by Anna Cleary, author of The Italian Next Door… (Harlequin Presents Extra, July 2012)
A short while ago I was lucky enough to visit Italy’s spectacular Amalfi Coast, a region that was
surely plucked from heaven. Who could resist the sensuous charms of that sunny clime?
The very air you breathe there is fragrant with thyme and rosemary. Soils are rich with volcanic ash. Wherever people have space to cultivate, orchards burst with a bounty of lemon, fig, peach and olive. Capers grow wild along the roadside, and of course—this is Italy—vines flourish in every backyard nook and cranny.
And the beauty. The towering cliffs, those glorious breath- taking views, the charming and extraordinary villages tumbling down cliff-faces to the Bay of Naples… Positano, Sorrento, Capri…Those images will remain inscribed on my heart for all time.
And all of this exists under the brooding shadow of Vesuvius.
The thing is, I’m a bit of a current affairs and politics buff. The first thing I do every morning after I read my mail is to click to the Sydney Morning Herald and read the news of the world. So, at the time I was visiting that romantic realm, I was very much aware that while beauty and goodness and simplicity shine from everything you see, underneath, just like everywhere else in the world, scandal, lust and corruption stalk.
The Italian Next Door… is a little different from my other creations. Sure, it’s flirty and romantic. And yep, the tale is a frothy one, I hope. Sssexy and light. So light the book might float away if you don’t pin it down.
But take care not to look too closely, or underneath you might find a darkness threatening that heavenly sunshine. Like smoky old Vesuvius.
Just one question. Remembering Pompeii, would you buy a house there?
And happy birthday America, to those of you celebrating today.
Anna, I read the opening chapter of The Italian Next-Door on my Kindle and instantly downloaded it…. Loved your heroine’s spunk (but having driven in Italy, frankly she’s mad even contemplating it!!), your hero’s complete Italian gorgeousness and know that there’s going to be some great banter between these two… But now I’m thinking about the dark volcanic soil underneath, and know I’m in for a real treat. Can’t wait to read it!
And no I wouldn’t buy a house in Pompeii. But given all the rain we’ve had lately I’m wondering why I bought a house in London. Beginning to think it might be nicer to be swept away on a tide of volcanic ash rather than a tidal wave of cold, dirty water.
Ah Amalfi, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
Thanks for a lovely walk down memory lane Anna! No I wouldn’t buy a house near Pompeii but I definitely would buy one situated somewhere on that cliff featured in your beautiful Julia cover – love it!
Anna, you’ve made me want to visit Italy more than ever! In that first picture, you look as if you’ve found heaven.
LOL No, I wouldn’t buy a home in Pompeii. But I long to see Vesuvius for myself!
Looking forward to reading your latest =)
I live in the North of Italy, but my boyfriend’s parents have a Summer house very close to Etna, and Etna is almost always awake. It is scary, but mostly it is messy because of all the ashes, sand & dust it throws up into the air. I love that house as long as I don’t have to live there permanently.
I am seriously contemplating going to Italy,u seem 2 be havin a gud time
Love, love, LOVE that part of Italy, Anna. And walking up Vesuvius was fabulous. We were lucky enough to see steam coming from the vents, too. We visited Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the bit that upset me was the garden of the fugitives (the kids and the dog in particular). Given that Vesuvius is overdue for an eruption, not sure I’d buy a house there. But ohhhh – I’d love to go back!
Oooh, so jealous of the picturea! SO beautiful. And what a gorgeous cover. Off to download The Italian Next Door. Thanks GOD for the kindle app on my iPad.
And thanks for the well wishes for the 4th of July!
Oh, Heidi,so sorry for you with all that rain. Maybe you should rescue yourself from it and fly to Roma. Then take the train to Sorrento–you might have to switch trains in Naples–and catch a boat at Sorrento to take you to Positano.
(You’ll notice I’m not advocating driving there. The Blue Ribbon Road is not for the faint-hearted!)
Amy, it was your beautiful book set in Positano that made me want to go there. But I never expected I’d be setting a book there myself. Just fell in love with that part of the world.
Robbie, you’re going to love it.I can see you in that cafe in the square sitting there drinking your coffee, in absolute heaven watching the world go by just like I was.
Thank you Natalija for visiting and describing what it’s like living under the volcano. How lucky you are to live in beautiful Italy. I’m groaning with envy. How truly lucky you are. And I’d love to see that house near Etna. I’m imagining it now…
Jennifer, thanks for dropping by. If you CAN go to Italy, don’t waste another minute. Get there! I’d be on that plane tomorrow if I could. It’s a long, long way to go from Australia.
x
Thank you, Aimee. That’s so nice. It’s lovely to see you here.
Kate. I’m impressed you did that climb. Neighhhhh!
And to all those Italophobes like moi, if you can’t actually drop everything and fly there just when you want to, thank the gods that inspire authors there are books that will transport you there free of jet lag!
Though they might make you yearn…
Anna, you paint such a beautiful picture of the Amalfi coast I’m now DESPERATE to go there!
I’m tardy, but I was celebrating the 4th of July (read: sweating in the heat while the men argued over the proper way to grill a hamburger).
So excited about this story. It’s on my Kindle, waiting for me!
Sorry to come in so late, Anna. Loved the book, just sorry in a way that I have it on my ereader, so I didn’t get to enjoy the pretty picture on the front. Your vivid storytelling really made me want to visit Italy. (Sigh) One day. Anne
Hope it was a great burger Kim and there were fireworks! I saw on the news that the temps were over the 40 mark in some places. Don’t you just love winter?
And, Anne its lovely to see you here. I know what you mean about books on the kindle. I like mine but I do love a solid paper book. So glad you enjoyed the story!