I'm pleased and excited to announce the official launch of Orphan of the Olive Tree: A Novel of 13th Century Tuscany.
A deeply
evocative story of lies, secrets, and betrayal, Orphan of the Olive Tree is a family saga of two unforgettable
women, an oath sworn in blood, a curse uttered in envy, and the dark secret
that destroys their lives.
From two
neighbouring villas in the heart of the Tuscan countryside to the elegance of
Siena; from a world steeped in ancient superstitions to a culture where family
honor is paramount comes this multi-layered novel of the lives, loves, secrets
and strivings of two women and their families in the 13th century.
Felicia Ventura is an unpretentious woman, alone in the world, who is happily married to Enrico. She dreams of a simple future raising a family, but her hopes are shattered because of a curse and the casting of the evil eye by her envious neighbor, a Sicilian beauty named Prudenza.
Prudenza
is worldly and materialistic and her envy of Felicia knows no bounds. She casts
the evil eye on her adversary. When Felicia gives birth to twin sons, Prudenza
revives an ancient superstition and spreads a rumor that Felicia’s twins were
fathered by different men. Soon, Prudenza gives birth to her own twins -
daughters. Desperate to save face, Prudenza rids herself of one infant, keeping
the child’s existence secret. But as the years go by, the truth has a way of
making itself known. Soon Prudenza’s deception will lead to the unraveling of
everything she values in life.
Orphan of the Olive Tree is an unforgettable novel
about wicked intentions, superstition, undisclosed secrets, unstoppable
destinies; and two generations of women and the extraordinary event that will
vindicate or destroy them.
Orphan of the Olive Tree is available in Trade paperback and ebook formats at all all booksellers and libraries.