Welcome to Lit Wicks! This is where we pair an author’s backlist with candles to really immerse yourself in the reading experience. All of the candles featured in these post are from Etsy, which means there is often worldwide shipping and that you’re supporting independent crafters and sellers. The Etsy candle rabbit hole is one I have gone down many times.
We’re honoring author Eva Leigh/Zoe Archer with November’s Lit Wicks selection! Her Blades of the Rose series is one of my favorite romance collections and the other bitches at SBTB HQ have really enjoyed her historical romances.
If you’re curious about what other authors have received the Lit Wicks treatment, check out our category page. And if you’d like to suggest an author’s backlist for a future Lit Wicks column, please email me!
…
Blades of the Rose series: What I love about this quartet is the sense of place Archer creates. Each book is distinct in its characters and settings. Oh, and don’t let me forget about all the adventure! Warrior is set in hot, humid, and desert climes. Scoundrel takes place in Greece. Rebel is all about very cold, arctic shenanigans. And Stranger features a smart inventor who takes great pride in his study. I wanted the candles for each book to reflect these elements.
Candle: Wood and Wax Co. — Desert Rose Candle 9oz. ($18.50)
The description refers to this candle as “spicy and alluring.” Which I think I want to etch onto my tombstone.
Candle: Agapé Candles — Santorini 11.8oz. ($24.00)
Though I’ve never been to Greece, I imagine there’s just a fresh ocean breeze everywhere you go. This candle has hints of white orchid and sea salt.
Candle: Miss Wish Garden — Snow Flake 8oz. ($10.00)
I will admit that Christmas-y candle scents are my absolutely favorite. They’re more masculine and less floral. This particular candle has notes of mint, cedar wood, and iced rose.
Candle: GB Candle Company — Gentleman’s Study 4oz. ($7.95)
Out of all the candles for Blades of the Rose, I think this one is the most fitting! The hero, Catallus, definitely has many leather-bound books that he cracks open in front of a roaring fireplace with a warm beverage at hand.
The Wicked Quills of London series: This trio of historical romances features three very different writer heroines: a gossip columnist, a playwright, and an author of erotic fiction. I hope these candles represent their heroines well!
Candle: NOLA Candles — Smells Like Gossip 9oz. ($21.60)
What does gossip smell like, you ask? Well sparkling pomegranate Prosecco! Though on the listing, it seems like you can change the scent, if you’d prefer something else. This candle is in honor of Eleanor in Forever Your Earl, who is always a sucker for a good scandal.
Candle: Icey Designs — Writer’s Desk 8oz. ($18.00)
Maggie from Scandal Takes the Stage is a playwright and she’s squirreled herself away at the hero’s country estate to get some writing done. I might buy this candle because the three scents it contains are sandalwood, cedar, and apples. Sounds warm and cozy!
Candle: Sweet House Candles — Romance ($15.00)
Temptations of a Wallflower is meta in the sense that it’s a historical romance and the heroine writes erotic fiction. However, trying to find an “erotic romance” themed candle produced a lot of peen-shaped candles in my search results. So I settled for something simple with a gardenia (LOVE!) and rose scented candle.
London Underground series: This is Leigh’s latest series, with two books currently out for your reading pleasure! The third arrives on December 24th.
So far, each book has an “underground” theme with the heroine in the first book running a gaming hell and the heroine of the second book being a smuggler. Hell, yeah!
Candle: Ash and Quill Candles — Gambler’s Ruin 7oz. ($11.45)
This candle was actually used for another book, Ace of Shades ( A | BN | K | G | AB ), but we’re repurposing it for From Duke Till Dawn ( A | BN | K | G | AB ). Gambling and casino games plays a large part in both books. This candle has notes of cherries, bourbon, and coffee liqueur. Sounds good enough to eat.
Candle: Crafted Harmony Co. — English Garden 7oz. ($10.20)
The hero of Counting on a Countess has dreams of opening up a pleasure garden and an “English garden” scented candle might make that dream a sensory reality while you’re reading! A couple of the floral scents included are jasmine and lily. And if you really want to round out the reading experience, I made a cocktail for this book as well!
…
That’s all for Zoe Archer/Eva Leigh! However, she does have a new book coming out soon and I wonder what we’d pair with that one! What do you think?
I may have to indulge and get the Writer’s Desk candle, because it just sounds perfectly lovely with lots of my favorite scents. I am so tickled you did this author, because she is truly one of my favs.
So, I would like everyone to pray for me to win the lottery so I can buy all the candles, please? I promise to share!
Warrior was so much fun and she had clearly done a lot of research on Mongolia. Might be time to read the next one.
I could go broke buying all the candles.
@Denise: Putting these together is always a test of my willpower.