WHISPER PHOTOS

In WHISPER, Riley Bloom is sent on a soul catch to ancient Rome where she confronts a gladiator so menacing, he's nicknamed The Pillar of Doom.

Since research has always been my absolute favorite part of the writing process, I also traveled to Rome in order to better envision the world Riley found herself in.

Below, I've included some pictures from those travels, where you'll see the Colosseum, the actual remains of the ancient Ludus (gladiator training school) that Riley visits, the restaurant where Bodhi and Buttercup anxiously await her return, and also the romance and magick of Venice, Italy where Riley . . . well, you'll just have to read it and see!

The Roman skyline at dusk

Me standing before the Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum

Inside the Colosseum. The paved part represents what the spectators saw—the unpaved part reveals the ancient ruins of the world beneath the arena.

Roman soldiers!

Me enjoying the view from the very same restaurant where Bodhi and Buttercup wait for Riley's return

View of the Colosseum from the restaurant

The remains of the ancient ludus (gladiatorial training school) where Riley goes in search of The Pillar of Doom

Closer view of the ancient ludus

The Colosseum and the ludus

The gondolas of Venice

Venice at dusk!

The magnificent Venetian waterways

Me enjoying a gondola ride

The majestic Venetian skyline

Venetian Carnival couture

Venetian gown