I am delighted to be involved in the blog tour for Rosanna's newest novel Last Dance in Havana. Rosanna is an author I very much enjoy reading, she captures historical periods and exotic locations perfectly but most of all she creates wonderful, believable characters.
I asked Rosanna to tell me about some of her favourite literary destinations.
Rosanna Ley's Five Favourite Locations in Books
Italy – stunning and sensual – is my favourite country. (I’m writing about Sardinia at the moment and
loving it). Anthony Capella set his delightful novel The Food of Love in Trastevere, Rome. I fell in love
with the down town area of Trastevere the first time I visited the city. It’s bohemian, arty and
irresistable. It also sells the best pizzas in Rome.
Mary Anning had a talent for finding fossils in Lyme Regis in the early nineteenth century. Tracy
Chevalier brings Mary’s story alive in Remarkable Creatures and the Jurassic Coast is another
character in Chevalier’s novel - ancient, mysterious, and yielding historical treasures. I’ve written
about West Dorset many times and find the coastline inspirational. I live here! Lucky me...
I discovered another historical setting, 18 th century Bristol, when researching for Last Dance of
Havana. Philippa Gregory’s A Respectable Trade explores the devastating consequences of the slave
trade that existed there, through the eyes of well born Frances and her Yoruban slave Mehuru. I
chose Bristol as a setting for Last Dance because of its connection with the slave trade; my
contemporary characters live in houses very similar to those of the rich merchants in Gregory’s
novel. These days, Bristol, with its waterways and history is a vibrant and eclectic city.
What writer could resist the ‘cemetery of lost books’ and the sweeping story of Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon set in Barcelona? I loved it. Barcelona is a city that you can’t forget and I
enjoyed researching the place for Bay of Secrets.
Finally, I’ve got to slip in Last Dance in Havana. Cuba is a fascinating location. The people are warm
and friendly and the weather and the music are hot. The history is turbulent, the crumbling colonial
buildings in Havana are picturesque and the beaches are to die for. What’s not to love..?
Last Dance in Havana is published by Quercus and available now.
Thank you so much to Rosanna and to Quercus and MidasPR for a copy of the book and a chance to be involved in the blog tour. I hope this inspires your reading and travel choices.
You can read my review of Rosanna's previous book The Villa HERE
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