Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Never Too Late by Susan L. Tuttle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I’m delighted to have Susan on the blog today to chat about floriography, a subject that plays an important role in this story!
NEVER TOO LATE by Susan L Tuttle
Series: Along Came Love #3
Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Once, her art brought her fame. This time will it bring her love?
Widowed homemaker Rachael Stark isn’t quite sure what comes after her only child leaves for college. To fill her suddenly quiet hours and scrawny bank account, she needs a job. But painful memories prevent her from resurrecting her former art career, and motherhood isn’t much of a résumé. When her best friend needs help recovering from a gunshot wound that occurred in the line of duty, she is there. Finally, someone to take care of.
Evan Wayne won’t let his injury keep him from being a police officer. His dedication to protect the innocent stems from the guilt he carries over having failed his childhood friend. What he needs now is to recover and get back on the streets. Instead, he’s handed a myriad of light-duty tasks by his captain―one of which involves heading up the department’s entry into the town’s annual mural contest. He’s not an artist, but he definitely knows one. And he’ll take any excuse to spend more time with her.
When Rachael agrees to paint for Evan, she never expects to also be drawn into finding answers for the mother of a missing child. As the two friends work side by side on the mural and the case, their feelings move beyond friendship. But with Evan unwilling to leave his dangerous job, and Rachael unwilling to risk another loss of a loved one, their fears may paint over the promise of a beautiful future together.
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As a romance writer, I get the pleasure of delving into the different languages of love. Most of us know—or have heard of—the five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts (this is mine!), Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. I’ve had the fun of discovering which language is the one my characters speak, and that discovery often plays into the story. But while researching for and writing Never Too Late, I stumbled across a sixth love language: Floriography!
Floriography is the language of flowers, and in Victorian times it was often used by suitors to leave secret messages for the woman they loved. For example, you could deliver one single flower such as a Camellia, and it would send the message that you were longing for that person. Or you could create an entire bouquet of Blush Roses (blossoming romance), Cornflowers (hope in love), Sweet William (gallantry), and Honeysuckle (devoted affection) and you’d be solidifying your desire to court them exclusively.
This language even moved beyond the sphere of love to leaving messages of all kinds, such as warnings, sympathy, friendship, apologies, or even encouragement. The list of meanings for flowers has grown rather exhaustive and in learning it, you can create a bouquet to convey nearly any message you dream up.
While my stories take place in the here and now, the meaning of flowers has stood the test of time—though many have forgotten it. Because it so fascinated me, I took the idea and wove it throughout Rachael and Evan’s story in varying ways. An aspect that seemed natural especially considering Rachael is an artist who is known for the beauty of the flowers she paints. It definitely added a new dimension to the story that I hadn’t anticipated and brought about several heartfelt and fun moments. I hope you enjoy the use of it as well! And maybe even put it into practice the next time you visit a flower shop.
ACFW Carol Award finalist Susan L. Tuttle lives in the Mitten State of Michigan where she’s a mom of three and happily married to her best friend. Between still homeschooling her youngest and leading the women’s ministry at church, she finds time to write stories filled with inspiration, hope, and encouragement. Connect with Susan at susanltuttle.com.
CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
(1) winner will receive a book on Floriography, a rose candle from Wick and Sarcasm, and a $15 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 15, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 22, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
This giveaway is hosted by JustRead Tours, not RimSP
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
What about you? What makes you want to read Never Too Late by Susan L Tuttle? How familiar are you with floriography?
Sounds like a good story.
I would really like to read this book, sounds absolutely perfect as a winter’s day pick me up.
This sounds like an excellent read.
🙂 Thanks so much for having me, Carrie! <3
Thank you for sharing. This sounds good.
I love Susan’s books! I’ve been really looking forward to this one!
I love the cover.
Thank you so much! 🙂
What a fabulous cover. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Nice cover. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Sounds fun!
This book sounds interesting.
I’m looking forward to this one! The characters sound really well-done!