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.