Five Fact Thursday - Meet James Benton from Lost in Lavender by Patricia Kiyono #sweet #regency

Five Facts About James Benton:

1. James Benton, the hero of Lost in Lavender, is modeled after my husband, who gets lost frequently – even in our house!

2. James, like my hubby is also the youngest child in the family, so they both felt overshadowed by his elder brothers.

3. He went against family expectations as far as a career

4. He’s kind to people not in his social circle

5. He’s happiest when he’s outdoors

Buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com//dp/B07LC9Z7JL/

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lost-in-lavender-patricia-kiyono/1130111952?ean=2940156543663

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/lost-in-lavender

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/lost-in-lavender/id1469634535?itsct=books_toolbox&itscg=30200&ct=books_lost_in_lavender&ls=1

Blurb:

Selina Davison once enjoyed life as a countess, but when tragedy struck, she learned to take care of herself. Thanks to her skill creating hats adorned with realistic silk flowers, she’s built a successful business as a milliner. When a handsome gentleman stumbles into her shop asking for directions, she remembers and yearns for the joy of having someone to share life’s ups and downs. As the second son of an earl, James Benton could enjoy his social privileges, but the concerns of the gentry hold no interest for him. He’s much happier to be outdoors, tending to his plants, which never judge him. His peerage connections help him secure the position as landscape architect for the winter garden in Highgate, but no one warned him of how complicated the personalities involved would make the job. A sweet, light Regency romance.

Excerpt:

“I take it that finding your way is a challenge for you.” 3

He recalled his parents’ exasperation, his brother’s disdain, his sister’s cruel taunts. “To be sure. I’ve always needed a guide. Even when I’m given specific directions, I get turned around. Pointing out landmarks doesn’t seem to help. All the buildings look alike to me.”

“Perhaps someone should put signs on the roads.”

“The only signs that would help me would be those that say specifically, ‘James, you need to turn that way’… with an arrow pointing in the correct direction.”

She peered at him, and the guilelessness in her expression put him at ease. “How do you find your way about the gardens you design?”

“Ah, that’s different. I never get lost outdoors. Each tree, each shrub, each flower has its own personality, and I have no trouble finding my way among them.”

“Perhaps you need to mark your home with plants.”