REVIEW:

Patricia Sands has once again captured my heart and taken me into a brand new world of new friends and experiences with her brand new book The French Effect. I will never have an experience like this in my lifetime on earth. With this book we entered the world of Paris and met some wonderful people. I can’t wait for you to meet them!

We first meet Nora Bennet who is from Ontario. Her daughter, Chloe was married and moved to Paris three years ago. Nora is a widow and has not celebrated the holidays in a few years. Chloe calls when Nora is experiencing restlessness and writer’s block. She invites her mom to Paris to pet sit for her neighbor’s dog. The dog is Atticus and is a doberman. That scares Nora a bit. Nora is not one to act impulsively but, she decides to take the opportunity to be with her daughter and we’re off on a whirlwind of experiences!

When Nora gets to Paris we meet Olivier who is Chloe’s husband and his father Pierre. We also get the story of 93 year old Marie-Louise who lived through the Occupation as a child. Nora has agreed to ghostwrite her memoir. If you have ever read anything during this time period you know it is a very moving time in history. There are many more interesting people in this book.

I learned some of the customs in France and the people there are much different than they are here. It sounds like it is a much safer environment and a healthier lifestyle. My imagination was running wild! I’m not sure I would really enjoy the tourist areas but, the neighborhoods and the way of life was something to really think about. They love their dogs in France and they are welcome in eateries and are brought water to drink while they are waiting for their people to eat. How fun is that?

This book does take place just before, during, and after the holiday season. To be able to experience that in this book was priceless. If you are looking for a unique holiday book to warm your heart, I highly recommend The French Effect by Patricia Sands for your bedside table. I will be living in the world of this book for a few days and it may stay with me much longer. It is that good! Until next time…Happy Reading!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

SYNOPSIS:

From the bestselling author of the LOVE IN PROVENCE series, comes a hopeful and heartwarming journey that reminds us it’s never too late for a second chance.

France has a way of changing your mind … and your heart …

Novelist Nora Bennett is living her fifties with more doubts than dreams. Once content with her quiet life, she’s recently found herself battling writer’s block, a growing restlessness—and resistance to a holiday season she’s long stopped celebrating. So, when her daughter Chloe, an artist living in Paris, asks her to dog-sit an intimidating Doberman named Atticus, Nora surprises
them both by saying yes.

Delicious meals, long walks through the storied streets of Montmartre, and a chance to rediscover a spark of joy in the glittering holiday lights of Paris: Six weeks in the City of Light might be just the escape Nora needs.

Except Paris has other plans. Nora agrees to ghostwrite a memoir for 93-year-old Marie-Louise, who reveals haunting memories of surviving the Occupation as a child of the Resistance. A charming younger tango partner with secrets of his own introduces Nora to the French art of pleasure. All the while, the city’s irresistible festive spirit envelops her gently.

Chloe invites Nora to spend Christmas at her husband Olivier’s centuries-old ancestral farm in Provence. There, Nora is embraced by the warmth of family and treasured traditions. She’s also unexpectedly drawn to Pierre, her son-in-law’s moody and magnetic father. Their connection is undeniable, even as he seems intent on keeping his distance.

But when Atticus suddenly goes missing, Pierre joins Nora in searching for him. Soon a winding road trip returning to Paris softens their defenses … and reveals complicated truths behind their guarded hearts.

Yet as Nora’s time in France begins to wind down, she must decide: Return to the comfort of the life she knew – or leap into a bold new chapter she never imagined beyond the pages of her novels.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Patricia Sands lives 2 hours north of Toronto, but her heart’s other home is the South of France. She spends part of each year on the Cote d’Azur and once a year leads a women-only tour of the Riviera and Provence based on her novels. Her award-winning 2010 debut novel, The Bridge Club, is a book club favorite and in December 2020, the Tenth Anniversary edition was published ~ the original story with revisions and a new Epilogue. The Promise of Provence, which launched her three-part Love in Provence series was a finalist for a 2013 USA Best Book Award and a 2014 National Indie Excellence Award, an Amazon Hot New Release in April 2013, and a 2015 nominee for a #RBRT Golden Rose award in the category of romance.

The Promise of Provence became Book #1 in the Love In Provence series. Promises To Keep ~ Book #2 was released in Summer 2014. I Promise You This ~ Book #3 was released in May 17, 2016. The series explores a mid-life coming of age and allows readers to lose themselves in the beauty of the south of France without leaving home.

Patricia was invited to join the Lake Union imprint (Women’s Fiction) of Amazon Publishing in January 2015. Her fifth novel, Drawing Lessons, also set in France, and a semi-finalist in the 2018 Somerset Literary Awards, was released by Lake Union Publishing on October 1, 2017.

From December 2018 to January 2020, Patricia published a series of novellas is in response to readers’ requests to spend more time with the characters from the Love in Provence series. The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes (Book 1), A Season of Surprises (Book 2) in the Villa des Violettes series and Lavender, Loss & Love at the Villa des Violettes (Book 3)were released in 2019/2020.

The Secrets We Hide was released in August, 2022 and has received the 2023 Book Excellence Winner award for Women’s Fiction. http://www.bookexcellenceawards.com

In February 2023, eight authors collaborated in an entertaining series of short novels, the Sail Away Series, each one set on a cruise. The first book was released on February 1 and for eight weeks after that a new book was published. Patricia’s Lost At Sea, Book #8, was released March 15th.

A new Villa des Violettes book (#4) is in the works!

Celebrating the rewarding friendships and bonds women share, Sands’ stories examine the challenges life often throws in our paths. Location features prominently in all of her novels.

Her philosophy is that it’s never too late to begin something new, to seize each day and be a possibilitarian! As the saying goes, just do it! Hearing from readers (both men and women) is her greatest reward.

Visit her online at http://www.patriciasandsauthor.com or linktr.ee/patriciasands and follow her on Instagram @psands.stories