THE PARADISO NOVELS 3: THE DAUGHTER OF PARADISO .

Having really enjoyed her The Lost Boy Of Bologna, Book One in the Bologna Chronicles, I jumped at the chance when offered a place on the Blog Tour of this, the third book in the Paradiso Novels which follows on from books one and two, Paradiso and Return To Paradiso. Today its my pleasure to be sharing my thoughts on ...

RETURN TO PARADISO by FRANCESCA SCANACAPRA.

Genre ... Historical Romance Fiction

Publication Date: 8th June 2023

Publisher: Silvertail Books

Standalone Third Book in a series

Estimated Page Count ... 220

⚠️ Author Content Warning ... There is a fairly graphic (but historically accurate) depiction of a home abortion.

Pre-order Link ... https://mybook.to/DaughterofParadiso

Italy, 1963. Graziella Bianchi returns to Paradiso, barely able to believe she has been gifted her childhood home by an old friend.

​The beautiful house has fallen into a state of disrepair, but Graziella is determined to restore it to its former glory.   

​Although one dream has come true, life is far from perfect. She and her daughter, Lucia, are nearly penniless and the pair are on the run from Graziella’s violent husband.

​With divorce not yet legal and the law still giving husbands ultimate control over their wives, Graziella must fight not only to gain her independence, but also to keep her daughter.

​The villagers of Pieve Santa Clara, with their long and loyal memories, step in, and gradually a good life becomes a possibility for Graziella and Lucia.

​But when her estranged husband turns up, drunk and angry, everything Graziella has worked so hard for is under threat.

​The Daughter of Paradiso is a compelling and emotionally-charged historical novel perfect for fans of Dinah Jeffries, Lucinda Riley, Angela Petch and Rhys Bowen.

The third instalment in the Paradiso Novels. Though The Daughter Of Paradiso is perfectly readable as a standalone novel I do regret not having joined the series in the beginning as whilst the current book is nicely balanced with enough of the plot recounted from the previous two books that I wasn't left floundering I was left longing that I'd known these characters from when it all began.

But I digress.

Beautifully written and thoroughly researched. I loved that the author took an outstanding cast of characters and placed them in 1960's Italy in a place that still viewed women estranged from their husbands with suspicion in a time when, as Graziella was to find out, what was a married women's was very much her husband's.

'The bank will be open until five-thirty today, Signora Bianchi, and again from Tuesday of next week. The opening times are displayed in the window. So if your husband could call by whatever time is convenient to him, I can release the funds to him directly. There's no need for you to come.'

This seemed so nonsensical that I hesitated for a few moments, turning over what the bank clerk had just said and assuming that one of us must have misunderstood something.

'You would release my money to my husband, but not me?'

'I would happily releaser the money to you, but only once your husband has authorised it.'

'But its not his money. It has nothing to do with him.'

'Your married, Signora Bianchi, which means that this is also your husband's money.'

- Pg 28/9

My one small issue with the book being the parish priest, Don Vincenzo, who with his dashing good looks and ready charm I thought disappointingly like too many a novel's young, handsome priest. 

Other than that though ...

Its no secret that probably even more than a good plot I have a passion for well written characters and my goodness from Graziella and her daughter, Lucia; to the remarkable Barcia sisters, two 'remarkably mature and level-headed women' who though now in their forties had taken on the family bakery when not yet out of their teens; to {my favourites} the delightful Signora Grassi with her magpie cackle, her cat Alfonsia and her 'not one, not two, but three enormous wardrobes all stuffed with clothing'; to the elderly husband and wife, Nonna Santina and Nonna Romola whose love story prompted the use of several tissues what outstanding, memorable characters the author has penned.

A book thoroughly enjoyed by both myself and my mam, it would seem Francesca Scanacapra is set to become a favourite of ours.

Francesca Scanacapra was born in Italy to an English mother and Italian father, and her childhood was spent living between England and Italy. Her adult life has been somewhat nomadic with periods spent living in Italy, England, France, Senegal and Spain. She describes herself as 'unconventional'  and has pursued an eclectic mixture of career paths– from working in translation, the fitness industry, education and even several years as a builder. In 2021 she returned to her native country and back to her earliest roots to pursue her writing career full time. Francesca now resides permanently in rural Lombardy in the house built by her great-grandfather which was the inspiration for the Paradiso Novels. The Daughter of Paradiso is the third of the Paradiso Novels, following Paradiso and Return to Paradiso. The Lost Boy of Bologna, was also published by Silvertail Books.

Social Media Links ... ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for another well organised Blog Tour. 

Agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own. No financial compensation was asked for nor given. Threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate. 

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