Here on Diane Capri Reveals, we’ve featured some of the biggest names in our genre, including my friends and colleagues Lee Child, the father of Rambo, David Morrell, this year’s Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, Margaret Maron, my colleague at the Bar, Steve Berry, dynamite writing duos Maxine Paetro (and James Patterson), Grant Blackwood (and James Rollins), and more. You can check out those posts by clicking HERE.
Readers love to discover new books. You’ve clamored for new authors and new voices as well as more from the giants in the field. In response to your requests for worthy tales to fill your empty e-reader devices, today on Licensed to Thrill we’re pleased to feature a fresh (in more ways than one) new author you’re going to love. (Leave a comment here on the blog because Alan will send you a book to prove it!)
Alan Champorcher
My friend Alan Champorcher has written two bestselling adventure novels about Americans in Italy. I met Alan on an airplane ride from New York to Tampa a few years ago and he peppered me with questions about writing. The answers I gave must have been a little too encouraging, because now he’s given up the executive life for a promising writing career.
One reviewer said his latest book, The Italian Mission, “seamlessly weaves international politics, religion, and history into a captivating thriller.” I have to agree. Who doesn’t love a good Italian adventure?
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Diane Capri: I love books that transport me to Italy, Alan, and yours certainly do that well. When I was reading your first book, Made in Italy, I gained 10 pounds trying out all that food you made so enticing! How often do you visit Italy? Go ahead, make the rest of jealous.
Alan Champorcher: I have relatives in the north, in the shadow of Mt. Blanc, or Mt. Bianco, as the Italians call it. I go every year or two. Much of my last book, The Italian Mission, takes place on the Via Francigena, the old pilgrimage route to Rome, and I hiked there last year. It is the Italian section of the same trail that was featured in the recent Emilio Estavez and Martin Sheen movie The Way.
Diane Capri: Loved that movie! Was the hiking great?
Alan Champorcher: Absolutely. Although it’s easy to get lost in the tangle of old trails in the Tuscan hills. The Italians haven’t quite figured out yet what a great potential tourist attraction the pilgrimage route is. Being lost in Tuscany isn’t so bad though. You’re never far away from good trattorias and tasting vineyards.
Diane Capri: But you live in the mountains of Colorado now, right?
Alan Champorcher: Yes, high up in the Rockies. 9,500 feet. In fact, I’m breathing hard now between answers. But I have Italian roots. Writing about it comes naturally. I write about Americans in Italy because… well, it’s cheaper than flying across the ocean every few months. Here’s a look at my home town at night. Beautiful, isn’t it?
Alan’s “Little Hometown”
Diane Capri: WOW! It sure is! Now I want to come visit you there, too! What’s The Italian Mission about?
Alan Champorcher: Tibet, of course! And Buddhism.
Diane Capri: Maybe I had too many Frappuccinos this morning. I thought you said Tibet.
Alan Champorcher: The story is about a Tibetan monk on the run from Chinese authorities in Italy. Makes perfect sense — to me anyway. Lots of Buddhist monasteries in Italy, and lots of support for Tibet nationalism among the Italian public. Not unlike California.
Diane Capri: Your hero is a CIA agent, right? Did you worry that’s a bit overdone?
Alan Champorcher: An ex-CIA agent. A pissed-off ex-CIA agent. Half Italian and half American – descended from President John Adams.
Diane Capri: Okay….missing the point here…..
Alan Champorcher: John Adams was a great American. Not only brilliant, but unwilling to capitulate to the popular mood. He defended the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, when the mob wanted to hang them. My hero aspires to be like that.
Diane Capri: Hmmmm…We hope you’ve got another hero in the works because this one sounds like he won’t live very long against those odds. You’re one of those writers with sand in your shoes, aren’t you?
Alan Champorcher: I go to the Starbucks in Breckenridge, our little hometown and stare out at the mountains until the Muse visits. That way, even if I don’t get anything done, I still get enjoy a Chai Latte and the wonderful view.
Diane Capri: Beautiful mountains! Do you get out into them much?
Alan Champorcher: Every day. Skiing, hiking, biking. An embarrassment of riches. Of course, as a consequence, it takes me twice as long to write a novel as it should.
Diane Capri: How’d you get into writing?
Alan Champorcher: I used to be a telephone executive. Not too exciting, except when the press was attacking me for digging up peoples’ yards to put in fiber optics. Decided I’d made enough to do what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid – write fiction.
Diane Capri: What authors do you read?
Alan Champorcher: Patrick O’Brian is my favorite. Modern fiction’s Shakespeare. And Diane Capri, of course. Your character Leo Colombo in Wasted Justice is a lot like me. Good-looking Italian heartthrob sort of guy. Right?
Diane Capri said nothing.
Alan Champorcher: Okay, be that way. Readers can find me on my public Facebook website: http://www.facebook.com/alan.champorcher. And there may even be a good Piedmontese recipe or two there.
Don’t forget! Leave a comment below and Alan Champorcher will magically transport you to a wonderful Italian adventure!
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As always, thank you for reading!
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p.p.s. Looking for tree books? Our new paperback publishing partner, Stonehouse Ink, has done a fantastic job with all 7 of my novels, now available from Amazon. Also, if you have new e-readers or friends with e-readers other than Kindle, all of my books are now available on KOBO, Nook, and yes — iTunes!
Sounds like just the sort of book I like to read. Interesting and exciting. Also any book with discussion of Italian food in it is worth the price to buy it. Good interview.
Thanks, Karla! Beware — all that great food in Alan’s books will have you running to the closest Restorante!
Thanks Karia. Diane is right. But this is Piedmontese food. Not always easy to find but certainly worth looking for. Not so much pasta and tomato sauce (although who doesn’t like that), but rice and corn meal based. Amazing what can be done with humble corn meal! I hope you enjoy the book — a free copy of The Italian Mission is on the way. There is more food in my first book (Made in Italy) but, hopefully, more suspense in the second (The Italian Mission).
What a great interview! And those pictures have me wanting to move to Italy. 🙂
Great job, you two!!
Thanks, Jenny! Good to see you here!
Thanks, Jenny. The picture is actually of Breckenridge, Colorado, where I live now. But I picked it because it resembles the Italian Alps. I wanted to live in Italy, too, but this is more convenient. And I speak the language here somewhat better. I can only converse in Italian with the aid of liberal amounts of wine. I’ll be sending along a complementary copy of my book later today! By the way, I like your website.
Wow! Italy is definitely on my bucket list and moving on up! What a gorgeous view. Congrats on your books, Alan and wishing you continued success.
Thank you Shannon. Yes, Italy should be on everyone’s bucket list. And it’s best to get out into the country. My books are not about the big cities that everyone visits but the parts of Italy where people don’t go as often — the small towns back in the hills and mountain valleys. To me, the real Italy!
I forgot to say that the free copy of the book will be along later today!
Got it, thanks, Alan! I’ll be sure to leave a review when I’m finished reading.
Thanks for stopping by, Shannon! And for your comment! Your family would love Italy!
where do we find Alans books?
Hi,
The books are on Amazon Kindle at:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Achamporcher&keywords=champorcher&ie=UTF8
or just search Alan Champorcher Amazon Kindle.
And if you don’t have a Kindle, Amazon provides free apps to enable the books to be read on your computer or smart phone.
Hope you like them!
Hi, Kh!
If you click on the book covers in this article, you’ll be taken directly to the book! How cool is that, right?
Thanks for reading!! 🙂
Oh, I love traveling vicariously while being entertained by a good mystery. I’m in! And I’ll be happy to review whatever book you send me.
What a great place to live, Alan, in the Rockies where you can hike every day. I’m not partial to cold, but I could get into living in the mountains. So beautiful!
P.S. Put this up on my FB author page, Diane! My fans love free books!
Traveling vicariously is almost as good as the real thing. And no long security lines. I’ll send the book along and would love a review. As a newish writer, the criticism is really helpful, especially from the successful veterans!
Hi, Kassandra! Thanks for stopping by. And do send your fans over to meet Alan, for sure!
Great Interview Diane! And, I recognized MY hometown right away! That’s right, Alan, I live in Breckenridge too! And, my fiancee and I are both doing our best to get our own writings out in the marketplace around our jobs. We’re starting a publishing company to put out our own stuff first, then open it up to other writers. I coach snowboarding and make websites, while Erica is a freelancer, and recently an associate editor at the Summit Daily News. Maybe I’ll see you at the Breck Starbucks sometime!
Wow! I usually in the northwest corner, plugging away, so please stop by. I’d love to know you’re working on. I’m thinking of doing a book set in Breck next — but I have to figure out if I can make that somehow continue the Italian theme. I suppose there are stranger books out there. The complimentary copy of The Italian Mission is on the way.
Thanks Alan! I just received the book, I’m looking forward to reading it on my Kindle. I’ll look for you in the Northwest corner – I know right where that is!
Gregg
Thanks, Greg! Good to have you here and thanks so much for reading!
I really enjoyed Made in Italy and I have the Italian Mission on my Kindle. I will probably start it this weekend. Alan, please keep writing.
Thanks Tim. Hmm. I said I’d send you a free copy but I suppose it will have to wait until my next book — unless you’d like me to send to someone else in your name. Hope you love the book!
Best, Alan
Nice, Tim!
Great interview, Alan Champorch. I’m looking forward to The Italian Mission. This book sounds intriguing. Made in Italy brings the Ferrari and Prada to mind. .
Thanks for introducing me to your books.
Thanks for stopping by Kai!
Hi Kai,
Yes, in my imagination I drive a Ferrari. Actually it would be pretty useless where I live in the mountain snows, but I have an active fantasy world. Thanks for the comment. The copy of The Italian Mission is on the Way!
Best, Alan
I enjoyed reading this interview. I am jealous of Alan’s lifestyle, not to mention his writing ability.
Richard C.
Hi Richard! I don’t have enough style to have a lifestyle — more of a muddling through. I know you’re a good writer too and I expect you to get back to it. Less pedaling and more writing this summer. Book is on the way.
Best, Alan
Hi, Richard, Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the interview. Do come back! And I’m jealous of Alan’s lifestyle, too. Wonder if we could steal it from him, hmmmm? 😀
Hi Alan,
Thanks to your appearance here I was able to learn of your conversion from business to writing – a change I’m contemplating for myself. Hope I can do it half as well as you have. I’m just starting The Italian Mission on my Kindle. There is no need for you to go to the expense of sending a copy. (Unless you are imitating Ron Hubbard and buying up thousands of copies to improve sales figures.) Good luck with it all.
Frank
Canevin ’66
Hello, Frank,
Thanks for reading, and for the comment. I didn’t know about LRH’s bestseller success plan. Ha! Wish you’d told me 7 novels and 10 books ago! 😉 Do come back!
Hi Frank. Great to hear from you. Yeah, a conversion — like Saul at the gates of where? Jerusalem, I think. Let me know when you start writing. Diane helped me. Maybe I can pay it forward. There are lots of little tricks to learn. I’m not above doing the L.Ron Hubbard thing but can’t figure how to do it in sufficient numbers on Kindle.
Best, Alan
Sounds like a great book. Can’t wait to read it.
John! You haven’t read it yet? The lead character is named John — after you! Well, sort of. A little bit maybe. After all, who’s to say he isn’t? I’m sending you a free book so you can read the darn thing.
Best, Alan
Hi, John, Thanks for stopping by. Sounds like Alan wants you to read this book! 😀
Woo Hoo!!! Nothing I love better than a thriller with an Italian setting. Thrillers are my favorites by far. For years I traveled to Italy regularly and can instantly and magically be transported back in a second with a great read. Seriously, this is one of my favorite reading experiences. And thanks for reminding me, as it’s been awhile since I’ve read anything set in in Italy. Oh, the thought of it almost makes me salivate in anticipation. (I’m not talking food here, although most certainly native Italians know how to serve up a fabulous gastronomic experience!)
The words titillating and tingly come to mind now as I think of my next Italian thriller read. Yeah!!
Bring it on!!
I’m thrilled for the reminder.
Thanks to you both, Alan and Diane
Thanks for the not Judy. I only hope my book will transport you there. It’s on the way.
Best, Alan
Hey, Judy! Wow! What a wonderful life all that Italian travel must have been! I’ve only been there once, but I loved Positano and Tuscany. How about you? Any favorite spots?
I love the concept of Buddhist monks on the run in Italy. Especially since it is outside of Rome and Sicily. Looking forward to reading it. Thank You.
Hi Bettie,
There are so many different nationalities running around Italy that I thought it made sense to stick some Buddhist monks into the mix and see what happens. Have you traveled in Italy? I’ll send the book later today.
Best, Alan
Bettie, I loved that part, too! I loved Rome. I’ve never been to Sicily, though. Have you? What was the best part?
Loved the interview and the Mediterrean lifestyle you offer in your books. My mother is from the south of France in Nice, which is very close to Italy where we’ve visited. I love reading novels that are based on those areas. I’ve read “Too Much Tuscan Wine” by Robert Rodi and Dario Castagno which is a light hearted story featuring wine. I’m a winemaker and found that book very entertaining. I look forward to purchasing all of your books and reading them, just after I read Dianes’. Thanks for the interview.