PHOTO: Patricia Sands, award-winning Canadian author, whose stories are deeply inspired by the culture, beauty, and spirit of the south of France.
Celebrating Stories Of Transformation And Connection
Patricia Sands reflects on her award-winning novels, deep love for the south of France, and the enduring power of friendship, resilience, and reinvention in women’s lives, offering inspiration for aspiring authors.
Patricia Sands carries her readers to places where the heart lingers long after the page is turned. Though she makes her home north of Toronto, it is the south of France that claims her imagination and spirit. From the sunlit villages of Provence to the shimmering Côte d’Azur, her novels capture both the beauty of place and the inner journeys of those who find themselves transformed by it.
Her debut, The Bridge Club, established her as a storyteller of women’s lives, weaving together themes of friendship, resilience, and belonging. With The Promise of Provence and the beloved Love in Provence trilogy, she deepened her bond with readers who sought not only her characters’ stories but also the vivid landscapes and sensual rhythms of French life. That fusion of setting and soul remains a hallmark of her fiction, where the land itself often feels like a character guiding the narrative.
Later works such as Drawing Lessons, the Villa des Violettes series, and her award-winning The Secrets We Hide reflect a writer unafraid to embrace new layers of emotional depth. Sands’ gift lies in revealing the quiet strength of women, in celebrating friendships, and in reminding us that personal reinvention is always possible — at any stage of life.
With each book, Patricia Sands invites her readers to step into a story that feels both intimate and expansive, grounded in truth yet elevated by her love of beauty, place, and connection. Hers is a voice of generosity and warmth, carrying the unmistakable fragrance of Provence with every page.
Your novel The Secrets We Hide won the 2023 Book Excellence Award for Women’s Fiction. What inspired you to explore themes of secrecy and personal transformation in this story?
I wrote this story during Covid and it evolved from a shorter story I created many years previously. I found it difficult to write my typical happy stories set in France during the Covid years, with so many people around the word suffering tragedies. For some reason, I was able to channel my emotions into the difficulties and challenges facing the characters in this novel.
In Lost at Sea, part of the Sail Away Series, you contributed a novella. How did you approach writing within a collaborative series while maintaining your unique voice?
Actually, this series was only collaborative in that each novel had to be set on a ship. Otherwise the story was entirely up to the author. My story ended up being very different from the others in the series, for no particular reason, and I had the most enjoyable time writing it. My protagonists are typically more mature than the two twenty-nine-year-old women in this case, so it was fun creatively to bring their stories to life.
In spite of our different approaches to the stories, all of the authors collaborated on the details of publishing, cover design and promotion. It’s always a pleasure to be engaged with other authors, sharing support, encouragement and ideas.
Your Love in Provence series immerses readers in the south of France. How do you blend the allure of the region with the personal growth of your characters?
Since nine of my stories are set in the south of France, it is obvious I have a deep love and knowledge of the area, its culture and people. The blend flows easily between setting and story. The area is not simply a backdrop, but a force that guides the characters’ inner journeys. The sensory beauty of the area and the balanced lifestyle encourages transformation in the character arcs.
I find my personal reflections weave into my characters. It gives me pleasure to share my passions in this manner. The greatest satisfaction comes from readers who say they felt they were there too.
Having started your writing career at 65, what challenges did you face transitioning from photography to fiction, and how did your visual storytelling skills influence your writing?
I confess I did not consider writing until my 60’s and could not have understood how it would become a richly satisfying chapter in my life. My first novel, The Bridge Club (based on my real-life Bridge Club), happened rather organically and I never intended publishing. As I became more involved in the craft of writing, it was apparent to me that I had been telling stories all my life through my photography.
Needless to say, I had … and continue to add … thousands of photos from France through my travels. Many provide writing prompts and readers enjoy them in my newsletters and posts.
Your novels often feature strong female friendships. How do these relationships shape the narratives and resonate with your readers?
Thank you for this question. Female friendships have been an important part of the tapestry of my life. For example, The Bridge Club is based on the fifty-year friendship with those women that continues to this day.
The editor of that manuscript questioned how that group of women did not display any animosity or conflict with each other. I was happy to explain how those assumptions rose from long-established stereotypes of women’s friendship. Most women I know are truly non-judgemental and supportive. There are times when one must agree to disagree. Of course, we may experience conflicts, even anger, but are able to resolve these feelings with honesty, empathy and maturity. I often hear from readers who are glad to see these attitudes expressed.
Through your books and tours, you share your love for the south of France. How do these experiences enrich your storytelling and connect with your audience?
I’m often asked if I’ve considered writing a novel about a group of women on a tour. Perhaps that will happen. What I do know is that watching and listening to so many women through the years fall in love with the south of France, definitely these real-life emotions and reactions become part of characters. It’s inevitable, and I feel my readers absorb these deep connections to the setting.
In your Villa des Violettes series, you revisit beloved characters. What draws you back to these stories, and how do you keep them fresh for your readers?
I love this series because it came about purely from requests from readers who had become completely engaged with the characters. The stories evolve as the characters grow in my imagination.
What advice would you offer to aspiring authors, especially those embarking on their writing journey later in life?
Please excuse the cliché, but it is true. It is never too late to follow a dream or try something new. Many people have stories to tell. Stephen King’s book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft was recommended in every writing course or workshop I took. This message of his has remained with me, and I paraphrase: If you have a story to tell, sit down and write it. Find your voice. Do not worry about grammar. Then work with a qualified editor. Write on!
