Behind the Scenes in my Christian Regency Romance: the Perfume in "Bidding on Treason"

There are two fictional perfumes mentioned in my Lady Wynwood’s Spies prequel novelette, “Bidding on Treason,” and I actually had a lot of fun figuring out what they were.

Mrs. Whichard’s expensive French perfume Enchanté Nocturne is based off of Christian Dior Poison. It has the following notes:
Top Notes: Plum, wild berries, anise
Middle Notes: Jasmine, incense, cinnamon, honey, rose
Base Notes: Vetiver, musk, sandalwood, cedar, amber
Mrs. Whichard’s perfume is obviously much less complex, but it still has the plum, cinnamon, and cedarwood notes from Poison.

The perfume Melinda suggests for Lena, Sauge Marine (Marine Sage) is based off of Jo Malone London's Wood Sage & Sea Salt. It has the following notes:
Top notes: Ambrette Seeds, Sea Salt
Middle note: Sage
Base notes: Red Algae, Grapefruit
I liked how it evoked the wildness of the sea, the quiet of the wilderness, and the freshness of grapefruit, reflecting Lena’s connection to nature and her desire for freedom.

Do any of you like perfumes? I don’t often wear them because of my allergies, but I like spraying a handkerchief or a sachet and sticking it in my clothes drawers.

Want to read “Bidding on Treason”? Subscribe to Tier 2 or higher on my Patreon to get access.

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