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SAIL AWAY SERIES

April First and chocolate fish in France ~ no joke!

April 1, 2023 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

April 1, 2023 

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

images

Happy April 1st! I hope you enjoy this repost of mine. Some things never change!

Imagine my surprise the first time I was in France on April 1st and found children sticking paper fish on my back, whispering and giggling and then hollering “poisson d’avril”!

Excusez-moi? Fish?

As Wikipedia explains: “In Italy, France and Belgium, children and adults traditionally tack paper fishes on each other’s back as a trick and shout “April fish!” in their local languages (pesce d’aprile!, poisson d’avril! and aprilvis! in Italian, French and Flemish, respectively). Such fish feature prominently on many late 19th- to early 20th-century French April Fools’ Day postcards.

April-Fools-vintage-Image-TheGraphicsFairy.com

April-Fools-vintage-Image-TheGraphicsFairy.com

I had no idea where the tradition began and, after a bit of searching, found this explanation on France Travel Guide.

“Although the origin of April Fools is obscure and debated, the most widely accepted explanation actually credits the “holiday” as starting in France. The most popular theory about the origin of April Fool’s Day involves the French calendar reform of the sixteenth century.

The theory goes like this: In 1564 King Charles IX of France reformed the calendar, moving the start of the year from the end of March to January 1. However, in a time without trains, a reliable post system or the internet, news often traveled slow and the uneducated, lower class people in rural France were the last to hear of and accept the new calendar. Those who failed to keep up with the change or who stubbornly clung to the old calendar system and continued to celebrate the New Year during the week that fell between March 25th and April 1st, had jokes played on them. Pranksters would surreptitiously stick paper fish to their backs. The victims of this prank were thus called Poisson d’avril, or April Fish—which, to this day, remains the French term for April Fools—and so the tradition was born.”

poisson d'avril

poisson d’avril

Boulangeries and patisseries deliciously get into the spirit with fish-shaped goodies. Oh … and did I mention the chocolatiers? Schools of fish of all sizes fill shop windows, the larger ones often filled with smaller treats. To a chocoholic, fish never tasted so good!

Since Easter usually falls around the same time, fish feature predominantly in shop windows through that holiday as well.

Maybe we should adopt a symbol for April Fool’s Day in North America, so there would be a good excuse to buy special chocolates on that day over here. Not that we ever really need an excuse for chocolate …

Wherever you are, have fun on April 1st and enjoy some chocolate.

My friend, author Margo Lestz, has this tidbit to share on her blog about April 1:

“The annual “April Fish” in Nice, France ~
The city of Nice has its own special April Fool’s joke. Normally there is a cannon shot every day at noon from a hill overlooking the town. (It’s really a firecracker, but it used to be a cannon so they still call it one. You can read more about it here.) This noonday boom alerts the people of Nice that it’s lunchtime and it goes off every day at exactly noon. That is, every day except on April 1st when the “cannon” goes off one hour early and everyone is thrown off schedule. If you are in Nice on April 1st listen carefully after the boom and you might be able to hear a shout from the hilltop – “April Fish!”

Take some time and visit her website, The Curious Rambler, for entertaining posts about traditions and history based on her extensive travels in France, Italy and England.

Are you a prankster on April 1st or do you just grit your teeth and hope the day will pass quickly? Is there one April Fool’s Day joke in particular that you will never forget?

Here’s something that’s no joke! All of the Sail Away series is now available in ebook and paperback. It was great fun to collaborate with seven author friends and write these stories to whisk you across several seas! No surprise, my story LOST AT SEA is set on a Mediterranean cruise. Readers of my books will have a smile when they suddenly see a brief appearance of some beloved characters! Of course there are a few ports of call in France ~ pourquoi pas??? ~ as the cruise goes from Barcelona to Sicily.

Each story has a different vibe as they are all standalone ~ quick, engaging and satisfying reads at around 200 pages each. Put your feet up and enjoy all the cruises!

Working clockwise from the top left ~ Jessie Newton, Tammy L. Grace, Ev Bishop, Violet Howe, Elizabeth Bromke, Patricia Sands, Judith Keim, Kay Bratt

See you next time! Happy reading!

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, France, General Travel, If it is France..., News, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: April Fools Day, cruise, Elizabeth Bromke, Ev Bishop, JessieNewton, Judith Keim, Kay Bratt, Patricia Sands, SAIL AWAY SERIES, Tammy L. Grace, Violet Howe

Welcome aboard this evening ~ 7 p.m. ET, March 27

March 27, 2023 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

I hope you have been following along with all the posts about our cool Sail Away series! Now that all nine books have been published, the authors are going to celebrate with a Zoom chat this evening on Kay Bratt’s Facebook author page. Join us from a comfy chair at home … a great way to travel! Party time!
There may be surprises!

Click this link to let us know you are going and please share.

See you there!

And here’s a great reminder, posted by Ev Bishop, about the entire series.

I’m so excited to share that ALL the books in Sail Away are out now! 🥰🥳In eBook AND print! These binge-worthy novellas are PERFECT for a weekend getaway – literally, like take them with you to read on a trip, OR (my favorite way to travel) from the comfort of your favorite reading chair!
FIRST BOOK IS STILL FREE!


Don’t wait another day. Sail away with me, Tammy Grace, Patricia Sands, Kay Bratt, Violet Howe, Sarah Elizabeth Bromke, Judy Keim, and Author Jessie Newton today!
Each of us will take you on a stand-alone sea adventure filled with friendship, healing, some romance, and all the heartfelt storytelling you crave.
Welcome Aboard, the prologue book, features a sneak peek into each of the Sail Away Series novellas. Grab them today and experience the waves, the wind, and the call of the birds in the Sail Away series!
★ Don’t miss a SAIL AWAY book!★
Book 1: Welcome Aboard – prologue book from all authors
https://books2read.com/WelcomeAboard
Book 2: The Sound of the Sea by Jessie Newton
https://books2read.com/SoundofSea
Book 3: Uncharted Waters by Tammy L. Grace
https://books2read.com/unchartedwaters
Book 4: A Not So Distant Shore by Ev Bishop
https://books2read.com/ANotSoDistantShoreByEvBishop
Book 5: Caroline, Adrift by Kay Bratt
https://books2read.com/u/bpw7jJ
Book 6: Moonlight on the Lido Deck by Violet Howe
https://books2read.com/MoonlightLido
Book 7: The Winning Tickets by Judith Keim
https://books2read.com/u/bWQX1Y
Book 8: Lost At Sea by Patricia Sands
https://books2read.com/u/3y1oAe
Book 9: The Last Port of Call by Elizabeth Bromke
https://books2read.com/u/3n5Zve
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here’s more good news to share!

Spring seems to be the season for giveaways, and I have another one for you!

This time, it’s a collection of FREE women’s fiction reads from over a dozen bestselling authors. Some of them you already know and love, and some may be new to you! Yes, you read that correctly, just go to this link and all the books listed are available to you FREE until March 28. Don’t miss this special opportunity!

I’ve included a copy of THE SECRETS WE HIDE, which recently won a book excellence award … YAY! If you haven’t read it yet, this is your opportunity to read it for free.

You are welcome! Enjoy adding free new reads to your TBR list! Happy Spring!

`

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, News, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Ashley Farley, Celebrate Spring with Free Books, Ev Bishop, free books, giveaway, Jan Moran, Jodi Allen Brice, Judith Keim, Julie Carobini, Kay Bratt, Kellie Coates Gilbert, Kerry Anne King, Nancy Naigle, Patricia Sands, SAIL AWAY SERIES, Steena Holmes, Susan Sands, Tammy Grace, Tess Thompson, Violet Howe, Zoom chat

A new book for you ~ Lost At Sea!

March 14, 2023 by Patricia Sands 1 Comment

Come sail away with me and my friends! As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with seven author friends to bring you the Sail Away series ~ eight standalone short novels with each story taking characters to an inviting location in the world plus the first free book which is a collection of all the prologues.

The characters, their situations, and the plots in each story are different and the stories are unrelated apart from the fact they each involve a cruise. How much fun is that? Especially in the midst of a rather harsh winter! Hop aboard and sail away!

Beginning February 1st, a new book has published each week and today it’s my turn to offer you Lost At Sea. Click on the link for your copy.

I had such a great time writing this story as my characters cruised the Mediterranean … no surprise on location, right?

Here’s the blurb:

For every family that is Italian going back several generations, this will sound familiar: It’s a known fact that Italian women are passionate about everything, especially family, and they know that food is the essence of life.

Stephanie (Stevie) Valentini’s story begins with her Bisnonna (great-grandmother) Paola in a village in Italy after WW2. In 2021, she is searching for something. She’s just not sure what that something is.

The chef in her family’s trattoria, Stephanie’s life has imploded. Suddenly single, suffering from Covid burnout, and about to turn thirty, she impulsively agrees to help best friend Kim with her pop-up jewellery shop on a Mediterranean cruise. Feeling lost, she’s not convinced she even needs to be found. What she discovers on this voyage is magic that might change her forever.

This gourmet food cruise is on a small ship with ten stops of three days in exciting ports from Barcelona to Venice. Time with Kim can only help heal Stephanie’s wounded heart as they have laughed and cried their way through life together as only besties can. They will be crew on this cruise and not paying passengers. Kim understands Stephanie does not want anyone to know she is the TikTok star of Stevie Valentini’s Pasta Party. Nor does she want any romance.

With each passing port, adventures continue, surprises occur and the final outcome once Venice is reached could not have been anticipated, particularly by Stephanie.

Join bestselling author Patricia Sands as she whisks you away in the latest adventure in the Sail Away series. Lose yourself on the sparkling Mediterranean in a story of family, friendship and food.

I hope you will order all eight books and enjoy a different staycation with each one.

★ Don’t miss a Sail Away book! ★ Click this link to see them all.
Book 1: Welcome Aboard – prologue book
Book 2: The Sound of the Sea by Jessie Newton
Book 3: Uncharted Waters by Tammy L. Grace
Book 4: A Not So Distant Shore by Ev Bishop
Book 5: Caroline, Adrift by Kay Bratt
Book 6: Moonlight On the Lido Deck by Violet Howe
Book 7: The Winning Tickets by Judith Keim
Book 8: Lost At Sea by Patricia Sands
Book 9: The Last Port of Call by Elizabeth Bromke

Part of my book release celebration is a live chat on my facebook page. Ev Bishop and I are the two Canadian authors in the group and we look forward to having you join us at 7 ET on Wednesday, 15th. Here’s the link for that https://www.facebook.com/patricia.sands.9

Woohoo … and the celebrating continues … There will also be a giveaway beginning on the 15th featuring a paperback copy of the book plus an apron from Italy, a tote, soap and sachet from the Côte d’Azur all worth $40.00. Good luck!!!

Here’s the link for that.

Now it’s time to get back to writing the next book! Stay safe and warm, dear friends, and may spring be on your doorstep soon!

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, France, General Travel, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Amazon, barnes and noble, draft2digital, Kobo, Lost At Sea, SAIL AWAY SERIES

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

February 2, 2023 by Patricia Sands 1 Comment

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.

images-2

There are crêpe stands or crêperies everywhere in France and today, as well as 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.

And now for something completely different!

Today I’m also celebrating with my sister authors in our Sail Away series as the first of our EIGHT stories is newly released. There will be a new book each week for the next two months! Join Jesse Newton at 9 p.m. ET today for all sorts of good fun. Here’s the link.

And a bit about The Sound of the Sea:

THE SOUND OF THE SEA
Single and over sixty…
Just because she’s on a singles cruise doesn’t mean Jennifer is looking for a man. Even so, she can’t help but notice the sparks flying between her and Mitchell, her old college roommate’s brother.
Join Jennifer, Blanche and Mitchell on the Sweet Sea Dreams for a story that weaves second chances, sisterhood, and female relationships together.
Read THE SOUND OF THE SEA from your favorite retailer by using the links below.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VKKMC3B/
Apple: https://books.apple.com/…/the-sound-of-the…/id1617554837
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-sound-of-the-sea-2
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/…/the…/1142941126…
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=05JnEAAAQBAJ

And even more to celebrate!

It wouldn’t be right to forget about our Groundhog Day today! What was your local groundhog’s prediction in your neighbourhood? Six weeks of …??? Today you can drop by the awesome Bookish Road Trip facebook page and enter the long list of excellent book giveaways in their third annual Groundhog Day celebration. Tell me in the comments there about your groundhog’s prediction and enter to win a signed paperback copy of THE SECRETS WE HIDE … along with many other opportunities!

Good luck! Bonne chance!

Whatever the prediction, make the most of it! Stay safe, everyone.

And happy February too!

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, Contests, France, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: book giveaways, Bookish Road Trip, crepes, fete de la chandeleur, groundhog day, pancakes, SAIL AWAY SERIES

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