Venice, 1585.
When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve.... read full description
When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve.... read full description
reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Jessie (Ageless Pages Reviews)
rated it: 
3.5 out of 5
From the initial sentence of, "His gondola slips through the water like a knife cutting into dark silk," I knew I was in for an atmospheric historical read. I love when settings are strong, vivid and alive almost (see: Constantinople in Theodora: Empress. Actress. Whore; Prague in Daughter of Smoke and Bone; Prague again in The Book Of Blood And Shadow, etc.) and my hopes were set high for Venice and for Cross My Heart itself. The cover is pretty apt for the novel More...
From the initial sentence of, "His gondola slips through the water like a knife cutting into dark silk," I knew I was in for an atmospheric historical read. I love when settings are strong, vivid and alive almost (see: Constantinople in Theodora: Empress. Actress. Whore; Prague in Daughter of Smoke and Bone; Prague again in The Book Of Blood And Shadow, etc.) and my hopes were set high for Venice and for Cross My Heart itself. The cover is pretty apt for the novel More...
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Oct 17, 2011
Becky
rated it: 
Cross My Heart is a historical novel set in Venice. It is a tale of secrets, deceptions, power and love.
Laura was sent to live in the convent when she was twelve years old. She never understood why her father sent her away but she missed her older sister terribly. In the convent they call her La Muta – she is the silent one. She has learned not to ask questions and to wear her face as a mask to avoid the wrath of the Abbess. Despite her faith, Laura has never felt like she belonged in More...
Laura was sent to live in the convent when she was twelve years old. She never understood why her father sent her away but she missed her older sister terribly. In the convent they call her La Muta – she is the silent one. She has learned not to ask questions and to wear her face as a mask to avoid the wrath of the Abbess. Despite her faith, Laura has never felt like she belonged in More...
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Aug 18, 2011
Jelena
rated it:
Historical books are not my cup of tea, so that`s the reason I can`t give this book high rate. There were too much stereotypes for me (regarding the historical time and the behaviour of the people back than). Apart from that fact I could say I enjoyed the quick reading.
The story is set in Venice during the Renaissance time, which adds an extra mysteriousness to the already existing one.
The story begins with a mysterious death of a young woman, who drowned in the canal ( More...
The story is set in Venice during the Renaissance time, which adds an extra mysteriousness to the already existing one.
The story begins with a mysterious death of a young woman, who drowned in the canal ( More...
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Feb 15, 2012
Crstn29
rated it:
As Cross My Heart opens we find Laura confined to life in an Venician convent. She is restless and pining for her sister who she last saw six years before when her father left her with the nuns. With no choice in the manner, Laura is set to be confirmed in just days when she receives word that her father is calling her home. Delerious with the news, the next morning Laura bursts into her former home and finds a coffin.
She learns quickly that not only has her beloved sister died More...
She learns quickly that not only has her beloved sister died More...
Feb 08, 2012
Jennifer
rated it: 
Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould is targeted at ages 12 and up. I am significantly over 12 and I enjoyed it a lot. Laura della Scala was sent to the convent as a young girl so that her family could afford to launch her sister on society. In Renaissance Venice, she anticipated staying there for the rest of her life, only able to correspond in writing with her sister. When she finds out her sister is betrothed to a man named Vincenzo, she is happy for her since it seems as though her sister is ha
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Dec 13, 2011
Charlotte
rated it:
Synopsis:
Venice, 1585.
When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo.
Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems More...
Venice, 1585.
When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo.
Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems More...
Aug 30, 2011
Vicky
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
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Jan 21, 2012
Karen
rated it: 
Laura thinks that she is being rescued from her monontonous life at the convent when her father summons her back home. She is shocked to hear that her beloved olders sister is dead and that Laura is now expected to marry her sister's much older and lecherous fiance to save the family's fortune. Laura is invited to join Venice's secret society of women with the promise that The Segreta will keep the marriage from happening. But, Laura soon learns that she can trust no one.
I was really looki More...
I was really looki More...
Jul 25, 2011
Tara
rated it:
(My full Cross My Heart review can be found at Agrippina Legit)
Firstly, I must say that I really didn't like the cover choice for Cross My Heart. I don't think it captures the feel of the book at all, and certainly doesn't indicate it's historical fiction. The blurb isn't great either. It's only very loosely tied to the actual action of the novel, and has the wrong tone to sit well with the actual text. Luckily, however, in this case I didn't judge the book by its cover!
C More...
Firstly, I must say that I really didn't like the cover choice for Cross My Heart. I don't think it captures the feel of the book at all, and certainly doesn't indicate it's historical fiction. The blurb isn't great either. It's only very loosely tied to the actual action of the novel, and has the wrong tone to sit well with the actual text. Luckily, however, in this case I didn't judge the book by its cover!
C More...
Feb 20, 2012
Allison (The Allure of Books)
rated it:
Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould hasn’t gotten a lot of hype that I’ve seen. Let me tell you: it deserves more! The lyrical writing makes the atmosphere so rich and engaging. The plot is full of masterful twists and turns, most of which I didn’t see coming. Cross My Heart is definitely a book I won’t be forgetting anytime soon!
Laura has spent the last few years in a convent. When she is suddenly sent for at home, she can’t wait to get there! She is thrilled at the chance to spend time w More...
Laura has spent the last few years in a convent. When she is suddenly sent for at home, she can’t wait to get there! She is thrilled at the chance to spend time w More...
Feb 16, 2012
Brea
rated it:
I honestly thought this was one of the best books I've read in a while. I love historical novels, and I love Italy. Ms. Gould did a fantastic job of immersing me in Venetian culture. I felt Laura's emotions right along with her: the excitement at being called home from the convent, the wrenching despair when she discovered her beloved sister had died, and her disgust and panic at the prospect of marrying Vincenzo. The women of the Segreta kept me guessing, as did the mystery surrounding Beatrice
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Feb 16, 2012
Tina
rated it:
Originally published at Nose in a Book.
With the summary telling you everything you need to know about the beginning of this novel, let me just say that I loved the way it was written. It was simple enough to not be annoying but it really helped put me in the scene, in Venice in a time when women were legally owned. Laura's story begins as one owned by her father--she is put into a convent at age ten so her father does not have to provide for two daughters, she is taken out of the con More...
With the summary telling you everything you need to know about the beginning of this novel, let me just say that I loved the way it was written. It was simple enough to not be annoying but it really helped put me in the scene, in Venice in a time when women were legally owned. Laura's story begins as one owned by her father--she is put into a convent at age ten so her father does not have to provide for two daughters, she is taken out of the con More...
Jul 03, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
When Laura della Scalla was twelve years old, her father sent her to a convent to train as a nun, preferring to spend all the available money on a dowry for her older sister, Beatrice. Life in the convent was miserable and dull, but now, six years later, Laura is shocked to be told she will be leaving the convent and returning home. But nothing is as she hoped it would be. Beatrice has drowned under mysterious circumstances, and Laura must take her place and marry the man their father had arrang
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Jan 24, 2012
Diane
rated it:
Can't begin to tell you how refreshing it was to read a young adult novel that was not a graphic novel nor did it contain a werewolf, fairy or vampire. It was instead a very entertaining historical mystery with some romance thrown in and a mysterious society of women called The Segreta. Loved the descriptions of Venice, the clothing, the gondoliers and the canal. A family feud, a sisters death that needed to be solved all added to the enjoyment of this very atmospheric read. Ending seems to be s
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Nov 24, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
2.5 Stars. Oh, this story could have been so much better! It has such a great foundation: Sixteenth-Century Venice, a secret society of powerful women, a murder mystery, a star-crossed romance. Alas, this felt more like a shell of a really good story. When Laura’s sister Beatrice drowns in a canal, Laura’s father frees her from the convent he banished her to six years ago. Excited to have a second chance at life, Laura is quickly disillusioned when she discovers she is to be her father’s puppet
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Feb 13, 2012
Kathy
rated it:
A lushly told story set in 16th century Venice’s high society. After spending several years in a convent, Laura della Scala is called home by her father. Her sister Beatrice has died and, in order to improve the family’s fortunes, Laura is to be married to Vincenzo, her sisters fiancé. When Vincenzo turns out to be old and unpleasant, Laura turns to The Segreta, a secret society of women, to escape him. The price of admission to The Segreta is a secret, the darker and more shocking the bette
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Feb 02, 2012
Kristin (Beneath Shining Stars, I Read)
rated it:
Laura della Scalla is the second daughter of the della Scalla household and as such, has spent the past six years living in a convent. But with the death of her older sister, Beatrice, she is summoned home and finds herself engaged to a horrible man named Vincenzo in place of her sister. But her sister's death was no accident and Laura soon finds herself involved with a secret society known as the Segreta, where secrets are the currency of choice. But can she really trust them?
If you More...
If you More...
Nov 02, 2011
Nikora
rated it:
Taken from http:nikorachan.blogspot.com
Laura, a venetian girl who has been in a convent is brought back into venetian life when her sister is killed. Her father is out for himself, wanting status more than what Laura wants. She is arranged to be married, to none other than the fiancee of her sister. However, the letters she wrote to Laura are far from the truth of what this man is like. A secret she learns could be the only way out of the arranged marriage, but with the top players o More...
Laura, a venetian girl who has been in a convent is brought back into venetian life when her sister is killed. Her father is out for himself, wanting status more than what Laura wants. She is arranged to be married, to none other than the fiancee of her sister. However, the letters she wrote to Laura are far from the truth of what this man is like. A secret she learns could be the only way out of the arranged marriage, but with the top players o More...
Jan 09, 2012
Danielle
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 16, 2012
Vernieda
rated it:
How can a book that has so many elements I like (secret societies, intrigue, sisters, etc) end up so failtastic?
The first half is pretty meh. Like I mentioned, I can see the shadow of a great book. Then the second half happens and it's a choppy, disjointed mess. Everything happens for the sake of plot with no logic whatsoever and the authorial string-pulling is way too obvious.
The first half is pretty meh. Like I mentioned, I can see the shadow of a great book. Then the second half happens and it's a choppy, disjointed mess. Everything happens for the sake of plot with no logic whatsoever and the authorial string-pulling is way too obvious.
May 05, 2011
Steffie
rated it:
I'm reading this book at the moment and I can't put it down! Blame Sasha for making me exhausted as I'm up half the night reading. Every word of this book makes you want to keep reading. I'm sure when I finally get to the end I'll wish it kept going on. Each night when i turn off my lamp I'm just dying to find out what will happen next. 100% FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Read this book!
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Dec 06, 2011
Kelsey
rated it:
Couldn't put it down! If you're looking for an intriguing, quick read, this one is for you, although I'm kind of a sucker for stories set in Venice. I've been reading books lately that are so incredibly involved, and it was nice to just sit, relax, and read something fun that didn't make my brain hurt.
Jan 17, 2012
Abigail
rated it:
its a great book a bit slow to start but as always love spoils peoples plans and gets some important people angery but the love in this book has a twist that includes her sistr and some-one she thinks is a friend.
Feb 17, 2012
Jacinda
rated it:
Cross My Heart is a book I kept wanting more from. I wanted more background information and more detailed description of anything and everything since it’s a historical fiction novel. Maybe if the book was longer this information could have been included…it’s a rather short and fast read.
Cross My Heart is about women and secrets in Venice in the 1500s…loved the setting. This whole aspect of a secret society of women was good in thought, but it wasn’t pulled off, in my opinion. None o More...
Cross My Heart is about women and secrets in Venice in the 1500s…loved the setting. This whole aspect of a secret society of women was good in thought, but it wasn’t pulled off, in my opinion. None o More...
May 14, 2011
Susie
rated it:
The mystery in this book was mysterious, but I thought it was a little too complicated. Maybe because this is a series and not everything was resolved.
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Jan 25, 2012
Rosa
rated it:
3.5 stars
Review will be posted here and at my blog
http://far-past-midnight.blogspot.com/ on February 13 2012.
Review will be posted here and at my blog
http://far-past-midnight.blogspot.com/ on February 13 2012.
Nov 12, 2011
A wonderful story, beautifully written. Can't wait for more from this author
Dec 07, 2011
Cialina (Muggle-Born)
rated it:
- CROSS MY HEART follows a pretty generic historical romance plot with - unfortunately - a dash of insta-love
- One juicy secret saved my opinion of the book; I devoured the last 1/3 of CROSS MY HEART
- First in a series, but the story ties up with a satisfying ending; best guess is the series will be comprised of companion novels.
Full review to come soon.
- One juicy secret saved my opinion of the book; I devoured the last 1/3 of CROSS MY HEART
- First in a series, but the story ties up with a satisfying ending; best guess is the series will be comprised of companion novels.
Full review to come soon.
Dec 31, 2011
Debra
rated it:
