Sometimes the best way to know a person is by asking questions, so let’s meet Ellie.
What is your name?
Elliana Allbright. Actually, only Ritter regularly calls me Elliana. Everyone else just calls me Ellie.
How old are you?
Thirty-six.
What is your profession?
I own and operate Scents and Nonsense, a perfume and gift shop that offers all things scentual. My perfumes are personalized for my clients. See, my sense of smell is a bit out of the ordinary. It triggers a kind of empathy that lets me know what specific fragrance blends will a help a particular customer. I only use essential oils in my perfumes, some of which I distill from plants in the extensive garden behind my shop.
Do you have a significant other?
Yes. He was my crush in high school. Last year he came back to town, and I went and fell for him all over again.
What is his name?
Ritter Nelson.
What is his profession?
He’s a botanist who works on environmental projects. The last one involved collecting and collating data in the Alaskan tundra. I love how passionate he is about his work but wish it didn’t take him away for months at a time.
Any children?
Nope.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
Half-siblings, Colby and Wendy. They’re both younger than me.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
I have a Pembroke Welsh corgi named Dash. Nabokov, the Russian blue shop cat came with the building when I bought it, and I think he might argue that I’m more his pet than he is mine.
What town do you live in?
Poppyville, California.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
I own a tiny house built at the far end of the Enchanted Garden behind my shop.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
My favorite thing about my tiny house is the spiral staircase that leads to my loft bedroom and also functions beautifully as a spiral shelving for my collection of aromatherapy and gardening books. I also spend a lot of time on my back porch, which overlooks a wildflower meadow and has a view of Kestrel Peak.
Who is your best friend?
Astrid Moneypenny.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
Amateur!
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
Astrid, of course. She always has my back. And the members of the Greenstockings, which is my women’s business group.
Favorite meal?
Hmm. Have to go with lobster.
Favorite dessert?
I don’t eat dessert very often. Of course, I get plenty of sweets because Astrid brings fresh cookies to my shop every morning, and I usually have at least one for breakfast.
Favorite hobby?
Gardening.
Favorite vacation spot?
Any northern rocky beach.
Favorite color?
Blue.
Favorite author?
Diane Ackerman.
Favorite sports team?
Meh.
Movies or Broadway?
Movies.
Are you a morning or a night person?
I guess I’m more of an early bird.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I get up bright and early and have coffee in the garden with Dash. Then I check on the miniature fairy gardens and tiny gnome doors tucked here and there throughout the Enchanted Garden (one of the reasons people think it’s enchanted!). I open the shop around ten and begin making bath products, perfumes, candles, and the like in between waiting on customers. My assistant Maggie might come in to help, and I’m free for the afternoon, or I might work all day and then spend the evening with Ritter. Small town life isn’t very exciting, but I love it. Of course, all that peacefulness goes right out the window when someone gets killed. Unfortunately, that has happened three times in the last year. . .
Giveaway: What is your favorite perfume scent? Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Marigolds for Malice. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends August 30, 2018. Good luck everyone!
You can read about Ellie in Marigolds for Malice, the third book in the “Enchanted Garden” mystery series. The first book in the series is Daisies For Innocence.
In the third captivating Enchanted Garden Mystery from Bailey Cattrell, Elliana Allbright will need to dig up clues from the past to weed out a killer. . .
Elliana Allbright is happy running her perfume shop, Scents & Nonsense, in the charming town of Poppyville, California. And she’s even happier when she can use her inherited abilities to infuse her perfumes with an extra special something that eases woes or solves problems for her customers. But she’ll need those abilities and more when murder comes to town.
Ellie and her women’s business group, the Greenstockings, are helping to open a new museum about local history, and while sorting through the collection of artifacts they discover a time capsule from the days of the Gold Rush. Among the contents is a strange botanical manuscript, recognized by local history professor Eureka Sanford as extremely rare and valuable. When the professor is found dead in the museum, Ellie has no choice but to sniff out the murderer. . . but this one may have roots that are as old as Poppyville.
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About the author
Marigolds for Malice is the third Enchanted Garden Mystery by Bailey Cattrell. She also writes the New York Times bestselling Magical Bakery Mysteries as Bailey Cates. She writes, gardens, and cooks in northern Colorado where she lives with her guy and two cats: Cheesecat the Orange and Minerva the asthmatic wonder kitty. You can keep up with all of her personas and the newest book news at baileycattrell.com.
All comments are welcomed.
What a great skill to be able to extract essential oils from flowers and make perfume! My favorite is Hermes Faubourg 24.
I’m allergic to perfume! I can use essential oils and sometimes put a bit of lavender or sweet orange oil on.
My favorite perfume is Clinique’s Aromatic Elixir.
*Aromatics*
Ugh, not enough caffeine in my bloodstream this a.m. 😁
When I do wear perfume I prefer a light floral scent.
I do not perfume very often. But I do like a light perfume when I do wear it. I always liked the scent of Chanel No 5. It reminds me of my Mom. She always wore it.
A lot of perfumes give me headaches so I have to careful. Maybe Ellie’s perfumes would be better. I guess I like vanilla best.
Chanel #5–it’s a classic
My favorite perfume scent is Moonlight Path from Bath & Body Works.Scents evoke such powerful emotions – I love the idea of making it the protagonist’s special talent!
My favorite fragrance is the original Kate Spade. Thanks so much for introducing us to Ellie, Dru Ann and Bailey — I had not heard of this series before and am looking forward to reading the Enchanted Garden Mysteries!
Anything with gardenia in it.
I was introduced to White Shoulders when I was 16 years old and I have been wearing it ever since
I love a floral with a little spice. Anything that doesn’t have a musk smell to it. I am allergic to musk. Thanks for sharing Bailey Cattrell’s book. I am looking forward to adding this book to my to be read list.
My favorite perfume scent is Freesia.
I love fairy gardens! The book sounds delightful. As far as perfume scents, I love Viburnum and spicy smells. Main thing is not too sweet and more of the spicy trend.
Anais Anais. An old fragrance that is now a bit hard to find. Has become “my” fragrance, everyone in the family associates it with me.
Anything light, if it’s to strong, I get a headache.
I love the idea of someone who can customize a person’s scent.
I’ve never owned it, but I am fascinated by the smell of tuberose.
I like the Nest fragrances, especially Citrine.
I can’t handle most perfumes. I get headaches if they have much of a scent at all. Maybe Ellie’s perfumes would be something I could handle.
I like the smell of vanilla!
I love the scent of gardenia but it is too heavy for me. Lately I’ve worn Jo Malone Earl Grey and Cucumber. Also Wild Bluebell.
I love the chance to win a copy of Marigolds for Malice!
I don’t really like the smells of chemical perfumes but I love the smell of pink carnations.
We just covered this series in our Cozy Mystery book club. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you, Dru and Bailey!
I don’t wear perfume anymore because I’m sensitive by the smell. I do love the scents of lavender, lilac, and roses.
Something light and non-floral. Heavy scents give me a headache.
My favorite perfume was Heaven Sent by Helena Rubenstein. It’s discontinued now. A similar scent is produced by Donna Karan…cashmere Mist…but can’t afford that…lol!
I enjoyed the first book in this series and look forward to reading this next one.
I don’t have a favorite perfume scent, but I do love vanilla scented candles.
I have always liked Jessica McClintock. I just love the way it smells.
I love passion flower from The Body Shop. They discontinued the scent unfortunately.
Thank you for interviewing Ellie, Dru! It’s wonderful to see everyone’s favorite scents. I personally don’t wear perfume much but use essential oils every day. My favorite combinations are lavender and basil, clove and cinnamon, and in the winter I love the scent of cedar oil mixed with a little sweet orange.
Good luck to everyone in the drawing! ~Bailey
Shalimar
Allergies-allergies-allergies! I buy scent-free products whenever I can!~
**** WINNER ****
Marigolds for Malice is Ashley Cate
Congratulations!