Scent of a Memory by Laura Hunsaker

 It's no secret I work in a school, and right now, it's science fair time! One of the students made a project had to do with scent and how it can help hold memories. They were trying to see if you smelled the same scent every time you studied, would it help you remember the facts when you took the test? 

This felt like the perfect topic to talk about! Scent plays a role in so many books. How often do we read about what our hero or heroine smells like? Literally every romance novel talks about how the heroine smells of lavender, or peaches and cream, or strawberries. The hero smells of sunshine and leather, or of pine and man...and I love all of the descriptions!

Scent is tied to so many things, that of course we'd mirror that in literature. And I'm guilty of it too! Most recently I've used vanilla, coffee, caramel, or maybe I'm just hungry when I write ;) 

But the idea that scent is tied to memory is so true! My dad lived in Germany for years and he said that one time when he came home, his whole house smelled different. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the scent really made him homesick. A bit later when he opened the mail, he'd found a letter from his mom and she'd included orange blossoms from their trees. He didn't expect to smell California in his German home, so it hadn't occurred to him that it might be orange blossoms!

I've had instances where I smelled a certain perfume that reminded me of my grandmother, or a food that reminded me of the county fair, but nothing as cool as the one my dad had. But how about you? Do you have any instances where a scent unexpectedly triggered a memory?

And here, for your reading pleasure, my heroine who smells of vanilla, and my hero who smells of sandalwood:

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Lessons Learned by Liz Flaherty

I spent most of the past several days reading back over my one and only historical romance, Home to Singing Trees, which first came out in 2010 and again in 2015. I don't know why there are two publication dates listed, since it was the same publisher, but that's not why I'm talking about it. It's a fictional story that is set in a real place, with real names, and with some real events. Singing Trees farm is still in my family, although it's never had that name except in my mind.

My writing has changed some since those days. Better in some ways and worse in others. I wasn't a POV purist then and, frankly, I'm still not. I still typed with two spaces after a period. But I think the story still stands, and I hope for its re-release.

Now, for the reason I started this. I started reading romance in the 1960s, when I was in junior high and started reading teen romances. Then I used to sneak around and read my mom's True Story magazines, which I thought really were true. Then I read the Avalon romances Mom got at the library, and my love for the genre took root. 

I thought I would try to make a list of lessons learned books and authors that turned corners (sometimes to go down alleys) as a writer. I'd love to know what and who your influences were, too.

The only author name I remember from the Avalon books is Peggy O'More, who wrote a lot of books under several pseudonyms. I don't actually remember her books, but I do remember that she was funny. That was when I found out I liked funny, smart romance.

Lesson # 1: Humor.

In 7th grade, I read Gone With the Wind. I've read it several times since, but the thing that sticks out even now is that Scarlett O'Hara wasn't actually beautiful despite her 17-inch waist. She wasn't always admirable, either, but her lack of classic beauty is what stuck 

Lesson #2: Relatability in looks. 

I read a book when I was in my early 20s that to this day I don't remember either the title of or who wrote it, but I am everlastingly grateful for how she ended one chapter. Paraphrased, the cliffhanger was: She cried. And cried. And cried. 

Lesson #3: Use syntax to illustrate emotion. I suppose it's another way of saying show, don't tell. But 50 years later, I still remember that I cried with her.

I read a gazillion Harlequin Romances--didn't we all? I learned from a lot of them, and I loved the British voices, but then I read Janet Dailey and Nora Roberts. And read every release they had before the ink was dry on the pages. Later on, I quickly tired of Regency romance, but then I read Carla Kelly and Mary Balogh. I still do, all these many books later.

Lesson #4: It's all about voice.

I read the Harry Potter books, but it could have been any series that grabbed hold and didn't let go. I didn't get it, you know, what the big deal was. Why my daughter-in-law and granddaughter lined up at midnight to get the latest release.

Lesson #5: It's all about story.

Nan Reinhardt is a very close friend. We have work days together. We travel together. We read each other's stuff. She has several series with Tule Publishing that that are set in a fictional town in Southern Indiana called River's Edge. I love River's Edge.

Lesson #6: The setting is a character.

I read every word by certain authors, Kristan Higgins being one of them. I could write a book on the things I love about her books, but then there'd be a chapter somewhere in the middle about things she wrote that I didn't like and plot points that didn't work for me. There are a couple of her releases I've only read once, not going back to find the warm places I like to read over again. But even if I'd hated them, which I most definitely did not, I would still start reading her next one the day it comes out, because that's how much I love her writing.

Lesson #7: The writer needs to love her story, but once it's out in the world, it's up to the readers what they make of it. What they love and what they don't. 

There are people who write scathing, damaging reviews on books they sometimes haven't even read. I have no answer as to why they do this. Nor do I have any intent of making excuses for them. I'm going to share two of my worst reviews here just for the sake of the lesson. 

"This was such a boring read. I seriously had a hard time getting into it. Was it me or was Syd always talking to herself? And I also wished the author made it easier to keep the characters straight. Too many names at once were just too confusing. And why did the chapters have to be so long? Oh, that made the read that much more daunting. Don’t authors know that it’s easier to read shorter chapters rather than longer ones? No, they have to go with 12 REALLY LONG and ENDLESS chapters!"

"I didn't really enjoy this book. It seemed rather childish. I don't get the five star rating others gave it but if you like really dumb stories - go for it!"

Lesson #8: Nothing. Nothing at all. Just keep writing. 

What about you? What lessons have you learned?

Post Valentine Giveaway by Joan Reeves

I'm being held hostage by that ogre named Allergies. It started when I visited my brother in Louisiana at the farm.

All of the trees, weeds, shrubs, and vines that I'm not used to were dripping pollen out of season. Ah choo!

Even though I haven't felt that well, I've been working intensively on new book covers, new file format for my existing ebooks, and working on a new release.

When I say working, I literally mean 12 hours a day for the last week. I crashed last night, decided to battle the ogre, took 2 Zyrtec (as recommended by my doctor), and went to bed.

Even though I woke at 4:30 this morning, I felt better. (Allergy meds have that weird effect on me—knock me out then make me awake at a weird hour.) Now after 2 cups of coffee and a cup of tea, I have enough energy to visit with you.

CRAZY WEATHER

I don't know about where you are, but we're having some weird weather here on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Yesterday, it was 76. Today it's 40 and dropping, but the sun is shining brightly. I understand we're supposed to have a low of 22 around mid-week.

I think everyone in the state is fearing another winter like we had in 2021. I'm so thankful we now have a generator. I just hope our water utility has a bunch of them.

BELATED VALENTINE GIFT

For Valentine's Day, I offered BLAME IT ON CHOCOLATE, a Valentine romance, free to my newsletter subscribers. 

Now, I'm inviting you to grab a free copy too—free on Amazon Kindle until 11:59pm PST tonight, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.

"A fresh, witty, delicious story. Just like an irresistible bar of chocolate, you'll finish it all at once." —Reader Review

HAPPY READING

I hope you'll enjoy this story. Times are tough, and many readers simply can't afford the luxury of books. That's why, this year, I'm offering one of my books for 99¢ each month. 

This month the book is Scents and Sensuality, a Love, Laughter, and Shenanigans Fake Boyfriend Romance that culminates on Valentine's Day.

If you'd like to know when a book is on sale or is free, sign up for I LOVE READING, my free newsletter.

Until next week, stay warm, stay away from pollen, read books, and enjoy life.

JOAN ONLINE

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Romance Gems Where Authors & Readers Meet

Will You Be My Valentine? By Bea Tifton

 

Ah, Valentine’s Day. The air is scented with roses and chocolate is on the tip of many tongues.

I am not dating anyone right now, so the day is not filled with romance for me. Nor, however, is it filled with angst. It’s just another day, more or less. I’m more excited about “Chocolate is 50% Off Day.”

Many women have begun celebrating “Galentine’s Day,” a day to celebrate with women friends. I like that idea. It’s fun and cheerful. I’ve never lamented the years I don’t have that special guy with whom to exchange soulful looks over candlelight. Really, it just doesn’t bother me; I’m too independent. But some women are really bummed out. And some women just want to celebrate friendship, which is wonderful.  I’m all for anything Girl Power.

When I was a teacher, Valentine’s Day meant tons of flowers, stuffed animals, and chocolate. I especially remember that brand of chocolate that had cute little decorated boxes shaped like hearts, but it contained so much filler that the chocolate tasted like wax. And I never quite knew what to do with the stuffed animals afterwards. I usually saved them for the rest of the year, and then quietly donated them to a charity thrift shop. The flowers were fun even though they didn’t last long. But I cherished every gift. They were, well, heartfelt. One year some workmen were repairing the school’s roof. As I trooped by with an armful of gifts and flowers, I heard one man say, “All the teachers are walking by with so much stuff!” He sounded quite impressed

I remember one year I had just started the “Will we or won’t we” phase of a relationship with a guy I really liked. I wasn’t sure what to do. I stood at the card section of the store just completely overthinking what to do. I finally settled on a comedic card saying, “I wasn’t sure what to get you this year. This is either a Valentine or it’s not, depending on what you did.” I sent it, but he didn’t send anything back. We never did start dating. Sigh.

This year, I’ll exchange Valentine’s with my parents and my close friends. My parents and I will probably even go out to lunch. Then that night while we stream movies, we’ll stuff our faces with candy. I know I have friends and family who love me all year. That’s good enough for me. But chocolate is always welcome.

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Leave a comment below. 

Photo Credits: Pexels.com
Jill Wellington "Heart Baked Cookies"
Andrea Piacquadio "Women Holding Wine Glasses" 
RDNE Stock Project "A Valentine's Gift on Wooden Table"
Alex Green "Woman in Red Long Sleeve Shirt"

THE MONTH OF LOVE #99¢ SALE!

 By Caroline Clemmons

Welcome February, treated as the month of love. Actually, it’s only one of  eleven others that offer the same opportunity for love. At least, I hope love in your life is not restricted to February. <G>

Probably, we are each hoping for something special on Valentine’s Day. Do you prefer flowers, jewelry, candy, dining out, or all of those? Even a verbal wish and a hug can make my day. That’s not to say I’d turn down any of the aforementioned Valentine’s gifts.

Hero never forgets to do something special. Now that his Parkinson’s prevents him from driving, he calls on our youngest daughter to act as his personal shopper. Luckily for me, she does great work.

Ah, well, on to reminiscing. Do you remember the first Valentine candy you received from a guy? I do, as well as how surprised—make tha shocked—l was to find it in my school locker. I was in the seventh graden, and far from a femme fatale. His cubby was only a few down from mine. Of course, he was watching when I opened my door. I have no idea what I said, but it must have been acceptable because he stuck around for several years. I had thought the boy was my pal Margie’s boyfriend. So did Margie. Need I say she stopped being my buddy that day?

While I was a housewife, I was always a room mother. When our oldest daughter was in kindergarten, for her class Valentine’s party I made for myself a white double-knit pantsuit trimmed in red. Shudder. Good grief, seeing that photo now is embarrassing! At the time, I thought it was just right for Valentine’s Day. Times and tastes definitely change, don't they?

Our daughters are polar opposites. The oldest never met a stranger and loves talking to people. The youngest is extremely shy, but learned to hide it later. They do look like sisters and I sometimes made them matching dresses (for some reason that now escapes me). I knew our youngest daughter didn’t like her second grade teacher, who had been her sister’s teacher two years earlier. At the class party, the teacher gushed on and on about how much alike the girls were and how she enjoyed them. Maybe she knew I played bridge with the principal.

Memories of good times are fun to recapture. I hope you have good memories and are making new ones to savor later.

By the way, if you’re looking for tales of romance, adventure, and happily ever after, the first book of my Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides series is what you need. Plus, it's on sale for only 99¢ on Amazon. GENTRY AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE can be found at this URL:’

https://www.amazon.com/Gentry-Texas-Country-Order-Brides-ebook/dp/B0B6YN6QHK

 Here's the blurb:

Sometimes the perfect match is the one you didn’t expect.

Nothing much riles Gentry McRae. He works hard on the ranch he co-owns with his best friend, and is content with his life. He’s proud of all they’ve accomplished in the ten years since the war. That is, until his partner dies and leaves a fourth of the ranch to his mail-order bride—and wills the bride to Gentry.

“Now just a doggone minute, I don’t plan to marry for years!”

But, a single woman can’t reside on a ranch where four men live without ruining her reputation. What’s a good man to do, except marry the woman when she arrives?

Heidi Roth has been spurned for being too plainspoken and too tall. In addition, her sister constantly makes fun of her for those reasons. That’s why—with many doubts—she’s willing to travel for months from Bavaria to Texas to marry a man who once lived in her town. When she arrives, she learns her prospective groom is dead, but left her a fourth of his share of a ranch. She has serious doubts, but agrees to wed Gentry to protect her reputation. From the next day, one event after the other happens. Is this the life she wants?

 

Happy Valentine’s Day.