What do you think?
Rate this book
Cast the First Stone
The wedding took place in Naples, a city of burning rubble and poverty -- for the time was 1944 and the Germans were in retreat. Thousands of Italians were starving and prepared to do anything to survive.
Liana was more determined than most, not only to survive, but to get out of the hell-hole that Naples had become. She had lied, cheated, played provocative games, and now stood in a crumbling church before an emaciated priest. Beside her stood Nicholas Hamilton-Howard, Earl of Wessex, a young English officer who was totally bewitched by the exquisite Italian girl.
Even during the service she was terrified -- terrified that someone would reveal the truth about her -- but when the final blessing was given she knew she was safe and vowed to devote her life to making Nicholas happy, even though she did not love him -- even though their life together was to be built on lies and deception.
Liana was more determined than most, not only to survive, but to get out of the hell-hole that Naples had become. She had lied, cheated, played provocative games, and now stood in a crumbling church before an emaciated priest. Beside her stood Nicholas Hamilton-Howard, Earl of Wessex, a young English officer who was totally bewitched by the exquisite Italian girl.
Even during the service she was terrified -- terrified that someone would reveal the truth about her -- but when the final blessing was given she knew she was safe and vowed to devote her life to making Nicholas happy, even though she did not love him -- even though their life together was to be built on lies and deception.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
576 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Angela Arney
11 books9 followersAngela Arney was born in Hampshire, England, where she has lived for most of his life. She went to school in Winchester, but since 2001, she lives in Marchwood, near Southampton. A widowed, she has a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren. Before writing she had a varied career as a caberet singer, a teacher, and then hospital administrator.
Angela has been a published writer of successful romantic novels since 1984, has had 16 romantic suspense stories published as well as four larger mainstream novels. She was the nineteenth elected Chairman (1997–1999) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, is a reader for the New Writers Scheme (unpublished writers) and also reads partial manuscripts for a publisher. She is a speaker for various literary events up and down the country. Together with two other local authors, June Tate and Katie Fforde, she runs creative writing courses to tutor others. As well as writing, Angela has interests in amateur theatre both as a performer and director for plays and musicals. She took time out to return to the theatre as a director of amateur companies, but she has now returned to writing novels.
Angela has been a published writer of successful romantic novels since 1984, has had 16 romantic suspense stories published as well as four larger mainstream novels. She was the nineteenth elected Chairman (1997–1999) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, is a reader for the New Writers Scheme (unpublished writers) and also reads partial manuscripts for a publisher. She is a speaker for various literary events up and down the country. Together with two other local authors, June Tate and Katie Fforde, she runs creative writing courses to tutor others. As well as writing, Angela has interests in amateur theatre both as a performer and director for plays and musicals. She took time out to return to the theatre as a director of amateur companies, but she has now returned to writing novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 20, 2018
Wow, what a whopper of a story that was and it was interesting until the very last page.
I think if this book was edited again carefully this could be a very good book. I think there was just an insane amount of foreshadowing and there were a lot of elements in the beginning of the book from "gone with the wind". I even expected little Eleonora to break her neck when her pony jumped....
But I just couldn't believe that the incest was shrugged off the way it was in this story....
Very strange!
Overall I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
I think if this book was edited again carefully this could be a very good book. I think there was just an insane amount of foreshadowing and there were a lot of elements in the beginning of the book from "gone with the wind". I even expected little Eleonora to break her neck when her pony jumped....
But I just couldn't believe that the incest was shrugged off the way it was in this story....
Very strange!
Overall I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2018
I really loved this story. And what a story it was.
Liana had kept quite a few secrets from her husband Nicholas and his family for so many years but it was bound to come out eventually.
Nicholas and his family had kept one secret from everyone else. With this secret exposed would Liana finally reveal her secrets and feel better about her decisions in deceiving them? You will have to read it to find out.
Liana was an extremely strong character. She did many things to improve the lives of those around her and become fairly rich.
Would any of her good traits result in redemption from the family?
The story was quite historical regarding late second world war and how people struggled to survive and continue to live and deal with the circumstances and fallout of the war.
The last 20% of this book kept building up to the climax I just couldn’t put the book down. I had to know the end even though I knew I would have finished the book then. It’s a weird feeling wanting to know how the book finishes and not wanting it to end. To me this is a sign of a good story.
Well written. I could imagine the various settings described and could also feel the atmosphere created within the pages of the story.
It was a long book and took about 4 days to read. Almost a half epic. I enjoy stories like this because I feel like I am really amongst the characters and settings.
There were lots of twists and turns.
One of the other male characters, Peter had a very gentile accommodating nature; something I have found with lots of characters called Peter in novels and movies.
The other main male character Raul was in a league of his own. I won’t spoil it for you.
It’s a shame more people haven’t reviewed this book yet. I am wondering if there will be a mixed bag of reactions.
I would certainly recommend it for adults, not young adults and not to a younger audience due to the themes covered.
Liana had kept quite a few secrets from her husband Nicholas and his family for so many years but it was bound to come out eventually.
Nicholas and his family had kept one secret from everyone else. With this secret exposed would Liana finally reveal her secrets and feel better about her decisions in deceiving them? You will have to read it to find out.
Liana was an extremely strong character. She did many things to improve the lives of those around her and become fairly rich.
Would any of her good traits result in redemption from the family?
The story was quite historical regarding late second world war and how people struggled to survive and continue to live and deal with the circumstances and fallout of the war.
The last 20% of this book kept building up to the climax I just couldn’t put the book down. I had to know the end even though I knew I would have finished the book then. It’s a weird feeling wanting to know how the book finishes and not wanting it to end. To me this is a sign of a good story.
Well written. I could imagine the various settings described and could also feel the atmosphere created within the pages of the story.
It was a long book and took about 4 days to read. Almost a half epic. I enjoy stories like this because I feel like I am really amongst the characters and settings.
There were lots of twists and turns.
One of the other male characters, Peter had a very gentile accommodating nature; something I have found with lots of characters called Peter in novels and movies.
The other main male character Raul was in a league of his own. I won’t spoil it for you.
It’s a shame more people haven’t reviewed this book yet. I am wondering if there will be a mixed bag of reactions.
I would certainly recommend it for adults, not young adults and not to a younger audience due to the themes covered.
July 7, 2018
Cast the first,stone
An unusual story. Elena definitely had some serious emotional issues. She had a very hard early life. .Nathaniel was an extremely patient and honorable man. Loved his mother and Donald and Dorothy. Lots of twists and turns though out this,story. A happy ending after much turmoil. Would give it 4 stars
An unusual story. Elena definitely had some serious emotional issues. She had a very hard early life. .Nathaniel was an extremely patient and honorable man. Loved his mother and Donald and Dorothy. Lots of twists and turns though out this,story. A happy ending after much turmoil. Would give it 4 stars
December 11, 2018
A Whirlpool of Emotions
You are pulled into the story and identify with the characters. Out of all the tragedy comes redemption. Not schmultzy but ‘dark night of the soul’ redemption, which, as the reader you experience vicariously.
You are pulled into the story and identify with the characters. Out of all the tragedy comes redemption. Not schmultzy but ‘dark night of the soul’ redemption, which, as the reader you experience vicariously.
February 19, 2021
A fabulous story
This very unusual and complex story will appeal to every woman BECAUSE it is both emotional and realistic. The author has brought he reader completely into the story as if they are part of the group of characters.
This very unusual and complex story will appeal to every woman BECAUSE it is both emotional and realistic. The author has brought he reader completely into the story as if they are part of the group of characters.
October 21, 2022
Enjoyable
This book suprised me so glad I persevered, thought it was just another romance story, but the story evolved and so did the characters. It was a great story and certainly held my interest right to the last page. 👌😊
This book suprised me so glad I persevered, thought it was just another romance story, but the story evolved and so did the characters. It was a great story and certainly held my interest right to the last page. 👌😊
February 4, 2019
Predictable!
Yes this book was predictable, however, I thoroughly enjoyed reading every chapter. Well written and very descriptive thrpughout. A good read.
Yes this book was predictable, however, I thoroughly enjoyed reading every chapter. Well written and very descriptive thrpughout. A good read.
July 18, 2019
My first book from the author and I just loved it. The narrative was so engrossing and one just gets involved with the characters.
January 23, 2021
Extremely good book
Loved it. Different and engaging. Good characters and it twists and turns and holds your interest to the last page.
Loved it. Different and engaging. Good characters and it twists and turns and holds your interest to the last page.
Read
July 29, 2011This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. A great story.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews