Angela Petch is an author of historical fiction, and she has written two wonderful novels set in Tuscany. I completely lost myself in both novels. ‘Tuscan Roots’ and ‘Now and Then in Tuscany’ are based on her research into her husband’s family and his family’s region. Angela and her husband live in Tuscany for six months of the year, thus her novels are written in the heart of the setting and culture. Angela’s intelligent and vivid style of writing is perfectly balanced with cultural and historical information.
The ebooks of ‘Tuscan Roots’ and ‘Now and Then in Tuscany’ have been snapped up by Endeavour Press. Angela has published short stories in People’s Friend and PRIMA magazine, and she won the Ip-Art short story award in 2008.
I simply adore Angela’s books and feel as if I have discovered a writer whose work will become classics. I asked her to introduce the extract of ‘Tuscan Roots’ to prevent me from waxing lyrical for pages and pages.
Cari lettori (Dear Readers),
It is 1944 and in a remote corner of German-occupied, war torn Italy. Ines, an eighteen year old Italian country girl is helping the partisans hide an escaped British POW. Meeting this young man will change her life forever.
There are two time threads weaving through “Tuscan Roots” and this extract from the story set in the past introduces Ines and Norman – two main protagonists. The diary extract is being read by her daughter, years later.
Saluti,
Angela
Presenting the extract:
“Rofelle, September 8th 1944
The inglese was still asleep on the planks above the cows. The nights were chilly and the animal warmth and dry hay made a comfortable bedroom – much better than mine. I have to share with nonna and she kicks and tosses at night. She snores like the pig we used to fatten for Christmas. There have been no pigs this year. The Germans have ‘requisitioned’ ours and everybody else’s in the area. ‘Pigs eating pigs,’ we muttered amongst ourselves.
‘Signore,’ I whispered.
There was no response. His face was long and pale, blond curls fell over his forehead which was bound with a dirty cloth. Blood had oozed and crusted onto the material. He was like a big baby.
‘Signore!’ I said it louder this time. There was still no response. I put the bowl of pasta down and gently shook him.
He opened his eyes, shouted and grabbed me round the neck. I pummelled him with my fists, I could hardly breathe. ‘Let me go, leave me alone!’ I shouted.
And then he recognised where he was and dropped his hands from round my neck. ‘Scusi, scusi. Sorry, signorina.’
‘You nearly knocked over the food.’
I was shaking and rubbed my neck. His grip had hurt me. The cows below seemed to sense something was wrong and they mooed and stamped their hooves.
(Extracted from Ines’ diary. Chapter 10 “Tuscan Roots”)
More words about the book from Angela:
‘Tuscan Roots’ is a story of two women living in two different times. In 1943, in occupied Italy, Ines Santini’s sheltered existence is turned upside down when she meets Norman, an escaped British POW. In 1999, Anna Swill and, their daughter, starts to unravel accounts from assorted documents left to her after her mother’s death. She travels to the beautiful Tuscan Apennines, where the story unfolds. In researching her parents’ past, she will discover secrets about war, her parents and herself, which will change her life forever…
What do the reviewers say about ‘Tuscan Roots’?
It is indeed noteworthy that the ‘Tuscan Roots’ has received over fifty reviews!
“A wonderful read – it is a great combination of a true account and fiction that I truly couldn’t put down” (Elizabeth Pepper – Amazon) ;
“Tuscan Roots is so much more than a literary take on ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ with its credibly fleshed-out characters, glimpses of life in war-weary occupied territory and dreary post-war London and a plot that keeps you on your toes but is never too convoluted – it’s a love letter to Tuscany.” – Ingenue Magazine. ;
“The way Angela has managed to capture in great detail the amazing natural beauty of this area and the culture of the Tuscan people is incredible.” Amazon Reviewer.
“If you love Italy, you will love this book. If you love history, this novel will show you an aspect of WW2 you may well not have encountered before. Angela Petch brings Tuscany to life; the customs, the people – you can taste the food, smell the wild flowers, see the scenery.” Amazon reviewer
Angela is a natural writer and describes herself as a ‘little bit nosey and always looking for stories’. This piqued my interest and made me wonder how she had managed to weave such a beautiful story.
The inspiration behind ‘Tuscan Roots: A tangle of love and war in the Italian Apennines’
‘Tuscan Roots’ is my first novel and I wrote it for my lovely Italian mother-in-law who was ill at the time. She helped me with so many stories from her own life and allowed me to use them. I hasten to add that, although much of the book is factual and based on research, some of the story is fiction. I missed the characters and so I wrote a sequel so I could mix with them again. Some of the main characters make a reappearance in “Now and Then in Tuscany” and …I am currently working on the third part of my Tuscan trilogy and the younger characters will tell their stories in this.
I cannot wait for the third novel in this series!
See my review of Tuscan Roots.
Angela’s contact detail:
Website: https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com
Twitter:@Angela_Petch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJaneClarePetch/
Email:angela_maurice@hotmail.com
Please see all my extracts at Book Extracts and my blog at jessiecahalin.com.
Adrienne Vaughan
Jessie: Your books are very popular. Let’s face it who wouldn’t like a romantic suspense with Irish roots and a touch of glamour. What do the reviewers say about your book?
Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished writing your book, and did you miss any of the characters?
Ally Bunbury 
Ally: I feel like the stars aligned, whilst I wrote 
A black coach and horses arrived outside of the inn. Fortunately, there was step outside of the inn to allow me a little grace, as I entered the carriage. Alas, the handbag had not been invented. I kept my possessions in my pockets, stored my belongings in a bundle and held ‘
Sue Johnson, the author, was driving the coach and horses and I heard her call to the horse to commence the journey. We galloped at a pace through the Regency narrative; it was indeed thrilling as the characters veered of the track. Without a fortune to keep the characters on a steady road of wealth, I was in awe as they employed survival tactics of the highest order. Lucinda and Hannah, both strong and resourceful ladies, navigated their way through the perilous era – and what a brilliant journey. The ladies could not see me. I waited in the background, hoping for a twist in fate to keep them safe. Perhaps, I did help them along the way.
The shadow of the villain lurked, but ‘a hunger and cold gnawed his insides’, as he searched for his treasure – the lady with the ‘sapphire eyes’. Oh, how I feared for Lucinda. Despite her slight frame and pale countenance, Lucinda had the fire of the twenty first century woman. Indeed, ‘naked hostility’ shone in her ‘sapphire blue eyes’, and she recognised that her brother ‘had more choice in life’. Mentally stronger than her artist brother, John, Lucinda rejected ‘the devil on Longdon Hill’, and was not fooled when he ‘strutted out like a peacock’. Laughing at Lucinda’s perceptive, intelligent comments, I wanted to invite her into the twenty first century; but she could not see me.
I entered an inn to find ‘the air thick with the smell of smoke, old cooking and unwashed bodies. The smell was so over powering…’ But I did not dwell on the assault on my senses, as it was time to follow the pathway of the winding plot. I saw that ‘turmoil’ ‘twisted inside’ of Lucinda when faced with the devilish character. She was not hoodwinked by her suitor, and I knew I would witness the adventures of a thoroughly modern Regency lady. I returned hastily to the carriage each night to follow the plot, but drew the curtains on the ‘man on a black horse’ who was always clipping at Lucinda’s heels. I hoped Lucinda would be clever enough to outwit him, and see his ‘silhouette’ before he saw her. I pointed at a potential suitor, alas she could neither see me, nor hear my counsel.
Time for Honesty
Earlier in the day, we had strolled past the white Norwegian church in Cardiff Bay, and this reminded me of ‘
It was a pleasure to get to know Emmelin. She would be a loyal friend who needs a little support, and the occasional nudge in the right direction. Fortunately, her friends are always on hand with delicious vanilla custard bakes, custard doughnuts, cakes and cookies. Despite the troubled childhood in Solvik, it provides Emmelin with a haven from reality. Solvik is the ideal cosy retreat conjured while gazing into the flames of a cosy fire. Café Soleside would be my go to destination if I needed a culinary treat to soothe the senses. I would order smoked salmon and scrambled eggs baked with cream cheese and salad. Although the food is Norwegian, there is a familiarity with my own culture, and I loved this. It is also reassuring to be presented with a couple of villains who one hopes will also get their just desserts!
And there are some bitter twists in the novel to evoke your compassion for Emmelin. The narrative gains pace as it heads towards Christmas. I hoped there would be a comforting ending to compliment the ‘vanilla custard bakes with sugar glaze and coconut flakes.’ Or perhaps the bitterness of misunderstandings would be soaked up with the ‘creamy fish soup with seafood and newly baked rolls.’
I found a cosy setting for the Norwegian church as, ‘the ocean had frozen as I {she} gazed out at the white, untouched landscape. Little could compare with fallen snow.’ What a treat to find a charming Christmas tucked away in the corner of a sweet novel. If only, I could have skied over the Welsh mountains to meet Magda, Oliver, Emmelin and her first love. Instead, I decided to try some of the recipes at the end of the novel. Time to plan my New Year’s Eve menu, and Time to look forward to the year ahead.
Mette Barfelt is a Scandinavian author. After 16 years working for travel agents and airlines, she got a degree in Marketing, before she started writing books. Naturally, with her background in the travel industry, she has travelled extensively throughout the world and visited numerous countries. Her passion for travels and cruises has resulted in the non-fiction book “Alt du bør vite om cruise”, published by Aschehoug Publishing House in Norway.
John: Ah yes, I started to research my Family Tree fifty years ago. I was lucky to find transcribed letters from my great, great grandfather on one side of the family, and on the other I found that my great great grandmother was related to the Rochforts of Belvedere, in Ireland. I had to research this treasure and along the way, I came across some juicy relatives – and a story that was crying out to be told.
Jessie: Why should I keep your book in my handbag?
The Little Theatre by the Sea 
Beneath the beguiling canvas of Deriu there are shadows lurking. Faye feels ‘a dark underbelly to this place’. Ley’s story explores the shadows and searches beneath the surface of the paradise. The Little Theatre is a symbol of: the town’s history, culture, the secrets and the way that the heart can wither if unloved.
The insight into Faye’s parents helps the reader to understand Faye. There is a clever juxtaposition of what seems to be the end of a relationship compared with a potential new relationship. Faye’s parents, Ade and Molly, both embark on an emotional journey. These characters provide some poignant reflections on love and marriage. Ade, who has been looking for adventure, realises ‘…it was the minutiae of life that kept couples together’. Ley’s exploration of the way a marriage can veer out of control is thought-provoking. Molly’s epiphany is beautifully washed away in a memorable scene. Rosanna Ley examines how honesty is key in any relationship be it an established relationship or a new one.
