Return to Bella Terra is MaryAnn Diorio’s best book ever, and I have read all her fiction novels! If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, I suggest you begin by reading them–The Madonna of Pisano and A Sicilian Farewell, each partly set in Sicily–MaryAnn’s family’s heritage. This trilogy is loosely based on MaryAnn’s own grandparents immigrating to America, and I think that is the reason you feel like you are in Italy with them–the sights, sounds and scents, even the calls of the birds from the Sicilian villa they called home. The series takes place from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth.
This third novel brings out more about the characters from the first two novels, and I enjoyed how she portrayed her characters growing in faith and age throughout the books–like in real life! And she shows how God really does give us more than we can ask for or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20) I really feel invested in these characters, like they are now part of my family, and hope she someday does a fourth book so we can see where they are twenty or thirty years from now!
This is a great book to restart my blog in 2018! I apologize for my one month absence. Before Christmas I came down with a bad sinus infection and ended up on antibiotics. My brain doesn’t work well on drugs! Then last week I spent 9 hours in the local ER getting a CT scan and 2 IVs before being sent home with two more strong antibiotics and a diagnosis of diverticulitis, so all prayers for healing are appreciated!
Rose, thank you so much for featuring my trilogy, THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES, on your blog! I am most grateful. Blessings to you!