Patricia Sands

Author

Cote D'Azur

Let us take you to France today!

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“The Second Line Show” has put together a virtual excursion to the heart of France through these talented, “you-need-to-know” authors experiences, writing, culture and cuisine!
Come on a couch vacation with Nola Nash, Patricia Sands, Craig Carlson, Julien Chameroy, Michael Higgins, Samantha Vérant & Lisa Anselmo!! 

No passport or packing required! Let us whisk you off to France! Join Annie McDonnell of The Write Review and Nola Nash of The Second Line Show for an entertaining chat about our books set in France and the passion behind them 📚 with ~
💞🇫🇷💞Craig Carlson and Julien Chameroy ~ entrepreneurial owner and manager of the Breakfast In America diners in Paris 

💞🇫🇷💞 Lisa Anselmo, American writer, speaker, brand coach living her ‘part-time’ life in Paris

💞🇫🇷💞 Samantha Vérant, memoir and women’s fiction author, American living the dream in southwestern France

💞🇫🇷💞 Patricia Sands, women’s fiction author, Canadian, living like a local for months each year on the Côte d’Azur

💞🇫🇷💞 Michael Higgins, author, photographer, world-class wine expert, tirelessly pursuing the best wine regions in France and worldwide for over 20 years

💞🇫🇷💞What we all love to share is our passion for France. 

VISIT THE WRITE REVIEW OR NOLA NASH/THE SECOND LINE SHOW ON FACEBOOK FOR THIS VIRTUAL EXCURSION 

Here is the link to THE WRITE REVIEW:

https://www.facebook.com/Thewritereview

Here is the link to THE SECOND LINE:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2380946371969311

It’s launch day! New release!

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I’m excited to introduce this first book in my new mini-series, featuring those beloved characters from the Love in Provence series.

Christmas markets, French pastries, family, friends, all come together after unexpected challenges threaten a joyeux Noël or a merry Christmas. Then there are those two adorable Chocolate Lab pups! Spend time on the stunning Côte d’Azur as Kat and Philippe deal with one crisis after another.

It was so much fun to get back on the pages with all of the characters! Stay tuned for Book Two of the Villa des Violettes series in May and Book Three in October.

I hope you love the cover as much as I do! In September, when I was co-leading our South of France Memories Tour with my BFF, Deborah Bine (aka Barefoot Blogger), two women on the tour offered to help design the cover. Talented artists and good friends, Clare Strohman and Donna Fedele, worked with me to create the cover I envisioned … and they made it even better!

(May I just add how amazing these two women are in every way? And we were not intentionally colour-co-ordinated for this photo. Just sayin’! Our entire group of 16 women on the tour were a dream to travel with.)

Then, with the help of literary/tech assistant Carolyn Ring, fonts and placement of the title and my name were chosen and … badda bing, badda boom … the cover was born. My gratitude to each of those clever women.

Kate Rock and Tonni Callan, the founders of Literally Connected, made magic happen behind the scenes. A bouquet of thanks to them.

Also, thanks to everyone who helped make this happen today. Mille mercis! I’m grateful to each and every one of you.

Click here for the Amazon link.

Here’s the 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.

Roman ruins delayed the work on the Villa des Violettes. The Russian drug gang might be back in the neighbourhood. On top of that, Kat had worked herself into what Molly classified as a full blown “Christmas conundrum.” Kat wanted the holidays to work perfectly as she blended a Canadian Christmas with a Provençal Fête de Noêl for the first time in their new home. Now she’d lost her confidence and, with it, the holiday spirit.

Philippe hoped a weekend trip to the famous Christmas markets of Strasbourg would solve everything.

As it happened, things were about to get worse.

Are you feeling ready to embrace the holiday season? Have you started to decorate or do you wait until December arrives?

Amazon gift card and five print copies!

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

TGIF, everyone! It’s the weekend again! What are your plans?

I’m starting to think about packing for France … eleven days to lift off!

As soon as this stunning scenery of the Côte d’Azur comes into view, I feel like we are home. It’s always a thrill. 🙂

Getting closer as we pass over Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat …

And the harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer …

As we pass over the old port of Nice, it’s just minutes before touchdown at the beautiful airport built right on the Mediterranean and basically downtown. Aeroport Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE) is unique and still small considering the amount of traffic it sees.

But enough of my dreaming. Back to those giveaways I mentioned …

Did you enter the big giveaway I wrote about in the last blog post earlier this week? You did? Great! I wish you the best of luck! It’s running until the end of the month so feel free to share it! Bonne chance!

This time I want to share information about two smaller giveaways. It’s always fun to win a prize, big or small. So good luck with these too!

First, I’m offering five print copies in a Goodreads giveaway. All you have to do is enter your name. One of those books might be waiting just for you!  Click right here.

And here’s the second giveaway.

We’re taking advantage of Drawing Lessons on sale for the month of May ~ Only $1.99 for ebook and $7.99 for paperback in the USA ~ if you do buy a copy, please take a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Simply comment here, share this post, and email your proof of purchase (take a photo with your phone) to  patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com.

This contest is open for the entire month of May!
HERE’S THE LINK https://amzn.to/2wm3571

GOOD LUCK/BONNE CHANCE

I hope with all these opportunities, your name is chosen for one of the prizes. Although Goodreads limits their giveaways to USA, this second one is open to everyone as long as you order from Amazon.com. One of these days soon I will organize a giveaway good everywhere on the planet! That’s the way it should be.

Have a great weekend ~ bon weekend! Are you planning a trip this summer or going to enjoy a stay-cation? Also good! I would love to hear about it.  🙂

Think warm, please!

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

I’m hearing from my friends in Nice that it is ch-ch-chilly and une vague de froid, a cold wave, is in the weather forecast. The annual Carnaval de Nice is well under way and it’s not nearly as much fun having to be bundled up to brave the elements.  So let’s think warm for everyone there!

To read about all the colourful craziness of this festival, which began in 1830, click on the following link. Margo Lestz shares the history and entertaining details in “Carnival Kings, Silly Strings, and Blooming Things”.

Even if we can’t be in Nice now, just reading about it will make you laugh. An air of warm hospitality fills the town … and, of course, temptations abound ~ such as the traditional treats les bugnes or beignets de carnaval. Deep fried pastry flavoured with orange flower water, they are simply melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

Today’s post sends out vibes of warm moments in Nice, in the hopes Mother Nature will change her plans for all the eager celebrants. Surely this year’s Roi de l’Espace, King of Space, seen in this short video, must have some influence on the elements.

And even though the beach umbrellas are all stored away until summer arrives, I hope these sunny memories help stir a little warmth.

Are you having a cold wave in your neighbourhood too? Whatever you are doing, I hope you enjoy a bon weekend!