Italy’s Most Scandalous Virgin

I love a good funeral and confess that  sometimes I watch Princess Diana’s funeral just to have a good cry. The hymns and readings are inspiring, as well as feeling the emotion of the grieving crowd.

A funeral brings everyone together when often they don’t want to be – and this was the case in ‘Italy’s Most Scandalous Virgin’.

At first I had Mia sashaying into the church, beautiful in black with her head held high as everyone whispered behind their hands, but then I found that didn’t work for her character.

Back to the drawing board…

I had to think what my hero would do to protect her even though he loathed her more than anyone else in the world (and was desirous for her too). Dante was the eldest of three and I always feel for the eldest as so much falls onto them in the way of organising things and being the responsible one. I couldn’t wait to mess with his head haha!

I came up with the idea while  traveling in Europe and the second I was home I disappeared into a world of Tuscan poppy fields and a black Murgese stallion named Massimo and  the wonderful Presents world of secrets and scandal – my idea of bliss.

I looked up from my manuscript and Christmas was approaching so I had a bit of a panic about that, but thanks to online shopping I managed to get my gifts off to the UK in time as I sent Mia and Dante off to a stunning ball in Rome.

Italy’s Most Scandalous Virgin was my 120th book – a number I can’t quite believe. Each book feels a lot like my first, as getting to know the characters is different each and every time and I get to fall in love all over again.

I hope you enjoy Mia and Dante’s story.

Cxxxx