Provence

Not just one, but TWO promises …

March 8, 2013 by Patricia Sands

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!

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!

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 drop 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!

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

December 19, 2012 by Patricia Sands

The holidays are here! After all the planning, shopping, wrapping, baking, and celebrating, find a quiet spot to get comfy with a good book. If you are looking for some new books to read, have I got suggestions for you today! Crime, fantasy, intrigue, romance, drama … it’s all here!

I’ve been tagged by my friend, Steena Holmes, to take part in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. It’s a great way for authors to share information with readers about their upcoming projects and I’m going to share links today with some fine writers who have new books in the making. I’ve mixed it up with several genres so there is something for everyone!

I’m very excited because I finally am going to talk about my new novel. It’s the first time I’ve ‘gone public’ with it!

Hmmm – I guess what this means is that I have to keep my head down, finish the edits, and actually publish in February as I plan to do. The pressure is on!

First of all though, I want to say a few words about the amazing Steena Holmes. A prolific writer in several genres, Steena’s novel FINDING EMMA became an Amazon bestseller this year and brought her into the limelight where she belongs.

Not only is Steena a talented writer, she is also a champion of self-publishing and generously shares her advice and experience with the rest of the writing community. Her brilliance has been recognized and she now has an agent! Woohoo! We are all so proud of her and delighted with her success.

When you visit Steena’s website, you’ll discover that not only is she a busy wife, mother, daughter (she took her parents along on the family vacation to Disneyland this month!) writer, and fantastic friend but she has also established the Author Red Room, a comprehensive author support business, and is involved in charity work and much more. She’s a fellow Canadian too! Click here now. You will be very glad you did.

Alrighty – here are the questions I was asked to answer about my Next Big Thing!

Random Q&A about my current WIP

1: What is the working title of my latest book?

The Promise of Provence

2: What is the book about? 

It’s the story of a woman in her mid-fifties who suddenly finds her world turned upside down. A home exchange to the south of France, a yellow lab named Picasso, and the magic of Provence combine to turn her life around. What happens as a result is something she would never have imagined!

3: What genre does your book come under?

You’ll find it under Contemporary Fiction or Women’s Fiction.

4: What do you love about this story?

No surprise here – I love that half of the book is set in the south of France! I also love the themes of hope and change that run through the story.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

It’s never too late to start over. Did I really say that? It may be one of my shortest sentences ever when I talk about my work.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

I am proud to be an indie author!

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

My first draft was ready in September. I’m finishing my final edits now and to this point it has taken me a year and a half of writing. I hope to publish in February 2013.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Under The Tuscan Sun is a good comparison, showing how taking a chance and spending time in a completely new environment might change your life. Other than that, the characters, storyline and setting take you on a very different journey.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I love the south of France and my greatest pleasure in writing is telling women’s stories. I am constantly inspired by the strength of women and their ability to meet life head on, no matter what the circumstances. To combine those made writing this novel a joy! I feel lucky to have spent quite a bit of time in France and in the summer of 2011, my husband and I lived in Antibes for 5 months. I knew I just had to write about life there. To me, it’s magic.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Oh gosh, where to begin? Let me just say there are plenty of surprises, a charming French suitor who brings cheese instead of flowers, and lots of exploring down intriguing streets like the one here.

One of the best things about TNBT is that I have an opportunity to provide links to some other authors for you to check out.

Here are a few fabulous writers who will be telling you about their Next Big Thing next week on their blogs … or whenever they have time after the holidays. You are going to enjoy getting to know them … I promise!

Diane Capri ~ License To Thrill

Christine Nolfi ~ Contemporary Fiction

Matthew Merrick ~ Fantasy Author

Tameri Etherton ~ A Cup Of Tea and Sorcery

Sheri DeGrom ~ From The Literary and Legislative Trenches

Tameri and Sheri also tagged me in a Next Big Thing blog a while ago and I just wasn’t quite at the point where I was ready to talk about The Promise of Provence. Sorry it took me so long, my friends! Thanks for thinking of me!

And now it’s your turn, dear readers. What’s THE NEXT BIG THING in your world? Let’s hear all about it!

Pinch me!

November 24, 2012 by Patricia Sands

If it’s Friday, it must be France ...

Ooops – I’m late again – I know it’s Saturday, but we have company and I’m attempting to sneak this post in while still being a somewhat gracious hostess. Good thing we have understanding friends who realize writing and blogging are ~~consuming my life~~ somewhat distracting at times.

What I want to say today is this: if you have a dream, keep pursuing it.

You never know when unexpected opportunities will become a reality.

Taking a deep breath and publishing our writing, into which we put our hearts, minds, and ~~bare our very souls~~ a good chunk of our lives, sometimes opens doors we might never having imagined.

Here are the best parts of writing for me (without getting into the satisfaction, frustration, challenge and all-around buzz of crafting stories): connecting with readers ~ becoming part of amazing communities of writers and bloggers all over the planet ~ receiving invitations to share thoughts, knowledge and experience ~ hearing the same from others ~ discovering ways to give back through what we do ~ listening, learning, laughing ~ feeling inspired to keep writing.

Yin-Yang - Image from Wikipedia — Yin-Yang – Image from Wikipedia

To be sure there’s another side: the search for the right words and ideas ~ the questioning and self-doubt that sneaks in ~ the hours of researching, editing, rewriting ~ the demands on time and money and presence that may be needed elsewhere in our lives ~ the inevitable struggle that is part of any creative process. And for many, that’s just the short list.

The yin and yang.

And then, out of the blue, may come something totally unexpected.

For example being invited to lead, along with my good friend, non-fiction author and speaking partner, Susan Sommers, a tour of 16 women (sorry, guys … this an all-girls’ party) to the south of France for 12 days in October, 2013.

It’s part of the innovative Broad Horizons program of Uniglobe Instant Travel based in London, Ontario

Seriously.

It happened.

And you know how I love the south of France.

I’ve been guiding friends around that part of the world for years and love to do it.

Here’s the fabulous itinerary – South of France Itinerary 2013. We’ve worked hard to ensure it’s going to be a very good time – inspiring, energizing, providing memories for a lifetime.

There’s just the right combination of literary, art and laughter: enjoying café au lait or sipping pastis in the shadow of authors we have read, walking in the footsteps of great artists, touring, shopping, wining (including wine tasting at an ancient vineyard) and dining (including a cooking class in Provence), and relaxing. Call your bestie and come if you can. It’s going to be superbe, magnifique, and fantastique … and if you can’t go with us, rest assured I’ll be writing about it to share here with all of you.

We’ll be here …

And here …

Nice, FR - PSandsPhotos — Nice,FR – PSandsPhotos

And here …

And in the countryside of Provence strolling streets like these …

Visiting places like this …

And taking endless photos of these

Tempting? There’s more info on my website too. Click here if you would like to see it.

Keep dreaming. Keep believing. Keep writing. You just never know …

What are the lows and highs of the yin and yang in your creative process? How do you find the balance for which we all search? Share your dreams. What doors have opened for you?You know we care.

Villefranche-Sur-Mer - PSandsPhotos — Villefranche-Sur-Mer – PSandsPhotos

In search of the perfect chèvre …

November 3, 2012 by Patricia Sands

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

When we lived in Antibes for five months in 2011 … *pause briefly here while I ~~weep and wail~~ quietly lament we are not there now* … ~~pardon my sniffling~~ … okay, I’ve pulled myself together …

To continue … our favourite fromagier, Jacques, at the daily Provençal market in Antibes suggested a few places to visit to see how chèvre or goat cheese was produced in the traditional way.

With dear friends visiting us, we left behind the sparkling Mediterranean, passed through grape-laden vineyards preparing for the September Vendange (harvest), and headed into the countryside of Provence. It wasn’t long before we were twisting and turning our way through the narrow mountain range of the Luberon.

Our destination was a remote ferme-auberge (farm-inn), Le Castelas, located next to the tiny village of Sivergues (population approximately 40, we were told). Perched at 1935 feet, Sivergues is said to be the highest village in the Luberon and is a popular hiking destination. History records that in the 16th century a group of persecuted Protestants called the Waldensians hid in this area, fleeing from massacres that killed about 3,000 people in the Luberon. Imagine the stories those cobblestone lanes might tell.

The writer in me wanted to stop, explore, make notes, take photos. My traveling companions were starving … hunger won out. The remoteness of the area became more apparent. Were we really on the right road? Was that bottom sign misspelled? Should we follow it instead of the directions we had?

The next sign, which we passed before I could snap a photo, said “fin de la route” (end of the road). We bumped along as the dirt road grew increasingly narrower, as did our confidence in the directions. Stomachs were grumbling.

And suddenly we were there. Sweeping views to the west and rugged rock formations to the east filled a spectacular panorama of this part of the Grand Luberon.

Goats in rich shades of amber, beige and chocolate brown grazed in a large meadow to one side of us, some looking up with bright-eyed curiosity as we wandered into their space.

To the other side, the most gigantic pigs I have ever seen snuffled in the dirt, undoubtedly searching for tasty tubors and roots. (“Lunch,” muttered a ravenous voice in the back seat.)

The structures of Le Castelas include a large, rambling stone farmhouse/barn and several outbuildings, some dating to the 16thC. We ambled down the lane, immediately intrigued.

Combine the setting, the history, the rustic charm of Le Castelas and the delicious meal served and you have a most unique dining experience. On fine days, guests are served on long wooden trestle tables set in the fields in the midst of the goats and the breathtaking scenery.The weather was cool and windy when we arrived so we ate indoors, with cheery service provided by the owners, in a cavern-like room built of stone centuries ago.

Forget the Michelin star meals! This was the most basic and yet simply scrumptiously delicious food, organically produced on this farm, served on wooden board platters cut from the surrounding forest. The meal: fresh greens tossed with vinaigrette with warm chèvre on toasted baguette, thinly-sliced cured ham, and a selection of at least ten types of chèvre (young and old) accompanied by a small bowl of divine lavender honey. The ham, goat cheese, freshly baked bread and honey were all from this farm. Dessert was a tasty tarte aux pommes straight from the oven.

Sigh … just another day in the south of France! MAGNIFIQUE!

What memorable day trips have you taken that ended with a meal like no other? Let’s hear about it!

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

Pinch me!

In search of the perfect chèvre …

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