The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman (English) Paperback

Description: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman An International Bestseller!A LibraryReads and Indie Next Pick!A trio of second-born daughters sets out on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside to break the family curse that says theyll never find love, by New York Times bestseller Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List. Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfathers Brooklyn deli, claim its an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist its a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows shell meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all. Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Author Biography Lori Nelson Spielman is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author whose novels have hit #1 in six different countries. Formerly a homebound teacher in an inner-city school district, she holds masters degrees in speech pathology and guidance counseling. She lives in Michigan with her husband. Review One of...Popsugars 21 Best Books of November 2020 Frolics 20 Best Books of Fall 2020Praise for The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany "A delicious modern fairytale...Bella!"—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of Tonys Wife"A gorgeous blend of family, friendship, and love."—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of When We Left Cuba "A glorious journey through Italy, and the heart...Filled with humor and wisdom, this is a celebration of life, and love."—Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick"Theres magic within the pages of Lori Nelson Spielmans charming The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany."—Popsugar "Mysterious family lore, a heartrending love story, and luminous descriptions of Italy all add up to an utterly captivating read!"—Meg Donohue, USA Today bestselling author of You, Me, and the Sea"Long-simmering resentments and buried secrets permeate The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany, a romantic, beautifully rendered, sweepingly complex family saga."Shelf Awareness"As effervescent as an Aperol Spritz and written in Lori Nelson Spielmans signature heartfelt style."—Meredith Jaeger, USA Today bestselling author of Boardwalk Summer "Fans of Adriana Trigiani will rejoice in this story of a stunning journey that celebrates family, life and love, in the unparalleled backdrop of Venice, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast."—Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of The Favorite Daughter"In this captivating and utterly charming tale of several generations of "cursed" women, Lori Nelson Spielman proves—yet again—that shes a masterful storyteller."—Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Im Fine and Neither Are You "Sparkling...Spielman brings Tuscany to vivid life and offers more than a few surprises along the way. Fans of An Affair to Remember, Under the Tuscan Sun, and the like will be enthralled."—Publishers Weekly"Spielman twists our fairy-tale expectations about love, curses, and happy endings.A bright, funny, hopeful tale of untangling family knots."—Kirkus "A love letter to Italy and indeed, to life."—Julie Kibler, bestselling author of Calling Me Home "A poignant fairy tale rooted in reality that lifts the reader into a world with lush fields, jewel-box villages and picturesque canals."The Augusta Chronicle "Spielmans novel takes you on a breathtaking tour of Italy through the eyes of Emilia, the cursed second-daughter. Readers will get lost in these pages about family and cheer for our heroine as she discovers herself and the secrets of her family. This book is the perfect escape."—Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tans Book of Luck and Fortune"With her characteristic combination of poignancy, humor, and riveting storytelling, Spielman spins a delightful yarn about families, loneliness, and second chances."—Julie Lawson Timmer, author of Mrs. Saint and the Defectives"Perfectly captures the singular magic of Italy. Every page radiates with sunshine, adventure, and a love story as timeless as the cobblestone streets of Florence."—Ruth Emmie Lang, author of Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance "A fresh and funny page-turner that weaves generations of secrets into a charming story of enpowering self-reflection and discovery. A pure joy to read, filled with heart, hope and insight."—Angela Pisel, author of With Love From the Inside"You will be swept away to Italys romantic Amalfi coast, and laugh, cry, and cheer as Emilia searches for the truth and finds her own voice at last."—Kelly OConnor McNees, author of Undiscovered Country "Spielman turns the traditional fairy tale on its head, to satisfying and dramatic effect."—Mardi Link, author of The Drummond Girls"A stunning, heartwarming, multi-generational story of family secrets and self-discovery, spanning the globe from New York to Italy."—Samantha M. Bailey, author of Woman on the Edge Review Quote Praise for The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany "Lori Nelson Spielman writes beautifully about self-discovery, forgiveness, and love. The Star Crossed Sisters of Tuscany is an insightful and tenderhearted novel that illuminates the ways in which the bonds of family can sometimes feel like a warm embrace, and other times feel as though they are tying you down. Mysterious family lore, a heartrending love story, and luminous descriptions of Italy all add up to an utterly captivating read!"--Meg Donahue, USA Today bestselling author "In The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany , Lori Nelson Spielman has created a stunning, heartwarming, multi-generational story of family secrets and self-discovery, spanning the globe from New York to Italy. Emilia, Poppy, and Lucys deeply emotional, life-changing, and life-affirming journeys instantly captured my heart, broke it then put it back together. Spielman will make you believe everything you want to be is possible."--Samantha M. Bailey, author of Woman on the Edge More Praise for Lori Nelson Spielman "A wonderful, touching story that reminds us to live life to its fullest."--Cecelia Ahern, New York Times bestselling author of PS, I Love You "You wont want to miss Lori Nelson Spielmans remarkable debut, an intensely emotional novel of transformation and trust. Its about how we let go and how we never let go. The Life List has great heart and even greater soul."-- New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen "Irresistible! Everything I love and look for in womens fiction. A clever, funny, moving page-turner."-- New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips "Spielman spins an effervescent tale in which betrayals fizzle out into human weaknesses and grudges dissolve into mercy. Bright prose, a plucky heroine, and more than a few plot twists make for a delightful, light read."-- Kirkus Reviews "Spielmans heroine is both likable and relatable, and the power of confession, forgiveness, and love shines all the way through this touching novel."-- Library Journal " Sweet Forgiveness will make you rethink everything you know about forgiveness and love."--Amy Sue Nathan, author of The Glass Wives Description for Reading Group Guide Readers Guide The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany Lori Nelson Spielman Questions for Discussion 1. When she first steps foot on Italian soil, Poppy cries, "Hiraeth!" : a Welsh word conveying a deep longing for home, a nostalgia--a yearning--for the place that calls to your soul. Do you understand this feeling? Have you ever been to a place that feels inexplicably familiar or eerily unsettling? How do you explain it? 2. In chapter two, Emilia calls Bensonhurst home. When she returns from Italy, her perspective has changed. Have you ever felt trapped by a place you once loved? In what ways does travel change us? Are you more closely aligned with Poppy, an adventurous spirit whos always in search of something, or the earlier version of Lucy, someone seemingly content in her small but predictable world? 3. Poppy claims that life is much more interesting when you learn to say, "Its possible." How likely are you to embrace the "its possible" philosophy? Can you think of a time when you assumed something was impossible or out of your reach? What might have happened had you said, "Its possible"? In your experience, do you have more regret for things you did, or for things you didnt do? 4. Throughout Lucys life, her mother tried to mold Lucy into the woman who would eventually break the curse. Do you think her mom had Lucys best interest in mind, or do you think she was acting selfishly? Could both be true? How did her mothers expectations affect Lucy? 5. Lucys desperation for love is apparent early in the novel. Later, she falls in love with Sofia. Was Lucy aware of her homosexuality prior to meeting Sofia? Was her mother? How might her life have been different had she acknowledged her sexuality at an early age? Would she have felt the same desperation to fall in love? 6. Poppy claimed the curse was a self-fulfilling prophecy. In what ways was she correct? Have you ever fallen prey to expectations, whether familial, peer, or societal? How did you rise above them? 7. In what ways did the New Years Eve car accident change Emilias life? Without this twist of fate, do you think she would have found love, perhaps with Liam, and broken the curse? How might the family dynamics have been different had Emilia broken the curse? 8. Even after a heinous betrayal, Poppy still loved her sister. Should love for a sibling be unconditional? Poppy believes she put her sister into a horrible position, having to choose between her husband and her sister. Do you agree? Could you be as forgiving as Poppy? In the end, who was most hurt by the lie, Poppy or Rosa? 9. Rosa was once a loving sister. She experienced many life changes between her childhood in Trespiano and her adult life in Brooklyn. Who or what do you believe is most responsible for her bitterness? Do you feel any empathy for Rosa? 10. Daria admits that she resented Emilia for squandering her freedom. She implies that marriage and motherhood steal this freedom from women. Do you agree? Why or why not? If you had complete autonomy, what might your life be like today? 11. Emilia says, "Young girls often dream of a white dress and a diamond ring. I suppose I had that dream, too, when I was younger. But Im over it now." What if, as a young girl, you were told with certainty that you would never find love? How might you be different today? Would you look physically different? What articles of clothing would you banish from your closet? Is it likely youd have more confidence, or less? Would you have the same friends, or different ones? Might you have lived more authentically, or less authentically? In what ways might your life be happier? In what ways might it be less fulfilling? 12. In the end, Emilias single life is rich and full. Even so, she decides to take a chance on romance. Was her openness to love a necessary part of her character arc? How important is romantic love in a womans life? If you were to write an epilogue, would the future Emilia be single or in a relationship? Why? 13. Even after telling Emilia and Lucy the truth about Johanna, Poppy wanted to wait until after her sisters death before telling the rest of the family. Why was this important to Poppy? Do you agree with her decision to protect her sister? 14. Poppy and Ricos love withstood decades of separation. Do you think this kind of love is possible? They recited their vows on the churchs altar without papers to prove it. Do you believe they were married in the eyes of God? Was Rico right to leave without Poppy, and return to help his family in East Germany? Why or why not? Do you think he would have taken Poppy to Germany had they had a legal marriage certificate? 15. Though she tried, Emilia could not reciprocate her friend Matteos romantic feelings. But when Poppy tells her love comes in many forms and that not all love is romantic love, she rethinks her relationship with Matt. Do you think feelings of deep friendship and respect are enough to sustain a happy marriage? Love plays many roles, according to Poppy. What are loves most important roles to you? Do you suspect the importance of these roles changes over time? 16. When Poppy sees Ricos gunshot wound and learns that he tried twice to escape East Germany, she says, "I should have waited." Of course, waiting for him in Italy would have been futile; he was never able to successfully escape. Why does Poppy say this? What is she feeling in that moment? The Berlin Wall came down in 1989, yet Rico and Poppy remained separated. Why didnt Rico try to find Poppy then? Why didnt she reach out to him? 17. Star-crossed is defined as "of a person or plan, thwarted by bad luck." In what ways are Rosa and Poppy star-crossed? Could either sister have changed her fate had she tried harder? Poppy collects and distributes lucky coins. What significance does this have in the story? Does Poppy believe in luck? Would Poppy consider herself a lucky or unlucky person? Would you agree? Excerpt from Book Chapter 1 Emilia Present Day Brooklyn Seventy-two cannoli shells cool on a baking rack in front of me. I squeeze juice from diced maraschino cherries and carefully fold them into a mixture of cream and ricotta cheese and powdered sugar. Through a cloudy rectangular window in the back kitchen, I peer into the store. Lucchesi Bakery and Delicatessen is quiet this morning, typical for a Tuesday. My grandmother, Nonna Rosa Fontana Lucchesi, stands behind the deli counter, rearranging the olives, stirring stainless steel containers of roasted peppers and feta cheeses. My father pushes through the double doors, balancing a tray heaped with sliced prosciutto. With tongs, he transfers it into the refrigerated meat case, creating a stack between the pancetta and capicola. At the front of the store, behind the cash register, my older sister, Daria, rests her backside against the candy counter, her thumbs tapping her phone. No doubt shes texting one of her girlfriends, probably complaining about Donnie or the girls. Dean Martins "Thats Amore" streams through the speakers-a final reminder of my late grandfather, who insisted Italian music created an aura of authenticity in his bakery and delicatessen-never mind that this ones an American song sung by an American singer. And I have nothing against my deceased grandfathers musical taste except that our entire repertoire of Italian music spans thirty-three songs. Thirty-three songs I can-and sometimes do-sing, word for word, in my sleep. I turn my attention to the cannoli, piping cream into the six dozen hollow shells. Soon, the music fades, the smell of pastry vanishes. Im far away, in Somerset, England, lost in my story . . . She waits on the Clevedon Pier, gazing out to sea, where the setting sun glitters upon the rippling waters. A voice calls. She spins around, hoping to find her lover. But there, lurking in the shadows, her ex-- I jump when the bell on the wall beside me chimes. I hitch up my glasses and peer through the window. Its Mrs. Fortino, bearing a bouquet of orange and yellow gerbera daisies. Her silver hair is pulled into a sleek chignon, and a pair of beige slacks shows off her slim figure. From behind the meat counter, my father straightens to his full five-foot, ten-inch frame and sucks in the belly protruding from his apron. Nonna watches, her face puckered, as if shes just downed a shot of vinegar. "Buongiorno, Rosa," Mrs. Fortino chirps as she strides past the deli counter. Nonna turns away, muttering, " Puttana ," the Italian word for floozy. Mrs. Fortino makes her way to the mirror, as she always does, before approaching my fathers meat counter. The mirror doubles as a window, which means that unbeknownst to her, Mrs. Fortino is gazing into the same window Im peering out of from the kitchen. I step back while she checks her lipstick-the same shade of pink as her blouse-and smooths her hair. Satisfied, she wheels around to where my dad stands behind the meat counter. "For you, Leo." She smiles and holds the daisies in front of her. My grandmother gives a little huff, like a territorial goose, hissing at anyone who so much as glances at her baby gosling. Never mind that the "gosling" is her sixty-six-year-old son-in-law whos been widowed for almost three decades. My balding father takes the daisies, his cheeks flaming. He thanks Mrs. Fortino, as he does every week, and sneaks a peek at my nonna. Nonna stirs the marinated mushrooms, making believe shes paying no attention whatsoever. "Have a nice day, Leo," Mrs. Fortino says and gives him a pretty little wave. "Same to you, Virginia." My fathers hand searches for a vase beneath the counter, but his eyes follow Mrs. Fortino down the aisle. My heart aches for them both. The bell chimes again and a tall man saunters into the store. Its the guy who came in last week and bought a dozen of my cannoli, the elegant stranger who looks like he belongs in Beverly Hills, not Brooklyn. Hes talking to my dad and Nonna. I huddle near the door, catching snippets of their conversation. "Hands down, best cannoli in New York." A tiny chirp of laughter escapes me. I tip my head closer to the wall. "I took a dozen to a meeting last week. My team devoured them. Ive become the most popular account manager at Morgan Stanley." "This is what we like to hear," my father says. "Lucchesi Bakery and Delicatessen has been around since 1959. Everything is homemade." "Really? Any chance I can thank the baker personally?" I straighten. In the past decade, not one person has asked to meet me, let alone thank me. "Rosa," my father says to Nonna. "Could you get Emilia, please?" "Oh, my god," I whisper. I yank the net from my hair, releasing a thick brown ponytail that I instantly regret not washing this morning. My hands fumble as I untie my apron and straighten my glasses. Instinctively, I put a finger to my bottom lip. The scar, no thicker than a strand of thread, is smooth after nearly two decades, and faded to a pale shade of blue. But its there, just below my lip. I know its there. The stainless double doors push open and Nonna Rosa appears, her short, stout frame intimidating and officious. "One box of cannoli," she says, her lips tight. " Presto ." " Si ", Nonna. Good thinking." I grab three freshly filled cannoli and slip them into a box. As I head for the double doors, she grabs the box from my hands. "Get back to work. You have orders to fill." "But, Nonna, he-" "He is a busy man," she says. "No reason to waste his time." She disappears from the kitchen. I stare after her, my mouth agape, until the swinging doors slow to a stop. "I am sorry," I hear her announce. "The baker has left early today." I rear back. "What the hell?" I didnt expect romance. I know better than that. I simply wanted to hear someone gush about my pastries. How dare Nonna rob me of that! Through the back-kitchen window, I watch the man chat with Daria as he pays for a bottle of Bravazzi Italian soda. He lifts the little white box that I --Nonna --gave him, and I get the feeling hes praising my cannoli again. Thats it. I dont care what Nonna says, or how narcissistic it seems, Im going out there. Just as I remove my apron, my sisters eyes dart to the window. She cant see me, but I can tell she knows Im watching. Our eyes meet. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, she shakes her head no. I step back, the breath knocked from me. I lean against the wall and close my eyes. Shes only trying to protect me from Nonnas wrath. Im the second-born Fontana daughter. Why would Nonna waste this decent, cannoli-loving mans time on me, a woman my entire family is certain will never find love? Chapter 2 Emilia Its a four-block walk from the store on Twentieth Avenue to my tiny third-floor apartment on Seventy-Second Street, which I call Emville. As usual, Im clutching a bag of pastries today. The late August sun has softened, and the breeze carries the first hint of summers end. Located on its southern edge, Bensonhurst is Brooklyns stepchild -- a modest neighborhood wedged between the more gentrified communities of Coney Island and Bay Ridge. As a kid, I dreamed of leaving, setting out for somewhere more glamorous than this tired ethnic community. But Bensonhurst-the place where my grandparents, along with thousands of other Italians, settled in the twentieth century -- is home. It was once called the Little Italy of Brooklyn. They actually filmed the movie Saturday Night Fever on our sidewalks. Today, things have changed. For every Italian shop or restaurant, youll find a Russian bakery, a Jewish deli, or a Chinese restaurant -- additions my nonna calls invadente -- intrusive. I spy our old brick row house -- the only house Ive ever known. While my parents honeymooned in Niagara Falls back in the 1980s, Nonna Rosa and Nonno Alberto moved all of their belongings down to the first level, allowing my parents to make their home on the second floor. My dad has lived there ever since. I wonder sometimes what my father, who was over a decade older than my mother, thought of his in-laws arrangement. Did he have any choice? Was my mother just as strong willed as her mother, my nonna Rosa? I have only faint memories of Josephina Fontana Lucchesi Antonelli, standing at the stove, smiling and telling me stories while she stirred bubbling pots that smelled of apples and cinnamon. But Daria says its my imagination, and shes probably right. Daria was four and I was only two when our mother died from acute myelogenous leukemia -- what Ive since learned is the deadliest form of the disease. My memory surely was of her mother, my nonna Rosa, at the stove. But the smiling storyteller doesnt jibe with the reality of my surly nonna, the woman who, for as long as I can remember, has seemed perpetually irritated with me. And why wouldnt she be? Her daughters illness coincided perfectly with her pregnancy with me. "Afternoon, Emmie." Mr. Copetti, dressed in his blue and gray uniform, stops before turning up the sidewalk. "Want your mail now, or should I put it in your box?" I trot over to him. "Ill take the Publishers Clearing House winners notification. You keep the bills." He chuckles and sorts through his can Details ISBN1984803166 Author Lori Nelson Spielman Pages 400 Language English Year 2020 ISBN-10 1984803166 ISBN-13 9781984803160 Format Paperback Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2020-11-17 NZ Release Date 2020-11-17 US Release Date 2020-11-17 UK Release Date 1900-01-01 Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc Publication Date 2020-11-17 Imprint Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S. DEWEY 813.6 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:137925163;

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