During my research, I watched the touching, evocative Irene’s Ghost made by Iain Cunningham of forwardslashfilms.com, documenting his search for the truth around the early loss of his mum. I found him on Twitter to say how much I enjoyed the film and that I was writing about the same subject. He generously offered to chat and brought out many things I hadn’t thought of to enrich Zia and make her a more nuanced character. Iain also signposted me to Action on Postpartum Psychosis, an invaluable source of information and personal experiences.

Isabella Tartaruga was so generous and kind with her time when I was unable to get to my writing retreat at Arte Umbria in the Apennine Mountains or revisit the vineyards. She answered many, many emails about Italy and read my first draft to pick up errors. Her knowledge immeasurably increased the book’s authenticity.

My brother Trevor Moorcroft helps me with much of my research – fact-finding, fact-checking and collecting the right information for me to read. I turned to him for particulars on Brighton, residency and citizenship in Italy for British subjects, vineyards, winemaking and a myriad of other details. Thanks also to Lisa Verroken for getting us information on tattoo artists; and the social media friends who answered questions that began, ‘How would you feel if …?’ or ‘Does anyone know …?’

I also did a lot of reading around the subject of single mothers and how the UK treated them during the twentieth century. Some of this information was absorbed into the background of Vicky and Tori’s stories and left me with an admiration for women who had to find ways of coping in less tolerant times.

Mark West has been a first reader for almost all my books and Under the Italian Sun was no exception. I always enjoy reading his perspicacious and pithy comments and he usually spots something no one else does.

The members of Team Sue Moorcroft are a constant source of pleasure and support, and frequently contribute names for minor characters and places. I consider myself so fortunate to have a street team.

Book bloggers: I love you! Please don’t change a thing.

I was amazed to realise that this is my tenth book with Avon HarperCollins. I couldn’t get them to you without the wonderful Avon team, my awesome agent Juliet Pickering, who meets every challenge calmly, and all at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. Big thanks to every one of my publishers around the world.

And thank you for reading Under the Italian Sun and my other books. My job is a delight because of you.

Keep Reading …

Loved Under the Italian Sun? Then why not try one of Sue’s other sizzling summer reads or cosy Christmas stories?

The perfect way to escape the every day.

Sparks are flying on the island of Malta …

An uplifting summer read that will raise your spirits and warm your heart.

Click here to find out more!