The Love in Provence characters are celebrating a glorious spring on the Côte d’Azur. There are sweet-smelling blossoms, buds bursting into bloom, explosions of golden mimosa, dazzling sunshine, a shimmering sea … and a worrying disappearance! A hidden past is uncovered and shocking truths are revealed. But life goes on. Kat and Philippe welcome their first B&B guests to the Villa and … continue to be busy with other demands, all the while keeping hope alive as police search for their friend.A special request from Simone and an unexpected appearance turn a planned motorcycle trip in Corsica into so much more. Springtime at the Villa des Violettes is filled with secrets and surprises.
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I loved Patricia Sand’s Love in Provence series and I love that she has taken two of my favorite characters from that series and enriched their stories. This book takes us back to the Villa des Violettes for another beautiful season. Everything is starting to bloom and the Villa is welcoming their first guests.
With this book, we get to know the characters even better, as well getting to know more about the people they have come to care about and love. Kat and Philippe are such warm and loving people and have surrounded themselves with a wonderful community of friends.
Patricia’s books are written with such beautiful, descriptive passages that I feel like I am there, enjoying the sights and smells, and tasting the delectable dishes right along with Kat and Philippe. This series is the perfect escape read and I always feel like I am vacationing when I dive into one of the stories. It is so hard to come back home and I look forward to taking another trip back.
Book Review
A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes~ by Author, Patricia Sands
Author, Patricia Sands continues too capture me with her finely-stitched, subtle, yet meaningful stories, rooted in the South of France, on the Côte d’Azur.
A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes (Book 2) will take you on journey to it’s corner of the world~ full of tradition, it’s beauty and its abundance of love for not only its culture, but it’s people.
Full of secrets and surprises, the narrative bursts with the signs of Spring as our dear friends, Kat and Philippes’ first guests arrive to a newly renovated B&B.
With hopes and dreams floating through the air, the descriptive countryside with its sights, sounds, and smells, and the well formed, lovable characters, the author connects us in a seamless manner while introducing a very delicate subject matter, but keeps the reader moving forward as this story sweeps you into a place of delight, with its mystery and romance.
I would like to thank Author Patricia Sands, genuinely, for not only the gift of this ARC, but in taking me on another beautiful adventure through this lovely place I’ve come to know, and love…..
5 Stars
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Author Patricia Sands once again does a wonderful job of sharing with us the sights and sounds of the magical South of France. Her description of day that Kat photographs golden mimosa flowers in bloom, for example, is especially vivid. As someone who lives part of the year in Provence, I can only tip my cap to Sands and her ability to share with us the people and places that make this corner of the world so special.
This is a book about family, friendship and love. It’s a fun, quick read, perfect for the Provence-lover in your life.
I feel like I’ve just returned from a trip to France. Patricia Sands writes so descriptively about the beauty of France that the reader can almost smell lavender in the air. The food is also written about in such a way that you can almost see it and taste it . Of course it would be better to actually be in France but if you can’t get there, this will help.
Once again we are back with our old friends – Kat and Philippe as they set out on the new adventure of opening a bed and breakfast. They also spend time with characters that we know from previous books – I especially enjoy Simone and Delphine. Kat and Philippe are in love with each other and in love with their friends and family and as important, they love where they live in the south of France. They have a real joie de vivre despite some of the issues that happen to friends and family.
My advice is to get comfortable and take a trip to the south of France with Patricia Sands as your guide. You’ll be glad that you did!
What could be more summery than the Côte D’Azur? My readers love Patricia’s books, as they transport them to France (something they say about my books too). In Book #2 of the Villa des Violettes series, Kat and Philippe welcome their first B&B guests to the villa and continue to be busy with other demands—such as the mysterious disappearance of a friend. This book will transport you to the South France (including a surprise motorcycle trip to Corsica), where the mimosa are in bloom and the Mediterranean shimmers in the distance.
I’m a huge fan of Patricia Sands and her Love in Provence series, and I can say her newest short book, A Season of Surprises at Villa des Violettes, did not disappoint. I am always amazed at how Patricia can pull readers into her stories and characters in such a short time. From the moment you start reading, you’ll be hooked. I especially enjoyed this book because of the particular message it carries about a significant social subject. It’s something you wouldn’t expect. But then, that’s what makes Patricia’s writing so unique. There’s always something to learn. Whether it’s an off-the-beaten-track village near the Côte d’Azur, a character’s favorite French dish, or a popular French saying, Patricia always delivers a fascinating fact I’m glad to know. This time she also takes her readers backstage with Katherine and Phillippe in their first months owning and running their restored guest villa outside Antibes. You feel the pride in their new enterprise and literally experience the beautiful surroundings and their interesting friendships. Keep them coming, please, Patricia!
Have really enjoyed this Patricia Sands series. Her books are entertaining and take us away from our everyday life to the French countryside where we get a sneak peak into the lives of her characters living there and interacting with the local community. A fun read,
A totally delightful and charming story of two B&B Innkeepers in France. The story will capture your heart as it takes you on their heartwarming scenic adventures throughout the countryside. Family and friends intertwine in relationships and join together to celebrate together. Love the friendship of Katherine and Simone and how they share advice and break bread together on several occasions.
“Life’s greatest happiness is tho be convinced we are loved.” From A SEASON OF SURPRISES AT THE VILLA DES VIOLETTES
Patricia Sands tells a story that makes you feel you are there. Right in the middle of a whole other country. While I have no idea what any of the French words are or what they mean they are a bit easy to figure out from the conversations.
Kat and Phillipe have a love story that transcends the ages. They have a home that helps many people enjoy the countryside. Their friends are always close at hand. It’s a family story in many ways.
The characters are well developed and the descriptions truly make you feel you are there. I visited France without leaving my living room. How neat is that?
Thank you to this wonderful author for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I recommend you read it and visit another world entirely.
I gave it 4 stars.
Bienvenue à la Villa des Violettes! Welcome to Villa des Violettes! This is a charming and delightful read that I loved very much! I felt like I took a return “vacances” to Côte d’Azur and reconnected with friends I couldn’t wait to visit! Kat and Phillipe are the perfect host and hostess to take me through the pages of this book. I love their love story!
It was very exciting to be a part of the opening of their B & B along with their first guests. All of Kat’s and Phillipe’s friends are involved in this exciting business venture! The characters are all so likeable and have become my friends, too. Each character adds a layer to this story that makes it a totally enjoyable read.
I felt like I was on one of Patricia Sand’s tours that she hosts in France. From the “pictures” of the characters to their emotions, from the locations to the scenery, from the French celebrations to the scenic road trip and add in all the yummy and tasty foods….it’s an all around experience to France. It’s easily put into my mind because of her very descriptive writing. It becomes so vivid that I have felt I’ve actually been to France!
Ms. Sands takes on a very difficult issue with one of the characters that involves human trafficking. She did this in a way that brings attention to a serious problem but in a very sensitive way. It added an element of mystery to the book.
Oh! I can’t forget the antics of the pets! I love that Coco and Rocco, Belle and her kittens are a part of bringing the book together, too. They just add a perfect touch to the “family” at Villa des Violettes.
This is a passage that Phillipe says to Kat:
“We have a way of making beautiful memories, Minou. And we will keep doing it. There’s so much more to discover together.”
I have beautiful memories from reading this book and I can’t wait to discover more and make more memories in the next book of this series.
I want to thank Ms. Sands for the opportunity and privilege of reading this book. It’s a cinq étoiles lire….five star read for me!
A SEASON OF SURPRISES AT THE VILLA DES VIOLETTES by Patricia Sands is Book 2 in her delightful Villa des Violettes series. I loved Book 1, THE FIRST NOËL AT THE VILLA DES VIOLETTES and couldn’t wait to read more about Kat, Philippe and their friends and family as they celebrate Spring on the Côte d’Azur. Kat and Philippe receive their first guests at the newly-finished B & B and find themselves very busy entertaining and planning some special trips for the two of them. However, the troubling disappearance of one of their friends brings to light a hidden past and reveals some dark secrets that threaten to cloud their joy in the beauty of the season. As always, this story is brought to life by the author’s vivid descriptions of the food, scenery and characters. You can’t read one of Patricia Sands’ books without feeling like you have traveled to the South of France. I highly recommend this wonderful story of love, friendship and appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us. I’ll be looking forward to the next book as this charming series continues.
A delightfully wonderful story that is the sequel to “The First Noel at the Villa des Violettes”. The setting is in France with Kat, Phillipe, their friends and their new B&B that will be opening.
Some mystery and suspense as young Delphine is missing without a word to anyone. Where could she be and is she in harms way?
The friends will come together near and far to assist with her search!
My favorite character continues to be Simone. Her wisdom, grace and charm in her ninety’s is pure love and magic.
I just love the writing of Patricia Sands! Her words, descriptions of the landscapes, delicious foods and activities entice me to continue on the journey with all these people. It is a must!
I didn’t put this book down until the very last page.
I cannot wait to continue on and see what is next for these folks. Looking forward to book three!
I cannot express how much I love this series and it’s characters. I feel at home & apart of this eclectic family. I have connected to Katherine since book one. Life has settled down and Katherine is going through pictures that everyone had shared from her first holiday celebration. Now her Philippe are getting ready to host their first official guest staying at Villa Des Violettes. Life is hectic, Katherine is getting ready for her next show at the gallery, plus she is excited to experience her first carnival. Delphine has gone missing & secrets of her past surprise them all. Through all the turmoil Katherine realizes everyone has a story, especially in her new found family. This story has mystery, twist and tackles a social injustice that effects us all but most importantly it also has beauty & love. Thank you so very for creating such a special series and characters. I hope there is more to come in the future.
Meeting up with Katherine and Philippe again is like unwrapping a gift! I was so excited to have them back in my life again. Their B&B is getting ready for guests, the dogs are running around, the kittens are playing, and the grounds are starting to bloom. Simone is next door baking goodies for breakfast!
Once again, I was swept away on a mini vacation as I visited the South of France and visited with some old friends that I have missed!
This story is full of the same excitement and enchantment of France that the precious “Love in Provence” Series holds. If you enjoyed that series you do not want to miss this book. If you haven’t read it yet, then begin here and you will fall in love; this I promise you!
*The first book in this Novella Series is “The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes”. This is book 2, but can be read as a stand alone.
“No matter what obstacle or heartbreak is put in our paths, we alone choose to be happy. No one else makes that choice for us.”
With everything surrounding Katherine and Philippe as they come close to their 1st wedding anniversary, their long held dream of Villa des Violettes as a small guest inn is about to come true! They’ve hurdled many obstacles but the time has arrived. But will they be successful?
Between their friend Delphine’s disappearance bringing a world wide horror almost to their doorstep and completing the outbuilding and the garden, Kat continues to hone her photography towards a small showing, while Philippe works the cheese shoppe and tries to surprise her whenever he can. Between the dogs, the cats and soon the chickens it truly is their dream come true!
Patricia Sands is a marvelous writer. Thanks to her, I can settle in to armchair travels to a place I’ve always wanted to go: France. This trip we get to go to Grasse- an area I’ve always wanted to go since I fell in love with Coco Chanel as a teenager- and Corsica. I had no idea outside of Napoleon what Corsica was about. I highly recommend this book and all the others she has written: gentle, sweet books that will have you dreaming of France for a long time to come! Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]