Susan Gloss’ VINTAGE Is Like Returning Home

It took me longer than usual to read VINTAGE by our very own Susan Gloss, but only because I was stressing so hard about my book launch (last week). Susan and I have been on the same launch schedule since we started on the Debutante Ball, and I’ve had fun comparing notes with her along the way. Susan can probably corroborate that March has flown by in a haze of stressed-out pre-launch jitters. It’s crazy how much there is to do, right, Susan?

So, it took me longer than usual to read Susan’s wonderful novel about female friendships. HOWever, this turned out to be a good thing because each night, my brain saturated, I’d sink into bed with my dog and my cat lying beside me, and also sink into Susan’s fictional world. It felt like coming home. Really, it did. Tension drained away as I read Vintage. What a godsend. Thank you, Susan!

I’m sure you’ve read books like that — in which you fall into a world you’d happily inhabit, with characters you’d happily befriend. I could see myself browsing in Violet’s vintage clothing shop called Hourglass Vintage, with its bright orange accent wall and rack of skirts organized by length. I could see myself eavesdropping on Violet as she talks to her intern April about the upcoming vintage fashion show complete with cross-dressers from the gay community. April is pregnant and unmarried. You might notice her rubbing her belly and gazing sadly at a wedding dress she bought but returned.

And Violet, she isn’t what she seems. She has an elegant reserve about her, but you’ll notice that she sports a phoenix tattoo on her bicep. There’s heartache and new growth brewing there, and also strength. Perhaps you might be hanging out, checking out the luscious Indian silk scarves, when Amithi pops in to sell Violet yet more treasures from her closet. You might sidle closer so that you can overhear them talking about the fact that Amithi is taking stock of her life after finding out about her husband’s infidelities.

I assure you, you’ll want to get to know Violet, April, and Amithi. They are all at crossroads in their lives when we meet them, unsure what to do next or how to cope. You’ll want to live awhile with them because whatever their troubles, they’ll welcome you into Hourglass Vintage with smiles. Home’s like that. It always welcomes you back from the big, bad stressful world.

To celebrate the launch of VINTAGE this week, Susan is running a Glamorous Vintage Giveaway on her blog for anyone who purchases the book (if you pre-ordered it months ago, it still counts!). The prize is a vintage Louis Vuitton handbag from Susan’s personal collection and a $50 Etsy gift certificate. To enter, email a copy of your receipt to Susan at info@susangloss.com.  If you buy more than one copy, you’ll get more than one entry! She’ll pick a winner at random at 5:00 PM CST on Sunday, March 30. Good luck!