What do you think?
The Casa Bella Chronicles #2
Anna Lucia
Vincenzo Castello - How hard it is to focus on the task at hand when your mind wants nothing more than to sink into sweet oblivion.
Almighty God, give me strength. Stone and weeds dug into his head, grit bit his face. So much blood.
The weapon. He must act now or not at all.
Footsteps on gravel told of the enemies approach. The Sicilian slowly tightened his grip. Through slit eyelids he watched and waited.
The enemy raised his revolver.
Only God could have arranged this meeting. Only God could heal a woman so wounded. In His service by life or death; will this vow be fulfilled?
Anna Lucia; Book 2, The Casa Bella Chronicles
Liz Galvano has been writing stories since she was a girl. She lives in Florida with her husband, Jeff, and a menagerie of animals. www.lizgalvano.net
Almighty God, give me strength. Stone and weeds dug into his head, grit bit his face. So much blood.
The weapon. He must act now or not at all.
Footsteps on gravel told of the enemies approach. The Sicilian slowly tightened his grip. Through slit eyelids he watched and waited.
The enemy raised his revolver.
Only God could have arranged this meeting. Only God could heal a woman so wounded. In His service by life or death; will this vow be fulfilled?
Anna Lucia; Book 2, The Casa Bella Chronicles
Liz Galvano has been writing stories since she was a girl. She lives in Florida with her husband, Jeff, and a menagerie of animals. www.lizgalvano.net
438 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2017
About the author
Liz Galvano
4 books30 followersLiz Galvano has been writing since she was a little girl. Her stories combine old style adventure and romance with a dash of humor. She loves family, food, animals, and all things Italian. Liz lives with her husband Jeff, two rambunctious dogs, two entitled cats, and two horses, Murphy and Twila
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 27, 2017
Anna Lucia, written by Liz Galvano, is book 2 in the Casa Bella Chronicles.
Galvano takes us on the journey back to Italy in such a way as I thought I was a mouse in their pocket...except I could use my five senses to see, hear, touch, taste and smell the life of the Castello family life. Galvano doesn't skimp on the little things that take you on a book-vacation to a land and time when you can only dream about. To a family that once again shows how much their faith binds them together.
My favorite character...by far...Vincenzo! He never forgot...time may have passed, but he never stopped remembering the time...He's the kind of dreamy guy that you wish for your daughter. Not only does he love his family fiercely, he loves his Lord even more. He cares with his whole being.
The Casa Bella Chronicles, book 1 & 2, is a series you won't soon forget. I recommend this series for teens on up, for readers who love Christian historicals especially those based in Italy. Plenty of faith and romance to keep you turning those pages to see what's going to happen next. Excellent addition to this series!
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Galvano takes us on the journey back to Italy in such a way as I thought I was a mouse in their pocket...except I could use my five senses to see, hear, touch, taste and smell the life of the Castello family life. Galvano doesn't skimp on the little things that take you on a book-vacation to a land and time when you can only dream about. To a family that once again shows how much their faith binds them together.
My favorite character...by far...Vincenzo! He never forgot...time may have passed, but he never stopped remembering the time...He's the kind of dreamy guy that you wish for your daughter. Not only does he love his family fiercely, he loves his Lord even more. He cares with his whole being.
The Casa Bella Chronicles, book 1 & 2, is a series you won't soon forget. I recommend this series for teens on up, for readers who love Christian historicals especially those based in Italy. Plenty of faith and romance to keep you turning those pages to see what's going to happen next. Excellent addition to this series!
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 27, 2017
SUCH an amazing book. Filled with excitement, adventure, love (real love!), hope, and incredible characters you'll fall in LOVE with. I absolutely adore when a book is more than just a story, but also has deep meaning and a powerful message. Anna Lucia comes through on that extremely well, better than most books I have read. It really touched your heart in a beautiful way. This series is phenomenal and I can't wait for the next one!!
September 12, 2017
Life hasn’t been kind to Lucinda Stewart. Unforgettable heartache, loss, and unspeakable violence mark her heart and her face. Twenty years have passed and she’s yet to put the fractured pieces together. Now a spinster without hope, Lucinda resigns herself to live a quiet life with her brother. For who would dare love a physically and emotionally scarred woman?
But when she and her brother travel to Italy, Lucinda’s life is hurled back in time. When they arrive at Casa Bella, she’s introduced to Vincenzo Castello. Something about the dark Sicilian haunts her. Memories dance inside the shadows of her mind, but never close enough to the light for her to remember. Is he a friend or a long lost enemy returned to finish her nightmare? Why should she trust him, a complete stranger?
Vincenzo Castello is a God-fearing man haunted by the past. If he could go back… When Lucinda Stewart waltzes back into his life without a memory of that night, Vincenzo’s doesn’t know what to do. Does he tell her the truth inside his heart and fill in the gaps of her memory? Will that truth set her free or tighten the chains that now hold her? Can he convince her to trust him and his God? Can he and the Castello family protect her from the one man threatening to take her life?
Liz Galvano transports her readers to faraway places through the lives of unforgettable characters. In her latest novel, Anna Lucia, Book 2 in the Casa Bella Chronicles, she shares her love of family, food, horses, and fencing. Yes, fencing! And she wraps it all up with God’s amazing gift of love and compassion for the hurting.
I give Anna Lucia five hearts because it is the story of two people overcoming the obstacles in this journey we call life. They have seen heartache, and still, they choose to trust a faithful God whose love never fails. The characters love hard and fight harder. Galvano doesn’t sugarcoat the war we must wage to become overcomers. It isn’t a short or easy read. But it is worth the time, belly laughs, and tears.
Happy reading!
I was given a copy of this book by the author and was under no obligation to publish a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
But when she and her brother travel to Italy, Lucinda’s life is hurled back in time. When they arrive at Casa Bella, she’s introduced to Vincenzo Castello. Something about the dark Sicilian haunts her. Memories dance inside the shadows of her mind, but never close enough to the light for her to remember. Is he a friend or a long lost enemy returned to finish her nightmare? Why should she trust him, a complete stranger?
Vincenzo Castello is a God-fearing man haunted by the past. If he could go back… When Lucinda Stewart waltzes back into his life without a memory of that night, Vincenzo’s doesn’t know what to do. Does he tell her the truth inside his heart and fill in the gaps of her memory? Will that truth set her free or tighten the chains that now hold her? Can he convince her to trust him and his God? Can he and the Castello family protect her from the one man threatening to take her life?
Liz Galvano transports her readers to faraway places through the lives of unforgettable characters. In her latest novel, Anna Lucia, Book 2 in the Casa Bella Chronicles, she shares her love of family, food, horses, and fencing. Yes, fencing! And she wraps it all up with God’s amazing gift of love and compassion for the hurting.
I give Anna Lucia five hearts because it is the story of two people overcoming the obstacles in this journey we call life. They have seen heartache, and still, they choose to trust a faithful God whose love never fails. The characters love hard and fight harder. Galvano doesn’t sugarcoat the war we must wage to become overcomers. It isn’t a short or easy read. But it is worth the time, belly laughs, and tears.
Happy reading!
I was given a copy of this book by the author and was under no obligation to publish a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
March 6, 2018
Anna Lucia, the second installment in the Casa Bella Chronicles is everything and more than book one. I adore this series and eagerly anticipate the third book. Come away into the Italian culture with the Castello family as you fall in love with Vincenzo and break free from your old life, like Anna Lucia. You will feel as though you are a member of the family as you sit at meals, laugh and even get into a fencing match. More than this, you will find themes of faith, love, courage and suspense throughout Anna Lucia.
This book is well researched and a remarkable historical Christian fiction novel. As I turned each page, I read with anticipation as to what was to take place next. The characters feel real to me and I had a difficult time putting this book down. Honestly, it will have you turning the pages as did book #1. I did my best to read a few pages at a time because I did not want to finish it all at once. This book will hold your attention and captive your heart. Overall, this is a wonderful and breathtaking novel. I cannot wait to read the third book in this series. The Casa Bella Chronicles is a truly a a delight and I highly recommend reading these books. I give this book more than 5 stars because it is a literary masterpiece and I do not say this lightly.
This book is well researched and a remarkable historical Christian fiction novel. As I turned each page, I read with anticipation as to what was to take place next. The characters feel real to me and I had a difficult time putting this book down. Honestly, it will have you turning the pages as did book #1. I did my best to read a few pages at a time because I did not want to finish it all at once. This book will hold your attention and captive your heart. Overall, this is a wonderful and breathtaking novel. I cannot wait to read the third book in this series. The Casa Bella Chronicles is a truly a a delight and I highly recommend reading these books. I give this book more than 5 stars because it is a literary masterpiece and I do not say this lightly.
January 16, 2018
Researched thoroughly, written well, Anna Lucia is worth reading is you enjoy Christian historical fiction. Author Liz Galvano takes us deep into the Italian culture with her writing about fencing, horseback riding, and of course Italian cuisine. But more than that, the obvious importance of faith in God and love of family is written all the way through this incredible book.
Galvano’s characters have a depth that you don’t always see in historical fiction. They seem so real with their flaws and strengths. You’ll laugh at the shenanigans of the men in the Castello family. You’ll melt at the protection and care given to the women in their lives. I’m sure if I were to go to Italy I would meet the most delightful people!
And the suspense! Full of twists and turns, this book held my attention from page 1 to the very last page. I hated to see it end and can’t wait for book 3!
Galvano’s characters have a depth that you don’t always see in historical fiction. They seem so real with their flaws and strengths. You’ll laugh at the shenanigans of the men in the Castello family. You’ll melt at the protection and care given to the women in their lives. I’m sure if I were to go to Italy I would meet the most delightful people!
And the suspense! Full of twists and turns, this book held my attention from page 1 to the very last page. I hated to see it end and can’t wait for book 3!
January 17, 2018
Researched thoroughly, written well, Anna Lucia is worth reading is you enjoy Christian historical fiction. Author Liz Galvano takes us deep into the Italian culture with her writing about fencing, horseback riding, and of course Italian cuisine. But more than that, the obvious importance of faith in God and love of family is written all the way through this incredible book.
Galvano’s characters have a depth that you don’t always see in historical fiction. They seem so real with their flaws and strengths. You’ll laugh at the shenanigans of the men in the Castello family. You’ll melt at the protection and care given to the women in their lives. I’m sure if I were to go to Italy I would meet the most delightful people!
And the suspense! Full of twists and turns, this book held my attention from page 1 to the very last page. I hated to see it end and can’t wait for book 3!
Galvano’s characters have a depth that you don’t always see in historical fiction. They seem so real with their flaws and strengths. You’ll laugh at the shenanigans of the men in the Castello family. You’ll melt at the protection and care given to the women in their lives. I’m sure if I were to go to Italy I would meet the most delightful people!
And the suspense! Full of twists and turns, this book held my attention from page 1 to the very last page. I hated to see it end and can’t wait for book 3!
February 8, 2018
Anna Lucia, Book 2 in The Casa Bella Chronicles is another feast for the mind and heart. I love this series, and I eagerly await the next installment in the Casa Bella Chronicles. Liz Galvano has a knack for writing that makes you feel like you are there. You become immersed in the big Italian Castello family, their lives, their meals, their celebrations, the genuine self sacrificing love they have for one another, and the importance of faith in their daily lives. You find in this story, suspense, mystery, fear, courage, faith, and romance. I love the strong, and definitely swoon-worthy hero Vincenzo, who patiently loves Anna Lucia through the residual effects of the trauma she experienced 20 years before. In this book, her past somehow enters her present, and I never knew what was going to happen next. I highly recommend The Casa Bella Chronicles!
January 12, 2022
Book 2 of The Casa Bella Chronicles, Anna Lucia, by author Liz Glavano continues the love story of Lucy and Giovanni but focuses on the tale of Giovanni's Uncle Vincenzo and Lucy's Aunt Lucinda. It's another beautiful love story, but so much more. The high-tension and rich descriptions continue from book one. Someone's after the newly married Vincenzo and Lucinda (renamed Anna Lucia by the family) which takes place mostly in Rome where we see the fascinating city in the early 20th Century. Sword fights, gun battles, horses racing to save the day, family relationships and tensions. It's all here. I can't wait for book three in the series hopefully later in 2022.
October 28, 2022
4.75 stars!
I really enjoyed the book, even more than the first one! Usually, I get bored when the couple is together before the end of the book, but Anna Lucia was different and remained action-packed! the ending had me on the edge of my seat and I loved seeing Anna come back to God! Vicenzo was so kind and I adored seeing his and Anna's love for each other grow. Would definitely recommend it!
I really enjoyed the book, even more than the first one! Usually, I get bored when the couple is together before the end of the book, but Anna Lucia was different and remained action-packed! the ending had me on the edge of my seat and I loved seeing Anna come back to God! Vicenzo was so kind and I adored seeing his and Anna's love for each other grow. Would definitely recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews