Page 59 of Authentically, Izzy
Luke
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: April2
Subject: Re: A friend for my heart?
Penelope,
Poldarksays a lot about Andrew, as does the sweater-vest. With only that to go on, I think you definitely have a good start. I can’t wait to hear how the date goes. You must call me to fill me in. I love to hear the excitement in your voice as you describe the evening. I also can listen to you lambast him in the safe haven of our conversation should the date turn in a less satisfactory direction.
The Book Parade exceeded my expectations. I was afraid, with fewer children picking up books nowadays, my little plan to encourage reading would blow up in my face, but it’s only grown! We had four more businesses participate and thirty more children. I must say, Penelope, I don’t think I’ve been as proud of anything in my life as I am of our community coming out to support smiling children donning bookish costumes.
I have started reading the next three chapters in Eli’s newest manuscript. The woman, a librarian, has long chestnut-colored hair and brown eyes which are “too big for her face.” Evidently they’re the kind “a man falls into.” Why does that sound like a compliment and an insult at the same time? Also, why does it sound likeme?
There may also have been a reference toThe Office, which I had mentioned as a television show that made me laugh. Hmm...
Love,
Izzy
PS: I tend to agree with Lemony Snicket when he writes, “Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.” Digital ones count in this day and age, but a page-and-spine book in a man’s hands? Well, I’m not sure there’s anything as initially attractive in the whole world!
PPS: Eli kissed me quite by surprise. I would have to possess a large emotion, indeed, to initiate a kiss, and I seriously doubt that will ever happen.
Text from Eli to Izzy:Izzy, would you have time for coffee tomorrow morning? I have questions about the comments you left on my manuscript. Why would you think my heroine needs to be stronger? “She needs more strength of character,” you said. I don’t understand. Is this one of those feminist comments?
Izzy:Yes, I can meet. No, it’s not a feminist comment; it’s an editorial/reader one. In romantic comedies it’s fine if the heroine is going to “grow” into more strength of character as the story progresses, but to be a “heroine” she really needs a few defining qualities as to why the hero would be attracted to her in the first place. There’s nothing heroic about a weak character who doesn’t make any decisions for herself, especially in a contemporary romance. Women have to like her.
Eli:Weak? She’s not weak. She’s just in love.
Izzy:Love does lots of things, I’m sure, but having a woman weep over a man giving her a brownie is usually notone of them (with one caveat that only women truly understand). What can you give her that shows why the hero is attracted to her? That would help. Plus making her less weepy.
Eli:That’s a little harsh, Izzy. When a woman is smitten, she’ll act in many different ways. I’m surprised you’d call her weak to be in love.
Izzy:When you become a woman who is smitten, then you can argue with me. And, yes, women have a tendency to respond irrationally sometimes, but no woman wants to appear empty-headed or weak willed. Your female readers (who are the majority of romance readers) will not appreciate her.
From: Josephine Martin
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: April2
Subject: Mother
Izzy,
Have you spoken to Mother in the last few days? I know you’ve been busy with the Book Parade and the fundraiser, so you may not have had a chance, but you’re going to love the news she has for you. Act surprised when she tells you, all right? In preparation for becoming a grandmother, she’s retiring from the library! She’s thought about it for a while, but with twins and the needs I’m sure to have, she’s decided to go ahead and do it. You know what that means. You can become the head librarian! With the small raise and the natural prestige, you’ll be set for the rest of your life. You won’t have to go through the horrid chore of openingyour own bookshop. Do you remember when I started my own small business? It was exhausting. If I hadn’t had you helping me with the business side of things, it would never have done so well. This will solve all of your problems (except the boyfriend one . . . but you’re working on that with Mr. Gable).
It really is a perfect solution for everyone. Mother has a successor she can trust to maintain her excellent vision for the library and you can continue with your lifelong obsession of books. No one could be better to carry on Mother’s legacy than you, of course. It’s all so wonderfully settled.
Perhaps you can use all the money you’ve been saving for the business (which isn’t likely to succeed in town since there is already one successful bookshop) to travel like you’ve always wanted to do. What a wonderful opportunity all around! I’m so excited for you. I’m certain Mother will speak with you about it soon. She hopes to retire by September, but doesn’t feel there is a need to hurry since she has you.
Oh, Izzy, don’t you just love it when all of these points converge to reveal a perfect happily ever after?
Josephine
