By Tani Ruiz
X in Provence
women’s fiction
A story that offers a new take on an age-old theme: the perils of addiction to highly charismatic, highly narcissistic personalities and what women will do to cling on.
The book tackles the age-old theme of unrequited love with originality, daring and heft. The writing sparkles from start to finish, the people and places so vividly portrayed that I can easily see it playing across the screen.
– Valerie Thompson, UK
A gripping, beautifully written story about destructive love and two arch-opposite brothers. It was an emotional roller-coaster read, the characters maddening me as much as enlivening me. The Provence it portrays is not the Provence you’re used to hearing about. After reading this book, you’ll never quite think the same of the place again.
– Sue Taylor, Spain
Brilliantly written – evocative, gritty, dark and humorous. I think a lot of women will identify with the emotions evoked around the madness of obsessional love and the journey out of it.
– Doris Portman, South Africa
Tani Ruiz
I’m the author of X in Provence, my debut novel that depicts a whole new side of this “slice of paradise” – we’re talking obsessive love, toxic relationships and treachery. And sex-sodden hobbies.
I started out in London as an investigative reporter – finding my feet as a journalist purely by happenstance through answering a job advert in a newspaper. Years of sweat followed and so did the payoff. I went on to work for mainstream media outlets – in England and abroad – covering general and financial news. Ten years into my reporting career I switched course, venturing into the area of international development as a communications specialist. I now earn my bread as a freelance editor.
The novel was inspired by the time I spent in Provence, a stop on my zigzagging journey across continents – both for work and pleasure. It was also sparked by large and often angst-provoking questions: Why are we attracted to certain partners? Why do some of us have trouble extricating ourselves from unhealthy relationships? Why the struggles with low self-esteem? And then there’s the sibling side of things, the wish to explore relationships where roles are cast and shaped from very early on.
I’m currently based in Europe, embracing another new culture and language while raising my children as a proud, if wholly imperfect, single mother.