• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards & Honors, Pomp & Circumstance
  • Blog
    • Modern, 18th, 19th Century
    • Baroque, Rococo
    • Renaissance
    • Ancient, Roman, Medieval
    • Culture, Festivals, Music, Literature
    • Art News, Current Events
  • FaceBook
  • Pinterest
  • Italian with Melissa
    • Studentessa Matta Italian Site
    • Learn Italian at home with Melissa
    • Study in Italy with Melissa
  • Melissa’s Books
    • Melissa’s Author Website
  • Store
  • Sign Up & Connect
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Art of Loving Italy

Art of Loving Italy

Art & Beauty are all around us.

Waking Isabella reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views

January 13, 2018 by Melissa Muldoon 1 Comment

Illustration Credit: Art of Loving Italy, Adobe Stock

Earlier this week I had an email from Sheri Hoyte telling me she had reviewed “Waking Isabella” for Reader Views. With great excitement, I clicked on the link to take me to the website to read her comments about my newly published novel set in Arezzo Italy.

Writing a novel is a very personal experience, one that has been completely my experience for over a year. So, to finally release my work into the public arena is a little daunting. Now the world can see what I have created and can respond, however, they like, regardless of knowing how much effort went into the writing of the book…the hours and hours I spent crafting, designing, re-writing, and re-formulating the story for months and months…and months…and often into the wee hours of the night. I have gone over every single detail of my story countless times in my head and by now I am as enamored with my characters as I am with the story that has spilled out of my head and onto the pages of my Word document. I hope now my characters and the story I have woven will also resonate with my readers.

waking-isabella-reviewed-sheri-hoyte-reader-views
Illustration Credit: Art of Loving Italy, Adobe Stock

“Waking Isabella” by Melissa Muldoon is a must-read for all fans of Italy, history, romance, and intrigue. Eccellente!

As I began to read Sheri’s review, I must admit I let out a whoop of joy and tears glistened in my eyes. Her words were wonderful to read. She has keyed into and identified with the very things I hoped to achieve with ”Waking Isabella“ and she enjoyed the story very much. I have touched a reader and that makes me extremely happy.

Thank you so much, Sheri, for your lovely 5-star review. You made this author’s day! Mi hai rallegrato la giornata!

To read Sheri’s review online on
the Reader Views Website please click this link

I include the full review here for you to read and enjoy!

Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views — Melissa Muldoon delivers an enchanting story set in Arezzo, Italy about love, intrigue, mystery, traditions, and art in her latest novel, “Waking Isabella.”

Leonora (Nora), a young research assistant who is at a crossroads in her life, travels to Italy to film a documentary on 16th Century Italian princess, Isabella de Medici.  Fascinated with the history surrounding the princess, Nora hopes to uncover some of the mystery surrounding her tragic death, and a painting of Isabella and her mother that has been missing for decades. There is also the rumor of Isabella’s ghost to consider.

While in Italy, Nora reunites with an old friend and meets several new ones. Of particular interest is Gianluca (Luca) Donati, owner of an antique business that has been in his family for generations. When Luca shares details about his ancestor’s participation in smuggling famous artwork out of the country during WWII, Nora’s research takes her down yet another path, exploring the life of Margherita, Luca’s grandmother. Muldoon magically weaves together the lives of Nora, Isabella and Margherita, spanning the course of many centuries, into a story that will mesmerize and haunt readers long after the last page is read.

Illustration Credit: Melissa Muldoon

As a big fan of Melissa Muldoon’s since reading her debut novel, “Dreaming Sophia,” I could not wait to dive into “Waking Isabella.” The author has such a unique voice you can feel her personality in every sentence.  Her writing is magical, as she incorporates her distinctive style through various methods. She eloquently takes the reader from the past to the present and back again with seamless delivery. She transitions from real-time drama to bits of fantasy through almost dream-like sequences. She delivers historical references and tells of lasting traditions that drive you to want to learn more, and exhibits a contemporary voice through her protagonists, all the while weaving bits of Italian into the dialogue. I’ve read books where intermingling languages actually took me out of a story—but not so in “Waking Isabella,” where the words flow harmoniously together, further adding to the author’s individuality and voice.

The characters are intriguing, versatile, and genuine. At the onset of the story readers are drawn inside Isabella’s character, all at once capturing the essence of her free spirit and strength in light of the heartbreaking end to her short life. Protagonist Nora’s character grows impressively with the story as she pushes through her fears with courage and determination to reinvent herself and follow her dreams. Supporting characters are equally portrayed with authenticity and it is an exciting spin inside their heads.

It’s apparent “Waking Isabella” required extensive research, though it certainly feels like a labor of love. Muldoon’s passion for Italy is evident and I really enjoyed the addition of the last few pages of the book where she provides information distinguishing the facts from the fictional parts of the story. I found these tidbits the perfect way to wrap things up, inviting and encouraging the reader to learn more about the historical period, if so driven. All in all, I would say “Waking Isabella” by Melissa Muldoon is a must-read for all fans of Italy, history, romance, and intrigue. Eccellente!

If you liked this post you might like these too:

Waking Isabella a New Novel about Italy set in Arezzo by Melissa Muldoon

Do you have a dream to share?

Waking up to Italy

Share this post

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
Share
Email

Related Posts

Filed Under: Melissa Book News Tagged With: Arezzo, Novel about Italy, Waking Isabella

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment. I love hearing from you in English or Italian! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to the Art of Loving Italy Blog

Follow along on Instagram @studentessamatta

Immagini un mondo in cui sai come usare la preposi Immagini un mondo in cui sai come usare la preposizioni italiane “Di”: Matta Set Number 7

You can say that I am a dreamer, but I hope you will join me because we need to learn the Italian preposition "di." 

Just as the Fab Four's songs are filled with catchy melodies, learning the Italian preposition “di” can be an adventure full of surprises, linguistic quirks, and delightful expressions. 

In this new set of Italian prepositions that take “di” we will cover: Immaginare di, smettere di, terminare di, finire di, cercare di, avere bisogno di

#ItalianPrepositions #ItalianPreposizioneA #learnItalian #StudentessaMatta #StudentessaMattaRocksItalianStudies #StudentessaMattaOnline #ItalianwithStudentessaMatta #ItalianONLINELessons #learnItalian #LearnItalianOnline #PreposizioneDI #ItalianPrepositionDi #BisognoDi #SmettereDi
Darsi del Lei o Darci del tu! — Italian Formal a Darsi del Lei o Darci del tu! — Italian Formal and informal modes of address 

Salve! Buona giornata! Buongiorno! Come sta? Come stai?? Come state??? 

Hello! Good day! Good morning! How are you? 

Oggi scopriamo di più sui due modi fondamentali di rivolgersi ad una persona che dà forma alle interazioni sociali in Italia - la forma formale del “LEI” e l'amichevole “TU.” 

Today we will discover more about the two fundamental ways of addressing a person that shape all social interactions in Italy - the formal form of the “LEI” and the friendly “TU.”

#InformalItalian #FormalItalian #LeiForm #TuForm #LearnItalian #StudentessaMatta #DarciDelTu
Great News! You can still sign up and participate Great News! You can still sign up and participate in this year’s 2023 Studentessa Matta Italian Language Immersion Programs.

There is even time to still enroll in the 2023 Matta and Arezzo June program that a is coming up next month!

Just imagine strolling through the charming streets of Lucca, sitting in the stands in Piazza Grande in Arezzo watching the Giostra del Saracino, or indulging in a homemade pasta dish while taking in the breathtaking views of Montepulciano. 

In addition to being a cultural experience, every day, you will have the chance to have lively conversations with guides, native speakers, and fellow students as you discover the country’s beauties with passionate students like you. 

La Studentessa Matta’s small-group language programs are highly effective, with group lessons taught by professional teachers from her partner schools and afternoon activities designed to encourage you to keep practicing your Italian. It is a fun, engaging learning approach that is always fresh and entertaining!

Join me in Italy this year to learn Italian! Sign up on the www.StudentessaMatta.com website. Links in Bio.

#StudentessaMatta #LearnItalianItaly #StudyItalianArezzo #LearnItalianLucca #LearnItalianMontepulciano #IlSasso #CulturaItalianaArezzo #luccaitalianschool
The magical wizarding world of Italian preposition The magical wizarding world of Italian prepositions: Matta Set Number 6

The magical wizarding world of Italian prepositions: Matta Set Number 6. Le preposizioni italiane sono magiche perché possono dare vita alle tue parole con un tocco di stregoneria linguistica! In this new set of Italian prepositions that take “a” we will cover: Ubbidire a, Aggiungere a, Costringere a, Capitare a, Permettere a, Nascondere a. Expression “Darla a bere a”

#LearnItalian #StudentessaMatta #ItalianPrepositions #PreposizioniItaliane #PracticeItalian
Introducing a new Italian Homestay language vacati Introducing a new Italian Homestay language vacation in Pavia with Anna and Giulia

Get to know Anna, who offers a homestay in Pavia in the lake region. For several years, Anna has opened her home to foreign language students that come to Italy to immerse themselves in Italian culture and improve their language skills. Through an Italian homestay Vacation, with Anna, in Pavia, you can immerse yourself in the language, learn about the local culture, and get a personalized learning experience tailored just for you. Plus, you'll have a supportive family, like Anna's sister Chiara, to show you the ropes and help you navigate this beautiful city. And the best part? You'll live like an Italian, eating delicious food and making lifelong memories. So what are you waiting for? Let's go to Pavia and have the time of our lives!

#ItalianLanguageHomestay #Pavia #ItalianHomestayPavia #LearnInItaly #StudentessaMattaHomestay #StudentessaMatta #ItalianLanguageLearningProgram #StudyItalianItaly#learnItalian
Wine tasting party! Una degustazione di vino! Wine tasting party! Una degustazione di vino!
Everything, Everyone, Everywhere, all at Once: the Everything, Everyone, Everywhere, all at Once: the Italian adjective TUTTO

Let's take a closer look at the Italian word “TUTTO.” By itself, TUTTO means EVERYTHING. It is also an adjective and must agree with the gender and the number of the modifier noun. There are also many expressions using tutto that are helpful to know that will make you sound like a madre lingua. Read a little story using all the forms of Tutto to understand better when and how to use this Italian adjective that can mean Everything, Everyone, Everywhere, All at Once!!

#Tutto #ItalianAdjectiveTutto #StudentessaMatta #learnItalian #LearnItalianOnline

Melissa Muldoon © 2023 Built with and Genesis Framework by Bellano Web Studio