Guest post written by author Louisa Leaman
Louisa Leaman has a degree in art history and currently writes for the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum), researching and writing about the museum’s archived wedding dresses. It’s the stories behind the exquisite dresses in their collection that sparked the idea for the novel. She lives in Epping Forest near London. When she isn’t busy writing or rearing three lively children, she paints portraits, goes running and spends far too long browsing in vintage clothing shops.
The Lost and Found Necklace is available from Amazon, B&N, IndieBound, BookShop, BAM, and eBook. PLUS you can enjoy an excerpt from The Lost and Found Necklace at the end of this guest post!
In my latest novel, The Lost and Found Necklace, I explore the idea that opening up to another person – the right person – can change your life and help move you forward, not just in your relationship, but within yourself. My lead character, Jess Taylor, after a string of mistakes, believes she’s finally found the man for her – sensible, stable Tim, whom everyone approves of – but when her ailing grandmother asks her to retrieve a long-lost heirloom necklace, with a mysterious reputation for leading its wearer to their soul mate, Jess’s romantic destiny starts hurtling in another direction. Enter the maverick yet intriguing Guy.
When I first decided I wanted to write romantic fiction I read voraciously, to see what else was on the market. I discovered great books, fun books, books that made me blush, books that made me cry, but I never found the romance book that felt like ‘me’. I’m innately visual. I love art history. I studied it at university and have worked for the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, researching and writing content for their website. I’m intrigued by historical things, particularly every day ones such as clothing and furniture.
It was while writing about the V&A Museum’s historic wedding dress collection, that I became inspired to weave my ‘thing obsession’ into my books. Before I knew it I’d written my debut, The Second Chance Boutique, based on the stories of vintage bridal wear. It got snapped up by Penguin Random House in the UK and then by Sourcebooks in the USA. Suddenly I was excited. I’d found my ‘take’ on romantic fiction.
For my second book, I knew I wanted to feature jewelry. I’ve always been fascinated by it, especially the intricate and ornate designs of the Art Nouveau period. Given the intimate nature of jewelry – placed on the body, close to the skin, so very personal, maybe worn to a first date or anniversary dinner, or given as a gift, a secret token between lovers, or to mark a significant moment in a person’s life – it felt like an obvious impulse for an intriguing and emotional backstory. Add in the idea of an heirloom, something passed down from generation to generation, and here was the seed of the extraordinary butterfly pendent featured in The Lost and Found Necklace.
I wanted to showcase the journey of the necklace through time, from its early twentieth century origin, all the way to the present day, paying homage to the wonder of heirlooms, how they tie time and family together. Eager to vividly represent the changing eras experienced by the necklace’s different owners, I did a lot of delightful research. I gathered ideas from visits to museums, historic houses and my meanders around London, where much of the book is set. For reasons which will become clear to anyone who reads the book, I became rather obsessed with photographs of faded Hollywood mansions and I loved learning about the nineteenth century world fairs, where influential Art Nouveau jewelry designers like Henri Lalique would have showcased their work.
One of my favourite research trips was to the site of the Crystal Palace in London, where one such world fair was held. The Palace is now a ruin, but it was tantalising to imagine how it would have been. Thankfully the Internet helped bring it to life – there are many paintings and photographs of the original building online. There is also some wonderful footage of the 1889 Paris world fair on Youtube, featuring the Eiffel Tower. I couldn’t stop watching it. I was basically going down a research-geek rabbit hole – and having the time of my life! While visiting family in Baltimore, I discovered similar footage is showcased in The Walters Art Museum, so I was reassured that I wasn’t alone in finding such esoteric detail fascinating.
I simply like the idea that old things are more than just inanimate objects, that they somehow hold the energy of their experience in their molecules. I also think it’s where the essence of our existence resides, in our ‘things’ – our clothes and jewels and furnishings. We’d struggle to live without them and we often live through them, expressing ourselves, displaying our identity, taking comfort, claiming status. If I pick up an old object my mind is instantly asking questions. Who owned this? Who wore it? To where? With whom? And what happened?
Basically I’m a nightmare in vintage stores and antique markets!
Being able to combine my passions for both fiction and things is such a pleasure and hopefully this comes through in the words. My books are sometimes described as quirky, fun, arty, different and original, but ultimately they are the essence of me. It has been lovely discovering they have resonance for other people, that there’s an appetite for contemporary romantic fiction that offers more than just boy meets girl. Best of all, I love it when readers tell me they’ve been inspired to dust off their old jewelry or think more about the way they dress.
So there we have it, I’m outing myself as a total ‘thing’ nerd. And proud.
Loading…
Reload document 
Open in new tab 
