Writer To Reader
Guest Post

Sheila Roberts
Author of The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane
July 2014

These are a few of my favorite things.

When a girl is writing a book it's always a good idea to write about something she loves. So when I started thinking about what to include in my new Icicle Falls novel, The Teashop on Lavender Lane, I decided it would be fun to add a teashop to the town. I love teashops. They're always so pretty and girlie with their linen tablecloths and fancy china teacups and teapots. And really, who uses teacups anymore?

Oh, yeah. Me. I love to have tea parties using the collection of teacups I inherited from both my mom and my mother-in-law. (My favorite one, a mint green cup with lily of the valley flowers and a matching green saucer, finally got a crack in it. We're currently downsizing and I had to toss it. I sure hated to, and I had a little "teacup funeral" right there at the garbage can. Rest in peace, little cup. You lived a long and useful life.)

Of course, I also love the goodies you find in teashops. Scones and clotted cream? Oh, yum! And those cute little cookies and finger sandwiches. It makes my mouth water just thinking about them. So, of course, I had to include recipes in the book to make your mouth water. And wait 'til you taste that lavender cake. It is to die for! In fact, I think I need to go bake one right now. After all, I need strength to continue with the hard work of packing up excess stuff for Goodwill.

Something else that sits at the top of my favorite things list is relationships. Mothers, sisters, girlfriends, daughters—the women in our lives are so important. I think of all the important people in my life, especially my girlfriends, sisters-in-law, mothers and my daughter, and realize how very rich I am in the things that matter. And I think that's the core of what this book is about—not just finding love but realizing how important the love of family is. Oh yes, and why, when the going gets tough, the tough go to the teashop.

Book Description:

The Teashop on Lavender Lane
July 1, 2014
Harlequin MIRA

When it comes to men, sisters don't share!

After a fake food poisoning incident in L.A., Bailey Sterling's dreams of becoming a caterer to the stars collapse faster than a soufflé. Now Bailey's face is in all the gossip rags and her business is in ruins. But the Sterling women close ranks and bring her back to Icicle Falls, where she'll stay with her sister Cecily.

All goes well between the sisters until Bailey comes up with a new business idea—a tea shop on a charming street called Lavender Lane. She's going into partnership with Todd Black, who—it turns out—is the man Cecily's started dating. It looks to Cecily as if there's more than tea brewing in that cute little shop. And she's not pleased.

*****************************************************************************************

 Order The Book          Read The Review      Visit Sheila Roberts Website

 Guest Post Archive

Read other guest posts from your favorite authors.