The Violinist's Apprentice by Isabella Mancini - Book Tour + Giveaway
The Violinist’s Apprentice
A dark journey through time.
It’s on a group trip to Rome that something terrifying and mysterious happens, whirling musical Clementina back in time to 17th century Italy. Amidst court intrigue and creaking carriages, Rome becomes a chiaroscuro backdrop to her growing feelings for young violin-maker Antonio Stradivari. But soon he discovers that Clementina is not all she appears. She must surely be a witch. How can she return to the 21st century again? Meanwhile, in an icy corner of the Arctic, a professor plots.
Purchase Links:
US - https://www.amazon.com/Violinists-Apprentice-Isabella-Mancini-ebook/dp/B0811Y35MV
Author Q&A
Author Q&A
1.
What is the first book that made you cry?
When I
was writing my book An Englishwoman in America (under my alter ego Olga Swan),
an early chapter relates how my father was one of the original ‘huddled masses’
arriving in Ellis Island in the early 20th Century. It was an
emotional moment as I used his actual diary of his travels for my research, a
small black note book now a hundred years old.
2.
How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
I write
far too quickly and can finish a book in a few months, after which there’s
often a lot of editing to do!
3.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Well,
for The Violinist’s Apprentice, this was easy as the main girl character is
named from one of the colours of the rainbow.
For the sequel, the next girl will be called Saffron.
4.
What creature do you consider your "spirit animal" to be?
We have
a French rescue Breton spaniel, currently aged 16. I’ve always loved dogs. They’re
so loyal and I feel a real spiritual connection with them.
5.
What are your top 5 favorite movies?
I don’t watch
many films these days, but the one that really resonates with me is the one
which my late mother would take me to see at whichever cinema it was showing.
This was 60 years ago now (!) and we saw it over and over again. The Jolson Story.
6.
If you were the last person on Earth, what would you do?
Pray!
7.
What fictional character would you want to be friends with in real life?
Verdigris
from The Violinist’s Apprentice. For me, there was a fascination in his
spiritual persona coupled with his human qualities as an environmentally-aware
geography teacher.
8.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
It’s so
difficult to break through the glass ceiling today. Too many literary agents
and large publishers are forced to follow the profit margin, making the
acquisition of real, but unknown, talent a risk. So, writers need to be
prepared for endless rejection.
9.
Tell us 10 fun facts about yourself! :)
Growing up in the ‘50s, we had no phone, no car, no TV, no central
heating, nor hot water but I survived!
Finalist, at age 14, of local hula hoop competition (4 hoops at the same
time).
From 5 – 14 trained in ballet, tap and acrobatics.
52 years ago honeymooned in Italy, but didn’t manage to find a time
portal.
Did a recent 30 min book signing talk without notes.
Lived in France for 12 years, but was never once invited into a
neighbour’s home.
Speak reasonably-fluent French.
Held summer garden parties in grounds of our French house, with live
music.
Life-long Aston Villa supporter.
At first job, my wage was £8 per week.
Author Bio –
Isabella Mancini is the nom de plume of prolific author Olga Swan, published by Crooked Cat Books. She has a BA Hons (Open) in English Language and Literature and a lifelong love for writing and language. For 12 years she lived in SW France, but returned to the UK in 2017, where she now lives in the West Midlands with her husband and elderly French rescue dog Bruno.
Previous books by Olga Swan:
An Englishwoman in America
From Paradis to Perdition
Pensioners in Paradis
The Mazurek Express
Lamplight
Vichyssoise
3rd Degree Murder
Social Media Links –
Twitter: @IsabellaManci10.
Facebook Group: Books, Music and the Past
Amazon page for Olga Swan:
Giveaway to Win a signed paperback of An Englishwoman in America (Open INT)
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