Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands, Voices, and a Giveaway!

Drawing Lessons

Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands 
Print and e-book, 354 pages
Published October 1st 2017 by Lake Union Publishing

The author of the Love in Provence series returns to the South of France with a poignant portrait of a woman who must learn how to create a new life for herself…

Sixty-two-year-old Arianna arrives in the South of France for a two-week artists’ workshop full of anticipation but burdened by guilt. Back home in Toronto, she has been living with the devastating diagnosis of her husband’s dementia and the heartbreak of watching the man she has loved for decades slip away before her eyes. What does her future hold without Ben? Before her is a blank canvas.

Encouraged by her family to take some time for herself, she has traveled to Arles to set up her easel in the same fields of poppies and sunflowers that inspired Van Gogh. Gradually, she rediscovers the inner artist she abandoned long ago. Drawing strength from the warm companionship and gentle wisdom of her fellow artists at the retreat—as well as the vitality of guest lecturer Jacques de Villeneuve, an artist and a cowboy—Arianna searches her heart for permission to embrace the life in front of her and, like the sunflowers, once again face the light.

I am so excited to have Patricia here today! I am reading her book Drawing Lessons right now and I am loving everything about it. I love being in France, living vicariously through her characters as they enjoy the scenery, food, and new friendships in Provence. 

Patricia agreed to answer my 'Voices' question and she's letting me give away a print copy of her wonderful book.Yay!! Someone is going to be so lucky to be able to add this to their bookshelf! 

Voices 

I have heard other authors say that they 'hear voices in their head' and that is how they write their books: the characters are telling their stories. Not being a writer myself, that concept has always intrigued me. 

When some people hear voices, we get them medical attention, others end up becoming writers. Does this happen to you? How do you come up with your stories?

Susan, your comment is hilarious. It's true though, as our stories develop the characters we are creating come to life and often direct part of what happens in the story. I didn't believe it until I began writing, just 8 years ago.

Another important aspect to my stories, is location. I like readers to feel they have taken a trip when they read my books and that's a comment I often hear. My photography also plays a big part in helping me develop my stories.

One of the cool side effects of writing stories set in the south of France is that I now lead trips there for women only, from time to time. The groups are no greater than sixteen and we always have an amazing time. There are photos from some of the trips on my website on the "Travel" page. 

Thanks so much for inviting me to visit with you. And thanks so much for all you do for book lovers ... readers and writers!

Thank you, Patricia! And you can get Patricia's beautiful pictures in a calendar for next year. Her annual South of France calendar is available for order right now for $30 (that includes postage) at patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com, payable by Paypal or credit card. Orders close November 30.

About the author

Patricia Sands lives in Toronto, Canada, when she isn't somewhere else, and calls the south of France her second home. She is the award-winning author of The Bridge Club and the best-selling Love in Provence trilogy. Her fifth novel, Drawing Lessons which is also set in the south of France, was released by Lake Union Publishing on October 1, 2017.

Find out more at Patricia’s Facebook Author Page, Amazon Author Page or her website. There are links to her books, social media, and a monthly newsletter that has special giveaways, photography from France, and sneak peeks at her next book. She loves hearing from readers.

Follow her on Instagram @patricialsands for fabulous photography. Her annual South of France calendar is available for order at patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com, payable by Paypal or credit card.

Represented by Pamela Harty of The Knight Agency.

Connect with Patricia

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Sign up for her newsletter 

Click on the pictures to learn more about Patricia's book from Goodreads. The Bridge Club is going on my TBR list, for sure! 

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