P.G. Forte's Blog, page 11

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Inspiration ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "Name something that inspires your writing--real life, other books, a setting, dialogue you overhear, etc."

Ooh, another easy question! Actually, any of those can and have served as a source of inspiration. But, as I mentioned last week, (and as you can see below) I have a new book coming out soon! Que Será, Syrah is the third book in a multi-author series I have been working on with fellow authors Kate Davies and Kelly Jamieson. 

The whole series was inspired by a trip Kelly and I took to Napa, many years ago. Although, of course, I also lived just south of Napa for almost twenty years so the setting for this series was--and is--very important to me. It's probably the place that feels most like home. 

In fact, the SF/East Bay/North Bay area provided a lot of the details for the Oberon series, as well. The Pour Decisions series is set in a fictional small town in Napa Valley, so there's a blend of actual reality and stuff we made up. But I've tried to make it as true to life as possible. 

Interestingly, my Atlas Beach, NJ location (the setting for the Games We Play stories) was based as much on a trip I took to Mendacino as it was by the time I spent on the Jersey Shore as a kid/teen/young adult. 

Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to find out what inspires her. And don't forget to check out her book, A Dance in Time.

Lady Grace imagines escaping her cruel husband and miserable life. A portal into the past offers her so much more, including meeting the man of her dreams. But his life is at risk. Can she save him? Can he rescue her?

https://amzn.to/3eKBAqx

Que Será, SyrahPour Decisions: Book Three

They may be keeping secrets and telling lies, but a little white wine never hurt anyone.​

 

Allegra

 

It’s not every day that you inherit one-third of a winery. I should be on top of the world, floating on Cloud Wine, as they say. Instead, don’t you just know it? I’m about to make one of the biggest mistakes of my life. And that’s saying something. My family has always viewed me as something of a screw-up, not always fairly. But in this case? They’re not only dead right about me messing things up; they don’t even know the half of it. Yet.

​

Complicating my quest to redeem myself, earn my sisters’ respect, and help them turn our winery into a straight fire success, is my low-key relationship with Sheriff’s Deputy Clay Romero. Sure, there are risks involved in sleeping with the enemy, but ‘what’s meant to be will find a way,’ right? And whether Clay believes it or not, I know we’re fated. With a capital F.

 

Clay

 

We’re Capital F somethin’ all right; but I don’t think it’s fate. Ever since Legs (AKA Allegra Martinelli) blew back into town, I’ve been flirting with disaster. Literally. I doubt that woman’s ever met a rule that she didn’t want to at least bend. And, as luck would have it, it’s my job to try and stop her. I love my job, and I think I love her. But there’s not enough wine in Napa to convince me that I’ll be able to hang on to them both. 

​

Legs keeps likening us to Romeo and Juliet.  And as I keep trying to remind her; that kind of story tends not to end well. I’m sure there are exceptions, but are we gonna be one of them? I guess we’ll find out.

​

Releasing May 27, 2025

https://books2read.com/Que-Sera-Syrah

Musical Monday: Red Wine Supernova (Chapell Roan)

 

So, the book I'm working on atm has NO magic in it. But it does have wine. And this song definitely fits the vibe of the book. I mean...the characters are M/F rather than F/F, but the playful, rebellious, sexy feel of the video definitely reminds me of this book. Plus, it's on the playlist, so...

Wine Wednesday: The Vineyard at Florence: Trebbiano 2023 ("Rapture")

 So...interestingly, in my upcoming release, Que Será, Syrah, my main character bemoans the fact that winemakers don't typically indulge in creating cutesy names for their wine. In my defense, she's from Napa, where they definitely DO NOT do that. Or at least, they didn't when I lived there. Here in Texas, on the other hand, they absolutely do. 

Case in point: The Vineyards at Florence where the wines have names like Rapture, Temptation, Serenity,  Journey, and Muse.
Yeah, turns out I'm not as much of a fan of the cutesy but ultimately meaningless names as I thought I'd be. The wine, however, is delicious. 
Rapture is made from Trebbiano grapes AKA Ugni Blanc, AKA Blanc de Cadillac--which is yet another cutesy name, I guess. I didn't know much about Trebbiano up until now, but apparently it's used to make Cognac and balsamic, as well as wine. 
And having actually tasted the wine now, I can totally see that. It's also (apparently) a natural antiseptic? Not sure how that works, but okay.
Anyway, the wine: this is an off-dry, light to medium bodied wine. The color is a warm, medium gold. There are notes of honeysuckle, honeydew and kiwi on the nose. The flavor is reminiscent of blood orange and grapefruit with hints of dried apricot and a creamy mouthfeel--almost a buttery caramel. The finish lingers and floral notes are back, but more pronounced, maybe rose or lavender? 
This is one of those wines that my husband, who does not drink wine, actually loves. So, of course, it's no longer available. But we keep hoping. 
For more wine talk, check out the Pour Decisions trilogy, coming soon!
https://books2read.com/rl/PourDecisions

Romance Writers Weekly ~ What I'm Working On Now ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "What are you working on now? Share a glimpse of your current WIP."

Well, as you can see below, I have a new book coming out soon! Que Será, Syrah is the third book in a multi-author series I have been working on with fellow authors Kate Davies and Kelly Jamieson. Their books are already finished. Mine...not so much. 

In my defense, since I'm a plotter and they're pantsers, I had to wait until they were pretty sure where their stories were leaving off before I could write mine. And then life got in the way, and I totally lost my mojo, and there were deadlines and...you know what? Never mind. Suffice it to say, I'm still working on it. 

It's a damn cute story, however, and I can't wait for you all to meet Allegra and Clay. But, right now? I'm gonna get back to work... 

In the meantime, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page to find out what she's working on. And don't forget to check out her book, Suspect Attraction.

A silver-haired charmer with a shameful secret. A broken-hearted matchmaker with a guilty burden. And a bewildering disappearance that could wrench them apart.

Regina Blynde knows Seth Updike is trouble the minute he strides into Blynde Dating Agency. That’s trouble with a capital T—tantalizing, tasty, and tempting. 

Resolved never to risk loving someone only to lose them again, Ginnie keeps things strictly professional and matches him with a wealthy widow.

Who promptly goes missing.

Ginnie’s search for the truth makes it impossible to avoid Seth. And when he sets out to woo her, she finds him too hard to resist. 

But as the evidence mounts up and mysterious circumstances multiply, Ginnie must face a shocking fact—she’s falling in love with the prime suspect.

READ THE FIRST THREE CHAPTER HERE!

https://www.brendamargriet.com/suspectattractionexcerpt.html

POUR DECISIONSA New, Multi-Author Series Coming Soon!

Meet the Martinelli sisters: Rosa, Bianca and Allegra. These partners in wine have just inherited a once-storied winery in the heart of Napa Valley. They’re living the dream, right?

 

Not so fast! Because, as it turns out, not everybody is happy for them. And that includes their Uncle Geno who’d assumed the property would come to him.

 

There are hoops to jump through, barrels to get over, and a mountain of regulations they'll have to scale. But the sisters are crushing it—and we don’t just mean the grapes. They’re making wine, falling in love, and working together to restore their inheritance to its former glory, one pour decision at a time.

https://www.pgforte.com/pour-decisions

Musical Monday: Fisherman's Blues (Young Dubliners)

 So, I have two reasons for posting this song today. One is, it's Saint Patrick's Day, so of course I have to post a song from one of my favorite Irish bands. The second reason is a little more somber. I'd like to honor the memory of my cousin Fred, who was captain of a fishing boat for quite a few years. 
He died a few weeks ago and during our last conversation he told me his plans for after he died. He'd had a friend build him a model of some actual boat--I don't recall what kind--with space for his ashes and one can of beer.  The idea was that he'd sent off on his way, and journey wherever the winds took him. There's a plaque on this boat, apparently, which extends an invitation to anyone who finds the boat to enjoy the beer, replace it with another can, and send the boat back on its way. 
I understand there's also contact information so his son can keep track of where his dad has gotten to--I gather he's going to be keeping a log, and maybe keeping us all posted? I don't know, we're kind of scattered, so maybe not. 
Apparently, from what I've heard, the family at large is somewhat divided on this idea. Some like it, some hate it, some think it's crazy. I think it's cool AF, myself. It's more work than I'd want to put into my plans for the afterlife, but super cool all the same. 
So, good luck on this next phase of your adventure, Fred. May fair winds and following seas be with you. Go dté tú slán!

Wine Wednesday: 2014 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel

 

So, one of the first things they tell you about Zinfandel is that it's not a wine that ages well. I call bullshit on that. But let's take a step back. 

Today (the day I opened the wine and wrote this, NOT the day you're reading it) is my birthday. And I decided to celebrate by opening on of the two bottles of Chateau Montelena wine that I had on hand. Chateau Montelena is possibly my favorite winery in the world, and it's highly unlikely that I'll be back to visit it for a while. Normally, I'd hoard something like that, but these were really enjoyable (and somewhat pricey) wines, back in the day. And I really didn't want them to go to waste, either. 

So. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that these wines started out really good and who knows, if I'd opened them a few years ago maybe they'd have been better. But I am totally enjoying this wine right now,  so maybe don't be so afraid to keep a really good bottle of Zinfandel on hand for a few more years than most people would recommend. 

The first thing I noticed is that the tannins have absolutely been tamed, which--I'm not gonna lie--is kind of a shame. But the smoothness is amazing too. 

The wine is translucent, a really dark shade of garnet, no legs of course. The nose has a gamey, earthy, fennel scent. I've learned a new wine word, recently: Garrigue. Apparently that refers to a combination of plants--juniper, rosemary, lavender, thyme, etc. And I think that's what I'm smelling in this wine. It's herbaceous but also floral with hints of cherry and mint. 

As I said, the flavor is very smooth. Not at all what I'm used to, being generally a young wine drinker. It's soft but bright--very much like blood orange--and very dry. 

I would pair this wine with a rack of lamb, or barbacoa tacos or maybe a pasta bolognese. Or a pizza with arugula, goat cheese, balsamic and truffle honey. There are a couple of places here that make something like that, and I'm making myself hungry. 

Maybe, if I don't finish this bottle tonight, I'll do that. 

Final verdict: very yummy wine. Takes me  back to the days when Napa was (almost literally) in my backyard. Which is good considering that the book I'm currently working on is set there. But it also makes me miss it that much more. 

https://www.pgforte.com/pour-decisions

 

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Settings! ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "How do you feel about settings? Do they become a character in your work? Do you stick to one type of setting or explore multiple locations?"

Well...I'm not sure what that third question means. I write in multiple sub-genres, so of course I explore multiple locations. If it means something else, I guess...yes?

BUT...let's focus on the first two questions. I love grounding my stories within vivid, tactile, textural, sensory settings. Although, the amount of description I use can vary from series to series, or even book to book, depending on the other characters' points of view. And, yes, I definitely think my settings tend to function as a secondary character. 

I was going to say this was especially true for Oberon, but the more I thought about the rest of my books, the more I realized it's true for all of them. "things happen there that could happen nowhere else."

Currently, I'm working on a book set in a small, fictional town in Napa Valley, which has been unexpectedly bittersweet. Having reveled in returning (fictionally) to my roots in the Atlas Beach, NJ series I wasn't prepared for the grief I experience when I try and put myself back in a Napa frame of mind. I miss it. 

That book (and the others in the series) are going up for pre-order next week. 

Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page  to find out how she views settings. And don't forget to check out her book, Follow Me .

Follow Me

Harper Forbes embarks on a journey of a lifetime as she follows her friend to Scotland, only to discover that she, too, has been mysteriously transported back in time to the 1500s. In this unfamiliar and perilous world, Harper must navigate through dangers and challenges she never could have imagined. But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, she finds not only her friend but also a love that transcends time itself. What will fate have in store for her? Join Harper on an unforgettable adventure filled with romance, danger, and the timeless power of true love.
https://shorturl.at/DnYjN




POUR DECISIONSA New, Multi-Author Series Coming Soon!

Meet the Martinelli sisters: Rosa, Bianca and Allegra. These partners in wine have just inherited a once-storied winery in the heart of Napa Valley. They’re living the dream, right?

 

Not so fast! Because, as it turns out, not everybody is happy for them. And that includes their Uncle Geno who’d assumed the property would come to him.

 

There are hoops to jump through, barrels to get over, and a mountain of regulations they'll have to scale. But the sisters are crushing it—and we don’t just mean the grapes. They’re making wine, falling in love, and working together to restore their inheritance to its former glory, one pour decision at a time.

https://www.pgforte.com/pour-decisions

Musical Monday: When the Stars go Blue (The Corrs and Bono, live)

 

This might be my favorite version of this song ever. Bono and The Corrs? That's just magic.

https://www.pgforte.com/pour-decisions
https://tinyurl.com/QueSeraSyrahPlaylist

Wine Wednesday: Grape Creek Vineyards 2021 Mosaic Red Wine

 So this is another meritage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot. It's a lovely garnet color with notes of cocoa powder, blackberries and something sweetly floral on the nose. Cherry blossoms, maybe?  There are no legs to speak of. The cocoa softens into more of a milk chocolate flavor on the palate, with hints of vanilla and nutmeg and raspberry. On a blog on the winery's website, someone mentions pairing it with Snickers? Which...no. Just no. Hell no, even.

I enjoyed this with a rack of lamb and (separately) with chips and guacamole. The guacamole overpowered the wine, IMO. But it complemented the lamb perfectly. 

According to the winery's website (yes, again) this wine should age well. Lucky for me, I ended up with two bottles. 

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Creative Endeavors ~ #LoveChatWrite

This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "Other than writing, what creative things do you do? How do they spark your imagination?"

Finally! An easy question. When I'm not writing (which, sadly, includes a lot of time when I'm SUPPOSED to be writing. Like now.) I can often be found creating book covers and graphics. It's related to what I'm supposed to be doing, so it doesn't feel like I'm procrastinating to no end.

At this point, the majority of my books are sporting covers that I designed and created. Like the one below.

I also like to cook and occasionally to knit. I've found inspiration in both of these things. I LOVE pottery, although I don't really have anywhere to do that at the moment. And I used to love to dance, although right now yoga is more my speed.

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page  to learn what creative endeavors she enjoys. And don't forget to check out her book, Return to Pine Meadows .

Return to Pine Meadows

Returning to Pine Meadows was the last thing Kara Bridger wanted. The small town was her past, not her future, but when her dad's dementia worsens, she has no choice but to return and help out on the family cattle ranch. As she struggles to cope with her father's illness, she finds an unlikely ally in Hawk Mitchell, the notorious ladies' man with a bad reputation. Having known each other since kindergarten, Kara has never given Hawk a second thought. But as she works alongside him, she begins to see a different side of him, one that she can't help but be drawn to. As tensions rise and the future of the ranch hangs in the balance, Kara must confront her feelings for Hawk and decide if she can trust him with not only her heart, but her family's legacy as well. Will their mutual attraction be enough to overcome years of animosity, or will it all come crashing down around them? Set against the backdrop of Montana's rugged beauty, "Pine Meadows" is a heartwarming story of love, family, and the enduring bonds of home.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBRJVBPC

Fall Giada Mazzi is Living her Best LifeA Games We Play/Whole Latte Love Story

Life is more than just the lies we try and tell ourselves about what we’ve done and who we are.

​

 I guess the truth is that I never stopped loving Ben. And I never stopped imagining how different my life might have been if he were only the person I needed him to be, instead of the person that he is. Which is silly, right? I mean, truly; it’s laughable. Because if he were someone else, he wouldn’t be him.  And the world is already full of people like that. What good is one more gonna do me?

​

Besides, if I’m honest, Ben wasn’t ever the problem. That was me. I was never the person he believed me to be. Oh, I thought I was, in the beginning. I tried hard to be, and that worked for a while. Sort of. But eventually I reached the point where I had to make a choice between living life for myself, or for everyone else.

​

And when it came right down to that…how could I not choose me?​
https://books2read.com/GiadaMazzi