Historical fiction is one of the most challenging genres to write because it involves a great deal of research. Writers must research every aspect of daily life in the particular era they are writing about, from food, fashions, personal hygiene habits, politics, laws, and much, much more. It never fails that whenever I embark on a new story, my research always leads me to another fascinating story to be told. I’ve amassed about a hundred or more such fascinating stories that would one day make a great novel.
In researching The Novice, I began querying massacres in Italian convents, and this ultimately led me to a 17th century family feud between two families in southern Italy over a fiefdom. It’s a true story! It is an amorous love story with an explosive political plot, and all because of the jealousy over a woman. In a wild impetus, to kidnap the woman, one family massacres the other. Any survivors were imprisoned, and hostages taken. The beautiful young woman was forced into marriage with the son of the murderers. Of course, retaliation occurs and results in another massacre to the family of the murderers. The poor young woman at the heart of so much enmity, finally escapes to a convent where she lives her life confined in the cloister. The town where this all took place has since become a ghost town complete with its own curses and haunting legends! This is one story that will be worth the telling. Definitely one of my future novels!
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Publication Date: September 15, 2014H&W Press
Formats: eBook, Paperback; 380p
Genre: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance
A young woman on the verge of taking her vows to become a nun.
A desperate flight from a murderous massacre.One honorable man comes to her rescue.
Another becomes her nemesis and captor.
And a life and death search to reunite with her one true love.
A desperate flight from a murderous massacre.One honorable man comes to her rescue.
Another becomes her nemesis and captor.
And a life and death search to reunite with her one true love.
In 10th century Naples, Saracens run rampant, annihilating villages, murdering women and children. Death and despair is everywhere. Alone in the world, Sara is a young novice plagued with doubts about taking her final vows to become a nun. When her convent is attacked, she flees for her life straight into the arms of a group of Saracens who leave her to die alone in the woods. An honorable cavaliere named Nicolo comes to her rescue and offers to take her to the safety of Naples. As they journey together, they are irresistibly drawn to each other. Believing Sara to be a nun, the honorable Nicolo is torn between love and duty to respect her vows. Heartbroken, he does what honor demands and sets her free before she can tell him the truth that she is not a nun. In her search to reunite with Nicolo, she encounters Umberto, a dark and dangerous man who will stop at nothing in his obsession to possess her. With her sharp intellect, and her heart, Sara must rely on her own courage and strength to escape her abuser and find the only man she will ever love. A story that burns with intensity, intrigue, and passion from the author of the highly successful novel, Orphan of the Olive Tree.
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About the Author
A true blue Taurean in every way, Mirella Sichirollo Patzer grew up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a city famous for the Calgary Stampede, oil companies, and the wild west. Historical fiction books are one of her obsessions, especially those that pertain to medieval eras and with Italy as a backdrop. Her fascination for women of history and Italy is often reflected in her work, her various blogs, and website. She lives in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada with her husband and family. Her house is brimming with books and toys. For her, life couldn’t get any better.
For more information please visit Mirella’s website. Mirella also blogs at History and Women & Historical Novel Review. Connect with Mirella on Facebook,Twitter, Goodreads and Pinterest.
The Novice Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, September 29
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Tuesday, September 30
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages
Interview at Triclinium – Elisabeth Storrs
Wednesday, October 1
Guest Post at Book Babe
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Obsession
Thursday, October 2
Review & Giveaway at The Book Binder’s Daughter
Interview & Giveaway at Historical Romance Lover
Friday, October 3
Spotlight & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection
Monday, October 6
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective
Tuesday, October 7
Review at Unshelfish
Spotlight at Princess of Eboli
Wednesday, October 8
Guest Post & Giveaway at Historical Tapestry
Thursday, October 9
Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews
Friday, October 10
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Guest Post at Keely Brooke Keith
Thank you so much for your lovely post and for hosting me on your awesome blog. It was truly an honor.
ReplyDeleteMirella Patzer