Over the summer, I am delighted to be hosting authors as they share an escape which is special to them or their novels. And what better way to start than with an escape to Tuscany with Angela Petch.
I’m guessing you are immediately picturing sunflowers, vineyards, olive groves, food and wine. Well, I can offer you some of these in our corner of eastern Tuscany where we live each summer, but not all.
Our old watermill is high in the Apennines where it’s too cold for olives or vineyards to flourish: baking hot in summer but very cold in winter with brutal frosts.
Up until the 1950s our shepherds and herdsmen walked down to the coast in September with their livestock and stayed until May, to find pastures for their animals, as well as to earn money odd-jobbing for their families left behind in the mountains. I wrote about this in a previously self-published book. A Tuscan Memory tells the story of a family with a secret relating back to this long period of separation. It is called la transumanzain Italian.
Our area is known as the Upper Tiber Valley (the source is nearby) or the Alta ValMarecchia – another important river that runs alongside our watermill. It’s not a well-known part of Italy but I love it because it feels very “real”. I’ve spoken Italian since I was a child and this helps me with research for my books. Through speaking to local friends (especially the elderly), I have learned about traditions and history that I probably wouldn’t have discovered in text books or documents.
Evalina is in her nineties and lived through the German occupation of our area in World War Two. She remembers only too vividly that traumatic time and is content to share her stories. Some of those are woven into The Tuscan Secret and The Tuscan Girl. Bruno was a POW in Nottingham during that time and it was fascinating listening to his story. Sadly, he died in June 2020 but some of him lives on in the character of Massimo.
I met him whilst walking along a mule track. He spoke to me in English after we had spoken in Italian and I was amazed. Then, out came his story, which I was honoured to listen to. Walking takes me past ruins of abandoned farmhouses and hamlets with more stories to uncover, such as the horrific accounts I learned about the massacre of thirty-three civilians in the village of Fragheto (pictured below).
My latest published book is set further down our mountain in the area around the handsome city of Sansepolcro. This is where vines, olives and also tobacco are grown. The Tuscan House is really a tall tobacco house and I based my pacifist hero and partisan heroine in this location.
Obviously, we do venture into other corners of Tuscany and cameos of these stunning locations make their way into my books at some stage. It would be hard not to include them.
Discover more and escape to Tuscany with Angela Petch’s wonderful Tuscan novels.
Here is what people are saying about Angela’s latest release, A Tuscan House:
‘Exciting, romantic, irresistible… captured my interest from page one… loved… beautiful… suspenseful… I really enjoyed reading this story.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Grabbed me and pulled me right in… unforgettable… absolutely loved… addictive. I was captivated… you feel really caught up in the twists and turns.’ On the Shelf Books
‘A beautifully descriptive narrative… haunting story… will remain with you for a long time after you’ve finished reading. Highly recommend.’ Pink Quill Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Heartbreaking… beautifully written… My heart ached… kept readers on their toes!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Gloriously intriguing… A tale that tugs at the heart strings… I have nothing but praise for this beautifully written tale.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Purchase links:The Tuscan House | A Tuscan Memory | The Tuscan Secret | The Tuscan Girl
And, while not based in Tuscany, don’t forget Angela’s wonderful charity novel, Mavis and Dot. All proceeds from this novel go to vital research into Cancer.
Thank you so much for the wonderful post, Angela. It is always a pleasure to have you on my blog. xx
About the author:
Published by Bookouture, Angela Petch is an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.
Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill which they let out. When not exploring their unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of a converted stable. In her Italian handbag or hiking rucksack she always makes sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.
The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of her family live. When Angela’s not helping out with grandchildren, she catches up with writer friends.
Angela’s gripping, WWII, Tuscan novels are published by Bookouture. While her novel, Mavis and Dot, was self-published and tells of the frolics and foibles of two best-friends who live by the seaside. Angela also writes short stories published in Prima and People’s Friend.
You can discover more about Angela Petch and her writing here: Facebook | Twitter | website | Amazon | Apricot Plots
