Patricia Sands’ book The Promise of Provence has found resonance with many of its readers around the world. The tale of how a woman recovers from a broken marriage and starts again… in Provence.
Full of delicious descriptions of gorgeous countryside, lavender fields, vineyards and picturesque hilltop villages, the story follows Katherine Price’s re-emergence into world as a single woman.
Patricia says she “lives in Toronto, Canada, when she isn’t somewhere else. An admitted travel fanatic, she can pack a bag in a flash and be ready to go anywhere … particularly if it’s the south of France … with her camera, computer and a stash of chocolate.
French Bookworm wanted to know more about Patricia Sands, a lady who is clearly in love with France…
When did you start writing?
I started writing seven years ago, at the age of 61, when my husband’s back issues prevented us from being as involved in sports. Although I still went out to golf and play tennis with friends, I stayed home a lot more too and had time on my hands. I began writing The Bridge Club strictly for the amusement of my real-life Bridge Club, women with whom I have shared an amazing friendship for over 50 years. As other people read excerpts they encouraged me to publish, saying their book clubs would love the story and assuring me I was telling stories to which all women would relate. That’s when fact became fiction (although 80% of that novel is true and has the complete approval of my Bridge Club) and I then pursued editing and publishing options.
The hardest part of writing a novel is…
Finding the time to focus on writing. Now that I have two published novels, the demands of social media are enormous. I’m striving for balance as I work on my next novel, which I hope to publish by this summer and then I will begin a five-book series about a small b&b on Cap d’Antibes.
I work best when…
I have the luxury of uninterrupted time. I don’t need quiet or specific surroundings, just time! With a grown family of seven children + partners and six grandchildren, life is very wonderful but busy when we are in Toronto. Now I am in Florida for 6 weeks, I plan to write for the better part of each day.
If I wasn’t a writer I would…
I’m a terrible person to ask this question! I love being a writer and feel all my life experience has brought me to this place now. Photography is also a passion of mine and being a travel writer/photographer who also plans trips for clients would be something I would love to do in another life. As a former teacher, I also have a desire to work with children in the orphanages of Haiti but my family has vetoed this.
If you could have dinner with a French celebrity/historic character – living or dead, who would it be?
Charles Aznavour
If you were to cook for that person – what would you prepare?
Sorry, we will be dining out!
Desert Island book – if you could only take three books to a deserted island what would they be?
The Catcher In The Rye, Gone With The Wind, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared
My guiltiest pleasure is…
Chocolate, no question.
Red or white wine?
Rosé … from Bandol! Possibly Chateau Pibarnon
If I could go back in time I would…
Love to be in the south of France in the late 1800’s
Favourite place in Provence?
On the coast, Antibes. In the countryside, St. Remy.
Read our review of The Promise of Provence, and Patricia Sands’ guest feature “Falling in Love with France“…
