No empty nest for me. In fact, I sold the nest, shed half of my belongings, put the other half in storage and moved to Italy. After 10 years as a single mom, I was ready for an adventure.

I took an apartment in Florence on a lively street called Via Tavanti and within days, my Under the Tuscan Sun fantasy ruptured along with a pipe leading from one of my two bidets. I tried not to take it as a bad omen. But when I incurred the wrath of my Mafia princess neighbor, I knew I had only two choices: run like hell or let the drama unfold.

I opted for DRAMA. (I’m a writer, after all.)

Come with me on my mid-life adventure, which begins on a fateful day in a Florence piazza when I meet an irrepressible Romeo…the first of many Tales from Tavanti, the funny, poignant, romantic memoir of my year in Italy.

 

I now live in Giverny, France…

It’s been 10 years since I wrote Tales from Tavanti. I didn’t imagine then that I’d write another book. But gradually, I came to realize I have so many books I want to write. So far, I’ve written four more, inspired by my travels that have taken me to wonderful places.

Florence became my second home for several years. Eventually, a new place beckoned. While writing my two novels The Secret of Marie and The Sound of His Voice, I spent a lot of time in Giverny, immortalized on canvas by Impressionist painter Claude Monet. And then, in an extraordinary twist of fate, I found myself in a life-changing love story, proving life sometimes imitates art — and the other way around.

I feel like I’ve found my “patch” in Giverny. If you’re planning a visit, please let me know. As you’ll note on the TRAVEL WITH ME page, I’m happy to be a guide for small groups. I’ve learned a lot about Giverny’s history and would love to show you parts of the village that many visitors never see.

I look forward to sharing tales and photos from this corner of paradise I now call home.

 

LATEST BOOK…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Website text and photos (except where credited otherwise):

© Rebecca Bricker 2011-2019

Banner art: the extraordinary Phil Mendez