Searching
A Letter From Italy by Rose Alexander is a marvellous dual timeline novel that totally consumed me.
The action is set during World War II in both Yorkshire and Italy, and also on the south coast in 1972. Each chapter alternates with the time periods as the reader connects the dots.
A shock surprise, following her mother’s death, totally rocks a young woman’s world. All she thought she knew about herself and her family is shaken to the core as the foundations of her life wobble. She seeks answers, as she searches for her identity. The search takes her first to London, and then to Italy.
During World War II we start off in Yorkshire as we follow a young telephonist until her papers, at aged twenty, see her sign up and posted to Italy.
Also, in Yorkshire we meet an Italian POW based at Eden camp. The locals realise that the young Italian men are no different from themselves, they just want to see the end of the war. Once Italy joins the Allies, the young man joins the partisans in Italy.
All roads lead to Italy! It is hot, sun-drenched and smells of lemons. The reader’s senses are assaulted by the author’s descriptive pen. Italy seems perfect – except for the fact that there is a war on.
The Allies are working to defeat the Nazis – but some are working from within, in order to aid the enemy. Who can be trusted? And who is a traitor?
Love happens where it will. Opportunities are seized but old promises run deep as a character sacrifices herself in order to keep her word.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Letter From Italy. It was frightening at times – due to Nazi strafing and Vesuvius erupting. The landscape was warm, welcoming and bright. It was in contrast to the grey landscape of Britain.
All the characters were well drawn, realistic and likable.
This was a most enjoyable read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
Book Description:
A heartbreaking wartime promise. A family torn apart. A letter that could change everything.
1945. The tiny bundle in her arms barely stirs as she hurries out into the dark street. Remembering Villa Teresa, a thousand miles away in sun-soaked Italy, Betty thinks of the letter she had to write to stop the bombing and save Gianni. Instead it cost her everything… And she will never see her beloved again. Now, letting her little baby go will tear her apart, but she knows it is the only way to keep her child safe…
Naples, present day. With nothing but the name of crumbling palazzo Villa Teresa scribbled on the page, Sadie clutches the scrap of a letter she desperately hopes will help her find her birth mother. It’s her only clue to go on. But with the heady scent of fresh lemons carrying on the breeze, and handsome local guide Luca by her side, she knows in her bones this is the right place.
Then, lost in the local newspaper archives, the pair makes a shocking discovery about the woman Sadie believes is her mother… How she did something terrible during the war. Shattered, Sadie must ask herself if she should continue searching for a woman who did her best to disappear.
Deep down, Sadie knows she can’t give up. But what really happened in that beautiful palazzo all those years ago? What led a mother to give away her baby? And will uncovering this devastating secret destroy Sadie’s heart for good?
A Letter from Italy is an emotional and gripping tale about a tragic love affair in World War Two and how a daughter lost for decades finally follows her heart home. Perfect for fans of The Letter, Fiona Valpy and Angela Petch.
Author Bio:
Rose Alexander has had more careers than she cares to mention and is currently a secondary school English teacher. She writes in the holidays, weekends and evenings, whenever she has a chance, although with three children, a husband, a lodger and a cat, this isn’t always as often as she’d like. She’s a keen sewist and is on a mission to make all her own clothes.
https://www.rosealexander.co.uk/
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Buy Link:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B0CQLY9R94socialhttps://geni.us/B0CQLY9R94social
Audio:
UK: https://ow.ly/mWgi50QVqWQ US: https://ow.ly/30sm50QVqWS 
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Publicist
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