VBT: Review of The Promise of Provence

France Book Tours presents...

The Promise of Provence

by Patricia Sands

Synopsis:

June in Provence is full of promise when Katherine arrives from Canada, eager to feel renewed by her surroundings. Endless rows of lavender prepare to burst into pink and purple blooms. Fields of sunflowers flow in golden waves among vineyards and olive groves overlooked by ancient hilltop villages. It’s the postcard setting she envisioned, but is that all she needs?

After a year of heartbreak, Katherine has impulsively agreed to a home exchange in the south of France. Colorful locals, a yellow lab named Picasso, and the inspiring beauty of the countryside breathe new life into her days.

Seeking to shed the pain of betrayal and loss, she struggles to recapture her joie de vivre and searches for the answer to a haunting question: is it too late to begin again?

"Be prepared to fall in love with Provence! This is a story that will draw you in with its vibrancy in setting and characters. A must read for any woman with a desire for romance and travel."     Steena Holmes, author of Amazon bestseller Finding Emma

Publication Date: May 30, 2013

457 pages,  ISBN 9780991931316    

Published through CreateSpace

Available on Amazon worldwide     USA   Canada   UK    FR and may be ordered at any bookstore.

Author bio:

Patricia Sands 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 the south of France. With a focus on women’s issues and ageing, her stories celebrate the feminine spirit and the power of friendship. Encouraging women of all ages to stare down the fear factor and embrace change, she has heard from readers ages 20 to 83. 
Her award-winning debut novel The Bridge Club was published in 2010.
Her second novel, The Promise of Provence is an Amazon Hot New Release as of April 2013.

Pop in to visit her at:
http://www.patriciasands.wordpress.com
http://www.patriciasandsauthor.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/patricia.sands.9
and https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPatriciaSands
Twitter https://twitter.com/patricia_sands
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4381348.Patricia_Sands

My thoughts:

C'est magnifique!!  The Promise of Provence stole my heart… Katherine was such a wonderfully human and understandable character.  I related to her immediately and through her story that unfolded within the pages of The Promise of Provence I was reminded of so many important lessons learned in my own life.

As I read The Promise of Provence I was reminded of Eat, Pray, Love.  Let me admit first that I have yet to read Eat, Pray, Love (though I own it and intend to do so).  I have only caught the film adaptation during a transatlantic flight.  That being said I am not making any comparison of the authors or the novels, but just the essence of the story… to live life as if each day is your last, to savor the present and relish the moment.  I remember when I saw the film of Eat, Pray, Love it was just that which stuck with me and I appreciated the film simply as a reminder that just when you feel you have reached the end of the book of your life you realize that the best chapter has yet to be written, to live in hope.  It is such an important mantra to remember and one that is so easily forgotten.

I enjoyed every page of Patricia Sands’ The Promise of Provence for its rich detail of the landscape, architecture, history and especially the food of the Provence region of France.  If you have ever visited or wish to visit this magical spot Sands manages to truly capture the essence of Provence in this novel.  I will warn you also that reading The Promise of Provence will make you crave brie with baguette so please do yourself a favor and have these on hand before beginning the novel.  Oh, and a bottle of your favorite French wine as well certainly wouldn’t hurt! 

I loved the “extra” the author included in her epilogue so make sure to read the novel to the end… I look forward to hearing from Katherine in October!  I encourage you all to read The Promise of Provence for a beautiful reminder of an ancient idem:

Carpe diem, quam minimum posterior credulous!

Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in tomorrow!

À bientôt!

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, July 1

Giveaway at Vvb32 Reads

Tuesday, July 2

Review + Giveaway at Chocolate & Croissants

Wednesday, July 3

Review + Giveaway at The French Village Diaries

Interview + Giveaway at An Accidental Blog

Thursday, July 4

Review at The Most Happy Reader

Friday, July 5

Interview at The French Village Diaries

Saturday, July 6

Excerpt posted by Helena Fairfax

Sunday, July 7

Review at Walkie Talkie Book Club

Monday, July 8

Review at Vvb32 Reads

Review + Giveaway at Words And Peace

Tuesday, July 9

Review at Faith Hope & Cherrytea

Giveaway at Walkie Talkie Book Club

Wednesday, July 10

Review at Impressions In Ink

Review + Giveaway at Queen Of All She Reads

Review + Giveaway at The Redlady’s Reading Room

And please note:

Patricia Sands will be co-leading an 11-day tour of 14 women

to Nice and the countryside of Provence in June 2014.

Learn more at:  http://womenstravelnetwork.ca/promenade-en-provence/

In full compliance with FTC Guidelines, I received a free Kindle edition of this book from the author and France Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I was in no way compensated for this post, and the thoughts are my own.