Why Everyone in My House Smells Like George Washington:
The most difficult but effective thing in writing is capturing a smell. Throwing adjectives at it works about as well as trying to win a carnival ring-toss game. When you do it right, though, the rewards are worth the effort.
It’s not really about focusing on the smell itself, it’s about describing feelings and flashes of memory in a way that connects to the same feelings and memories someone else has.
So…about Caswell-Massey no. 6: a fragrance created in 1772 and famously worn by George Washington. He loved it so much, he even gave it to friends like Lafayette. I decided to buy a little bottle of it for my husband Greg’s birthday, because buying presents for men is impossible, and he likes history, so why not.
The next morning, he was in the kitchen making coffee, and I sidled up next to him with my empty mug, and got a whiff of him. My response was positively vampiric. I couldn’t stop sniffing. This was a smell that had been washed with ivory soap flakes and hung out to dry in June, on a clothesline with wooden pegs. It starts with a hint of bitter lemon, like you’re zesting the peel for a scone recipe, and then it settles into squeaky-clean, just-showered tartness.
My daughter and I tried it. People commented. People asked where they could buy it. I put a spritz on a throw blanket and the dogs started rolling on it. This stuff is liquid love-me. We have it on our lists for the next gift-giving occasion, but in the meantime, the level in Greg’s bottle keeps dipping lower as I sneak little sprays of it.
This is why I’m now officially correcting an omission in American history. George Washington was not only the father of our country, he was the father of our personal fragrances. I mean, his breath probably wasn’t all that great, in light of the wooden teeth and bad gum health—but at least he had @caswellmassey no. 6 in his favor.
🔥🔥LISA KLEYPAS IS BACK🔥🔥 get ready for QUEEN OF LOMBARD STREET
Now available as read now for a limited quantity on Netgalley, after the limit is reached, it will be available for requests.
“Brilliant economist Reina Martin knows she’s considered an eccentric, from her household staffed with ex-convicts to her ambition of founding England’s first all-female bank, but she’s determined never to surrender her independence. When her mysterious new butler reveals himself as an undercover police detective, Reina finds herself embroiled in a massive fraud investigation that threatens everything she holds dear—including her heart. Queen of Lombard Street is an absolute delight!” - Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author
For those of you who asked about my debonair companion, this little gentleman is Gulliver, my daughter’s cat! (He’s staying with us for a few days) Last year she and her boyfriend found him during a storm, starving and injured, hiding under a bush. So they adopted him and now he’s my grandson haha. He has a quiet little purr, and he’s a great writing buddy!
Hey, Instagram! I’m excited to let you all know that you can preorder my new book Queen of Lombard Street for 25% off online at Barnes and Noble from now until March 26th, 2026! (More details in the 2nd slide)
This is by far the biggest and most emotional book I’ve ever written, can’t wait to share it with you!
The B&N preorder link is in my bio
@barnesandnoble #bnpreorder #barnesandnoble #queenoflombardstreet
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas is BACK! ✨🔥 with a sweeping, richly layered Victorian novel about a trailblazing female economist who’s determined to build Britain’s first women’s bank, but she must fight both financial corruption and a system intent on destroying the newly found family she’s created.
Based on real-life trailblazers such as Mary Paley Marshall, Britain’s first female economist, and financial titan Hetty Green, Queen of Lombard Street brings to light the hidden history of extraordinary women whose achievements should be celebrated. How can we know who we are, if we don’t know who we were?
Cover reveal and excerpt, courtesy of Good Morning America Book Club!
My friends at @gmabookclub are giving everyone an exclusive first look at the cover for Devil in Disguise, along with a special excerpt. Thanks to the amazing @juliaquinnauthor ❤️❤️❤️and her dazzling Netflix show Bridgerton, historical romance is having a moment—I couldn’t be more thrilled!
Click on the link in my bio for cover and excerpt 😁
#avonbooks #gma
JQ to the rescue! I’ve been a little under the weather (nothing to do with the virus!) and my dear friend @juliaquinnauthor sent me these chocolates. Even better, I’m going to curl up with her new book “First Comes Scandal,” for some sparkling wit and swoony romance. Hope you’re all hanging in there—don’t forget about self-care! ❤️
Showing our appreciation for delivery people— thank God for them!! Hope you’re staying safe and well, dear friends. Love to all of you!❤️ #thanksfordelivering
MARY JANE WELLS just won the Audie for Devil’s Daughter!!! If you havne’t heard her performance yet, you must. It’s like watching a movie in your head! CONGRATULATIONS to #maryjanewells and #harperaudio #Audies2020 #PROUD #devilsdaughter
What a gift you’ve all given me, my dear friends! THANK YOU for putting “Chasing Cassandra” at #2 on the USAtoday list, and #5 on the NYT! You always inspire me to do my best and write with joy. Also, special thanks from Tom Severin, who says 2 is now his favorite number, because it stands for him and Cassandra. #thankyou #chasingcassandra #lisakleypas
THANK YOU from me, Greg, Dash and Daisy! All your positive messages and reviews (not to mention all those gorgeous Cassandra-blue pics!) have made our week joyful! I treasure every single one of you, my dear friends. #youmakeitallpossible #thankyou #lisakleypas #habibibear
