Patricia Sands

Author

giveaways

Good luck! Bonne chance!

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Pop over to Tattered Pages Book Club for the next three days and have some fun entering 100…yes … ONE HUNDRED giveaways! You will see many authors whose work you love and meet many new authors whose books you will want to add to your TBR list.

Chase away those dreary winter blues and try your luck!

My giveaway today is for a signed copy of Drawing Lessons. Here’s the trailer for you to enjoy once more! I love watching it! GO TO TATTERED PAGES TO ENTER.

I hope you are all staying safe and looking forward to vaccinations and the world we all want to live in again! We will get there!

January Newsletter ~ with links to our 2020 South of France tour!

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Do you subscribe to my monthly newsletter? There’s a sign-up link to the right of this post. In case you missed it, here is my letter from January.

Newsletter #74   January 25, 2020

Bonjour 


With all the crazy weather patterns floating around and many people being visited by a polar vortex or two, I thought some sunshine from the stunning Côte d’Azur might be in order. This header photo was taken looking down on the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, just east of Nice. The ancient old town is one of my favourite places to wander and photograph.

Feel the warmth! 

Even though I won’t be back to France until June, once the new year began my thoughts definitely turned in that direction. I know the time will fly by and I’ll be on my way. But more on that as we get closer to June.

 This month my husband and I relocated to our winter getaway in Naples, Florida. We feel fortunate to spend time here and definitely appreciate the great weather … even when there is a “cold spell”. In Florida that’s quite a different thing than up north!

In the meantime, no matter where I am, there’s much work to be done.

  I’m happy to say that Lavender, Loss and Love, Book 3 in the Villa des Violettes series has just been published. The cover reveal happened on Friday.

Since I have indie published the three novellas, it’s been fun to work on each of the covers. It’s such a collaborative venture. I talk with Donna Fedele and Clare Strohman in the beginning about the story and the details I would like on the cover. After that, they work their magic. Donna creates the drawing and her BFF, Clare, then paints in the colour.

I know I have mentioned this before with the previous covers, and hope you don’t mind if I repeat the story. Donna and Clare were on our 2018 South of France Memories Tour. One morning as we were on our private coach going to explore another charming village, I mentioned I was going to need original covers for this series. They asked a lot of questions, as artists do, and then offered to take on the projects and … voilà! I’m very grateful to them.

It was one of life’s surprising coincidences that occur when we least expect them. You just never know what’s around the corner …

This book is a tad behind schedule as that lovely cover with the autumn overtones was supposed to publish in November. I know I mentioned to you then that I was stepping back a bit from writing, as I was struggling with the loss of several dear friends. It’s taken a while to get back on track and feels good to have it out in the world now. Here’s the Amazon link and the book is also on Kobo and Nook.

Thanks to everyone who has already helped Lavender, Loss & Love at the Villa des Violettes acquire one of Amazon’s golden banners!

Since I mentioned the South of France Memories Tour above, I’ve got more to share with you about it. I’m thrilled to say that Absolutely Southern France Travel is ready to receive registrations for our 2020 tour. The dates are from September 28 to October 10 … we Canadians will get home in time for Thanksgiving!

All the information is available at this link and Deborah Bine and I are excited to greet this year’s group and share our love of France with them! You can see from previous testimonials that the tour is always a great success. It is so satisfying for us to see each group of women become such good friends!Why don’t you join us? On your own, with your BFF, your book club (!), sister, daughter, mother ~ whatever works for you. We guarantee wonderful memories that will last a lifetime!

In fact, today I am having lunch in Fort Myers with five women who were on our 2018 tour. I can’t wait! Of course, we will talk about France … and Katherine, Philippe and the gang … and reminisce about the memories we made.

And now for this month’s fabulous giveaways!

Giveaway #1 ~ Rochelle Berger Weinstein has an exciting new release, This Is Not How It Ends, and she is offering one ebook and one print copy. Please specify which format you would like. Rochelle is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of emotionally driven women’s fiction, including Somebody’s Daughter, Where We Fall, The Mourning After, and What We Leave Behind. She lives in south Florida with her husband and twin sons (when the boys aren’t away at college). She is also one of my sister Lake Union authors. When she’s not writing, Rochelle loves to hike, read, and find the world’s best nachos. She is currently working on her sixth novel.

Blurb: This Is Not How It Ends is a tender, moving story of heartbreak and healing that asks the question: Which takes more courage—holding on or letting go? When Charlotte and Philip meet, the pair form a deep and instant connection. Soon they’re settled in the Florida Keys with plans to marry. But just as they should be getting closer, Charlotte feels Philip slipping away. As a hurricane passes through Islamorada, stunning revelations challenge Charlotte’s loyalties and upend her life. Forced to e-examine the choices she’s made, and has yet to make, Charlotte embarks on an emotional journey of friendship, love, and sacrifice—knowing that forgiveness is a gift, and the best-laid plans can change in a heartbeat.

Connect with Rochelle here at her website.

Giveaway #2 ~ Sara McFerrin is offering two ebooks of What She Saw, a humor-filled cozy mystery from the popular Trunk Doctor series. Sara writes wonderful southern humour and cozy mystery novels. Be sure to try some of the excellent stories from her extensive backlist! She is a five-star, number one best selling author on Amazon and lives in the Florida panhandle with her husband and a sixteen year old Spaniel named Freckles. An avid fan of the Food Network, cooking is her favorite pastime.

Blurb: You never know what lurks among the treasures hidden in an old trunk that has been locked for thirty years. The Trunk Doctor, aka Jix Haynes, discovers a decades-old diary in a customer’s heirloom trunk. The ever curious Jix finds more excitement than she bargained for as time-worn secrets turn to real and present danger in her own life. As she sifts through the dreams, wishes, and fears of a teenage girl, mystery and danger pave a path leading to a face-to-face confrontation with a cold-blooded killer.

Connect with Sara here at her website.

Giveaway #3 ~ Peggy Lampman’s new novel, The Ruby of the Sea, will release on February 5th and she is offering two ebooks. Her passion is writing novels that break down familial and cultural barriers. For her, creating a cast to populate a story is one of the great, cathartic joys of writing.  She was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, but moved back as an adult to Ann Arbor, her college town. Peggy is also a sister Lake Union Author! Her free time is spent reading, binge-watching NetFlix, herding kids and indulging in her fascination with Big Green Egg cult cookery and other deliciousness on her popular website dinnerfeed.com

Blurb:  Lush with devastating secrets, lies, romance and psychological drama…”You tell me about a family without some sort of dysfunction, and I’ll tell you that family is lying.” 

After aimlessly traveling the country for fifteen years, Linnea Chandler returns to her hometown of Key West, Florida keeping the genesis of a life-altering phobia to herself–not a good idea, as she comes to find out. The 19th Century lighthouse that she, her parents and two sisters call home also has a troubled past, carrying the frightening myth that eerily mirrors the mystery of her younger sister today. Should Linnea run while she can? 

The women must decide to what extremes they are willing to go to protect their secrets. Ignore the brutality behind the retrieval of spoils from a fatal shipwreck in 1857? Defy a 2017 hurricane threatening to pummel their town? And when their world is upended, do the women have the strength to move forward?

Connect with Peggy here at her website. Also please visit dinnerfeed.com.

Doing these giveaways each month is a pleasure. I hope you enjoy meeting 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 to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com. This month enquiring minds want to know your favourite winter beverage to drink while reading. Are you a coffee, tea, hot chocolate fan or does a relaxing glass of wine hit the spot?

This month’s winter recipe is one I shared a couple of years ago with you. Fans of Drawing Lessons will recall this soup being served in the story.  🙂 This soup is a popular family recipe and is often served on a cold winter’s evening as an entrée (remember that is the first course in France). Enjoy Potage Parmentier or Leek and Potato Soup. Here’s Julia Child’s recipe and also some suggested variations.

Bon appétit!

December 5th ~ Book Party!

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SAVE THIS DATE AND JOIN US FOR SOME FUN! THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5TH ~ ALL DAY AND EVENING!

The holiday parties are happening and you don’t want to miss this one with me and my Blue Sky Book Chat author besties!

JOIN the party on our Facebook site with a different author every hour from 10 AM to 10 PM on Thursday, December 5th. Each hour will bring its own unique chat and giveaways.

Over 30 fantastic giveaways from our amazing Blue Sky Book Chat Authors, including a Grand Prize Giveaway you won’t want to miss!

You must have joined our Blue Sky Book Chat page to participate and it’s easy to do by clicking on this link #blueskybookchat. All you need to do is answer two simple membership questions. See you there!

THE GRAND PRIZE ~ A FREE BOOK A MONTH FOR A YEAR! All signed books by Blue Sky authors.

Watch the video. 🙂 Hope to see you there!

June Newsletter

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Coucou! That’s yoohoo in French … and I like it! If you did not receive my June newsletter, here’s a chance to read it. For anyone who would like to subscribe, just add your email address in the column on the right, where indicated. I’d love to have you join us. You’re welcome!

Newsletter #69                                                                   
Bonjour,

Happy summer solstice! There’s a shocking heat wave in some parts of Europe right now … a canicule, is the word for it in France. We hope wherever you are, you are managing to keep cool and hydrated.

The header photo this month is from Corsica, also known as the “beautiful island” and the “scented island”. We visited this captivating part of France a few years ago and I enjoyed sending my characters, Kat and Philippe, on a motorcycle trip there in my latest release. A Season of Surprises, Book Two in the Villa des Violettes series, became available on June 20th. It’s always a thrill to publish a new story and I want to thank all the readers who have already written some wonderful reviews. I’m working on Book Three and hope to have it ready for you in November.

Enjoy a few moments on the island of Corsica …

While I’m on the topic of enticing destinations, let me share this information about a dream trip put together by my good friend, author Jacquie Gauthier. Jacquie makes her home in South Africa now and her Soul Safari is the stuff dreams are made of. In her words: 

What is a Soul Safari?    It’s a 10-day journey of introspection and exploration. An opportunity to connect with nature in the African Bushveld, and to connect with yourself.   

Our home is Ngama Tented Safari Camp, located on a private game reserve just outside of Kruger National Park.  This charming, intimate camp is the perfect place for yoga, meditation, and Zen bush walks among the zebras and giraffes. 

(No yoga experience is necessary; I teach an African flavoured yoga that is suitable for all levels.)     

Ngama is also ideally located to allow us to go out and explore; Big 5 game drives, rugged mountains, the world’s largest living canyon and Kruger National Park.       

We also get to enjoy the colour, culture and cuisine of South Africa. The next Soul Safari is November 17 to 26th, but we are now also taking bookings for 2020.      

Put together your own group (minimum of 8 required to have exclusive use of the camp) or meet new friends on one of the open tours. 

For more information contact Jacquie at jaxisclever@hotmail.com or send her a message on the “Soul Safari with Jacquie Gauthier ” page on FB.

I’ve got more exciting news, so will just get right on with this month’s great giveaways. Two of my sister authors from our #BlueSkyBookChat group are offering great reads for you. 

Giveaway #1 – Alison Ragsdale is offering two ebooks of her brand new release, The Art of Remembering, which will be out July 16th.  A proud Scots lass, Alison was born in Edinburgh and the connection to her homeland has never left her. Her novels are set in the stunning Highlands and islands of Scotland. A former professional dancer, and marketing executive, Alison now lives near Washington DC with her husband and dog.

Here’s the blurb:  Professional ballerina, Ailsa MacIntyre, is at the peak of her career when her world is shattered by a shocking diagnosis. Life-saving surgery leaves her with a fractured memory, little recollection of her husband, Evan, and none of her career as a principal dancer.

While recuperating at home, Ailsa hears beautiful music coming from the apartment upstairs, and the sound of the grand piano at the hands of a talented new neighbor sparks her muscle memory. As her recovery progresses, the broken pieces of her past gradually re-emerge, a picture not quite as idyllic as Evan would have her remember. Ailsa must navigate the conflicting visions of her past, and potential future, as they collide. 

Giveaway #2 – Sandi Kahn Shelton, who also writes as Maddie Dawson, is offering two ebooks of her bestselling novel, Matchmaking for Beginners.  Her bio is long and hilarious. The short story is that she grew up in the South, born into a family of outrageous storytellers–the kind of storytellers who would sit on the dock by the lake in the evening and claim that everything they say is THE absolute truth, like, stack-of-Bibles true. The more outlandish the story, the more it likely it was to be true. Or so they said. Today she lives in Connecticut and turned out pretty normal: married, children, dishes in the sink, deadlines, laundry, sleep deprivation, toothpaste cap lost, cashmere sweater in the dryer by accident. The full catastrophe, as Jack Kornfeld put it.

Here’s the blurb: Marnie MacGraw wants an ordinary life—a husband, kids, and a minivan in the suburbs. Now that she’s marrying the man of her dreams, she’s sure this is the life she’ll get. Then Marnie meets Blix Holliday, her fiancé’s irascible matchmaking great-aunt who’s dying, and everything changes—just as Blix told her it would.When her marriage ends after two miserable weeks, Marnie is understandably shocked. She’s even more astonished to find that she’s inherited Blix’s Brooklyn brownstone along with all of Blix’s unfinished “projects”: the heartbroken, oddball friends and neighbors running from happiness. Marnie doesn’t believe she’s anything special, but Blix somehow knew she was the perfect person to follow in her matchmaker footsteps.And Blix was also right about some things Marnie must learn the hard way: love is hard to recognize, and the ones who push love away often are the ones who need it most. You can connect with her by clicking this link.

Giveaway #3 ~ is from me! I’m happy to offer two ebooks of A Season of Surprises.

Here’s the blurb: The Love in Provence characters are celebrating a glorious spring on the Côte d’Azur. There are sweet-smelling blossoms, buds bursting into bloom, explosions of golden mimosa, dazzling sunshine, a shimmering sea … and a worrying disappearance! A hidden past is uncovered and shocking truths are revealed. But life goes on. Kat and Philippe welcome their first B&B guests to the Villa and continue to be busy with other demands, all the while keeping hope alive as police search for their friend. A special request from Simone and an unexpected appearance turn a planned motorcycle trip in Corsica into so much more. Springtime at the Villa des Violettes is filled with secrets and surprises. Congratulations to last month’s winners:

Valerie Hildebrand, Faith Creech, Alyson Widen, Rina Horenian, Tcelia Klosowicz 

As always, send your entry for these giveaways to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com. Names will be chosen randomly using random.org. This month please tell us your favourite summer beverage for keeping cool!  Good luck with the draws! Bonne chance! 

It’s a pleasure to offer these giveaways from my writing friends. Thanks for the great response each month. I’m glad you appreciate the opportunities and are so keen to enter. In case you wonder, we read every single one of your entries and appreciate them! 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.

And now … TA DAAAAA … here’s SOME RED HOT NEWS…BLUE SKY BOOK CHAT IS NOW BRINGING YOU MORE FUN THAN EVER WITH AN EXCITING NEW LIVE, ONLINE BOOK CLUB!

We are thrilled to announce the Blue Sky Book Chat group will now be hosting an online Book Club, with Live Author Chats, Q & A, and open discussions each month.Our first FACEBOOK LIVE book discussion will take place on Sunday, August 4th, at 7:30 pm (EST).

Our first book selection will be “Emily, Gone” by our own Bette Lee Crosby. Already an award-winner, this novel is the tale of an unthinkable act that sets the lives of three mothers on a collision course. It is a novel that has been hailed as powerful and compelling and one that promises a stimulating discussion.

On the first of each month, we will announce our selection for the following month, so you will have plenty of time to buy or borrow the book and finish reading. The book discussion will be hosted by the author of that month’s book and in addition to providing those juicy little behind the scenes tidbits, the author will have an open Q & A discussion. We are currently working on a format which may enable us to invite some of the members in attendance to join us online to participate in the discussion.All in all, we believe these monthly book club meetings will be fun events where we can all share in the joy of reading and the fun of friendship.

All members of Blue Sky Book Chat on Facebook are welcome to join the fun–listen in, post your questions and discuss. Now there’s (should that be “here’s”?) a book club that you don’t have to leave home to attend, and you can come in your jammies!Here is where you can download a free sample or purchase your copy of “Emily, Gone” – https://amzn.to/2TM2fuA Doesn’t that sound like fun? Have you joined us yet? Click right here and get in on the fun! 

I hope your weekend is filled with fun, family and friends! The coming days are full of celebration on both sides of the border here. Happy Canada Day on July 1st and Happy Fourth of July in the USA!

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!