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Posts Tagged ‘My Father The Assassin’

Ciao Ragazzi and  big welcome to all my new followers,

My apologies for being a day late, but there has been a lot of fun and excitement this last week.  Today I am talking about a Shifting Villa, Bunga Bunga Parties with the gorgeous Silvio, the Mille Miglia, Harry Honda, Farty Barty, ‘My Father, The Assassin’ and Rain, Rain, Rain.

A couple of weeks ago all the internal doors on the east side of the villa started squeaking and dragging the ground.  So last Saturday my man got his big Jemmy and some oil and asked me which doors he should tackle.  To our amazement they had all returned to normal.  We mentioned this strange phenomenon in the cafe bar at Fiano and everyone shrugged and said it was normale in these hills.  The ground below the villa had probably shifted a fraction and then moved back a week later.  Signore Rotund (not his real name) told us how his house had formed a crack as wide as his fist, a big plump fist, and a few weeks later it had closed up again!  We were also told, in Italian of course, that our house had been in the same place for 200 years and that they knew of several that had moved as far as the next village!

The big excitement of the week was our joining the Mille Miglia race for the leg between Poggibonsi and Tavernelle.  This is an annual event that has wonderful classic cars road racing from southern to northern Italy with stops for picnics and vino.  What a thrill it is to be nose to tail with Bentleys, Alpha Romeos and Lamborghini!  What  was that you said?  Oh, our car….Er, well it is called Harry Honda and if I was being honest with you I would admit to our having ‘accidentally’ got caught up in the race for the fourth time.  But don’t you just love it when the crowds wave to you!

Farty Barty, our grey tiger cat, got a reprieve yesterday.  We had borrowed a cat box to take him to the vet for his jabs and the little gate fell off before we even got him to the car, so he made a dash for it!  Well who can blame him.  He’s suffered worse and still returned to be fed.  When we moved house he returned to his old one and waited for us to go back and feed him.  Now, we are reliably informed, he visits his old friends, and probably children, on a regular basis.

Farty Barty

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So, what has the lovely Silvio Burlesconi been up to.  The courts are currently going over has past life and his love of Bunga Bunga parties.  Apparently the girlies all dressed up as Nuns and then did a striptease!  If he had wanted the real thing he could have just popped next door into the Vatican City!

Well, I have ordered a carton of my book, ‘My Father, The Assassin’ from the publisher as I have worked out that I can make a bigger profit if I buy in bulk and sell them to the tourists.  The only problem is that the tourists are still thin on the ground in Fiano, however, a neighbour did spot one yesterday!  If you are in the area and would like a signed copy, let me know!

The weather has been awful and I feel really sorry for the visitors.  However, when the sun comes out it is blissfully hot.  We are going to take a chance and head off to Montespertoli for our traditional Sunday cocktail in the main Piazza and to watch the world go by.  We might then drop into one of our local restaurants ‘C’era Una Volta’ (Once upon a time) at Lucardo for lunch.  Hey, the sun has just come out so we are off….salute.

Buona Domenica and see you next weekend xx

Here is the direct link for my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Father-The-Assassin-Finnigan/dp/1481904396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358800225&sr=8-1

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Buon Giorno Ragazzi

Welcome to another weekly blog and con piacere to all my new followers!  Today I will be talking about Burning Hats, Bee Eaters, Rain, Acacia Trees, Jasmin, Silvio Burlesconi and ‘My Father, The Assassin.

The exiting event of this last week was my man setting light to his hat when he was still wearing it!  He has been helping our son-in-law (genero) prune, clear and burn the debris from the olive trees.  He was in charge of the bonfires.  Now one has to be careful not to let the fire spread and fortunately the land was fairly damp.  However, bits kept floating upwards and what goes up must come down.  He smelt something burning very close at hand and could not identify it until some rancid smoke blew done over his face!  Then he realized he was on fire and grabbed his hat just before the flames started on his hair.  He still has a handsome crop of hair, so that was a relief!  Sadly, it is goodbye to his ancient green jungle hat that he wore as a young Marine…..

Some good news.  Just about all of our feathered friends from North Africa are now here, including the beautiful Bee Eater.  The birdsong is fabulous, even at night.  In the garden and countryside the Acacia trees are dripping with white blossom and starting to send their snow flurries of seeds drifting slowly through the air.  Soon the roadsides will look like we have had an overnight snow shower.  The Jasmin is particularly lush this year, and the perfume is to die for.  We have had quite a lot of rain this last week which, with the help of warm sunny breaks, has encouraged every imaginable wild flower to burst through the grassy banks.

Bee Eaters in Acacia Tree

https://i0.wp.com/www.birdforum.net/opus/images/thumb/d/d8/European_Bee-eater.jpg/550px-European_Bee-eater.jpg

And how is our gorgeous friend Silvio Berlusconi doing? Mama Mia, his tax fraud conviction has been upheld on its first appeal!  He says his conviction is politically motivated and he is expected to appeal to Italy’s highest court.  Slip in a few gold bars here and there, that’s what I say…..

Back in our local village of Fiano, I am very excited to tell you that Milko, our local Stationer (Cartoleria) has placed his book order for ‘My Father, The Assassin’.  I’ll start with three, he said, what cartons I asked, no three books and we’ll see how the tourists take to them!  No silly comments please….  But we don’t care about that, Amazon is doing a reasonably good job.    Run your cursor over to the right of this page and you can buy one now!

Well the weather is now gorgeous and it’s time to organize pranzo in the garden.  Then we can look forward to the beautiful light display put on by the Fire Flies this evening.

Buona Domenica x

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Ciao Amici

Well here we are again, with lots to talk about and smile at.  Today I will be talking about my being famous in Fiano, the Italian stampede to buy plants for the vegetable gardens, Silvio Berlusconi (who?), Enrico Letta (who?), Big slabs of concrete and Italian roadworks.

I am delighted to report that our local cartoleria (stationers) in Fiano, run by Milko and his lovely mother, want to sell my novel to the tourists.  Milko thinks they should promote me as their local famous writer!  Well, I said (in Italian of course) I am delighted to hear it, you are the first bookseller to suggest this, so I had better order you a batch!

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After two months of political wilderness, things seem to be coming together here.  Enrico Letta has been nominated as the new Prime Minister by our aging friend President Giorgio Napolitano.  He’s only in his forties, which kind of goes along with a number of other European countries, and has the ear of the lovely Silvio Berlusconi.  Silvio, however, wants back in as Minister of the Economy.  In other words he’ll still be running the country!  This is important as he is also a great advertisement for the thousands of hairdressers, plastic surgeons and makeup artists in the country.

My man and I went to Certaldo this morning and got caught up in the stampede to buy freshly delivered plants for the vegetable gardens (l’orti).  It’s important not to be shy on occasions like this, because everyone pushes in front of one another.  Fortunately, I am taller than the average Italian and can shout as loud as the locals, so got my purchases reasonably quickly!  We will be planting Courgettes (zucchini), peppers (pepperoni), and numerous herbs (l’erbe) this weekend, assuming the rain stays away.

Last Wednesday, I set out for Fiano and my coffee fix.  After two km’s of dusty track I came to the main road and turned left for Fiano.  Then I was waved down by a local farmer (contadino), who told me to turn found, because the three week old landslide was finally being removed and the road was blocked by diggers and cranes.  So I did and found the road blocked the other way by more workmen and a no through sign!  So I retrace my steps and the only way to go was back past my villa and down to Certaldo for coffee!  We have a favourite saying here – ‘Only in Italy!’  Thursday, the road was open again and vast concrete blocks have been placed below the cleared landslide – unfortunately the Italians love concrete!

I have not included a snippit from ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan today, but will do so next weekend.  Why not view the whole book on Amazon!

Buona Domenica x

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Thank you fellow bloggers, Facebook and Twitter friends for liking my blog. Today I will be talking about The Patter of Giant Feet, The Sounds of the Chianti Hills, The Hoopie, Jasmin & Wisteria and being famous in Certaldo.

Last Tuesday (Martedi) I was happily writing away when suddenly the house started to tremble, and the sound of giant footsteps thundered under my studio.  It only lasted seconds, however, experiencing a mini earthquake is not a pleasant thing!  In addition, the usually muted sounds of our part of the Chianti hills have exploded into a crescendo of traffic noise.  These vehicles are following a diversion sign that takes them right past our villa along a dusty track, whilst the main road is cleared of a three week old landslide!

I am not complaining, it would take a lot to dent my complete happiness of living in this fabulous spot.  The sounds that are a joy to hear are the squeeking of ancient tractors trundling up and down between the vines and the strimmers as they clear the mosquito (zanzara) infested long grass in the olive groves.  Yes, the mozzies have arrived, I got my first bite last Tuesday!  But we don’t care about that because it means that summer is almost here!  (If you are coming to Tuscany make sure you have mozzi protection).

On Wednesday morning, I opened my bedroom window to see a pair of Hoopies in our upper terrace.  They are very shy and very beautiful, it took my breath away.  Now we await the arrival of the other stunning feathered friend, the Bee Eater.  The sound of their singing is so lovely and relaxing.

The Hoopie

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The Jasmin and Wisteria have burst into flower.  Not only beautiful but filling the air with intoxicating perfumes.  I have bought more plants today in Certaldo where a number of locals approached me and asked if I was the famous writer!  Being modest, I said yes and gave out more cards for their English speaking friends.  I must organize a translation of ‘My Father, The Assassin’ into Italiano.

Here is an exert from chapter 14, Joanna has been introduced to Abdul who has important information about her deceased father.  It is the dead of night in her hotel room…..

……..Abdul shifted in his seat, quickly pulled out a rather grey handkerchief and wiped his brow.  He had a small thin swarthy appearance with a rather oversized drooping moustache, which he constantly twirled around his fore finger.  His hair was thinning and greying and I put him probably in his late fifties.

        “When Major Worme first arrived on the scene,” he continued “I had no reason to suspect him of anything other than being an old friend from England.  He was, however, an insatiable philanderer and I became very concerned that the Prince may be mixing with the wrong company.  He, the Prince, had married one of the most desirable women in Malaysia and even she was not safe from Worme’s advances.  The Prince refused to believe me when I warned him that this was the case and he threatened to have me flogged if I ever mentioned it again.  The Prince was a fool and was completely mesmerized by the man.”

Here is the direct link for my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan.  Enjoy and please spread the word!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Father-The-Assassin-Finnigan/dp/1481904396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358800225&sr=8-1

Salute June x

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Ciao Ragazzi

 My man and I have just returned from our coffee fix in Fiano and I am getting on with this blog, which I had intended doing yesterday!  A glorious day and expected to be 24 degrees by lunchtime.  Today I am talking about the lovely Silvio B, the Cuckoo and My Father, The Assassin.

 “La casa brucia, altro che pettinarele bombole. Governo forte o elezione!”  The house is on fire, another that combs the cylinders!  Strong government or election!  Well that’s the translation as quoted on his personal Facebook page ten hours ago.  Silvio Berlusconi will be back.  Vertically challenged, rotund and wearing makeup, at 76 a very high percentage of the female voters love him.  506,000 ‘like’ him on Facebook and you can be sure they are not all women.  Crowds have been thronging to the piazzas to hear him blow his own trumpet.

 So, on to the subject of the cuckoo.  No the bird variety silly!  Our feathered friend arrived last Tuesday and locals are talking excitedly about the formal arrival of spring.  All outside areas from balconi to giardini are being made ready for living and eating outside. And the weekenders, who own the property behind us, are outside playing ping-pong.  I cannot describe how good it is to be breathing in the warm scented air.

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 My man thought you might like to read an extract of my novel, ‘My Father, The Assassin’.  Now remember this is his idea, however, if you have not already read the book I will be interested to know if it encourages you to do so.  So here is a bit of chapter 6 where Joanna is preparing to leave for Singapore on her quest to follow the ghost of her father; she rings her daughter Emma…..

 After putting the phone down on the enthusiastic Jimmy, I realised that I was probably rushing into this adventure of mine without any proper planning.  I rang Emma.  “Mum, how are you?  Harrys just landed himself a superb job running the John Nichols Golf and Country Club.  That means we have free access to all the facilities and its the best club in the country now.  Did you know that annual membership is £15,000 a year and you need to be sponsored by an existing member?  Harry wont have to pay his fee anymore, instead they’re going to be paying him – isnt that just amazing?  Oh god!  Finny has just come in with the dead rabbit the cat was playing with, hold on a minute!”  The receiver clattered onto the table, and I listened to Emma shouting at Finny the lurcher and trying to retrieve the poor dead rabbit. “Blast” Emma gasped, “hes gone under the bed with it, can you believe it?  Harry will have to sort it out; Finny doesnt take a blind bit of notice of me!  where were we – oh yes, and my friends are so jealous.  We thought we might have our wedding reception there, what do you think?”

“I didnt know you were getting married!” I gasped.  “Of course you know, Mum, It’s living in the depth of beyond that makes you to lose your memory all the time,” Emma quipped.  “Emma, I need your help.  I want to fly out to Singapore to do some research, and need to be away for two to three weeks.  I wondered if yourself, Harry and Finny would like to come down and house sit for me.  It would be ideal for you all and you badly need to take a rest.  Dippy would love to see Finny again and….”  I was suddenly interrupted.  “Actually mum, that’s a brilliant idea, we have just been talking about taking one of those Landmark Trust properties for a couple of weeks; coming down to Devon would be an even better idea.  Harry doesnt start his job until the middle of next month, leave it with me!”  And she was gone.

 Here is the direct link to the novel;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Father-The-Assassin-Finnigan/dp/1481904396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358800225&sr=8-1

 Drop me a line and don’t forget to share with all your social networks!

 Have a great week, June x

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My Father, The Assassin

Here is the direct link for my novel ‘My Father, The Assassin’ by J W Finnigan.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Father-The-Assassin-Finnigan/dp/1481904396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358800225&sr=8-1

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Ciao Ragazzi

I am a little late with this blog and I apologise for that, but it has been a very busy weekend.  Today I am talking about my book, earthquakes, landslips, the Italian Government and the kindness of local people.

Firstly, a big thank you to all you lovely people who have bought my book and, more importantly, for having read it.  Your glowing emails have been heartwarming and spurs me on to complete ‘The Bolivian Connection’ as soon as possible.  I would really appreciate your returning to Amazon and leaving a review as this is very important for my following.  Also, don’t forget to share with all your social networks!  Here is the link again.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Father-The-Assassin-Finnigan/dp/1481904396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358800225&sr=8-1

Last Thursday was the fourth anniversary of the dreadful earthquake that destroyed a good part of L’Aquila.  Six months ago scientists were convicted of manslaughter for failing to communicate the danger and articles have recently been written questioning the events of 31st January when thousands evacuated their homes in the Garfagnana north of Pisa.  decisions to evacuate are taken by the local mayors;  Italy never used to worry quite so much about ‘little’ tremors, but now the smallest indication of an earthquake creates ‘alarmism’.  Scientists were so shaken when their colleagues were put on trial, they now issue earthquake warnings that are often exaggerated to protect themselves, according to one spokesperson.

I cannot speak for the whole country, however, our region of Tuscany is constantly moving.  We have experienced more landslips blocking roads and roads falling away over the last year, than ever before.  On a lighter note, the geologists and fossil hunters of this world would find the area fascinating.  Hard to believe that these dolce colline (sweet hills) were once under the sea, thus the fabulous array of shells and fossils that fall out of the crumbling hillsides.

Matteo Renzi Matteo renzi (2).JPG

I will report back to you next weekend on the state of our non-government.  Meanwhile, the mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzie (above), known as Rottamatore (scrapper) by the Italian media and number two in the Democratic party, has suggested doing a deal with Berlusconi’s Populare Liberta party in forming a government.  Pier Luigi Bersani, he of the shiny bald head & most votes, currently secretary of the Democratic party is furious as he hates the aging yet lovely Silvio.   This has now split the party once again.

Back at our local bar/alimentare in Fiano, the locals shrug and hold their hands up over both the landslides and politics.  Niente e nuove (nothing is new)!  The rotund signore who is usually reading La Nazione and likes to make cheeky remarks about the English,  shocked me by giving me present the other day.  A lovely silver wine bottle collar for catching the drips!

So life goes on and mostly in a very relaxed way.

Alla prossima June x

 

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This morning I look down from our hilltop to a frozen landscape of valleys filled with freezing fog that look just like lakes.  A different kind of beauty and a little awe inspiring.  Image

My man set out at seven o’clock this morning to collect the grandson and son-in-law on the way to Siena.  There they will pick up the coach to take them to Roma to watch Italy beat Wales at rugby.  I hope I’m right about it being Wales!  Last Saturday my man drove across to our wine supplier across the valley below us.  There Claudio fills our empty bottles and my man puts in the corks with a special punching machine.  It’s a nice man thing, and he comes back feeling rather pleased with himself.  The Chianti is delicious and organic as it has not yet gone through the processing bit.  Mmmm, I fancy a glass now but it is only 9am, so I will wait a bit!  Claudio exports his wine world wide and you should visit his website at http://www.corbinelli.it.

I am currently playing very loud rock music as I have finalized the repertoire for my next concert in June.  It’s good to brainwash myself with the same music (25 tracks) whilst I am writing.  If you did not get an invite last year and would like to come this year, send me your email address!

Back at the local cafe bar; I no longer have to carry my own coffee to my table because I am a famous author.  No, no Juni they say, (Italians cannot say June) we will bring your espresso fix over.  The Italian for June is Giugno.  Now the Italians find this a little odd because it is masculine and I have to explain that June in Inglese (English) is feminine.

Well, I must crack on with ‘The Bolivian Connection’ which is the follow on novel to ‘My Father, The Assassin’.  My heroine, Joanna, is currently organising herself for a trip to Bolivia for the reading of her deceased father’s will.  Now I know what’s ahead of her, but she doesn’t.  It will be yet another thrilling adventure and I will be with her all the way!

Not read ‘My Father, The Assassin’ yet? Go to

http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Father-The-Assassin-Finnigan/dp/1481904396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358800225&sr=8-1

Have a good week and see you next Saturday, Salute June xx

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