Denise’s life is full, and yet completely empty. Stuck in a loveless marriage, even the thrill of running a New York City bakeshop and working at a major opera house can’t fill the gaping hole in her heart.
Then, one evening, Vincenzo Moretti walks up the grand staircase at Masterworks Opera. When their eyes meet, Denise knows it would be folly to fight her feelings.
When Vincenzo returns to his home city of Rome, Denise is heartbroken – but she always knew it wouldn’t last. Then one day, he walks back into her life….
Targeted Age Group:: Adult
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
Real-life events in my life when I was younger led me to begin this novel. In the beginning it was a kind of therapy, meant only for me to see. But then it took on a life of it's own!
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
I used to work at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC, so it was easy to come up with the characters; I simply had to look around me. I based my male lead on a specific man, but I dare not go into detail for fear he'd be recognized since he genuinely is an opera singer.
Book Sample
Denise exited the Board Room and made her way down the corridor. In the silence of the House, she heard men’s voices carried through the open space. They seemed to be right beneath her. She pinned herself against the wall and listened, even though she knew she shouldn’t.
“Vinnie, come on. You know it wasn’t your fault. No one dies because their child is bad.”
The other man – Vincenzo, she guessed – sighed. “I know that up here, Tonio.” (She imagined him tapping his head.) “But in my heart, I cannot accept it.
“I have memories of her, but nothing clear,” Tonio said in a voice that suggested he was smiling.
“Well, you are younger than me. You wouldn’t remember her well.”
Embarrassed at hearing something so personal, she stepped away from the wall, walked over to the white marble railing and looked down to the lobby below. She watched Vincenzo and Tonio ascend the staircase. Then, as she unconsciously twisted her wedding ring, Vincenzo suddenly looked up at her, as if he knew she’d heard their conversation. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
He was dressed in tight-fitting jeans and an open-neck shirt with the tails hanging outside. His dark, wavy hair was combed back, the ends coming down slightly on his neck. But what she noticed more than anything was his eyes. Even from a distance, those beautiful, deep chocolate brown eyes seemed to see directly into her soul. Then he looked away and disappeared through a doorway.
She thought he seemed sad, deep down sad, and reflected on what she’d just overheard. “Maybe he’s just tired,” she mumbled to herself. Whatever it was, she found she had an urge to comfort him. He seemed like he needed it.
Startled by her own feelings, she grabbed the katana more forcefully and made her way to another exit, taking her into the connecting tunnels under the House and back to her office in the adjacent building.
Links to Purchase Print Books
Buy After All These Years – Prelude Print Edition at Amazon
Links to Purchase eBooks – Click links for book samples and reviews
Buy After All These Years – Prelude On Amazon
All information was provided by the author and not edited by us. This is so you get to know the author better.
