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Five Star, Mar 2004, 26.95, 300 pp. ISBN: 1594141819 In 1990 Art History major at Vassar, Jane Holland journeys to Italy with her two friends. Before leaving, her mother warns her to stay away from Sicily especially their relatives. However, Jane feels an urge to continue her journey after departing from her friends so she goes to Palermo where her mom's best friend Claudia Donzini and her spouse Baron Aldo take the American into their home. On her first evening at Claudia's villa, Jane attends a party where she meets Prince Lorenzo Bighilaterra. They recognize one another from the day before when both visited the Segesta on the mainland. He gives her an amulet of which only two were made. The other was given by his grandfather to a peasant woman he loved but their relationship ended in tragedy. Jane learns that the peasant was her great aunt and she believes she is falling in love with Lorenzo. Is history repeating itself with a new tragedy or is history correcting itself through the love between Lorenzo and Jane? Only time will tell what is their ultimate fate. With paranormal elements abounding throughout the plot, fans receive a delightful otherworldly romance that will keep the audience guessing as to what really is happening to Jane. The story line moves a bit slowly at first, but once the supernatural happenings begin, the plot goes into hyperspeed even as the lead couple falls in love. Fans will wonder if this is reincarnation, a dastardly scheme, fate, or some other mystic occurrence as Jo Manning cleverly never fully reveals all until the final climax. Harriet Klausner | ||
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Plot & Themes Time/era of story Forbidden/mismatched love? Yes How mismatched? Matchmake, (will/family) Yes Matchmaker... - matchmake by ghost Main Male Character Profession/status: Age/status: - 20's-30's Main Female Character - 20's-30's Profession/status: Setting Europe Yes European country: - Italy Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death What % of story is romance related? - 80% Focus of story - equally on him and her How much dialog - significantly more dialog than descript |
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