Katharine Johnson's Blog, page 17
May 3, 2018
The Lure of Liguria – Jane Dunning’s guide to the Italian Riviera
The first Liguria author today is Jane Dunning, author of Stolen Summer who has some wonderful riviera photos and a book that recaptures the stunning beauty of these places:
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My experience of visiting the Cinque Terre, the five villages that cling to this spectacular coastline couldn’t be more different from the picture I’ve tried to paint in my recently published novel, Stolen Summer. The first time, I arrived at Vernazza’s tiny harbour from Santa Margherita Ligure by ferry on a day-trip – the crossing had been so choppy, we decided to return by train.
The second time, we arrived by hire car and had to leave the car half way up the mountain that sits behind Manarola and trundle our luggage down into the village. And when we left, back up again. In my story, my characters arrive by superyacht, Sprruzzo di Mare V, a 43 metre Benetti, which is anchored in the deep, blue Ligurian Sea and they are tendered to shore by the yacht’s crew.
As I did, the guests on board, don their walking shoes, some against their will, and trudge the paths that link the five villages that cling to the hillside above the sea, before returning hot and bothered to the luxury of the yacht. I returned to my modest, little apartment overlooking the Ligurian Sea.
The views are panoramic and the villages quaint, but the only ways to get around are to walk, or take the train that runs behind the villages. Using a boat is another possibility, but moorings would be difficult to find – a little like parking spaces…
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After their brief visit to the Cinque Terre, Spruzzo di Mare V makes its way to the Gulf of La Spezia. The gulf takes its name from the city of La Spezia which is a maritime, workaday sort of place… but… it has wonderful small towns and villages on both sides. Again, the yacht is moored off-shore and my characters play in the sea on their Jet Skis and paddle boards before heading off to the gorgeous village of Portovenere for an aperol spritz or prosecco on the quay. A smaller but beautiful village is Tellaro, not far from slightly larger Lerici, with its port, and castle above, with sweet little San Terenzo a short walk away.
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I always like writing about romance in my books, especially young love, and Stolen Summer is no exception. The grandson of my main characters works as a bosun on the Spruzzo di Mare V and he, and the owner’s daughter’s nanny, have fallen heavily for each other.
You can imagine how difficult intimacy is for crew on a large boat so it isn’t until the couple have a little holiday in Camogli, near Portofino, that they really get to know each other, if you get my meaning! Later on in the story, the superyacht actually docks in Portofino, rather taking over the tiny port – only three large superyachts are allowed at any one time. Just as well, you might say… The guests on board try to play it cool as the boat is expertly moored by the crew, but they are inwardly excited about being in such a glamorous location and arriving in such a luxurious fashion.
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My visits and research have allowed me to get to know this part of Liguria reasonably well. My top tip for the Cinque Terre area is to visit well out of season. By that I mean, avoid June – September. However, the danger will be that the weather will not be sunny and settled. If the weather is bad, the paths may be unsafe and closed.
The best way is to arrive by train (or superyacht!) and avoid weekends whatever time of year. If you have to bring a hire car, be prepared to park well out of the village you have chosen to stay in. Do some research so that you have a good idea of where you might leave your car. Believe me, it’s very difficult.
I loved the Gulf of La Spezia when I rented an apartment in San Terenzo. There are pay to park spaces and a car is very useful to easily visit Portovenere and Tellaro. The good thing about staying in San Terenzo or Lerici is that it’s easy to walk from one to the other. If you only want a quick visit to the Cinque Terre, you can easily get a day-trip from here. I liked this article from Italy Magazine
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I have stayed in Santa Margherita Ligure twice and love its almost totally Italian feel. There is a huge variety of hotels, lots of cafés and restaurants and a shingly beach plus day-trips to various places along the coast. It’s possible to walk to Portofino from here and, even if you have a hire car, I recommend walking! Whereas Santa Margherita Ligure has fairly ordinary prices, everything is very expensive in Portofino but a must-see if in the area.
This article from The Telegraph will give you a taste
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You’re invited to spend summer on the French Riviera with Richard, Helen and the Ferguson family. The sequel to Thirty-five Minutes from St Tropez is a blend of fear and fun, love and disappointments, country life and glamorous Monaco, Provence and Italy…
As the hot summer continues on the vineyard in Provence, big changes are afoot as Richard and Helen make plans for their son and daughter-in-law to take over managing their rental property. While Richard is in the UK, informing their somewhat difficult daughter of their plans, the first of several upsetting and frightening incidents takes place at their home. Rushing to help, Richard’s brother and his American wife, Cindy, drive to the vineyard from Monaco, and, while keeping Helen company, find the fabulous villa that will become their second home.
In Monaco, grand-daughter Danielle continues to have boyfriend troubles whilst love blossoms for her twin brother and a society heiress as he works on an Italian superyacht. Helen’s sister’s romance with Frenchman Alain continues to bring Joanna great happiness, despite the presence of Alain’s challenging daughter. An unexpected four-legged addition to their family brings great joy.
Family visits, a classic car rally and wedding plans take place against the constant threat of the intruder returning, increased security measures at the vineyard, and the appointment of a private detective. As summer draws to a close, a terrifying event takes place at the vineyard that shakes the family to the core, and leaves Richard feeling heart-broken at his part in the attack.
By the time the grape harvest is in full swing, the family is worn down by the summer’s events but their spirits are lifted by a wedding and everyone spending time together once again, this time in Juan-les-Pins.
The follow-up to my debut novel, Thirty-five Minutes from St Tropez. Join the Fergusons once again for more sunshine, stunning scenery and family drama.
You can buy the book here
[image error]Jane Dunning was born in Guernsey (Channel Islands, UK) in the nineteen-fifties and moved to Bournemouth (on the south coast of England) with her family six months later. After school and secretarial college, her working career, predominantly in finance and latterly with Bournemouth University, spanned over thirty-five years. She has been married since 1974, lives in Poole, Dorset and enjoys travel, writing, walking and gardening. She has visited France every year since 1990 and has spent long periods in both France and Italy since retiring in 2007.
Please see my colourful Facebook Page for more information and photos of France and Italy:- I hope you enjoy my stories and that it will inspire you to visit the both France and Italy and enjoy all that they have to offer.
Liguria
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It’s Day 3 of the virtual book festival and we’re off to Liguria.
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The Italian Riviera is one of my favourite parts of Italy. I love the sun-drenched colours and trompe l’oeile decoration, the orange trees, towering cliffs, tiny fishing villages, and folklore.
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The little village of Tellaro was saved from pirates by an giant octopus who climbed out of the water, wrapped himself around the bell rope of the church on the edge of the rock and sounded the alarm.
And Portovenere is where Venus (Venere) was wafted ashore after she was born in the sea (shown in Botticelli’s painting The Birth of Venus.)
Some of the pearls fell out of her necklace (or was it her tiara?) and fell into the sea. Where they landed they formed the little islands of the Tuscan archipelago.
Byron used to swim from his grotto in Portovenere over to Lerici – quite an impressive swim! It’s reenacted every year.
Here are two of my favourite books set in Liguria. Have you read these? Can you recommend others?
Coming up this morning are a couple of fabulous books you will definitely want to add to your reading list – and some unbelievably gorgeous photos!
May 2, 2018
In love with Lake Garda – Darcie Boleyn
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The Veneto – Lake Garda
Here’s Darcie Boleyn to talk about Verona and beautiful Malcesine on Lake Garda:
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Why I Chose Lake Garda as the Setting For Love at the Italian Lake
In 2010, my husband and I holidayed in the beautiful Malcesine on Lake Garda. We were looking for a suitable location for our 2011 wedding, and thought that Castello Scaligero might be the perfect place.
We enjoyed an idyllic holiday on the shores of the lake and I knew then that I’d set a story there one day. Love at the Italian Lake is that story and it features locations that we visited and activities we enjoyed during our time there. For example, we did visit Malcesine’s open-air market, and tried some of the delicious Italian foods on offer.
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We also drove to Verona where we went to Juliet’s house and I had my photo taken with the statue of Juliet and on the balcony. That same day, we enjoyed a meal in one of Verona’s wonderful restaurants then saw Aida in the amphitheatre, which really is the best way to enjoy opera. It was as haunting and moving as I’ve described in the story.
[image error]The scene that made me laugh the most as I wrote it, though, was the one on the speedboat. Now you won’t know why unless you read the novel, and I’m not going to spoil it for you, but that day was one of the funniest of my life, because what happens to Sophia, actually happened to me! I’m just lucky my husband found me entertaining, even back then…
If you ever get a chance to visit Malcesine, or one of the other towns on Lake Garda, you should take a trip on the lake in a speedboat, as it is the best way to enjoy the lake. Out there, looking back at the shore, you can soak up the beauty and tranquillity of the stunning scenery, from the picturesque towns to the dramatic mountain ranges, but do not go out when a storm is imminent! The storms out there sweep in from the mountains, the sky turns gunmetal grey and the rain falls like sheets from the sky. I’ve never seen rain like it and I come from Wales, so that’s saying something.
I enjoyed writing Love at the Italian Lake so much because it meant that I was able to revisit Malcesine and the descriptions are straight from my heart; from the window boxes bursting with colourful, deliciously fragranced flowers, to the cobbled streets with the higgledy-piggledy houses and their terracotta roofs, to the impressive mountains ranges that reach up into the sky. I wanted to take my readers to Italy with me, so they could spend some time on the shores of the beautiful lake, and perhaps even bring a sense of the tranquillity of Lake Garda away with them.
We didn’t get married there in the end, because we actually got married in the snow that Christmas – a story for another time – but we did fall in love with Italy.
The story: On the shores of Lake Garda, a beautiful romance unfolds. But is it only for summer? Don’t miss this gorgeous, heart-warming novel from Darcie Boleyn, bestselling author of 2017 smash-hit Summer at Conwenna Cove.
Sophia Bertoni discovers her boyfriend in bed with another woman, and realizes her life is going nowhere. Leaving her high-pressure job, she travels to Italy to stay with her grandmother while she figures out her next move.
When Sophia – quite literally – bumps into devastatingly handsome Joe Lancaster her plans are turned upside down. As the two realize they’re both spending the summer in the same town, a love affair seems on the cards.
But Sophia and Joe are both burdened by family secrets. Despite their attraction, will the sun set on Sophia and Joe’s romance – or will they find love at the Italian lake?
You can buy it here getBook.at/LATIL
[image error]Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.
Sue Barnard’s Guide to Verona
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Verona
Sue Barnard’s here to talk about Verona, the most famous love story in the world and why it inspired her to write a novel. Over to you, Sue!
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Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life,
Whose misadventured, piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents’ strife…
So begins William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet, the story for which the city of Verona is justly famous. In fact, more than one-third of Shakespeare’s plays are set wholly or partly in Italy, and all of them display an amazingly detailed knowledge of the country, its customs and its people. Indeed, some Shakespeare scholars believe that this is where the Bard spent his so-called “lost years” (between leaving his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1585 and arriving in London seven years later).
The jury is still out on whether or not this is true, but the fact remains that Verona (perhaps more than any other place which is the setting for a Shakespeare play) has definitely made the most of this association. Fans of Romeo & Juliet can now visit several sites in the city which claim to have links with the characters and events from this iconic love story.
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The best-known and most popular of these is the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s house), situated in a small courtyard just off the busy Via Cappello. The attraction itself is a twentieth-century invention, but the three-storey period house is tastefully and sensitively furnished, and includes some of the costumes and furniture which were used in Franco Zeffirelli’s wonderful 1968 film. The courtyard, which is free to enter, is home to a bronze statue of Juliet – no doubt a reference to Lord Montague’s promise to “raise her statue in pure gold” – and is overlooked by a small but perfectly-formed balcony which is accessible from inside the house.
A couple of blocks away, along the Via Arche Scaligere, is the Casa di Romeo (Romeo’s House). This impressive-looking fifteenth-century building is believed to have originally been the home of the Montecchi family (who became the Montagues in the play). The house is now a restaurant.
The other main attraction is the Tomba di Giulietta (Juliet’s tomb) – a fine red marble sarcophagus which can be found in the medieval cloister of a former Capuchin monastery. This is the scene where, in Shakespeare’s play, Friar Lawrence’s plan to reunite the lovers goes so horribly wrong. A short walk away is the magnificent San Remo church with its highly unusual two-storey structure. Although there is nothing to link this church directly to the story of Romeo & Juliet, I can easily imagine the chapel in the crypt being the location for the lovers’ secret wedding.
But Verona isn’t just about Romeo & Juliet; visitors who can tear themselves away from the story of the star-cross’d lovers will find lots of other things to entertain them. The amazing Roman Arena, which flanks one side of the Piazza Brà, is now home to the famous annual Verona Opera Festival. Other attractions include the Giardino Giusti gardens, the Roman Theatre, the historic Castelvecchio, and an awesome array of fascinating churches. One of my favourites is San Zeno Maggiore, a short distance from the city centre. This spectacular medieval basilica boasts some amazing frescos of the Last Supper, at which the Disciples appear to be eating roast scorpion washed down with pints of Guinness or lager!
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My personal favourite place in Verona is the discreet spot where tasteful homage is paid to the English playwright who placed the city so firmly on the literary map. In one corner of the Piazza Brà, adjacent to the large arched portal which marks the start of the road to Mantua, is a small bronze bust of Shakespeare himself. Alongside, in English and Italian, are inscribed the words spoken by Romeo on receiving the news of his banishment from Verona:
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There is no world without Verona walls
But purgatory, torture, hell itself,
Hence banishèd is banished from the world,
And world’s exile is death.
If you love the story of Romeo & Juliet but hate the way it ended, you might enjoy my novel The Ghostly Father. This part-prequel, part-sequel to the original story is told from the point of view of the Friar (the eponymous Ghostly Father), and features a few new twists and a whole new outcome. I originally wrote the story just for myself, because it was the ending I’ve always wanted – but judging by the number of people who have bought it, read it, and been kind enough to say they’ve enjoyed it, it seems that I’m not by any means the only person who prefers the alternative dénouement. And I will always treasure the words of one particular friend: “After reading The Ghostly Father, I will never feel sad in Verona again.”
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Romeo & Juliet – was this what really happened?
When Juliet Roberts is asked to make sense of an ancient Italian manuscript, she little suspects that she will find herself propelled into the midst of one of the greatest love stories of all time. But this is only the beginning. As more hidden secrets come to light, Juliet discovers that the tragic tale of her famous namesake might have had a very different outcome…
A favourite classic story with a major new twist.
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Sue Barnard is an author and editor at Crooked Cat Books. As well as The Ghostly Father she’s written Nice Girls Don’t , The Unkindest Cut of All, and Never On Saturday.
Her new novel Heathcliffe comes out in July.
The Veneto
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Verona
We’re leaving Venice but not yet the Veneto. The next stop is Verona, the city of love – and it’s very hard not to fall in love with this city.
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I love the warm colours of the buildings, especially with the evening sun on them.
It’s a perfect town for strolling – a manageable size, gorgeous architecture and lots of lovely cafes.
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In fact I think sitting in a cafe in one of the lovely squares is as near perfect as it gets.
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Here are two of my favourite Verona reads – do you have a favourite?
Coming up next is another one!
Anna-Maria Athanasiou gives us a taste of Italy
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I think most people would agree that one of the best things about Italy is the food. And a book that combines love, food and Italy is right up my strada!
Anna-Maria Athanasiou has chosen three fabulous locations for some of the scenes in her Casa d’Italia series and is here to explain why:
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From the age of eighteen I’d always aspired to have my own restaurant and managed to qualify as a Hotel Caterer. But life, like it does, seemed to get in the way, so I never realised my dream. My life took an unexpected turn and seven years ago, I began to write romance novels. One of the best things about writing is you can be and do whatever you want, so for me that was to create the restaurant I’d always dreamed of, in the pages of my latest trilogy La Casa d’Italia.
Italy, and everything that encompasses the enchanting Mediterranean country, intrigues me. I’ve only managed to drive through it on a mad cap journey from Greece to the UK, and the ten hours were nowhere near enough. If I’m honest, ten months wouldn’t be enough!
The Italian language is simple melodic and I could listen to it all day. The food is one of my favourite cuisines, from the simplest pizza to a more complex dishes and the wine – well nothing beats a rich Barolo or a sparkly Prosecco! I have, over the last thirty years, become a huge fan of Eros Ramazzotti’s music, even if I understand all of five percent of his lyrics, and on my bucket list is to visit the iconic locations around this beautiful country.
La Casa d’Italia, which means The Home of Italy, is the name of the restaurant featured in my books. A second generation Italian family own and runs it and the story revolves around the married owner, Jerome Ferretti, and a new member of staff, Dani Knox. The fictitious restaurant is actually in Leeds but the story takes its characters to Milan, Lake Garda and Venice.
I chose Venice simply because for me, everything about the floating city oozes romance; the elegance of the gondolas and the picturesque buildings that line the canal ways, to the glamourous vaporettos speeding down the waterways leading to the stylish restaurants and bars. The Grand Palazzos and beautiful historic buildings that surround famous squares, provide a perfect backdrop to any romance novel.
Lake Garda and specifically Desenzano del Garda, is where the Ferretti family originate from, so I had great fun looking into this chic town located on the southern shore of the large lake.
Lake Garda is not as famed as its sister Lake Como but I chose to feature this particular Lake because of its proximity to Venice and Milan, plus it has breathtaking views surrounding it.
Finally Milan plays a cameo role in the pages of La Casa d’Italia, mainly as homage to the fashion capital of Italy. Because as well as the rich culture and traditions, food and wine and the beautiful cities that Italy has a huge helping of, there is nothing like the Italian’s flare for fashion. Their unique vivaciousness is renowned the world over and if there is one thing I love more than Italian food and drink, its fashion!
I had tremendous fun writing the La Casa d’Italia trilogy and living my dream through my characters that are now so real to me. I got to own my own restaurant, well sort of anyway. Now I just need visit the places I wrote about and still long to see first-hand… one day.
For starters
Step into Casa d’Italia, a place for new beginnings, and let destiny take care of the rest. When Dani’s trust is shattered her life disintegrates around her. She loses her home, her job, her man. With few choices left she starts over again, hoping to forget her hurtful past and move on. Fate leads her through the doors of the popular Italian restaurant La Casa d’Italia – and into the path of Jerome Ferretti, a married man and highly successful leisure industry mogul. A man who seems to have everything he could ever want: a thriving empire, a beautiful family, good looks and the respect of everyone who knows him. She is everything Jerome has ever needed. He is everything Dani could ever want. Their chemistry is undeniable, their paths destined to cross, their fate ultimately sealed. Except he’s off limits
Heavenly Fare
A new year begins and Dani moves into the second floor of Casa d’Italia. Her professional and personal lives begin to blur as she gets swept into a life that revolves around the restaurant and the Ferretti family. As more deceit, betrayal and unexpected danger unravel with the Ferretti household, can Jerome refrain from crossing those boundaries? Will Dani be able to resist the disarming magnetism and seductive charm of Jerome Ferretti, a man she knows is off-limits – or is their fate already sealed?
Just Desserts
Dani has a distinct feeling of deja vu. Heartbroken and unable to understand how or why she has found herself back at the beginning, ten steps back, losing her job, home and the man she loves. Being backed into a decision he never wanted to be part of, taking on a role he has no control over, Jerome faces one of the hardest challenges of his life.
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Anna-Maria Athanasiou is originally from Leeds in the UK but for the last twenty-two years, she has lived in the heart of the Mediterranean on the island of Cyprus. Limassol is her adopted town, where she lives with her husband, two sons, golden retriever and two cats. She has penchant for cake, tea, whisky, wine and a healthy obsession for shoes. Anna-Maria loves the fantasy land of romantic fiction, and is passionate about bringing her stories and characters to life. Her debut novels, Waiting for Summer Book One and Waiting for Summer Book Two were published in 2013 and 2014, having written the series in secret, never expecting to finish them or to be published.
Since then, Anna-Maria has been asked to guest write articles for The Glass House Girls, an online magazine for women, and contributed to three charity anthologies, They Say I’m Doing Well, Break the Cycle and Poems to My Younger Self.
Anna-Maria is a member of the Association of Authors and her dream was always to have her own restaurant. Though she never realised her wish, Anna-Maria managed to create it within the pages of La Casa d’Italia trilogy, confirming her belief that dreams really do come true.
Connect with Anna-Maria:
Twitter @AMAthanasiou
Instagram: annamariaathansiou
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https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00IZNBTAY
Other books by Anna-Maria Athanasiou:
Waiting for Summer Book One
Waiting for Summer Book Two
For Starters
Heavenly Fare
Coming soon:
Bought and Paid For
Dreaming of Venice with TA Williams
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Venice
Trevor Williams is dropping in at the weekend to talk about Florence but I couldn’t resist giving his Venice book a mention while we’re here. I could stare at this beautiful cover all day!
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Find love, friendship and prosecco – in the magical city of Venice. Life is tough for Penny. A dead end job in a London café, a boyfriend in Australia (what could go wrong?) and an art career going nowhere. But then Penny is approached with an extraordinary proposition. It isn’t going to be easy but, if she can pull it off, she will turn her life around and at long last see the fulfilment of her dream – to visit Venice. And, just maybe, find true happiness with the handsome man of her dreams. But can dreams come true?
[image error] I went to Italy (quite by chance) when I was in my twenties and ended up in Florence, running an English language school. I spent the rest of my working life in Exeter and still live in the Westcountry today. I have written 13 books – mostly romantic comedies – and my next book comes out in May, this time entitled Dreaming of St-Tropez . Nobody can accuse me of writing about nasty places J. I am married to an artist, and my daughter is a poet. I love my work – and the tax-deductible “research trips” it demands.
Dreaming of Venice universal link: http://mybook.to/Venice
My website: www.tawilliamsbooks.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tawilliamsbooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks/
May 1, 2018
Bettina Hunt on getting married in Venice
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Venice
Welcome to the 2nd day of the festival. We’re still in Venice for a short while before moving on to Verona. Today’s books are perfect for romance and foodie fans!
My first guest is Bettina Hunt, author of Without A Hitch which looks a fabulous read. Hello Bettina – what drew you to Venice for this story?
When thinking of a wedding abroad I couldn’t think of a more romantic location than Italy. Venice has always, in my head at least, been the ultimate romantic location, probably because of those fabulous Cornetto adverts quite a few years back! It was also on my ‘to visit’ list for many, many years and when I did finally get to go, albeit with a 3 year old in tow.., it didn’t disappoint. It was the obvious choice for my wedding couple as it’s packed with charm, warmth and of course all that famous, delicious Italian food. I enjoyed virtually revisiting it and it has made me want to revisit once more!
It is a perfect wedding location And what gave you the idea for the story?
I really enjoyed planning my own wedding although, of course, it wasn’t without its stresses, hiccups and hitches. Ultimately, everything went to plan but the road to the big day was full of twists and turns designed to trip me up. When my sister was proposed to in New York and then asked me to be her maid of honour, I got to experience those highs and lows all over again… this gave me the idea for a novel about three very different women planning their weddings.
I have to say it was great fun being in control of and choosing their weddings. I had to think about and research, everything from their proposals, venues, dresses to their accessories and even flowers and menus.
It (almost!) made me want to have my wedding all over again 
Laura Morelli on Impossible Venice
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Venice
Laura Morelli share her fascination with Venice and her wonderfully atmospheric books which are set there:
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It’s mind-boggling to think that the entire built environment of Venice—everything from the humblest coffee shop to the grandest church—stands atop thousands of wooden pilings driven into the mud centuries ago.
Venice has been described as “impossible,” and I think that’s a good way to capture its essence. If you described Venice to someone who had no prior knowledge of it, they might think you were making it up!
My own fascination with Venice began during my first trip to the city as a wide-eyed teenager. I knew I was supposed to go home with Murano glass but I had no idea why. All I knew was that I was lured to the famous “glass island” of Murano by a fast-talking hawker in the Piazza San Marco. I was whisked onto an overcrowded, stinky boat. I waited in line behind several dozen American and Japanese tourists to pay an exorbitant price for a small trinket. I selected a green fish, which, decades later, still sits on the windowsill of my study as a testament to this bewildering experience.
Even after my Murano glass-buying debacle, the artistic traditions of of Venice still lured me and inspired me to pursue advanced studies in art history. Eventually it became my mission to lead travelers beyond the tourist traps to discover authentic, local, handmade traditions. My focus is on cultural immersion through a greater appreciation of authentic arts and the people who make them.
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Would you rather sacrifice your livelihood, your lover, or your life? When the Black Death comes knocking on your door, you’d better decide quickly.
Venice, 1510. Maria Bartolini wants nothing more than to carry on her father’s legacy as a master gilder. Instead, her father has sent her away from the only home she’s ever known to train as an apprentice to Master Trevisan, a renowned painter.
When the painter’s servants uncover the real reason why Maria has been sent away, they threaten to reveal a secret that could tear down her family and the future of their trade. She is forced to buy the servants’ silence, but as their greed steadily grows, Maria resorts to more desperate measures. She questions whether her heart’s desire is worth risking her family, her trade, and her future, but Maria’s sacrifices may amount to nothing if the plague arrives on her father’s doorstep before she is able to get back home.
From the author of the award-winning The Gondola Maker comes a rich tale of Renaissance Venice, a heroine with a lust for life, and love against all odds.
Book One of the Venetian Artisans series
Buy The Painter’s Apprentice today to transport yourself to the vibrant and dangerous world of 16th-century Venice.
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Venetian gondola-maker Luca Vianello considers his whole life arranged. His father charted a course for his eldest son from the day he was born, and Luca is positioned to inherit one of the city’s most esteemed boatyards. But when Luca experiences an unexpected tragedy in the boatyard, he believes that his destiny lies elsewhere. Soon he finds himself drawn to restore an antique gondola with the dream of taking a girl for a ride.
squero-dorothPublishers Weekly starred review * Benjamin Franklin Award
IPPY Award for Best Adult Fiction E-book * National Indie Excellence Award Finalist
Eric Hoffer Award Finalist * Shortlisted for the da Vinci Eye Prize
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Visit Laura’s website and get Bridge of Sighs free!
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Laura Morelli holds a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University, where she was a Bass Writing Fellow and Mellon Doctoral Fellow. She authored a column for National Geographic Traveler called “The Genuine Article” and has contributed pieces about art and authentic travel to CNN Radio, The Frommers Travel Show, and in USA TODAY, Departures, and other media. Laura has taught college-level art history in the U.S. and in Italy, and currently produces art history lessons for TED-Ed.
Laura is the author of the Authentic Arts guidebook series that includes Made in Italy and Made in Venice. Recently she has turned to fiction, bringing the stories of art history to life. Her debut novel, The Gondola Maker, won an IPPY, Benjamin Franklin, and a National Indie Excellence Award.
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Secrets of Venice with Vicky Adin
Venice
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Vicky Adin set some of her latest novel in Venice and Florence and is here today to tell us why:
There’s also a chance to win a copy of her book!
Hello Vicky and welcome to the festival! How did you choose these two Italian towns?
I set parts of the story in Venice and in Florence because they are two of my favourite places to visit in Italy. I love the art and history, and the buildings and the uniqueness they offer, even though I barely scratched the surface of what was available to see. But I remembered my feeling of awe and being wrapped in history everywhere I went. Art, and the artists, is a major theme of the story and these two cities fitted the overall plot perfectly.
I imbued my character, Megan, a 50-something-year-old widow, with the experiences I had. Like me, she visited the outer islands, watched the lace makers and the glass blowers, sampled the food – oh, the delicious food! – and drank the wine (give me more) and walked down alley-ways and over bridges getting lost and finding herself again. She too wandered the halls of the art galleries and museums and stood looking at the sculptures on every street corner. The antiquity of these places filled her head as much as it filled mine. I hope that feeling comes across to the reader.
What was the inspiration behind your book?
I am a genealogist and love digging into the past and finding links to family. I’ve discovered some great stories while researching and use them as kernels to write my novels. The catalyst for The Cornish Knot was an article I read about the discovery of a previously unknown painting which was attributed to a famous artist. I took that seed and chose a Cornish artist – Wilfred de Glehn. De Glehn was known to have spent time in Florence and knew another famous painter – Girolami Nerli – who became famous in New Zealand. His paintings hang in the Auckland Gallery. I grew up in Cornwall near where de Glehn lived and I came up with the idea of linking a painting with Cornwall, Florence and New Zealand through a journal. Megan’s journey turned out to be far more complicated and soul-searching that I expected it would.
But that’s characters for you – they tell you their stories, we writers just put it on the page.
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The Cornish Knot
Can one woman’s secrets change the life of another a century later?
On the anniversary of her husband’s unexpected death, Megan sits at home heartbroken and disconsolate. A mysterious package arrives containing a journal written a century earlier, which shakes her out of her self-imposed seclusion and gives her strength.
She embarks on a journey following in the footsteps of the journal’s author, from New Zealand to Cornwall, France and Italy, uncovering a past she knows nothing about. In Venice, she is pursued by a much younger man, and she meets an intriguing fellow countryman in Florence. She finds herself caught up in the mysterious world of art and captivated by a series of unknown paintings. As she unravels her history and reveals its secrets, can she also find love again?
Ebook ISBN 978-0-9922628-6-0
Print book ISBN 978-0-9922628-8-4
GIVEAWAY
I live in New Zealand and my books have a strong New Zealand influence. I’m offering a free .mobi file of The Cornish Knot to the first person who can tell me another New Zealand painter who features in my story. You can find out from my Pinterest page https://www.pinterest.nz/nzvicky/the-cornish-knot-art-mystery-and-romance/
[image error]Award-winning historical fiction author, Vicky Adin is a genealogist in love with history and words.
After decades of research Vicky has combined her skills to weave family and history stories together in a way that brings the past to life. Her writing style has been compared with that of Catherine Cookson.
Fascinated by the 19th Century pioneers who undertook hazardous journeys to find a better life, especially the women, Vicky draws her characters from real life stories: characters such as Brigid, the Irish lacemaker and Gwenna, the Welsh confectioner, or Megan who discovers much about herself when she traces her family tree in The Cornish Knot.
Vicky Adin holds a MA(Hons) in English and Education. She is an avid reader of historical novels, family sagas and contemporary women’s stories and enjoys travelling.
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