Bloody Fool For Love // Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
New York Times best-selling author William Ritter marks the beginning of an all-new series that explores prequel stories about fan-favorite Buffy characters. A verified villain. A slayer killer. A god among vampires. And most of all? A hopeless romantic… This rompy, action-packed novel inspired by one of Buffy’s most infamous bad boys is part Bonnie and Clyde, part Sherlock and Watson, with just a bit more bloodsucking.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/455nU1s

My Rating

When I heard about a ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ reimagining based on the character of Spike, I immediately added this to my TBR. I was not exactly sure of the plot before going into the book, and probably could not give you a good description of it. Unfortunately, the story is quite forgettable.

The concept of a book that explored the backstory of Spike, a beloved character, had a great deal of promise. While I have always been a fan of Spike, I found that the execution of the story was somewhat lacking. The plot left much to be desired and was difficult to follow at times. There was too much going on for my liking.

One thing I enjoyed was the setting of the book. It took place in the UK, and we got to see the side of Spike, which was a slayer-killer. However, the author did not capture the essence of the characters. Spike is supposed to be this big bad vampire, but comes off too lighthearted. Personally, I think the book generally needed to be darker and more eerie.

“Eat your heart out, Count Dracula.”

However, I appreciate the addition of Drusilla and Darla to this story. This helped connect the story slightly more to the Buffy Universe. Also, I think the author did a wonderful job bringing both these lady vampires to life. Darla reminded me very much of the one from the show. Drusilla was similar to her series counterpart as well. But I admit that I  was never really a fan of these two.

Overall, it did not capture the iconic Buffy vibes that I was hoping for. That said, it was still a good read, and the writing, although not amazing, was decent. I particularly liked the audiobook format since it helped me have a better reading experience. While this prequel did not fully meet my expectations, I would be open to reading more reimaginings in the Buffyverse.

If you enjoy bookish content like this, do not forget to like and share this post. Make sure to follow as well, to get notifications whenever I have new content!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Divergent // Book Review

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About The Book
One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior’s society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3ZrgwfZ

My Rating

For me, the book fell somewhere in the middle of the dystopian pack, and earned three modest stars. While it had some enjoyable qualities, it also had a share of drawbacks that kept me from fully loving the story as much as others. Because, let us face it, the book holds a special place in the dystopian genre.

Tris, our central character, left me feeling somewhat disconnected. In my opinion, her journey from self-centeredness to a heroic figure was a rocky road, and it was difficult to shake the feeling that she remained somewhat self-absorbed throughout the story. For a story centered around “divergence,” she did not embody the divergent nature I expected.

On the other hand, Four, the mysterious love interest, was a more likable character but was still a cookie-cutter love interest. He was very similar to other male main characters I had previously seen in young adult novels. However, I was interested in his backstory and learning more about his character. However, we did not instantly see a connection between him and Tris.

“I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. I am Divergent. And I can’t be controlled.”

The plot had potential, but I feel as though the writing style did not do the book justice. It lacked a certain engaging quality that would have helped make the story come to life. The pacing, in particular, felt slow at times, making me want action and something to drive the story forward.

That said, I must admit that the book managed to redeem itself somewhat with an intense ending. It brought many things to light and was very action-packed. I already know that the sequel is going to be much more complex. I am interested in seeing where the author takes the story and the character development that is bound to occur.

Overall, the plot leans heavily on the classic “chosen one” trope, and while it isn’t a ground breaking take on it, it’s does a great job creating a world that is basically formed by our personalities. If you are new to the dystopian genre, this is a good book to start with, since the world building is not too complex. This is a great introduction to the genre, but it is a very typical YA dystopian.

In the comments, let me know when you first read ‘Divergent.’ Don’t forget to share this post with other book addicts. Before you go, hit the follow button to receive post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

All The Bright Places // Book Review

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About The Book
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death. Violet Markey lives for the future. When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school—six stories above the ground— it’s unclear who saves whom. Soon it’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Lrv6Ow

My Rating

I love a good heartbreaking young adult romance, but this book hit me too close to home. In this book, we follow two teenagers. Violet, who is still grieving the death of her sister, and Finch, who is struggling with bipolar disorder. The two have a chance encounter that sets them on a path to self-growth and love.

I knew that this book would be heartbreaking, but as someone who struggles with bipolar disorder and has a spouse with the disease, it was a lot to take in, emotionally. The author did a great job portraying somebody with a mood disorder. And I could definitely relate to Finch’s ups and downs.

I did not have the same connection to Violet, but I could see how these two characters were drawn to one another. I enjoyed watching them grow closer and develop feelings toward one another. Their relationship was very ‘we found love in a hopeless place.’ Both clearly fought their own internal demons and found happiness with each other. It was very sweet and, as the reader, you knew that it was not going to last.

“I can’t promise I won’t pick you apart, piece by piece, until you’re in a thousand pieces, just like me.”

This is a basic contemporary young adult romance. The plot is not complex, but the characters are really what makes up the book. We get inside their minds and watch them as they help each other grow as people. You can tell that Finch really wanted to help Violet let go of her grief. I think that the plot dealt with grief and overcome survivor’s guilt in a good way. In addition, the book does a great job of showcasing the difficulties of loving someone with mental health problems.

Overall, the ending is what made this book gut wrenching. Although I enjoyed the overall plot of the book, I was not a fan of the outcome since I had almost been there with my love before. It was just a little too much for me. Still, I can see why others love the book and love the story that develops.

I know that there is a movie adaptation, but I am not sure that I will be able to bring myself to watch it. In the comments, let me know if you have seen the film. Is it worth watching? Don’t forget to like and share this post with other book lovers. Please support me by following this blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summer 2023 // Book Haul

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
I thought I would share the books that I bought this summer. I have been buying too many books, so I definitely need to go on a book-buying ban. However, this is probably not going to occur. What can I say? I am a realist. Nevertheless, these are mostly all the books that I bought during the summer months.


The Deal: Buy Here
The Fine Print: Buy Here
Ninth House: Buy Here
Maybe Meant To Be:Buy Here
The Last Time I Lied: Buy Here
Home Before Dark: Buy Here
The Naturals: Buy Here
Killer Instinct:Buy Here

 

 

 


Secrets Never Die: Buy Here
Priest: Buy Here
A Thousand Boy Kisses: Buy Here
Clown In A Cornfield: Buy Here
Hooked: Buy Here
Court Of The Vampire Queen: Buy Here
Kiss Her Once For Me: Buy Here
None Of This Is True: Buy Here

 

 


The Ex Hex: Buy Here
The Kiss Curse: Buy Here
Fourth Wing: Buy Here
The Writing Retreat: Buy Here
Belladonna: Buy Here
Better Than Fiction: Buy Here
The Sun Down Motel: Buy Here
Coraline: Buy Here

 

 

 

Something interesting that I noticed about my book buying this month is how I’ve been gravitating towards more adult books. From adult thrillers to smutty romances, it is interesting to see how my book taste is starting to change. Let me know in the comments about what books you bought this summer. Alternatively, if you read any of these books. Do not forget to follow my blog to get notified whenever there is a new post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Foxglove // Book Review

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About The Book
A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous palace nearby. Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from wrongful imprisonment. But the more time they spend with him, the more frightening their reality becomes as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate’s past.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3sSCDQ2

My Rating

If you are looking for a romantasy book series, then this is a perfect read. Since this is the sequel to ‘Belladonna, ’ I am going to try and not spoil too much of the first book. However, this review may contain a few spoilers. The sequel beings right where the first book left off with the duke having been murdered, and Elijah Hawthorne being accused of that murder.

We are immediately introduced to Fate, who is apparently the brother of Death. For years, Fate has been searching for the love of his life, which happens to be Life. He believes that Signa is a reincarnation of Life. However, Signa is hopeless in love and devoted to death. Therefore, in addition to trying to clear Elijah’s name, she deals with Fate trying to win her heart and keep her away from her love, Death.

This time, we also get Blythe’s pov, which I loved. She quickly became my favorite character throughout the book. She is determined to prove her father’s innocence and is still curious about her brother’s disappearance. And let me just say the enemies-to-potential lovers vibe that her and Fate were giving was amazing. I ship them even more than I do Death and Signa, but what can I say I am all about enemies-to-lovers relationships.

The book was so well written, and you got sucked into the story in the first chapter. I could not put the book down and had to know what was going to happen next. I love the magical elements of this book and the fact that we learned more about Signa’s parents. In the first book, she was just discovering her powers, but in this one, she really owns them.

“You may have reign over the dead and dying, but let’s not forget that it’s my hand that controls the fates of the living.”

As mentioned earlier, Blythe was a force of nature in the book. She was smart and cunning, which is a part of her personality that we had not seen before. It made me happy that the author chose to include her perspective in this book, especially since she was important to the plot of the first book. However, it is great that this is a fantasy romance that follows two smart, strong, and magical female characters.

The end was incredible and welldone. It set up the third book perfectly, and now, I cannot wait for it to be released. However, I did see exactly where the plot was going in the first few chapters of the book. However, I am not made about that since I was really hoping for that outcome and I am glad that the author went the route she did.

Overall, this series hooked me, and I think my love for it will continue to grow. If you are not a fantasy reader or do not like romance, you will probably not love the series. However, I still think that this is a wonderful gothic fantasy with romance. However, it could have used a bit more spice, but this is just my opinion.

In the comments, let me know which book you liked better ‘Belladonna‘ or ‘Foxglove.’ Do not forget to share and like this post. Before you leave, please feel free to support my blog by hitting the follow button.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

My Best Friend’s Exorcism // Book Review

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About The Book
High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fourth grade. But after an evening of skinny-dipping goes disastrously wrong, Gretchen begins to act different. Abby’s investigation leads her to some startling discoveries—and by the time their story reaches its terrifying conclusion, the fate of Abby and Gretchen will be determined by a single question: Is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3PBjH1m

My Rating

If a graphic, campy thriller with humor is your thing, then this book is probably for you. The story follows high school student Abby, who believes that her long-time best friend, Gretchen, is possessed by a demon. The story is told in a biographical way, with Abby recounting the whole thing to us. Since the book is set in the late 80s, early 90s there are many fun nineties references.

Grady Hendrix ensured that the classic 90s vibes were present throughout the entire book. There was even a throwback to the classic Mickey Mouse phone, which I did have growing up. We learned a lot about the girls’ friendship, but we learned less about Gretchen than we did Abby. The plot was very character-driven, with Abby being the voice of the story. Through her eyes, we get to see how Gretchen was changing  – and how weird things had become.

Personally, I didn’t find the plot all that interesting. It was middle of the road on horror front, since I think the author was trying to go for that cheesy 80s horror movie style. Unfortunately, the storyline did not work for me. Alternatively, I might just not be a fan of Hendrix’s writing style.

“It’s April 1988 and the world belongs to them.”

There are many trigger warnings in the book that one should be aware of, for example, date rape and animal death. Also, I have seen people mention some more graphic scenes in the book being a little unsettling, so if you are squeamish, keep that in mind.

Overall, this was not a book that kept me up at night. I did not find it scary or unsettling one bit. Still, I loved the underlying message that friendship comes with its ups and downs, but true friendships does exist, as rare as it may be. Everyone deserves someone who is willing to preform an exorcism on them if needed.

In the comments, let me know if you have read this book or seen the movie adaptation. Do not forget to follow the blog to obtain post-notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Summer Of Broken Rules // Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments


About The Book
Meredith’s family’s annual game of assassin at Martha’s Vineyard during a summer wedding is the perfect chance to honor her sister’s legacy, and finally join the world again. But when Meredith forms an assassin alliance with a cute groomsman, she finds herself getting distracted. And as the week progresses, she realizes she’s not only at risk of losing the game, but also her heart.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/45KQ8jl

My Rating

This book was everything I wanted in a summertime young adult contemporary. The story follows Meredith, who returns to Martha’s Vineyard for the first time since her sister, Claire’s, death. Meredith and her family are there for her cousin’s wedding. But, things get complicated when Meredith connects with one of the groomsmen, Witt.

I loved the plot, because not only were we watching as Meredith and Witt fell for each other over the course of a week, the majority of the plot was about the characters engaging in a game of assassin. It was such an easy to read summertime story.

Although, the romance was super cute, it was a little insta-lovey. Can you really fall in love with someone in just a week? I am typically a hater when it comes to instant romance plots, yet this one didn’t bother me as much. I liked both Meredith and Witt’s personalities. Also, the romance really worked for me.

One of my favorite things about the book was how the author handled the grief aspect. Yes, loss and grief was a part of the story but there weren’t a ton of sad moments, and it felt more like a summer romance, than someone trying to get over a loss. I liked how the grief aspect was more subtle, and not an overwhelming part of the plot.

“Our time together was unraveling like a ribbon.”

Meredith went through a lot of character development throughout the book. It was interesting to see her character grow and change in just a week. I think it shows that everyday we can open our eyes to things we didn’t realize about ourselves, and what we want.

Of course there was a romance conflict close to the end of the book. But, the author didn’t make it cheesy, and it was resolved very maturely. Personally, I didn’t find the characters to actually be immature at all, which I found refreshing in a young adult book.

Overall, I had a great time reading this book, and recommend it as a great summer read. The ending was nice, and I liked how we got an epilogue. I’m for sure interested in reading more by K.L. Walther in the near future.

In the comments, let me know one of your favorite summer romances. Don’t forget to follow the blog to get notified for more book reviews like this one.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summer Vibes // Book Tag

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
Summer is almost over! Although I am a June baby, summer is one of my least favorable seasons. However, before I say goodbye to summertime, I wanted to do a summer book tag. I found the ‘Summers Vibe’ tag on the blog ‘Confessions of a Serial Reader.’ It seemed like just the tag I was looking for, and the perfect bookish way to say farewell to summer.

Rules:
• Mention the creator and link back to the original post! (Deanna @ The Comfy Reader)
• Thank the blogger who tagged you
• Answer all the prompts below however you see fit
• Tag some friends!


Honestly, the first book to come to mind was ‘The Island’ by Natasha Preston. This book is a YA thriller about an amusement park and influencers on a remote island. Although it is a thriller, it does have tropical vibes.


Actually, I dnfed this book, but it’s ‘All I Want For Christmas’ by Maggie Knox. I wanted to like this book, so much, but I could not get into it. However, if you are a fan of musical competition shows, think American Idol and forced proximity romance then give it a read.


I’m going to go with ‘You Shouldn’t Have Come’ by Jeneva Rose, because this book is all about secrets. This is a decent adult thriller with an ending twist that I do not think most readers will see coming.


I think ‘The Summer of Broken Rules’ is a perfect beach read. The Martha’s Vineyard setting will put you in a summer mood. In addition, I loved the fact that the book was more than just a light fluffy romance.


So, I am going to say that smutty books have become guilty pleasures of mine. I guess the genre is technically called Erotic Romance, but I have been enjoying dabbling in it.


I saw someone else mentioning this book in their post, and I have to agree that the friend group in ‘One of Us Is Back’ by Karen McManus is amazing. Throughout the entire ‘One Of Us’ trilogy this group of unlikely friends have become each others ride-or-die, which I love. It is almost as if this thriller series had an underlying found family element.
Related Post: One Of Us Is Back // Book Review


I loved the adventure aspect of the ‘Daughter of the Pirate King’ by Tricia Levenseller. As you can tell from the title, this is a pirate book, and I loved very second of it. There is a badass female main character, romance, and dangerous quest. It does not get any better than that!


I wanted to like Holly Jackson’s ‘Five Survive‘ considering how I feel about ‘As Good As Dead.’ Unfortunately, for me, it was my biggest reading disappointment of the year so far.
Related Post: Five Survive // Book Review


What else would I choose but a lighthearted contemporary? So, I’d say that ‘The Do-Over’ by Lynn Painter is definitely a fluffy YA romance. It is a Valentine’s Day read that has a ground-hogs day trope twist to it.
Related Post: The Do-Over // Book Review


There were probably way too many characters I could have gone with for this question, but I decided to go with Jade from ‘Lying In The Deep’ by Diana Urban. She was such an annoying main character and got on my nerves the entire time I read the book.

Now, it is time to tag some fellow book bloggers I’d like to see do this post. First, Dedra at ‘A Book Wanderer‘ and next Allison at ‘Read With Allison.’ Both blogs are amazing, and I recommend visiting them if you want more book content. Also, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, so you never miss a post. You can also become a member of my ‘The Reading Rabbits‘ book club on the Novellic app. And, as always, do not forget to follow the blog because it really does make my day.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

September 2023 // To Be Read

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
Today, I am doing my September TBR post, which is really just my ‘The Vampire Diaries‘ readathon TBR. In September, there is a month-long readathon inspired by The Vampire Diaries. More details on the readathon can be found on Chloe Reads Books’s Youtube channel. However, let us not waste anytime and jump right into what I will be reading.


I’ve been wanting to read ‘Gallant,’ since it was released. I am always down for a creepy-haunted house story. This one, from what I know, falls somewhere between middle grade and young adult, so it should be easy and quick to read.


Honestly, I tried reading ‘The Saturday Night Ghost Club’ for a readathon before and did not get too far into it. I do not think I was in the mood for it at the time, but I recently bought it, so I thought I should give it another chance. It is supposed to give off spooky fall vibes and should have a fun friend group.


There are so many books with school settings, so it was difficult to pick just one. I could have been daring and gone with dark academia, but I decided to play it safely and choose a middle-grade book. I have not heard anyone talk about ‘The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane, ’ but it is the first book in a mystery series set at a boarding school. The best aspect is that the audiobook is very short, which makes it perfect for a readathon.


This book probably holds the number one spot of books I want to read in fall. It is a gothic horror with historical fiction elements and vampires. I have heard mixed things about this book, but I think I am going to love it. Also, the plot of ‘House Of Hunger’ is giving me the same feel of the 2022 movie ‘The Invitation,’ yet I might be completely off with that comparison.


When the prompt of reading a popular book came up, I knew that ‘Legends And Lattes’ was going to be my pick. Not only is this book very popular, I hear that it is a great fall read. This book seems like a cozy fantasy, which is a genre I desperately want to read lately.


I loved ‘How To Survive Your Murder’ by Danielle Valentine, so which when I found out that she was coming out with an adult thriller book called ‘Delicate Condition’ I knew that I had to read it. I’m not going to lie, but this book might actually lean a little more towards horror than a thriller. It is supposedly Rosemary’s Baby meets Alien and is the basis for the new season of the American Horror story.


I am going to say that since the cover of ‘The Ex Hex’ by Erin Sterling is primarily dark, it works for this prompt. This book is always so talked about in the fall, so I had to jump on the bandwagon and see what all the hype is about. From what I can tell it is your classic witchy rom-com, so it will most likely be a cute and cozy read.


I was so lucky to have been given an ARC of ‘Ghosted’ by Sarah Ready, which will be released on September 26th. Since it is an adult romance, it perfectly fits the romance prompt. The fact that it features a ghost makes me think it might be a good fall read, even though the cover is giving off spring time.


Is Prom considered a party? This book has been on my radar for some time because the premise sounds very good. This book is essentially a retelling of ‘Carrie’ by Stephen King. How does this not seem amazing? I read ‘White Smoke’ by this author and liked it, but I think that I will enjoy ‘The Weight of Blood’ more.


Of course, being ‘The Vampire Diaries’ readathon, you must read a vampire book. Now I could double up and read ‘House Of Hunger’ for this prompt too, but I want to push myself and not share books. So, I am going to read ‘Big Bad’ by Lily Anderson, which is an adult dark ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ retelling or more like inspired by Buffy. I loved Lily Anderson’s writing in ‘Undead Girl Gang,’ so I am excited to see if I feel the same way about this book.

There, you have my ‘The Vampire Diaries’ readathon TBR! I have so many more books that I would like to get to in fall, so I am hoping to read more than just these books. In the comments, tell me if you will participate in the readathon and what team you are on. I am a Stefan girlie Don’t forget to like this post and follow my blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola // Book Spotlight

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Hi Friends,
I was onced against asked by @BreakevenBooks to participate in the blog tour. This time for ‘The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola’ by Melissa Muldoon. I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction, but this book has me very intrigued.

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3L1yaRd

About The Book

Set in the sixteenth century, The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola tells the story of a woman’s passion for painting and adventure. In a world where women painters had little to no acknowledgment, she was singled out by Michelangelo and Vasari who recognized and praised her talent. Gaining the Milanese elite’s acclaim, she went on to become court painter to Spanish King Philip II and taught his queen to paint. One can’t live such an extraordinary life without having stories to tell, and tell them Sofonisba does to Sir Anthony Van Dyke, who comes to visit her toward the end of her life. During their meeting, she agrees to reveal her secrets but first challenges the younger painter to find the one lie hidden in her tale. In a saga filled with intrigue, jealousy, buried treasure, unrequited love, espionage, and murder, Sofonisba’s story is played out against the backdrop of Italy, Spain, and Sicily. Throughout her life, she encountered talented artists, authoritative dukes, mad princes, religious kings, spying queens, vivacious viscounts, and dashing sea captains—even a Barbary pirate. But of all the people who fell in love with Sofonisba, only one captured her heart. Sofonisba had many secrets, but only she knows the whole truth.

Book Excerpt 

​End of Chapter 2 (Sir Anthony visits Sofonisba toward the end of her long life)

​Anthony stroked his trim beard and regarded her thoughtfully. “You are a most intriguing woman.”
​With a brow raised, she said, “You’d be surprised by the things I know and the places I’ve been.” ​
​“So, the painter has a secret past?” said Van Dyke. “I’d like to know your stories and…” He paused and glanced up when Cecilia re-entered the room.
​Sofonisba watched as the young man warmly regarded the slim young girl and noted Cecilia too was aware of his admiration by the way she self-consciously set the silver tray and teapot on the small table between them. When Anthony reached out a hand to steady one of the cups and accidentally grazed her fingers, the maid giggled, forgetting her station.
​Sofonisba coughed ever so slightly, and Cecilia turned toward her with a bemused expression. Then, coming to her senses as if she realized she was not comporting herself respectably, she hastily curtsied and left the room. ​
​Pouring out the tea, Sofonisba said, “I see you are indeed a rake, sir. And here I thought your attentions were all for me.”
​He raised an eyebrow as he reached for a small biscuit with sugar coating. “Don’t try to change the subject.”
​“Yes, where were we…”
​“I asked if you’d share with me your stories.”
​“Ah, well… I’m sure any tale I had to tell would bore you to tears,” she replied.
​He gestured to the portraits on the far wall. “The many faces of the woman that decorate this room beg to differ. Each portrait has a hidden story that begs to be revealed.”
​“And how would you know?”
​“Need I remind you? I am a painter too. Like you, I am an excellent judge of character—and the eyes never conceal what a person is really feeling or thinking. See that girl in the blue gown?” he asked, indicating the portrait that had captured her attention earlier.
​She looked at him, interested to hear what he had to say.​
​“That young woman possesses such grace and extreme confidence—those are things a man can easily fall in love with. I believe that woman has something to reveal to me. After all, with a paintbrush and a rare talent, she traveled the world, painting for kings and queens…” He observed her keenly. “Signora, you have had a remarkable career. You dared to be different, and I want to know how you managed to accomplish all you did.”
​“Fair enough,” she finally admitted. “Yes, I defied them that I did. I was never one for conventions. I never believed I needed a husband to keep me and be my master. I always thought I’d live a solitary life, never to be bothered by love.”
​“But love found you…”
​“Yes, it did. Several times,” she admitted, gazing over his shoulder at the portrait of the young woman in blue.
​“Tell me about the one you’ve never forgotten.”
​She studied the man before her, then said with a gleam in her eye, “He was a handsome lad, with a head of thick black curls. The kind of man that steals a girl’s heart the moment she lays eyes on him.” She assessed him again, taking in his elegant coat and deerskin breeches. “Kind of like yourself, tesoro, though not in such a dandified manner!”
​Her retort caught him by surprise, and when his shoulders started to shake, he nearly spilled tea on his jacket.
​“Still,” Sofonisba continued, “despite his striking good looks, he was a man of courage, one who dared to dream, took chances, and risked everything to win my heart… then broke it in two.” She was quiet for a moment and then sighed. “You don’t forget the first man you ever loved—especially if you lose him…”
​“There, I knew it! You do have intriguing tales to tell me.”
​“Oh, I admit I have many,” Sofonisba said with a soft laugh. “So… it is my life you wish to hear about, is it? You want to learn the secrets of Sofonisba?”
​“I’m all ears, signora. Please don’t hold back.” He filled his cup and then, looking over the brim, said, “I want to know everything from the beginning. I’m sure it will be quite diverting.”
​“From the beginning… Ehi, you do realize how old I am? That would take more than an hour!”
​“We have all afternoon… Goodness knows, I’ve only just arrived in Italy and have no urgent appointments. Besides, there is no place I’d rather be than in your company.”
​“There you go again with your flattery, sir.” She looked at him askance. “Are you really sure you want to hear the ramblings of an old woman?”
​“Just tell me the titillating parts…”
​Sofonisba eyed him with amusement. “Messer… I am a lady!” Modestly she looked at her hands resting demurely in her lap, but when she glanced up and saw him watching her with a raised eyebrow, she let out a snort. “Well… all right, since you’ve traveled all this way, Anthony, I’ll entertain you with a story.”
​She paused and leaned forward. “But to keep me amused as well, it will be far more enjoyable to play a little game with you…”​
​When he looked at her curiously, Sofonisba said with a chuckle, “Beware, Anthony! I caution you to pay close attention to what I am about to reveal because woven into my words of truth will be one small fabrication.”
​She settled back into her chair, took a sip of tea, then added, “It is up to you, dear signore, to determine fact from fiction. See if you can discover the single lie in all I am about to tell you.”

About The Author

Melissa Muldoon is the author of four novels set in Italy: Dreaming Sophia, Waking Isabella, Eternally Artemisia, and The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola. All four books tell the stories of women and their journeys of self-discovery to find love, uncover hidden truths, and follow their destinies to shape a better future for themselves. She is the managing director of Matta Press. She teaches Italian and curates StudentessaMatta.com, the dual-language website in Italian and English that promotes the Italian language and culture. Melissa has a B.A. in fine arts, art history, and European history from Knox College, a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, and a master’s degree in art history from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She studied painting and art history in Florence and ran her own graphic design firm for many years. Melissa illustrated her novels’ cover art and translated her second novel into Italian — Il risveglio di Isabella. Melissa also curates the Art of Loving Italy website and Pinterest site, where you will find companion pictures and visual references for all her novels. Visit MelissaMuldoon.com for more information about Melissa’s books and StudentessaMatta.com for tips to learn and practice Italian at home and in Italy with Melissa.

MelissaMuldoon.com
ArtLovingItaly.com
Pinterest.com/ArtofLovingItaly
StudentessaMatta.com

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Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny