A writer in Italy

Kimberly Sullivan, a talented writer of women's fiction and a great critique partner, tagged me for this Blog Hop hosted by Page after Page. Thank you Kimberly!

According to the rules I should answer a few questions about a novel I am writing. At this time, however, I am writing short stories, essays and book reviews, so I will write, instead, about Kimberly's novel, "In the Shadow of the Appennines".
  Kimberly's story takes place in Italy, in the region of Abruzzo, where she loves to spend time skiing, hiking and exploring medieval towns. Her love for the region inspired her to write a story that takes place in these majestic landscapes.
 Her main character, Samantha, moves to a mountain home in Abruzzo, hoping to start a new life after the break-up of her marriage and a failed university career. Her attempts to become part of the new community are destroyed when the residents discover a blog she wrote about them. Shunned and increasingly isolated in her mountain cottage, Samantha seeks solace in some letters and diaries that had been written by a past tenant in her home - a survivor of the devastating Pescina earthquake.
 Despite the centuries that separate the two women, Samantha feels connected to Elena's life, and discovers startling parallels that allow her to understand herself better. This is a book for readers who enjoy discovering how women can be connected through their hopes and dreams across oceans, economic divides and centuries. I also think that anyody who feels attracted to the italian culture will find this story interesting and fascinating.
 Now I am tagging other writers who are supposed to write about one of their books (published or unpublished) and what inspired them to write them. I can't wait to read you!

Elizabeth Varadan, author of The Fourth Wish . She is a very versatile writer; she writes for adults and kids and is devoted to fantasy, mystery, historical and the literary genre. I'd like to learn what inspired her to write The Fourth Wish and I'd love to read it.

Liz Grace Davis, author of Tangi's Teardrops, a fantasy romance that will carry you away to another world. She recently published Chocolate Aftertaste.

Rick Watson a writer who is also devoted to music and photography. He has a very inspiring blog. He is the author of  a non-fiction book "Remembering Big". I would love to know what his book is about and what motivated him to write it.

J.L Campbell a prolific writer of women's fiction. The author of  "Distraction" and "Don't Get Mad, Get Even". She also has a very useful blog for those who are interested in publishing and promoting their books.

Laurie Elmquist, a writer of memoirs, short stories and poems. She is now working on a new novel. I'd love to learn more about her work.

Richard Hughes, author of "Only The Lonely" and "Battles and other stories". (I have to read Only The Lonely, I enjoyed his short stories from the latter).

Life update and ramblings

 Due to reasons beyond our control, my family and I are relocating to a city in Western Wisconsin, almost five hours away from where we now live. Last week we were busy home hunting and getting to know the area where we intend to settle down.
 I was appalled to witness the consequences of a two-month drought in Western Wisconsin, where temperatures went up to the hundreds. (Mind you, this is not normal for the region). The grass is like straw, crunchy and yellow. Thousands of fish have died in the marshes. Needless to say, the corn harvest is going to be affected by this drought. As we got around the area, I came across a quote by Aldo Leopold, "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." Feel free to change the word land for "planet earth". After all, what we do to it has  consequences that go beyond borders.Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) was an American writer, scientist and environmentalist - I think he was also a visionary.

 Home hunting is a good experience to a writer. Aside from the practical aspects of it, I had the opportunity to imagine the lives of the people who lived in those houses. How can I not acknowledge the secrets harbored in those places? Family memories, broken dreams, conflicts. It's all good stuff to a writer. So my mind is imbibed with all these images and I am now eager to resume the short story I started writing last week. I have so much to catch up with in my writing world...
 What are your writing? What are you working on these days?