Introducing Alexia Adams and her latest release Under The Sicilian Sky... *GIVEAWAY*

What inspired you to write this book?

I was watching an episode of Sherlock, the one where he returns from the supposed dead, and I wondered what it would be like if a woman’s husband suddenly returned after a mysterious disappearance.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’ve just finished writing the second book in the Daring to Love Again series and will be starting the third book soon. I’ve also got a few other projects on the back burner that I’m hoping to complete in 2018.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Under the Sicilian Sky?

Bella is an American woman who got engaged at the age of 20 to her best friend. To escape her socialite mother’s overzealous wedding plans, she went on a whirlwind tour of Europe. In Sicily, she crashed into a farmer on his tractor and fell madly in love. She returned to the States, broke up with her fiancé (who remained a friend), was disowned by her parents, and moved to Italy to marry her Sicilian farmer. Two years later, her husband mysteriously disappeared one afternoon, leaving her with an ailing father-in-law and a failing farm.

Matteo woke up in a Tunisian hospital with no idea of who he was or how he got there. Unable to discover any trace of his past life he starts over, becoming a wealthy entrepreneur. After another knock on his head his memory resurfaces of who he was and what he left behind (although some of the pieces are fuzzy). He returns to Sicily to find out why his supposedly loving wife never reported him missing.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I don’t usually have a lot of animals in my books because my characters generally don’t stay too long in one place. Writing about a woman who ran a farm meant I could add all kinds of personalities in the guise of animals without worrying they’d demand their own book. Having said that, Estella the chicken is still miffed at me for not writing at least a children’s book about her (but between you and me, she’s a bit of a diva and even if I did write it she’d probably still complain).

Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?

Bella was disowned by her parents for marrying a man they felt was beneath her socially. Then two years later her husband disappears. She clings to her farm, knowing that it at least won’t reject or leave her. It gave her a reason to exist when everything else left. When Matteo returns she’s not sure if she can trust that he’ll stay. Especially when his freedom is threatened.

Matteo was raised by his father after his mother ran off with another man. He’s known abandonment, and as a result is incredibly loyal. Even though he couldn’t remember his own name or where he came from, there’s a wedding ring on his finger so he remained faithful to a vow he made to a woman who may no longer love him. When his memory returns he views it as a chance to sort out his past and start a new life free of encumbrances. However as soon as he sees his wife again, all the emotions he once felt for her come flooding back.

How did you come up with the title of your first novel?

The first book I wrote (not the first one published) started life as Italian Renaissance as the heroine goes to Italy and starts a new life. Then during editing it became Thyme for Love because the heroine really got into gardening. It finally emerged into the publishing world as An Inconvenient Love because it’s a marriage of convenience book where the emotions that develop between the couple complicate their lives in ways they never imagined. It’s still one of my favorite books because I rewrote it so many times until finally I learned to let the characters tell me their story rather than what I believed it to be.

Who designed your book covers?

The cover for Under the Sicilian Sky was done by the arts department at Crimson Romance/Simon & Schuster. They did use two of the images that I had found on a stock art site so I was more than happy with the result. For my self-published books, I use Steven Novak who’s a delight to work with and pretty funny to follow on Facebook as well.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

There are always a few words that you wish to change but overall, I’m pleased with the way the story turned out. It’s got humor, poignancy and a happy ending.

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Aside from never to give a crazy chicken screen time? I did a lot of research on Sicily and now really want to go see the place for myself.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

My photo inspiration for Bella was Kristen Kreuk (she played Lana Lang in Smallvillle) and I think she’d suit the role perfectly. Joe Manganiello would make a great Matteo.

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

How did you come up with name of this book?

This book started life as The Sicilian’s Forgotten Wife but I changed it just before contract because I wanted it to have less of a tropey title and hopefully attract more readers.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?

There’s a scene where the hero does the heroine’s morning chores on the farm. He’s way out of his element (he was a vegetable farmer and not used to animals) and has to Google how to milk the goats. He ends up singing them raunchy songs in Italian so they don’t bite him. I love the humor in this scene and that the hero is willing to do things he’s not sure about so the heroine can get a little more sleep. There’s also a sexy element to the scene, but you’ll have to read it to find out about that.

If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

They’re all figments of my imagination. Although sometimes it scares me how real the people in my head turn out to be.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

Oh, my characters totally take over. I’ve started outlining my stories in advance as I usually write under deadline so don’t have the luxury of letting the story rest too long. But as soon as I start writing, usually around chapter three, the characters highjack my brain and it doesn’t matter what I’ve planned, they have their story to tell and they’re going to do it. Thankfully, I’ve learned to listen.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

Have you written any other books that are not published?

Oh my, yes. I have two near-complete series that are waiting for their turn in the light. It’s my goal to see them published in either 2018 or 2019. I also have several books that I’ve started but not completed. I hope to get back to these one day. All I need is time. Anyone want to come and do my housework and cook meals for my family so I have more time to write?

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

This is an easy one because Bella actually makes candles. The scent would be lavender with a hint of lemon.