Behind the Scenes: The Italian’s Bought Bride

I’d wanted to write a book where the hero and heroine have a shared history for awhile, and all the dimensions and dynamics a past relationship create. Yet Stefano and Allegra’s story took some time for me to discover; I’d almost written a completely different book until I realized just what they were trying to tell me about themselves!

Ultimately The Italian’s Bought Bride is a story about forgiveness for past hurts, which is an essential part of any meaningful relationship, and certainly a marriage. It’s also about accepting the consequences of your own actions, even if hurts… especially if it does.  And finally, it’s about how we hide from the truth of other people’s feelings, as well as of our own.

The story starts in London, and then moves to Rome and a region near Rome that is beautiful, rugged, and stark: Abruzzo, home to one of Europe’s finest national parks.

The rugged peak of Gran Sasso, in Abruzzo

A street in Parioli, the neighbourhood in Rome where Stefano lives

Here is a recipe from Abruzzo you can try. It’s even featured in the story:

Alla Chitarra

• 6 oz. pancetta or unsmoked bacon
• 3 1/2 oz. butter
• 1 1/2 pounds peeled, diced fresh tomatoes, or use small (16oz) tinned tomatoes
• 3 1/2 oz. pecorino and or Parmesan cheese, grated.
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lb pasta

DICE the bacon and sauté in the butter until golden.

ADD the cut tomato pieces and pepper and cook for a few more minutes, until soft.

ADD the salt carefully, as the bacon is already salty.

COOK the pasta.

VE with grated cheese.