Katharine Johnson's Blog, page 16
May 5, 2018
Tuscany
THE VIRTUAL ITALY BOOK FESTIVAL day 5: Tuscany #Italy BookFest
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Tuscany
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The thing I love most about Tuscany is that it’s so varied and means different things to different people. From gentle rolling hills and fields of sunflowers to towering mountains crowned with tiny villages to the coast, it can be beautiful, mysterious and treacherous.
There are so many beautiful towns and so much to see – the art in Siena and Florence is amazing and the Leaning Tower in Pisa is really worth the climb.
But you can also go dolphin spotting off the coast of Viareggio or visit the lovely island of Elba.
You can go riding at http://www.luccahorseriding.com
Do a tree trail, cycle round the Lucca walls, take the cable car up the mountain to Doganaccia to ski in winter or get some cool air in summer
Visit the home of Leonardo da Vinci or the house where Pinocchio was written or the castle at Montecarlo
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There are so many Tuscany books to choose from but here are a few of my favourite that reflect the different sides of Tuscany.
And coming up next are some amazing new books.
May 4, 2018
Carol Maginn has a thrilling time in Rome
[image error]Having lived in Rome Carol Maginn knows the city like the back of her hand. No wonder she chose to set her thriller Daniel Taylor there. She’s here to tell us about it. Over to you Carol!
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Daniel Taylor:
The ring of the emperor Diocletian was lost long ago. However, a modern-day Russian Oligarch is willing to pay whatever it takes to find and own it.
He has hired an expert, Daniel Taylor, to track it down. Meanwhile another Englishman, tired out and in search of a holiday, has also arrived in the Eternal City. The only thing he has in common with Daniel Taylor is his name….but as their identities are mistaken, their fates become increasingly entangled.
This is fast-paced thriller which has garnered some excellent reviews.
And as for me…..I’m a slightly restless writer, lawyer and teacher. I’m currently back in my watery home city of Liverpool, where my third novel is set, and preparing to see my first play on stage, which is both exciting and terrifying.
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But back to Rome. I spent two very happy years there teaching English, exploring, eating wonderful food and developing a taste for Cinzano bitters. However, for some reason, amid the splendours of the city, the fact that there were no barriers between the carriages on the Metro lodged in my consciousness. It occurred to me that it would be quite tricky to hide from someone who was following you….This thought continued as I navigated the world-famous, and very crowded Via del Corso….and so Daniel Taylor began. I wanted to write a story set in Rome while I was living there, and its sights, sounds and smells were fresh in my mind.
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And as for Rome itself, well, it’s wonderful. Go there at once if you haven’t already. Only don’t go in summer. It is simply too hot, and everyone in Rome who can escapes to cool places like Germany and the UK. But do, of course, eat ice cream there. Do potter.
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It’s a stunning but compact city, designed for walking, and you’ll find pizza there which (in my humble opinion) is better than that of Naples, all the bridges your romantic heart could desire, churches and fountains on every corner, and fabulous markets.
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And that’s without mentioning the stunning buildings. The Spanish steps, wreathed in flowers in May, the Pantheon, the grim old Colosseum, the extraordinary Roman remains, are all there, while a lively modern city buzzes alongside and around them.
And meanwhile, if you can’t get there just yet, Daniel Taylor is there on your behalf!
Summer in Rome with June Moonbridge
THE VIRTUAL ITALY BOOK FESTIVAL day 4: Rome #ItalyBookFest
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My next guest is June Moonbridge whose latest book has only been out a few days and is largely based in Rome – I’m so looking forward to reading it!
Why did you choose to set some of your story in Rome?
A large part of my novel is set in Rome, and there is a smaller part that’s set in Venice too. Rome as the eternal city always fascinated me. Its rich history is over two thousand years long, surviving almost every modern man age – including the dark ages… well, it’s no wonder that I just had to include it in one of my stories.
What was the inspiration behind your book?
The inspiration behind my book was the love itself, music and photography. It was easy to combine everything in Italy and the city like Rome. Put into the mixture two successful people that are fighting their own personal demons until realising that the only way to get over their past is… Well… what can I say? No spoilers. You’ll have to read it for yourself. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
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Joshua’s life as a rock guitarist seems like a dream come true. Sold out concerts, red carpet events and wild nights portray him as a confident young man with the world at his feet. Only a few friends know the scars he carries.
When freelance photographer Caroline meets the rock band Burning Ruins at the after party, irresistible chemistry of attraction between sexy rock guitarist and her is clearly seen to everybody. However, after forced conversation from Joshua’s side, Caroline’s convinced the attraction is not mutual.
Waking up next morning, Caroline has no idea what happened. She flees out of the hotel room mortified, convinced she’d become another of the band’s trophies. Determined never to meet anyone from Burning Ruins ever again, she has no clue people around her have different ideas.
In a summer that takes them from London to Wales and to the sultry heat of Rome, they’re desperately fighting their demons from the past, while trying to protect their broken hearts. Will they ever let each other mend their broken hearts or will they try to heal them alone?
[image error]June was born in June and she always loved the moon. Born and raised in Slovenia, she studied economics, and quickly realised she hated it.
However, later she found herself working in mainly male-dominated businesses. She can choose the best steel for your project, but don’t, please don’t, ask her which lipstick brand you should use.
Although her writing was constantly criticised by her teacher that didn’t stop her. Under different pen names, she had stories published in magazines, and then went on to publish three books under pen name Eri Krt.
After having two children, and learning that her second child has autism, she married their father and carried on working. Work and family life left her with little free time. But the desire to write didn’t die.
Always looking for something new, she challenged herself to write a novel in English and all her three novels are a result of that continuing challenge:
Connect with June here:
Reborn in Rome – Alex Turney on living and writing in the Eternal City
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I’m delighted that Alexandra Turney’s just dropped in to tell us about the book she’s been working on. It’s coming out later this year but she’s very kindly agreed to give us a preview of In Exile and tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this fascinating story:
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In Exile
“No one in this city has believed in me for two thousand years. I’m unknown and unloved. And I’m very, very ill.” He sighed, and the sound chilled her blood. “Give me your hand.”
Dionysus is re-born in a city which is never named, but which can only be Rome. He doesn’t understand how or why he’s there again – a pagan god in a city where he has no believers.
Weak and disorientated, he’s sleeping rough when he meets fifteen year old Grace; a chance encounter in the streets of the Jewish Ghetto leads to the beginnings of an unconventional relationship. It seems that the god needs Grace more than she needs him, but along with her best friends, Caroline and Sara, she overcomes scepticism and fear to become his worshipper.
This is the beginning of their secret lives – prayers, shrines and “sleepovers” that are actually bacchanals. Their families are suspicious and their schoolwork begins to suffer, but after the first bloodshed, they know that there’s no turning back.
As Dionysus feeds off the energy of his vulnerable new followers, revelling in the chaos and violence of the bacchanals, it becomes clear that he is using the girls as a means to an end. His memories of past incarnations inspire the eventual climax on the Aventine Hill – the night to end his exile.
A cross between The Bacchae and The Secret History, In Exile is a teenage Greek tragedy set in 20th century Rome. The novel explores the themes of identity, sexuality, friendship and belief, and is an original study of a powerless, melancholy god living in exile in the Eternal City. It’s also a book for anyone who has ever been enchanted by Rome, a city which, like Dionysus, belongs to the past, waiting uneasily on the threshold of the modern era.
In Exile will be published by the independent publisher Unbound later this year, subsequent to a successful crowdfunding campaign. You can read a synopsis and the first three chapters and pledge to buy the book on Unbound
Author Q&A
Hello and welcome to the festival, Alex – how did you get the idea for this story?
When I came up with the idea (or when the idea came to me, sitting on the metro one day), I’d been living in Rome for a couple of years, and I really wanted to write something set there. I remembered an old short story idea I’d once toyed with, about Dionysus being reborn in modern Rome, and decided to turn it into a full-length novel.
In the 19th century there was a sub-genre of fiction about Greek gods being reborn in contemporary Christian societies. Vernon Lee wrote about Aphrodite being reborn by the sea in Italy and Heinrich Heine imagined Apollo living as a shepherd in Austria, while Walter Pater brought Dionysus back to life as a priest in France. Dionysus has always been my favourite of the Greek gods, and Rome is my favourite city, so it made sense to bring the two together. It also seemed appropriate, given that Dionysus (Bacchus) was worshipped in Ancient Rome.
Finally, Rome as a setting worked on a metaphorical level. Rome and Dionysus both belong to the past; just as Dionysus feels uneasy and out of place in the 20th century, Rome often struggles to function as a modern city. They can’t complete the new metro line because they stumble upon Roman ruins whenever they dig a bit deeper!
It sounds fascinating. You obviously know Rome really well. Do you have a top travel tip for anyone planning a visit?
Many of the bacchanal scenes later in the book are set in the fields around the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) – a place that’s inspired me like no other. The Appian Way is an Ancient Roman road that once connected Rome with Brindisi in the south. The road was an important route for the military, and also used for crucifixions and burials.
Very few tourists in Rome visit the Appian Way; some (wrongly) think it’s far out and difficult to get to, while others probably don’t even know it exists. But as it’s one of the most beautiful, atmospheric and mysterious places in Rome, it’s definitely worth a visit. I’d recommend going there on a Sunday when the road is closed to traffic, and renting a bike. Some of my most memorable days in Rome have been spent cycling along the Appian Way, exploring fields scattered with ruins, and the remains of an Ancient Roman villa that once belonged to the emperor Commodus. Cycle out of Rome and into the past…
[image error]Alexandra Turney grew up in London and studied English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford. She lives in Rome, where she works as an English teacher and freelance writer. Her specialities include helping Italians to understand the present perfect and writing about alternative tourist attractions in Rome. Almost all of her writing, both fictional and non-fictional, is related to Italy in some way, and has appeared in the Huffington Post, Go Nomad, L’Italo-Americano, Panoram Italia and Urban Travel Blog.
She is currently halfway through writing her third novel, The Living Cult, set in a Purgatory based on Naples.
Alexandra writes about life in Rome and Italian culture on her blog, Go Thou To Rome You can also follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
How a Roman holiday inspired Samantha Tonge’s writing
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Samantha Tonge’s beautiful and uplifting new novel comes out next week – I can’t wait to read it! Here’s a taster:
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To Rome…with love?
Mary Smith is turning her very ordinary life upside-down! She’s bought herself a one-way ticket to Rome and is ready for a summer she’ll never forget.
Men might be off the cards for waitress Mary, but within hours of arriving at the utterly charming family-run La Dolce Vita pizzeria, she’s already fallen in love with the bustling capital!
Only Dante Rossi, the mysterious (and drop-dead gorgeous) chef seems displeased with her arrival. And in the heat of the kitchen, it doesn’t take long for long-buried secrets to surface and sparks to fly…
A deliciously heartwarming romance to have you dreaming of summer. Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson and Caroline Roberts.
Why did you choose Rome as a setting for your story?
I set One Summer in Rome in Italy’s capital because in 2016 I was lucky enough to go on holiday there. I was blown away by the beauty and romance of the city, with its history, the magnificent Coliseum and stunning fountains. Up until that point Paris had always been my go-to romantic city… I’d worked there as a young woman and had happy memories of touring its boulevards on the back of my French boyfriend’s motorbike. But something about Rome instantly felt magical and gave it a real warmth – not just because we visited it during the summer months. I recall stunning evening walks in the humid air, admiring illuminated buildings and don’t get me started on the food! Well-known for its pasta, pizza and ice-cream, Rome is surely every foodie’s nirvana.
One Summer in Rome is actually set in a family-run pizzeria, on Piazza Navona, and that is where we spent the last night of our city. It was wonderful, with tap dancers, singers and artists providing the entertainment whilst we took our time over a mouthwatering meal.
What was the inspiration behind the book?
We live in challenging times and I think everyone can relate to the notion of wanting to run away from our problems and start a new life abroad. 2016 was a challenging year for myself and I remember reading something about “doing geographical” never working. That is, you can never run away from your problems as they’ll follow – you can’t run away from yourself. I heard someone speak about how they’d moved to a different part of the country for a fresh start, but it didn’t really work and this is what gave me the idea for my main character, London-based Mary.
She grew up in care so has no real family, she has just split up with her boyfriend and hates her job. So when the opportunity comes along to work as a pizza waitress, in Rome, she musters up her courage and goes for it, determined to shed off the baggage of her past.
Except it’s not quite that simple – as she finds out after a few days in Italy and things become even more complicated when she meets gorgeous but uptight pizza chef, Dante, who has some secrets of his own…
One summer in Rome is published on 9th May.
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Samantha Tonge lives in Cheshire with her lovely family and a cat who thinks it’s a dog. When not writing she spends her days cycling, willing cakes to rise and avoiding housework. She has sold over 80 short stories to women’s magazines. Her bestselling debut novel, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award in 2014. Game of Scones hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Best Romantic Ebook category at the 2015 Love Stories Awards.
May 3, 2018
Margie Miklas and her love affair with Sicily
My next guest is Margie Miklas, travel blogger and author of psychological thriller Critical Cover-up. She’s also written a wonderful book about her experiences in Sicily
And there’s a chance to win a copy!
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As a second-generation Italian-American, Margie grew up knowing her Sicilian grandparents and always felt a closeness to the Sicilian cultural traditions which were maintained by her family. Not until a few years ago, when Margie had grandchildren of her own, did she travel to Sicily for the first time. Here, she felt at home. She fell in love with the people and the culture. She has returned to Sicily over and again, and recounts her experiences in this true story, with passion and love for her ancestors’ homeland. You will feel as if you are traveling alongside Margie as she travels to different places in Sicily, explores the village of her grandparents, and connects with new friends whom she believes to be family.
You can read a sample or buy the book here:
Q&A
Why did you choose to write a book about Sicily?
I chose this location because being Sicilian was personal to me long before I had ever gone there. Sicily is the home of my maternal grandparents, so it holds a special place in my heart. Growing up, I had heard stories of Sicily from my maternal grandmother, and the traditions my family maintained were borne out of Sicilian roots. Memories like these awakened early my desire to trace my roots in what my grandparents called the old country. The first time I visited Sicily, I felt at home, and I sensed a real emotional connection with the people. The only way to describe this wonderful feeling is that I am in love with Sicily and its people, and have returned again and again, because it never seems to be enough.
What’s your top travel tip for Sicily?
Rent a car to see the countryside of Sicily, where rolling hills and mountains are the landscape. Plan on more time than the GPS suggests, as these winding roads always take longer than you expect. Plus you just may have to wait for a herd of sheep or cows to cross the road!
GIVEAWAY
For a chance to win a copy of My Love Affair With Sicily, just leave a comment below. The winner will be drawn at random and can choose either an ebook or paperback version.
Good luck!
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Sicily in the Sixties – Helen Pryke
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THE VIRTUAL ITALY BOOK FESTIVAL day 3 Sicily #ItalyBookFest
I’m so pleased to be joined by Helen Pryke this evening to talk about Sicily. As I’m reading her other book The Healer’s Secret at the moment I know I’ll love this one too.
There’s a chance to win a copy of this book so read on!
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Living in the mountains of Sicily, Maria has the perfect childhood until the tragic accident that changes her life forever. The events that follow will take her away from her home town to the streets of Milan, in an ever-increasing spiral of abuse and deception. Will she ever be able to trust anyone ever again? Set in turbulent 1960s Italy, Walls of Silence is the story of a girl who must find the courage and strength to survive her family’s betrayal and the prejudices of her country.
You can buy the book here: getBook.at/Wallsofsilence
WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF WALLS OF SILENCE
Just comment with a gif that shows what you like best about Italy!
Q&A with Helen Pryke
Why did you choose Sicily as the main location for your novel?
Walls of Silence is set in the 1960s in Sicily, Milan and Rome, and tells the story of Maria, a young Sicilian girl who lives in a village called Ferla. This village actually exists, although I’ve moved it slightly higher in the mountains for the story! Maria is 8 years old, and enjoys a carefree life running wild around the countryside with her best friends. Then a series of tragic events happen, culminating in her step-uncle moving into her home and starting to abuse her.
I chose this location for a number of reasons. I needed a small town located far away from any cities, where people lived a simplistic life and where, more importantly, any ‘improper’ behaviour would be ignored or hidden away. I also wanted a place where people were still influenced by the church – in fact, poor Maria has to go through an exorcism when her step-uncle’s abuse comes to light. I decided to set the book in the south of Italy, and the only place I’d ever visited was Sicily!
I also wanted to write about the immigration problem in Italy during the 50s and 60s. Many southern Italians moved to the north in search of work, and found themselves ostracised by the northerners, ridiculed, and generally mistreated. There were even notices on flats for rent saying that they didn’t rent to ‘meridionali’ or ‘terroni’ (an insulting name for a southern Italian). When Maria and her new husband, Vincenzo, move to Milan after their wedding, they experience some unpleasant situations, and this leads to the next step in Maria’s life as a prostitute on the streets of Milan.
What was the inspiration behind your book?
I wrote this book during a very stressful period of my life. I was going through a separation, after experiencing 23 years of psychological, economic and emotional abuse from my ex-husband, and he was still abusing me, albeit from a distance. I sat down one day with an idea for a story, and started writing. I wrote every day, from the morning to the evening, only stopping briefly to cook lunch and dinner for myself and my two sons.
I poured my heart and soul into this book; all the emotions Maria goes through are mine, although not all her experiences, luckily, and it was a cathartic way to get rid of all the hurt and anger inside me. I originally wrote the story for myself, with no intention of publishing it, but once I’d finished it I realised it could be a story of hope for other women in similar situations. Even though it is an emotional read, and Maria goes through every type of abuse imaginable, it also shows the hope, courage and determination that every woman going through abuse has inside her.
Maria never gave up fighting against her abusers or trying to escape from them, and in the end she finds her way out and true love. This reflects my own thoughts and desires at the time and, like Maria, I found my happy ever after.
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Born in England, Helen Pryke now lives in the north of Italy with her husband and two sons. After becoming accustomed to the culture, the language and the Italian way of doing things, she immersed herself in her passion for writing and published her debut novel, Walls of Silence, last year. A lover of coffee, chocolate, and cakes, she now dedicates herself to her family and writing. The Healer’s Secret is her second novel inspired by this beautiful, complicated country.
The real secret behind The Secrets of Villa Rosso
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My next guest is Linn B Halton, whose novel The Secrets of Villa Rosso is set in gorgeous Calabria. Stories about villas with secrets always appeal to me! She’s here to talk about the inspiration behind her book:
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Some places stay with you forever…
When Ellie Maddison is sent on a business trip to Southern Italy, she’s reminded why she loves her job – set amongst rolling vineyards and rich olive groves, the beautiful Villa Rosso is the perfect escape from her life back home. But what Ellie isn’t prepared for is the instant connection she feels to the estate’s director Max Jackson, or the secrets they share that are as intertwined as the rambling vines that cover Villa Rosso.
It’s not long before Ellie finds herself entangled in the history of the place, trying to understand the undeniable effect Max is having on her. As their relationship grows, what will Ellie discover about this idyllic villa and those who have walked through its doors?
What started as a simple work trip will change Ellie’s life forever.
Published by Harper Impulse – eformat and paperback
Read chapter 1 here
WIN A COPY OF THE SECRETS OF VILLA ROSSO!
For a chance to win a signed paperback just leave a comment below or in the Facebook event. This prize is available internationally.
What was the inspiration behind your book?
I didn’t want Castrovillari to be simply the setting: it had to be more integral and vital in the storyline to bring out a different sort of passion.
The original idea was based on a kernel of truth. And this is the first time I’ve aired that fact. The idea of someone having two perfect soul mates is an incredible dilemma and one I was a witness to many years ago.
When I approached the person involved to say that I wanted to use that as the essence for a story, it turned into my tribute to their very personal struggle. Even though it happened a long time ago. So, with agreement, and given that I write fiction, I wanted to try to recreate the same depth, courage, heart-break and outcome in a way that didn’t dilute the enormity of the situation at the time.
It took probably a total of three years to piece together how it was going to unfold. The setting reflected not simply the beauty, but the passion in a harrowing way; the very real and disastrous olive harvest in 2014 had affected so many families’ livelihoods. Struggle and anguish doesn’t get any more real than that.
The “secret” reflected the reality of a situation that was outside of any one person’s control. But when all the elements of the story came together it served to demonstrate the complexity of life and the possibility of links between the past, present and future. My personal belief is that this life will ultimately take us where we are meant to go because it’s a part of our learning process.
And as for the real-life story? It had a happy ending tinged with an inevitable sadness and sense of loss. But I believe as an observer it was the ending it was supposed to have – but that can only be said with hindsight. Just like Italy, it touched my heart and my soul, and that’s why I wrote this story and why it could only ever be set in Calabria.
How did you choose the setting for your story?
The Secrets of Villa Rosso is set in the countryside close to Castrovillari, a historic town in the foothills of Calabria. The fictional villa is typical of so many wonderful, sprawling villas surrounded by olive groves in the area. The livelihood of the owners and the local people is dependent upon a good harvest, as the fruit grows and ripens in the Calabrian sunshine.
My husband and I have taken several road trips around Italy, as well as visiting many of the main tourist destinations. But it’s only when you venture out into rural Italy, away from the crowds, that you can really hear that Italian heart-beat. The love and respect for the land shown by those whose lives still revolve around the agricultural industry made me fall even deeper in love with the country. And one such trip made me “file” away a whole host of wonderful memories ready for just the right story.
The passion of the people we met on a tour, when we sampled olives and virgin oils from various growers, seemed to encapsulate both the evocative smells and the ambience of the region. It was simply too memorable to ever forget. Every time I eat an Italian olive or dip my bread into Balsamic vinegar drizzled into a fragrant Italian virgin olive oil, I am transported back in time. Italy left a mark that touched my heart and it will always be special to me.
[image error]Linn writes chick lit, cosy mystery/romances, romcoms and women’s contemporary fiction.
She’s a hopeless romantic, self-confessed chocaholic and lover of strong coffee. For Linn, life is all about family, friends and writing.
At the weekend, she can be found either in the garden weeding, or with a paint brush in her hand – house renovation and upcycling furniture is another of her passions! Oh, and she does enjoy the occasional glass of White Grenache…
Born in Bristol, she lives in Coed Duon, in Wales with her lovely husband and Bengal cat, Ziggy.
Her novels have been short-listed in the UK’s Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award. She also writes under the pen name of Lucy Coleman for Aria Fiction.
An Amazon UK Top 100 best-selling author with A Cottage in the Country in November 2015, Under the Stars also became a best-seller in November 2016 and A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love in January 2017. She also writes for Aria Fiction under the pen name of Lucy Coleman.
Cathie Hartigan on the Mad, Murdering Prince of Naples
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I’m thrilled that Cathie Hartigan’s here to talk about Naples and the novel she set there. Over to you Cathie!
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My novel, Secret of the Song, is set in Naples in the late C16th and contemporary Exeter, but my modern day heroine spends a few chapters in Naples too. Secret of the Song is a time-slip mystery and the inspiration came from the true story of the mad Prince Carlo Gesualdo, who was a fine musician but also a murderer.
His palace in Naples is now a hotel. I wonder how many guests know of the grisly crime committed there.
Memories of Naples
The noise and terrifying traffic, the graffiti on every surface, the beautiful churches and architecture, the Archealogical Museum that houses most of the treasures unearthed at Pompeii, and the opportunity to look at the whole city and azure bay from the top of a volcano.
Top tip
Take a trip across the bay to the quiet, refined, clean and elegant isle of Capri.
Secret of the Song
When a song by the mad composer, Carlo Gesualdo, is discovered in Exeter Museum, trouble descends on the group asked to sing it. Lisa is full of enthusiasm at first, but she soon becomes convinced the song is cursed. Can Lisa find out what mystery lies behind the discordant harmonies? Will she solve the song’s secret before her relationship with Jon breaks for good and harm befalls them all?
In Renaissance Naples, young Silvia Albana is seamstress and close confidant of Don Gesualdo’s wife. When Donna Maria begins an affair, Silvia knows that death is the only outcome. But who exactly will die? And where is Silvia’s own lover? Why is he not there to help her?
You can buy Secret of the Song here
[image error]I studied and taught music until about fifteen years ago, when a life-long love of writing coupled with a series of competition successes led to a change of career.
Since then, I’ve won quite a few prizes for my short stories, and was thrilled when Making the Grade was included in the e-book of Truly, Madly Deeply, the latest anthology from the Romantic Novelists’ Association. I co-authored the Amazon best-selling The Creative Writing Student’s Handbook and The Short Story Writer’s Workbook.
My debut novel, Secret of the Song, was published in October 2015, and Notes from the Lost, my current work nearing completion, is a mystery set in contemporary Exeter and WW2 Italy. It is partly based on the true story of an Allied soldier behind enemy lines, near Avezzano in the Province of L’Aquila.
I also run CreativeWritingMatters, with novelists, Margaret James and Sophie Duffy. We offer author services and literary competitions, including the Exeter Novel Prize.
When I’m not writing, I sing in a small vocal ensemble. The beautiful Devon coastline also provides plenty of distraction, but on a rainy day if there’s an opera or theatre screening at the cinema, I’ll be there.
Lovely Liguria – Evonne Wareham on why you should spend summer in San Remo
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Another irresistible book cover – the glamour of the Italian Riviera makes it the perfect setting for a romantic comedy with a light dusting of crime. Evonne Wareham’s here to talk about the location for her book Summer in San Remo
Why did you choose to set your story in San Remo?
Summer in San Remo takes place on the Italian Riviera (and spills over to the French Riviera for a scene or two). I used it as a location after a wonderful holiday some years ago that was based in San Remo. I love that area of the Mediterranean, the lifestyle, the climate, the food – especially the ice-cream – the sunshine, the architecture and art and the flowers and gardens.
What was the inspiration for the story?
I wanted to try to re-create the feel of those classic movies that feature heists and jewel thieves and oodles of glamour, but in a contemporary setting. Summer in San Remo has some stolen money and a mysterious stranger, but no jewel thieves. The book is intended to be the first of a series though, so I’m hoping to work my way round to the jewel thieves in due course.
Another source of inspiration were the vintage TV detective series of the 80s. In shows like Moonlighting with Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis and Remington Steele with Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan, the chemistry between the two leads was one of the things that kept you watching. I’m drawn to that stylish detective thing – and in those series the sun was always shining.
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Anything could happen when you spend summer in San Remo … Running her busy concierge service usually keeps Cassie Travers fully occupied. But when a new client offers her the strangest commission she’s ever handled she suddenly finds herself on the cusp of an Italian adventure, with a man she thought she would never see again.
Jake McQuire has returned from the States to his family-run detective agency. When old flame Cassie appears in need of help with her mysterious client, who better than Jake to step in?
Events take the pair across Europe to a luxurious villa on the Italian Riviera. There, Cassie finds that the mystery she pursues pales into insignificance, when compared to another discovery made along the way …
Author Evonne Wareham writes romantic thrillers and romantic comedies with a touch of crime. Her first published novel, Never Coming Home, won the Joan Hessayon award for the best debut novel of the year, presented by the Romantic Novelists’ Association. She’s currently a mature student, studying for her doctorate in history, which takes up a lot of her time, and is known as ‘the day job’. After a blameless career in local government in London, she is now back home, living on the coast of South Wales, so big cities and beaches have been known to creep into her books. Also food, art, architecture, pretty clothes, shoes, very nasty villains, heroes with dark pasts and independent heroines who find themselves in dangerous situations.
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Summer in San Remo is available now as an e-book and in paperback in July 2018
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2ES67CX Amazon US http://amzn.to/2EUif6l
Apple https://apple.co/2CBXkjC
Google play http://bit.ly/2oedWta
Wordery (pre-order paperback) http://bit.ly/2FhxtAn
