My latest contemporary romance novel has just been released. The title is THE ITALIAN JOB, and, as you can tell, it takes place mainly in Italy, although it begins and ends in Los Angeles.
My heroine, Sydney, is a magazine reporter sent abroad to write an article about a tour of Rome, Florence and Venice. She meets hero Taylor when they board the same flight. The seven hours to Rome give them a chance to get acquainted and for him to ask if he can join her tour. Fortunately he does. Not so fortunately, he hints of trouble. Just her luck if this eligible man has a skeleton in his closet. But there are even more problems ahead, and Sydney is just savvy enough to solve them.
Since my computer guru is out sick, I can’t get THE ITALIAN JOB up on my Home Page yet, but when I do, I’ll be giving away a free copy to my readers, so stay tuned.
As is the case in most of my novels, I use personal experience, such as having toured the places in my settings. THE ITALIAN JOB allowed me to revisit the marvelous sights of Rome, Florence and Venice, as well as Pisa and Lake Como.
My novel NORTH BY NORTHEAST put the reader on the same train trip between New Orleans and Washington, D.C. that hubby and I took, although, unlike that heroine, I wasn’t kidnapped and forced into a jewel heist.
ONCE MORE WITH FEELING, set in one of my favorite old haunts, San Francisco, deals with illegal insider trading in the stock market, and STRANGER IN PARADISE takes place in my other favorite destination, Hawaii. Twenty years of owning a condo on Maui made me feel like a native. Not to forget SOUTHERN STAR, which helped me relive ten days on a yacht, even though mine didn’t go through the Bahamas or have criminals on board.
Trips, life experiences and happy times can all be used, but even not-so-happy events can become helpful, even romantic stories. As someone wrote, “Writers have no problems: it’s all material.”
Do you put real places and events in your novels? I’ll bet you do. Tell me about them, and I’ll put you on the lottery list for a free copy of THE ITALIAN JOB.
My new novel, ALL OR NOTHING, begins and ends on the Oregon coast, one of my favorite haunts. I just love the ocean. Can't wait to read THE ITALIAN JOB and see your new cover. Congratulations, Phyllis!
ReplyDeleteDixie: My husband grew up in Oregoon and has relatives there, so we visit a lot. It's beautiful country. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteCongratulaitons on the new book Phyllis!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely put real places in my books... Night Demon just came out and most of it happens in the Yucatan jungle! :)
Lisa
Lisa: I've never been to the Yucatan. It sounds exciting, and just right for something titled NIGHT DEMON. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteCongratulations Phyllis!! I love the ocean and enjoy books using that setting.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your release! Sounds like you use beautiful settings.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to stop by and say congrats on the release, Phyllis! And here's to many sales!!
ReplyDeleteMy first book is set in Sausalito near where I live then segues to the area around Santa Barbara where I lived for eight years. My second takes place in Alameda, where I grew up and now live. Another book takes place in San Francisco where I lived and worked and currently live across the way from. I love placing my characters where I'm very familiar with the setting.
ReplyDeletePatricia: I, too, love placing my books in areas I love, especially the San Francisco Bay Area.
DeleteAll of your stories are set in such wonderful locations, Phyllis. Your varied themes capture the imagination and The Italian Job sounds like a real winner. The fact you've been to so many places and can relate to the different areas makes for experiences we get to share with you in your writings. Thank you so much. Joy
ReplyDeleteHey, Phyllis, congrats on the release. The Italian Job sounds like a great read. Setting for me is always very important. My first sale coming out this summer, Vermont Escape, has roots in Fort Worth, TX but takes place primarily in Woodstock, VT. My husband and I have been fortunate to vacation there twice. Good luck with sales.
ReplyDeleteMarsha: Thanks for your good wiahes and congratulations on your first sale. I visited in Vermont some years ago, when taking an autumn trip to see the colorful trees.
DeleteCongratulations, Phyllis, on your latest release! I definitely put places I've been in my books. I think of it as my way to show everyone else what I love about those places.
ReplyDeleteJerrie, Angel, AJ, Joy, Alexa:
DeleteThanks for your kind words and comments about settings. I agree that it's a pleasure to write about places we like and let our characters enjoy them too. Happy Writing, all.
Congratulations, Phyllis.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn; Thanks for the comment. I'm so pleased.
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