YvonneI liked the sound of this story line from the off, and for that I have to thank the lovely Katie Olsen representing ‘Little Bird Publicity‘ and the great folks at NetGalley for once again coming through with my complimentary download copy for Kindle.
Also, as author Rhys Bowen originally hailed from Bath, one of our nearby home cities, I do like to keep in touch with local talent, even if she has defected to the other side of the Atlantic!
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In 1944, British bomber pilot Hugo Langley parachuted from his stricken plane into the verdant fields of German-occupied Tuscany. Badly wounded, he found refuge in a ruined monastery and in the arms of Sofia Bartoli. But the love that kindled between them was shaken by an irreversible betrayal.
Nearly thirty years later, Hugo’s estranged daughter, Joanna, has returned home to the English countryside to arrange her father’s funeral. Among his personal effects is an unopened letter addressed to Sofia. In it is a startling revelation.
Still dealing with the emotional wounds of her own personal trauma, Joanna embarks on a healing journey to Tuscany to understand her father’s history—and maybe come to understand herself as well. Joanna soon discovers that some would prefer the past be left undisturbed, but she has come too far to let go of her father’s secrets now…
Clicking on the book’s title will link you directly with it’s Goodreads listing.
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RHYS BOWEN
Rhys Bowen was born in Bath, England, of a family that was half Welsh, half English. She was educated at London University and then began her career with the BBC, where she became a drama studio manager.
The British climate forced Rhys to escape to Australia, where she worked for Australian Broadcasting before meeting her future husband, a fellow Brit who was on his way to California, which is where she settled, raised her family and has lived ever since, although she now spends her winters in Arizona.
Rhys’s books have made bestseller lists, garnered many awards, nominations, and starred reviews. She is a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards and has been nominated for the Edgar Best Novel.
When she is not writing, Rhys also loves to travel, sing, sketch, hike and play her Celtic harp.
Keep up with all the latest news on Rhys’s website
Connect with Rhys on Facebook
Follow Rhys on Twitter
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MAILBOX MONDAY
… is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the last week. Be warned that Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home, where links may be added each week. So why not stop by, leave a link to your own Mailbox Monday post, oh! and don’t forget to leave a comment for our three new joint administrators, after all, we all like to receive them … Your Hosts for ‘Mailbox Monday’
Leslie of ‘Under My Apple Tree’
Serena of ‘Savvy Verse & Wit’
Martha of ‘Reviews By Martha’s Bookshelf’
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… You never know where that next “must read” book will come from!
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I like the cover and it sounds like an interesting premise (if not somewhat familiar, in ways). I’ll just have to wait for you to feature the novel in some more posts before making a decision whether to add it to my wish list. Any chance for a guest author post? Those are always informative.
Hi Kelly,
I wasn’t too sure about the cover at first glance, but it has rather grown on me and compliments that of Rhys’s other stand alone novel ‘In Farleigh Field’, which has another Second World War story line at its heart.
I am still waiting to hear from Karen about the possibility of Rhys writing an author guest post to share with everyone, however I hadn’t quite realised just how prolific an author she is, so I am not really expecting miracles!
Under her pseudonym of Rhys Bowen there are dozens of cozy mysteries, whilst as Janet Quin-Harkin, she has written dozens more contemporary romance stories. I was absolutely amazed!! …
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/rhys-bowen/
I can’t see how you would fail to find something of interest to read amongst this little lot 🙂
I really really want to read this one. I love WWII and books set in Italy.
Hi Laura,
I’m not really sure if this story begins back in war time, or if the connection is made in the premise and a prologue, with the main story line running in modern times. Either way, for me there sounds as if there is going to be just enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages and I like the cover art, although I admit I had to look closely a few times before I came to that decision.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week 🙂
This is on my review list as well, Yvonne. Looking forward to reading it!
That’s great, Mary.
It is always good to compare thoughts about a particular book, with a fellow blogger whose reviews are always as even-handed and objective as your own and ilke yourself, I can’t wait to begin reading this one!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great Thanksgiving celebration 🙂
I’ve heard good things about Bowen’s work. This book sounds really good – I’m curious about what’s in that letter.
Hi Kathy,
Rhys is a new name in my authorsphere, so I am really grateful to Katie for sending me through this request and introduction.
I also do genuinely try to support any author who has lived or currently lives, anywhere near my neck of the woods, as it just seems to be the right thing to do somehow!
I am assuming that Hugo wanted the letter to be found after his death, so it must surely contain a secret too toxic to be dealt with during his lifetime. There are just so many different scenarios, that I guess patience is going to have to prevail until the book hits the top of my TBR pile!
Thanks for visiting this week and I hope that you enjoy your holiday weekend 🙂
Would love to go to Tuscany!!
Sounds good, Yvonne.
ENJOY!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
Hi Elizabeth,
We have visited the mountain regions of Switzerland, France and the former Yugoslavia, but have never ventured into Italy, although family members have described just how beautiful it is, especially Florence, the capital of Tuscany, with its outstanding arts and architecture.
Oh Well! as it is only Europe, I am hoping that a future trip to the area is still possible as part of my ‘bucket list’?
I hope that all is well with you and if I don’t speak with you again beforehand, have a very Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
This one caught my eye,sounds good.
Hi Mary Ann,
These days I don’t tend to read much historical fiction dating back before the Second World War, but as that era still evokes memories for those of us in a certain generation, even though it may only be classroom study lessons, I do like to dip my toe in the water from time to time.
I have read quite a few story lines detailing life at home during war time, so it is good on occasion to venture overseas to find out what life was really like on the frontline and Tuscany does sound like a good location to bridge the gap between then and now!
Thanks for taking time out to stop by and comment.
I hope that your Thanksgiving celebrations go well 🙂
This story sounds fascinating and Bowen is a superb author. Hope you have a wonderful week.
https://imperfectchristianmom.blogspot.com/2017/11/mailbox-monday-november-20.html
Hi Cheryl,
In Rhys, I have definitely found a new author to follow, so having a fellow blogger’s endorsement of my decision, means a lot.
Apart from the obvious secrets within the unopened letter, I am also wondering why Joanna is estranged from her father. There are plenty of unanswered questions in this premise and plain old nosiness would keep me reading on, if nothing else did!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it is always good to hear from you and enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend 🙂
I can’t recall where I saw this recently but it certainly sounds good. Happy Reading!
Hi Martha,
There have so far only been a couple of ratings and no full reviews for this book, but like yourself, I am convinced that I have seen this one promoted by at least one of my fellow bloggers recently. I guess that like the rest of us, TBR piles are bursting at the seams and reading schedules slip!
I hope that you have some great titles in your up and coming schedules and that you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday 🙂
A book that is doing the rounds on FaceBook. It seems to have been largely well accepted except for the fact that readers are saying it feels like a familiar story that has been told many times before. I’m therefore looking forward to your thoughts on it.
Hi Tracy,
I have so far managed to steer a wide berth around Facebook, although I do post regularly to Twitter and review on Amazon.co.uk and .com; NetGalley and Goodreads.
It seems as though quite a few of the bloggers I am in regular contact with, are deliberately holding back on their reviews of this book, until nearer to, or on the 2018 date of publication.
I accept the fact, that even from the premise, the story line does have very familar overtones, but then I think that goes for very many other books around right now. There doesn’t seem to be any barrier to entry and just so many new authors are working the marketplace, that there is bound to be story overlap, and I can only see that increasing!
An interesting comment, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts 🙂
This sounds very good and I like the cover. Sounds like a nice family drama.
Hi Naida,
A story line which features a great family drama; set across multiple time frames and countries; dramatic cover art which fully reflects the story within; and hiding a good helping of secrets, is always going to get my vote and a place in my TBR pile!
Thanks for visiting this week, it is always great to have you stop by 🙂