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The Tuscan Villa
Daughters of Italy Book 3
Ella Carey
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Italy, 1945. As war rages through Europe, a crumbling family villa that becomes a vital safe space for the people of Cortona during the war. But that sanctuary is lost the day its owner, Vivi, mysteriously vanishes…
Manhattan, 1953. Francesca feels smothered by lace as she tries on wedding dresses in an uptown boutique. Can she really start a new life with her fiancé without first answering the questions she has about her childhood in Italy? Confronted with the news that the bougainvillea-covered villa she grew up in is for sale, and the lavish gardens her father designed and cultivated are destined to be razed, she buys a plane ticket and doesn’t look back. She can’t stand by and watch it all turn to rubble.
Fran chokes back a sob as she finds the gardens wild and overgrown and the once-pristine follies crumbling under the baking sun. But the lingering scent of the Italian basil from the kitchen garden brings Fran closer to the father she lost. To save this sacred space she must uncover what really happened when Vivi disappeared.
But while standoffish locals treat Fran like an outsider, she knows she is closing in on a secret at the very heart of the gardens she ran barefoot through as a young girl; a tragic love triangle that plagued the villa, defied the authorities, and might change everything Fran thinks she knows about who she is. One thing is certain: what happened to Vivi was no accident.
And just when Fran thinks she’s uncovered a truth that will shake the little village of Cortona to its foundations, she discovers a letter that changes everything once again. Can Fran find a way to save the gardens before they are destroyed? Or will she be forced to return home to a future in New York that no longer fits?
From bestselling author Ella Carey comes an utterly heart-wrenching and gripping World War Two historical novel that will transport you straight to the Tuscan countryside. Fans of Kathryn Hughes, Fiona Valpy and Victoria Hislop will be utterly enchanted.
**Each Daughters of Italy book can be read as part of the series or as a standalone**
- Amazon: https://geni.us/B0GHZVK9XWsocial
What readers are saying about the The Tuscan Villa:
“I longed to be swept away to Villa Aria with its lush gardens, and its peaceful, timeless surroundings. Ella Carey is a talented storyteller. A must read!” Layered Pages, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A captivating tale… filled with intrigue, mystery, and suspense…The plot twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat… I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this incredible story. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unputdownable read that will resonate with them for a long time.” Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Full of twists and turns and secrets! The setting is stunning with all the descriptions of this heavenly location… What a plot twister!… Its setting is divine, its plot heartbreaking and characters memorable” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Had me gasping! A moving and atmospheric read,” Lifechapterswithdanni, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This story is like walking through sunlit ruins filled with secrets, and it pulled me in with its blend of history and mystery… the setting alone, war-torn Italy and a crumbling villa, made it feel immersive right from the start.” rubie_reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The setting is stunning… makes you feel has if you have been transported to the heart of Tuscany… The mystery of Vivi’s disappearance and the reasons for it will keep readers captivated… The last few chapters had me in their thrall.” Shaz’s Book Blog
