Friday, July 19, 2019

Beneath an Italian Sky

GIVEAWAY
HENRIE, STACY
BENEATH AN ITALIAN SKY

A love match turns into a lonely marriage. Will Clare and Emmett reconcile their differences before it's too late?

-1908-

American heiress Clare Herschel made what she hoped was a love match when she married the handsome, witty Emmett Markham, the Earl of Linwood. A little over a year into her marriage, though, Clare finds herself wintering in Sicily -- alone. She is sure the mild climate is the answer to avoiding another miscarriage and Emmett's apparent indifference, so she's determined to remain in Italy as long as possible. the last person she expects to show up at the villa is her husband, especially when Emmett confesses he's there to convince her to return to England.

As the only surviving son of a marquess, Emmett has done everything his father has asked of him -- even agreeing to run for a seat in the House of Commons. However, this latest task comes with a nearly impossible caveat. He must convince his wife Clare to come back to England with him in order for them to appear to be a happy couple for his political campaigning. Emmett isn't confident Clare will agree to the plan, though, not when she seems to want nothing to do with him or the life they'd begun building before she abruptly left him for Italy.

When a massive earthquake strikes Messina, Sicily, claiming the lives of thousands, Clare and Emmett must set aside their mutual misgivings about their marriage in order to survive and lend a helping hand to others. But in the wake of the destruction, they begin to realize they've been given a chance to decide if their love is stronger than the upheavals of the past.

My Review:

I dove into this read not quite sure what to expect. I was intrigued by the reconciling married couple romance and the Italian setting but didn't quite have a grasp for how this story would play out. I'm the kind of reader who likes to know what I'm fictionally leaping into so I hope y'all appreciate my bravery venturing blindly into Stacy Henrie's latest. :-)

What I found was sheer brilliance! What an emotionally compelling story! Impeccable crafting blends 'present day' (historically speaking -- 1908) with flashbacks of courtship and early wedded bliss. And, oh, the waves of hurt caused by misunderstandings and plain lack of communication skewered this reader's tender heart. Clare and Emmett are barely more than honeymooners! Such a lot of sorrow to pack into their first year as man and wife.

And then the earthquake hits and that brings a whole new dimension to their story. Spellbound and breathless, that's me after devouring Beneath an Italian Sky in one sitting. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. Henrie is a storytelling genius!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win an ecopy of Beneath an Italian Sky, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 20 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

27 comments:

  1. I'm with you on wanting to know exactly what I'm getting into with a story. It's ones like these that can take you by complete surprise though...in a really good way!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. We are kindred book spirits, Trixi! And I love when a book surprises me but I'm still a toe dabbler about them at first. Why is that? lol Good luck!

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    3. Toe dabbler is a good description...lol! It's like when you first enter a pool and aren't quite sure if the water is going to be too cold, so your very hesitant...But once you get in all the way, you have the time of your life! 😂

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  2. This would be a great book to start your Stacy Henrie addiction with, Kate! Good luck!

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  3. Taken from both the past and present day - saving face for a job opportunity, etc. We have all seen or heard of this, so a relatable premise for the story. I have not yet read any of her books - was looking back at your past reviews. Thanks!

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    1. The intricacies of Emmett's relationship with his father is really well done. It drives his actions...even his opinions. Loved the way that's explored in this novel too. I don't think I'm current with Stacy Henrie's work but I've really loved what I have read. Good luck, CC!

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  4. I keep thinking I need to read Stacy Henrie's novels but still haven't gotten around to it. Sounds excellent though!

    rachaeldalquist AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Here's the perfect place to start. Good luck, Rachael!

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  5. I love Stacy’s books — think I’ve read them all. This one is on my Kindle and is calling to me to be read next! Thanks for your review, Kav.

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  6. The first in this set is in my TBR. Really want to read this one too! Melmo2610ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. The idea of American Heiresses as a series theme is brilliant. Makes for great stories. Good luck, Melmo.

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  7. What a beautiful cover, and I love that it takes place in Italy. :-) Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!

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    1. The cover is quite appealing, isn't it? Good luck, Alicia!

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  8. Sounds Ike I need to read. I’ve never read her books. Thank you for sharing.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. She's a great author. Hope you get to read something by her soon. Good luck, Lucy!

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  9. Love the cover! You're review has me longing to read this book. "BENEATH AN ITALIAN SKY" sounds like a book that I would definitely enjoy reading.

    Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  10. Stacie is new author to me too. Sounds like a lot of good reading!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  11. Have been keeping my eye on this one! Thanks again! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  12. This sounds really good! It's going onto my TBR list!

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  13. Great review, Kav! I love those book surprises, too! This book is on my wish list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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