Hello, reader friends! We get to hang out with one of Narelle Atkins’s fictional friends from Solo Tu
meet Sienna Rossi
Ciao! I’m Sienna Rossi and I’m excited to visit with you today. I grew up in Tuscany and moved to Australia to study to become a high school teacher. I speak four languages (Italian, English, French and Spanish) and I miss my family back home. Solo Tu is my story!
five favorite foods
Nonna’s Tuscan Bolognese
Sienna: It brings back memories of home and sitting around Nonna’s table at Villa Rossi with my family. It’s Maria’s recipe – she’s Nonna’s housekeeper and companion. I learned from Maria how to make it the traditional Tuscan way.
Beth: Our sentimental attachment to certain foods is fascinating! I do my best to make potato cakes anytime I can scrape up some leftover mashed potatoes, yum!
Panino
Sienna: Known as panini in Australia. It’s a grilled sandwich on ciabatta and one of my lunch favorites.
Beth: Mmmmm, I love hot sandwiches!
Pavlova
Sienna: I have a sweet tooth and love the variety of desserts in Australia. Pavlova is like a meringue cake that’s topped with fresh cream and fruit, for example, strawberries, blueberries, kiwifruit, and passionfruit.
Beth: Oh, Sienna! You are making me so hungry!
Vegemite
Sienna: I discovered vegemite when I first arrived in Australia, and I love it! I like having vegemite on my toast for breakfast.
Beth: I have never heard of this! I enjoy Nutella on my toast, just sayin!
Olives
Sienna: We have olive groves back home at Villa Rossi, and I love all types of olives and olive oil.
Beth: I use olive oil all the time but I just buy the big bottle with the butterfly.
q&a
Describe yourself in five words.
Sienna: Home means everything to me.
Beth: Aw, my daughter is the same way! Bless your heart!
Will readers be able to follow your story in other books?
Sienna: I’ll be back in Tuscany for La Risposta
Beth: You’re a busy gal!
If you could be an animal, which would you choose and why?
Sienna: A kangaroo, because I love all things Australian!
Beth: I’ve heard they are quite strong, excellent choice!
What is your go-to beverage?
Sienna: Coffee. I start my day with Italian espresso.
Beth: Go juice! Popular answer!
What is your comfort food?
Sienna: Tuscan Bolognese with fresh pici pasta. It’s delicious and filling and reminds me of home.
Beth: Now I’m going to have to find some Tuscan Bolognese to taste! Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Sienna!
about the book
Solo Tu by Narelle Atkins
Four years ago, Sienna defied her father by moving to Australia to obtain her teaching qualifications. Her grand plan is shaken by her father’s unexpected death and a trip back to Tuscany for her grandmother’s eightieth birthday where she renews her close bond with her sister, Alessa.
Teacher Dave Maxwell likes the freedom of his nomadic lifestyle. He works contract-to-contract, moving to different high schools around Australia. He’s in Sydney for a season, caring for his grandma while his aunt is on an extended overseas vacation.
Back in Sydney, Sienna moves in with her Aussie cousins and starts her first teaching job, torn between her dream for a future in Australia and her longing for home. Sienna and Dave work at the same school, attend the same church, and quickly become friends. They are drawn together by circumstances and an undeniable attraction.
But their idyllic time together is temporary. Can the girl from Tuscany and the boy from Australia risk everything for love?
goodreads | amazon
The Tuscan Legacy series
about the author
A fun-loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children.
A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle’s contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia.
website | facebook | twitter
A Tuscan Legacy series on facebook
giveaway
Narelle is generously providing a Kindle edition of Solo Tu
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Did you discover any new foods today, reader friends?!
Share any of Sienna’s favorites? Be sure to add Solo Tu to your tbr!
Click here for more spotlights from the authors of A Tuscan Legacy!
Faithfully Bookish 
Hi! Yes, they can.
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Hi Beth Erin, Thanks for sharing Sienna’s character interview on your blog today. ????
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Enjoyed learning more about Sienna! Thank you, Narelle! And many thanks for the spotlight, Beth Erin!
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I love this interview! So much fun, and made me hungry, lol. Like Beth Erin, I’ve never heard of vegemite!
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Hi Alexa, I must confess that I don’t actually like Vegemite. It’s a concentrated yeast spread that’s salty in flavour. Our Aussie kids grow up eating Vegemite toast and sandwiches. Thanks always preferred peanut butter, lol. 🙂
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That last sentence should read ‘I’ve always preferred peanut butter.’
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Fun interview!
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Thanks, Autumn 🙂
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Thank you for the character interview with Sienna Rossi. I’ve never heard of Pavlova or Vegemite but I’m always willing to try new things. That’s how I found out I love rattlesnake meat. 🙂
I’d love the opportunity to read “Solo Tu”.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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Hi Kay, I highly recommend you try pavlova if you like meringue desserts. Vegemite is more of an acquired taste that people tend to either love or hate. I haven’t heard of rattlesnake meat! I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Solo Tu. 🙂
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Mmmm…I love panini
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Hi Natalya, I agree, panini is good! 🙂
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I adore olives! While I don’t get too fancy with the olive oil I buy, I at least make an effort to get the stuff in tinted bottles. 🙂
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Hi Phyllis, I love olives, too! Kalamata are my favourite. Sienna is more into olive oil than I am, lol. For salad dressing I like the high quality and flavoursome olive oil. 🙂
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