Patricia Sands

"Vincent (van Gogh) believed that art consoles those who are broken by life."

The grown children of Arianna Papadopoulos-Miller encouraged her to take some time for herself. They know their mother has devoted herself to family all their lives, especially to their father, Ben, since he was diagnosed with Pick’s Disease, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and the changes it has brought to all their lives. Arianna will attend a 2-week en plein air workshop at Le Mas des Artistes in Les Alpilles, Provence. Excursions will include fascinating opportunities to explore the surrounding area, particularly Vincent van Gogh’s time and art created in Arles. Will the workshop awaken the love of her art and love of travel that she set aside years ago? Will she enjoy the time away, or will guilt have her returning home early?

It is a glimpse of one woman’s experience, and although fiction, it shares the poignancy of a medical prognosis, grief before death. The silence of a woman, as a daughter, wife, mother, business partner, with the future now different beyond words, and although not all tears are hidden, she has not wanted to burden family or friends as they proceed through their grief. In this case, Arianna is surrounded by a loving and supportive family, but she has self-doubt, changes in self-confidence, and has retreated from living life.

This moving and beautifully written novel is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking. Using the backdrop of an art workshop, the reader travels with Arianna from Toronto to the south of France, experiencing the beauty of the landscape, the rich culture, delectable food and wine, and the sharing of diverse experiences by strangers. The setting is the luxury of a first-class flight for armchair travelers and for artist or art lover to revel in the art of van Gogh.

It is women’s fiction at its best, delving into a broad range of emotions and sharing a struggle that is often not talked about because it is difficult. Difficult to find the words to express fear from this point forward. Difficult to express grief before death. It is a book that shares with women they are not alone in this type of struggle. It shares hope.… (mere)

Another installment in the Sail Away series. The first book “Sail Away” highlights the beginning chapter of each of the books. Download is free! You can get a feel of each story and the individual writer's style.

Easy read focusing on Addie, who booked a surprise cruise to the French Riviera for her husband as an anniversary gift. Unfortunately, her husband had other plans. She decides to go the trip alone, looking forward to reading the newest book from her favorite author and relaxing. She bonds with a stranger when he spies her book.

As with all the stories in this series, they are light, quick reads focusing on starting over and moving on. Characters are likable. Situations are totally relatable. The story flows easily.

I received an ARC of this book. Opinion is mine alone.… (mere)

The eight women in this novel met in the 1960s. They were all from very different backgrounds but their friendships begin to solidify as they started playing bridge together Ultimately, it became more than just a bridge club and their friends became more than casual. They all relied on the women in their club to help them solve issues with husbands, children, lifestyles and life in general. We get a glimpse of each of the eight woman and their major life problems that were solved through the help of their friends. Their problems ranged from alcoholism, to abuse, to discovering their sexuality. The last chapter of the original novel deals with a difficult decision that they must all make to help one of their group members. The chapters that were added on in the new edition discuss the ramifications of this decision and how each of them dealt with it. It ends as the remaining members are celebrating their 75th birthdays and looking back on their friendships realizing again what an important part of their lives their friends were.

I thought it was very interesting to look at a long term friendship between women and the overall effect of that friendship on each of their lives. I strongly believe in women's friendship I have friends from over 60 years go who still are important parts of my life. I loved their book about the importance of women's friendships as they faced the highs and lows of their lives.… (mere)