Together with Mulberry Bush Bookstore, best-selling historical fiction author Elinor Florence will host a public garden party at her Qualicum Beach home on Friday, May 23 to launch her new novel, Finding Flora, in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area.
The novel debuted in April in the No. 1 national best-seller spot for Canadian Fiction, and has remained on the best-seller list ever since.
Finding Flora, Florence's third novel, digs deep into Canada's colourful prairie past, according to a news release.
A Scottish newlywed jumps from a moving train in 1905 to escape her abusive husband and finds herself alone on the Alberta prairie. Desperate to disappear, she files a claim on a homestead — only to realize that her struggles have just begun.
“The novel pays homage to the homesteaders who played such an integral role in our Western Canadian history,” Florence said.
Her own family heritage includes homesteaders, fur traders and Indigenous women, all of whom inspired her love of the past. She grew up on a Saskatchewan farm and pursued a journalism career, working for publications in all four western provinces before turning to fiction.
She now lives in Invermere, B.C., and spends part of each year at her second home in Qualicum Beach.
Florence will host a garden party at 581 Nassau Cres. from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 23, when she will sign books and chat with readers about the inspiration behind her novel.
“It’s my birthday, so please drop by for a piece of cake and a glass of lemonade,” Florence said.
The event is open to everyone. Christina Kinney, owner of the Mulberry Bush Bookstore, will be there to welcome readers and sell copies of the book. In keeping with the 1905 fashion, Florence urges everyone to come wearing their best biggest garden party hat.
Read more about Florence and her books at www.elinorflorence.com. Finding Flora is published by Simon & Schuster Canada and is available from any bookstore and online bookseller.
For more information about the garden party, call the Mulberry Bush Bookstore at 250-752-9722.
