The Secrets of Villa Rosso
by
Linn B Halton
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GUEST POST
Writing The Secrets of Villa Rosso – what’s in a name?
With ten full-length novels already published and two more out this year with Harper Impulse - The Secrets of Villa Rosso (21 July 2017) and Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage (Oct 2017), I’ve hit a dilemma. Writer’s block, you might be thinking. But no … with four books due out next year and two of them already written, I’m … struggling for … character names!
My recently-acquired agent pointed out that I’d used the same Christian name for a very prominent character in both of my next two manuscripts, which are currently awaiting edits. Time to slap my own wrist, because the original plan was that they would have different names - one was Nic and one was Sam. But when I began writing the second story the character wanted to be a ‘Nic’ and I changed it. In fact, changing it back again after writing ‘The End’ didn’t seem very wrong, but very right! And then I realised that I have favourite names … oh dear!
Because I don’t plan my storylines but begin with either a simple title (that often changes) or a one-liner idea, as each character appears in the story they sort of dictate their own name, depending on their traits. Which is fine, until I realised that I’m in danger of having my stories littered with Nic, Sam, Ellie, Tom … names I associate with lovely people I know, or have known.
So, I sat down and listed out the names of the characters in every book I’ve written so far. Rather remarkably, there wasn’t as much duplication as I’d feared. All the main characters in each book were different - albeit there were a few side characters named Tom. It’s just such a nice name that makes me think of someone trustworthy and kind, often an older character. That made me laugh - now I was pre-assigning traits to names before the characters had even uttered their first words!
Armed with my master list, I’m going to have to be more inventive in future. How will my characters be affected when I’m expecting them to come up with names that won’t simply jump into my head, or will feel strange to me? Will they revolt? Will they go on strike? And without the comfort of my favourites stalwarts when I need a ‘Tom’, will a ‘Stewart’ or a ‘Marcus’ rise to the challenge and give me that warmth, comfort and sense of trusting that they can develop their role?
Well, I guess that’s something we’ll all find out next year! Wish me luck …
But in the meantime, the cast of The Secrets of Villa Rosso were characters that became firm friends and I’m still missing them, almost one year-on from writing ‘The End’. Some friends stay with you forever and …
Some places stay with you forever…
When Ellie Maddison is sent on a business trip to Southern Italy, she's reminded why she loves her job – set amongst rolling vineyards and rich olive groves, the beautiful Villa Rosso is the perfect escape from her life back home. But what Ellie isn't prepared for is the instant connection she feels to the estate's director Max Johnson, or the secrets they share that are as intertwined as the rambling vines that cover Villa Rosso.
It's not long before Ellie finds herself entangled in the history of the place, trying to understand the undeniable effect Max is having on her. As their relationship grows, what will Ellie discover about this idyllic villa and those who have walked through its doors?
What started as a simple work trip will change Ellie's life forever.
Linn is rep’d by Sara Keane.
The Secrets of Villa Rosso is available to pre-order now: http://smarturl.it/SecretsofVillaRosso
Genre: Cosy mystery/romance
Release Date:21 July 2017
Publisher: Harper Impulse
The Secrets of Villa Rosso:
Escape to Italy for a summer romance to remember
When Ellie Maddison is sent on a business trip to Southern Italy, she's reminded why she loves her job – set amongst rolling vineyards and rich olive groves, the beautiful Villa Rosso is the perfect escape from her life back home. But what Ellie isn't prepared for is the instant connection she feels to the estate's director Max Johnson, or the secrets they share that are as intertwined as the rambling vines that cover Villa Rosso.
It's not long before Ellie finds herself entangled in the history of the place, trying to understand the undeniable effect Max is having on her. As their relationship grows, what will Ellie discover about this idyllic villa and those who have walked through its doors?
What started as a simple work trip will change Ellie's life forever.
BUY LINKS
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/SecretsofVillaRosso
KOBO: http://ow.ly/2ANQ30bbpBZ
EXTRACT
It isn’t just the sunshine and the electric blue sky, but the musical calls of the countryside that reach out to me. A chorus of low-level sounds play like a soft melody in the background. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and I feel like I’m watching a re-run of a favourite film. I could stand here for a long time simply taking in the detail and with each sweep of my eyes noticing something new.
Spinning around I look back at the villa, taking in the rustic beauty of the stonework and the pale orange-red hue of the sun-bleached roof tiles. This is, quite simply, unreal. It’s a little piece of heaven and, so far removed from my daily life that it’s hard to believe this is on the same planet. The sheer scale of the landscape literally steals your breath away. I’m a mere speck, small and insignificant in the grand scheme nature is presenting to me. But rather bizarrely, it doesn’t feel alien in anyway at all. The vastness isn’t overwhelming, but strangely comforting.
I walk back to a cluster of wooden tables surrounding a small fountain and take a seat. As I dive into my bag to extract some sunglasses, I hear a polite cough and look up at the face staring down at me.
‘Mrs Maddison? I’m Max, Max Johnson. Welcome to Villa Rosso.’
I stand, automatically plastering a pleasant smile on my surprised face as recognition kicks in. I know this man, I mean, I’ve met him before. At least I think I have, but there’s nothing similar reflected back at me, only a warm smile. The sort of smile that radiates out from mysteriously deep, hazel eyes. We shake hands. He’s younger than I expected, probably in his early forties and tall. Six foot something that’s for sure, because I feel he’s towering over me.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you. I just wanted you to know that I’m here at your disposal whenever you are ready to begin. Would you like me to fetch you a coffee so you can sit for a while and enjoy the view?’
Although I knew he was British, his tan and elegant demeanour lend an air of cosmopolitan sophistication. I would not have been at all surprised if he had been Italian. He’s hovering politely and I still haven’t answered him…
ABOUT LINN B HALTON
Bristol-born Linn B Halton lives in the Forest of Dean, in the UK.
"I'm a hopeless romantic, self-confessed chocaholic, and lover of strong coffee. For me, life is about family, friends, writing ... and house renovation! Oh, and the occasional glass of White Grenache..."
An Amazon UK Top 100 best-selling author with A Cottage in the Country in November 2015, Under the Stars and A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love also became best-sellers in 2016 & 2017. Linn's novels have been short-listed in the UK's Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award.
Linn writes chick lit, women's contemporary fiction and psychic romance for Harper Impulse, Choc Lit and Endeavour Press.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LinnBHaltonAuthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LinnBHalton Goodreads Author Page: http://ow.ly/mk3H30atV5h Website: http://linnbhalton.co.uk/
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Thank you so much, Julie, for being a part of the tour and it's lovely to be here! x
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