by Holly Varni
The first couple lines of any story I am working on have always been important to me, giving me an anchor for the whole book. The characters typically introduce themselves to me while I’m doing some idle chore around the house. When these first two lines echoed in my head—“Delphinium Hayes could identify the goodness—or wickedness—of a person by their scent. With the slightest passing whiff, she immediately knew someone’s most admirable or weediest characteristic—” I knew I had something different. I was intrigued by the character and wanted to go on writing.
The Blooming of Delphinium, book two in the Moonberry Lake series, is a sweet story about the flower shop located on Main Street in the cozy small town of Moonberry Lake. The protagonist, Delphinium Hayes, had a brief cameo in book one where she hinted at her unique ability. But her special gift is only one element of the story.
When Delphinium is in danger of losing her beloved shop, a group of senior adults decide to do everything in their power to save it. The drama that enfolds even surprised me as I was writing the book. I have been a hospice volunteer for years and have a tremendous soft spot for the elderly, incorporating senior characters into every book I write. In The Blooming of Delphinium, the seniors took over the story. This wily group of Moonberry Lake’s most sassy and seasoned citizens wanted both Delphinium and I to learn something.
No matter what a person’s age, they crave purpose. The elderly characters began having the time of their life because they had a purpose to get up in the morning and get going. Woven within the drama and hilarity of their endless antics, they came together to rally around Delphinium and support her in trying to save the shop. The entire town witnesses the energy and creativity in this typically overlooked population.
I am passionate about reminding others of the tremendous wisdom and value of the senior community. The crux of The Blooming of Delphinium is that a young person’s life is a mess and often the ones with the answers are the elderly. I wanted to make the seniors a beacon of understanding and compassion that Delphinium turns to for help. As she invests in them, they commit to her and as a result, a family is formed, resulting in a circle of love for everyone.
As Delphinium pours her attention and love into these seniors, she receives the most important lesson about life: your chosen community directly impacts your happiness. The “blooming” of Delphinium teaches all of us to view the elderly people in our community as precious treasures waiting to be rediscovered.
About the Author
Holly Varni, her husband, and their three sons live along the central coast of California, but her beloved Midwest roots continue to haunt everything she writes. She hosts the Moments from Moonberry Lake podcast, where she shares more stories of her beloved characters. Learn more at HollyVarni.com.
About the Book
Elliot Sturgis, director of The Gardens Assisted Living Facility, is determined to discover why a group of his residents keeps sneaking over to Delphinium's shop to play poker in the walk-in refrigerator. He soon finds himself as enchanted by Delphinium as everyone else. But his devotion to following the rules and maintaining order does not endear him to the shop's owner. Sparks fly as opposites attract and love finds a match in Delphinium's Flora Emporium—even for those who resist it the most.
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