Capri is a romantic island off the Amalfi Coast which I visited for the first time last year. I fell in love with the island and the warm, Mediterranean lifestyle and can’t wait to return. So I’m delighted to be hosting Noelle as she launches her latest work, “Rosamanti”, with its wonderful Caprese setting and Mediterranean cuisine. Welcome, Noelle, and thanks for treading the boards with us today!

Susanne, thanks so much for allowing me to visit on this glorious summer Sunday. Despite a lack of rehearsal time, I’m roaring to jump upon the page and tell you all about my new release, “Rosamanti”.

1.      Are you inspired most by places, people or experiences and how do these work their way into your writing?

Although I’m inspired by all three, I have to say that a place is the thing that really grabs my heart first. But I’m also inspired by the local people I meet, by the food, and by the music. In my books, I try really hard to give the reader an authentic taste of a different location by describing cultures, history, cuisine and language as best I can. The location or setting of a story can also shape the way the characters act whilst there, especially if they’ve changed in some way from how they used to be in another location.

2.      Please share one of your favourite moments of inspiration with us.

Gosh, a favourite? That’s hard. I’m easily inspired. J For Rosamanti, I would say that the Blue Grotto on the island of Capri is just so gob-smackingly awesome that I would be joining a long queue of people who have been moved to write a story about it, or incorporating it. It’s other-worldly qualities lend itself to mystery, wonder, delight. I just had to write about it.

However, for my first book, Let Angels Fly, even though I set it mainly in the magnificent Angkor Wat temples, it was the Cambodian people who inspired me mostly. I wanted to capture their loveliness, friendliness, and fortitude, amidst immense hardship and poverty. They are inspirational in many ways.

3.      How did you come up with the idea of Rosamanti?

I’ve had a love affair with Capri for more years than I care to tell you. I have often fantasized about moving there to live, as it seems as though the creative muse is at its strongest on Capri. For centuries writers, artists and poets have gone there to create their works of art. Ernest Hemingway, Jean Paul Sartre, and Thomas Mann are among some of the writers who found the island inspirational. I’ve visited there several times and it never fails to ignite my creativity. It seemed logical to me that the enchanting and beautiful island was the perfect setting for a romance. I created the perfect villa, in the perfect place, with the perfect Italian man, and made a heroine who deserved to find happiness.


4.      How do you come up with your characters’ names?

If you Google Italian names, you’ll find listings of first and second names. I created Pietro Lombardi, my hero, from the list. I also wanted an Italian name that rolled off the tongue easily. I personally don’t like reading books where you trip over hard-to-pronounce names. I think it works well as Pietro. My heroine, Sarah, well I just happen to like that name so I chose it. The secondary characters of Elena, Carlo and Theresa are also names I just happen to like.


5.      If there is one genre that you have not written in yet, but would love to try writing a book in that specific genre, what would it be?

I write mostly contemporary romance/romantic suspense, but have also written a historical novel based on fact called Stone of Heaven and Earth. I’ve also written erotic romance under a different name. But I really want to do more historical novels in the future.

6.      How many blurbs did you have to write before the final one?

Oh dear. Writing blurbs is not easy. Here’s the blurb for Rosamanti, so you be the judge. I think this is number 4. J

Sarah is seeking solitude and fresh pastures in the wake of her husband’s early death. She answers a newspaper advertisement and takes up residence in Villa Rosamanti, a 400 year old dwelling nestled into the hillside of Monte Tiberio on the Island of Capri.


She soon discovers a strong resonance with the house, the gardens, and the pets. As the sun-filled days pass, she builds a deep liking for, and rapport with, Elena Lombardi, the owner. But it’s when she meets Pietro, Elena’s grandson, that she finds it’s not just the villa that she’s falling in love with.

Handsome, charming, and the epitome of a passionate Italian, Pietro lets the magic of Rosamanti work its wonders on Sarah. Together they search for ancient treasure, and end up finding each other, their love blooming like the rampant bougainvillea blossoms in the garden at Rosamanti.

7.      If you could bring one of your characters to life, who would it be? And why?

Oh, to meet a real life Pietro. *sigh*  There’s nothing not to love about him. He’s gorgeous in every way – and he can cook!

[Definitely a bonus asset! ;) ]

8.      What are you working on now?

My current work in progress is called Honor’s Debt. It’s set in Ireland, and tells the story of Honor Quirke as she tries to fulfil a promise to her great-grandmother. It’s a story about keeping promises and repaying debts of the heart, not just monetary debts. It’s set in a fictional town called Timpelaire, which is based on a real town where my Irish forebears came from, and my cousins still live there. Honor travels alone through Ireland, seeking her cousins, trying to patch up hurts from long ago. Needless to say, the research has been wonderful as I’ve driven solo around Ireland, taking notes and lots of photos to ensure the authenticity of the setting.

9.      Would you like to share an excerpt from your writing or a photo or music link that inspires you?

For my current work in progress, Honor’s Debt, I can’t get a song called ‘A Place I’ve Never Been’ out of my head. It’s a song I wrote some years ago when I was doing a road trip in outback Queensland. I was alone, and I was running away from a messy relationship. The song came to me as I hurtled through wheat fields and wide open spaces, and I can still remember the feeling of the hot wind coming in through my open car window, blowing my hair about as if it was blowing away all the clutter I’d let get into my head. With apologies for the singing, here’s me singing it and I’m also playing guitar. (Thanks to fellow Aussie author Deb Richardson for putting her photos onto the YouTube version and uploading it.)

YouTube link:

 [Have to say I’m in awe, Noelle!]

 

10.  Please share your favourite cocktail recipe or celebration photo.

Ah, anyone who’s read Let Angels Fly, will know that the little Cambodian barman at the hotel where my heroine, Abbie, stays, makes the BEST mojitos in the world. Here’s Arun’s  recipe:

“Firstly, Madame, I crush lots of fresh mint and slices of lime in the glass with a special tool. This make all the lovely oils release from fruit and leaves, then—ah, the aroma, Madame.” Abbie watched him, delighted by his description of making a cocktail. “Then I add some sugar, and more lime slices, and keep on crushing them until I can’t fit any more into the glass. Then I put in some ice, some white rum, then some soda. And then, Madame, I put some mint on top. You can almost eat my mojito cocktail with a spoon.” He finished with a flourish.

[Hey, Arun, looks, sounds, smells and tastes wonderful, and the feeling as it slides down the throat… Aah, just keep them coming!]

 

Noelle, many thanks for visiting and for sharing your passions and inspirations with us. It’s been a pleasure.
Buy Rosamanti here


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I’m a big believer in networking. As an author, we spend a lot of time hunched over our keyboards madly trying to ignore the extraneous “noise” of our everyday lives.  Well, I know I do.

I mean the rigours of being a mum to teenagers, a wife, a home maker (ahem...let’s just ignore that for a moment shall we??) and a person in your own right it taxing.  So once you throw in the authorship... Well, let’s just agree, life is busy.

So where does that leave our friends?  Excellent question... So pleased you asked it.

For authors, it’s those friendships that we form in the earliest days of writing that are enduring. 

Most authors I know have found like-minded friends to help push them to achieve more or be better.  My own CP’s (critique partners) will say... “Uh, that doesn’t make sense”... or ... “Hang on! How does that work?” I rely on them to be honest and tell me where they see problems in my writing.  And as a good (well, I hope) CP, it’s up to me to do the same.   These special friends that we gather around us help us to look at a scene, conversation or something all over again and see the dross among the pearls of wisdom we write.

(Well, I’m sure there are some there, anyway!!)

Our CP’s are the people that we trust to read our work even before our editors get their hungry hands on our words.  They aren’t interested in telling us how we intruded on “their” time. They are the ones that will pop the cyber bubbly (if too far away to share the real thing, that is.)  They understand that we have deadlines and the bedroom still hasn’t been cleaned, the ironing finished or the cat is crying mournfully at our feet while they wait to be fed.

They are the ones that will celebrate our triumphs, commiserate with our verbal flops and are, above all honest. They share our dreams and our passions.

Now that’s not to say husbands, wives, parents and children don’t get it.  They do... Sort of.  But because they don’t exist in the same world, lost in the realms of the stories that we create in our minds, they only see the outside world.  The final piece that we craft.

But you know what?  You will find them anywhere.  They could be the girl you sit next to in the lunchroom at work, or the woman who always asks about the books you are reading on the train.

And rather like finding the right man (or woman... or both...) you have to kiss a couple of warty frogs beforehand.  But don’t fash yourself!  That’s how it goes.  We have all been through it. And for many of us, we’ve come out on the other side.

Just remember, when  you do find your perfect writing match... be honest, be open and be above all... understanding of your other “half.” We all come with our own stories, fears and foibles. None of us are perfect.  But we are certainly a lot of fun.

Until next time

Have fun... but you don’t have to be totally good!

Imogene



Bio

Imogene is the author of many books, including A Bar In Paris, Hesparia's Tears, among a host of other titles.

Wife, mother and nutty bookstore owner all describe Imogene Nix, but the real secret is Science Fiction, Paranormal Romance with a hefty dose of Romantic Suspense is what she adores.

She is dedicated to high quality romance, with a dollop of erotic interactions, and has dipped her toes into Science Fiction, Contemporary Romance and Paranormal Romance featuring feisty headstrong female leads and the odd Romantic Suspense.

She lives in Rural Queensland where she happily raises 2 daughters, lots of chickens a couple of cats and her super pup Teddy. When she isn’t writing or reading, she’s hanging out with her husband, acting like a techno-geek or cooking and making wine.


Links—where to find Imogene Nix:
Facebook 
Twitter
Goodreads
Website
Blog


Blurb

Ever considered a naughty weekend?  A “Hook-Up” with no strings?

What does a woman do when she’s turning thirty? She takes a sexy weekend trip to Paris looking for commitment-free sex. Or, that’s what Davina Chalmers does, anyway.

Enter Johnathon a tall charming Englishman. How can she possibly resist his charm and that dimple?

But what starts out as a lark quickly becomes so much more. But how does one weekend become a lifetime? And how does a lie of omission bring everything into jeopardy?

Excerpt

The waiter smiled and I sighed. “Time to go.” As I started to rise, gripping my bag in my hand, the bell above the door rang and I watched with interest as the sexiest man I’d ever seen entered. The cool blonde on his arm was scowling and he pried his fingers from her arm then walked away. For a moment, she wobbled on her stilettos before she sneered in her super chic French way only they can pull off and stalked out the door. It slammed so hard the panes of glass shuddered.

The man scowled, but to be honest, it didn’t hurt at all. He was tall and well built. Blond hair with gray eyes.

My mind screamed that this man that could probably satisfy my needs. He didn’t appear even slightly inebriated and he was obviously single now, if that little carry-on was to go by. Perhaps this was my chance? I smoothed down my black dress, making sure my cleavage was just peeking out, then I sucked in a deep, deep breath and stood, hoping to catch his eyes.

I watched the man stalk to the bar and order in perfect English-accented French. “Une bière, s’il vous plait.”

My toes curled at his voice and the waiter hurried to do his bidding. Mr. Sexy’s voice was cultured and deep. I like voices, particularly men’s voices. They can make me go gooey at the knees, and this one warmed my insides to the consistency of thick, warm honey. And I knew he was the one I wanted to be with all night long.

The server handed over a bottle of beer and a glass, but Mr. Sexy looked at the bottle, grimaced, and then took a long pull.

The other men at the bar started talking in low voices, putting aside newspapers. They paid their money and left.

I didn’t want to think it was because of the dangerous aura surrounding the man. It was, after all, three in the morning. No, there had to be something else. But I was sure it wasn’t the time to ask these questions.

The small bar was quiet now as I was waiting alone with the mystery man. The waiter disappeared to the back. Obviously, with only two patrons left, he could do other things. I sucked in my confidence, folded it around me like a coat, and approached the man.

“Hi. Mind if I join you?”

He grinned and gestured to the seat beside him. I slipped onto the small stool, perched uncertainly. Then I wiggled my bum a little, thrust out my chest, and gave him my very best come-on smile.

“Looking for a hook up, are you?” His voice caused a curl of heat to gather deep inside me.

I nodded slowly. Better to be honest from the start, I thought. I didn’t have time to say a word. The next thing I knew, he had me thrust against the bar, his lips on mine and his tongue halfway down my throat. But man, what a tongue it was.

He played me like a violin until he lifted his head, casting a wicked smile in my direction. “Your hotel or mine?”

“Umm, yours.” Right now, I felt the rosy glow of arousal roaring through me. Sexy and quick to catch on. Yep, I was sure this guy was a winner.

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

I shook my head. “No.”

Buy Links

http://beachwalkpress.com/a-bar-in-paris/