The Romance Reviews

The Romance Reviews
Showing posts with label Massimo and Belinda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Massimo and Belinda. Show all posts

Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Night and Day



Looking for book 3 in the IK series? It's on Amazon for your reading pleasure. The link to the playlist is inside the book, so you can shake your booty African style while you read.

A Life Sublime on Amazon

That's a blurb!
Belinda Afriyie is only in the Neapolitan Riviera for the wedding of her best friend’s daughter, never mind the fact that she bullied her way into it, mostly out of guilt for not being the mother figure that she should have been. At the very least, she had to make sure that Gina Robinson did her Ghanaian duty in marrying Nick Da Canaveze, even if Belinda had to get on a plane, pay excess baggage and suffer the heat for it. There would be no time for sightseeing, lounging around infinity pools and definitely no time for flirting with anyone. Especially not The Big Man, who was as troublesome as his son. The twinkle in Massimo Da Canaveze’s eyes told her that he was more than just trouble. He was a huge, fat God-like sign of what was missing from her life. Of just how glorious life could be with someone like him in it... But a man like him would never give her a side glance. It was fine. The wedding celebrations would last all of four days and she’d be off home. No looking. No touching. No flirting. None of that was good for her or her ego.
Massimo Da Canaveze is not enjoying his status as widower. He’s lonely. Feeling that way had become a way of life and his son’s wedding at his 800 year old family villa would hopefully put that to a stop. He would be surrounded by people he loved.  What he didn’t expect was the shrill voiced, authoritative, all commanding, arresting personality that was Belinda Afriyie to blaze through Italy in figure hugging, traditional African dresses and floaty kaftans that left little to the imagination. There hadn’t been an ample bosomed challenge like her to cross his path since his late wife. With a little music, a little sunshine, more than a bit of whiskey, he and Belinda were going to become very good friends.
Four Italian named puppet masters sit on the sideline of this play, throwing pizza pies to hit two half-centenarians in the eye. The Da Canaveze family is about to add to their growing number and no one is more shocked about it, than the puppets…

That's an excerpt!
He sent her an assessing look. “Why are you afraid of having things in common with me?”
Belinda turned to him, fury in her eyes. “Pardon?”
“The idea of having similarities with my life worries you. I can tell. We are all simply human. If not always with the same set of sensibilities.”
Hmm. “You and I both know that is not always the case.”
Those crystal blue eyes twinkled. “That sounded nice.”
“What?”

“You and I. Please do continue, we may even eventually agree with one another.”
Ridiculously attractive man, she thought, a reluctant grin tugging at her mouth. “Eh heh. All right, I’m going to go and sort myself out.”
“Belinda,” he said with a mild warning, as she heaved herself from the pool and padded to the lounger, “I am the last sensible adult in this villa. You should stay friends with me, even if we disagree, or you will have no one else to talk to.”
He has a realistic and very valid point, she thought, snapping off her swimming cap. God knows she wished there was a palm tree within reach where she could remove a few swatches and swat the idiocy from the mouths of those children. “I’ll let you know,” she replied smartly, pulling the kaftan over her head and wrapping the towel around her hair. He was still watching her. Naughty man, she knew that look. That same sort of look had got her into trouble before she had married and a good many times after. “You behave yourself. I told your son and I’ll tell you too. I am not afraid to beat you if you give me nonsense.”
Massimo glanced down at his arms before looking up, a light in his eyes that should have sent her running for her passport and on the first plane back to London. “What makes you think I would not enjoy that?”
“Because you’ve never had a proper beating from me,” she retorted, collecting her things and making her way back to the villa. There would be something to occupy herself with and take the goosebumps from her flesh that had nothing to do with being cold and everything to do with the husky laugh of the man still in the pool.

Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Lose Yourself To Dance



This is my 200th blog post! Yay! And I'm so glad that it's about the music for this story. Makes it all the more special. So as with all the renewed Italian Knights copies, I've complied a soundtrack for A Life Sublime. It's random. More random than normal, but I really hope you enjoy every track. If nothing else, I'm sharing a little of Ghana with you all. Sah, sah, sah, sah!

A Life Sublime on Spotify

1.    Ella Fitzgerald – In A Sentimental Mood
2.    Fuse Ft Donae'O and Tiffany – Azonto
3.    David Bowie – Let’s Dance
4.    Diana Ross – The Boss
5.    Prince Nico Mbarga – Sweet Mother
6.    Shirley Brown – A long As You Love Me
7.    Urban Cone – Winter’s Calling
8.    Jerry Hansen & The Ramblers Dance Band – Ama Bonsu
9.    Cecilia Bartoli – Caro Mio Ben
10. Tarantella – Italian Mandolin Torna A Surriento
11. The Naked and the Famous – Punching in a Dream
12. Jodeci – FreekN You
13. Kanye West – Golddigger
14. Nat King Cole – I Love You For Sentimental Reasons
15. Cameo – Candy
16. The Flamingoes – I Only Have Eyes For You
17. Al Green – Let's Stay Together
18. Al Green – How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
19. Adele – Hometown Glory
20. Bill Evans – Night and Day
21. Dean Martin – That’s Amore
22. Ms Victoria Barnes – Never Too Late
23. Ella Fitzgerald – Blue Skies
24. Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing
25. David Bowie – Modern Love
26. Dean Martin – Return To Me
27. Coldplay – Lost
28. Daughter – Medicine
29. Verdi's La Traviata – Di Sprezzo Degno
30. Verdi’s La Traviata – È strano!
31. Ella Fitzgerald – Someone To Watch Over Me
32. Billie Holiday – I’m A Fool To Want You
33. Jay-Z – Otis
34. The African Brothers International Band – Wompe Masem
35. The English Christian Hymnal – Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
36. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa – Turnadot: Signore, ascolta
37. Jewel Ackah – Sea Never Dry 
38. Otis Reading – These Arms Of Mine
39. Al Green – What A Wonderful Thing Love Is

40. Etta James – Be Mine 

Sunday, 3 November 2013

That's Amore!




As promised, here's the Amazon link for A Life Sublime. Pages of Italian sunshine for you to enjoy. Blimey, it's been so long I've forgotten what happens in it...http://www.amazon.com

And now it's here, it means I can have a thorough chat about all the IK books in detail. I'll be at Violette Dubrinsky's Fantasyland on November 9th at 11pm my time, 6pm EST. Join us! It'll be quite a limencello filled riot!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1429477557271192/

Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Blurred Lines




I know some people think I've made some sort of mistake with my IK books but, believe me I haven't. A long time ago, two and a bit years ago, I was happily writing away on Massimo's story and got stuck. Just plain old stuck. And with most things I get stuck on, I leave it, have a bit of cake, play with some boys (hehehe) and go back to it when I'm ready. That didn't happen until this year. In the meantime, Rocky started chattering to me about his lost love and the Luca wanted to have his past resolved with someone sweet and generous and loving. All the time, Massimo was sitting back, waiting, patiently. That surprised even me, since patience isn't a Da Canaveze trait by a long mile. So while Rocky talks about Massimo's marriage on his book, A Life Sublime tells you all about that wedding and what happened to even get to said wedding. This book pre dates the events of The Claim. I wish I could have written A Life Sublime two years ago, but I wasn't in that place. Neither was my hot muse Hank. There were things we had to experience, to go through, to understand, to feel before I had the maturity to write this book. Plus there's so much Fante in it, I needed my parents to wait a damn minute to get spelling. In truth, the IK order of books should be as follows:

  1. Windows
  2. On Caristo's Watch
  3. A Life Sublime 
  4. The Claim
  5. Best Laid Plans
Any other story after number five will not cause timeline confusions. I hope. Depending on who shouts the loudest. Massimo was content to wait. I'll have to see who else is.

http://beautifultroublepublishing.com/genres/new-releases-home-page/a-life-sublime-ebook.html

Thursday, 12 September 2013

Let's Dance



A Life Sublime is pretty long. But that's because there's lots of music to each and every scene. So here we are. Let's party like we're African/Italian/British and if we stop the wine's going to be taken away.

  1. Azonto - Fuse Ft Donae'O and Tiffany 
  2. Prince Nico Mbarga - Sweet Mother
  3. David Bowie – Let’s Dance
  4. Shirley Brown - Long As You Love Me
  5. The Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes For You
  6. Diana Ross - Who Was The Boss
  7. Urban Cone - Winter's Calling 
  8. Western Diamonds Band, Kofi Betsil - Passenger 
  9. Cecilia Bartoli - Caro Mio Ben
  10. Tarantella - Napoletana 
  11. The Naked and the Famous - Punching in a Dream
  12. Jodeci - FreekNYou
  13. Kanye West - Golddigger
  14. Nat King Cole - I Love You For Sentimental Reasons
  15. Cameo - Candy
  16. Al Green - Let's Stay Together
  17. Al Green - How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
  18. Adele - Hometown Glory
  19. Bill Evans Trio - Night and Day
  20. Ms Victoria Barnes - Never Too Late
  21. Ella Fitzgerald - Blue Skies
  22. Sammy Davis Jnr - The Candy Man
  23. Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing
  24. David Bowie - Modern Love
  25. Verdi's La Traviata - Di Sprezzo Segno
  26. Jewel Ackah - Sea Never Dry 
  27. Ramblers International - Awuraba Artificial
  28. African Brothers Band International - Oman Bo Adwo 
http://beautifultroublepublishing.com/genres/new-releases-home-page/a-life-sublime-ebook.html

Friday, 6 September 2013

The Time Is Now



After toil and trouble. Trials and tribulations. Tests and tears. Many, many tears... It is finally here! Now it is no longer mine ultimate enemy, I am pleased and more than that relieved to present to you A Life Sublime. 

a-life-sublime-ebook.html

Uno Blurb: 

Belinda Afriyie is only in the Neapolitan Riviera for the wedding of her best friend’s daughter, never mind the fact that she bullied her way into it, mostly out of guilt for not being the mother figure that she should have been. At the very least, she had to make sure that Gina Robinson did her Ghanaian duty in marrying Nick Da Canaveze, even if Belinda had to get on a plane, pay excess baggage and suffer the heat for it. There would be no time for sightseeing, lounging around infinity pools and definitely no time for flirting with anyone. Especially not The Big Man, who was as troublesome as his son. The twinkle in Massimo Da Canaveze’s eyes told her that he was more than just trouble. He was a huge, fat God-like sign of what was missing from her life. Of just how glorious life could be with someone like him in it... But a man like him would never give her a side glance. It was fine. The wedding celebrations would last all of four days and she’d be off home. No looking. No touching. No flirting. None of that was good for her or her ego.
Massimo Da Canaveze is not enjoying his status as widower. He’s lonely. Feeling that way had become a way of life and his son’s wedding at his 800 year old family villa would hopefully put that to a stop. He would be surrounded by people he loved.  What he didn’t expect was the shrill voiced, authoritative, all commanding, arresting personality that was Belinda Afriyie to blaze through Italy in figure hugging, traditional African dresses and floaty kaftans that left little to the imagination. There hadn’t been an ample bosomed challenge like her to cross his path since his late wife. With a little music, a little sunshine, more than a bit of whiskey, he and Belinda were going to become very good friends.
Four Italian named puppet masters sit on the sideline of this play, throwing pizza pies to hit two half-centenarians in the eye. The Da Canaveze family is about to add to their growing number and no one is more shocked about it, than the puppets…

Uno Excerpt:

He sent her an assessing look. “Why are you afraid of having things in common with me?”
Belinda turned to him, fury in her eyes. “Pardon?”
“The idea of having similarities with my life worries you. I can tell. We are all simply human. If not always with the same set of sensibilities.”
Hmm. “You and I both know that is not always the case.”
Those crystal blue eyes twinkled. “That sounded nice.”
“What?”


“You and I. Please do continue, we may even eventually agree with one another.”
Ridiculously attractive man, she thought, a reluctant grin tugging at her mouth. “Eh heh. All right, I’m going to go and sort myself out.”
“Belinda,” he said with a mild warning, as she heaved herself from the pool and padded to the lounger, “I am the last sensible adult in this villa. You should stay friends with me, even if we disagree, or you will have no one else to talk to.”
He has a realistic and very valid point, she thought, snapping off her swimming cap. God knows she wished there was a palm tree within reach where she could remove a few swatches and swat the idiocy from the mouths of those children. “I’ll let you know,” she replied smartly, pulling the kaftan over her head and wrapping the towel around her hair. He was still watching her. Naughty man, she knew that look. That same sort of look had got her into trouble before she had married and a good many times after. “You behave yourself. I told your son and I’ll tell you too. I am not afraid to beat you if you give me nonsense.”
Massimo glanced down at his arms before looking up, a light in his eyes that should have sent her running for her passport and on the first plane back to London. “What makes you think I would not enjoy that?”
“Because you’ve never had a proper beating from me,” she retorted, collecting her things and making her way back to the villa. There would be something to occupy herself with and take the goosebumps from her flesh that had nothing to do with being cold and everything to do with the husky laugh of the man still in the pool.

Monday, 26 August 2013

Speak Now

Since it's a Bank Holiday, I thought I'd share this interview with you all. So here is the last of the IK interviews. I present to you Mrs Belinda Mary Afriyie and Signor Massimo Alvise Da Canaveze It's been a long time coming...


  • Who are you closest to?

Massimo 

I like to think I am now extremely close to my sons and their respective wives. We now feel like a family. It saddens me that my late wife had to pass away before that happened, but as they say, God has a plan.

Belinda

The person I was closest to died years ago. Her daughter is all I have left and we keep on fighting. She's so cheeky! What do you mean, what did I say to her?

  • What is your earliest memory?

Massimo

My father teaching me how to farm olives at the villa. I have many good memories associated with the villa in Naples. When I wish to be calm or feel at peace, I think of those days. My brother will tell you how hard work feeds the soul. I am inclined to agree with him.

Belinda

Swimming with my school friends. The beach nearest to my family home had white sands, the bluest water and it was hot. Not heavy hot, but pure heat. Like oven heat. You wouldn’t know because you live in this cold country.

  • What is your biggest fear?

Massimo

That my children will share the same fate as their mother. I have nothing without them.

Belinda

Being cut out of Gina's life. I made a promise to her mother and I want to keep it. If she'll let me.

  • What are you best at?

Massimo

Decorating. It is a secret pleasure. Naturally you are invited to the villa to verify my skills.

Belinda

Organisation. There's a proper place for everything. Yes including paper doilies. What’s wrong with them? Araba, you have no taste.


  • Tell us something that will shock us.

Massimo

You can be married to a person for thirty three years and not know them at all. It inevitably becomes somewhat of a shock when they reveal their true nature.

Belinda

I collect underwear. Frilly ones, silk ones. All for me. Why not? What else am I spending money on? Yes they do fit my bum, don’t be so rude!

  • What do you value in a partner?

Massimo

Shared cultural interests. At the very least an interest in me as a person and not as a commodity. 

Belinda

Faith in me. Faith in God. 

  • Describe the last time you remember feeling really happy.

Massimo

When my daughter in law told us that she was pregnant. I am most looking forward to being a grandfather. 

Belinda

When Gina invited me to her wedding in Naples and I felt so blessed. I'm not crying, what nonsense are you talking about?

  • What is your biggest regret?

Massimo

I try not to have those. It would lead me to a path where I would not have my children. A life without them is inconceivable.

Belinda

Where should I begin? I wouldn’t have married that bleeding Herbert Afriyie for a start. Kwasiasem.


  • What is the one thing you would change about your life?

Massimo

I would like to share my life with someone. I believe I am older and wiser to select a better partner than I did before. 

Belinda

To find someone to share my life with. Someone who won’t upset the people I know and someone who won’t upset my priest.

  • What item can't you live without?

Massimo

A decent blade. How else will you delicately chop porcini mushrooms? My dear girl, I have children your age. I know that look. What I am saying is the truth. I only use knives for cooking. Perhaps take some time to calm yourself.

Belinda

Hot pepper. Proper pepper not that oily business with little chillies in them. What kind of pepper is that?


Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Hung Up

I got told off by Eve Vaughn. Actually, she did a Naboo from the Mighty Boosh and turned her back on me http://youtu.be/m8Da7PQE8O8.

It's because we're in the middle of July and there's no IK5. Sigh, it was all going so well, wasn't it? But stuff happens. And here's a list of reasons why there is currently no A Life Sublime for you to purchase:

  1. It's almost 70,000 words.
  2. It takes forever and a day to edit. Last weekend was dedicated to the proof edit all 347 pages of it. That's the Word typed version not the formatted version. God knows how many pages it'll be on epub or mobi. 
  3. I have a day job and a kinda need to eat. Maybe a bit less but you know. Healthy food costs money. 
  4. It had to go on the back burner for a bit while I made some decisions about the whole story. Writers guilt, one supposes. 
  5. The cover is proving to be a challenge. I'm lucky in that I get a say in what goes on my cover and that my publishers are so passionate about Massimo to want to get his image perfect. The last older man that looked my direction was sucking at his dentures. Not hot. Mature cover models? The Holy Grail. 
  6. I went to Atlanta! The conference put everything behind a bit but we're all getting back on track. I mean one still enjoys an afternoon nap now and again...
  7. I keep watching that cat twerking video and cannot for the life of me be serious about anything for a good three hours http://youtu.be/ULEMNtgfAdY. 
  8. I hated it. 
  9. I still kinda hate it after this weekend. 
  10. I'm worried how people will take to Belinda - who is the embodiment of all of my aunts - because let's be honest, women are harsher critics on themselves than anyone else possibly could be. 
The above could be just a list of excuses but the truth is, books do generally take a while to write. What happened to me with Rocky and Anna's story was a freakin' fluke. This one has been coming up to two years from start to finish. 

Once it's finished, I go through the story with a fine tooth comb to see if there are any plot holes or mistakes. There's always something (several somethings) that I miss. Then it goes back and forth between me and an editor. Three times. At least. Then it goes back and forth with a proofreader. Three times. At least. All the while I'm checking all the trademark endorsements for any companies I've referenced. Which means reading the story. Again. Checking all my language spellings are correct and that necessitates hog tying one of my parents to get that sorted. If you think I'm busy, it's nearly impossible to get them to do anything book related without some sort of bribe. And by then they're stewed in booze and no use to anyone. In the meantime, I'm scanning through image stock photographs for my Massimos and Belindas. The only score I have are my background photographs which are from Italy so that makes the choice a little easier. Normally, it's a few hours for a week or more trawling for perfect pictures. 

Sometimes, when stuff is this hard, I give up and write something else until I can face the challenge. So in answer to the question "Where the hell is this book?" it's coming. On my chilled bottle of Pear Bulmer's Cider, it's coming. Very soon. And no, I haven't changed my mind about point 8 and 9. I still kinda hate it. 

Friday, 26 April 2013

Viva Italia!

IK5 is mostly set in the Neapolitan Riviera and boy did Lady London and I have a boozy time there! The food was exquisite, the people were friendly and welcoming and outrageously flirtatious - even the ones four times my age were still giving a wink and smile to my bust line. Sometimes I forget that London is only a few hours away from the most beautiful scenery in the world and I'm lucky enough to have a short - non traumatising flight trip to as and when  I choose. As and when my bank allows me. 

So when you read the story, I'd love it if you kept these photos in mind. The scent is ice cream and freshly baked pizza. It's sea salt and warm cliff faces. It's the fumes from the little cars and scooters that zip past on the tiniest roads on earth. It's the after burn of fireworks as Italy progress in the World Cup. It's the limencello that ends one of the best meals you ever have and ensures you sleep well through the chirp of crickets. Viva Italia. 



















Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Old Timer

So. Massimo's the next Italian Knight. *twiddles thumbs* I can sense the doubt drifting out there and honestly, when I finished Windows, it was the last thing on my mind. Quite frankly, I'd got a load off my chest and would happily not think about any of those Da Canaveze people or what they went through again. Moreover, I'm Gina/Lyds/Annie/Frankie in age group. Why would I write something that would be inherently 'sugar daddy' ish? And I'd have to think about grey pubes. Oh, cripes, I'm so sorry, that's not helping is it? No. Right.

So there's a reason why Nick embodies so much of what will make me break out the good underwear, the stockings, the violet wands, ball gag and handcuffs. He's like his dad. We're on the same page now aren't we? If we're not, let me break it down for you. Beware. *SPOILERS* This whole play is Massimo's stage, he's been directing it since before my parents gave each other the sexy eye in South London. Does he take nonsense from people? Absolutely not. Hell if he'd had the tiniest inkling about Santori's plans, do you really think that mother fucker would have lived long enough to even try and be a blip on Nick's radar? No. Is he forgiving? One name. Mary Alice. That bitch. I still hate her. I don't think I've ever hated a character as much as I hate that bitch. Is he elegant and stylish? Uh huh! Suited and booted every day. Plays chess and listens to jazz. He is cultured, refined, educated, calculating, and his sons get all their good looks from him. *SPOILERS DONE*

I was talking to my mother about a seventy odd year old man who nearly gave his wife an STD - don't ask how I found out about this. Old people having diseased sex. Wait, wait, roll it back. Old people having sex full stop. Obviously, I was shocked out of my skin and she asked me, point blank, "Do you feel any older today than you did ten years ago?" Honestly, apart from the hangovers which take a good week to recover from? No. I don't. "Do you think I don't still feel twenty four inside, before I had you and your brothers and it was just me and your father?" Yes, mother I know. I borrowed Daddy's awesome sheepskin coat. Found a condom in the pocket from the late seventies which expired just after you two got married, so I know you two weren't all pure and such before you said your vows. Obviously, I didn't say that to her face, because I'm still alive.

The truth is, why would the same not apply to Massimo? He's a single man who needs a challenge. A nice challenge. Belinda's going to do that for him - loud, African and proud. I have aunts (African aunts - not actual blood aunts) who have been alone and abandoned for so long and then they meet someone, and good lord the freakin' scandal, you'd have thought they'd have made a sex tape of them having a threesome with Piers Morgan and Simon Cowell. (heave) But I wanted to write something that says whatever your age, it's never too late to find love. To be happy. Why not? Why waste the days of your life conforming to someone else's ideas of love and passion? Typically, Belinda's the busybody, who'd be so much happier if she was getting some on the regular. So sod it. This story is more of a love letter to Massimo and Belinda as individuals as it is a love story between the two of them. For their histories as immigrants who created lives for themselves in London; their faith; their experiences; their wisdom and their sexuality. I've learned much more about what I want for my own future in writing this and I'm really rather proud of my older people lovin'.

And by the way? He hasn't greyed. Anywhere. Alright? So there. Just wait. Massimo. My O.G. In every sense of that abbreviation.