First Blog Post

Hello everyone and thank you for following me. It's been a tough year for most including myself. I left Italy and am spending time in Brazil with my husband's family. Talk about culture shock. Luckily, I am fluent in Portuguese (I'm first generation Luso-American, parents from the Azores). When I read about "under-represented authors" I want to wave and yell, "Over here! Never met another Azorean author!"

Being in Brazil has afforded me a lot of time to research and WRITE. I'm working on 2 books at once.

I'm getting ready to publish a novel set in 17th century Naples, Italy. Prior to coming to Brazil in autumn 2020, I spent time in "bella Napoli" exploring their "cult of death" and the macabre San Guadioso catacombs. My protagonist gets embroiled in a notorious sex cult (TRUE STORY).

I would love to have some historical fiction test readers. If anyone is interested, please let me know. Here is the blurb for THE APPRENTICE:

In a desperate attempt to avoid an undesirable fate, “Carlo” dispatches an urgent letter to estranged cousin, Giovanni Balducci, on the eve of his departure to Naples. The talented youth, who is burdened by a great secret, convinces the famed Florentine master that he needs an apprentice. Together, they travel south to complete commissions, including the adornment of the macabre San Gaudioso catacombs.

What began as an adventure takes a perilous turn when the apprentice falls in love with a local monk and is forced to leave. While restoring an altarpiece, Carlo meets the famed nun, Sister Giulia di Marco, and her confessor, Father Aniello Arcieri. The charismatic pair gradually draw the lonely artist into their scandalous Confraternity of Carnal Charity, whose wealthy noble acolytes believe divine glory can be achieved through sexual ecstasy.

Unable to carry the secret any longer, Carlo finally confesses the truth to Sister Giulia, who wastes no time assigning the artist a prominent role within the cult. The unsactioned sect soon captures the attention of the Holy Inquisition. The priest aiding in the investigation is none other than the monk with whom Carlo fell in love.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading.
Cheers!