The Fisherman's Daughter by Melinda Sue Sanchez + $25 and Book Giveaway!

Eighteen-year-old Marianna De'Angelis has grown up on her father's fishing boat off the picturesque coast of Sicily, Italy. She traverses the nearby countryside on horseback and bicycle and works alongside her mother selling fish at market. It is a simple, happy life. But when WWII erupts and the Nazis overtake the country, Marianna's peaceful world is shattered.

In the midst of chaos, Marianna encounters a handsome, young Italian soldier named Massimo Scalvone. Though she tries to keep her distance, Marianna finds herself powerfully drawn to Massimo. Yet all the while, the man she is growing to love conceals a deadly secret—a secret that ensures that in a world now ruled by politics and greed, Massimo is not free to give his heart. Devastated, Marianna immerses herself in helping her family and neighbors survive the war. But soon, merely helping is not enough, and the young woman undertakes increasingly dangerous missions for the resistance. Although Marianna and Massimo each harbor secrets, their only hope of survival is to trust each other with the truth of who they really are.

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I love historical fiction.  It's one of my favorite genres to read.  This book is set in Italy during WWII.  War is a horrible thing and it is sometimes difficult to read about because so many people suffer in so many different ways.  But it also reminds me that there were heroes everywhere- ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help and protect each other.  This book does a good job of balancing the horrors of war with the hope of good people.

This book painted some beautiful pictures in my head.  Even the difficult scenes were vivid and played out like a movie for me.  I love when I can so easily picture what is happening in my head.

The story is a slower one and has a gentle feel to it, even when my heart started pounding with anticipation.  The writing is very pretty.

I really enjoyed this story.  I don't think I've read anything by this author before but I'll be on the lookout for more.

Content:  Some violence, death associated with war, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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