**GIVEAWAY** and Review of The Madonna of Pisano by Mary Ann Diorio

The Madonna of Pisano by MaryAnn Diorio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! The Madonna of Pisano by Mary Ann Diorio examines the life of a young woman in Sicily in the late 1800’s. Family values and reputation is everything. Maria Landro’s family owns a thriving produce business at their beloved Bella Terra. Maria is set to marry Carlo, her sweetheart. However, tragedy strikes when the priest she works for rapes her, resulting in Maria becoming pregnant. Her fiancee leaves her. Her family’s reputation is ruined and six years later, is on the brink of bankruptcy. Maria loves her son more than anything and is appalled when as he starts school, he is shamed as she has been during this entire time. She finds friendship with the local tailor but knows he will not entertain more. She must convince the priest to publicly confess what he did to her so that her reputation and business can be saved. Diorio ensconces the reader in an Old World Italian feel. Her characters (with the exception of the priest!) are extremely likeable and the reader will find her/himself hoping they will persevere!


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The Madonna of Pisano by Maryann Diorio

Publication Date: December 15, 2015

TopNotch Press

Paperback & eBook; 310 Pages

Series: The Italian Chronicles, Book One

Genre: Historical Fiction/Religious

A young woman, a priest, and a secret that keeps them bitterly bound to each other... A horrifying encounter drags soon-to-be-married Maria Landro into the shocking world of religious corruption and an unrelenting village code of honor that threatens to rob her of everything she holds dear. Shunned by the very people who should have embraced her, she withdraws into the confines of Bella Terra, her family’s farm, and remains there for several years...until she is forced to leave to ensure the formal education of her son. In a desperate attempt to protect her child from vicious tongues and malicious hate-mongers and her family farm from bankruptcy, she determines to seek vengeance against the one who ruined her life. But when Luca Tonetta enters her life, she learns a powerful lesson about forgiveness and grace.

"Beautifully written historical novel. Excellent characters, dramatic plot. Beautifully written, giving wonderful feeling for the setting in place and time. Emotionally intense situations, satisfying resolution. Among the two or three best novels I have read this year. Highly recommended." - Dr. Donn Taylor, Author & Former University Professor of Literature

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A Sicilian Farewell by Maryann Diorio

Publication Date: December 14, 2016

TopNotch Press

Paperback & eBook; 258 Pages

Series: The Italian Chronicles, Book Two

Genre: Historical Fiction/Religious

A young man, a new land, and a dream that threatens to destroy him and his family . . . The dream of a better life for himself and his family drives Luca Tonetta to the American Promised Land with his wife of five years, Maria Landro Tonetto, and their three children. But the new Promised Land is nothing like what Luca had imagined. Forced to live in a roach-infested tenement house in the seedy section of Brooklyn, he faces the hardships, prejudice, and slanderous assaults of an Italian immigrant torn between two worlds. When Luca is accused of a crime he did not commit, he learns that a dream must first die before it can live.

"Such lovely writing--and an even lovelier story! Author MaryAnn Diorio takes her readers on a courageous journey, from the ancient romance of the Old Country to the perils and possibilities of the New Country. Well developed characters and a story that will stay with you long after you've finished this enjoyable read.” - Kathi Macias, Award-Winning Author

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Return to Bella Terra by Maryann Diorio

Publication Date: October 26, 2017

TopNotch Press

Paperback & eBook; 242 Pages

Series: The Italian Chronicles, Book Three

Genre: Historical Fiction/Religious

A mother, her son, and the man who threatens to come between them . . . When Maria Landro Tonetta receives word that Mama is terminally ill, Maria travels to her Sicilian homeland with her son Nico. She finds herself yearning for the life she once knew as a child on Bella Terra, the family farm, now on the verge of bankruptcy. Caught between two worlds, Maria dreams of moving back to Sicily with her husband and children to save the farm. When Nico’s biological father unexpectedly appears at Mama’s funeral, Maria faces a new enemy to her dream. But is there an even greater enemy within her own soul?

"Each book in the Italian Chronicles series made me want to read the next one. Now I would like to see another spin-off series dealing with the next generation. The characters in MaryAnn Diorio's book feel so real. They have flaws. They seek better relationships. They suffer and they rejoice. Just like us. There are people in their lives who help strengthen their faith, and there are those who undermine their faith. In this third book, Maria has to face letting go of many things, and only through seeking God first can she do that. Along with messages of faith and family, Return to Bella Terra takes you to Italy, and the vicarious experience is wonderful. Diorio sprinkles just enough Italian words (in italic) throughout the text to give you the sense of being there. You can smell the food, hear the music, and see the beautiful countryside. I highly recommend this series and any other books written by MaryAnn Diorio.” - Claudia Cuddy, Former Professor of Communications

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About the Author

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. Her books for both adults and children consistently receive excellent reviews for their content and their style. MaryAnn holds the PhD in French with a concentration in Comparative Literature from the University of Kansas. She resides in New Jersey with her husband Dominic, a retired physician. They are the blessed parents of two awesome daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, and five rambunctious grandchildren. When not writing, MaryAnn loves to read, to paint, and to make up silly songs for her grandchildren. For more information, please visit MaryAnn Diorio's website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, March 5 Feature at Passages to the Past Tuesday, March 6 Review at Cup of Sensibility (The Madonna of Pisano) Wednesday, March 7 Review at Library of Clean Reads (The Madonna of Pisano) Thursday, March 8 Feature at Broken Teepee Friday, March 9 Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots Saturday, March 10 Interview & Excerpt at T's Stuff Monday, March 12 Excerpt at Donna's Book Blog Tuesday, March 13 Feature at A Literary Vacation Wednesday, March 14 Review at Library of Clean Reads (A Sicilian Farewell) Thursday, March 15 Review at Back Porchervations (The Madonna of Pisano) Friday, March 16 Review at Cup of Sensibility (The Madonna of Pisano) Monday, March 19 Interview at Creating Herstory Wednesday, March 21 Review at Library of Clean Reads (Return to Bella Terra) Thursday, March 22 Review at Creating Herstory (The Madonna of Pisano) Monday, March 26 Review at Creating Herstory (A Sicilian Farewell) Tuesday, March 27 Review at Back Porchervations (A Sicilian Farewell) Wednesday, March 28 Review at Cup of Sensibility (The Madonna of Pisano) Friday, March 30 Review at Creating Herstory (Return to Bella Terra) Wednesday, April 4 Review at Back Porchervations (Return to Bella Terra)

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two eBooks of each title in the Italian Chronicles trilogy! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on April 4th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Italian Chronicles