December 2025 / January 2026
Author and writing tutor Rosanna Ley lives in West Bay and writes wonderful novels full of compelling plots and relatable characters. Her
most recent book, The Italian Flame, was published this year. We met her near her home to find out more…
Words by Annette Shaw
Photos courtesy of Rosanna Ley
It’s quite unusual to interview an author on the very spot where the story begins. Yes, that’s exactly what happened when I met Rosanna Ley to talk about her latest book, The Italian Flame. Backtrack to 1965 and the opening sentence is: It was a warm, sunny day in July and Marilyn was sketching on Burton Beach. And so begins a blissful read, set in dual time, that takes the reader from Dorset to Italy.
Rosanna has lived in West Bay for over a decade. Although her roots are in Sussex, she came to know her adopted county through family holidays, developing a fondness that has endured. “I remember house hunting, looking at the coast and villages around Bridport,” she says. “With my husband, we drove up the hill, towards what we now know as The Seaside Boarding House. I had such a strong feeling; an immediate connection and a knowing that I wanted to write about this place.” And she did – creating a perfect blend of fiction and factual location placement.
Her genre is best defined as emotional drama. Romantic elements intertwine, in this case, with a multi-generational story that lends to a myriad of viewpoints within the plot. Without revealing the twists and turns, Rosanna explains: “I’m fascinated by the ITV series Long Lost Family, sometimes saddened by the complexities of family life, then I wonder about the consequences.” As time passes, events and evidence fade in memory or go to the grave. The story shows it’s worth a try, but Rosanna has barely got the reader to Italy before a caffè owner says: You must understand this… Not every person who has been adopted wants to be found. The inner need to know your tribe, to have that sense of belonging and completion, underpins The Italian Flame. “It’s about searching for a sister, allowing me, as the writer, to both look back through the years and explore feelings that could be unresolved grief, an absolute delight, or end with the possibility of rejection.”
Rosanna’s books are a heady mix of culture, landscapes, mystery and relationships all meticulously researched. “I visit the places, walk the paths my characters will follow, and check that it all rings true. I double-check distances and cafe menus!” This not only gives the reader a deep feeling of authenticity, it also adds to the many reasons why page turning is so beneficial. For example, Rosanna refers to the Bay of Poets – also known as the Gulf of La Spezia, located between the towns of Porto Venere and Lerici. Having kindled curiosity, one step leads to another. A quick internet search reveals that Byron, DH Lawrence, Shelley and his wife Mary all had links with the area, and this is deftly woven into the text. In Rosanna’s book, lead character Lily, when visiting a villa on the Mediterranean waterfront, reflects: They were so young, only in their twenties, when they arrived in 1822. The text continues: She read about Shelley’s sense of enchantment and amazement, his desire to heal the wounds of his soul through the crystalline waters and clear skies of the bay.
It sounds glamorous to be an author. In reality, it’s tough – particularly to sustain it – and Rosanna was keen to talk about other aspects of her career. She has worked with community groups in therapeutic settings and completed an MA in creative writing for personal development in order to support this. She has also mentored and appraised the work of new writers. Rosanna has worked as a creative writing tutor for over 30 years, has led courses for colleges and universities in England, and runs her own retreats (the 2026 dates are on her website). Based near the town of Cómpeta, writing holidays take place at the stunning location of Finca el Cerrillo, a 200-year-old farmhouse close to the traditional Andalucían village of Canillas de Albaida, high in the foothills of the Sierra de Almijara, southern Spain. The finca was a working olive mill until the mid-1960s and has been carefully restored to preserve the charm and character of old Andalucía while providing the modern comforts and excellent cuisine of a small and charming hotel.
Whether it’s been a while since books were your best friend, or you’re searching for a Christmas gift or a story to cosy up with over the festive season, it’s worth taking a look at the Reading Agency website. A charity registered in England and Wales, the agency has lots of ideas for past and present titles, promotes the benefits of reading and how it boosts wellbeing on many levels. Rosanna’s novels tick a lot of boxes and she currently shows no sign of retiring her pen. So far, there are 12 published by Quercus and as many more under pseudonyms.
www.rosannaley.com
www.readingagency.org.uk
The Italian Flame is published by Quercus Books.
Paperback £9.99, Kindle edition £5.49