Tag Archives: Angela Petch author

Location, Location, Location: The Sicilian Secret.

Book Review, Guest Post, Location!, , , , , , , , , ,
Today, I am delighted to welcome the lovely Angela Petch to my blog as she discusses the location of her latest novel, The Sicilian Secret. Over to you, Angela …

I always feel readier to write if I know where exactly I am setting my characters. My latest book, published April 23rd, has Sicily as an important location. Luckily, I lived on this beautiful island in my 20s. Quite some time ago. So, a reminder was needed. In May last year my husband and I visited the south-eastern corner, to research where the allied landings had taken place on the night of July 9th to 10th 1943 in Operation Husky.


What a coincidence that fifty years ago I had lived only a stone’s throw from this beach when I was working for a construction company. Little did I realise that one day I would revisit this coastline, not to swim and waterski as in the past, but to gain a better picture of where my characters would land and do battle.


I had read about this event but I hadn’t understood how hard the terrain had been for troops to negotiate and some of my descriptions were altered afterwards. The cliffs were higher, the sea pounding onto tufa rock, sharp and treacherous underfoot. A very hostile environment. I took video footage for publicity but it was impossible to hear my words over the raging wind. James Holland in his excellent book, Sicily ’43, describes the “heavy swell” and choppy seas, how “vomit filled the flooded bottoms of the LCA.” (Landing craft). There was confusion in the darkness and standing on the cliffs in that buffeting wind made it so much easier for me to later revise my chapter.


Fortune smiled on this author when I had started to speak to a young Sicilian. Like us, he had been turned away from the footpath leading to the cliffs by an officious security guard. We chatted. I told him how disappointed I was; how I was writing a book partly set in World War Two and to my delight he opened the boot of his FIAT and produced several history books. He was passionate about the events of war along this particular corner of coastline. His grandfather had fought on that very night and his accounts had sparked a deep interest ever since.

‘We’ll wait a little until the guard has gone off duty and then I’ll take you to see the remains of the barracks and guns.”

Gold dust. He guided us down steps into bunkers, the walls still relatively clean after eighty years, some bearing lines of propaganda written by Mussolini’s men. There were bullet and shrapnel holes in the walls and all of a sudden my head was filled with the sounds and scenes of battle. Giovanni was invaluable to me that windy afternoon and we have remained friends.


Reading through my words for Carol’s blog, it sounds as if I have written a history book. Yes, there are real events woven into The Sicilian Secret, but the story is fictitious. It features the oldest story: of love. There is intrigue, loss and a mystery to solve. My characters may not have really existed but I hope they feel real to readers. They do to me and that is partly because I have set them in real locations.

Thank you so much for the wonderful post, Angela. Your characters certainly felt real to me and I am happy to share my review below. xx
About the book:


Italy, 1943. With war raging across the rugged cliffs and turquoise waters of his beloved Sicily, Savio’s pen scrawls desperately across the page. His letter must be sent in secret – or his life will be in terrible danger…

England, present day. Paige is devastated when her reclusive but beloved Aunt Florence dies – the only family she’s ever known. Inheriting her crumbling cottage, Paige finds an unfinished note. ‘I am sorry, Paige. It’s time to tell you everything. It all began in Sicily…’

Beside the note is a faded envelope – addressed to a woman called Joy – with an Italian postage stamp from 1943. The letter inside is made up of Roman numerals and snippets of sentences written in Italian. But who is Joy? Was someone sending a coded message? Paige is desperate to piece together the truth. But she soon discovers it will change everything she’s ever believed about her aunt, and her family history.

1943. Lady Joy Harrison may have grown up in a manor house, but she’s determined to fight for what’s right and use her fluent Italian to help the Allies. Breaking code on a long night shift, Joy reads a secret message that makes her wholebody shake. A dark-eyed young man she once loved is in terrible danger on the shores of Sicily. Was the message sent by him? And will she ever see him again – or will the war tear them apart for good?

An absolutely heartbreaking and stunning timesplit historical novel about how wartime secrets can stretch across the generations, and the incredible bravery of ordinary people in the darkest of times. Fans of The Nightingale, Fiona Valpy and Lucinda Riley will be captivated.

My review:

Angela Petch’s latest novel, The Sicilian Secret, intertwines the gripping narratives of a World War II romance and a family mystery discovered in the 1970s. I liked and became invested in the characters and felt compelled to read on as they navigated love, loss, and intrigue as the story unfolded.

The author’s meticulous research shines through, enriching the narrative with immersive historical detail. The writing vividly captures the essence of war and the alluring charm of 1970s Sicily. The plot kept me engrossed from start to finish, though I wanted a little more insight into how things developed for the characters after the final chapter. (Perhaps I did not want to let the story go.)

The Sicilian Secret is a compelling dual-timeline novel with an engaging blend of romance and mystery. I greatly enjoyed it.

Discover more and purchase here | audio link.

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 novels set in Italy 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.

Discover more about Angela Petch and her writing here: Facebook | Twitter | website | Amazon | Instagram

Want a free romance read for the weekend? Download The Purrfect Pet Sitter free on Kindle today (26/4/24) available here.

A Sense of Setting with Angela Petch.

Guest Post, , , , , , , ,

Welcoming Angela Petch to my blog as she shares the settings from The Postcard From Italy, her latest historical novel, released this week. 

Over to you, Angela …

In Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg states: “When you are not writing, you are a writer too.” 

My senses are constantly on alert and if a setting captivates me, I will use it. This happened in Puglia three years ago. I was enchanted by this beautiful region in southern Italy. As it was also where an uncle, my mother’s only brother, had been based with the RAF for a while during World War Two, I was further driven to use it as the background for a new book. Sadly, my uncle’s plane was shot down but I imagined Uncle Billy into a story where he survived.

The Apulian coastline around the Gargano peninsula, full of hidden coves, is where I had him arrive in The Postcard from Italy. He washes up like the driftwood and sea glass that my heroine scavenges. But she didn’t expect to find human flotsam.

I haven’t been faithful geographically: I’ve selected features that do not truly belong in Gargano and used artistic licence to transpose them. So, the trabucchi – or fishing platforms: strange wooden structures, have been moved further down the coast, but I absolutely needed them for my book.

Similarly, the characteristic conical stone buildings called trulli needed to appear in my story.

They are generally further inland, but I wanted my heroine to live in one. An ordinary stone house would not do.

In his chapter ‘What are you looking at?’ from The Creative Writing Course book edited by Paul Magrs and Julia Bell, he writes:

“As writers, we really need to slow down a little, take stock, and really think about why our direction is drawn in this direction or that.”

I use details that attract me to embellish my stories and to, hopefully, attract my readers too. Some might know Puglia really well and query my geography, just as some people do not like abstract art or a painter’s individual interpretations.

My husband and I have stayed twice in a particular B & B which I adore. The owner, Isabella, only has two rooms and I’d love to return (11) B&B Alla Canale, Guest House sul mare – Vasto – CH alone for a writing week when I can afford to. Hidden down a dirt track, it sits on the cliffs with an infinity view over the sea. The sunsets are spectacular and I feel emotional even thinking about it.  I used this setting for a particularly poignant part of the story.

Similarly, a converted masseria (fortified farmhouse) typical of the area is my main Apulian setting, which appears both in the past and contemporary timelines. I changed very little of the quirky décor and unusual details and I needed this setting to reflect a sense of mystery. Discover more here: Home – Masseria Barone Gambadoro.

I wrote The Postcard from Italy during both lockdowns, when we were unable to travel, but I travelled vicariously back there whilst writing. I hope my readers will lose themselves in my settings and escape for a while.

More about The Postcard from Italy:

Italy, 1945. ‘Where am I?’ The young man wakes, bewildered. He sees olive trees against a bright blue sky. A soft voice soothes him. ‘We saw you fall from your plane. The parachute saved you.’ He remembers nothing of his life, or the war that has torn the world apart… but where does he belong?

England, present day. Antique-shop-owner Susannah wipes away a tear as she tidies her grandmother’s belongings. Elsie’s memories are fading, and every day Susannah feels further away from her only remaining family. But everything changes when she stumbles across a yellowed postcard of a beautiful Italian stone farmhouse, tucked away in Elsie’s dressing table. A message dated from World War 2 speaks of a secret love. Could her grandmother, who never talked about the past, have fallen for someone in Italy all those years ago?

With Elsie unable to answer her questions, Susannah becomes determined to track down the house and find a distraction from her grief. Arriving at what is now a crumbling hotel by the sparkling Italian sea, she feels strangely at home. And after an unexpected encounter with handsome wine waiter Giacomo, she can’t tell if it’s his dark eyes or his offer to help solve her mystery that makes her heart race.

Together they find a dusty chest tucked in a forgotten corner of the building. The white silk of a World War 2 parachute spills out. And the Royal Air Force identity tag nestled in the folds bears a familiar name…

With Giacomo by her side, and before it’s too late for her grandmother, can Susannah discover the truth behind a shocking wartime secret at the heart of her family? Or will it tear her apart?

Discover more about Angela Petch’s novels: The Tuscan House | The Postcard From Italy |  A Tuscan Memory |The Tuscan Girl | The Tuscan Secret |

And, while not based in Italy, 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

Escape to Tuscany with Angela Petch.

Escape to, Guest Post, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Feel Good Friday with Angela Petch.

Feel Good Friday, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , ,

It is always a pleasure to have the lovely Angela Petch as a guest on my blog, and this is no exception as she shares her best day. Reading it left me with a big smile. Over to you, Angela …

I loved my wedding day in Italy on September 8th1977.

Maurice and I met when we were working in Sicily. Ours was a whirlwind romance. I’d arrived in Sicily heartbroken after I’d discovered my boyfriend was two-timing me. I immediately applied for a job that took me away from England.

I can honestly say that it was love at first sight when I met him. One of those moments straight out of a romantic novel: when your stomach does that zingy thing and your heart stops beating for a couple of seconds. But I’ve given up men, my mind whispered. My heart decided otherwise.

It was a romantic courtship. He made the mistake of announcing that he liked bread and butter pudding. I phoned my mother for a recipe (no WhatsApp or mobile phones back then) and the poor boy was besieged with dishes of the stuff most Monday mornings (his office was next to mine).

We toured Sicily in his red Alfa Romeo Spyder which leaked in the rain. Our favourite place was Pantalica, an ancient site where rockfaces were potted with Neolithic tombs, like little caves. The only way to reach it was along a disused railway track and we only ever saw an occasional shepherd tending to his flock. Today it is a UNESCO site. Sicily was unexplored and wild back then.

Our contracts came to an end and we decided to marry in northern Italy in a village near Urbino (where Maurice’s Italian mother comes from), before going to work in Tanzania for three years. Neither of us wanted a big fancy wedding.

I composed a poem in English and Italian and hand-wrote the invitations. My dress was handmade with material I bought in Palermo. I was brought up Roman Catholic and we made our vows in a little twelfth century church opened specially for us. Our immediate families drove from England and we had a very small reception in a local restaurant. My mother baked a three-tier wedding cake which miraculously arrived in one piece.

It was a special day. There was no formal photographer – as our wedding photos show – but I think they capture our happiness.

Aw, Angela, before we move on I have to say how much I enjoyed reading your wonderful post. It reads like a classic love story and it made me go in search of the picture I have of the two of you from 2018 (taken just over 41 years after your wedding day)! 

And now I’ve stopped gushing (I do enjoy a love story), I’ll hand back to you, Angela, to tell us a little about the weddings in your best selling Tuscan novels:

In my first book, The Tuscan Secret, the story ends with a happily-ever-after-wedding. In  A Tuscan Memory, there is a hurried wedding and the atmosphere is subdued. On the first night, the young groom “pulled a blanket from the chest and slept on the floorboards”.

I left the ending of The Tuscan Girl ambiguous but a couple of readers were disappointed that there wasn’t a definite happy ending.

If you would like to find out if there is a wedding in my latest book, The Tuscan House, you’ll have to read it.

Having read and enjoyed The Tuscan Memory and A Tuscan Secret I can’t wait to read The Tuscan House which was released on April 7th. HUGE congratulations, Angela (I hope you celebrated in style)! 

For those who would like to know more about Angela’s latest release here is the blurb:

Corbello, Italy, 1947. A woman and a little boy stagger into the ruins of an old house deep in the forest, wild roses overwhelming the crumbling terracotta walls. Since the war, nowhere has been safe. But they both freeze in shock when a voice calls out from the shadows…

For young mother Fosca Sentino, accepting refuge from reluctant British war hero Richard – in Tuscany to escape his tragic past – is the only way to keep her little family safe. She once risked everything to spy on Nazi commanders and pass secret information to the resistenza. But after a heartbreaking betrayal, Fosca’s best friend Simonetta disappeared without trace. The whole community was torn apart, and now Fosca and her son are outcasts.

Wary of this handsome stranger at first, Fosca slowly starts to feel safe as she watches him play with her son in the overgrown orchard. But her fragile peace is shattered the moment a silver brooch is found in the garden, and she recognises it as Simonetta’s…

Fosca has always suspected that another member of the resistenza betrayed her. With Richard by her side, she must find out if Simonetta is still alive, and clear her own name. But how did the brooch end up at the house? And with a traitor hiding in the village, willing to do anything to keep this secret buried, has Fosca put herself and her young son in terrible danger?

An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking page-turner that explores the incredible courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times. Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen, The Nightingale, and anyone longing to lose themselves in the mountain landscapes and olive groves of rural Tuscany.

Thank you again for stopping by Angela and for sharing your best day. 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.

And finally, here’s five quick questions I asked Angela for fun:

Trainers or heels? Definitely trainers. I love walking. In Italy we explore the mountains and in Sussex, the sea and the Downs. Bliss!
Early morning or late at night? Early, but not too early. That first cuppa and a new start to the day.
Favourite biscuit? My sister’s home-made ginger biscuits. Melt in the mouth.
Full English or Continental? Even though I was once a B and B landlady and had to cook fry-ups for my guests, I prefer a slow continental: crispy warm croissants (in France, they always seem to taste better) and good coffee.
Netflix of cinema? Netflix, by a roaring fire, on a comfortable settee, with a glass of wine.

And you can discover more about Angela Petch and her writing here: Facebook | Twitter | website | Amazon | Apricot Plots



 

#WritingWednesday with Angela Petch: Structural Edits.

Guest Post, Writing Wednesday, , , , , , , , , , , ,

I am delighted to welcome my final (for now) #WritingWednesday guest, Angela Petch, as she talks about structural edits. Over to you, Angela …

You’ve typed The End after several months of creating your story. But “it ain’t over”. Now comes the structural editing.

“A novel is a game for two players. The book may get written in solitude but it kicks into life only when a reader’s imagination collaborates with that of the writer…” (Lindsay Clarke from The UEA’s “The Creative Writing Coursebook”).

Here are a few ideas I’ve used over the years.

  • If you have Beta readers who look through your work, be careful that they’re not friends who will only be kind. Ask them to be honest (but not brutal). Negativity bruises. Pay for a professional editor if you can afford it. It is worth it in the end.
  • If are lucky enough to be with a publisher, then start something new while you wait for your editor’s responses, because:
  • You need to distance yourself from your work to turn yourself into a reader. Schedule at last two weeks to put away your manuscript and come back to it as if you are not the author. That way, you have more perspective and it will be easier to take on board revisions and comments.
  • Divide an A4 sheet in two, vertically. Type your chapter summaries on the left and leave the right hand blank to insert your editor’s comments. This is far easier than trawling through your manuscript when you need to refer.
  • Ideally you will have created a timeline beforehand. (Use an old diary). I’m not a spreadsheet person, so I use a strip of paper and pin it to my noticeboard). Plus, a family tree, especially if you write historical novels in dual time. And have your character sketches handy, so you don’t muddle character descriptions and traits. I pin photos of places and characters up and look at them frequently. (They speak to me sometimes).
  • Always make a copy of your manuscript with the editor’s comments and work on that copy. Use the comments box (under review on your bar) and insert reminders to yourself as you work. (They can be deleted eventually).
  • I have listened to Julie Cohen’s excellent talk on using coloured post-its (listen here). It is a brilliant way to see the imbalances in your story: where you need to break a long sequence and bring in another so that your reader does not lose their way; where one character’s story might be too dominant etc. Remember that you know everything that happens and everyone it happens to in your story (hopefully 😉), but it has to be absolutely clear to your reader too. Once you allow your book to be published, it does not only belong to you.
  • Finally, take breaks. I use a timer so that I don’t hunch over my laptop for hours. And do stretching exercises for your neck and shoulders. Be kind to yourself and set rewards. (But not always chocolate. A walk is perfect for untangling thoughts and ideas).

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.

Discover more about Angela Petch and her writing here: Facebook | Twitter | website | Amazon | Apricot Plots