Portobello Book Blog

I’m delighted to be joined by author of Perfume Paradiso, Janey Jones. I very much like the sound of the book and do hope to be able to fit it in at some point. In the meantime, Janey has been answering my Author in the Spotlight questions. Read on to find out more about her and her work.

First of all, would you tell my blog readers a little about yourself?

I’m a full-time writer from Edinburgh. I’ve been published for a while in children’s books and now breaking into contemporary fiction. I enjoy reading, theatre and cinema. I’m a mother of 3 grown up sons and they are still very much my life. I’ve become more and more interested in the natural world, biodiversity and conservation. I’ve been curious about making perfume for many years and I’ve finally written about it.

What inspired you to start writing?

I’ve been creating stories since very early childhood. I like written words on a page, I like stories and especially I like good characters. It was more a given than a choice that I would write. But getting published was a choice.

Tell me about your journey to publication.

It was hard to get noticed and it’s also hard to change genre or topic. It can be quite a neurotic making thing, this being a writer thing. I have always dusted myself down after a disappointment and tried again! Never give up.

In a nutshell, what is your latest book about?

It’s a modern love story about a couple who are equals. One is a perfumer and one is a frizzante producer. They are both ambitious and have to make a decision about their romance – is it more important than everything else? Is it the right thing under their noses?

How did you come up with the title for your book?

Along with the publishers – we tried lots of titles and all liked this one. It was a working title and just stuck.

How did you celebrate publication day?

Quietly. I am very much missing café society due to Covid. I’d love to go to an Italian café like Valvona & Crolla in Edinburgh for brunch. I will try to approximate it at home.

Do you have a work in progress just now?

Yes, one out, new one in progress! I’m enjoying it – another contemporary romance between an unlikely pair in a very modern setting. It was inspired by a news story.

What’s your favourite book you’ve read in the past few months?

I have recently re-read two novellas – Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I’ve been thinking about economy of style and story-telling as well as immaculate denouement.

What are you reading just now?

Philippa Gregory’s Three Sisters, Three Queens. I absolutely adore Philippa Gregory’s work.

If you were on Desert Island Discs, what one book would you take with you?

Is there a book you’d like to see made into a film?

Perhaps a remake of Edna O’Brien’s The Country Girls with Saoirse Ronan.

How can people follow you or connect with you on social media?

I’m on twitter: @janeyjones23 Instagram: janeyjones23  Facebook: Janey Jones

And finally, if you could be a character in any book you have read, who would it be and why?

Elizabeth Bennett as she triumphs through integrity not guile.

My thanks to Kelly at Love Books Tours for inviting me to be part of the tour. Perfume Paradiso is published by Black and White Publishing and is available now as an ebook with the paperback due out in August. You can order a Kindle copy here: Perfume Paradiso

From the back of the book

One week in Italy. One week to make her dreams come true . . .

Romance is the last thing on Charlotte Alexander’s mind. Her perfume business is flourishing. And a glamorous new life in New York awaits. Just one more thing is needed: a supply of artisan lavender for her trademark scent.

But when Charlotte stumbles across the infuriating and infuriatingly handsome Alessio Rossini, her plans begin to fall apart. With New York finally in reach . . . should she follow her dreams or her heart?

A captivating, feelgood summer romance set in the beautiful Italian countryside.

More about the Author

JANEY JONES is a full-time writer with a love for food, fashion and all things French and Italian. She is the author of the fantastically successful Princess Poppy series, with sales of over 4 million copies. Before Princess Poppy took over her life, Janey had always intended to write contemporary fiction, and Perfume Paradiso is her second novel after the very popular Secret Life of Lucy Lovecake (writing as Pippa James).