Former Austin native Susan D. Ree, has written and published a novel titled “Follow Me To Stresa.”

The novel is available at local booksellers or online.

Ree’s new novel follows two main characters, Jack Anthony and Ruth Adamson, who are destined to meet each other and enjoy the beauty and spirit of Italy.

On a three-week luxury guided tour of Italy, Jack leaves behind his life of running a major airline to follow a strange woman to Italy.

Ruth, an ardent traveler, finds Jack Anthony charming from the moment she finds herself sitting next to him on her flight to Milan.

As the tour traverses Italy, Jack and Ruth immerse themselves in the culture, history, food, language and energy of Italy, not knowing that each other has a hidden agenda.

Born and raised in Austin, Ree moved from Minnesota to Utah in the early 1980s to complete her bachelor of science degree in communications at the University of Utah.

“During college I took a lot of literature and writing classes,” Ree said. “I enjoyed reading a novel that had many aspects to it, like my book does.

“While the book certainly falls in the genré of a romance novel, it also is a book about travel in Italy, its beautiful artwork collections, and Italy’s historical cities and towns,” Ree added.

During a recent interview in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Ree currently resides, she was asked about the size and price of her book. “The book is over 600 pages in length,” she replied. “I never intended to make the book as long as it is, but when you are writing about Italy and all the country has to offer a tourist, it was inevitable.

“I consider it two volumes in one, or a ‘mega’ book as a close friend referred to it,” she said.

“I didn’t need to do a lot of research about Italy,” Ree said. “I’ve been to Italy eight times, and I’ve collected a great many books about Italian cities.

“In every Italian town you can find a book about the town you are visiting, whether it be a large Italian city, such as Rome, or a small Italian town, such as Sienna,” the author said. “I buy these books to assist me when I scrapbook and journal my European trips. For years, I have been saving cards from every restaurant I dine at and pamphlets from every hotel where I stay.

“Having these travel documents has been very useful in weaving the Italian history, culture, language and foods together into a wonderful travel log,” she said. “I even have a few recipes in the book for readers to enjoy.”

In addition to Ree’s novel being a romance and travel book, she admits there is a little mystery in it as well. “Every good book has a bit of tension running through it. ‘High’ tension, as I like to call it, is the essence of a mystery,” Ree said.

“In my book I have a lot of ‘low’ tension, carefully weaving it between the pages full of Italian history, art, and architecture.

“I want the reader to feel like they are on the guided tour with Ruth and Jack,” Ree concluded.

Ree has traveled to more than 18 European countries over the past 12 years, but continues to frequently return to Italy. When asked what brings her back to Italy time and time again she replied, “Not only is Italy a beautiful country it is a country full of history and art.

“The Italian people are an art in themselves,” she joked. “I have never been around people who have such a zest for life.”

Ree’s book is available at local bookstores, direct from the publisher and on-line. To read more about the book, the author or her travel experiences in Italy, visit the Web site www.followmetostresa .com. Ree is writing her second book, tentatively titled “Impossible Forgiveness.”

The mystery thriller will be available late summer.