On the short-list…

It was a great honour to hear that ‘The Italian Flame’ has been short-listed for the RONA Contemporary Romance novel of the year award in 2026.

‘The Flame’ was such an enjoyable novel to write – not least because it’s set both in West Dorset where I live and one of my favourite parts of Italy. Liguria’s coastline is known as the ‘Italian Riviera’ – and with good reason: the Mediterranean sea is framed by cypress trees, umbrella pines, olive groves and juniper trees and the air is scented with fresh lemons and wild thyme.

My research trip for the book took me on a journey by train and bus, starting at Camogli and ending in Tellaro.

I completely fell in love with Camgoli, which was new to me. It’s a picturesque fishing village comprising a network of narrow steps and cobbled alleyways lined with higgledy-piggledy buildings painted in vibrant yellow, ochre and tangerines. The marina is full of colourful little boats and gorgeous seafood restaurants.

Tellaro is perched on a cliff on the east coast of the Gulf of La Spezia. It’s another small fishing village, a favourite destination for writers and artists over the years, and I can see why. If you walk down the stepped alleyways towards the sea, you come to a dusky pink bell-tower, sitting high above the rocks. Stand there and look out to sea and you will feel it wash over you: peace and beauty. I just had to locate Josefine’s café in Tellaro (though it is re-named in the book!).

The story of ‘The Italian Flame’ also comprises a journey for Lily. She is looking for her half-sister Josefine who was adopted and whose family moved to Italy. But Lily soon finds out that not everyone who has been adopted wants to be found…

It is also, of course, a romance. I enjoy writing love stories – not just what builds between two people who will become lovers, but also the love stories that exist within families and friendship groups – the joy of all sorts of relationships, some of which may need some sorting out because of what has happened in the past. I love writing emotional drama and exploring people’s interior lives and how they relate to others. It’s what makes the world go round, I suppose…

So I would like to thank the RNA and all the judges and readers who have voted for ‘The Italian Flame’ and put it on the short-listed map. And good luck to all the other authors in all the categories who have been singled out for the 2026 awards. I salute you!