The Romance Reviews

The Romance Reviews
Showing posts with label Murano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Murano. Show all posts

Sunday, 15 December 2019

Venice Bitch



We're here babies! It's taken a long time and if you read my blog regularly, you'll know that it's been a struggle. But we have arrived, Mother! I feel the message I can offer through this book, is that love will pierce through the darkest of nights.

I'm so excited for you all to dive deep into this and link all the little teasers I've provided, see where everyone connects to one another throughout the Italian Knights and fall in love with Beppe and Mimi as much as I did.

Murano on Amazon

Il retro

“How do you accidentally fall on a seven inch knife?”
And so began Mimi Johnson’s first argument with the man, the myth, the walking migraine that is Giuseppe Nardiello. If she had a pound for every time she thought about having him sectioned, she wouldn’t need to work at the Da Canaveze’s state of the art private hospital. She wouldn’t need to work at all.
With their two best friend’s falling in love and getting married, eyes fell to them to do the same and sharpish. Mimi couldn’t truly appreciate the convenience of someone as gorgeous and ripped and borderline unbalanced as Beppe landing in her surgical lap just like that. What else could be wrong with him?
Beppe is the last man standing among his be-ringed mates, a status he feels rather content with until he catches Mimi’s cheeky little grin and gets firm confirmation which end she’s had her piercings; plural… He’s ready to give his all to her, but he’s missing the familial piece of his own puzzle that will make him feel whole. Adopted as a baby after the gruesome murder of his birth mother, he’s never truly known himself, until a letter arrives from a lawyer in Venice, finally telling him that the island of Murano holds all the answers key to even his very name.
Borderline or not, Beppe is the perfect man and Mimi couldn’t bear for anything to happen to him. If she has to use all her skills and piercings to convince him to protect himself from the obvious danger on that island, they’re all on the operating table.
From London to Marseille to Venice and the island itself, Murano drags Beppe and Mimi on a dangerous journey of discovery. Love truly saves all, but will it be enough to save them both from the terror behind the truth?
This is book seven in the Italian Knights Series, to be taken all at once, preferably with something stronger than water coz it’s about to get a bit mad… 

Estratto


Beppe moved into the seat next to Mimi. “Nice toast. How’d you like my speech?” he asked.
Mimi laughed. “It was genuinely sweet and ridiculous. You know he’s going to kill you, don’t you?”
Beppe pooh-poohed the very idea. “He’s not doing shit but checking out his wife’s underwear.”
She tilted her head. “I can honestly say he’s going to have the best night tonight as long as he doesn’t drink too much. Her underwear is fire!”
He waited a beat. “You’re not going to excuse this as a girl crush or a momentary bi leaning?”
“My friend is insanely sexy. I can say that without any latent homophobia.” Mimi shrugged and picked up her champagne glass. “What the fuck is a ‘girl crush’ anyway? If you think someone’s attractive, male or female, why does it need to be excused? It’s not like I’m going to try and get her into bed. Let me feel my friend’s oats!”
He paused again. “You don’t want to try to get her into bed?”
“No. Don’t get a hard-on about it.”
Beppe opened his mouth to protest, when Anna’s father tapped Beppe on the shoulder. “Son, we need to have a chat about your language. Anna’s ninety-year-old grandmother is here.”
He blinked. “But did she hear?”
Anna’s father frowned briefly. “I’m… Maybe not.”
Beppe spread his palms. “Sorted.”
Immediately, he looked for Mimi who was talking to Lydia as she had emerged from under the table. Fuck! His disappointment at being interrupted was only slightly assuaged by the mild bollocking he received from his friends and the hugs he enjoyed from Rocco’s sister and Nonna. The tables were cleared for Rocco and Anna to have their first dance. As truly befit them, Dinah Washington crooned to them, Rocco swinging them across the floor like a professional.
“He’s missing a number on his back,” Mimi said into his ear.
“What would he get if he was on tv?” he asked, barely looking away.
“Len Goodman’s a traditionalist,” Mimi replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Maybe an eight if he threw in a fleckle.”
The guests were encouraged to join in as Etta Jones sang softly and dreamily to them all. “Come on. Let me see if I can throw one in. Get myself an imaginary nine.”
“You seriously watch Strictly?”
He frowned at her. “Were you not just giving me a lecture about latent homophobia?”
She nodded and accepted his hand to lead them onto the floor. He gently lifted her arm for her to circle him in a pretty little round before he curved her into his body. “Foxtrot,” he advised. “Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow.”
“How?” Her mouth parted on a huge smile of surprise.
“My mother taught me.” He said it casually enough to hopefully not lead Mimi into further questions. “She said it was important for me to know how to lead on a dance floor and how to handle a woman respectfully.”
Mimi gazed at him. “I’m impressed. Am I doing a heel lead?”
“Can’t see your feet, Amelia, but I’m assuming you’re not turning on your toes, or else you’d be bobbing up and down. There’s no rise and fall in the foxtrot.”
Mimi took a deep breath. “I’m not going to lie; this is turning me on a bit.”
He looked down at her, mouth parted and breasts heaving inside her pink embroidered dress. “Let’s go somewhere a little quieter.”
Leading her out of the main ballroom, he could sense a tangible anticipation in the air. He’d never been so grateful to his foster mother.

Saturday, 14 December 2019

Lost Boy


So six years later... Here we are! The herald of the coming of a little story I've been working on. No big deal. Just the seventh book in the Italian Knights Series. Forewarning - it's nuts - as you'll be able to tell from the sheer variety of music that I've included in this soundtrack. Enjoy, brace yourselves and send any complaints to the BBC!

Murano on Spotify

  1. Progeny – Hans Zimmer 
  2. Hey Mami – Sylvan Esso
  3. You See All My Light – Jacques Greene 
  4. Change Is Everything – Son Lux 
  5. I Was Glad - Hubert Parry 
  6. It’s Magic – Dinah Washington
  7. Too Original – Major Lazer 
  8. 212 - Azealia Banks 
  9. Playinwitme – KYLE ft Kehlani 
  10. Suddenly, Seymour – Rich Moranis, Ellen Greene 
  11. Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman 
  12. You Give A Little Love – Paul Williams
  13. Ultralight Beam – Kanye West  
  14. Palm Trees ¿Téo?
  15. Shadow & Light – Martin Luke Brown 
  16. Surprise Yourself – Jack Garratt 
  17. Waking Up – MJ Cole & Freya Ridings 
  18. Back To You – Benjamin Gordon
  19. I Am – Rock Mafia ft Wyclef Jean
  20. Breathe & Stop – Q-Tip  
  21. Tell Me That You Love Me – James Smith 
  22. Oh Baby – LCD Soundsystem 
  23. Same Drugs – Chance The Rapper 
  24. Movement – Hozier 
  25. The Gulag Orkestar – Beirut 
  26. Not Dark Yet – Bob Dylan
  27. Lost Boy – Ruth B. 
  28. Lie – Halsey, Quavo 
  29. Do You Remember Jarryd James ft Raury 
  30. Fear Will Find You – Hans Zimmer 
  31. Hell To The Liars – London Grammar
  32. War Prayer – This Will Destroy You 
  33. If I Go, I’m Goin – Gregory Alan Isakov
  34. Slide – James Bay  
  35. Cloudbusting – Kate Bush 
  36. Don’t Forget About Me – Cloves 
  37. On The Nature Of Daylight – Max Richter  
  38. Decks Dark – Radiohead 
  39. Elephant – Tame Impala 
  40. On Thin Ice – Hans Zimmer 
  41. Set This House On Fire – Nick Vallee 
  42. I Know All What I Do – Jack Garratt 
  43. Overture – Michael Kamen 
  44. Romantic Flight – John Powell
  45. Hard Place – H.E.R 
  46. All For Us – Labrinth
  47. Selah – Emeli Sandé
  48. Strange Weather – Anna Calvi ft David Byrne 
  49. Alone In the Dark – Will Cookson 
  50. Carry You – Novo Amor 
  51. When The Party’s Over - Billie Eilish 
  52. Outro – M83 
  53. God Only Knows – John Legend and Cynthia Erivo
  54. The Vow – RuthAnne  
  55. Etta James – Til There Was You 
  56. Under Attack – Kin Palo ft Amy Stroup 
  57. Smack My Bitch Up – The Prodigy
  58. Mean Demeanour – Run The Jewels 
  59. Ruelle – Take It All
  60. Mount Everest – Labrinth 
  61. Why Do We Fall – Hans Zimmer
  62. Vasily – Martin Phipps 
  63. We Might Be Dead By Tomorrow – Soko  
  64. What You Won’t Do For Love – Luke Burr





Thursday, 29 August 2019

Finish Line


Faaaackin' hell, I feel like Frodo at the end of Return of the King. I'm at the top of a flaming Mount Doom and I couldn't give a monkeys because I've finished. It is finished (sorry had to go Biblical). I am done! Funnily enough, I had a pre-completion cry because stupid me decided to listen to Grey Havens. My nerdishness around those films knows no bounds. Apart from the Titanic soundtrack, Lord of the Rings, Return of the King will guarantee me to cry. I used to think that if I ever became an actress (still a chance, Lady London will tell you about my dramatics) I would be able to cry on command by just recalling that music. "Miss London, you need to be emotional in this scene. Do you need some fake tears?"
"Move man. Bring my my phone and my Beats!"
Back to the main event. You know I write out of order. I don't write a story from A - Z because... well that's kinda boooorrriiiiing (Villanelle yell). I write the bits that are interesting first. So usually sex. Fight scenes. Banter. Food. Oh my god, so much food! More banter, and probably my favourite dinner scene between two characters ever. Obvs because Giuseppe Nardiello is one of them. Actually, there are two and Nonna Mamione is one of them.
I can be honest about why this book was so hard to finish. In between traumatic events which have been far too frequent, I'd like to end my trial period of trauma until 2031 please and thank you God, I didn't really want to say goodbye to these folks.
Nick and Gina have been my bezzies for the better part of a decade. Tony has been winding up Lydia for eight years. Rocco has succeeded in taming his storm, Anna, Luca has found his peace with Frankie, Auntie Belinda is getting it good and regular from OG Massimo (my true sugar daddy) Sofia is making herself content with Paul who is concentrating on being a good husband, a good son to a woman who never had her own children and keeping his wife in booze. Durante Da Canaveze has made Ella settle down. Ella! The freest of free spirits who couldn't give a fuck about anything but her son and Arlo Vitale. Speaking of, that little fucker is a big boy now. With a degree and everything! I've wrapped everyone up with Paperchase wrapping paper, with nice little bows and invisible sellotape.
So Beppe and Mimi were both like, "Excusi, what the fuck about us?"
Hot Muse Hank totally told me "Tell them both to do one, we're not ready! Too much junk is happening right now."
So I did. In the middle of all the shit that goes down for both of them, I needed a break. It was too much and too close to home and you all know I can't and don't write when I'm emotional. I cannae do it, Captain, I just don't have the power!
After Hot Muse Hank told me to get rid sharpish, Beppe and Meems were like "Well, fine. Fuck you too!" And disappeared into the night, never to be seen. Until Jack motherfucking Garrett and his voice of knicker-wetting gold. There's one song, and it rocks up on the soundtrack for Murano and the story came at me again, like it was playing at the IMAX. I saw Beppe and Mimi falling in love. I saw their wedding in Technicolor, down to the type of shoes Bep wears and the colour of Mimi's dress. I saw everyone backing Beppe up when he needed it. Anna being such a badass and yet fearful of losing the only friend she really has (Rocco doesn't count, he pounds her). Mimi told me where her piercings were and Beppe his favourite holiday. I love these people like they are family and half of why I burst into tears last night, wasn't just relief, or happiness, it was goodbye. I didn't want to let them go, they're bloody hilarious!
Anyway! It's done. Finito. Hot Muse Hank gave himself a pat on the back and snored off. I stayed awake until 2am, thinking what I'm going to do with myself, now my babies are all grown up causing havoc in their own world without me.
It woke Hot Muse Hank enough to remind me to finish my Japanese dragon story. To finish Carole and Aneurin's tale. To sort out Taemar and Jack. Or do that murder at a wedding story which has written itself bar a few details. Or deal with those four women and a gun in East London. Maybe I could think about that fantasy novel I started years ago or fill out the short story about a director and her Irish seducer. And now that the biggest weight is off my shoulders with Murano, I feel I can dedicate that time to those tales.
Until edits. I mean, it could be 112,400 of utter shit and needs a hella load of work to even begin to be read-worthy (you read that right. 112,400 words). Or I'm just gaslighting myself and I need to chill out. I'm chilled. I'm happy. Truly, for the first time in a long time with the words I've typed to reach my "The End"...
Happy. Me.
I feel... I feel... I feel pretty good.

Wednesday, 3 April 2019

The Last Romance


I shouldn't tease, but I figure everyone deserves an update as to where I am with Beppe's story. Flipping heck, it's long. I'm 90,000 words in and while the finishing line is so very much so in sight, it may take another 10,000 to get there. Part of it's length is me wanting to do justice to my little chemically inclined Italian Knight and how obsessed I am with how obsessed he is with making Mimi happy. Mimi is probably the most chilled of my girls, the funniest and the kinkiest. I love her immensely and I couldn't think of anyone more deserving of Beppe's special brand of care. The other part of it, is based heavily in Beppe's history and why he is the way he is. No that is too much of a spoiler, I shan't say anything more.
I'm now looking for a photo representation of the two of them in between the writing, which has been flowing more easily thanks me going back to some of my favourite musical people, I mean Dido has a whole new album. Freaking Dido! Dido who I went to see at HMV Oxford Street! Then I've been all over Ella Fitzgerald, Run the Jewels and Billie Ellish. Anyone that has a track with a deep voice saying sultrily "Billy" is going to have me making the Zendaya face of devilish interest.
Mostly, I just want this story to be perfect for you all. After being so patient with me, it's the least you all deserve. I think it's good, and I hope you do too!

Wednesday, 23 September 2015

Happy birthday to me!



Today's my birthday! Woo hoo! I'm old!! Actually, I'm going to share this day with Beppe ^^^^ (ta very much Stuart Bellamy <3). Why not? JK Rowling shares her birthday with Harry Potter. I'm selfish that way. It means I get to keep him all to myself. Mostly. So, to celebrate us both, I'm giving you all a sneak peek of Beppe in one of his little moments that makes Mimi fall for him. It is without doubt one of the kindest things a man could do for his woman.


Mimi dragged her pillow over her head, cutting off Beppe mid-conversation and rather unfairly, mid-seduction. “They’re such selfish bastards!”
“Who?” What just happened? Why wasn’t any loving happening right now?
She lifted the pillow, face puffed with anger. “The fuckers across the road who are having yet another party! It’s Wednesday night! I’m working tomorrow for your bloody best friend!”
“Ah.” That made him feel somewhat better. His prowess remained intact. “Okay, let me deal with this.”
“And what are you going to do?” she asked, curling her top lip in sarcasm. “Execute them all?”
“Wendy Darling,” he caught her hand and pressed it to his chest. “I’m offended that you’d think I’d stoop to the lowest common denominator. I’ll be back.”
He threw back the sheets and pulled on his jeans and chucked a t-shirt over his head. No need for too many clothes. Mimi watched him, and he could feel the concern burning holes into the back of his skull.
“Seriously, don’t kill anyone.”
“I heard you the first time.” He flashed her a grin and loped down the stairs to where his bag remained, abandoned in the corridor of Mimi’s home. Just when he thought they were getting somewhere, yet again someone else interfered.
Beppe scrambled around in the canvas, on the hunt for ah, just where he left it. He lifted a gas mask from the bag and fitted it over his face, then snapped on latex gloves. Whistling, he stalked out of the house, and removed exactly what he needed to get Amelia to focus for longer than five minutes on one thing. As a woman, she could multi-task to glory, but as a girlfriend, she was failing on basic concentration.
With two cans of tear gas in each hand, and one in each pocket, Beppe walked across the road to the neighbour’s rowdy party. A loping, intoxicated man slurred at him, “Oi, where the fuck are you going?”
Beppe just nudged him gently and he toppled like a toy car. He broke off one of the cans of tear gas and threw it into the living room, repeating the same in the kitchen and watched streams of people trying to leave the house. He lobbed a can up the stairs and then stopped to locate the electricity box.
Singing Whitney Houston’s How Will I Know to himself as people screamed and yelled, he reached into the back pocket of his jeans, withdrawing a miniature toolbox. With a pair of pliers, he nipped through the electricity mains. The music and lights died instantaneously. Easy. Why people refused to be considerate of their neighbours, he had no idea. They would be the same people who would look out for their property if they disappeared on holiday; alert them if something strange happened in their living room, and more than likely allow them to share the Wi-Fi password. Neighbourly-ness went far. And Beppe knew all his neighbours, so well that each and every single one of them would vouch for him, if worst came to the worst. Maybe he should introduce them to Mimi... 
He gave it another five minutes for the gas to take effect and then left the house, closing the door behind him. Beppe retreated to Mimi’s back garden, loping himself over the fence. Behind her azalea bush, her actual plant and not the body part she was trying to keep him from; he removed his gas mask and clothing. He doused his naked self with water from the garden hose, and re-entered the house. A good, chivalrous night’s work.
Mimi stood on the stairs, staring at him. He blinked at her, dripping water on her bare floorboards. The minute she got the place carpeted, would be the minute she would stop looking for problems between them, he had a really good feeling about that. An uncarpeted house just caused problems for any relationship. Budding or otherwise.
“Did you just tear gas my neighbours?” she asked, a hand on her throat.
Beppe shook water from his ear. “Yeah, I did. But to be fair, they’re quiet now. And perhaps, you and I can have a bit of a chat. Because, and I’ll be honest with you Amelia, it’d be nice if we could talk without you finding everything else in the world more interesting than us…”
She cut him off, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his. The warmth of Amelia drizzled through him, seizing the cold shivers from his hose pipe shower. She lifted her mouth and whispered, “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
Wary, Beppe eased back to look at her face. Nothing but sincerity and gratitude blazed from her. “Really?”
“I’d take this over a bunch of flowers any day.” She traced a hand over his collarbone. “Do you want a hot shower? You feel cold.”
He lifted a brow. “Are you coming with?”
Her lips curved into a devious smile. “I’ve got surprises for you that are waterproof.”

At that moment, Beppe realised that he would owe Rocky and Anna for life. They’d found the perfect woman for him. Those bollocking bastards…