Patricia Sands

Author

Patricia Sands

My February loveletter to you

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NL #108 February 14, 2024

Bonjour! This is my Newsletter #108 for those of you who are not subscribed. Here’s the link if you are interested.

That header photo is my dream at the moment. Call me crazy but I like having a cold, snowy winter. We’re halfway through February, in the blink of an eye, and in southern Ontario we are still waiting for winter to arrive! It’s like spring here at the moment with no snow in sight. Many of my friends are happy about this but … you know I love to see snow in the winter. I have only skied twice so far and that is just plain disappointing. (I have to add here, that the day after my NL was sent out we had a fabulous snowstorm! I’m happy to tell you that winter finally arrived and skiing yesterday was perfection. No more whining from me!)

What’s happening in your corner of the world?

For one thing, no matter where we are, there is a never-ending flow of great new books to read in every genre and get us through the winter! No reader is left behind. My TBR is tipping precariously and if you follow me on Instagram, you will see a lot of great books I’ve been posting about recently.

Right now, I want to share some love with all of you since February is the month where we see hearts and words of love floating around. So why not here?

You all are the reason I keep writing and I hope you feel the love from me more than once a year. Thanks so much for the fabulous response to the release of Deck the Halls at The Villa des Violettes in December. I’m happy to let you know the print copy of the books is now available. Just click here for your copy on Amazon and on Barnes & Noble.

Now here are some other links I hope you will love too.

First of all, I’m loving that the countdown has begun for our 2024 South of France Memories Tour, September 2nd to 14th. The photo below is from our 2022 Tour. I love it because it truly shows the joy that everyone feels, not just in stunning Eze, but everywhere we go. Trust me!

You will probably notice me mentioning the Tour frequently these days, since we like to have all the spots filled by spring. I love posting reels on Instagram and I wish I knew how to share them here. You can also see Tour photos on my website.

We always sell out and would love to have you and perhaps some of your friends or family come along … or your book club, fitness group, whatever. You will find all of the details here. Nancy McGee, owner of Absolutely Southern France Travel, has been busy securing our two luxury hotels (just two, as we only move once, from Nice to Arles) and fabulous restaurants. She takes care of all the logistics and makes certain everything is in place for us to have amazing experiences every single day.

If you have any questions, contact Nancy McGee through the website or DM me on Facebook or email me at patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com. We would be so happy to have you join us!

Now I’m excited to announce that Deborah Bine, one of my BFFs who I love to travel with, also known as Barefoot Blogger, has an exciting new website loaded with great information about her life in France.

As she says: “Ten years ago, I started writing the blog as a “letter home” to keep my friends and family updated on my life as an American expatriate in France. It was intended to document my new reality through stories and pictures, capturing the events and emotions I encountered.

To my delight, people began to follow my adventures. Over time, The Barefoot Blogger found a special place in the hearts and minds of those who dream of living abroad, particularly in France.

As a solo female, who still has challenges speaking the language, my ups and downs continue to encourage others to reach beyond their boundaries. To be curious. To say “yes, I can” for as long as I can. Along with you, I continue to explore, to laugh, and to learn about my new home, Uzès, and France — the land of castles, chateaus, and champagne.”

Click here to follow Deb’s adventures with her adorable dog, Fanny. You will love the stories she has to tell and if you are traveling in France you will find priceless information about many areas that may call to you. If the information isn’t there, just ask her.

Next, I want to give you the link to the website of my friend, author Jan Crossen, who writes heartfelt and educational stories for children about the animals on her farm as well as other wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. A former educator, Jan has a heart of gold and I highly recommend her books for families everywhere.

Her Farm Adventures Series is a collection of eight books written for readers ages 6-9.

Children under age 5 enjoy shorter versions of these same stories. These read aloud picture books have interactive questions, and a couple even have fun songs to sing! These titles are in the Farm Stories for Wigglers’ Series.

Jan is in the process of developing companion products which are perfect for classrooms and homeschooling families. These additional materials provide engaging activities for multiple age groups and can be used for science, language, and social studies.

Find out more and sign up for her Animal Krackers at Jancrossenauthor.com. They receive tips of caring for their pets, interesting information about domestic and wild animals, and fun activities to do with their kids.

Giveaway #1
Jan is offering one print copy of whatever book you choose. For more details of her many books, please click on this link to help you choose.

Giveaway #2
One of my very favourite authors, Maddie Dawson, is offering two ebooks of her upcoming release LET’S PRETEND THIS WILL WORK. It’s publishing June 1,2024. I love all of her novels, each one filled with love, humour, surprises and lessons about life in all the best ways. I’ve just finished reading an ARC of this and LOVED it! You will too!

Here’s the blurb: The search for happiness turns a woman’s life upside down in a warm, quirky, and bighearted novel about the joys and chaos of finding love by the bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners.

Contact Maddie here. Follow her on Instagram.

Giveaway #3
Paulette Kennedy (a Blue Sky Book Chat writing sistah!) has a new release coming to you March 5, 2024 ~ THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT. I just finished an ARC of this as well … set in the 1950’s and completely the opposite of Maddie’s book BUT equally a great read. Paulette’s story introduced a genre new to me … gothic fiction, historical thriller, psychic suspense … what a ride! As she says, she writes “dark books with happy endings”. I was mesmerized by Paulette’s fine writing and obvious research. I highly recommend it. She is offering two ebooks.

Here’s the blurb: The bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain and Parting the Veil mines the subtle horrors of 1950s America in a gripping novel about a woman under pressure—from the living and the dead.

The first day of autumn brought the fever, and with the fever came the voices.

Contact Paulette here. Follow her on Instagram too ~ she’s publishing great reels of recipes from the 1950’s to get us in the mood for her story. So clever!

You all know how my giveaways work. Simply send an email to patrciasandsauthor@gmail.com and let me know which book you would like to win and why. Bonne chance! Good luck!

It’s a pleasure to offer these giveaways from my writing friends. Thanks for the great response each month. I’m glad you appreciate them and are so keen to enter. 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.

I hope you spend all of February celebrating love and all good things … and then just keep doing that through the rest of the year. The recipe I’m sharing is from a cocktail that I LOVE in France.

And there’s a surprise giveaway involved. If you notice it, email me your answer! I’m reposting this from my newsletter two years ago.

My recipe for you today is an apèro I fell in love with all over again at the fabulous Bistrot du Paradou on the last night of our June 2022 tour. We had the most wonderful ending there with the tremendous combination of joie de vivre of our wonderful group of women and always delicious food! The staff, the service and the ambiance here are beyond compare. The menu is Michelin rated!

Enjoy this Lillet Spritz ~ mine was made with Lillet Rosé but I understand Lillet Blanc is much the same. My garnish was mint and lemon but a strawberry sounds good too! (Book Club question ~ who remembers in which book Philippe first introduced Kat to Lillet? There might be a prize for the person who gets the answer right! In fact, there WILL be a prize. Send your answer in an email to patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com.

Oh the joy of happy memories. As we work on bringing balance to our lives, let’s do our part to help those less fortunate and in parts of the world under siege … whether it is somewhere in our own country or elsewhere around the world. Let’s spread love not hate.

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.

Á bientôt!

If you have read the The Bridge Club or any of the Love in Provence books or any of my novels and can find a minute to leave a short review on Amazon and Goodreads, I thank you in advance.

AmazonUS | AmazonCA | AmazonFR | B&N | iTunes

Sweet or savory … or both? And a happy Groundhog Day giveaway!

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February 2, 2024 by Patricia Sands (Edit)

Now that we’ve finished celebrating January in France by eating les galettes des rois, the kings’ cake, it’s time to sweep away those crumbs and haul out the crêpes pan!

French-Candlemas-La-Chandeleur-Crêpe-Day

February 2nd, is La Chandeleur, Fête des Lumières,  Jour des Crêpes. You might know it as Candlemas.

Churches will celebrate the tradition of the lighting of candles.

Then it will be all about … what else, this IS France … food!

Crêpes and cidre. Unlike our apple cider, this drink has a touch of alcohol.

The day is often accompanied by fortune telling and in many kitchens, crêpes are flipped in the air with the pan in one hand and a coin in the other. If the crêpe lands back in the pan, the year will be a prosperous one. Children hold their breath in anticipation!

Similar to our North American Groundhog Day, there’s a prediction about winter at this time of year. “Rosée à la Chandeleur, hiver à sa dernière heure.” If  there is dew at dawn, winter will soon be over.

As the French do so well, the day is a fun-filled, family time. If you’re tempted to celebrate your own Jour des Crêpes, they are delicious and light  and easy to make. Click right here for a recipe.

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There are crêpe stands or crêperies everywhere in France and lineups will be long today. As well, family kitchens everywhere will be filled with mouth-watering aromas. Today and through the weekend, there will be few people not enjoying this simple and delicious food with a filling of choice ~ sweet or savoury.  Crêpes have a history that goes back to Biblical times and, in France, Britanny is said to have established the true crêpe recipe.

Get in line right here! Bon appétit!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gypy4R2hj00%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Have you ever made crêpes? Which do you prefer, the French crêpe or it’s slightly heavier English cousin, the pancake? Are you a fan of sweet or savoury?

Here’s what  The Good Life France has to say about French traditions on February 2nd.

Thank you, thank you! Mille mercis, to readers everywhere! I’m still basking in the great reception Deck The Halls at the Villa des Violettes is receiving! I’m so glad you are enjoying being back in the company of Kat, Philippe and their family and friends. I love writing these stories so you never know … there may be another one in the future.

If you don’t have your copy yet, here’s the link: https://amzn.to/49UA5Su

Enjoy! Bonne lecture!

Let’s get through this dreary winter (here in southern Ontario, for sure!) and feel all sorts of love in February! The official word here is that the Groundhog did not see his shadow today and spring is right around the corner. I would love to get a few more days of skiing in but spring skiing would be just fine.

To celebrate Groundhog Day, I’m giving away a copy of Lost At Sea to one winner. Take a vacation in the Mediterranean! Find out more on my FB page.

Wishing you a bon weekend wherever you are!

See you soon!

January 6th ~ la fête des rois in France

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January 6, 2024 by Patricia Sands (Edit)

Eat cake like a king!

If you are in France (or Louisiana, hello N’awlins!), it’s again time to celebrate  … oui …  bien sûr … more food! Don’t you love it? This time it’s all about a rich, almond cream (frangipane) enveloped by layers of light, flaky pastry (feuilleté).

Another joyful opportunity to bring friends and family around the table to share La Galette des Rois/The Kings’ Cake, takes place on the first Sunday of January or January 6th and recognizes Epiphany, the arrival of the three wise men (Magis). The history of this special pastry can be  traced to Roman times.

If you read my Love in Provence series, Kat first finds out about the tradition in Book #2, Promises to Keep. 

During the French Revolution, the name was replaced with ‘Gâteau de l’Égalité’ (equality cake), as the word ‘king’ was a little out of fashion!

It’s so popular, many patisseries make the scrumptious cake through the entire month of January.

The cake is cut in the specific number of slices for the people present, with one extra symbolic slice for the first poor person passing by. The youngest child  (or the most innocent adult, if no children are present, which can result in great hilarity) goes under the table and calls out who will receive each slice to ensure fair distribution. The greatest excitement comes when one person discovers la fève (a lucky charm) hidden in a single slice. Just don’t accidentally bite down on it … they’re usually a small porcelain or plastic trinket!

Bon appétit!

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Click here to read an excellent account of the history and traditions of this special fête by my friend, Margo Lestz.

To keep those festive feelings flowing, The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes, is on sale for $2.99 for the rest of January. If you haven’t begun reading this series, this is Book 1 and the place to start. Book 4 was just published last month and a #1 New Release. Readers love spending time with Kat, Philippe and the gang. And I love writing the stories!

Mark your calendars for Monday when Blue Sky Book Chat holds a Winter Carnival from the 8th to the 11th. Games, giveaways and a grand prize. Join the fun right here!

See you there! Bon weekend everyone!

Warm wishes to everyone through the holidays

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There’s no question 2023 has been a ‘challenging’ year in many ways … to say the least.

In these troubled times, it would be nice to know that we are all finding time for some joy. Even though our hearts are touched by tragedies unfolding in the world, it is important to focus on the goodness that also exists and to share that with others.

The hopes and wishes people share during this festive time are the same….for peace, love and understanding … hope for the future … respect, kindness.
I hope you find some light and joy to share with family, friends and strangers. If you are not in need yourself, consider donations to charities for those who are desperately less fortunate.

No matter what is going on in the world, book deadlines have to be met. So on December 15th, Deck the Halls at the Villa des Violettes, Book #4, was published.

Thank you to all the readers who helped this new story quickly become a #1 New Best Seller in its genre!

I love writing the Villa des Violettes series primarily because it was not my idea. The idea grew from the many requests of readers of my Provence trilogy (The Promise of Provence, Promises to Keep, I Promise You This) who had fallen in love with Kat, Philippe, and the rest of the wonderful characters. Simone, in her 90’s, is an enormous favourite! And then there are the dogs, cats and donkeys!

So it is great fun every once in a while for me to get involved with these characters that I also love and see what is going on in their lives. Sometimes it’s a surprise to me too! That is part of the fun of writing fiction: characters take on lives of their own and help direct the story.

Typical of me, there is always a visit to another part of France included in each book. I love sharing my passion for this amazing part of the world with you and only write about places where I have spent time. This time it was a trip to the intriguing Pays Basque. It’s a thrill to me when I hear from readers who tell me they are going to visit a region or city because they read about it in one of my books.

Often the story will include some crisis, but Deck the Halls is more about finding joy in these troubled times. We all have enough challenges! I hope you enjoy being back with the beloved characters and if you have not read any of these books, I hope you will be enticed to do so.

Warmest wishes for the holidays and may the world find peace and renewal in 2024.