Cards From Khloe's Flower Shop

by Isabella Louise Anderson

Released January 17^th 2017
Chick Lit Goddess, LLC

From The Book Junkie Reads . . . Cards from Khloe’s Flower Shop . . .

Khloe Harper was just that woman that felt deep and shared too much of herself. She loves her family and friends and her flower shop. She loves giving that small gift of love, thoughtfulness to others. Love and life has hit Khloe hard once before but now Derek Thomas comes in to her world and make her think twice about romance. She thinks that it would be a chance with him. But as life would have it doubt, fears, worry and old insecurities brings clouds her way.

I found that best thing about this read was that it was not just solely focused on Khloe and Derek. There was a cast of other characters, Gabby, Connie, Harry and in a sense Walt. They each allowed you to see in to their lives and the way that Khloe’s Flower Shop impacted them in some way. I enjoyed a great deal that this was not just a romance it was what women face on a daily basis. To love. To hurt. To worry. To feel rejected or accepted. To survive. To live. To move on.

This was a beautiful portrayal of women and how they cope with life as it comes at them. With love or no love. See how the simple gift of a card or two could change the way one or more women look upon themselves and see the world in a new light. If you are looking for a feel good women’s fiction with a touch or two of romance, family and friendship I recommend that you pick up Cards from Khloe’s Flower Shop.

Blurb
As the owner of a successful florist shop, Khloe Harper trusts her instincts. She has a strong bond with her family and friends, but after being betrayed by her last love, she's kept herself at arms’ length from romance. When dashing entertainment attorney Derek Thomas walks into her store, Khloe’s interest is piqued. What at first seems like a business relationship quickly turns into romance, and Derek slowly plucks away the petals she’s been hiding behind. Just as Khloe lets down her guard, she discovers that Derek may not be worthy of her love after all.

Frumpy Connie Albright has a faux fascination with an imaginary man named Walt, thinking that by sending herself flowers from him she’ll feel less out-of-place with the “mean girls” she works with. When she comes face to face with her possible prince charming and thinking she might have a happy ending, when a truth is revealed, she wonders if she’ll ever have a Cinderella story.

A recently widowed senior, Gabby Lewis, isn't ready to give up on love—which means releasing herself from survivor's guilt and taking a chance on finding happiness and companionship again. After signing up for an online dating site for senior citizens, much to her surprise, she’s matched with Harry, an energetic and loving man, who quickly eases himself into her heart. Will Gabby take the leap of falling in love again, knowing it’s possible to have two loves of her life?

As each woman’s story develops through flowers and cards sent from Khloe's shop during the fall months, they begin to learn that love can only truly blossom when you trust your heart.

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Connie typed anxiously on her keyboard, looking up from her cubicle every few seconds, waiting for Sharon from Khloe’s Flower Shop to come through the glass entryway doors. She had checked her email first thing that morning, and like always, once a week, there was a confirmation about her order.

Dear Connie Albright,

Your order to CONNIE ALBRIGHT has been created by one of our team members and is on its way to the recipient.

If you have any questions, comments, or complaints, please call Khloe Harper at 1-800-555-1212.

As always, I wish you a bouquet of happiness! Khloe Harper

Owner of Khloe’s Flower Shop

With a sigh, Connie looked back down at her keyboard and continued entering patients’ data into the Excel spreadsheet. Six years ago, to pay for her college education, she had started the medical data entry job, where she found mundane tasks enjoyable, and had been looking forward to making new friends. However, these days, she was now a college graduate with a degree in marketing who hated her job, finding it boring and repetitive, nor had she made friends with any of her co-workers. In fact, they barely noticed her.

Compared to the thin, sexy bombshells she worked with, Connie wasn’t anyone to be desired. She was tall, frumpy, wore glasses, and, thanks to a conversation she overheard, was known in the office as “the ugly girl who wore tacky sweaters.” With the exception of a few that her grandmother had sent her for her birthday, having crocheted each one, Connie didn’t think the sweaters were tacky.

So, after hearing enough of what was being said behind her back, and after complaining to her best friend—her diary—she came up with an idea to change things, and, so far, it seemed to have worked like magic.

“Connie!” Mia, the office receptionist, squealed. “They’re here!”

With a slight pause to get ready for the weekly act she performed, Connie popped up from her chair and watched Sharon approach. After signing her name to the page on the clipboard, she gave Sharon, the only other person besides Khloe who knew her secret, a quick nod.

Suddenly, Connie found herself in the center of a circle of women hovering over her desk, eagerly waiting for her to read the card that came with the bouquet.

“Well, what does it say?” asked a co-worker.

“Yeah, come on. Tell us,” begged another.

She took in the moment, wishing she had a real man who would say the things she had written to herself. “Your beauty captures me more each day, and my love for you grows each time I touch you. I’m looking forward to this weekend...in bed! Walt.”

Holding the card close to her chest, Connie forced tears from her eyes, forcing herself to blush in front of her co-workers. “Oh, I love that man so very much.”

“Seriously, that has to be the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” Mia said, dramatizing her voice and placing her hands on her chest. “Oh, Connie, you’re so lucky to have a man like him.”

“Yeah, Con, that’s cute,” began Nicola, the bitchiest of them all. “But the last time I got flowers, just yesterday as a matter of fact, they certainly weren’t carnations,” she joked, motioning her hand like she was shooing the flowers away from her. All the co-workers joined in her laughter, and then shuffled back to their desks.

Connie looked at her flowers and smiled, her feathers not ruffled by Nicola’s comment. She felt accomplished and desired. For a few moments, she’d been the center of attention of a group of women who she knew despised her. Even back in high school, she had been a female nerd, which crossed her out from being friends with the beautiful and popular girls, and in college it was pretty much the same story. It’s not that she didn’t try to make an effort, because she did, but after failing time and time again, whether it be at orientation, working together in groups for school projects, or the few times Connie went to a pub near the university in hopes of meeting up with a few girls who she thought she could be friends with, it never worked. They either laughed in her face, said that the empty seat next to them was already taken (when it really wasn’t), or simply ignored her.

Though it was beginning to get expensive and difficult to keep the lies about Walt straight, Connie had no other choice but to continue the weekly charade.

It’s just the right thing to do!, she told herself, taking a seat in her chair before continuing to enter the endless data, while thinking of what Walt’s card would say the following week.

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Interview with Isabella Louise Anderson

Describe yourself in five words or less:

Stubborn, messy, creative, passionate, and strong.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Great question! I’d have to say I have several, but if I had to pick just one, it would be “You Look So Good In Love” by George Strait.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Spend time with family and friends, read, watch baseball (Go Rangers), and jot down notes for my current WIP

What types of scenes are your most favorite to write?

The emotional ones! I love when I get so into a scene, and I start to cry. There’s something about it that makes it seem so real…and with “Cards From Khloe’s Flower Shop,” I cried most with Gabby’s character.

What 2 things should readers know about you?

1) I’m very shy, 2) I’m OCD and if my handwriting doesn’t look pretty, I have to erase it and redo it (I know, it’s crazy and a waste of time, but it’s the only way I can outline—something I can’t do on a computer—it has to be pencil and paper).

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

All of the stories I’ve written are a spin from my real life. For example, in “The Right Design,” Palm Beach was the main setting because my family has a family home there (though, I’m not a beach person like the main character). As for “Cards From Khloe’s Flower Shop,” I’ve always loved receiving and sending flowers. I’ve also wanted own a flower shop, so this book specifically is based on what my life would like if I did.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

I’m currently writing a country contemporary romance, and I love it. This book is the most real book I’ve written since it’s based on a combination of reality and fiction.

Author Info

Isabella grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. She focuses her time on featuring other writers on her blog, Chick Lit Goddess, along with organizing Goddess Book Tours, and is a member of the Romance Writers of America.

She lives in Dallas with her husband, enjoys spicy Mexican food, margaritas, gin on the rocks (with a splash of lime). She loves spending time with family and friends and cheering on the Texas Rangers. Not only is Isabella an author, she’s also a Scentsy consultant and hoarder.

Isabella is the author of The Right Design and Cards From Khloe’s Flower Shop. Her short story, “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe,” was featured in Simon & Fig’s Christmas anthology, Merry & Bright. She’s currently working on another book.

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