The Promise of Provence Audiobook by Patricia Sands (Review)

Posted by on Sep 7, 2017 in Reviews | 18 comments

Review of: The Promise of Provence Audiobook
Audiobook:
Patricia Sands

Reviewed by:
Rating:
4
On September 7, 2017
Last modified:August 24, 2022

Summary:

The Promise of Provence  Audiobook

By: Patricia Sands

Narrated by: Janet Metzger

Published by Brilliance Audio  5/9/2017

the promise of provence audiobook cover

4 Hearts rating image Hot Listens

Love in Fiction Series #1

11 hrs and 24 mins

genre: women's fiction

The Promise of Provence Audiobook Sample

The Promise of Provence Audiobook

4 Hearts

For a middle-aged woman preparing to enjoy a quiet, lovely anniversary with her husband of many years, life comes to a screeching halt. Starting over with a bruised heart and trust at a minimum teaches her that life is not over and a great deal is still meant to be lived.

The Promise of Provence was just the sort of women’s fiction that I enjoy when in the right mood. I loved the combination of a person growing and recovering from a few huge hits (husband cheating and walking away along with a family loss), finding and learning to like herself, exploring a lovely place and meeting new people, and… when all is said and done, finding a heartwarming romance.

Katherine Price was an interesting heroine and narrator for her own story (there were brief moments when friends POVs were presented). She’s not actually a person I would wholeheartedly admire (a bit timid in some ways for my liking), but I did like her in a mild way. I could appreciate much that she loved and I enjoyed being along on her road to self-discovery.

The writing style and pace were molasses slow, but not boring for me. I enjoyed the delving into travel, sites, food, history, cycling, gardening, and people. Pico the dog was as wonderful a character as several of the side characters in the story.

Katherine’s romance was not the focal point of the book and was background until near the end. She had a few stops and starts in that department. Friendship and family are stronger ties for her through much of the book. Her ex-husband though never in the story was a looming nonetheless and I appreciated how Katherine went through the stages of loss over him. He had suppressed and isolated her- even from her own sense of self- so there is much for her to reconnect with both people and everything else.

A fascinating and compelling side story was the history of Katherine’s parents. It gave background to her mother’s wisdom and guidance. A recurring theme was ‘that which does not kill us makes us stronger’.

All in all, I loved sinking into this story and it having a soothing, calming affect when it could have been loaded down with too much angst. I know for a fact that it is dangerous because I now crave delicious fresh foods and a trip to the south of France in the worst way. Those who enjoy women’s fiction with a character recovering from loss, travel and romantic adventures, with a focus on friends and family will be the ideal recommended crowd for this one

The Promise of Provence Audiobook Narration

4.5  Hearts

As to the audio narration, since I experienced The Promise of Provence in audio format, Janet Metzger amazed and captivated me once again. She had the task of foreign accents, large cast of characters, and a range of emotion. I think she has a gift for the gentle and more subtle story tones, making them come alive so they do not bore the listener.

Patricia Sands lives in Toronto, Canada, when she isn’t somewhere else. An admitted travel fanatic, she can pack a bag in a flash and be ready to go anywhere … particularly the south of France, for her annual visit.

As of January, 2015, along with being a proud indie author, Patricia is also delighted to be under contract with Lake Union Publishing for her Love In Provence series. This is the women’s fiction arm of Amazon Publishing.

With a focus on travel, women’s issues and ageing, her stories celebrate the feminine spirit and the power of friendship. Encouraging women of all ages to stare down the fear factor and embrace change, Patricia has heard from readers (men too!) ages 20 to 83.

Her award-winning debut novel The Bridge Club was published in 2010 and the audiobook, read by Patricia, will be available soon.

Her second novel, The Promise of Provence received a 2014 National Indie Excellence Finalist Award in Literary Fiction. An Amazon Hot New Release in April 2013, The Promise of Provence was also a USA Best Book 2013 Finalist ~ Women’s Fiction. On Patricia’s stay in France in September 2013, Heidi’s English Bookshop in Antibes hosted a book signing attended by readers from six countries. Although Heidi’s has closed, the Antibes Book Shop on Rue Georges Clemenceau continues the tradition and Patricia’s novels can be found there.

The Promise of Provence, Promises To Keep and I Promise You This, set in the south of France, are now the first three books of the Love In Provence series. Lake Union Publishing will be releasing Drawing Lessons October 1, 2017 and is available for Pre-Order on Amazon.

Patricia has led three 10-day tours of the French Riviera and the countryside of Provence. These trips were based on The Promise of Provence, with the Women’s Travel Network. Let her know if you would like to go with her and a small group of women. It’s the perfect trip for women traveling on their own or with good friends.

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When I was five years old, my father brought home a tape recorder from his public speaking class and allowed me to record myself doing whatever I liked. I sang, I made up stories, I read. Years later Dad would tell me I always ended my sessions singing “… and that’s how I make my living.” Now, with over 30 years experience as a professional actor, I do what I’ve always dreamed… .. giving life to a writer’s words. I have recorded for Audible, Brilliance Audio and Hachette. What follows explains why I am a versatile and skilled audiobook narrator.
An experienced live performer, I am tuned to the needs of audiences. Singing and acting on stage since the age of 14, I have a keen sense of what is needed to hold someone’s attention. Subtext!!

I am adept at delivering authentic accents and realistically speaking in foreign languages. I earned a music degree in voice at Florida State where I was classically trained in French and Italian art songs and German lieder. I continued my exploration of foreign language songs, singing in Russian and Eastern European languages as well as Portuguese and Spanish. I have the ability to match accents as well as my own recordings, even done years earlier.

I can make dense language understandable and entertaining. I studied acting at The Alliance Theatre. I racked up classical credits in Shakespeare, Ibsen, Moliere and Goethe. Contemporary credits include many works of Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller​, Becket and Peter Shaffer.

My thanks to Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by

Sophia Rose Signature

  • 4
    editor rating
Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.