My Dad, currently lounging in a hospital bed with nothing but time on his hands, sent me this question. Thanks, Dad, for keeping me on my toes.

Let’s dive into Book One: Raw Mistakes. I had to flip through the book to see the places that I’d described to see exactly what I’d written. With the exception of Leeds, all the locations in the book are places I’ve personally explored. Leeds? Well, that was just a random choice from the hat on a particularly uninspired day.

Rico’s villa nestled in the Italian vineyards? Inspired by a wine tasting tour I took  years ago. Verona, a frequent haunt for my wedding planning escapades. Zanzibar, my winter sanctuary. The retreat that Petra visited was born from a spice tour trip in the centre of the island. Every town, village, and corner of that island holds a piece of my heart.

The places on Lake Valdo, although I’ve changed the names, are towns and villages where I spend my summers. The bars, restaurants, and locations I describe are all real, apart from the one where, well, how can I say this without giving the story away? Let’s just say the restaurant with the ‘issues’ was a figment of my imagination.

Rethymon, my former stomping grounds on the island of Crete, now a distant memory. Thanks to online photos, I painted a picture of its current state, rather than relying on my foggy recollections from yesteryears. Oh, the wonders of modern technology.

So, dear readers, as you journey through the pages of my book, know that each location holds a piece of my past, present, and imagination. Enjoy the ride!