The Italian Villa: An Emotional and Absolutely Gripping WW2 Historical Romance

The Italian Villa: An Emotional and Absolutely Gripping WW2 Historical Romance
Author: Daniela Sacerdoti
Publisher: Bookouture
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2020-02-17
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781838880101

Italy, 1938 - Elisa clings to Leo in the shadow of the Montevino mountains, the call to war ringing in her ears. They hatch a plan to wed in secret before Leo flees to the woods to join the resistance, and vow to find each other again when the war is over. But history has other plans... Texas, present day - Callie Di Giacomo, a waitress in a small town, is still reeling from the discovery that she is adopted when she arrives in Montevino in search of answers about her real family - the keys to the stunning hillside villa she just inherited clutched tightly in her hand. In her birth mother's wardrobe grief-stricken Callie finds a diary belonging to a woman named Elisa Stella, one of Italy's first ever female students of medicine, wrapped in pale blue ribbon. Page by page, Callie is swept away by Elisa's story, increasingly certain that their lives - and their fates - are somehow connected, and that the truth about her family is hidden somewhere within the crinkled yellow pages. But just when all the pieces look like they are falling into place, a devastating betrayal in the diary unlocks a heart-breaking secret about who Callie's mother really is. Can Callie, like Elisa, find the light in her darkest moment and use it to spark a new future? Inspired by true events, this unforgettable story of love, loss and resilience by the author of million-copy Amazon No 1. bestseller, Watch Over Me, is perfect for anyone who loved The Letter, The Tattooist of Auschwitz or The Dressmaker's Gift. Readers adore The Italian Villa 'Mesmerising! I was totally hooked... absolutely perfect and just flowed endlessly with such ease. I really can't praise this OUTSTANDING book enough!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'I fell in love with this book! It was beautiful and captivating from start to finish. I loved Callie right from the beginning, she is such a relatable character. You laughed with her and cried for her throughout... Absolutely loved this entire book!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'From the moment I opened this book I was hooked. This is a beautifully written story with characters that tug at your heartstrings from the second they're introduced. You can't help but fall in love with them and the tiny village in Italy where it takes place... you feel as though you're really there... I devoured this book in no time... you can't wait to turn the page to find out what happens next...which is why I finished this book at 3 in the morning!... I was so enthralled from the very first page!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

The Italian Villa

The Italian Villa
Author: Daniela Sacerdoti
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2020
Genre:
ISBN: 9781838880095

I Will Find You

I Will Find You
Author: DANIELA. SACERDOTI
Publisher: Headline Review
Total Pages: 384
Release: 2018-05
Genre:
ISBN: 9781472235046

The German Girl

The German Girl
Author: Lily Graham
Publisher: Bookouture
Total Pages: 279
Release: 2021-07-12
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1838889337

‘I absolutely loved this… heartbreaking and heart-warming… I was completely hooked… an absolutely amazing book, one which I was completely captivated by… will stay with you for such a long time after you’ve finished reading it.’ Starburst Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Germany, 1938. Fifteen-year-old Asta and her twin brother Jurgen are stopped as they run home from school through strangely silent streets: ‘Your parents were taken. And if you go home, the Nazis will take you too…’ Heartbroken, Asta knows they must make the perilous journey across a hostile country that no longer feels like home to reach Denmark and their aunt Trine, a woman they barely know. Crossing the border is punishable by death. In the middle of the snowy forest, barking dogs and armed soldiers capture Jurgen and Asta escapes. Asta must hold on to hope no matter what. One day she will find her twin, the other half of herself. Even if it means leaving the safety of Denmark, and risking her life in a labour camp to track down the man who took her brother. Whatever the price she has to pay, her brother’s life is worth it. A gripping and poignant read that will break your heart and give you hope. Fans of The Nightingale, The Dressmaker’s Gift and All the Light We Cannot See will be gripped by the story of a brave brother and sister seeking safety during one of the darkest times in our history. What everyone’s saying about The German Girl: ‘Keep the tissues handy… By far the absolute best book I’ve read this year!... I devoured it in one sitting… a historical fiction masterpiece… Please keep writing, Lily Graham, the world needs more of your books! ‘ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh wow. What a powerful, gripping story… Lily Graham really brought the characters to life, during all the different settings and drew me in as though I was an extra in the story. Very moving.’ Karen Loves Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Read to the last Page! Unputdownable!... The author has taken us to a time period we all would like to forget, but shouldn’t because it.could happen again. Her writing is provocative and explosive! The characters are strong and believable! You want to cheer them on so you keep turning the pages. I couldn’t stop so I ended up reading this in one sitting!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What an emotional read full of bravery, perseverance and courage.’ Shortbookthyme, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I simply couldn't put this book down, and I felt I was drawn back to that time. Overall, this book is an emotional and gripping book, that is unputdownable. Worth five stars!’ Tropicalgirlreadsbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What everyone’s saying about Lily Graham: ‘Absolutely one of the best books I have read… Lily Graham has written one of the best books of the year in my honest opinion! If I could have given this a higher rating than 5 stars I would have done so… truly an unforgettable story!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘You will cry, you will be addicted from the start and will find it hard to put down. This book ranks high on my favourite books list, a BRILLIANT book and worth far more than 5* in my opinion. EXCELLENT.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Warning! This book will make you cry… The most moving story I’ve read in a long while… I have not wept so much in a while… I fell in love… by the end I was smiling and crying. I was an emotional mess all round really.’ The Book Trail, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Italian Girls

The Italian Girls
Author: Debbie Rix
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781538723456

She began to turn the pages of the paper more quickly, searching for the details about the war, the scandal, the trial... She thought back to those days at the end, when trust in Italy was in short supply. Betrayal was everywhere and the world went mad. Italy, 2019: Each morning Livia Moretti sits in her favorite café in Florence, drinking espresso and reading the newspaper. To the tourists who pass by she is simply an old lady. They walk on without knowing the part she played in saving this beautiful city. To Livia too the dark days of war feel very far away. But one morning she sees the name Isabella Bellucci and is jolted right back to the past. To a time when Nazi troops marched through the city and you could trust no one. Italy, 1942: As a member of the Italian resistance, Livia monitors British radio transmissions from the secrecy of her little attic room, dedicating her time to decoding mystery messages that could have the power to save the lives of those she loves the most. Until the day her life intersects with Isabella Bellucci. And, in a strange twist of fate, a terrible misunderstanding will change the course of the war for both of them. One woman will never forgive herself. And the other will find herself betrayed...

A Tuscan Memory

A Tuscan Memory
Author: Angela Petch
Publisher: Bookouture
Total Pages: 272
Release: 2020-09-07
Genre:
ISBN: 9781800190399

In a tiny hamlet nestled in the Tuscan mountains, farmers gather after a hard day in the meadows, and children's laughter rings across the square: but one little boy does not join in their play. Behind his deep brown eyes, hides a heartbreaking secret... Ninety years later. When elderly Giselda Chiozzi discovers a lost little boy, curled up asleep in the beech forest outside her grand but empty home, she can't help but take pity on him. It's been a long time since she had a visitor. Waking up to her kind smile and the warming smell of Italian hot chocolate, Davide soon blurts out what drove him into the cold Tuscan night: he's different from everyone else, he's never belonged anywhere, and now his beloved mother is ill. With her heart full of sadness for this lost child, Giselda promises to help Davide trace his family history - she knows better than anyone that connecting with your roots can ground you in the present, and hopes it will make Davide realise that home is where he truly belongs. Together the unlikely pair discover the story of Davide's great-grandfather, Giuseppe Starnucci, a young boy who spent his days milking cows, helping with the harvest, and hammering horseshoes in the forge. But after a terrible incident that changed his life forever, Giuseppe also ran away. Forced to become a man before his time, Giuseppe joined the treacherous pilgrimage all Tuscan farmers must make from the mountains to the plains, sacrificing everything to ensure the survival of their families. Engrossed in the story, Davide is slowly starting to heal when he and Giselda discover a shocking secret which Giuseppe took to his grave - and which now threatens to tear apart Davide's family for good. Will Davide let the pain of the past determine his future, or can he find the courage, love and loyalty within him to return home... and even if Davide himself finds peace, will it be too late for Giselda? Inspired by true stories of rural Italian life, this absolutely stunning historical read is perfect for fans of Dinah Jeffries, Rhys Bowen, and anyone who's ever longed to stroll beneath the cypress trees and taste the fresh mountain air of Tuscany. Previously published as Now and Then in Tuscany. Read what everyone's saying about A Tuscan Memory 'Crammed with stunning descriptions... a beautifully written and well-observed tale that will take you straight into the Tuscan countryside.' Goodreads reviewer 'If you embark on this journey of discovery then be sure to prepare some delicious crostini, in advance, as you will not be able to put the book down... completely absorbing... beautiful... a cleverly crafted narrative.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'The author's love of the landscape and people of this beautiful region shine through... Angela Petch is an inspired storyteller who knows how to blend in a touch of mystery to keep the reader guessing.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Fascinating and moving... intensely imagined and exquisitely detailed recreation of a lost way of life.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Beneath a Scarlet Sky

Beneath a Scarlet Sky
Author: Mark Sullivan
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018
Genre: Germany
ISBN: 9781503902374

A teenage boy in 1940s Italy becomes part of an underground railroad that helps Jews escape through the Alps, but when he is recruited to be the personal driver for a powerful Third Reich commander, he begins to spy for the Allies.

A New York Secret

A New York Secret
Author: Ella Carey
Publisher: Bookouture
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2021-03-12
Genre:
ISBN: 9781800192157

She looked at the telegram in horror, the words blurring in front of her eyes. She dropped to her knees, feeling that her entire world was ending. The paper slipped from her hands as she put her head in hands, sobs wracking her chest... 1942, New York. As war rages in Europe, Lily Rose is grateful for her perfect life: the love of her wealthy uptown parents in their beautiful brownstone overlooking the park and her dream job as a chef at one of New York's finest restaurants, the art deco dream that is Valentino's. But in her heart, Lily is drawn towards the bohemian Sicilian community in Greenwich Village, where gorgeous fresh fruit spills onto the pavement and the smell of freshly baked cannoli tempt her inside every Italian deli. Part of the attraction is Tom Morelli, talented chef and handsome grandson of Sicilian immigrants, whose deep brown eyes call to her and set her heart on fire. As wartime rationing bites in the city, Lily and Tom stay up late, dreaming up delicious meals that will see Valentino's through the war and distract New Yorkers from the threat of sons and sweethearts being called up. Lily knows he has found the key to her heart. Then Tom receives a devastating summons that changes everything: he is drafted to Italy. He must return to his beautiful homeland to fight a desperate war. Suddenly alone, with only the memory of Tom's last kiss, Lily turns to her parents for support. But when her mother finds out about her relationship, she is furious. When the war ends, Lily's duty is to marry the man picked for her, raise children and never work again. They give her a heartbreaking ultimatum: end her relationship with Tom and give up her job or lose her family and inheritance forever. Lily knows she must follow her heart to Valentino's and to Tom. But when Tom is declared missing in action, Lily is totally heartbroken. If she pursues her dreams, will there be anything left for her when the war is over? From top-ten bestseller Ella Carey comes an utterly heartbreaking historical novel, inspired by true events, about the courage, love and friendships that sustain us in the darkest of days. Fans of Fiona Davis, Rhys Bowen and The Nightingale will be captivated. What readers are saying about A New York Secret "Will entrance you from the very beginning... Truly amazing and one I could not put down. Make sure to put it on your must-read list... Emotional and utterly unputdownable novel, inspired by true events." Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Italian Girl's Secret: An Absolutely Gripping and Emotional WW2 Historical Fiction Novel

The Italian Girl's Secret: An Absolutely Gripping and Emotional WW2 Historical Fiction Novel
Author: Natalie Meg Evans
Publisher: Bookouture
Total Pages: 380
Release: 2021-09-10
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781838886073

An urgent knock on the wooden farmhouse door breaks the midnight silence. Heart racing, she tip-toes down the stairs, draws back the bolts and gazes into the eyes of a stranger. "Please, signorina. I must find a way to send my message. The war depends upon it." Italy, 1943. On her nonna's tomato farm in the hills outside Naples, sheltering a soldier with an English accent is the most dangerous thing Carmela del Bosco could do. But with one look at his wounds, Carmela is filled with hatred for those who would tear apart her beautiful home and decides to risk everything, hiding the stranger in an abandoned watchtower outside the village. In his pain and fever, he murmurs in English, but insists his name is Sebastiano and that he has a message to send that will end the war. Carmela tends to his injuries and smuggles fresh pasta from her grandmother to the watchtower whenever she can. But just as his strength returns - and passion grows between them - they are seen and betrayed by a member of Carmela's own family. With their lives on the line, the pair flee down the mountains into the city of Naples, where German soldiers patrol every street. Desperate, Sebastiano begs Carmela to send the message for him. But as soon as she hears it, her blood runs cold... Can she find the courage to do what's right for her country, if it threatens the lives of everyone she loves? Will she ever see her beloved nonna again? And can she trust Sebastiano with her heart - or will he lead her into terrible danger? An absolutely stunning and heartbreaking historical novel about the choices people are forced to make in wartime, and how one act of incredible bravery can change everything. Fans of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and Rhys Bowen will be captivated. Read what everyone's saying about Natalie Meg Evans: 'Wow, wow, wow is all I can say... tense and the surprises just kept on coming... tore at my heart.' Shaz's Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Amazing stuff! I felt so many emotions and I highly recommend this book! Five stars all the way!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I was completely gripped... the writing was superb, the historical details completely immersive. I would love to read anything this author writes.' Squeezed Peach, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Heartbreaking, haunting... you are going to devour this one... a mesmerizing, poignant, emotional, gripping, passionate and compelling novel... powerful and evocative... I cannot recommend this enough.' Chicks, Rogues and Scandals 'Wonderful... one of the best love stories I've read... dramatic, passionate... suspenseful and cinematic... The emotion she conjures up is phenomenal.' Jthbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A beautifully written novel by an extremely talented writer. Excellent character depiction, plus an exciting storyline makes for a roaring success. Highly recommended.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐