Lynda Cohen Loigman has us under her spell...plus a book giveaway

Today we welcome Lynda Cohen Loigman back to CLC to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern. Melissa loved this novel and gave it five stars! Check out her review. We had a fun time chatting with Lynda and we hope you'll enjoy reading about how she came up with the ideas for her novel. Lynda has one copy, along with a really cool necklace, for a lucky reader!

Fun side note: Yesterday was Lynda's birthday, so she has a lot to celebrate this week! 🎂

Lynda Cohen Loigman graduated from Harvard College and Columbia Law School. Her debut novel, The Two-Family House, was a USA Today bestseller and a nominee for the Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards in Historical Fiction. Her second novel, The Wartime Sisters, was selected as a Woman's World Book Club pick and a Best Book of 2019 by Real Simple Magazine. 

Her most recent book, The Matchmaker’s Gift, was named a Best New Book by People Magazine and a Best Book of Fall by the New York Post, Parade Magazine, Buzzfeed, and GoodMorningAmerica.com. The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is her fourth novel.

Visit Lynda online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram * X

Synopsis:

On the cusp of turning eighty, newly retired pharmacist Augusta Stern is adrift. When she relocates to Rallentando Springs—an active senior community in southern Florida—she unexpectedly crosses paths with Irving Rivkin, the delivery boy from her father’s old pharmacy—and the man who broke her heart sixty years earlier.

As a teenager growing up in 1920’s Brooklyn, Augusta’s role model was her father, Solomon Stern, the trusted owner of the local pharmacy and the neighborhood expert on every ailment. But when Augusta’s mother dies and Great Aunt Esther moves in, Augusta can’t help but be drawn to Esther’s curious methods. As a healer herself, Esther offers Solomon’s customers her own advice—unconventional remedies ranging from homemade chicken soup to a mysterious array of powders and potions.

As Augusta prepares for pharmacy college, she is torn between loyalty to her father and fascination with her great aunt, all while navigating a budding but complicated relationship with Irving. Desperate for clarity, she impulsively uses Esther’s most potent elixir with disastrous consequences. Disillusioned and alone, Augusta vows to reject Esther’s enchantments forever.

Sixty years later, confronted with Irving, Augusta is still haunted by the mistakes of her past. What happened all those years ago and how did her plan go so spectacularly wrong? Did Irving ever truly love her or was he simply playing a part? And can Augusta reclaim the magic of her youth before it’s too late? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"With the language of elixirs and potions at its center, Loigman brings us the sort of novel we need today, one full of hope, delight, and magic." 
―Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea

"Utterly charming and delightfully heartwarming, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern will cast a spell on you from the very first page." 

―Allison Winn Scotch, bestselling author of The Rewind

"Loigman's latest is a perfect gem! The unforgettable characters in this delightful, beautifully written novel discover that it's never too late to right wrongs, to make a fresh start, and to fall in love all over again. A truly charming, meaningful, and, above all, uplifting story." 

―Amy Poeppel, author of The Sweet Spot

If you could tell the debut novelist version of yourself one thing, what would it be?
Write down all of your story ideas in one place! I have them everywhere—in my phone, on scraps of paper, stuck in drawers. It’s a terrible habit I can’t seem to break and I wish I had started out in a more organized way!

How much research did you have to do in order to write The Love Elixir...?
The research for this book spanned many different topics. In order to understand the role of a neighborhood pharmacist, I started with the book Corner Druggist written by Robert B. Nixon, Jr. in 1941 about his father’s career. I read several other personal accounts of druggists working in this role from the early 1900’s to the 1950’s. I also spoke with several working pharmacists, including the father of my local pharmacist, who was born in 1937 and worked at a drugstore in Brooklyn as a teenager. I also read early editions of American Druggist magazine to learn about all of the products Stern’s Pharmacy might have carried on its shelves. 

To amplify the details of living in Brownsville, I read several books about the neighborhood in the 1920’s and beyond. I also read about Jewish gangsters during Prohibition. I found a 1922 article from Saturday Evening Post called “Inside the Bootleg,” which was helpful in understanding how a bootlegger might start his or her business.

Finally, in order to bring Esther’s role as a healer to life, I did a great deal of research on Jewish mysticism, folklore, and herbalism. 

Which authors have inspired you?
Edith Wharton brings emotional depth to her characters in the most astounding way. I love everything that Alice Hoffman writes. Recently, I have found Gabrielle Zevin and Leigh Bardugo to be great sources of inspiration as well. I loved both of their new books.

What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I saw Wicked Little Letters at my local theater, and it was terrific! Highly recommend!

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I would take you to my two local bookstores—Scattered Books in Chappaqua and the Village Bookstore in Pleasantville. Then I’d probably take you for omelets at Le Jardin du Roi (a little café we all usually just call “The French Place”) and we’d eat outside if the weather was nice. Of course, you’d also meet my dog, Winston.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
This is such a great question. Maybe Kristin Wiig. At least then it would be funny!

Thanks to Lynda for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

The necklace

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends October 13th at midnight EST.

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