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Hong Kong 1941 and the streets are filled with Japanese soldiers. Two young people are brought together then separated by terrible cruelty. Fifteen-year-old Kate lives a rarefied life of wealth and privilege in the pre-war Hong Kong expatriate community, but when the Japanese invade she’s interned in squalid Stanley Camp with her parents. Enduring cramped conditions, humiliation, disease, and starvation, Kate befriends seventeen-year-old Charles, who is half Chinese, and they give their hearts to each other under the orchid tree. Meanwhile, forty miles away in Portuguese Macau, thirteen-year-old Sofia’s suspicions are aroused when her father invites a Japanese family to dinner, an event ...
From an award-winning author - an epic novel of love, betrayal, and finding where you truly belong. 1943 Lidia De Angelis has kept a low profile since Mussolini’s laws wrenched her from her childhood sweetheart. But when the Germans occupy Venice, she must flee the city to save her life. Lidia joins the partisans in the Venetian mountains, where she meets David, an English soldier fighting for the same cause. As she grows closer to him, harsh German reprisals and her own ardent patriotic activities threaten to tear them apart. Years later While sorting through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, Charlotte discovers a Jewish prayer book, unopened letters written in Italian, and ...
From award-winning author Siobhan Daiko, comes a hauntingly epic read that will sweep you away to the beauty of the Italian Riviera. A story of heart-wrenching loss, uplifting courage, and secrets untold. When Gina Bianchi returns to the beautiful Italian resort of Portofino to attend her father’s funeral, she is beset by vivid memories of World War 2, when she joined the Resistance, alongside her identical twin sister, Adele. In her childhood bedroom, Gina reads Adele’s diary, left behind during the war. As Gina learns the shocking truth about her sister, she’s compelled to face the harsh realities of her own past. For readers of Rhys Bowen, Fiona Valpy, and Victoria Hislop. What real readers are saying about The Girl from Portofino: ”I was totally blown away.” Netgalley reviewer ”If you are after quality historical fiction, this author is someone whose books you should be reading.” Goodreads reviewer ”The writing was really good with well developed characters and a great storyline.” Netgalley reviewer
Two women separated by time, but united by passion and art. In 1504, Cecilia, a lady of Venice, joins the court of Queen Caterina Cornaro-- where she catches the eye of a powerful stranger who will stop at nothing to make her his. Summer 1989, and Fern, on vacation in Italy to deal with a personal trauma, finds herself pulled back to the sixteenth century to be drawn inescapably into Cecilia's life. Intrigue and romance flourish at the Queen's court as Cecilia embarks on a passionate but ill-fated affair with a penniless painter. Luca, a twentieth century Italian architect, notices a resemblance between Fern and the girl in a painting by the artist, Giorgione. He helps Fern cope with her visions while falling increasingly under her spell. Echoes of the past begin to manifest themselves in the present through a series of startling coincidences, until past and present collide-- throwing both Fern and Cecilia into deathly danger. Can Fern stay safe and come to terms with her own past? This book was previously published as "Lady of Asolo".
A tale of courage, loss and heart-wrenching redemption. 1944 Bologna, Italy, and the streets are crawling with German soldiers. Nineteen-year-old Leila Venturi is shocked into joining the Resistance after her beloved best friend Rebecca, the daughter of a prominent Jewish businessman, is ruthlessly deported to a concentration camp. 1981 Exchange student Rhiannon Hughes arrives in Bologna and meets Leila, her landlady. Soon, Rhiannon finds herself being drawn into a web of intrigue. Leila’s nephew seems to be interested in a far-right group, but how is the nefarious leader connected to Leila? As dark secrets emerge from the past, Rhiannon is faced with a terrible choice. Will she take her c...
Based on a true story, a tale of love and survival against all the odds set in Hong Kong at the start of the Pacific War. Can love conquer all? Spring 1939 - dashing young William Burton and the beautiful Constance Han set sail from London on the same ocean liner to Hong Kong. Connie is intrigued by Will’s talent for writing poetry, and as romance blossoms she offers to give him Cantonese lessons to help him with his new job — a cadet in the colonial service. But once in Hong Kong, Connie is constrained by filial duty towards her Eurasian parents, and their wish for her to marry someone from her own background. When war breaks out, Connie and Will find themselves drawn into a wider confl...
A heartbreaking tale of love and courage in wartime Italy Two women, one village, and a war that changes everything... In wartime Italy, Rosa’s whole world is turned upside down when British POWs are sent to her father’s tenant farm on landowner Ginori’s Tuscan estate. Grieving her husband killed by the Allies, she is wary of the British soldiers. Meanwhile Emma, the landowner's daughter, sees an opportunity to help her childhood friend Marco, an Italian soldier hiding from the Nazis. As danger closes in, unlikely alliances form. Rosa’s distrust melts as she bonds with Tom, a charismatic Scotsman among the POWs. Together, they navigate the perils of war to rescue their community. Wit...
A heartbreaking story of survival set in World War II Hong Kong, perfect for fans of Dinah Jefferies A country at war. A love to last a lifetime. Hong Kong 1941, Fifteen-year-old Kate lives a rarefied life of wealth and privilege in the pre-war Hong Kong expatriate community, but when the Japanese invade she’s interned in squalid Stanley Camp with her parents. Enduring cramped conditions, humiliation, disease, and starvation, Kate befriends seventeen-year-old Charles, and they give their hearts to each other under the orchid tree. But neither of the young lovers know what terrible cruelties lie in their future. The internment camp is just the beginning, and as they face the horrors of war,...
Lidia De Angelis has kept a low profile since Mussolini’s laws wrenched her from her childhood sweetheart. But when the Germans occupy Venice in 1943, she must flee the city to save her life. Lidia joins the partisans in the Veneto mountains, where she meets David, an English soldier fighting for the same cause. As she grows closer to him, harsh German reprisals and Lidia’s own ardent patriotic activities threaten to tear them apart. Decades later in London, while sorting through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, Charlotte discovers a Jewish prayer book, unopened letters written in Italian, and a fading photograph of a group of young people in front of the Doge’s Palace. ...
We can't change the past, but the past can change us . . .From the Sovereign Lady of Asolo's villa of delights to the palaces of 16th Century Venice, Siobhan Daiko's novel will take you on a sensuous and fragrant journey of romance, intrigue and redemption. Those who enjoy the work of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, and Susanna Kearsley should also likeLady of Asolo. I lived and breathed this book. Highly recommended.Renita D'Silva, bestselling author of Monsoon Memories. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Grappling her own demons and the after-effects of a disaster, Fern battles to keep hold of her sanity as she's snatched back in time and lives the life of Cecilia, a young woman at the court of Queen...