As a twenty something, Amanda spent a year living and studying in Verona, and like Julia in the novel, she left part of her heart in Italy. She likes nothing more than spending time with friends, talking about life, love, and what adventure―internal or external―may be on the cards. An accidental explorer and an occasional philosopher Amanda has lived in Italy, England, and Australia, where she resides with her three amazing children, three cats, a dog, several fish, and a horse. She is working on her next book and has another story bubbling in the background.