I loved fairytales as
a child, and I still love them as an adult. I’ve taken two of my favourites so
far and turned them into slightly more adult tales. I had a great time when I
was able to combine my love of Italy with a fairytale that originates in that
country. It’s a great little story called Favola, which is the Italian for
fairytale–and the story itself is based on the original fairytale called Bella Venezia.
Quite some time ago, I
did an interview with Prince Francesco from Favola, and decided to share it
with you, since it was so much fun and the Prince is a pretty cool guy!
Interview with Francesco
Tell us about
yourself, please.
I am the Crown Prince of La Città Natale di Alba, The Birthplace
of Dawn. My parents have decided that it is time for me to marry and produce
heirs, and continue my grooming to rule our kingdom. The problem being, the
endless parade of potential brides has left me feeling suffocated and less than
interested in my destined role as ruler.
Authors call what you
want but cannot have "the conflict" - what is yours?
When I first spotted my beloved,
she was in a small village, and I was directed to the La Locanda di Pericoli Nascosti, (The Inn of Hidden Dangers), an Inn
owned by her mother, the stunning Bella Venezia. I didn’t realize that Bella
was a jealous woman who hated any other as beautiful as she is. She kept her
own daughter imprisoned in a tower, out of sight, and out of reach of any man
who desired her. And I desired her more than any other woman I have ever known
or seen. I was determined to make her my queen, but first had to find a way to
reach her.
What inner doubt
causes you the most difficulty?
Fear that I will not be strong
enough to do what is asked of me, to rule my people as they deserve. To keep
the love of my fair Caparicia.
In the story world
your author created, explain what it is you fear most and why.
Bella told me her daughter was
dead, that she arranged this still fills me with rage. No amount of threatening
or anger could undo what she had wrought, until the arrival of my brother, and
a witch who was willing to help.... though the price she would ultimately ask
was a high one.
Tell us about your
significant other, that person who makes living worthwhile.
Capricia, the fair and innocent
girl who stole my heart, and my ability to think about any other. She is kind,
gentle, beautiful, and strong, all a man could desire in a queen for his
people.
What is your family
like?
My brother, Matteo, is my best
friend. He would have made a fine king, but he was not interested in the
burdens of ruling. Ironically, the burden he did choose to carry is one much
heavier than ruling our kingdom has ever been. I miss him, and curse his Fate
each dawn.
Why are you happy (or
not happy) with the way your story ended?
I am happy with my story because my
queen is at my side, and she is the joy in my life. What I am not happy with is
the fate of my brother, but I have not given up hope that one day his burden
will be lifted and he will find his way back to us.
Questions for the Writer
What was your biggest
challenge in writing this book?
The biggest challenges with this
book were to do the original fairytale justice, keep the sequence, but also to
add some touches of my own to the existing storyline. To do that meant writing
succinctly, and not allowing the story to expand into wordiness that would run
it off on tangents not relevant to the main story. I hope it worked!
Why did you choose
this character for the interview today?
I did this interview on release day for the book,
but apart from that, I love Francesco and his brother Matteo, they are regal
and formidable, and passionate.
Are any sequels
planned for this book?
My publisher has suggested a
sequel, and I am toying with the idea of telling Matteo’s story, since his
nobility is beyond question and there is a very intriguing story there waiting
to be told.
What would your
readers be surprised to learn about you?
That I am exceedingly shy, and
probably that this is one of the very few books I have published new in over
two years as I’ve worked at rediscovering my passion for writing and telling
stories.
Why should readers who
haven't picked up one of your books before give this one a try?
If you like traditional fairytales
with a hint of sexy sensuality, this is a story that has those elements and is
basically a short, fun read that I hope makes everyone smile at the end of it.
Is there anything
you'd like to say to your readers?
Thank you – always – for your
continued support and enthusiasm for the worlds I love to explore and create. I
hope they bring you a small amount of joy because that is where the real
success of our work lives.
About the Book
FAVOLA (Fairytale)
Sensual romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings G, PG, PG13, R): PG13
In the town of Favola,
a prince and a lovely girl imprisoned by her mother's jealousy find passion and
love... but will it be enough to outsmart the machinations and fury that their
devotion inspires in the beautiful Bella Venezia? An Italian fairytale is
re-told for an adult audience....
Short Excerpt:
“Her name is Capricia,”
someone informed him, and he turned to see an old man working next to him,
arranging steaming pies and fresh fruit into appealing displays. He was smiling
with affection and appreciation. Francesco turned away just in time to see the
girl vanish into the throng of people.
“Where can I find her?”
He was craning his neck, trying to catch sight of her again. Francesco grabbed
the man’s arm and shook him. “Where?”
The old man laughed. “La Locanda di Pericoli Nascosti,” he
replied with a knowing wink at the baker, who was watching the exchange. “She
is the daughter of the woman who owns the place.”
“And where might I find
this Inn of Hidden Dangers, old one?”
Francesco’s question was curt, he was eager now to seek out the girl and see if
she could be charmed into being his companion for the night. The old man’s gaze
was shrewd, the heat of embarrassment warmed Francesco’s face, the other man
had all but read his intentions.
“Be careful of her
mother, boy,” was all the old man said. “End of the road there,” he added,
crooked finger aimed in the general direction where the girl had disappeared.
“It’s easily found.”
Puzzling over the old
man’s vague warning, Francesco turned in the direction he’d been shown and
continued. It took only minutes to discover the busy inn. He tied his horse to
a rail, and went inside.
The common room was
filled with travelers and local people. As he approached the counter, he saw
the lovely woman who ran the place and stopped to listen as she spoke with a
newly arrived patron.
“Tell me, signore,” she all but purred, leaning
forward so the stranger could see the lush swells of her breasts, “have you
seen a more beautiful woman than me?”
The man shook his head
and swore he had never set eyes on anyone more beautiful than her, Bella
Venezia. Satisfied, she told him he could have his room that night for half the
usual price.
Francesco stepped
forward, and once again she turned on her charm.
“Are you here for a room,
signore, or merely to enjoy my
company?”
Francesco smiled. She was
a fine-looking woman, and it would have been very easy to be swept away by her
ample charms, but another face haunted his heart now, and stirred his desires
as no other woman had. Francesco had escaped his family for a time, tired of
the endless parade of potential brides being brought before him. None had
appealed to him, yet this stranger had captured his heart, and his imagination.
He’d return home with the bride of his choosing, once he found her again.
“Your charm and beauty is
undeniable, signora,” he replied
smoothly. “But my heart has been stolen by one so fair I cannot live without
her. Your own daughter, Capricia.”
When Bella’s eyes
narrowed and she glared at him, Francesco knew he had made a grave error in
allowing his heart to speak before he could think. He had been foolish enough
to believe a mother would be pleased to have her daughter admired.
“Then you may pay twice
the price for the privilege of admiring her, signore,” she informed him.
“Then I have still been
granted a bargain, signora,” he
assured her, resisting laughter at the anger seething in the woman’s eyes. Her
striking face set into hard lines of resentment, and her eyes were glacial. He
paid her and she told him what room was his for the night.
Francesco went to settle
in and wait for nightfall. He did not plan on spending his time alone, not when
the girl of his heart’s dreams was only a short distance away.
Available Internationally from:
Amazon.com * Amazon (CA) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (IN) * Amazon (DE) * Amazon (JP) * Amazon (ES) * Amazon (FR) * Barnes & Noble
10 comments:
My mother read to us from a huge book of fairy tales and I'll never forget the wonderful tales that were I know now, tailored for children. All the same, there is something magical and timeless about the themes and I love stories based on them. Favola sounds like a wonderful story. Wishing you many sales!
Thank you so much, Paris! This one has a rough history, but it's finally out there in the style I wanted it in, and was a lot of fun to write!!
Denyse, I love the interviews with Francisco and you. The story sounds great. So glad you're writing again. I love fairy tales too. Best of luck.
Thank you so much, Cara. It was a long road back, but I am having fun with it all again, so I hope that translates into happy readers, too. :) *hugs*
I loved Favola! This was my introduction to the Italian fairytale and I think you did an awesome job! I hope will will consider and follow through with Matteo's story as I believe you will make it spectacular!
Thank you, April! I would like to write Matteo's story, too.
I love fairy tales. At least the ones that end in a happily ever after. In college, I read the original Grimm tales and they aren't always happy endings. I wish you all the best with your books!
Thanks so much, Melissa. :) You're always so sweet. Big hugs, D
What a beautiful story you've written, Denyse. I love fairy tales as well, but never read Favola. I don't know how I missed it, but I'm looking forward to reading it now. It's on my list... I'm so happy you are enjoying writing again. :)
Loved this post, Denyse. What a wonderful take on the Italian Fairytale story. I loved fairytales too as a child. Bring back all the beautiful things I still hold dear to this day. Thank you!
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