Patricia Sands

Author

France

Romance and Cupcakes

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Last Friday I had the immense pleasure of keeping company withDSCN0821-300x232 the talented and oh-so-sociable writers who host the Romance and Beyond blog.  Sherry Isaac, Sharon Clare and Carole St.-Laurent are women with a zest for life and a talent for writing stories that go straight to our hearts.

They invited me to write about how I became so obsessed … er … how I first discovered the romance of France. Magnifique! As you can imagine, they only had to ask once!

Here’s a little taste – un petit goût!

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Antibes-Be still my heart!
Antibes-Be still my heart!

First of all, full disclosure: I love France. I love everything about France. I need to state that right up front. To me, everything about that country oozes romance. When I am in France my senses are embraced and caressed by the romance in the scenery, the architecture, the food, the wine, the sea, the language. I’m a fool for love there and I can’t help myself. If you didn’t know this about me before, you do now.

It all goes way, way back.

For the rest of my guest post, please click here to be transported into an enticing world of romance.

To make your visit there even more pleasurable, I’m serving up some scrumptious virtual strawberry cupcakes. Be careful though, they are addictive!

Choopy's famous, very own, strawberry cupcake
Choopy’s famous, very own, strawberry cupcake

from Choopy’s, my favourite coffee shop in Antibes. Bon appetit!

Choopy's Cupcake and Coffee Shop, Antibes
Choopy’s Cupcake and Coffee Shop, Antibes

Is there a special place in the world that defines romance for you? Is it far afield or in your own back yard?

Thank you to all the readers who clicked here and sent me their e-mail address to be entered in the giveaway of  my new novel, The Promise of Provence.Release date-early April 2013 I can’t tell you how satisfying it was to see how many of you are already looking forward to reading it! The draw will be held on March 31 so there is still time for everyone to enter. We are chugging along to a publication date in the first week of April.

Not just one, but TWO promises …

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2013 Theme: THE GENDER AGENDA: GAINING MOMENTUM
“Over time and distance, the equal rights of women have progressed. We celebrate the achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change. There is global momentum for championing women’s equality.”

Here’s the first promise: To help accomplish this simple task today … right now … I promise that as many people as I can reach and those who visit here today … men or women … will  “Like” the International Women’s Day Facebook Page. Click right here and then hang around there for a while following up on some of the extraordinary links. Be that woman or that man. Then pass the message on. Do it for our girls. Do it for their future. Do it. Thanks!

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Now for the second promise … well … forgive me …  I guess that’s kind of a corny segue … but I’m excited to share this with you for the first time. I feel it’s an appropriate day to talk about this promise because my next novel is a woman’s story and it’s about hope and change which is something we should encourage in each other all the time. N’est-ce pas? It’s also partially set in …  where else would you expect from me … the south of France.

Drum roll please ~~~~~~TA DAAAAAAAAAA ~~~~~~~ the cover of my next novel!

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I’m also absolutely delighted to have my new novel featured on my friend Bette Lee Crosby’s blog today as part of her March Treasure Hunt. She lets a few details about the story slip, so be sure to bette-insert-2drop over there! You can sign up for the great giveaway she has going too. Do take a look at the fabulous collection of novels Bette has written with that inviting, humorous and touching Southern voice of hers, and decide which one you want to read first. I have loved every one of them.

To add to the celebrations of this special day, I am going to give away two free ebooks of The Promise of Provence as soon as it is available around April 1st. If you don’t mind waiting until the end of April, I will also give away one signed print copy. Click right here to leave your e-mail address – sorry about the Captcha – but you know that just means spammers won’t get in to spoil the contest for you! You can tell me in the comment box there if you want an e-book or print. We will do the draw on March 31.Thanks!

I’m excited about the upcoming launch of this novel and I hope you are too.  Take a minute and let me know if you did something special for International Women’s Day  … besides liking their Facebook Page, of course!

Would you rather be somewhere else today?

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Here’s where I would rather be today. And you?  Let’s meander up the road for a brief visit to St. Paul-de- Vence, perched on a hilltop north of Nice. Another day we’ll spend more time here but right now it feels like the perfect spot for a quick break.

St. Paul de Vence-PSandsPhotos
St. Paul de Vence-PSandsPhotos
St. Paul de Vence-PSandsPhotos
St. Paul de Vence-PSandsPhotos

Wander up the lane to La Colombe d’Or. Visit the website for more photos and details of the extraordinary history of this superb inn and restaurant, owned by the same family since 1920. 

La Colombe d'Or-PSandsPhotos
La Colombe d’Or-PSandsPhotos

Settle in the bar … one of my favourite spots … order your beverage of choice and drink in the atmosphere too.

La Colombe d'Or-PSandsPhotos
La Colombe d’Or-PSandsPhotos

POP! ~ back to reality ~ so much for that fantasy.

Let me tell you where I really am today. Does this ever happen to you?

Things pile up and the next thing you know a week has simply flown by!

That Tuesday blog post? Oops!

That backlog of e-mails and blogs I follow? *hangs head in shame*

The final details I need to clear up to move on with publishing my next novel? I’m working on them …

But then Mother Nature steps in with a major snowstorm that provides the perfect opportunity to stay hunkered down at home, cancel meetings, and get caught up. It definitely looks like “The Great White North” here in Toronto today and the view from our balcony appears rather like I have felt all week i.e. SNOWED UNDER.

So today has been a gift! I’ve accomplished more writing-related work in the past five hours than the past five days and the load is beginning to shift. By this evening I may be close to completely caught up! YOWZA!

Before we leave France altogether, here’s something else to eagerly anticipate if you are fortunate enough to be in the area.

CARNAVAL DE NICE 2013 – February 15 to March 6. If you are there, get ready!

Carnaval De Nice 2013
Carnaval De Nice 2013

Click here for  a previous post of mine about this annual celebration that brightens up winter on the Côte d’Azur. Is there a winter festival where you live and do you join in the fun or patiently wait for it to be over? I hope wherever you are, you are safe from the storm.

Bonjour Paris

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Bonjour! I follow a lot of creative, informative and truly enjoyable websites and blogs about France. In fact, I’m compiling a list  to share with you soon.

Paris-PSandsPhotos
Paris-PSandsPhotos

Let’s begin with Bonjour Paris, an addictive amazingly comprehensive website I have followed for years.

If you really want the skinny on everything absolutely don’t want to miss one single detail, their Insiders Club offers articles like the Savvy Shoppers Secret, A Geek Chic Tour of Paris, How To Rent An Apartment in Paris (… and not get screwed) and, my personal favourite, Can You Say Deux Cheveaux?

I was over the moon to receive an invitation to contribute  an article this week and invite you to join me in Antibes (no surprise there!) by clicking right here.

Before you go, since Paris is on our minds, spend a moment with me below on a drizzly afternoon in Montmartre.

Sacré Coeur/Le Carousel-PSandsPhotos
Sacré Coeur/Le Carousel-PSandsPhotos

Hmmm- should we walk up or take the Funicular today?

Strolling Montmartre-PSandsPhotos
Strolling Montmartre-PSandsPhotos

A drizzle simply adds to the character of the streets of Montmartre.

Pizza in Montmartre-PSandsPhotos
Pizza in Montmartre-PSandsPhotos

Time for a lunch break. Who knew fried egg on a pizza could be so tasty?

Never let a little rain spoil a day of your holiday. Do you have a favourite travel website to share with us here? A girl can never have enough. Merci mille fois!