{THE PARADISO NOVELS 4}: CASA PARADISO - 300 YEARS IN THE LIFE OF A HOUSE.

 My last Blog Tour read of 2024 and what a year it has been. Punctuated with ill health and subsequent delays in reading books and posting my thoughts on them, I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Readings for her patience. FGT

CASA PARADISO - 300 YEARS IN THE LIFE OF A HOUSE by FRANCESCA SCANACARPA. 

Genre ... Historical fiction/romance/women’s fictionPublication Date ... 14th November 2024Estimated Page Count ... 240

Standalone Fourth Novel in the Paradiso Novels series {It takes place before book 1}Pre-order Link ... https://geni.us/CasaParadiso

Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1637

Cristó Lovetta, a skilled stonemason, arrives in the rural village of Pieve Santa Clara to work on a nobleman’s house. Haunted by a tragic past, Cristó wonders if he will ever find happiness again. However, as he immerses himself in his work, the warmth of the community and the beauty of the landscape convince him to begin a new life there.

Cristó designs and builds his own house, which he names Casa Paradiso. Over the centuries, Casa Paradiso becomes home to many generations, standing testament to lives beginning and ending, and witnessing the everyday challenges and triumphs of its inhabitants – from love lost and found, to the tragedies of war, the far-reaching consequences of political decisions made by powerful men and the evolving role of women in Italian society.

Casa Paradiso – the fourth instalment of the Paradiso Novels – is a shining, evocative saga spanning three hundred years in the life of a very special house, and a book that explores the enduring strength of the human spirit, contrasted with the transient nature of life itself.
The latest novel in a series which comprises three previous books, Casa Paradiso: 300 Years In The Life Of A House is book four if read in the order of publication OR, a 'prequal', the first book if read chronologically.
Taken right back to the beginning, back to Italy 1637 when skilled stonemason, Cristó Lovetta, decides to build his own house, 'Casa Paradiso'. Having really enjoyed book three in the series, The Daughter of Paradiso and, even more so, the author's The Lost Boy of Bologna {you can read my thoughts on them by clicking on the book title}, I admit to having high hopes for this, the author's latest work.
Beautifully written. I enjoyed how the author painted the landscape as we travelled through Lombardy, chronicling the rich history and ever changing roles and norms of the community. Most of all though, I found myself enchanted by the craft of Cristó, of how he worked the stone to build himself Casa Paradiso which over the three hundred years depicted in the novel echoed with the loves, the losses, the tears and laughter of several generations. However ...
At 240 or so pages, a relatively short novel to encompass so much, I felt it not nearly long enough and that, sadly, the afore mentioned descriptions of the landscape and a continually changing society overwhelmed the narrative, taking away from the actual story of the house and its inhabitants over the centuries.
But then, a book that I know has proved very popular with my book blogging buddies, most of whom absolutely loved it, I'm aware that I'm very much in the minority.

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 her

Paradiso Novels: Paradiso, Return to Paradiso, The Daughter of Paradiso and Casa Paradiso. Her novel The Lost Boy of Bologna was also published by Silvertail Books.Social Media Links ... Twitter @francescascana2Insta @francescascana2
With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Publication Day Push of this book, 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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{LITTLE CORNISH COVE # 3} CHRISTMAS AT POLKERRAN POINT.

 

CHRISTMAS AT POLKERRAN POINT by CASS GRAFTON. 

Genre ... Feel-good Contemporary Romance

Publication Date ... 22nd August 2024

Publisher ... Canelo Romance

Standalone Third book in The Little Cornish Cove series

Estimated Page Count ... 318Order Link ... https://geni.us/CAPP

Fate may have brought them together, but secrets seem destined to keep them apart...

 

An accident and a lost passport mean Gemma's six-month sabbatical to go travelling is not off to a strong start. She heads to Polkerran Point to stay at her aunt’s while her new passport is processed and to find temporary work in the meantime.

 

Enter musician Matt. Newly moved into a secluded, renovated mill – complete with a recording studio – Matt is preparing for his band’s big reunion tour. Focused on writing new music for the album, he needs a live-in housekeeper.

 

Even as sparks fly, Gemma can sense Matt's keeping secrets and with her role ending once Christmas is over, will there be anything to keep her in Polkerran?

 

A cosy, festive Cornish romance for fans of Phillipa Ashley and Cressida McLaughlin.
Despite being the third book in the series this is my first time visiting the Little Cornish Cove and what better time than Christmas?
The first question I'll doubtlessly be asked about the book is, listed as part of a series, is it really readable as a standalone novel?
My answer?
Though I'm sure many readers will be wanting to start with book one, New Dreams at Polkerran Point, after all there is the argument that by not doing so you potentially miss out on the background story of any character{s} who have appeared in previous books. For myself, despite that there were some characters who had obviously featured in book one and/or two, I thought this was cleverly written so as to be read as a novel in its own right.
The second question?
Just how 'Christmassy' is it?
Hmm! Just how Christmassy is Christmassy? Well ...
There is a delightful sense of community and goodwill throughout the book AND whilst this made for a cosy read in the run-up to Christmas; main characters, Matt and Gemma, putting me in mind of myself and Mr T {him less enthusiastic about the festivities, me, more, much more, so}, for me personally Christmas At Polkerran Point just didn't quite hit the spot as far as Christmassy reads go.
That said, it did have lots to recommend it ...
Namely, the quaint Cornish setting which, central to the story, is penned with such love that {ahhh, bliss!} I was transported right there.
There was none of the instalove that tends to annoy me. Matt and Gemma's relationship was grounded in friendship and I found myself increasingly invested in whether or not theirs was to be a happy ending despite their differing opinions on, well, not just Christmas.
I enjoyed that interlaced with the romance there was the mystery aspect to the novel. Something that, oddly enough, enhanced the overall story when it could so easily have taken away from it, keeping me intrigued from start to finish.

Cass began her writing life in Regency England, enlisted Jane Austen’s help to time-travel between then and the present day and is now happily ensconced in 21st century Cornwall.

Well, in her imagination and soul; her heart and physical presence reside in northern England with her ever-patient husband and Tig and Tag, their cute but exceptionally demanding moggies.

A bit of a nomad, Cass has called three countries home, as well as six different English counties, but her aspiration is to one day reunite with her beloved West Country.
In the meantime, she writes feel-good contemporary romances set in Cornwall and, in doing so, manages to live there vicariously through her characters and settings.
An Ambassador for the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation, Cass is also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Jane Austen Society UK and the Society of Authors.

Social Media Links ...

FB ... https://www.facebook.com/cassie.grafton

X ... https://twitter.com/CassGrafton

Insta ... https://www.instagram.com/cassgraftonwriter/
With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Publication Day Push of this book, 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.

Share the love by following their blog. Take a few minutes to check out their newest post and leaving a comment, you’ll instantly put a smile on their face. Share on FaceBook, X, Pinterest, and other social media sites, it shows that you care about their work and want others to enjoy it too! The next time you see their post pop up on your feed, hit the like button, leave a comment, or even share it with your followers. It’ll defiantly make their day.