A Letter from Caitlyn Paxson

Dear Reader,

I was so certain I would send this missive out to you while it was still June. Alas, the summer is getting away from me as it always seems to and somehow we are already half-way through July. It feels as though there are a million things demanding my attention these days – but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to stop and smell the flowers! And put them on my head.

Peonies are one of my all-time favorite flowers. They’re dramatic, sweet-smelling, just a little bit outrageous, and they always make me want to tuck them behind my ears and become an Alphonse Mucha painting.

In general, the gardens are coming along nicely, if a bit slowly. The weeds are completely out of control in the veggie beds, but I can’t really be bothered to care too much, so long as the things I planted on purpose can get enough light. And half of the weeds are either calendula or nigella that I planted intentionally the first time, only to learn that they are beautiful, self-seeding little menaces which I will have in all my pathways forever more!

Writing

A Widow’s Charm has now been out in the world for over three months, and I’m very delighted to say that the first US printing sold out, meaning that we’re now printing the second edition! I’m deeply moved that so many people are picking up the book and giving it a try, and then enjoying it, and then taking the time to reach out and tell me they’re enjoying it. It truly means the world to me.

Summer has been quieter, events-wise, but I did spend an absolutely lovely afternoon at the Tyne Valley Teas Café, discussing the book with my friend Carol (who made the Widow’s Charm tea blends I’ve mentioned a few times now) and the lovely ladies who came by for the chat. I absolutely adore an intimate little gab about writing, so if you have a book club or some other sort of book-related gathering and you want me to pop in virtually, please let me know!  

Otherwise, I have been working hard on the final touches for Rogue Charmers (and hope to have news about it to share with you soon) and have also gotten started drafting an entirely new project, which I am very excited about!

Interpreting

If you’re new to Book & Bramble (hello and welcome!) then you may not know that in addition to being an author, I am also a museum interpreter at several historic sites. Things have been busy this summer, and I’m running around the Island to divide my time between training new staff at Beaconsfield Historic House, delivering haunted tours at the Yeo House, and frolicking with the baby goats at Orwell Corner Historic Village for my In the Time of Maud program, which celebrates the life of L.M. Montgomery. I will say, it’s been an especially active season for odd (paranormal?) activity at the Yeo House, so if you’re in the area, this might be the year to check it out. I've done two tours so far and got creeped out both times!

Reading

The first five months of the year were so busy that I barely read anything. But I’ve been catching up a bit this summer and I have to tell you, I’ve read a bunch of absolute bangers!

The Scandal of the Summer – Alexandra Vasti has become an absolute must-read for me, and this soft-heist historical romance was everything I needed. It’s about a lady who’s sick of society and pretends to be a lady in waiting so she can hide out for the summer at a remote seaside estate, only to discover that the staff running the estate are… actually smugglers and con artists? Like all of Vasti’s romances, this is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. It’s a banter-filled romp and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

The Very Definition of Love – Another historical romance, and this one really shines in its impeccable pacing and the chemistry between the two leads. She’s a wallflower, he’s a rake, he accidentally necessitates them getting married to prevent scandal, then he falls for her real bad. It’s a classic premise perfectly executed and I ate it up!

The Duke – A third historical romance, but this one has a very cool worldbuilding twist wherein ladies can inherit traditionally male titles and are then permitted to live as gentleman instead of ladies if they choose. This sapphic story centers around blackmail (which you know I like) and is about a French courtesan who blackmails the titular Duke so she can escape the Reign of Terror. It is hot, hot, hot, and also very romantic, and I can’t wait to read more of Anna Cowan’s work.

The Red Winter – A historical horror comedy drama retelling of the story of the Beast of Gévaudan. Look, I wrote part of my undergraduate thesis about French werewolves and I feel very (absurdly) proprietary about the subject matter, so I was prepared to have a lot of problems with this book. Instead it had me laughing, squirming, and kicking my feet in delight. It’s the story of an immortal man and the demon that lives inside his head and what happens when they try to stop a terrible beast from ravishing the French countryside. It’s genuinely hilarious, incredibly gross, and makes impeccable use of both history and folklore. If you loved the movie The Witch but wish it was more fun, this is the book for you.

Honey in her Veins – Not in the picture, because I listened to the audiobook, which was excellent! A young man with a monster in his head returns to the one place that ever felt like home and the enchanting, bee-whispering girl he left behind. This feels like an Appalachian Practical Magic, full of sisters and potions and communing with nature. It’s very lyrical and dreamy but doesn’t shy away from taking on some big ideas about mental illness. A great summer read.

I think that’s probably where I should wrap this up. I’ll leave you with a few more pictures of our early summer flowers.

Until next time, wishing you the best books and the most berry-full brambles,

Caitlyn

I write this from the traditional unceded territory known as Mi’kma’ki, and I am grateful to call Epekwitk my home.