Patricia Sands

Author

fiction

Tomorrow is Pub Day!

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THE FRENCH EFFECT will pop out into the world on November 15th! I’m excited to bring this story to you. This is just a quick reminder it’s not too late to pre-order.

Full disclosure ~ At the end of 2024, I was in a bit of a dip, which was most unusual for me. But it happens from time to time to most of us, right?

To be honest, I have to thank Ann Garvin and all of the Tall Poppy Writers for the fact that this book exists. At the end of 2024, I was having a bit of a meltdown that my next birthday in July would be my 80th. My age has never bothered me in the past and I’m blessed with good health, BUT … mon Dieu … that was suddenly a number I couldn’t quite deal with. Out of nowhere, the invitation arrived from Ann to join the author/reader group she created in 2013! What an honour to be part of this collegial and encouraging group of writers. Inspiration followed and my words began to flow. I loved writing THE FRENCH EFFECT. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Here’s the blurb: Here’s the blurb … Sorry for the crazy spacing. Being totally a non-techie, I have no idea how to fix it and it is too late at night to ask my tech assistant. So I’ m just going to post it like this. Please forgive me …

From the bestselling author of the LOVE IN PROVENCE series, comes a hopeful and
heartwarming journey that reminds us it’s never too late for a second chance.

France has a way of changing your mind … and your heart …

Novelist Nora Bennett is living her fifties with more doubts than dreams. Once content with her
quiet life, she’s recently found herself battling writer’s block, a growing restlessness–and
resistance to a holiday season she’s long stopped celebrating. So, when her daughter Chloe, an
artist living in Paris, asks her to dog-sit an intimidating Doberman named Atticus, Nora surprises
them both by saying yes.

Delicious meals, long walks through the storied streets of Montmartre, and a chance to
rediscover a spark of joy in the glittering holiday lights of Paris: Six weeks in the City of Light
might be just the escape Nora needs.

Except Paris has other plans. Nora agrees to ghostwrite a memoir for 93-year-old Marie-Louise,
who reveals haunting memories of surviving the Occupation as a child of the Resistance. A
charming younger tango partner with secrets of his own introduces Nora to the French art of
pleasure. All the while, the city’s irresistible festive spirit envelops her gently.

Chloe invites Nora to spend Christmas at her husband Olivier’s centuries-old ancestral farm in
Provence. There, Nora is embraced by the warmth of family and treasured traditions. She’s also
unexpectedly drawn to Pierre, her son-in-law’s moody and magnetic father. Their connection is undeniable, even as he seems intent on keeping his distance.

But when Atticus suddenly goes missing, Pierre joins Nora in searching for him. Soon a winding
road trip returning to Paris softens their defenses … and reveals complicated truths behind
their guarded hearts.

Yet as Nora’s time in France begins to wind down, she must decide: Return to the comfort of
the life she knew – or leap into a bold new chapter she never imagined beyond the pages of her novels.

Happy reading! Bonne lecture!

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!

Thank you/Mille mercis

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Thank you to all the readers who gave DRAWING LESSONS such an outstanding day in sales yesterday! I’m so happy that this novel will touch even more hearts.
A reader recently sent me this excerpt from the story, saying how it spoke to her considering the challenges we are facing today.
“Crisis strips us of everything we think is important.”

“It narrows your focus,” Arianna agreed. “I certainly learned that.”

The quiet that rested among them for a few moments was almost calming. Each woman was lost in her thoughts.

The light returned to Marti’s eyes. “But there’s a positive outcome to crisis. Once we are stripped of everything superfluous, we’re left with all we truly need in our lives.”

https://amzn.to/3701f9F

The weeks were bliss that my husband and I spent in Arles and the Camargue region while I researched and photographed for this story. It’s an ancient, enchanting, intriguing part of France. I feel fortunate to return there each year for a week with our women’s tour. This year I’ll be satisfied with photos and think about the new ones I will take in 2021.

Here’s un petit goût … a little taste … enjoy!

KINDLE DAILY DEAL ~ APRIL 28TH

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I’m the worst for remembering to promote my work! This may be late for some of you, but may just catch the attention of new readers. Today you can purchase the wonderful story of DRAWING LESSONS for US $.99 ~ go for it!

If you already have your copy, now is a good time to pick up a few as gifts for friends. Just click here !

Synopsis:

The author of the Love in Provence series returns to the South of France with a poignant portrait of a woman who must learn how to create a new life for herself…

Sixty-two-year-old Arianna arrives in the South of France for a two-week artists’ workshop full of anticipation but burdened by guilt. Back home in Toronto, she has been living with the devastating diagnosis of her husband’s dementia and the heartbreak of watching the man she has loved for decades slip away before her eyes. What does her future hold without Ben? Before her is a blank canvas.

Encouraged by her family to take some time for herself, she has traveled to Arles to set up her easel in the same fields of poppies and sunflowers that inspired Van Gogh. Gradually, she rediscovers the inner artist she abandoned long ago. Drawing strength from the warm companionship and gentle wisdom of her fellow artists at the retreat—as well as the vitality of guest lecturer Jacques de Villeneuve, an artist and a cowboy—Arianna searches her heart for permission to embrace the life in front of her and, like the sunflowers, once again face the light.