summer for The First Noël.

The cover of this book has a special story to it. The artwork was created by two talented women, Clare Strohman and Donna Fedele, who were on the September tour in France that Deborah Bine and I led. The three of us talked about concept, colour, and effect and they went to work to produce this lovely result.

 

I am going to write three books in the Villa des Violettes series. The next will be published in the spring and another in the fall, and the cover will be the same but with changes to the vine and the flowers in the pots. How do you like that concept? The stories will all be a bit shorter than a full novel and I hope you will enjoy them.

 

So today is launch day for the ebook and the print copy should be out by December 1st. Thanks for spreading the news!

 

 

As Thanksgiving in America approaches, I’m sure many of you are busy with plans for the holiday. Are you travelling or are friends and family coming to you? Who is cooking and what? Are you turkey lovers? And football is a must, right? Tell me all about it when you enter this month’s giveaways.

 

It’s gratifying to see so many of you enter your name each month for a chance to win a book. Thank you also to winners for taking the time to send thanks to the authors whose books are sent to you. I’ve heard from many of my author friends about how they appreciate your thoughtfulness.

 

In keeping with the upcoming December holidays, here are some festive Christmas stories for you, including mine!  Rest assured all of these enjoyable stories will help to fill you with the Christmas spirit!

 

Giveaway #1 is for two ebooks of A Season for Hope  by Tammy Grace. Born and raised in Nevada, Tammy loved reading at a young age. With the help of her middle school teacher, she discovered the joy of writing. After spending a career in local and state government service, she retired and finally has the time to dedicate to writing.

When Tammy isn’t working on ideas for a novel, she’s spending time with family and friends or supporting her addiction to books and chocolate. She and her husband have one grown son and a spoiled golden retriever.

Connect with Tammy at her website tammylgrace.com.

 

 

Blurb:  A Season for Hope is a charming story about the kindness of strangers and finding hope where you never expected it. Cozy up with a holiday read sure to warm your heart.

 

Giveaway #2 is another holiday read to warm your heart from Judith Keim, who is offering two ebooks of A Christmas Star.

Judith Keim enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Winston and Wally, and other members of her family.

Judith writes heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she’s lived or visited and on the interesting people she’s met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her loyal readers love.

Connect with Judith at her website http://www.judithkeim.com/

 

 

Blurb:  A page-turner that perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas. A chance meeting, along with an act of goodwill, will lead one woman on a journey that will help her to heal her broken heart…and once again believe in the magic of Christmas.

 

Giveaway #3 features two stories from our very own Hallmark Movies star! USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her popular contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre farm. She went on to produce works in collaboration with other authors, including the hilarious southern fiction G Team series. A Romance Writers of America Honor Roll author, her books have been translated in multiple languages and received favorable reviews from major trade journals. Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and horseback riding with friends. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home.

Crown Media is bringing two of Nancy’s novels to Hallmark’s holiday programming. Nancy is also currently working on original novels for Hallmark Publishing.

 

You can connect with Nancy at her website.

 

Nancy’s first offer is an ebook of Christmas Joy. Did you see the movie on the Hallmark Channel on November 3rd? It was fabulous!

 

 

Blurb:  A heartwarming Christmas story about family, friendship and finding love in unexpected places.

 

Nancy’s second offer for you is a print copy of Hope at Christmas. WATCH FOR THIS TO DEBUT ON HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES ON NOVEMBER 20th!

 

 

Blurb:  Nancy Naigle delivers a heartwarming Christmas story that proves you can always go home again in Hope at Christmas.

 

Giveaway #4 is for three ebooks of The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes to help celebrate this launch day!

 

 

Blurb:  THE LOVE IN PROVENCE CHARACTERS ARE BACK …

Everything was going so well in Kat and Philippe’s life together. Then suddenly it wasn’t. Philippe hoped a weekend trip to the famous Christmas markets of Strasbourg would solve everything.

As it happened, things were about to get worse.

 

As always, send your entry for these giveaways to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com. Names will be chosen randomly. Tell us how you are celebrating Thanksgiving or do you have different plans?

 

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.

 

Congratulations to last month’s winners:  Audrey Wick, Jessica Chappell, Theresa Timlin

French Market Giveaway Package winner: Laurie Blum

 

Now it’s time for some photos from France. The setting for most of my Christmas book is in and around Antibes, with the exception of one weekend when Kat and Philippe visit the famous Christmas markets of Strasbourg. Have you ever been to those markets?

 

 

I have photos of the marché de Noël in Antibes and can’t find them! Does that ever happen to you? I need to take a few months and completely reorganize my photo files. Since I want to send this off today, I’ll post a few of Katherine’s favourite spots in Antibes.

 

I have almost finished posting pictures from our September women’s tour in France. I just have two more days to go. Have you been following along on my blog? Click right here. (https://patriciasandsauthor.com/category/blog/)

 

Instead of sharing a recipe today, here’s another opportunity for a great Christmas gift … a Kindle Fire 7! The contest is open until the end of this week, so try your luck and bonne chance!

 

 

Click on this link for all the details! 

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. See you next month!

À bientôt!


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

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Giveaway week on the blog …

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It might be a case of spring fever, but we seem to be immersed in giveaways at the moment. It’s always fun to do promotions. We hope readers enjoy having a chance to win books and other prizes and, as authors, our goal also is to make our work known to some new readers. So we hope you share the news about this with your friends.

Here’s the biggie. This actually came about after Heather Burch, Mary Tod, Marilyn Simon Rothstein and I happened to be in Naples, Florida at the same time. It was a little meet-up of Lake Union Authors when we got together for a relaxing lunch on the beach at the popular Turtle Club Restaurant. I love eating there, sitting outside with that soft silky sand between my toes!

Among other things, we were celebrating the recent release of Marilyn’s sequel to her hilarious first novel, Lift and Separate, the equally hilarious Husbands and Other Sharp Objects. One thing authors love to do is celebrate each other’s new releases!

Needless to say we spent a lot of time talking about writing and books and life and laughing … oh … and we had some of those tasty beach drinks with the little umbrellas. They were SO delicious, they didn’t need any alcohol in them. Seriously.

The next thing we knew we were planning a promotion. As most writers do, we all had books in our cars. As I always do, I had my camera at the ready. Badda bing, badda boom … here’s our

Beach Reads Giveaway ~ Four Signed Novels You’re Going To Love  & A Fabulous Kindle Fire !

 Please invite your friends to join in too. READY, SET, GO!

 CLICK RIGHT HERE TO GET STARTED.

GOOD LUCK!

DROP BY ON FRIDAY TO SEE WHAT OTHER GIVEAWAYS WE HAVE FOR YOU WHILE THIS SPRING FEVER LASTS!