I’ve officially lost my marbles and decided to open a perfume shop while launching my debut novel. This is the location. It needs a paint job and some sprucing up but SQUEEEEEEEEE 🥰
I know, I know—who in their right mind juggles such grand endeavors simultaneously? Well, apparently, me! I’ve always dreamed of owning a shop in a quaint downtown dripping with cozy Hallmark vibes, and I found the perfect spot for mine.
I’m still in the (seemingly neverending) process of getting the storefront set up, but when it is finished, I’ll be there five days a week, concocting perfumes like a mad scientist, all while birthing my literary babies into the world.
And here’s a fun tidbit: the protagonist in my next book set in Serenity Falls is a perfumer. How perfect is that? It’s like it was almost.. ahem… planned.
Designing a perfumery in fiction and reality at the same time is almost too much fun!
Reviews Are Rolling In
I’m a review junkie—I love stalking (I mean reading) your reviews! There are 21 ratings on Goodreads so far. Reviews bring me immense joy and help shape the reading experience for others. Even a simple star rating can make a big difference.
Here’s one that particularly made my day:
Keeper of Lost Loves by Iris Applewood is a delightful romantic cozy. But it has a deeper side. Secrets abound in this story. And the reader is expertly drawn into the intrigue.
The protagonist, Clara, owns Fireside Manor Bed and Breakfast on the outskirts of Serenity Falls and is having trouble paying the mortgage. Ethan is the city-slicker stranger who comes to town to be the singular guest at the Manor during Christmastime.
In this well-researched and well-paced novel, Applewood paints the beautiful small town in sensual detail and fills it with unique characters. Poignant backstories drive these characters, moving the story along. The reader feels immersed in the life of the story.
Clara discovers she can “see” into another’s heart, who they love, who they are missing, when she kisses someone under the mistletoe. This gift sets her and Ethan off to reconnect lost loves. To provide closure. To provide happiness, if they can. And in so doing, both Clara and Ethan discover their own happiness.
Trust and second chances are as important to this story as they are to life. Clara says it best when she discovers she can’t forget her own past. But she needs to “stop letting it control [her] present.” (Kindle edition Locations 2233).
If you are looking for an intriguing read with deep themes, then Keeper of Lost Loves by Iris Applewood is the novel for you.
But guess what? I also got my first criticism in a review, and it was actually uplifting! Why? Because it was honest and insightful. It pointed out something relevant to the reader experience.
I enjoyed the premise of this book, but the author’s excessive use of flowery adjectives and metaphors was a big drawback for me. The storyline itself is rooted in magical realism – one of my favorite genres. The meet-cute and subsequent romance, coupled with a bit of mystery, kept me engaged when I would have abandoned the novel due to the above-mentioned writing style. The wholesome story, appealing characters, and charmingly picturesque, small-town atmosphere make a good match for a Hallmark or Lifetime Christmas film.
Not everyone loves flowery writing, and that’s okay! Honest reviews ensure that the right readers find the book, and the wrong ones can gracefully sidestep it.