Book Three in the Roma series, finds us back in Italy in Threading the Needle.
About Threading the Needle
Milan.
Bianca’s curiosity gets a young university student murdered but not before he gives her a file that details a secret weapon under development with defense contractor, Adastra. Guilt may drive her to find justice for the slain student Charlie Brooks, but she is warned by the mysterious Loki to stay away from this case that runs deep with conspiracy. Bianca must find a way to uncover government secrets and corporate alliances without returning Italy to one of its darkest hours, the decades of daily terrorism known as the “Years of Lead.”
My Thoughts
It is hard to believe but book three in this series is even more incredible than the first two!
Threading the Needle is all about building trust. Bianca has to break with her personality traits and trust her friends in order to solve this new case. Each character plays a strong role in solving this intense plot that starts with the murder of Charlie Brooks. Threading the Needle is intense, action packed and full of suspense. It constantly left me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out the next step only to be fully surprised! Even more so, with real world events mixed in I found myself looking up the events to understand the novel even more so. It opened up a whole new world for me that I was not even aware had happened. I love novels that make you think like this and expand your knowledge.
Threading the Needle is the perfect third novel in this series that you will not want to put down! It has everything you need and more with no disappointments.
Gabriel Valjan lives in New England, but has traveled extensively, receiving his undergraduate education in California and completing graduate school in England. Ronan Bennett short-listed him for the 2010 Fish Short Story Prize for his Boston noir, Back in the Day. His short stories and poetry have appeared in literary journals and online magazines.
We enter into the lives of Italians during the Second World War and witness their daily struggle in Port of No Return.
About Port of No Return
Contessa and Ettore Saforo awake to a normal day in war-stricken, occupied Italy. By the end of the day, their house is in ruins and they must seek shelter and protection wherever they can. But the turbulent politics of 1944 refuses to let them be.
As Tito and his Yugoslav Army threaten their German-held town of Fiume, Ettore finds himself running for his life, knowing that neither side is forgiving of those who have assisted the enemy. His wife and children must also flee the meagre life their town can offer, searching for a better life as displaced persons.
Ettore and Contessa’s battle to find each other, and the struggle of their family and friends to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of a devastating war, provide a rich and varied account of Italian migration to Australia after World War II.
What can you do when you have nowhere left to call home? Port of No Return considers this question and more in a novel that is full of action, pain and laughter — a journey you will want to see through to the very end.
My Thoughts
What an incredible, heart breaking story Port of No Return tells. You cry, you smile and you sit in disbelief at the personal strength and perseverance these individuals had. I can’t even begin to imagine all that they witnessed and all that they had to go through in order to just survive.
Our two main characters, Contessa and Ettore, have a good life in Italy. This is quickly torn apart when the war reaches their village and destroys all that they have worked for. They find shelter with friends but are quickly torn apart by allegiances. This causes the family to separate and leads them down a dangerous path. One that with every turn of the page brought new fears and trials, that as a reader leaves you on the edge of your seat. Life is a constant struggle for them. You find yourself crying, praying, hoping and smiling with them.
Port of No Return was like opening an intimate journal, a struggle for family, for love, for rebuilding their lives and the immense strength each of these individuals had. At the end, this could very well be so many people’s life that we are reading. These citizens were displaced from their homes and forced to wait out immigration in camps, never knowing where or when they would find a home. It gives a sense of new respect and admiration for the generations that came before us and all that they struggled with to give their children freedom and a new life. I have since re-read this book several times, as well as borrowing it to a co-worker who also fell in love with the story.
You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Chapters.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Michelle Saftich is a first-time author who resides in Brisbane, Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Business/Communications Degree, majoring in journalism, from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
For the past 20 years, she has worked in communications, including print journalism, sub-editing, communications management and media relations. She is married with two children.
The Giveaway!
My readers now have the chance to win their own copy of Port of No Return, enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.
My father was just a baby when his family had their house bombed and they lost everything during World War II. Their experiences in Italy’s Fiume and as displaced people in Europe inspired my writings about this time period and part of the world.
How did you do research for your book?
I interviewed my father and his family’s friends as well as reading online news articles, research papers, World War II refugee accounts and websites dedicated to Fiume and its history including those of Italian museums.
Your book is set in Fiume, Italy. Have you ever been there?
My family visited when I was a child of nine years. The city is now known as Rijeka, Croatia.
How long have you been writing?
I have wanted to be a writer since the age of six. I have always written stories and manuscripts in my free time. Working as a journalist, sub-editor and in public and media relations, I have come to learn many different writing styles. My debut novel took two years to research and write.
What is your next project?
I am writing a sequel to Port of No Return. I want to explore how the Italian family adapts to Australian culture after migration.
If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time?
During most of the writing of Port of No Return, I was working two days a week as a sub-editor and raising two young, school-aged boys. So three days a week, I would do housework for one hour each morning then write until school pickup time, a total of 15 hours a week.
Favourite childhood holiday spot?
I have wonderful memories of beachside holidays on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. In particular, we stayed at a holiday apartment fronting the ocean at Burleigh Heads. I still recall when I was twelve years old, making my father carry a heavy typewriter up to the holiday apartment, so I could write on the balcony, while gazing at the sea.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
2015
CONTEST!
Writers submit your Story
Enter for a chance to join
the House of transmedia stories company
What is World’s Best Story?
“This is not just a literary contest, we’re looking for stories that will be consumed in multiple media formats – from books to the big screen and beyond,” says Vincent Salera, founder of World’s Best Story. “Our goal is to revolutionize the traditional literary contest and identify a story with blockbuster appeal. We’re looking for a story that audiences will love and help authors turn that story into trans-media franchises, which is why we’re empowering readers to judge the contest.”
How does it work?
Readers will vote for stories and awarded judges will declare the final Top 10 winners.
Entry Period Closes/Public Voting ends. (November 8)
Top 10 Winners Announced! (November 8)
Professional Review/Voting (November 8 – December 8)
Winner and Top 10 Ranking Announced (December 8)
What are the prizes?
The top 3 winners will receive a full publishing package by FriesenPress, trademark protection in the U.S. and Canada by IP agency Benoit & Cote, a virtual book tour by Laura Fabiani of iRead Book Tours as well as consulting/marketing services with book expert Anne Chaconas of BadAss Marketing. Busbud and YoDough will be providing lots of goodies for both writers and readers.
How do I submit my story?
To learn more about World’s Best Story, including how to enter, please visit World’s Best Story.
Thirteen is an action packed blockbuster, Red Dawn meets 1984. The perfect book for kids 10-14, even those who don’t like to read!
About Thirteen
Jack wants to hang out with his friends but his Mom’s rules keep him grounded. Until one morning, when they wake up to gun fire and their whole world changes. Foreign soldiers have invaded his home cutting off power, knocking down communication and restricting travel. To make matters worse he does not know if is Dad is alive, wounded or dead. He needs to find out but his Mom doesn’t care, the soldiers are in his way and the cop in his life won’t help him.
My Thoughts
I love youth novels, they are always full of adventure and with a different viewpoint that gives great insights to youth and how they connect with their peers. Thirteen is a very age appropriate novel for youths that I believe they can easily relate to (wanting to do more than their age allows them to, wanting and needing to contribute and understanding of world events).
The plot really makes you think, could something like this happen in present day Canada? We are accustomed to our security and safety but will this always be the case? Jack struggles in this novel with wanting independence but wanting security from his Mother, wanting to help but the terrifying reality of war scares him. He is a young man who is almost lost in how he should behave and how he can protect his Mother. Throw in a divorce and separation from his Father and you have a young man who many youths could relate to. He is confused, proud and wants to enjoy his social life.
Shannon writes very well and the novel is easy to follow from start to finish. With the adventurous and thought-provoking plot line, it was easy to not put my book down!
Shannon grew up in Enderby, BC where her family roots run deep. She relied on books and imagination as a child to escape the world beyond. She went to UBC and earned a BA with a concentration in Political Science and Economics. World events, social justice and human motivations became a passion of hers. This passion is a driving force in all her stories.
After a career in the financial field, she decided to stay home and raise her two children until school age. She currently resides in BC’s Lower mainland with her two teenage children. Thirteen is her debut full size paperback novel.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Unlike their black-billed cousins, yellow-billed magpies are rarely found outside California’s central valley. So when they begin showing up in Samantha O’Malley’s dreams, she wonders: are they calling me home?
About Yellow-billed Magpie
Disappointed by failed fertility treatments and the break-up of her marriage, Samantha returns to her home town and slips into old habits, resuming her teaching career, even hooking up with an old lover. But she also renews her friendship with Craig, the school custodian she honors as her spiritual guide. The work they do together with Samantha’s special education students will lead her to discoveries she never thought possible.
Yellow-Billed Magpie is a love story, a spiritual journey, a quest to look beyond appearances to the mystical rhythms that guide the human heart.
My Thoughts
I loved Yellow-Billed Magpie from start to finish. Each chapter was a special journey with Samantha as she begins a journey to find herself. Samantha is a spiritual and kind soul, her work in special education gives her a unique outlook on life.
I love how Samantha was strong enough to make the decision for herself to start over. She knew in her heart that the life she was living was not right. She wasn’t happy or satisfied. While this was a tough choice for her, she knew in her heart she had to make it. Although she questioned herself at times, it was signs that helped her realize that this was the best choice for her. Meeting her old spiritual guide, her old flame and a chance to help a special child with a communication tool she gave up on long ago.
Yellow-Billed Magpie is a wonderful journey that you take along with Samantha, as you witness her struggles, her hope and her journey of faith. You will not want to put this novel down!
Nancy Schoellkopf has been telling stories and writing poems for many lifetimes. It goes without saying she’s needed a second income, so this time around she happily taught amazing children in special education classes in two urban school districts in Sacramento, California. A full-time writer now, she enjoys lavishing attention on her cat, her garden and her intriguing circle of family and friends.
