New Patricia Sands Book: A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes

It was a pleasure to read an advance copy of A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes, the latest book by Patricia Sands. This novella is the second in a series about Katherine (Kat) and Philippe’s new home (Villa des Violettes), and soon-to-be Bed and Breakfast near Antibes. The love story continues to evolve, but life can’t always be perfect, even on the French Riviera. Sands introduces the gritty side of living on the French coast in this book.

The Author

Patricia Sands is the author of six (6) books, starting with her first publication The Bridge Club. The three-part Love in Provence series introduces you to Kat and Philippe. These books involve love, loss, friendship, illness and plenty of colourful characters. Also set in Provence, Drawing Lessons introduces a new set of characters and a completely different part of the Mediterranean coastline. The last two novellas by Sands return readers to the Cote d’Azur and the arrival of the first B&B guests at Villa des Viollettes.

Open the pages to any one of Patricia Sands’ books, and she treats you to a dose of escapism. Maybe you’ve never been to the French Riviera, but you will visit the azure coastline through her words, and come away with a better understanding of local culture. Anyone who has travelled to, or hopes to, Provence will enjoy this book and others by Patricia Sands.

Book Review

This novella, A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes, is a quick read yet covers a lot of ground. Learn about the 130-kilometre Route du Mimosa from Bormes-les-Mimosa to the French perfume capital of Grasse. Along the way, you are guaranteed to see (through Sands’ words) the yellow blooms highlighted by the blue Mediterranean backdrop in February and March. Enjoy an evening at the Nice Carnival as Kat discovers the entertaining annual traditions of Philippe and their friends. Although living on the French Riviera sounds ideal, Patricia Sands introduces a dose of reality. Sadly, there is an active sex trade in the region, and many young girls from Europe get tangled in its nasty web. This book is a page-turner that you will not want to stop reading. And, like all of Patricia Sands’ novels, you will be sad when the story ends.

Buy a Copy

A mix of love and intrigue set in Provence, this book arrived just in time for summer. Add A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes to your reading list.  If you missed the first book in this mini-series, please read about The First Noël at Villa des Violettes here.

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).