Six Degrees of Separation
by Amanda Mackey
Date of Publication: 5th October, 2024
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Amanda Mackey
ASIN: B0DGCL3C32
Number of pages: 223
Word Count: 62,855
Tagline: What if the distance between you and your soulmate was 6 people?
BLURB
What do you do when you find yourself in a midlife crisis at forty after leaving an abusive marriage?
You buy a cheap villa in Italy and leave everything you knew behind to live in a remote town, perched on top of a hill, with nothing but a suitcase full of clothing.
Oh, and did I mention the only Italian word I know is ciao?
I question my sanity as I sit at forty thousand feet, seven hours into the flight.
But as soon as I reach my destination, I realize I've made the right decision.
My villa is everything I hoped for, apart from needing some TLC, but with my divorce money, I plan on turning it into a home. My home. My sanctuary.
When I find a cabinet in the garage left by the previous elderly owner, with a letter inside, I get my real estate agent and only acquaintance to translate it for me.
What she reveals is insane to say the least.
The letter is from a woman in search of her soulmate who had heard about a theory called Six Degrees of Separation. A crazy notion that everyone on the planet is connected by six people.
Method: Send out six letters to people you know who when forward them to six people they know. Continue the process six times and it'll reach your intended person.
By some miracle, the woman managed to meet the great love of her life and live happily ever after.
So, when my agent and budding friend talks me into testing the theory, I'm not expecting anything to happen. It can't be that easy, right? Plus, I don't know six people in Italy.
But she does.
And so, we send out the letters, partly as a joke and partly to see if it actually works.
But in the meantime, fate intervenes.
It's in the form of a younger man who steals my breath. A man I never saw coming.
It would seem we're not connected by six people, but two.
What then happens to the handsome stranger who replies to my letter?
Excerpt:
A
very handsome waiter approaches us, all masculine energy and charm. With his
arrival comes stronger pinpricks under my skin. It’s akin to getting zapped in
winter from static. But as I glance around the restaurant, everyone else is
carrying on as normal so I sit and try to act normal as I look up at the sexy
as sin man. I’d peg him as thirty perhaps. Ebony, silky hair, styled back off
his face. Deep eyes, Roman nose and full lips. What is it with Italian men? Are
they all attractive at this age?
My
eyes fully appraise him as my pulse jackhammers. My neck feels flushed, causing
beads of sweat to form. God, can he see my reaction? I’m mesmerized like a
hormonal teen, riveted to the spot.
His
full smile adds to his beauty and for a moment even Bianca remains mute as he
greets us. There’s a presence about him I can’t define. It’s that certain
something that ‘just is’. The X Factor. Energy is pouring off him and I’m in
the line of fire. Can someone please bring me a cold glass of water? Or an
industrial fan?
She
quickly recovers though and offers a ‘ciao’ which I robotically mimic,
enthralled by his rugged beauty up close. The flickering light of the candle on
our table, catches his high cheek bones and full mouth, stealing my attention
for way too long. His short-sleeved black shirt fails to cover a tattoo which
disappears up his forearm.
“Do
you speak English?” Bianca asks for my benefit, a little too loudly might I
add. When I peek at her, she’s wearing a knowing expression, right eyebrow
raised, lips tipped up. Her foot taps mine under the table. When did she begin
staring at me like that? Probably when I answered him like Siri.
“Of
course. I’m fluent. I’ve been learning it since high school. Would you like a
drink first?” That voice. Every syllable and word hit me front and center. The
tone sounds like a deep lullaby I could be rocked to sleep with. Sheesh. What
is happening with me tonight? Am I hormonal? My menstrual cycle is on point, my
period not due for another two weeks so it can’t be that. If this heat doesn’t
settle down, I’ll need to step into the bathroom to splash cold water on my
face. I’m pretty sure the restaurant is air-conditioned too.
I
look back to the waiter who is blatantly ignoring Bianca and watching me with
his shockingly beautiful eyes. Eyes one could stare into if they wished to find
all the answers of the universe. Eyes which see right through you and invoke a
sense of belonging. As if you’ve seen them before. Familiar. Comforting. Ones I
want to dive into and never leave.
They’re
turning me into a hot mess. I need to get my act together. I’m acting so out of
character. Like a schoolgirl, not a forty-year-old divorcee. My hands fidget on
my lap as I glance around the room. It’s not big. A cozy, intimate space with
guests lined up outside the door like we were moments ago. I count the tables.
Fifteen. That’s all. I’m guessing they need to expand soon. Either that, or
they want to keep it the way it is.
My
eyes are drawn back to Mr. Handsome as he flicks his attention from Bianca and
back to me again. It truly is getting too unbearably hot in here.
“Two
glasses of your best wine. And would it be possible to have a garlic
bruschetta?”
“Sure.
Let me get that for you.” Finally he turns and saunters back to the kitchen,
leaving me with heated cheeks and a flutter in my belly. But as soon as he’s
gone, the temperature cools back down to normal. That’s strange. Is he running
a fever? Does his body temperature run abnormally high all the time?
“Maybe
he’s the one,” Bianca laughs. “He was checking you out.”
“And
clearly younger than me. He was probably just being friendly to the tourist.”
But I doubt my own words. Men don’t make
prolonged eye contact if they aren’t interested. Pity we’re leaving the day
after tomorrow. I’d probably come back just to see his face again. A girl can
dream. But how can he possibly be the one? Not the first hot Italian guy to
speak to me. It couldn’t be that easy.
Author Info
Amanda Mackey was born in NZ and moved to Australia as a child with her family. She’s been living in sunny Queensland ever since. An avid reader as a child, writing became an extension of that. She wrote her first book in her twenties, but it would take a further sixteen years to get her book published. That first book was the catalyst for her writing career, and she now has penned book number twenty.
Amanda is both traditionally, and self-published and writes in multiple genres. She hopes to make writing her full time career.
Next year Amanda and the cover model on Six Degrees of Separation, Alejandro Salomone who plays Nico in the book, are travelling to Italy, where the book is set, to film some of the scenes so stay tuned for that!
The Book Junkie Reads . . . Interview with . . . Amanda Mackey . . .
LIGHTNING ROUND
What genre do you read?
I mainly read Romance with different sub genres such as dark romance, fantasy romance, paranormal romance. Anything with a bit of spice!
What genre do you write?
Again, as above, although my stories don’t fall under one specific genre. I write the story in my head, and whatever genre it falls into, that’s where it ends up.
What was the first book you fell in love with?
Noddy by Enid Blyton and then anything Enid Blyton after that!
What was a book you said you would never pick up again?
Ugh, I have read hundreds if not thousands of books and read some brilliant works and some stinkers so I can’t think of one that stands out. I doubt I’d read 50 Shades of Grey again though.
Which fiction character do you love?
I love a hero and a male character who fights for his girl.
Which fiction character do you love to hate?
Bad boys who are arrogant and who totally love themselves.
Which fiction character do you hate?
I hate immature characters who don’t grow with the story. Some characters really irk me. Those who are are whiny and needy.
What beverage do you drink while reading?
I mainly drink at night so here in Australia it’s Milo which is a chocolate drink made with milk.
What do you snack on while reading?
Nuts. Mainly cashews.
Have you always enjoyed reading?
I have been an avid reader since I can remember. I can’t remember ever not having a book to read. I’ve currently got hundreds on my kindle to read and approx 70 paperbacks lined up! I’m a bookaholic.
Thank you Amanda Mackey for participating in the Lightning Round. Your work is appreciated.
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