TAMMARA AGUADO & DAHLIA’S BOUQUET
What would you do? To protect your child? To protect yourself? To protect your family?
Tammara Aguado’s debut novel, Dahlia’s Bouquet, brings to life the heartache and struggles inherent in every family whose foundation is built on secrecy and deception. Five generations of women strong, the story begins in early 1900 Memphis with Daisy, a young bride full of hope and dreams for the future and ends in present day with Dahlia, a teen more lost than she knows whose future is hopelessly stalled by the mystery of her past. Lilly, Violet, and Rose are the links in the chain that can set her free or hold her back forever. Joseph, Stewart, Billy, Rueben & Taylor are the succession of men who live their lives intertwined with the women. More than mere observers they play an integral part in setting the course of circumstances that steer the plot of history played out here. Aguado has very successfully spun a tale of intrigue, love, fear, hope, struggle and desire—a tale that could inspire or frighten us—if we have secrets of our own to keep. A real page-turner.
WORKING WITH TAMMARA
Working with Tammara on her debut novel, Dahlia’s Bouquet, was wonderful. As an author, she knew where she wanted to get to and she was determined to get this story out. The characters come to life page by page: their struggles, their losses, their successes, their loves lost and gained are made even more real by the depth of experience in Tammara’s own life as a wife & mother. I do have to tell you that there’s a scene and dialogue that gave me the chills every time during the reading and editing process—even when I knew it was coming! And NO, I’m not telling, you’ll just have to read it for yourself. When you find it you’ll know.
A conversation with Author Tammara Aguado
Nola Summers: How did the concept of Dahlia’s Bouquet unfold?
Tammara Aguado: This novel unfolded over a couple of years actually. When I was young, there was a rumor going around in our family about a great aunt who passed for white. Dahlia’s Bouquet is a work of fiction, but I started to think about the life of a woman who would have to live with a constant betrayal of her true self. What kind of relationship would she have with her children, her husband? What effect this secret would have on the generations to come. I had so many questions that I started to write the answers and Dahlia’s Bouquet unfolded.
NS: Did the actual writing process follow the path you imagined?
TA: LOL. Absolutely not! There are so many twists and turns in this story. I couldn’t have imagined it until I sat in the chair. I knew where I wanted to end, but the meat and bones of the story took me down paths I had to prepare myself to go.
NS: Who do you think will be your reader’s favorite character?
TA: Violet. Readers get to see her whole life unfold, and she’s been through some pretty rough times, but she still found some humor in it all. Violet’s the matriarch, full of wisdom, but wisdom usually comes after making some serious mistakes.
NS: Who is your favorite?
TA: Oh, that’s like choosing a favorite child. Of course I love all five of the women that drive the story, but the men that share their lives with them are intriguing as well. No spoilers here but readers will find these guys to be the kind of men you love, or you love to hate.
NS: Dahlia’s Bouquet deals with love and the lengths we go to protect the ones we love: Do you believe in this?
TA: I think that none of us can know exactly what we’d do in some of the situations or conditions involved in Dahlia’s Bouquet, and I still get chills when I think about it. But I will say that I’m a wolf when it comes to my children. Love, especially between mother and daughter is so powerful.
NS: Tell me something you used to worry about that you don’t anymore.
TA: I’m the kind of person who likes everything in its place, (no dishes in the sink, bed made, every hair in place…) Writing filled so much of that space that there’s no room for my neurotic behavior. There are only so many hours in a day, and I have so many stories I’d love to tell. I don’t worry about trying to be perfect anymore.
NS: ...and something about you that would surprise your readers if they knew?
TA: Readers would be surprised to know that I also enjoy writing light-hearted stories. And that I’d love to write a great horror story.
NS: If you could sit down with anyone, past, present or future, who would it be, what would you talk about, and what’s for dinner?
TA: This might seem odd, but I’d love to sit down with myself 50 years from now and ask how was it and what would you do differently? Life is so short and most of us don’t get a chance to appreciate all the great energy and blessings we have. I’m having my older self over for dinner, which would mean I wouldn’t have to stress about what’s for dinner. It would be all my favorites…sushi, ribs, fries with mayonnaise, a glass of Pinot Noir and a slice of chocolate cake. (I don’t know how I’d get through the ribs with no teeth.)
NS: Where is your writing taking you now?
TA: I have a novella coming out called “28 days at Princeton”. A funny story about the hopes and dreams we put on our kids. And I’m writing the screenplay for Dahlia’s Bouquet. I’ve also started on “Dahlia’s Bouquet part two”, so I’m pretty busy. I look forward to getting these stories out and connecting with readers on my website. www.Tammaraaguado.com
Dahlia’s Bouquet is available at Amazon.com (click the book cover) and also at NOOK. A print edition will be available soon.
