Melissa P. Muldoon

Where do I start? I fell in love with Maddie and Artemisia, they're such strong, smart women, who refuse to bow down in the face of adversity. Muldoon did an amazing job of bringing the whole story to life, like watching a movie unfold on a big screen instead of reading a book. I was amazed by how well Italy was brought to life, both past and present. (Seriously, you'll feel like you've traveled past the walls of your living room). If you're looking for a beautiful romance crossed with women's fiction, then grab your favorite drink and prepare to travel to Italy.… (plus d'informations)

I got drawn into this story so fast, that before I knew it, I was chapters deep. Three women, spanning centuries of history, from past to present, all intertwined into one captivating plot. I love how real and down-to-earth Nora felt, right down to trying to find herself after some major changes occur in her own life. While there is some romance woven in, at it's core this is really the story of three strong women, and the lives they lived (and in some cases lost). If you're looking for a character-driven story that will capture your heart and mind, then you don't want to miss out on this one!… (plus d'informations)

While this tale hits upon tough themes and how women have turned from tragedy to a better future,

it's a beautiful weave of time, art, hope and determination.

Maddie is a woman, who even as a girl has had a special openness to time, dreams and a bit of spirituality. It's no surprise that the world of art has become her calling. However, she can never shake the sense that her existence might go beyond the usual borders...as if other times are calling to her. She discovers a special bond to ARtemisia Gentileschi, a fellow artist who becomes more than a role model for Maddie. As Maddie travels to Italy, the borders of time start to open up as she meets various people and realizes a larger connection and discovers the boundless realm of possibility.

The author has pieced together a masterful tale which takes the fantasy which transcends time, mixes with the idea of timeless love, and deepens everything with the inspiring accounts of triumphing over shame and unforgivable humiliation. Maddie's spirit is inspirational, and her personality runs deep. When mixed with the beauty of Italy, and then slipped into various moments of time, a memorizing setting is formed. Four women experience harsh moments filled with shame, and yet, they managed to find a way to rise above it. The message is empowering. This is a read which is hard to put down and leaves a footprint long after the book is placed back on the shelf.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed reading this so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.… (plus d'informations)

Trying to regain footing in life, Nora dives into the history behind a fifteenth-century Tuscan duke's daughter and the mystery surrounding her death as well as a missing painting.

Isabella does not have a wonderful marriage, but it isn't so awful that she expects her husband to enter her bedroom and murder her once her father's dead. Hundreds of years later, Nora, a modern woman just leaving a divorce, searches for the answers surrounding what-could-have-been and what-ifs. After reading and studying much of Isabella's strange history, she decides to film a documentary about the woman. In Italy, Nora not only submerges herself in the historical sites surrounding Isabella's past but also digs deeper into the mystery behind a missing painting. Both searches take unexpected turns into deceit, forgery and a touch of paranormal activity.

The first chapter starts with the rape and murder of Isabella. It's dramatic, grabs right away and, yet, is tastefully done. When the next chapter switches to modern-day Nora, the tone is set. The author does a great job at weaving the past with the present and dabs here and there in time without ever becoming confusing. The past slips in with Nora's thoughts seamlessly, making it easy as well as a joy to read.

Isabella was an easy character to connect to from the very first moment. I enjoyed learning more about her as the story progressed. Nora, however, wasn't quite as easy to relate to. In the first part of the book, the story is presented from her own head with little dialogue, which kept those personality traits, which make a character endearing, a bit at bay. Still, she approached the mystery and her own troubles very naturally and understandably.

There is a romance, and it builds slow and steady, slipping perfectly along with the rest of the pacing. But this isn't about action, it's a story which hits on a more personal level and takes the time for the characters to build and the plot to settle in. Italian fans will adore the true-to-life descriptions not only of the architecture and towns, but of the culture and people in all of their subtleties. Even the historical aspects demonstrate well-grounded research and give the book a lovely foundation.

Summed up, it's a story that woman fiction and mystery fans who love Italian flair are sure to enjoy. I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.… (plus d'informations)