A Plum by any Other Name…

ByValerie Comer

…is still a plum. AKA, please help me title a book!

A Plum By Any Other Name

I have to tell you, I love the titles of my Farm Fresh Romance series. I may be biased (who, me???) but I think they’ve been getting better as the series moves along. But I am having a hard time coming up with The Perfect Title for Book 6.

What have we had so far?
Raspberries and Vinegar
Wild Mint Tea
Sweetened with Honey
Dandelions for Dinner
Plum Upside Down

What do all these titles have in common? There is a “food word” in every one, and the food is local to Northern Idaho. Each title has three words. And the last three titles in particular have played with the words just a little bit, making the reader do a slight double take.

You might ask what the unnamed sixth book is about, and here is my confession. I’ve written the last three Farm Fresh Romances TO their title. That is, the title came first, brought a story or theme to mind, and I was able to weave the title in seamlessly. Okay, *I* think it’s seamless. You may not agree!

So, here’s what I know about the sixth book. It is the story of Zach’s sister Liz (Steve and Rosemary’s youngest daughter), who has spent the last decade teaching ESL in Thailand. The hero of the story is Mason Waterman, dad of six-year-old twins, whom you met in Dandelions for Dinner as a friend of Allison’s at the beach. The story takes place in winter. All I’ve written so far is the first chapter, as it will go in the back of Plum Upside Down… preferably titled!

I’ve been tossing title ideas around for weeks (months?) with my cover designer (aka daughter), my editor, and a few friends who are probably tired of hearing about it. Nothing has gone BAM, THAT’s THE ONE! So, while I’ll put a few of our suggestions below to get your started, please feel free to jump away from those into new territory.

Food. Three words. Clean. Romancey. Go!

Chicory Chai Latte
Chicory on Ice
Cherry on Top
Lemongrass Fusion… ?
Cranberries and Cream
Chicory Snow Cones (yes, I’ve had chicory on the brain!)

Something with cherries. Something with ice. Something with frost. Something with blue potatoes.

Now you can see why I am coming to you, my dear readers, friends, and fans. You can see how desperately I need help! Please make any and all suggestions in comments. So long as it’s in good taste (haha) — even if you know it isn’t perfect — toss it into comments. Maybe we can riff off it and find a better combo.

Pretty please, with sugar on top? Thank you!

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27 Comments

  2. Maybe look at interesting fruit concoctions traditional to Thailand? After all, her experience is likely to play a strong part.

    1. Yes, that’s been a consideration. But the book does take place in Idaho, and the food in the title must be available in Idaho. Double points if it fits both!

      1. True and you do local, so…Oooh, you could do something where they come up with a local substitute. That was mentioned in Dandelions after all.

          1. Okay, not quite in line with what I said, but how about Strawberry Rhubarb Pie? Don’t know if it grows there, but Creston isn’t that far, and a pie or crisp is perfect in the winter because it is warm and tasty…this from someone who is iffy on rhubarb, eh?

          2. While it may not look like it from the ideas in the post itself, I’m looking for something other than just straight food. Something that evokes story and makes a reader take a second look. I think “Dandelions for Dinner” and “Plum Upside Down” in particular do that.

          3. LOL! I can point in directions, but you know all too well I struggle with titles. I’d say take the food object that sparks your fancy and run it past your characters.

  3. I posted my comment on your blog, but in case your FB folks know an answer to my proposition, I’ll repeat it here: Maybe look at interesting fruit concoctions traditional to Thailand? After all, her experience is likely to play a strong part.

  5. Since it is winter, maybe something that is a hot drink? I like Cherry on Top…but it doesn’t quite fit with your other ones.
    Sauced with Cherries (Although that makes them sound a little drunk, but more wintery)
    Cherry Pie Ala’mode (thinking of winter pies with homemade ice cream)
    Frosted or Sweet Cherry Crisp (sounds romantic)
    Cranberry Cherry Relish (Thinking more of the Thanksgiving recipe I make every year, but I know cranberries don’t grow in Idaho)
    Apricot Cherry Jam (this thought was from the jam combos that I make for winter)

    1. Sauced will likely steer would-be readers in the wrong direction, I agree. Personally, I think Cherry on Top is the best one in the group in the post. I’m curious why you think it might not suit the other titles? (I’m not completely hooked on it, mind you, but curious…)

    1. You haven’t used Jam. So Rose Hip Jam or Rosehip Jam Tart, but only if there’s a lot of conflict with the sweet for the double meaning of tart :).

  9. How about Double Berry Crunch or Double Berry Crumble? Thinking about the twins : are they double trouble? Sorry, haven’t read the book yet they were introduced in.

  10. How about Double Cherry Shake? Or Tea for Two? Cherries in Winter? Pancakes for Supper? 🙂 Looking forward to reading Plum Upside Down!

        1. Awesome! That will take up half an hour of your wait time LOL. There’s always the Riverbend novellas if you haven’t read those? Or the Splash! collection. 🙂 (Just trying to help a gal out.)

          1. 🙂 Yes, I read all the Riverbend novellas (Thanks for the sale!) And I have Splash! which I hope will keep me reading. 🙂 I have over a hundred unread books in my Kindle, but sometimes there’s nothing I want to read. lol You are one of my go-to authors.

  12. I have recently discovered the Farm Fresh romance series and I am really enjoying them. Having grownup in Eastern Washington, I have always loved being surrounded by Lilacs. I did a quick internet search and lilac petals are edible. Perhaps you could do something around Lilac scented ice cream, or preserving the petals in ice cubes to make a concoction similar to cucumber water. Another idea is to incorporate pine trees, when I was a kid my grandma taught me that seeds inside of a pine cone are edible. It would require a lot of time to gather enough to use in a meal that would feed a group the size of the one at Greenacres so it may not be viable as a story line for busy farmers, but perhaps it will help you come up with something. :0)

    Good luck and God bless!

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