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Monday, 4 June 2018

Romance Around The World: Italy


The Magic of Italy 

By Sharon Bryant

Italy is filled with romance. The art, architecture, history and culture are inspiring. Birthplace of the Renaissance, and cradle of the Ancient Roman empire, this setting has so much to offer the romance writer and reader. The natural beauty of places like Capri, Florence and Venice foster the imagination. And let’s not forget the masterful, passionate Italian heroes and strong, independently minded heroines. Their zest for life practically leaps off the page. Here are three of my favourite Italian romance novels. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

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Juliet 


Julie Jacobs receives a letter from her recently deceased aunt. She discovers her real name, Giulietta Tolomei, and learns her aunt hoped she'd travel to Sienna to find her mother’s treasure. She flies to Italy where she meets the attractive Alessandro Santini, but is immediately wary of him. Julie gradually uncovers the tale of her ancestor Giulietta, whose life story inspired Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It soon becomes clear, criminals crave her mother’s treasure. Finding love with Alessandro but caught in a web of intrigue, Julie realises the curse from Shakespeare’s play, a plague on both your houses, may be real and impacting directly on her life.


Rosamanti 


Struggling to rediscover joy in life after the death of her husband, writer Sarah Halliman rents a 400-year-old villa, Rosamanti, on the Isle of Capri. On arrival, she learns the owner has died, and the property now belongs to a handsome but poor waiter, Pietro. As Sarah’s relationship with Pietro grows, she begins to write again, and becomes fascinated by Rosamanti. While researching the villa’s history, she stumbles upon clues that may help Pietro, or lead to disaster.


Hot Italian Nights 


A series of six novellas set in Italy. Each tale is loosely connected, the hero or heroine in one novella become minor characters in the next. Annie West creates strong, likeable, passionate men and women and page-turning plots. I found myself eager to learn the route to happiness each pair of star-crossed lovers took.



I love to love: I’m currently planning an overseas trip with my husband and father. Being with people you love is the best.

I love to laugh: The students I teach had a dance last night. They were playing limbo and having a ball.

I love to learn: I saw The Merry Widow with my father at the Sydney Opera House during the week and was fascinated to later research the history of this marvellous ballet.

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27 comments:

  1. Malvina4 June 2018 at 07:11

    I’ve never been to Italy, but it sounds so beautiful! All that sun, food and wine. Perfect setting for romance. I’ve just read Three Gold Coins by Josephine Moon, and that starts at the Trevi Fountain, then moves to Tuscany. Fabulous reading, I loved it. Thanks for my mini Italian holiday, Sharon!

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    1. Sharon Bryant4 June 2018 at 18:45

      Thanks Malvina. I haven't read Three Gold Coins, but I've been to the Trevi Fountain twice now, and love the legend. I'll have to try reading Three Gold Coins. I love swapping romance novel recommendations.

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    2. Anna Campbell5 June 2018 at 18:24

      Malvina, I'm really surprised you haven't been to Italy! You need to go!

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  2. NOELLE CLARK - Author4 June 2018 at 10:56

    Sharon, Italy is definitely a most romantic place! It holds all the elements that, for me anyway, define romance. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what it is. The tomatoes taste better, the lemons divine, the scenery is stunning, the Italian respect for antiquity and tradition. I'm sure you can gather I love Italy. Thank you so much for mentioning my book, Rosamanti, in your post. I'm currently half way through a sequel called Alberto's. Rosamanti is still one of my favourite books that I've written, so I am thrilled and very grateful to you for including me in this post with so many other lovely books set in Italy. Thanks and cheers, Noelle Clark.

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    1. Sharon Bryant4 June 2018 at 18:49

      Thanks so much for dropping by, Noelle. I agree with you about Italy being the perfect romantic setting. I loved Rosamanti and look forward to reading Alberto's. We are going to Capri in August. I can't wait to see the remains of Tiberius' villa.

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    2. NOELLE CLARK - Author5 June 2018 at 08:24

      Oh, lucky you!! Yes, do go up to the ruins. Don't miss the walk to Arco Naturale too. Ciao!

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    3. Sharon Bryant5 June 2018 at 19:05

      Thanks Noelle. I'll be sure to take that walk.

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  3. Annie West4 June 2018 at 12:18

    Hi Sharon,

    What a terrific post. Now I want to read the books you mentioned. I was particularly intrigued by 'Juliet' with the idea of a hidden past and secret treasure! I'll make a note of both titles now.

    And I'm utterly thrilled that my Hot Italian Nights featured in your blog post. You've made my day! Especially as I'm working on a new one right now.

    I've so enjoyed my visits to Italy. I'd love to spend more time there and explore so many places I haven't seen. Fingers crossed! And then there's the lovely food, and the sound of the language. Sigh.

    And if you're looking for Italian set mysteries I enjoyed the books Iain Pears wrote some time ago, about crime and misdoings in the Italian art world, featuring an Italian policewoman and an English art historian.

    Thanks for taking me back to Italy on this gloomy day.

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    1. Sharon Bryant4 June 2018 at 18:52

      Thanks so much Annie. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Hot Italian Nights. Like you, I love Italy. I hope you enjoy reading "Juliet" and "Rosamanti". Thank you for the Iain Pears recommendation.

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    2. Anna Campbell5 June 2018 at 18:25

      Love those Hot Italian Nights, Annie. And I think it's magic how you bring in past and future characters without overpowering the main love story. Brava, ragazza!

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  4. Helen4 June 2018 at 13:02

    Hi Sharon

    I have never been to Italy only in the books I have read and I must say that I love Annie West's novellas and I do have Noelle's on my TBR pile I have read many books set in Italy over the years and loved them.

    Have Fun

    Helen

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    1. Sharon Bryant4 June 2018 at 18:55

      Thanks for dropping by, Helen. I think one of the most wonderful things about reading is that it can take you to new and fascinating places. Reading fiction also lets you "get inside someone else's head" and learn how they think. Reading is so much fun.

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  5. Alyssa J Montgomery4 June 2018 at 14:49

    What a fabulous post! Lovely to be transported to Italy on this dull overcast day. The TBR pile keeps growing.These all sound fabulous and already have Annie's stories waiting in the queue! Have long been a fan of her stories.

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    1. Sharon Bryant4 June 2018 at 18:58

      Thanks Alyssa. I love Annie's stories too. The characters fascinate me, and the intriguing plots keep me turning those pages.

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  6. Enisa Haines4 June 2018 at 15:29

    Hi Sharon. Many years ago I did a Trafalgar tour in Europe and one of the countries included was Italy. Historical sites were fantastic. Cities, small towns, long stretches of countryside or places by the water, all had their own beauty. I've long loved romances with Italian heroes. Annie West and Helen Bianchin are fave authors of mine.

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    1. Sharon Bryant4 June 2018 at 19:01

      Hi Enisa, like you I love Italy's historic sites and romances with Italian authors. Annie West's and Helen Bianchin's novels are so much fun to read.

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  7. Cassandra Samuels5 June 2018 at 07:51

    I would love to go to Italy - the history, the food, the language, the food! These books sound amazing.

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    1. Sharon Bryant5 June 2018 at 19:06

      Hi Cassandra, they are fabulous books. And Italy is amazing. You must go.

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  8. Marilyn Forsyth5 June 2018 at 12:56

    I adored Italy when we spent several weeks travelling from one end to the other a couple of years back. Atop Capri is where I discovered Limoncello. :) Anne Fortier's Juliet really appeals to me, love the cover of Noelle's book, and Annie West's stories are always great.

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    1. Anna Campbell5 June 2018 at 18:27

      Marilyn, one of the things that surprised me about Capri is how wild and rugged it was. I'd imagined something much more overtly touristy. I'd love to go back there one day - I was on a day tour from Rome so we were only there a couple of hours. I've always wanted to see the Blue Grotto but sadly the weather didn't permit visits when I was there.

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    2. Sharon Bryant5 June 2018 at 19:10

      Thanks Marilyn. "Juliet" is an amazing book. A real page turner with a gripping plot and characters you identify with and yearn to assist. I wish I'd soent as much time in Italy as you have. It's a fabulous country.

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    3. Marilyn Forsyth6 June 2018 at 09:11

      Hi Anna! Welcome back from your huge trip. Loved your photos. Sadly, the weather didn't permit us to visit the Blue Grotto either. Ah well, a good excuse to go back. :)

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    4. NOELLE CLARK - Author7 June 2018 at 11:33

      Anna, the Blue Grotto is totally out of this world. I've been in twice - been lucky with the swell and tides. I've visited Capri twice, with a 30 year break between each! Next time, I plan to stay a week. It's quite expensive, but the place has so many secrets to see. Tiberius's Villa (Villa Jovis), and Barbarella's castle...oh, the list is endless.

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  9. Anna Campbell5 June 2018 at 18:28

    Sharon, what a fun post. I must say I don't know either of the first two books you mentioned and they both sound fab! I've loved every one of Annie's Hot Italian Nights and I'm looking forward to further forays into that world. Italy is dear to my heart right now because the hero of my new book, The Laird's Willful Lass, is half-Italian (maybe that's why she's wilful!). So I got to remember my two visits to Italy and think it's about time I did another one. My favourite place in Italy is Venice, especially once the day trippers have gone and you can feel the atmosphere.

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    1. Sharon Bryant5 June 2018 at 19:30

      Thanks so much for dropping by, Anna. I must read "The Laird's Willful Lass". I agree with you about Venice. It is a magic place.

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    2. Anna Campbell6 June 2018 at 07:01

      Oops, that's heroine! I'm still slightly jetlagged. It's not out till the end of July but I'm in the process of editing it, so it's very close to the top of my jetlagged mind!

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    3. Marilyn Forsyth6 June 2018 at 09:14

      Love to see you getting back to writing about Scottish heroes, Anna. My personal favourites. I think it's got something to do with the accent. ;)

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