The Book of Love is a novel by Phillipa Fioretti.

‘Travel from Sydney to Rome in a whirlwind of vintage dresses and daring actions in this romantic comedy debut by Australian author Phillipa Fioretti.

An enchanting and stylish adventure about a Roman holiday gone wrong’. ♥

Before I go into the interview with Phillipa, I want to have a minute to explain how important this book has been to me personally. As Ive mentioned in other book reviews prior to this one, Im not normally akined to the writings of fiction. In fact I believe I can be quoted as saying ‘I just don’t read fiction- ever’, Id prefer to watch a movie.

Well this book has changed things, who would have thought. I recieved a forward copy of The Book Of Love as I plain and simply fell ‘in love’ with the cover. A shallow statement yes, but truthful. On seeing the cover I thought ‘well a lot of effort has gone into the beauty and detail of the cover so I can only imagine what is written’.

So after receiving my copy I unwrapped it to find this magnificent cover and an even more beautiful delicately illustrated and coloured inside sleeve.

In a nut shell the book is both riveting funny in part and keeps you reading for hours. Heres a short run down of what takes place…♣

Lily a queen of style in retro clothes, and Robbie, her boyfriend, run a second hand book shop in Paddington, Sydney.

In a shipment of old books from Nairobi, Robbie discovers a rare french book of ancient Roman erotica. With only four copies in existence, and valued at twenty million dollars, he is determined to sell it despite Lily’s suggestion to return it to the French government.

Days later , William, a dashing Russian employed by a London fine arts firm in London to retrieve stolen artworks arrives at the shop. Robbie refuses to hand over the book, and disappears, taking his and Lily’s life savings with him. And well, the rest you will have to read and find out. ♥

Interview with Phillipa Fioretti ♥

What is the name of your business/businesses/blog/website/Book?

My book is called The Book of Love.

For the blog I use my name, Phillipa Fioretti

When did you launch your business/businesses/blog/website/Book?

I started the blog a year ago and my book is published this month by Hachette Australia. There’ll be a couple of launches for the book, but the blog started very quietly  – with a cup of tea and fumbling attempts at HTML. I love blogging and the freedom it brings. I roam all over the place garnering images and ideas for it. I’d like to develop the site a bit further, but that requires a little more technical knowledge than I have now. I’ll get there, however!

How did you choose your name for the business/blog/website/Book?

My blog, phillipafioretti.com.au, is where people can find out a little more about my books and other activities, they can comment and browse through posts connected to writing, creativity, food, mythology, shoes, Italy, poems, vintage clothes, art images and more. It seemed logical to use my name to group it all under.

The title for my book refers to a rare book of ancient Roman erotica that is stolen and turns up in an antiquarian bookshop in Sydney. Lily, who owns the bookshop, and William who is after the book, get caught up in love throughout the book. So it’s a two-for-one title.

What is your current position/career? (where?)

I’m a writer and I work from home.

How many years have you been operating in your field/career?

I’ve been writing for four years and blogging for one.

What is the favourite part of what you do?

Retreating into my imagination

What did you study if you did, if not what other jobs have you had?

Archaeology, Anthropology and Philosophy in an Arts degree, Sculpture in a Visual Arts degree, and Museum Studies in a postgraduate diploma

Where are you located?

In my study – with the door shut.

How many hours a day would you say you work?

Between 4 and seven, depending on the day – during school holidays I tend to get less done because that study door just keeps getting opened.

What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?

I love writing stories, and discovering that I love it has been hugely exciting for me. And of course, let’s not forget being offered a two-book contract by a major publisher. One of the best things about being published is working with people who know and love your book and want to help develop it. That makes it live, as opposed to being shut away in the bottom drawer for years. Friends and family can get a bit glassy eyed when the ‘book’ subject comes up!

Name your top 3 online stores or blogs/sites? and why?

The Sartorialist – because I like to see how real people put themselves together, Zodee – because they sell Omsa Italian hosiery and a blog called Little Augury. I find this a fascinating blog, it’s American and the blogger describes it as ‘truly eclectic. It may be interior design-my life long career. Style, design, architecture, social history, with talk about what links them all.’ I spend quite a bit of time there, browsing and exploring links.

Who is your mentor and why?

I don’t have a mentor, but I have had people in my life who have influenced me in positive ways. I’m fortunate to have parents who love to read, and who love to ‘look’ – by that I mean, in art galleries, museums, picture and photography books, films and magazines. And my partner is an insanely hard worker and has demonstrated to me what can be achieved if you put in the effort.

If you could meet anyone in the world alive or passed who would it be and what would you ask them?

I’d like to meet Maria Callas. I’d ask her about life and men, love, creativity, happiness, career and everything in-between.

What is your favourite colour?

I am drawn to blues and greens, but I also have a small fetish for rich earthy browns and ochres. I can’t wear earthy colours but they always catch my eye.

What is your favourite era – design &/or fashion wise?

Berlin between the wars

What is your favourite place in the world?

Anywhere I’m having a laugh with friends.

What is your goal for your business/blog/book in the next 12 months?

For my book – I hope it sells very well and readers enjoy it. I’m working on the sequel at the moment and feeling a little sad I’ll have to say goodbye to my characters once the sequel is finished. My goal beyond the sequel is to develop another group of characters with whom I can get passionately involved in and who beg me for a book of their own.

For my blog – I’d like more interaction with readers, and I’ll be continuing with posts on the themes in my books, and on all things that catch my eye and contribute to my writing life.

If you could be a vintage dress or outfit – which one would you be?  (this one is just for s a bit of fun)

Years ago I saw a photo taken in the nineteen thirties of a woman wearing a turban and a silk satin devore jacket in eggplant and chocolate shades with mandarin sleeves and I thought it was the most exquisite creation I’d ever seen. It whispered style, decadence, sensuality, and I wanted it badly.

But as I can’t have it, I’ll be it.

What are you watching on Tv or reading at the moment? (either or both)

I’m reading Peter Temple’s The Broken Shore and really enjoying his ear for Australian slang and banter. Police, like nurses, have this laconic black humour, so much of it is dark, quick and clever – I love it.

♥ Available at most book shops around Australia and online – April 2010.

The Hachette Book Group – Hachette Australia : www.hachette.com.au

What is the name of your business/businesses/blog/website?

www.dailyimprint.blogspot.com

When did you launch your business/businesses/blog/website?

June 2007

How did you choose your name for the business/blog/website?

I’d just been to the Sydney Writers’ Festival and many publishers spoke about their imprints – ie, the publishing divisions within the “house”. I liked the idea of using this word for its other meaning too – leaving a mark.

What is your current position/career? (where?)

I now have more hats than in my wardrobe. Deputy editor, real living magazine. Blogger, Daily Imprint. Contributor, Babyccino Kids. Mother to Mr Independent, Little C. And a writer – always a writer. I have so many notebooks filled with novels, poems, thoughts, dreams… not to mention scrapbooks filled with freelance writing work – travel features, film reviews and the like. Oh, and I’ve just started styling too!

How many years have you been operating in your field/career?

Well, I’ve been a storyteller and dreamer for as long as I can remember, and come to think of it a decorator too! But work-wise I did work experience for a financial news company in the last year of my arts degree and was offered a job. That was about 11 years ago. Since then I’ve worked as a finance reporter, online news broadcaster, medico-politics writer/sub-editor and arts writer. About four years ago I joined real living magazine and now I’m the deputy editor.

What is the favourite part of what you do?

I love that every day is different. I love that I meet passionate people. I love that I’m inspired every day. I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

How many hours a day would you say you work?

More than I can count! I don’t really stop.

What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?

Being made deputy editor of Real Living was a definite jump up in the air moment. Most days I pinch myself. I’m also always blown away with the people who agree to appear on Daily Imprint.

Name your top 3 online stores or blogs/sites? and why?

They tend to rotate. At the moment I’m loving my office husband’s newly created blog of his styling adventures -  www.mrjasongrant.blogspot.com; I love seeing what friend and former colleague Belinda Graham is up to at www.thehappyhomeblog.com and I’ve become hooked on Marcus Hay’s blog too – as I love getting an insight into the styling life in New York – www.marcushayfluffnstuff.blogspot.com

Who is your mentor and why?

Without a doubt, real living editor Deborah Bibby. If I can be half the woman she is – not only in terms of work, but style and her approach to life in general – then I will be a very happy person. She’s also very giving of her time and is always open and encouraging for people to pursue their dreams.

If you could meet anyone in the world alive or passed who would it be and what would you ask them?

It would be Ernest Hemmingway – and I’d ask him if I could come along for the journey in St Germain, Venice, Africa and Cuba.

What is your favourite colour?

Blue in all its permutations – indigo, teal, turquoise…

What is your favourite era – design &/or fashion wise?

I’m more of a live for today kinda gal. But I would love to be transported back to Paris in the 1920s and New York in the early 1960s – just for a week or two.

What is your favourite place in the world?

Walking along the sand on Bondi Beach at dawn, dreaming of New York City.

What is your goal for your business/blog in the next 12 months?

Now that would be telling, wouldn’t it! Let’s just say more amazing interviews, more behind the scenes, more of the good life in Bondi.

If you could be a super hero or cartoon character who would it be? (this one is just for s a bit of fun)

Top Cat

My interview with Natalie Walton has been one of the most interesting so far. While Natalie and I forged a friendship initially over a years worth of emails we finally met in person a few weeks ago. We picked North Bondi as our meeting place and had the company of her little boy (absolutely adorable) and chatted about how she manages to balance it all. We also talked of her up and coming projects and the day to day life of a deputy editor and how much she loves her work. Our Style Tree collage above is just a small snippet of the life and times of Natalie (deputy editor, wife, mother, friend etc).♥

♥ A must view is Natalie’s blog – www.dailyimprint.blogspot.com

♥ What is the name of your business/businesses? Skout Trade Fair, Skout, Kids Product Directory and  Trifle

When did you launch your business/businesses? Oct 2008, Nov 2008 and August 2009 respectively

How did you choose your name for the business? Ha ha ha … oh my gosh .. well – Skout … ummmm….. I am not sure really … I wanted to start a blog about kids “stuff” … so Scout was the name I liked…. But of course was taken then my gorg graphic designer suggested Scout with a K … very European !  Trifle was a name I chose in the car on the way to my sons rugby match out of town… its symbolizes the layers of different ingredients to make a whole… and also reminds me of celebrations- Christmas and the like… and crystal bowls !

How many years have you been operating in your field? I used to be a kidswear designer, owning my own company for 4 years.  While I loved it … it was a lot of hard work .. for very little financial return (as many designers can attest to) … so we sold that business and shortly after I started Skout to help other businesses !

What is the favourite part of what you do? Definitely the relationships I have formed with some of the most tralented and passionate people on the planet !

What did you study if you did, if not what other jobs have you had ? ha ha ha … OK .. this is funny … I studied a BA in Criminology and Education… then I went on to do my Masters in Public Policy (yawn!)

Where are you located? The most gorgeous place on earth .. Queenstown – New Zealand

How many hours a day would you say you work? Hmmmm …. not sure really …. We have 3 little ones .. so it is never consistent! I’m a creative by nature…. So generally when the passion and mood strikes me. Or when I have to ! .. like doing my GST ! grump.

Name your top 3 online stores or blogs/sites? and why?Trifle of course www.trifleshoppe.com papier mache magazine – www.papier-mache.com.au/ ummmmm…… Bloesem Kids – bkids.typepad.com

Who is your mentor and why? I don’t really have a mentor ….. my family is definitely my driving force though … to provide both an example to my kids- especially my daughter .. and of course to do my part in bringing us financial security.

If you could meet anyone in the world alive or passed who would it be and what would you ask them? My Great Great Grandmother…. I would ask her if she was well proud of the family that she had created …

What is your favourite colour? I am so boring – I like neutrals and white and black … but if I had to choose it would prob be red ?

What is your favourite place in the world? Home x

♥ What is your goal for your business in the next 12 months? World domination – mwah ha ha ha ha

♥ www.skouttradefair.com

&  ♥ www.trifleshoppe.com