ABOUT NINA PURTEE
Nina Purtee is a worldwide traveler, philosopher, and adventure romance novelist. Growing up in Atlanta, Nina’s father ignited her travel obsession with meaningful family trips to exotic locations. Some of those experiences have found their way into her writing. Island-hopping with her family through the Greek Islands on a 95-foot sailboat, the Eleni, gave Nina the inspiration for Don Marco’s vessel, the Porto Banus. While on safari in East Africa, she met a woman artist with her companion, a sculptor, living in separate tents immersed in their artwork. They inspired the characters of Annie’s friend, Sarah, and the sculptor, Sam. Nina draws from her travels to paint pictures with her words.
The sudden death of a colleague left Nina desolate and became the catalyst for Annie’s journey to seek balance, understanding, and resolution. Beyond the Sea: Annie’s Journey into the Extraordinary is the first in her series. Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny, the sequel, continues Annie’s journey as the cast of characters widens and matures. Her third novel, Finding Sarah: A Phoenix to Behold, explores the fascinating life of one of Annie’s close friends she made on her journey. In September 2024, the fourth book, Moroccan Sunset: Dawn of a New Beginning was released! It was time for El Amir to get over Annie and try to find his own true love! Nina released book five about Mara, the Balinese fabric designer, Grand Illusion: Lesson of a Balinese Lotus in August of 2025. This is an incredible story about finding authenticity amidst the gleaming high fashion world of Milan, Italy.
Nina now lives in Florida surrounded by family and friends when she is not traveling the globe seeking new experiences to write about. She is currently finishing her newest novel, Whispers of Blue Ridge, a small town mystery about love trying to survive lies, secrets and family betrayal.
Excerpts From READER REVIEWS' Interview with Nina after publishing Finding Sarah: A Phoenix to Behold
I trained myself to be in the moment and observe the scene while I wrote about it. When Beyond the Sea: Annie’s Journey into the Extraordinary was accepted by two publishers, I decided to go with the one whose review committee said there should be a sequel. I knew there were characters who had not been fully explored and I, too, was curious about what path Annie’s journey would take from here.
My writing suddenly took on a momentum of its own, filled with inspiration. It was like I could hardly keep up with typing the words that spilled out of me. Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny was completed in less than 3 months and was ready for editing! Annie’s new chapter had begun, but I was now able to explore some of the other characters surrounding her. Crossing Paths helped me get to know Meghan and Antonio better. I was also captivated by Ramone’s mother, Marguerite. But it was Sarah, confronting her past and a lost love at the end of Crossing Paths, who beckoned me to tell her story.
How do Rosa and Rachel, real-life artists, fit into Sarah’s artistic development, and why did you choose those artists?
Ironically, during the research I did for Finding Sarah, I was looking for a character who would serve as a catalyst to move Sarah forward in her art. I had no idea I would find two real artists out of history who perfectly fit Sarah’s trust and respect. Both Rosa, living in France in the 1800s, and Rachel, living in the Netherlands in the 1600s, lost their mothers at a young age. Sarah immediately identified with that. They both sold their first paintings in their teens like Sarah did. It was Rosa’s unconventional obsession with animals and defiant social behavior that helped Sarah develop her own obsession for painting animals and find the spunk to defy the odds when competing. Rachel honed Sarah’s talent with the detail of a botanist, but also revealed her ability to balance both an artistic career with a husband and 10 children!
What does the ending of the story signify in a broader thematic context, and how does it impact the characters?
Sarah has to face the demons that remain from her youth: abandonment, betrayal, heartbreak, lack of trust. Can she push through that final tug of the phoenix’s talons from the flames of the fire to be set free and soar? It is a lot to ask of herself. Safety seems to lie in the past. An unknown future is extremely frightening and her choice will affect them all.