Patricia Sands

Author

womens fiction

Goodreads Giveaway until August 29

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There are five paperbacks waiting to go to new homes. Click on this link https://bit.ly/3AAm7rY to enter. Good luck one and all.

I’m extremely proud of this novel, the awards it has won and reader reviews.

Here’s a brief synopsis, which I hope will entice you to read the story even if you don’t get lucky with the giveaway:

The deep traditions and values of Kaito Tanaka’s Japanese heritage are severely tested when he returns home to Honolulu from duty in Vietnam to find his wife, Hana, in the grip of progressive mental health challenges

As Hana’s condition worsens, Kaito’s life becomes absorbed in protecting and caring for her and their daughter, Kiana. Hana becomes increasingly reclusive while their daughter Kiana grows troubled and rebellious. A friend’s mysterious death followed by Kiana’s sudden disappearance cut deeply into Kaito’s soul. Meditation is Kaito’s drug of choice. Secrecy hides the truth from others but Kaito’s commitment to Hana is unwavering.

As years go by, Kaito begins to make an annual pilgrimage to a Buddhist retreat in Koyasan that renews his spirit. In the end, a serendipitous coincidence there opens the door to happiness – if he can allow himself to accept it.

“Set against lush backdrops in Hawaii, Japan, Corsica, and the south of France, this beautiful story of resilience perfectly balances the heartbreak and destruction of mental illness with the compassion and serenity of an unforgettable hero.” Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son and The Promise Between Us.

Six more days!

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January 31 is the final day in the Kindle sale of the three novels in my Love in Provence series. I hope you have taken advantage of this great deal!

I have no control over when Amazon chooses my books for discounts and am always delighted when I receive an email from their Marketing people informing me. Discounts on books has nothing to do with the literary value and everything to do with inviting new readers to enjoy the work.

As I often mention, if you already have this series in your library, it’s very simple to gift ebooks to friends and even have them delivered on special dates. You simply click on this link when you go to buy the ebook online.

One of the great rewards for me from writing these stories is opening my email to discover messages from readers sharing how they related to the stories … how they had experienced something similar to Kat at the beginning of The Promise of Provence. Hearing people explain how they were inspired to make changes or to take chances and explore new possibilities in life is absolutely priceless to me. I’m so grateful readers take the time to share their thoughts and experiences.

If you have not read the series, here is a bit of history.

The Promise of Provence was my second novel and I wrote it as a stand alone story. You, the readers, turned it into Book One of the series. You wanted more details about Kat’s journey and it was a pleasure to write the next two books … and then the Villa des Violettes series, which is not finished … I promise!

When I knew I was going to set the story of The Promise of Provence in Antibes, my husband and I rented an apartment there for five months.

Overlooking the old town, the harbour and all the way to the Baie des Anges and the Alpes Maritimes beyond, the view was as inspiring as it was breathtaking. We really lucked out finding the unit.

Although I had the bones of the story outlined, I had not settled on exactly who Katherine would meet there. Each morning I would take my panier, my camera, and a dictionary and wind my way through the oldest ruelles to the famous daily Provençal market.

Needless to say, my camera shutter steamed on a daily basis … and no wonder we have returned year after year to this special town.

As I stood in line at the most popular cheese stand one morning, shortly after we arrived in town, I watched the busy fromager discussing a wedge of cheese with a customer and was immediately attracted … not just because he was *ahem* gorgeous.

The passion on his face and his enthusiastic body language made it obvious how much he loved his work … and the character of Philippe was born. In my halting French a few days later, I explained to the fromager about the book I was writing. For several mornings at 7 a.m., before the market opened, he was gracious about spending some time with me answering my questions and giving me a quick education on his craft. Sadly he is no longer at the market, but lives on in my novels. (I’ve always loved that he brought Katherine cheese rather than flowers on special occasions.)

And let us not forget the character, Nick, also a popular favourite with readers. Walking past the harbour each morning, his story came alive.

Now back to the market … I would take my time filling my panier with flowers, olives, fruit, veggies and whatever the dinner menu called for.

Next I would pop into one of many fine boulangeries … say no more …

And my final stop would be at Le Vieil Antibes for a café crème at my favourite table where I could take notes on village life and read the morning edition of Nice Matin, with my trusty dictionary close at hand.

My head spinning with inspiration and ideas, I would rush home to spend hours writing. How I miss those days!

Thanks for spending a few moments with my memories and the story of how Book One ~ The Promise of Provence came to be, followed later … thanks to demand from readers … by Book Two – Promises to Keep and Book Three – I Promise You This.

Please feel free to let your friends know about the sale!

Happy reading! Bonne lecture!

I love sharing the trailer for the series … let it take you away.

Summer sales!

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Bonjour everyone! As summer quickly slips away, I hope you have been enjoying getting out and about again with family and friends, staying safe and reading some good books!

In between enjoying beautiful Georgian Bay weather, I’ve been hunkered down in my editing cave working on my next novel. I can’t wait to begin sharing more news about this story soon!

There’s so much good news to share here, I hope you find something that makes you want to add it to your library. In case you have not seen these graphics floating around social media, I wanted to share them with you before the end of August so you don’t miss these great bargains!

Waving across the pond (s) to the UK and to Australia! Amazon has kindly placed all three of the Love in Provence novels on sale for the month of August in your special part of the world.

.99GBP and $1.49AUD! If you already have your copies, now is a great opportunity to do some holiday/birthday shopping and pick up ebooks for family and friends. The instructions are easily followed on the book pages on Amazon. Simply pop on to your country’s Amazon page for my novels and make your choices! Then lose yourself in the south of France ~ no passport, no packing!

It’s such a pleasure to receive emails and comments from readers (along with reviews, of course). Here’s a recent message that made me smile!

“I discovered your series through Melissa Seeley Face Facebook event. Read first one in record time and ordered the next two as well as Christmas novella. Simone speaks to me. I can relate to her story. She’s settled within herself now but her past still stirs her memory. I’m 73 and she’s my new role model..along with Judi Dench! Old Crones don’t mess around.”

I loved writing the character, Simone Garnier. She first appears in Promises To Keep and was full of wonderful surprises for me too!

In the USA, Drawing Lessons is available for .99 until the end of the month. Just click here. Here’s one of my favourite reviews.

Betty Taylor of Reading is My Passion captures the essence of the story, without spoilers, in her 5* review.

“Author Patricia Sands gives us a beautifully written story of human frailties and human strengths, of facing a major change in your life and learning to move on, of healing.

When I began this book I was expecting it to be a romance novel, but romance is actually only a small part of the story. And when it does enter the story it is beautifully done with a slow progression of two mature characters getting to know each other. But the strength of this book lies in how GREAT characters from various backgrounds with their own mix of life challenges come together to further their love of art and how they compassionately share their collective life experiences and lessons in support each other. For the main protagonist Arianna it is truly a life-changing two weeks as she struggles to come to terms with her new life.

Ms. Sands’ love of the French countryside is revealed in her stunning descriptions. I was so enthralled I just had to view the images myself on the internet – images of the walls of Aigues-Mortes, the wild horses and the enormous salt deposits of the Camargue.

I was able to totally lose myself in this delightful story and highly recommend it.”

In addition, Lavender, Loss & Love ~ Book #3 in the Villa des Violettes series is $1.99 all around the world and waiting for you. Have you begun this series? It was written after so many readers asked to spend more time with Katherine and the beloved characters from the Love in Provence novels. It was such a pleasure for me to revisit them and discover their new adventures on the pages … and introduce some new friends as well. Here’s the link for all of those books.

When Amazon puts our book on sale, the hope is that we will be discovered by new readers. Feel free to share these sales with your friends!

And now for a great giveaway that you (and any reader you know would be interested) can enter until the 25th! Look at this bonanza of books waiting to belong to one lucky winner.

ONE WINNER. 52 BOOKS. OPEN INTERNATIONALLY. ~ Ready, set, GO!

Click on this link to enter.

It’s sunflower season in southern Ontario! Are they blooming in your part of the world too? I simply can’t resist these golden blooms and the memories they bring of discovering beautiful fields in Provence on our tours. Hopefully 2022 will have us back in the south of France making new memories to share with you. Perhaps you will be there with us!

I hope you enjoy this photo. I’ll share a story in another post about that gorgeous confit pot I had shipped over from France … an impulsive moment that brings me a smile every day. Do you ever do something totally on the spur of the moment?

Stay well, dear friends, and happy reading/ bonne lecture!

IT’S RELEASE DAY!

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It’s release day for THE BRIDGE CLUB TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION IN PRINT AND EBOOK! For every woman who believes in lifelong friendship! This is a great gift to yourself or for your BFF (hint – holiday shopping!) and if you are a bridge player, BONUS, as there is a new bridge hand at the end of eight chapters, contributed by Canada’s international bridge expert (and wonderful friend!), Audrey Grant.

A re-release with added content to celebrate the tenth anniversary of The Bridge Club! 
*2010 Foreword Reviews Book Of The Year (General Fiction)*
*2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (First Novel)*
*2012 Indie Excellence Book Awards (Womens Fiction)*
What starts as a monthly card game, turns into forty years that span a woman’s journey from youthful optimism to the challenges and opportunities presented as the years pass. The complexities of women’s friendships are played out through a maze of inevitable scenarios. Laughter and tears lead to a crisis that challenges principles and proves the power of friendship. The Bridge Club is a story for anyone who cares about friendship. Not simply the “Hi, how are you?” type, but the kind that weathers all storms, unselfishly celebrates triumphs, and hums along year after year with never an unkind word. It does exist.If you already share a friendship like this, you will relate to the women of The Bridge Club. If you don’t, perhaps the story will inspire you to find it.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER (Amazon.com)

CLICK HERE TO ORDER (Amazon.ca)

OR ASK YOUR FAVOURITE INDIE BOOKSTORE TO ORDER IT. #SUPPORTLOCAL