Patricia Bellomo, author of the crime thrillers, Louie Morellis Daughter and Stella di Mare, has started blogging on her website. But dont expect politics or current events or even news relevant to writers. What Patricia Bellomo offers is a unique blog written in the voice of her main character, Louie Morelli. A new addition is a second blog being authored by a character from her recently released crime thriller, Louie Morellis Daughter.
With titles like My Son Hired a Hooker, Legal Trouble in Lake City, Louies Double Date and South Beach Pimp, the articles are two- to-five paragraph excerpts reflecting things happening in Louie Morellis life. The fact that Louie Morelli is a fictitious person is not always evident, and the blog reads like real-life. Occasionally, there might be references to one or both of Patricia Bellomos books, usually relating to a specific scene or place. More common, though, is the daily occurrences of a man who doesnt even exist.
Louie Morelli is an unusual character. Hes a savvy south Florida entrepreneur who Patricia Bellomo describes as looking like an Italian movie star. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louie Morelli is the son of a deceased crime-boss who conspiracy theorists credit with masterminding JFKs assassination. Although Louies days with the New Orleans underworld are supposedly a thing of the past, he has connections everywhere. And when things go wrong, he delivers justice his way.
In Patricia Bellomos books things always go wrong, and in her blog situations arise in which Louie resorts to gangster tactics. What makes the blog so unique is the strength of Louies character and voice. He seems an unlikely invention for a middle-aged female author.
When people learn Im a writer, they automatically assume romance, said Patricia Bellomo. And while there are certainly romantic elements to my novels, these are not romances. Louie Morelli is the quintessential bad boy. Hes very charming, and he gets a lot of women. People new to my books or blog are sometimes shocked to learn Louie is married. Robin Macblane on the Larry Whitler Show in Ocala, Florida, asked if it was difficult for meas a married womanto write about infidelity, and I had to say it was not. Infidelity is a part of who Louie is. Im not trying to glamorize or encourage itbut its part of a lifestyle, and I give readers a glimpse into this world.
How does Patricia Bellomo know so much about this lifestyle? Ive been a girlfriend and then a wife, she says. In Goodfellas there was a line about Saturday nights being for wives and Friday nights for girlfriends, and Id have to say this is true. Ill go even one step further and admit that Ive socialized with the girlfriends on one day and with the wives on the very next.
Patricia Bellomo likes to remind people that her blogs are pure entertainment. Plus, theyre free, she says, and a good way to acquaint yourself with Louies character.
The second blog Patricia Bellomo is now writing is written from the point of view of an older Detroit sports-book named Vito. This character, Vito, has a small role in Louie Morellis Daughter. A secondary player, Vito does Louie a favor. Again, he seems an unlikely voicefirst because of his age and gender, and secondly, because he seems awfully real. Vitos blog tends to deal more with gambling and the trials and tribulations of being a survivor from another era.
Theres a rumor Patricia Bellomos husband, Vince, is a former sports-book, but she dismisses this. Id say the keyword here is rumor. For the record, my husband is a retired auto-worker. Plus, my characters are never based on actual people. Its all fiction.
###
