Rosanna Chiofalo put uit haar Siciliaanse erfgoed en haar ervaringen als eerste generatie Italiaanse Amerikaanse. Haar schrijven duikt vaak in rijke culturele tradities en familieverhalen die de kruising van de oude en nieuwe wereld weerspiegelen. Door haar werken verkent ze thema's als identiteit, ergens bij horen en de zoektocht naar een plek binnen een nieuwe omgeving. Haar stijl staat bekend om zijn warmte en authenticiteit, waarmee ze lezers meeneemt naar het hart van de Italiaans-Amerikaanse gemeenschap.
A story of a mother and daughter, two different perspectives, two settings--one historical and one modern--and how the two close the generational gap and find mutual understanding. This novel is a poignant and moving story of the choices we make in the name of love, and the secrets that echo through generations.
"Valentina DeLuca has made hundreds of brides' dreams come true. At Sposa Rosa, the Astoria, New York, boutique where she, her sisters, and their mother design and sew couture knock-off gowns, she can find the perfect style for even the most demanding customer. Now, it's her turn. Valentina has loved Michael Carello ever since he rescued her from a cranky shopkeeper when she was ten years old. He's handsome, chivalrous, and loyal. And in a few weeks, she's going to marry him - in Venice. But just when she thinks everything is falling into place, Valentina is forced to re-examine her life to see what truly makes her happy. And as she soon learns, in a place as magical as Venice, what seems like misfortune can turn out to be anything but, although who knows what may be waiting around the next corner? The chance to enjoy a moonlit gondola ride, to sip Prosecco in St. Mark's Square, to eat mouthwatering gelato, to put aside osensibleo for once and see where the warm Italian breezes guide her as she visits all the sights she's dreamed of - The Doge's Palace, Il Rialto, the little islands of Murano and Burano. And maybe, along the way, to discover that bella fortuna - good luck - isn't what you're given, but what you make."--Publisher's description
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, the novel explores the deep connections between mothers and daughters, highlighting themes of love and sacrifice. It delves into the impactful choices made across generations and continents, weaving a rich tapestry of emotional experiences that resonate throughout the characters' lives.
For Signora Maria Ferraro, the sunflowers in the fields around Tuscany in summer carry bitter memories. Not even her cherished daughter, Anabella, knows what happened to her during World War II, when the Germans overran Florence. In the aftermath of loss and grief she found salvation through cultivating roses on her farm. Now the blossoms symbolize everything that is good and safe, and she nurtures them with as much care as she guards her past. Yet to Anabella, who longs for more, the rose farm has become little more than a pretty prison