Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Rhys Celebrates Publication of The Tuscan Child


DEBORAH CROMBIE: I'm so happy today to host our dear Jungle Red Rhys Bowen's new book, THE TUSCAN CHILD, out today! I was privileged to read an early copy and I can tell you you're in for a treat--and that you'll also spend most of the book hungry! Here's Rhys to tell you more about the book and about her adventures in Tuscany. Research is hell, right?

Happy book birthday, dear Rhys!!!


RHYS BOWEN: We authors really suffer for our craft, you know! When I decided I wanted to write the Tuscan Child, of course I had to go to Tuscany to do the research. (I hear your groans). Luckily I was invited to teach a workshop in a Tuscan hill town so I went there knowing that I wanted to be a sponge while I was there and observe everything, taste everything, take in everything.

First there were the sights: the views across the countryside, the misty mornings, the abundance of poppies blooming in the fields.





There enticing alleyways and arches, old men drinking in the square, their loud voices echoing from high buildings as they argued.

  

Then there was the food: the fruit and vegetables in the market, the local pastas, the rabbit ragu and the desserts!!! Half a lemon stuffed with lemon sorbet or the panna cotta, the rich vin santo with biscotti to dip in it.  You can imagine how I threw myself into this research with enthusiasm, can't you?

We worked hard at our workshop every day but in the evenings there were wine tastings, balsamic vinegar tastings, and visits to Etruscan tombs, to Sienna. We witnessed the Corpus Christi procession around the town, led by the town band. 




 And I had my water colors and sketch book with me to jot down some personal memories.


So when I started to write the book, the town was still so clear in my mind. I have relived the taste of those meals as I wrote the book (eating Tuscan food vicariously contains no calories) 

 Here is one of the simple recipes. You can also top the bruschetta with many other things: liver pate/mushrooms/ tapenade/braised fennel and pecarino cheese... the choice is endless.


Tomato Bruschetta
Serves: 12
INGREDIENTS
  • 8 chopped ripe roma (plum) tomatoes
  • 5 leaves chopped fresh basil
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 pinch of dried oregano
  • 1 dash of crushed red pepper
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper
  • 2-3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 loaf of Italian-style (or French) bread, cut into diagonal slices
  1. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, oregano, red pepper, salt, pepper and olive oil. Use more olive oil, if necessary, to coat the entire mixture. Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes for flavors to blend.
  2. In the meantime, preheat the broiler. On a baking sheet, arrange the slices of bread in a single layer and brown both sides slightly in the oven. Remove the slices from the oven.
  3. Spread the tomato mixture on the still warm toasted bread slices and serve.
 And I have been invited to teach that same workshop in Tuscany this summer. If you are reading this and have a novel you would love to jump-start or complete, I believe there are still one or two slots still open.  Details are at www.minervaeducation.net.

THE TUSCAN CHILD is a sweeping story set in two time periods. In winter 1944 a British pilot has to bail out of his stricken plane over Tuscany. Badly wounded, he lands in an olive grove and is hidden in a bombed monastery by a local woman. In 1973 his estranged daughter is going through his things after his sudden death and finds a letter that was never delivered. It is a love letter to an Italian woman and contains a dark secret. Her journey to Tuscany to discover the truth of what happened in that hill town during WWII may prove more dangerous than she believed possible.

RHYS will give away a signed copy of The Tuscan Child to one lucky commenter today. 

72 comments:

  1. Happy Book Birthday, Rhys . . . what an exciting day!
    I love the pictures, the sights of Tuscany . . . it does sound as if you had a wonderful time researching for the book . . . .
    The bruschetta sounds delicious; thanks for the recipe.

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  2. I've pre-ordered my copy and am very much looking forward to reading it. Happy book birthday!

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  3. Hooray for you Rhys. Putting my order in tonight.
    I forgive you all those research vacations; but could you vacation in those little
    English islands next? The Gurnsey book was wonderful &
    Venetia (gentry maybe?) of "Venetia in Kyoto" spent childhood times there & it sounds wonderful!


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  4. Happy book birthday, Rhys! The story sounds fascinating, and Tuscany sounds divine! I'm sure it was a terrible hardship on you to do all that research, but I admire the way you are willing to suffer for your art. All kidding aside, I tip my hat to you for tackling the challenge of writing stand-alone novels like this outside your established series, and set in a different historical period. I wish you all the success in the world, and can't wait to read it!

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    1. You're right, Gigi. It is a risk. Stand alones are not always well received by fans

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  5. Tuscany is top on my bucket list, but not this summer I'm afraid. Can't wait to get my hands on this book!

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  6. Happy Book Birthday, Rhys! I have loved every one of your books, and from your descriptions of the plot and of Tuscany, I know this one will be no different. Can't wait to read!

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  7. Hooray Rhys! And I woke up to find your book on my Ipad--reading for a long plane trip this weekend...xoxox

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    1. Lucy, that's my favorite - you turn your tablet on and there's a new book you've wanted to read! I know I've paid for it, but it always feels like getting a present.

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  8. Rhys, happy book birthday--that cover is gorgeous!! And congratulations for being invited twice to give your workshop in Tuscany. What a lucky group of writers to be able to spend 10 days in Tuscany with you--such inspiration! The Tuscan Child sounds like my kind of story, too, can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

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  9. Rhys, I pre-ordered this book and can hardly wait to read it! I wish I could afford to go to your workshop in Tuscany. What an amazing experience it would be. Have fun!

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  10. After the major success of In Farleigh Field, I have no doubt that a trip to Tuscany (past and further past) with Rhys as our guide is going to be a trip worth taking. Congratulations again on the Edgar Award nomination, Rhys.

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  11. Happy Book Birthday, Rhys! I am so looking forward to reading THE TUSCAN CHILD -sounds super!

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  12. Congratulations! The book sounds great...I can’t wait to read it! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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  13. I'll echo Flora, Rhys - the cover gods have been good to you again. I know THE TUSCAN CHILD is going to be as big a hit as IN FARLEIGH FIELD! Is there a connection between the two? Is the downed pilot someone we've already met?

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    1. No characters in common, Julia, but that might have been a clever idea! However both are about British aristocrats and their homes

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    2. I guess that answers my question below

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  14. Congratulations and happy book birthday, Rhys. Julie and I look forward to reading THE TUSCAN CHILD. Of course J is hoping the Mitfords show up again!

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  15. Happy Book Birthday Rhys ! I'm looking forward to reading The Tuscan Child and I'm sure I'll love it as much as every other of your books.
    Your sketch is very evocative, you have multiple talents. How I would like to be able to attend the workshop and visit Tuscany.

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  16. Congratulations and I've already heard good reports about the book! By the way, I think you should share some of your drawings. So beautiful.

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  17. Rhys, this is so fabulous. I am so inspired by you, in every way. You did you work, three series? Four? You succeeded like mad.. You could have just stayed with a sure thing. But you had "the book" in your head, you persisted, and whoa. Look what happened with IN FARLEIGH FIELD! ANd now you have a whole new life--and THE TUSCAN CHILD once again proves you are the real deal.
    Whoa. It's an honor to know you. xoxoo

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    1. Rhys, blushing madly! I feel fortunate to have reached the stage where I can branch out and take chances with new ideas, Hank. I d certainly paid my dues!

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  18. Congratulations Rhys. The Tuscan Child sounds captivating and memorable. Your Tuscany adventures look wonderful and unforgettable. Wishing you another fabulous time in Tuscany. Best wishes.

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  19. Happy book birthday! I'd love to have to do this kind of research. Oh, the hardship!

    Mary/Liz

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  20. So excited to read this book, Rhys! And to relive the sun and sights and sounds, and flavors! of Tuscany.

    I'll join Flora and Julia in the prediction of blockbuster success!

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  21. Oh goody goody, another Rhys book. I loved IN FAIRLEIGH FIELD and so look for to THE TUSCAN CHILD. Congratulations and Happy Day!!

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  22. Congratulations Rhys! I loved In Farleigh Field and look forward to enjoying The Tuscan Child. Your photos are special and what a lovely setting to visit and experience.

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  23. Congratulations, Rhys! I've been looking forward to reading this book very much and am excited that it's released today. I love stories set in WWII. And I love your sketch - so evocative.

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    1. I'm rather an amateur artist but I take my little sketchbook everywhere with me!

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    2. Rhys, I wish I was as amateur as you!! This is one of my major goals:-)

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    3. Going to Tuscany is on that list, too, especially now!!

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  24. I can't wait to read this! I've never been to Tuscany so am looking forward to the virtual visit.

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  25. I'm excited to read 'The Tuscan Child' and know that it will be superb! I enjoyed my time there immensely and am thrilled to travel there again through your words.

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  26. I’ll have to visit Tuscany vicariously through your book! I love books with stories set in different time periods with a common link.

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  27. Congrats, Rhys! I love that you stepped out from the comfort of your series into something new, and it sounds wonderful. The description made me think of an old favorite, The English Patient. The colors on the cover are delectable.

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  28. Can't WAIT to read the new book! I love Tuscany. Love bruschetta. And Rhys's prose is delicious, too.

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  29. Looking forward to reading the new book! My pre-ordered copy will be waiting for me when I get home! Always nice to come home to book mail especially a Rhys Bowen book!

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  30. Congratulations, Rhys! Like so many others have commented already, I LOVED In Farleigh Field and I think The Tuscan Child sounds marvelous. I can't wait to read it!

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  31. Rhys, where are you today? Will you be doing events where people can meet you?

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    1. I'll be at Poisoned Pen on Sunday, Murderby the Book in Houstonon 28 th, Tucson festival of books March 10 and 11' Author Day at Whittier College March 24, The Ripped Bidice, Culver City March 25, Book Passage March 27

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  32. Congrats and happy birthday!!! I’m going to check the Poisoned Pen calendar to see if you are scheduled to sign this new book there! Love to support independent books sellers and awesome authors!!!

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  33. I will enjoy another glimpse at the Tuscany area. I saw it briefly on a trip we took years ago and loved the area. I look forward to reading another book penned by you. Enjoy your special Book Birthday!

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  34. It is always a good day when there is a new book by Rhys!
    Libby Dodd

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  35. Happy Birthday! I always look forward to your new books coming out.

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  36. Congratulations, Rhys! What a wonderful book and I envy your research! Looking forward to celebrating today's release over bruschetta at lunch today!

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  37. congratulations! and thanks for the bruschetta recipe.

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  38. Looking forward to reading this Rhys, congratulations.

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  39. Happy Book Day! My first email of the day was the Goodreads notification that your book was out in the world, as I had added it to my "want to read" list. Congratulations to you!

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  40. Happy Book Birthday, Rhys. This sounds amazing...I've loved every book of yours that I've read to date and my brief visit to Tuscany really makes me want to visit again via your novel. Can't wait to read this book! Thanks for sharing your many talents with your lucky readers.

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  41. Congratulations! This has been on my To Read list for quite some time.

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  42. What a beautiful sketch, Rhys! I had no idea you are such a renaissance woman! Congrats on the book; it sounds like a perfect trip to Tuscany without having to spring for airfare!

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  43. Congrats on the book launch. Looking forward to reading it...and your creativity extends beyond writing!

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  44. Lots of comments today. That book is a great incentive. I saw the display at Poison Pen and was so tempted but my mission that day was to buy books for my cousin's six grandkids. Great selection of books!!
    I visited Tuscany 1995 and Rhys described it perfectly. Loved every minute and every morsel.

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  45. ..your book sounds very good...the premise sounds interesting...

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  46. Happy Book Birthday, Rhys! I can't wait for the mail to come today and find my copy in it. Pre-ordering this book was a no-brainer. I just know it's going to be another amazing read and a book that will get noticed.

    And, your sketch! I am so in awe of your many talents. I can see a wonderful prize for a book promotion being a copy of said sketch.

    Have a wonderful day today, Rhys, celebrating The Tuscan Child release!

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  47. How exciting! I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  48. If you ever need a research assistant and food taster, I'm available! I have wanted to go there ever since I saw the movie Under the Tuscan Sun with Diane Lane. I'm looking forward to reading The Tuscan Child and will have the bruschetta ready. (is is pronounced brus-ketta or bru-shetta?)

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  49. On the wait list at the library for The Tuscan Child - can't wait to read it.

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  50. I love your other books, and this sounds interesting. I like World War II stories. Also love food.

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  51. Congratulations on another new release! I'm looking forward to this one. My own trip to Italy was so long ago (they still had lira--imagine paying 200,000 lira for a hotel room!) that I'm really looking forward to revisiting via your work.

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  52. I'm hopeful it will be a NOOK book soon! Can't wait to read it!

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  53. As the daughter of a WWII pilot, I'd love to read this! What a wonderful idea for a novel.

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  54. Tuscany is a place I'd love to visit. We have friends who took a food/walking tour there. Can you imagine? Well, you don't have to. Your book sounds so intriguing. Looking forward to it.

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  55. Rhys, happy book birthday! Congratulations on the publication of Tuscan Child. Though your Constable Evans series is my favorite, I love all of your books. I enjoyed perusing your photos and I would love to go back to Tuscany. I visited Tuscany for one day and a half with a tour group (14 days tour of continent Europe). If I win the lottery or discover the magical powers of Samantha Stephens, which means I can twitch my nose and magically transform myself to Tuscany, I would love to partake your summer writing workshop in Tuscany.

    Diana

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