From bestselling Amazon author Shelley Kassian comes A Lotus to Love, the third book in the Places in the Heart series: A perfumer searching for a lost scent finds an unexpected connection with her tour guide in this heartfelt second-chance romance.

Perfumer Portia Ross is haunted by grief and loneliness after the devastating loss of her husband. Though her career once flourished, her sorrow clouds her future. In a bid to heal and reclaim her sense of purpose, she embarks on a journey to Egypt, determined to uncover the secrets of Cleopatra’s legendary perfume—and perhaps some of the queen’s strength along the way. As Portia follows an ancient scent trail hidden within temple walls and desert flora, she confronts her deepest fears—with the help of a man who kindles desires she thought were lost forever.

Nadir, weary of the monotony of his tour guide business, steps in when his archaeologist friend declines the job. Though not the expert Portia expected, Nadir guides her through Egypt’s mesmerizing temples and desert landscapes, offering unexpected insights and a strength reminiscent of Cleopatra’s greatest love, Mark Antony. As their connection deepens, his childhood trauma as an orphan and his unwavering faith resonates with Portia’s grief, forging a profound emotional bond. But as their bond grows and more discoveries are made, the secrets Nadir harbors threaten to unravel the blossoming romance between them.

In the sands of Egypt, where ancient fragrances linger, will Portia unearth Cleopatra’s long-lost perfume, or will a new scent—love—bloom in the desert?

Praise for A Lotus to Love: “A sumptuous international romance that tantalizes both the senses and the heartstrings … Written with visceral and sensorial prose that brings both this faraway location and fascinating world of perfume to life, this is a touching and engrossing novel about grieving, healing, and relearning how to trust.” SPR, The Review Group