On Tour 12/29/23-03/28/24 “The Blue Iris” by Rachel Stone

Release Date: October 3, 2023

About The Book:

Sometimes, uprooting the thorn-filled past is the only way we bloom…

TESSA LEWIS is set to embark on a Big-Time Career and marry Toronto’s fastest rising lawyer, who loves her to pieces. But life wasn’t always sunshine and roses, and when a visit to a flower market from her childhood sparks fragmented memories of the mother she lost too soon, Tessa puts her entire future on hold to work there, determined to come to terms with her past.

At the Blue Iris Flower Market, everything is blossoming except the rag-tag crew, each hiding deep scars of their own. When Sam, the beloved but troubled man in charge, takes off and leaves the market reeling, Tessa and her unlikely new friends come face to face with their hardest truths, uprooting lives carefully cultivated — and just maybe, unearthing everything they’ve ever wanted.

Told from multiple perspectives, The Blue Iris is an intricately woven story of love tested beyond its limits, chosen family, and the beauty that grows in letting go.

About The Author:

Rachel Stone writes stories of hope and redemption, often set against vibrant Canadian backdrops. Her writing placed first in the 2022 OBOA Writing Contest and has appeared in international literary and visual arts magazines, journals, and blogs.

Rachel holds degrees in psychology and industrial relations, and once worked seven summers at a flower market. She’s an active member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and proud co-founder of a volunteer initiative supporting new and newly-immigrated families in need.

She lives near Toronto with her family, and on weekends you’ll find her along the shore of Georgian Bay, belting nineties pop rock off-key from her paddleboard. The Blue Iris is her first novel. http://www.rachelstoneauthor.com/

Social Media:

Instagram: @racheystone https://www.instagram.com/racheystone/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100030081772132

Twitter / X: @rachestone https://twitter.com/rachestone

Book Blurbs:

In The Blue Iris, Rachel Stone shines as a gifted wordsmith. Her narrative is like walking through a lush garden; our senses explode with the beauty in her vivid descriptions. With each chapter, her rich cast of characters take root, grow, and evolve, Tessa most of all. Hers is a difficult journey–to ground herself in truth, she must peel away the façade that has sustained her. Tessa learns a lesson important to each of us: when we let go of dying things, it frees us to hold fast to that which nurtures us. The Blue Iris isan engaging, unique novel of love and chosen family—the best kind. -Carla Damron, Author of the The Orchid Tattoo

The lives of five employees of the Blue Iris flower market in Toronto are so tightly intertwined that when one moves, another is impacted, and their story moves forward as well–especially when the handful of outside characters’ motivations also come into play. It’s truly brilliant plotting and character development. -Kathleen Basi, Author of A Song For The Road

Bloggers On Tour:

Dec. 29th- Kelizak Reads https://instagram.com/kelizakreads

Dec. 31st- Plains Reading https://instagram.com/plains_reading

Jan. 6th- Books and Coffee MX https://instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx

Jan. 10th- Joannas Bookshelf https://instagram.com/joannasbookshelf

Feb. 15th- Love My Books 2020 https://instagram.com/lovemybooks2020

Feb. 19th- CMT Loves Wine and Books https://instagram.com/cmtloveswineandbooks

Feb. 24th- Marilyn Goncalves https://instagram.com/marilynjgon

Feb. 29th- Nurse Bookie https://instagram.com/nurse_bookie

March 4th- Crafty Jenn Reads https://instagram.com/crafty.jenn.reads

March 11th- Sarahs Bookish Reviews https://instagram.com/sarahs.bookish.reviews

March 15th- Sarahs Bookstack https://instagram.com/sarahs.bookstack