Q&A: Local Author's Latest Novel Features Familiar Area Venues

For Patricia Bellomo, writing has always come effortlessly. This longtime Clinton Township resident and Chippewa Valley alumna published her first novel, Stella di Mare, in mid-2010 and has recently introduced her second, the fast-paced thriller, Louie Morelli’s Daughter.

While the novel's crime fiction/mob-related theme is set in Palm Beach County, Bellomo also chose to tie in local references that many area residents would recognize. Patch sat down with the author to discuss the novel, how she collects inspiration and what’s next for her.

Macomb Patch: How did you first become interested in writing?

Patricia Bellomo: From the time I first learned to read, I’ve been a writer. I attempted my first novel at 14 but it was a good 10 to 15 years later before I was actually able to conclude a book. I wrote 10 books before publishing Stella di Mare. I call these my educational process, learning to plot and structure a novel. Inspiration is beautiful and God-given, but boy … you have to learn how to structure a book and how to bring those wonderful characters to life.

Macomb Patch: Give us a little synopsis of your latest piece, Louie Morelli’s Daughter.

Bellomo: In Louie Morelli’s Daughter, Louie’s beautiful daughter, Stella, gets kidnapped by two thugs intent on recovering her husband’s gambling debts. Stella and her husband, Johnny Romano, live in Boca Raton, but Johnny’s hometown is Clinton Township. Likewise, the loan sharks who seize Stella are also from our area. So when Louie sets out to rescue Stella and avenge her honor and discovers she was abducted because of Johnny’s gambling, he calls on an old Detroit connection (who happens to live in the Villa di Fiore).

Macomb Patch: How long did it take you to bring this book to life?

Bellomo: Actual time spent writing the book was eight to 10 months. It’s like having a baby (which I’ve never done), but I write and rewrite. Because I don’t work from an outline, I tend to get the first draft on paper quickly, but I do spend a lot of time editing and rewriting.

Macomb Patch: What inspires you when writing a piece like this?

Bellomo: It really is a creative process. Some of my inspiration comes from people–little tidbits of character here and there–and some from places, Florida and New Orleans (which, like Macomb County, makes an appearance in Louie Morelli’s Daughter). Traveling and visiting these and other locations does inspire me, although I do write best at home in Michigan.

Macomb Patch: Why was it important to include local references in Louie Morelli's Daughter?

Bellomo: Basically, local references and landmarks appear in the book because Macomb County is where some of these characters are from. It’s part of who these people are. In my first book, Stella di Mare, I have a character, Tara, who is from Sterling Heights. There are no local scenes in Stella di Mare, but my Detroit-area readers loved this connection and in Louie Morelli’s Daughter, I give them more … a lot more. So even though I’m using glamorous south Florida for most of the setting, there is a definite Michigan connection. And it does resonate.

Macomb Patch: Can you describe some of the references used that Michigan readers may be able to identify?

Bellomo: Some of the local spots mentioned in the book include Luciano’s Restaurant, Bianchi’s Salon, the Sunoco Station at 18 Mile and Garfield and the upscale subdivision off Millar, the Villa di Fiore.  In the case of Luciano’s—one of my favorite restaurants and one that my husband and I frequent—it appears in the opening chapter of Louie Morelli’s Daughter.

Macomb Patch: How is Louie Morelli’s Daughter different from Stella di Mare?

Bellomo: Louie Morelli’s Daughter differs from my first book in that it’s a bit more psychological and serious. Both books are fun reads … perfect beach reads, but Louie Morelli’s Daughter deals with family drama. There are a number of conflicts within the family, such as Louie involving his youngest son Michael in a murder. Louie and his wife, Angie, are middle-aged and have been married for 35 years, but Louie is a player and his infidelity causes some issues. Louie doesn’t fit the caricature of the media mobster, either. He’s a savvy businessman described as “looking like an Italian movie star.” I’m writing “character series,” same characters, different plots. I do want to clarify that Louie Morelli’s Daughter is not a sequel to Stella di Mare, and these books can be read in any order. I also want to explain the title of my first book: Stella di Mare means "star of the sea" in Italian. This is the name of Louie’s 80-foot Hatteras, which he named for his daughter, Stella.

Macomb Patch: What type of reception has Louie Morelli’s Daughter received thus far from critics?

Bellomo: My reception for the book has really been positive. I’m very happy about this. My books are entertainment and I want readers to have a good time with them. Plus, my characters are larger than life and my settings are profound. Most of my readers tell me my books would be great movies or HBO series and I agree. The best thing people can say is … it was a page-turner, and I couldn’t put it down.

Macomb Patch: What will your next move be? Do you plan on penning any more books?

Bellomo: Definitely plan on doing a third and fourth book in the Louie Morelli series. Maybe even a fifth, who knows? I'm also revising a previously unpublished book in the series–this would actually be No. 1, taking place just before Stella di Mare.

Louie Morelli’s Daughter is available for purchase through major bookstores as well as on Amazon.com. It is available in paperback and is also compatible with Kindle, Nook and other e-book readers. For more information on Patricia Bellomo, visit her website.