36 Comments
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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Love the cow. Trying to get Bella into the trunk of a small car (a Fiat?) is so wonderfully nuts.

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Joy T.'s avatar

Get back where?? And Maria called her "dear." So someone older than her, me thinks. And a man with a (pet) cow named Bella?? What next?!

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Laura Bennett's avatar

Just asking. Are we sure the man with the cow was talking to the cow and not to someone else using his cell on speaker?

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MARTHA ESKEW's avatar

This suspense is making me ache with anticipation or be frustrated that it is so slow. Who is stretching this out? Mary as a psychologist that knows what makes people tick, E Jean that knows people maybe equally well from another direction or your third leg of the stool? I bet it’s great fun.

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Kimberly Montgomery (CA)'s avatar

So, we knew the "other phone" was used only for one person ... Maria. I wondered if it was her best friend back home or her therapist...but now, it seems Maria is close enough to visit using Isabella's car . Someone queried about Anastasia being in witness protection. Intriguing. 🤔

And, loved the humor thrown in of Bella the stubborn cow and her owner, I assume, trying to get her into the trunk of his car. She must have been young and small enough to fit, but I think he is losing this battle. 😂

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Gypsiechick's avatar

Witness protection... ?

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Lisa P. Singer's avatar

The cow's name is Bella. Well, that's just stupendo. Thank you!

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Julia Gray's avatar

I love the shady cow...Bella’s going to show up in Chapter 14 driving the Fiat and the tall agitato man will be in the trunk lol

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Pamela's avatar

🤣 excellent- I did not like that he wanted the cow in the trunk! Excellent choice!!

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Susie Ware's avatar

Delightful! It’s uncanny how easily I can picture this whole town.

Love how this story is unfolding.

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Pamela's avatar

Yes!! It is in my mind too - lots of stone & dirt and hills with wildflowers & brush at least it is how I see it 😂

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Stacey L Graham's avatar

I have only made it to the end of the second paragraph and I just burst out laughing at the mention of Porta San Sebastian. I was wondering if Sebastian would make an appearance. 🤣

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Martha Barker's avatar

I'm off to a good start and can't wait for the next chapter. Just what you had intended!:)

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Laura Bennett's avatar

Is the cow something of a “red herring,” a distraction or a bit of local color? Or as was commented on, will the cow’s owner play an important part further on in the story?

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Pamela's avatar

As I swore before reading the first piece that was posted, i DO NOT read romance novels, I am having to eat my words! Or may I please have Biscotti to eat instead?!?

I find myself wanting more and more of this romance novel !!

I am definitely a huge fan and how you ladies came to write this is fabulous!!

Hear’s to the next part - hopefully SOON! Much love to you all and to EJC Yo!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖☀️

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Giorgia Meschini's avatar

Buongiorno, this is the department of Italian studies (Substack's branch): “...fa troppo freddo per questo gioco.”

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Giorgia Meschini's avatar

Also, I think it should read "Porta San Sebastiano", given that the story is set in Italy (San Sebastian without an "O" at the end sounds Spanish to me...)

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June Blender's avatar

I hope this novel ends with an itinerary for traveling in Italy. Or, better, a group trip with the authors. ❤️

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Linda S. Wilkinson's avatar

Can only scroll down to episode three…episode one and two are not there?

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Giorgia Meschini's avatar

You can read all the installments (the ones published so far, that is) in a row here: https://www.backstoryserial.com/p/the-italian-lesson

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Kathryn Phillips's avatar

Go to options and View Publication.

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