Thank you, everyone, for the kind comments about my books. (And in advance to Maria Rosa for translating this. And for the great pictures you found. I love the coach and that one with the papillon! )

Mondadori are bringing out my books in Italian fairly fast so I hope you won't have too long to wait for this.

About Petra Andeina, Maria Rosa and I sent many e-mails about this, because she pointed out that it wasn't a common Italian name then or now. That's why Petra's mother has an Austrian connection because it was and is more common there and in Germany.

I wonder if the jokes about stones in shoes and pebbles will translate. I'm afraid I do enjoy wordplays, and sometimes they don't work in translation.

I do a lot of research, but because I write in just a few periods most of the basic digging -- clothes, food, transportation etc -- is done. When I'm writing a new book, I research what's new there. Like Italy. And northern France. And papillon dogs. And travel by wagon.

I generally write from after breakfast to lunch. I'll write later if it's flowing well, but the afternoon is more for the other stuff -- extra research, business, fan mail etc

Best wishes,

Jo