Spring. Sunshine. Gardening. Picnics, concerts in the park, swimming, and reading. Here at Always Summer Books, every season is summer reading time, and spring is no exception. I’ve got reviews of a few more books to share with you, and also the upcoming schedule for Bianca’s Vineyard book signings (see below). For those of you who […]

As I finish up the sequel to Bianca’s Vineyard (to be released this fall), I want to send out a big mille grazie to my readers.  Your encouragement and the stories you’ve shared with me over the last few months have strengthened me in ways you can’ t imagine and have greatly enriched my life.  And […]

  Albany, Oregon’s “White House” that is!! Debbie Lusk, owner of a lovely B&B in Albany called The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn, and a representative for Travel Oregon, invited me to speak at her Chick Lit Book Club on Thursday, Feb.2.   It was held in a beautiful historic home, The Cathey House which is dubbed “The […]

  Here’s a great opportunity to win a free copy of Bianca’s Vineyard just in time for Christmas.  I met the owner of Viovi Juice at the Italian Festa in Seattle this fall.  Giuseppe Mascarella was a great guy, full of sunshine and energy, just like the new line of  orange juice he sells!  He […]

Like the moment just before pushing off  the top of a water slide, I hear a collective gasp of air as we hurtle our way into the holidays.  It’s great fun, and the warmth of family and friends is precious, but coming out the other side of the holidays relaxed and armed with nostalgic memories is […]

  On Saturday, October 22, at 2:00 in the afternoon, I will be signing copies of my novel at Grassroots Bookstore in Corvallis, Oregon.  For those not familiar with the home of the Oregon State Beavers, Grassoorts is a classic university town bookstore located on SW Second St. across from Francesco’s gelateria. That’s right — gelato.  A […]

I attended my first Festa Italia in Seattle last weekend and, as I expected, it was soooo much fun.  The weather was perfect for most of it.  It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Seattle’s Convention Center, so I’d forgotten how beautiful the area is.  With its boho flavor, lovely boulevards and the […]

Kerry-Lynne Demaris Brown (left)                                            FESTA ITALIA                PORTLAND, OREGON       I was honored to be a part of Portland’s Festa Italia this year.  Great music, food and comraderie!  When I closed my eyes, I felt like I was back in Italy.  For those of you who didn’t make it this […]

                            Italy never disappoints.  Not for me, or my husband, or children and their spouses.  Everything about it is sensual; the wine, the food, the art, the landscape, the people.  There’s really  no other way to describe it.  It’s a land of simple pleasures […]

  At Babe’s memorial service in Davenport, Iowa, Margie Kager — the eldest child of Violenza’s brother Silverio — gave me a copy of a letter she wrote to the Italian Bertozzis sharing her memories of Egisto.  I think Bianca’s Vineyard readers will enjoy her recollections:   To our Bertozzi Family in Italy: After reading the book “Bianca’s Vineyard” that […]