Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Hello Lovely,
Thank you for stopping by, it's been a long time hasn't it? But as you can see, I've had a bit of a renovation here, we've had paint charts, material swatches, and in the end we came up with this... a gorgeous Cath Kitson inspired cosy nook in blues and reds, florals and a gorgeous bunting to boot! I do hope you love it as much as I do.
I'm glad that you stopped by today actually, because I wanted to tell you about two absolutely gorgeous books I've read during the renovation - you just have to down tools and relax sometimes don't you think?
Well, these books are by one of my favourite authors, you've perhaps heard of her; Tilly Tennant ... yes, she has two gorgeous new books out and they scrumptiously follow on from each other. I love it when you discover a series of books and fall in love with them don't you? These books are set in my ultimate dream country; Italy, Rome in fact. You might remember me saying that I can't wait to travel to Rome with my handsome other half, well I had a bit of a sneaky trip reading these books.
Shall I tell you more? Good, I was hoping you'd say that. Grab a cuppa, and snuggle down in my cosy nook for the love of books...
Rome Is Where The Heart Is by Tilly Tennant, is published by Bookouture. I had the pleasure of reading an advanced review copy in ebook format (thank you Bookouture).
You can purchase from Amazon here
The blurb is delightfully exciting, here read it yourself and see what you think;
"Can a holiday romance ever have a happy ending? Escape with Kate to the sun-drenched city of Rome where a love affair is just about to begin…
When Kate’s husband Matt dumps her on Friday 13th she decides enough is enough – it’s time for her to have some fun and so she hops on a plane to Rome. A week of grappa and gelato in pavement cafes under azure blue skies will be just what the doctor ordered.
What she doesn’t count on is meeting and falling for sexy policeman Alessandro. But the course of true love doesn’t run smoothly – Alessandro has five meddling sisters, a fearsome mama and a beautiful ex Orazia. They’re all certain that Kate is not the girl for him.
Can Kate and Alessandro’s love last the distance? Or will she return home with the one souvenir she doesn’t want – a broken heart …"
However, intrigue soon got the best of me and I couldn't wait to begin this story. I was swept into the storyline like a sweet breeze, however the setting at first was anything but when the domestic situation Kate found herself in with her husband, Matt left much to be desired for. Matt was a complete and utter idiot for doing what he did, but I think, Kate was better off in the end.
Doing what she should have done all along, Kate followed her heart (and mine) and boarded a plane to Rome...if only she'd told me she was going :)
The description of Rome had you feeling torn between downing the pages to book a flight yourself, and eagerly gripping the book in order to not miss one single detail out. Tilly created such highly detailed descriptions that you almost kid yourself into thinking that you were there yourself! Each chapter came with more exquisite imagery, and the plot literally thickened especially when that sexy Italian policeman in his uniform showed up...between just you and I, I was categorically drooling myself for Alessandro.
The romance that blossomed between those pair in my opinion could give Romeo and Juliet a run for their money, but set in such a romantic place, romance had to blossom didn't it? But, as in all truly beautiful love stories - they do not always run smoothly...
I am giving this book 5/5 because I simply loved it!
I devoured each page like a delicious bowl of pasta (I love my carbs), and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book to see exactly what happened with Kate and Alessandro. Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait that long before ...
A Wedding in Italy by Tilly Tennant, again published by Bookouture. I had the privilege of reading an Advanced Review Copy in eBook format. (Thank you again, Bookouture).
You can purchase from Amazon here
Fancy reading what this one's all about? Let's read the blurb...
Sun, spaghetti and sparkling prosecco. When it comes to finding love, there’s no place like Rome…
Kate is living the dream with her gorgeous boyfriend Alessandro in his native city, but the reality is sometimes a little less romantic than she’d hoped. Every day in her new home is a fight against leaking pipes, her cantankerous landlord and her less-than-perfect grasp of the Italian lingo.
All around her there is talk of weddings, but when a secret from her past is thrust out into the open, Kate must fight to prove to Alessandro’s Mamma – and the rest of his formidable family – that she truly is Italian marriage material.
With the women in Alessandro’s life on a mission to break them apart, the cracks begin to show and Kate starts to question if Alessandro really is the man of her dreams. Can love and the city of romance conquer all, or is that just a fairy-tale?
What I can mention is that I really sympathised with Kate as she tried so hard to make a new life for herself in Rome. She searched for a new job, she worked hard, she ignored those who doubted her, she had troublesome meddling women in her life who in my opinion just needed to mind their own business! And then she had the sexy Italian policeman in and out of his uniform.. I'm not jealous. Honest.
Italian tradition means that getting married to a non catholic, non italian divorced woman is a HUGE no no! So Kate has to prove to Alessandro's mum that she is marriage material.
I adored this book with all my heart, both books in fact. However, I am going to be a bit picky here - I just wish the final chapter was stretched out and made into a third book because I really think it could have been. BUT I am hopeful still that we see another installment in this series because I loved the characters, I loved the setting, I loved the twists and turns in the plot, I love the important issues raised in the book, and I just miss them to be honest. I've had book-hangover since finishing this.
I am giving this gorgeous book 4/5 just because I wanted it to be stretched a bit further.
If Italy is a place your heart travels to, and you love romance, then this series of books is a MUST this year.
Have you read these books? Let me know below, leave me a little message because I've got to pop out now, but I'll read them when I get back.
I've loved having you around, please come back soon, and we can chat more about books in my cosy nook for the love of books,
Love Dawn-Tracy xxx
Author | Jules Wake
Publisher | HarperImpulse
Publication Date | 13th January 2017
Source | Review Copy
Purchase | Amazon
My Rating | 5/5
About The Book
Rome is the city of love and seduction, right? Not if you find yourself staying in a beautiful apartment with your childhood-friend-turned-arch-
Romance is the last thing on Lisa’s mind. She’s got more important things to focus on, like hunting down her estranged father. Except when her search falls at the first hurdle, Will doesn’t just help her get back on track, he also shares the romantic sights – and exquisite tastes – of the Eternal City, and Lisa starts to wonder if it’s not just Rome seducing her.
Only, as Lisa and Will dig into the past, neither of them is prepared for the long-buried secrets they reveal. Secrets that will turn both their world’s upside down…
Rome is a city that I have always dreamed of visiting - in fact any part of Italy is right there on my bucket list, so when Harper Impulse invited me to read an advanced proof copy of Jules Wake's new book and take part in the blog tour - I jumped at the chance!
Jules has this ability to captivate the reader and reel you in within the first few pages. I was drinking up every delicious word from the sarcasm which made me laugh out loud to the beautiful description of Rome through Lisa's eyes.
We meet Lisa right on the first page where she is having what can only be described as a hilariously loving relationship with her Nan who is so funny I couldn't help but adore her. Nan has never really been fond of Lisa's father who upped and left when lisa was only small. Add to that the fact that he didn't stick around following her Mother's passing - even though he attended the funeral. Lisa felt heart pangs at the thought that her own dad left behind his little girl who was grieving for her mother. So Nan brought her up.
Lisa decides to travel to Rome - alone - which I have to say is really brave in my opinion. My other half travels all the time but for me - well I'd be too scared! I know - but that's me. So, Lisa was like my shero! The airport scenes and the take off of the plane really had me grinning from ear to ear.
Jules has written a clever piece of romantic fiction that has my heart longing for Rome even more than I thought it already was. The twists and turns along with the heart-warming scenes to come throughout the book will just have you falling in love all over again.
In this gloomy dull weather in the UK right now - the beautiful Rome will transport you to one of the most gorgeous places in the world and you won't even have to weigh your suitcase!
A deliciously lovable read that has warmed my heart on these cold evenings.
Title | The Italian Wife
Author | Kate Furnivall
Publisher | Sphere / Little Brown UK
Publication Date | 7th May 2015
Source | Review Copy & Purchased
ISBN | 9780751550764
Purchase | Amazon
A Page of Fictional Love Rating | 5/5
Italy, 1932 -- Mussolini's Italy is growing from strength to strength, but at what cost?One bright autumn morning, architect Isabella Berotti sits at a café in the vibrant centre of Bellina, when a woman she's never met asks her to watch her ten-year-old daughter, just for a moment. Reluctantly, Isabella agrees -- and then watches in horror as the woman climbs to the top of the town's clock tower and steps over the edge.This tragic encounter draws vivid memories to the surface, forcing Isabella to probe deeper into the secrets of her own past as she tries to protect the young girl from the authorities. Together with charismatic photographer Roberto Falco, Isabella is about to discover that secrets run deeper, and are more dangerous, than either of them could have possibly imagined . . .From the glittering marble piazzas to the picturesque hillside villages and winding streets of Rome, Kate Furnivall's epic new novel will take you on an breathtaking journey of intrigue, romance and betrayal.
I was drawn to this book based on it's location; Italy. I have always had a love for Italian culture, history and art. It's still a dream of mine to honeymoon in Venice, and Tuscany. This book, The Italian Wife is set in historical Italy, the time of Mussolini, and it's a beautifully emotive novel that touches not only your heart, but gives you a strong appreciation for Italian history.
The first chapter alone, had me wiping away tears in the bathtub. The beautiful picturesque Italy is described in breathtaking detail, so much that you feel that you are there, or at the very least bearing witness to the events that unfold.
The romance aspect to this novel is delectable and warms your heart through and through. At times I was taken aback by the events, fears and intrigue, but still the pages kept on turning. I devoured this book like I would a favourite film; curled up with a blanket, a cup of coffee and a notice that I was not to be disturbed.
I encourage anyone who is interested in Italian culture, lifestyle, romance and history to read this, even those who are not historical fiction fans - as I would not describe myself as such, but this book certainly will stay with me for a very long time. I enjoyed this book so much that I went and purchased the paperback copy too!
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY KERRY!!!!
Yes, it's Publication day for Kerry Fisher who has written this GORGEOUS Must-Have Summer Read. It's the day when we bloggers get excited about, and the day that authors and publishers go absolutely crazy with excitement! You see, this gorgeous looking book and MUST NOT MISS read hits the shelves and then 'accidentally' falls into your basket when shopping. We love those accidents!
Yes, it's Publication day for Kerry Fisher who has written this GORGEOUS Must-Have Summer Read. It's the day when we bloggers get excited about, and the day that authors and publishers go absolutely crazy with excitement! You see, this gorgeous looking book and MUST NOT MISS read hits the shelves and then 'accidentally' falls into your basket when shopping. We love those accidents!
To celebrate, as well as there being stunning sunshine, there is going to be a HUGE twitter picnic which i'll be taking part in, Just head over to Twitter between 12pm-1pm and join in with #islandescape
Also, I have for you a very special interview with Kerry and I can't tell you how excited I am about hosting Kerry on Publication Day. So let's get this party started!!
It's
been such a long time since we caught up with you here on A Page of Fictional
Love. The last time we met up it was for a chat about your debut novel; The School Gate Survival Guide.
Thanks
so much for inviting me here. I’m so happy to be back!
I
loved that book as you know, and I couldn't wait for your next book. How long
did it take you to write The IslandEscape?
All
my books take roughly a year but I don’t get much done in the school holidays.
Despite the fact I instruct my kids not to disturb me, they float in and out
with ‘What’s for lunch?/Can you take me into town?/When I can I use your
computer?’
You're
back, thankfully, with a new summer read, TheIsland Escape. How does it feel to have your second book hitting the
shelves?
I
feel so lucky. And surprisingly, it’s much more enjoyable second time around. Last
year, I was so worried that I might let down all the people who’d shown great
faith in me, that I almost forgot to enjoy the moment.
The
book is set on an exotic island, what can you tell us about the setting and
location?
The Island Escape is set in Corsica and
Sardinia, and Surrey, which isn’t quite as exotic! I lived in Corsica teaching
English as part of my French degree when I was nineteen. Initially, I was
really homesick as I lived in a boarding school that catered for the children
from all the little mountain villages. When they went home at weekends, I was
just there on my own, which was really spooky! In the end, though, I made friends
in the village and discovered some wonderful unspoilt beaches and learnt to
windsurf and waterski.
Where
did your inspiration come from?
I
have a milestone birthday coming up next year and I’m lucky enough to have lots
of friends I’ve known for several decades. None of us have ended up with the
lives we thought we’d have (some have turned out better, some worse). It
started me thinking about how we have a certain idea of how our future will
turn out when we’re twenty, yet a decade or two later the landscape can look
entirely different. I suppose that’s one of the attractions of Facebook –
seeing if the most popular/prettiest/most intelligent person really did end up
the happiest.
Like
your last book, The Island Escape
contains an element of the school setting in the guise of Octavia, one of the
main characters, being a Nursery Manager. Why did you choose a similar work
environment?
I’m
drawn to writing about motherhood. I always want to portray the realities of
having children and the mixed – and sometimes unwelcome – emotions they can
arouse even in a parent who loves them beyond all measure. There’s so much
pressure in school for children to conform and it’s easy to feel criticised if
they – or their parents - are a bit unusual, so schools/nurseries are a great
environment for exploiting conflict in any story.
Where
does your inspiration for the characters come from?
All
my inspiration for characters comes from what I observe around me. I take tiny
bits of character traits I see in people (or myself!) and weave them into
complete people. Jonathan, Octavia’s rather dull husband, is obsessed with
rotating apples in the fruit bowl according to age. I’m embarrassed to say that
I get cross when my kids eat all the freshest fruit and leave a manky pear
rotting at the bottom!
The
novel is written from the perspective of two characters, Roberta and Octavia,
who are close friends. What was it like to write in this style?
I
loved it. I feel most comfortable writing in the first person and by doing it from
the perspective of two characters, I got to be privy to the machinations of two
minds, rather than just one. It does present a writing challenge, though, to
make the two characters instantly recognisable with different ‘voices’ and
attitudes.
Can
you briefly introduce us to Roberta and Octavia and maybe share a secret from
each character?
Roberta
grew up in an affluent household and is used to the finer things in life. Against
everyone’s wishes, she married Scott, who turned out to be a bully. He’s completely
drained her confidence. Secretly, she yearns to prove that she’s not just a
woman who can match a handbag to a pair of shoes, that she’s a capable,
intelligent woman who can stand on her own two feet. Octavia was a rebellious
and wild teenager, who’s ended up married to Jonathan. He used to embrace her
daredevil nature but over the years, her adventurous spirit has started to
irritate him. Her secret is that she still hankers after the ‘one that got
away’, a charismatic Corsican called Xavi.
The
cover says: 'What if there was somewhere you could disappear to?" - so to
answer your own question, what would be your escape?
I
lived in Florence for five years in my twenties and I still dream of a little
farmhouse in Tuscany, up on a hillside with a terrace, carafes of Chianti,
sunflowers and poppies.
When
you're not writing, how do you escape from life's twists and turns?
My
ridiculously naughty dog, a Labrador/Giant Schnauzer cross infuriates me and
makes me laugh in equal measure. We live on the South Downs in Surrey and I
walk her through gorgeous English countryside every day. Just seeing the
changing seasons relaxes me – at the moment all the bluebells are out, the
hawthorns are blossoming, the cowslips and violets are dotting the hill. I love
it.
If
you could eat an exotic meal on an island beach, what would it be and
why?
I’m
not fussy at all but I hate fish, so sadly, my fantasy of barbecuing a freshly
caught squid over a fire won’t ever come to pass. One of the things I loved so
much about living in Mediterranean countries was that you could taste the sun,
rather than the greenhouse, in the vegetables. Nothing beats a plate of
sun-ripened tomatoes, peppers and aubergines, drizzled with peppery olive oil,
rosemary focaccia and goat’s cheese…yum!
Can
you share a summer holiday memory of yours?
I
studied French and Italian at university and in the summers I used to au pair
for a lovely family in a tiny Italian village in Liguria. The first evening I
was there, when I didn’t know much more than ‘hello’ and ‘where’s the train
station?’, the mother left me in the village piazza with all the other young
people and basically said, ‘Look after her.’ It was terrifying at first but
they were so friendly to me. We used to spend every evening sitting in the
square – someone would get a guitar out and we’d all sit under the stars
singing ‘We Are The World’. So simple but so much fun.
If
you could meet a handsome exotic bookish hunk, what would he be like?
A
cross between Gerard Butler and Clive Owen!
Lastly,
are you planning on writing a third novel? Because I'm already eagerly awaiting
news of where you're going to take us next.
The
best advice I ever received from my author friends was to get writing the next
novel as soon as you get a publishing deal because those deadlines fly round.
So thankfully, I’ve already finished book three – basically, ‘What happens when
a secret you thought you and your family had buried bites you on the bottom a
few decades later’! I hope I’ve intertwined a serious subject with a witty look
at the challenges of parenting teens.
Thank
you so much for taking time out of your hectic promotions schedule to talk to
us about The Island Escape. I wish
you the very best success with it, and I will be doing everything I can to help
you easily secure that No1. Bestselling author's spot!
Thank
you so much for inviting me here again, Dawn, I really appreciate your support.
The
Island Escape is out now: http://amzn.to/1Oz0NkM
Please be sure to 'check-in' with the other gorgeous blogs taking part in the tour and stop by the Twitter Picnic if you can;
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Welcome back to Day 7 of Harper Impulse Fortnight!! I can't believe it's been a week already! Wow!!
I know my posts have been absent the past couple of days, and again I apologise. We have glitches in technology at the moment as the internet, telephone services are being 'updated' so coverage is a little ... scarce at times.
Yesterday we welcomed into the world a Princess, and I want to say a HUGE congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their new arrival.
Today on A Page of Fictional Love we have a fabulous interview with Jules Wake, author of the upcoming From Italy with Love
My latest novel I planned scene by scene and wrote the first
draft of 87,000 in 33 days. It was so
much easier as every time I sat down I knew exactly the scene I was going to
write.
My best writing tip ever, ‘Always park your mini downhill.’
So at the end of each writing day, try to finish on a bit that will be easy to
pick up the next day.
Dawn: Who is your writing inspiration?
I know my posts have been absent the past couple of days, and again I apologise. We have glitches in technology at the moment as the internet, telephone services are being 'updated' so coverage is a little ... scarce at times.
Yesterday we welcomed into the world a Princess, and I want to say a HUGE congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their new arrival.
Today on A Page of Fictional Love we have a fabulous interview with Jules Wake, author of the upcoming From Italy with Love
Dawn: Hi, and welcome to A Page of Fictional Love. It's lovely to
have you here as part of Harper Impulse Fortnight.
Jules: Hi Dawn and thank you so much for having me. Writing can be damaging to the ego, so the
support of the blogging community is invaluable!
Dawn: Congratulations on your soon to be published novel; FromItaly With Love. You must be so excited?
Jules: I can’t wait. I’m
just checking the final proofs at the moment … but I’m very pleased with
it. In fact some bits I read and think,
‘did I really write that?’
Dawn: Can you remember the moment that you discovered that Harper
Impulse were going to publish your novel?
Jules: Yes … my agent emailed me a copy of my publisher’s email
accepting the book. Charlotte’s out and
out enthusiasm for my characters, Cam and Laurie, made me cry!
Dawn: As it's Harper Impulse Fortnight, can you share your
experience of being an author with Harper Impulse?
Jules: It’s been the best publishing experience so far. I can’t get over how excited and
enthusiastic my publisher’s team has been about the story, the characters and
the cover. I also love the HarperImpulse
fortnight idea and how it’s organised by all the HarperImpulse authors and
bloggers sharing and being so supportive of each other.
Dawn: As someone who has written extremely short stories, I know
how difficult I find the process of writing to be when you're trying to cram
all your bursts of ideas in. How do you find the writing process? Are there any
tips you have on writing a better novel?
Jules: Well I’ve just converted from being a pantser to a plotter
which has seen a radical change in the way I approach writing. I’ve always been what they call a pantser – fly
by the seat of your pants and make it up as you go along. This can be great because ideas just pop into
your head, but it makes the day to day writing excruciating because you don’t
always know what you’re going to write each time you sit down at the
keyboard. When it comes to looking at
the first draft I end up ditching an awful lot of really good stuff that I was
inspired to write and love but actually it doesn’t move the story along or
contribute to the plot.
Dawn: Can you share with us a typical writing day for you?
Jules: I do laugh when people tell me that they would love to write
a book but don’t have the time. I have a
day job, so I don’t start writing until about five o’clock in the evening,
however on my journey to work in the mornings I think about my characters and
their story, so that I really get to know them. As soon as I get home I try to get a quick
hour in then, before making dinner for everyone, and after that I usually write
from 7.30 onwards. I always set myself a
daily target of a 1,000 words but when I wrote my last novel it was 2,000 –
3,000.
Keeping that word count going and sticking to it, is vital.
Dawn: Where did your inspiration for From Italy With Love come
from?
Jules: I was at a set of traffic lights on my way to work listening
to the Chris Evan’s Breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, when live on the show he started
up the engine of a GT250 Ferrari and I was so taken with the magnificent roar
of the engine, like a dragon under the bonnet, that it fired up my
imagination. I started wondering what it
would be like for a very ordinary person to own an extraordinary car like that.
Dawn: What was the last book you read, and what did you enjoy most
about it?
Jules: To be honest the last two books I didn’t finish. As a writer, I’m now far less tolerant of
things that I think writers are being lazy about. One book was the third in a series and there
was far too much tell and not show and a huge amount of backstory about the
other two books that I’d read. The other
one was a thriller but by the time the third female character had gone to
confront an over the top really gruesome serial killer without back up, without
a phone, without a gun and without telling anyone where they’d gone … I lost
patience.
Dawn: Who is your writing inspiration?
Jules: I absolutely adore anything by Jill Mansell and have read
some of her books two or three times. She’s a fantastic story teller with wonderful
characters. Their warmth just leaps off
the page and that is something that I would love to be able to do – create
characters that readers fall in love with.
On the more literary side, I think Tracy Chevalier is utterly brilliant.
She writes in such a lean, spare style without a wasted word. In my early drafts I over-write terribly and
have to slash a lot when I do the first re-write.
Dawn: Now, From Italy With Love is due to be published in eBookversion on 14th may, and in Paperback 30th July. Have you got any celebration
plans for Publication day?
Jules: There’ll definitely be Prosecco! And now I’m thinking … an
Italian themed banquet with some of my friends and family. And if I can find anyone with a spare one,
perhaps a spin in a Ferrari! Definitely an on-line launch with a flurry of
social media … which I’m currently planning.
Dawn: What is it like to hold your paperback in your hand?
Jules: Difficult to believe I really did it! Writing is not for the
faint-hearted. I could wallpaper my
study with all the rejections I’ve received over the years. It’s just an
amazing endorsement when someone believes in your writing.
Dawn: I love any book set in the Mediterranean, and always had
this fantasy of being swept off my feet by an Italian Man. What would your
dreamiest book hero hunk be like?
Jules: I was addicted to the BBC series of Merlin and was always
rather partial to the knights, Sir Percival, Sir Gwaine and Sir Leon. I think a rugged mediaeval knight would suit
me just fine. There’s more than a hint of Eoin Macken who played Sir Gwaine, in
With Love From Italy’s hero, Cam.
Dawn: Lastly, what can we look forward to in From Italy WithLove?
Jules: I like to think of it as Cinderella meets Top Gear. One vintage Ferrari, two characters with very
different agendas and a road trip across Europe quite a few twists and turns
along the way. It has romance, family
trouble and the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.
Dawn: I can't believe this is the end of the interview (sob!) I've
had such a great time talking with you for Harper Impulse Fortnight, I'd love
to invite you back to talk more about From Italy With Love in the summer.
From all my readers here and myself, we wish you the very
best success with your new book, and can't wait to see it listed as a
Bestseller!
Jules: Wouldn’t that be lovely? Thank you so much for having me xxxx
To pre-order your copy of From Italy with Love head to amazon and purchase here
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