Patricia Sands

Author

The Promise of Provence

January 6th ~ la fête des rois in France

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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.

And while you are feeling like you are in France, pick up a copy of the fabulous Book One of the Love in Provence series. Amazon has the ebook on sale for ALL OF JANUARY! Magnifique! Click here for your copy or the copies you want to gift to your besties!

Here’s more news on our newly released series about the most adorable pups! There’s a giveaway for January just waiting for you to enter! Win all eight books ~ signed print copies plus a few surprises!

Wanna win the whole series, all printed and pawtographed? Woof, of course, you do!
Here’s how you can fetch this awesome prize:

  1. Give this post a LIKE! Give it a virtual belly rub!
  2. Pawsitively drop a comment with a picture or meme of your doggo self!
  3. Tag three of your coolest canine-loving pals. Let’s make this party grow!
    Oh, and if you really want to increase your chances, share this post with your fur-tastic pack! More shares, more treats!
    When the clock strikes January 31, we’ll pick one lucky doggo, who will be proudly announced in the original post. So, cross your paws and wag those tails – it’s time for some serious fun! Good luck, fur-iends! 🐾📚❤️
  4. Click here to enter!
    Ready to binge on the whole series?
    See all books here on Kindle and in print:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLTKBJ78

I couldn’t resist leaving you with this sweetie! Happy reading everyone! I hope you are safe from the snowstorms ~ cuddle up with a good book and a warm drink! Stay cozy.

Happy July ~ so much to celebrate!

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July is one of my happiest months! Wait a minute … I think I can say that about every month. There’s always something to celebrate every day of every month, isn’t there? I like to think about the abundance of everyday magic all around us … even if it means just enjoying a yummy Caramel Crunch Vanilla ice cream bar … we have to keep reminding ourselves of the small things, yes? Especially when so many of the big things in life are going sideways.

So here’s to July … I hope you have had wonderful times celebrating Canada Day and the 4th of July wherever you live. I’ve seen some amazing fireworks and drone shows online! Have you? I hope so!

And before we know it, July 14th will be happening ~ France’s most important national celebration! So in case I don’t get around to posting then, I will do it now.

I’m almost ready to write THE END on my next manuscript … shhhh, I would love to tell you about it but it’s a fun secret (for now) series with seven of my favourite authors. When we are ready to share the news, you will be among the first to know. I’ll be celebrating those two little words now for sure.

Okay … so more to celebrate! Have you entered this great summer book giveaway? There are three days left, so hop to it if you haven’t … good luck!

Make this summer unforgettable with the Sunshine & Stories giveaway! 🌞📚 Enter for a chance to win 13 print books from 13 bestselling authors and immerse yourself in a world of stories. Get ready for endless hours of reading pleasure! https://tinyurl.com/4yd5cf3c #SummerGiveaway #Books #SunshineAndStories

I’m still not finished celebrating July! I love it when Amazon puts one of my books on sale and for this month The Promise of Provence is a Kindle deal ~ just $1.99. If you have not started this series that leads to six more wonderful books, now is the time. Readers tell me that once they get started they simply cannot stop! I love writing the stories for you so I hope you will plan to lose yourself in the south of France this summer in these books. (Thanks so much for leaving reviews! )

One more celebration to come ~ my birthday later in the month. How about you? If you are celebrating a birthday in July … or any other month … here are my best wishes.

Stay safe, be kind and enjoy good stories all through the summer. See you soon!

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.

Good news at the Villa des Violettes!

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Book #4 is coming in just five days! Preorder now to save $2.00.

I’m excited to let you know that things have been happening with Kat and Philippe and the gang! I’ve worked this year on a new story for you and hope you will enjoy it as much as I loved writing it.

When readers first began asking me to write more about the characters from my Love in Provence trilogy, who knew this series would keep growing? It is so much fun for me to continue to write about the characters and find out for myself how their lives are unfolding. At times it’s a surprise to me too … part of the fun of writing fiction!

So I thank all of you!

You can place a preorder here and the ebook will arrive in your mailbox on December 15th. Print copies will be available shortly thereafter.

I look forward to your reviews and to hearing your comments about life at the Villa des Violettes!

Oh! And The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes is on sale this month! If you haven’t begun the series, now’s a good time!

Bonne lecture! Happy reading!