Meet Dario Vitez by Zrinka Jelic

The Write Way Café peeks over author Zrinka Jelic's shoulder as she interviews Dario Vitez, her hero in Gypsy Stone. 

Dario Vitez is a single man in his mid-thirties, an owner of popular restaurant Mezzaluna in Zadar, Croatia. But things weren’t always this good for him. He grew up in poverty. That didn’t matter to his high school sweet heart, Irena. However, it mattered to her parents, so much so that they made sure to send her half the world away from him. Now she is back, but danger follows her.

What is your greatest regret? 
Not taking a firm stand against Irena’s parents and get them to change their mind about marring her off to the pervert with deep pockets and no heart.

What is your motto? 
It’s not over, till I say so.

What do you have in your pockets? 
Can’t tell you without pulling stuff out, usually, my wallet, car keys, and used to be a condom (because a man never knows when will opportunity knock) but since Irena’s back, I no longer need to keep a backup.

Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
I tap my foot against the chair I’m sitting on when I’m thinking. Drives her insane, apparently.

What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? 
There’d be two, Irena’s return and finding out we have a teenage daughter.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? 
Building up my business from nothing. I pretty much went in blind not knowing how well would it be received by public, and who knew, they loved it.

Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? 
Of course, I waited fourteen years for Irena. Yes, I had some short lived relationships in the meantime, but I knew I must stay single for her.

Who is the most important person in your life, and why? 
Irena and our daughter Ella, and our son we haven’t named yet, they are my family I feared I never would have.

Who is the person you despise the most, and why? 
That would have to be Irena’s husband, Fred and all his cronies. But he’s dead now, so you can’t despise a dead man.

Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
The things I’m good at are making love, cooking, and running a business.  Things I’m bad at, tidying my room, overprotecting my car, bantering with my brother.



For fourteen years, Dario Vitez, accumulated wealth and made a name for himself as the owner of Mezzaluna restaurant. Love is the only thing missing from his life ever since his childhood sweetheart, Irena Novak, was forced into a marriage of convenience and lives half a world away. Wondering about her for all these years, he puts his work on hold to find her.

Irena is not free from her marriage contract. Danger follows her in form of her husband, Fred Penne. Fred decided she knows too many of his secrets to live and doesn't care who else he hurts to get her.

Discovering the truth about the danger Irena is in, Dario will stop at nothing to protect her.

Suspenseful, romantic and awash in Gypsy magic and Slavic folklore, "Gypsy Stone" captures the enchantment of the Adriatic coast and the power of love, family and friendship.



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