Today I have yet another friend (aren’t I blessed) and fabulous author on my blog – a warm welcome to Alli Sinclair. I first met Alli a few years ago at the Romance Writers of Australia conference and instantly fell in love with her, so I’m so pleased she landed a three book deal with my wonderful publisher HARLEQUIN BOOKS! Alli’s book sounds amazing and I loved the sample I read, so I can’t wait to pick my own copy up next week when I go to Perth… but until then, it’s over to Alli to talk about her love of Argentina and how it inspired LUNA TANGO.
The first time I arrived in Argentina, I had dreams of scaling Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas. Before commencing the expedition I had a five day layover in Buenos Aires and what started out as a simple exploration of the Paris of the Americas led to a never-ending love affair with Argentina.
The natural beauty, divine architecture, rich cultural heritage, friendly people (and mouthwatering ice-cream!) captivated me in a way no other country has done since. The hauntingly beautiful tango music captured my soul as I learnt to dance in traditional tango halls, the experience changing my life forevermore.
One of my most prized possessions are these tango paintings I bought from an artist in San Telmo, a district in Buenos Aires crowded with cobblestoned streets that snake between baroque buildings housing antique shops and 1940s style restaurants. As the tango musicians played and dancers created magic with their graceful moves, the artist handed me the paintings and said, ‘I hope you have a nice place to hang my art in your home.’ Not long after I realized the paintings, and my heart, had found a new home—in Argentina.
BLURB:
Tango, like love, is complicated
Desperate to understand the reason her mother abandoned her twenty years ago to become a world-class tango dancer, journalist Dani McKenna delves into the world of tango in the hope of exposing decades of lies and deception that have threatened three generations of her family.
When Dani meets the enigmatic Carlos Escudero—a revered tango dancer and man of intense passion—they work together to understand why her grandmother lives in fear of all things tango, and how the brutal murder of a tango music legend in 1950s Buenos Aires now affects her family.
Despite her lack of rhythm, Dani and Carlos create their own dance of the souls, until the differences in their cultures causes a deep rift. As she seeks to reconnect with Carlos and rebuild her family, Dani finds tango—the dance of passion—becomes a complicated dance of betrayal.
Check out Alli’s fabulous book trailer here.
And you can find Alli online at her website, on Facebook and Twitter.
And Alli is launching a super special competition on the official release day this Friday – the winner will receive a one-off prize that has been created especially for this competition. Click below for more information:
Alli, I love your passion for this wonderful place. Aren’t we lucky that it inspired your book? I can’t wait to read it and I’ve already got my ticket for the book launch. Congratulations on your debut release *hugs*
Thank you so much, Lauren! I’m looking forward to seeing you at the launch and yes, it is so wonderful to have found a place that captures the heart. It’s been so long since I lived in Argentina but I still miss it every day!
The book sounds very interesting, definitely going on my to-buy-list. The paintings are gorgeous so vibrant and striking! Congrats on your release.
Thank you so much, Sue! I adore those paintings and they make me smile every time I look at them.
I though I knew all your Argentina stories, Alli. But you never mentioned those lovely Tango paintings. They must bring back a lot of wonderful memories.
They do, Heidi! I’m a serial collector of travel memorabilia and I have to say, these are still my favourites.
Oh, your book launch sounds fabulous, Alli. So wish I could be there. Luuuurve the sound of Luna Tango and that cover is stunning.
Wishing you all the very best!
Thank you so much, Cathryn! I adore my cover – I’m a lucky girl and all the best with your new release in September!