Patricia Sands

Author

Paris

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

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

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Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring!

Joyeuses Pâques, Joyeux Pesach, Joyeux Printemps!

Whatever joyous occasion you celebrate at this special time of year, may it bring family and friends together for reflection, fellowship, food … and chocolate. Let’s count our blessings and focus on how we can help those who cannot.

In France, the traditions around Easter are quite different than most countries. Here’s an excellent article from The Good Life France (my favourite website, as you all must know by now). It is written by my friend, Margo Lestz, who will give you all the history. It begins like this … “On the Thursday night before Easter, all the church bells go silent and they won’t be heard from again until Easter Sunday.” Click here to read more.

With the tragic fire that occurred this week at the beloved Notre Dame in Paris, thoughts will also be centred on the impact that has had around the world. Whether for religious reasons or for the tremendous historical symbol it represents, the hope is that what was lost will be rebuilt. Response has been heartwarming and unifying, from the greatest to the smallest level. The heroes of that day are les pompiers, the men and women firefighters who worked tirelessly to contain the flames and those who helped save the priceless art.

This photo is from my last visit to Paris in 2015. I will be back there in September for a few days, on my way to co-lead ~ (with my BFF Deborah Bine) ~ my fifth women’s tour in the south of France … click on that link if you want to know all the great things about that adventure! I hope some day I have the opportunity to take a photo of the newly restored grande Dame.

Bon weekend everyone!

Books That Celebrate Paris

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

BOOKS THAT CELEBRATE PARISThanks to CC MacKenzie for designing this banner. A team effort!

Celebrate Paris. Read a New Book. Support the French Red Cross.

After the tragic terror attacks in Paris three weeks ago, author Ava Miles had a thoughtful idea as to how some of her friends might help and we were only too happy to have a way to express our support and sympathy.

For the month of December, proceeds from the sales of the books listed below will be donated to the Croix-Rouge française, the French Red Cross.

As all of my friends/readers (one and the same, thanks!) know, I’ve had a love affair with France since I was twenty-one years old. I’ve been fortunate to visit many different departements often through the years and, for the past fifteen years, my husband and I have spent extended time in France each summer or fall.

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Although the attacks occurred in Paris, the entire country suffered, as did the world.

ID-100378538-300x300Here’s how Ava explains her idea. “I love Paris. It’s like home. When the tragic events occurred on November 13, I wanted to help. An idea formed. I reached out to other authors with books set in Paris to establish a fundraiser called Books That Celebrate Paris to raise money for the victims of the attack and to support peace. We’re banding together to celebrate this beautiful city and support the French Red Cross, who has been on the front lines of helping the victims of the attacks.

Join us in celebrating this beautiful city and remembering the magic that can always be found there.”

Billionaire's Gamble

 

Ava Miles
Dare Valley Meets Paris Billionaire Mini-Series
The Billionaire’s Gamble, Volume One

Paris’ self-made billionaire inventor and infamous bad boy Evan Michaels has lost the biggest gamble of his life in a poker game. For one month, he must live and work like a “normal” person in the small town of Dare Valley and give up his playboy ways. When Evan meets Margie Lancaster, his landlord and new boss, he’s not so sure he can make it a month.

Buy it now at:

Amazon ~ BN ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ Google Play

How Sweet It Is

 

Kate Perry
How Sweet It Is

To validate herself in the art world, Viola Summerhill goes to Paris in search of the artist whose work she’s fallen in love with, but she realizes very quickly that it’s not just his paintings she loves…

 

Buy it now at:

Amazon ~ BN ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ Google Play

 

Her Rules

 

CC MacKenzie
Her Rules

One woman stood out, a fragile rose, among hot-house blooms at the show in Paris fashion week. Imaginative, innovative and shy – Daniela Pebbles is nothing like any woman wealthy designer Pascale Wolfe has ever known. The cynical Frenchman was determined to discover why Daniela wanted to keep him at arm’s length. But, given her past, could Pascale really convince Daniela that their night of passion could become a lifetime together?

Buy it now at:

Amazon ~ BN ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

 

Some Enchanted Dream

 

Lily Silver
Some Enchanted Dream

Fey Time Travelers arrive in Paris of 1889 when World’s Fair is progress. Discover plot by dark fairies trying to poison mankind by selling tainted absinthe to world visitors.

 

Buy it now at:

Amazon ~ BN ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

 

Billionaires in DisguiseRae

 

Blair Babylon
Billionaires in Disguise: Rae

One wild quickie with a sexy stranger will change Rae’s life forever. How did a country bumpkin like Rae end up in Paris?

 

Buy it now at:

Amazon ~ BN ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ Google Play

 

The Promise of Provence

 

Patricia Sands
The Promise of Provence

Fifty, suddenly divorced and alone, can be an opportunity to begin something better than you ever dreamed. A mid-life coming of age unfolds in the breathtaking countryside of Provence, enchanting boulevards of Paris and sun-kissed Côte d’Azur.

Buy it now at:

Amazon

 
 

Learning Curves

 

Olivia Rigal
Learning Curves 

Take six Americans in Paris, a French cooking school and a sexy chef. Bring together in an intensive workshop. Let the mix simmer for a long weekend. Savor cautiously, it’s hot and a little spicy.

 

Buy it now at:

Amazon

 

What the Heart Remembers

 

Bette Lee Crosby
What the Heart Remembers

Two Lovers. One Chance at Happiness. When Max Martinelli returns to Paris in search of her lost love, what she finds changes her life forever.

Buy it now at:

Amazon ~ BN ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ Google Play

DSC07054Our thoughts remain with the survivors and the families and friends of those touched by the tragedies in Paris. To the resilient citizens of Paris and all France, your strength and purpose in moving forward inspires the world.

I’ll close by quoting my friend Janine Marsh, editor of the fabulous The Good Life France, in her recent newsletter:

“I think the motto of Paris (which dates back to the 14th century) sums it up nicely: “Fluctuat nec mergitur” translates as “Il est battu par les flots, mais ne sombre pas”.  “It is beaten by the waves but does not sink”…

#porteouverte ~ Open door, open heart

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Last Friday, as the shocking events were unfolding in Paris, citizens there launched the hashtag #PorteOuverte (which translates to #OpenDoor) on Twitter to offer shelter and safety to those stranded in the city. Taxi drivers turned off their meters and offered free rides to all who needed them. Strangers opened their hearts to each other, comforted each other. They showed light and love in the face of unspeakable terror.

The events of 9/11 inspired the same responses.

c281433ba8a10ad538320619394e1493To my generally optimistic nature, this is how the majority of people around the world feel about helping each other. No one stops to question the race, religion or political affiliation of the person they are reaching out to help in that moment.  Unfortunately, it is often only through disasters of epic physical or emotional proportions, that we hear about such acts of kindness. Let’s continue to try to keep the conversation going.

How would you feel if everything you held dear to you was violently stripped away and you were forced to flee to with nothing … to where … ?

It’s an unfathomable thought to most of us but a reality to many others, as we know. I hope we can keep our doors and hearts open to this.

There is an evil darkness in our world that must be defeated. Every small role we play to making this happen will help.

2E7A307500000578-0-image-m-21_1447625422527The young French artist, Jean Jullien, who created this now iconic graphic was expressing the feelings of his heart. It will never lose the power of its message around the world now. His heartfelt words in an interview with Slate, ‘And just because this is what I do, I draw, I reacted graphically, just drawing something spontaneously with pen and paper and then sharing it as a raw reaction, the artist told Slate. ‘With so much violence and tragedy – we just want a bit of peace.’

My love for France is no secret but my hope for peace, love, understanding, acceptance … and let’s add laughter to that … is for the world. I have a sense it is your hope too.

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