Date Published: March 8, 2021
Publisher: Amsterdam Publishers
A promise keeps them apart until WWII threatens to destroy their love forever
Fonzaso Italy, between two wars
Nina Argenta doesn’t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman. The daughter of a strong-willed midwife, she is determined to define her own destiny. But when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave.
When childhood friend Pietro Pante briefly returns to their mountain town, passion between them ignites while Mussolini forces political tensions to rise. Just as their romance deepens, Pietro must leave again for work in the coal mines of America. Nina is torn between joining him and her commitment to Italy and her mother.
As Mussolini’s fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitler’s Nazis terrorise their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact and Nina’s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face alone…
A gripping historical fiction novel, based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.
Spanning over two decades, Under the Light of the Italian Moon is an epic, emotional and triumphant tale of one woman’s incredible resilience during the rise of fascism and Italy’s collapse into WWII.
Interview
What is the hardest part of writing
your books?
I’m an over writer and since
I researched and wrote Under the Light of the Italian Moon over the
course of fourteen years, I had a very fat manuscript. Cutting down was hard since
it was my first time. Thank goodness for wonderful editors who helped me slice
off the fat.
What songs are most played on your
Ipod?
During the writing of the love
scenes, I played Phil Collins ‘Against All Odds’ over and over again. For the
rest I played Alberto Rabigliatti’s La ‘Strada Nel Bosco’. When I’m listening
to music outside of writing it’s a mix of classical, hip hop, rap, Rat pack,
musical theater, 80s and country. I am very eclectic in my music tastes.
Do you have critique partners or beta
readers?
Yes. Absolutely. I cling to
them for dear life. They are incredibly helpful in pushing work to a better place.
The more honest the better!
What book are you reading now?
The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood and The
Years by Virginia Woolf.
How did you start your writing career?
I started by researching the
life of my grandmother in Italy after a traumatic period in my life when I gave
birth to my daughter, went into heart failure and then lost my grandmother in a
17 day time period.
Tell us about your next release.
Under the Light of the
Italian Moon is a story of love and women’s resilience during the rise of
fascism and WWII. It tells the story of Nina Argenta, the daughter of a strong-willed
midwife. Nina falls in love with Pietro Pante, a boy who has emigrated to the
coal mines of America. They must live apart through many challenges during Mussolini’s
fascist reign and when WWII begins, they lose touch and Nina must survive Nazi
occupation in hopes of reuniting with her beloved. It is very much a story of
strong women.
About the Author
In 2006, after the birth of her daughter, Jennifer suffered a life-threatening post-partum cardiomyopathy, and soon after, her Italian grandmother died. This tumultuous year strengthened her desire to capture the stories of her female Italian ancestors.
In 2012, she moved with her family to Milan, Italy and Chicago Parent Magazine published her article, It’s In the Journey, chronicling the benefits of travelling the world with children. Later, she moved to London where she has held leadership positions in brand marketing with companies including ABInbev, Revlon, Shiseido and Tory Burch.
Jennifer is a graduate of Illinois State University where she was a Chi Omega and holds a master’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago.
Under the Light of the Italian Moon is her first novel, based on the lives of her Italian grandmother and great grandmothers during the rise of fascism and World War II.
Review the book at Amazon.com, Goodreads, and Bookbub
Connect with Jennifer on Instagram @boldwomanwriting
Connect with Jennifer on Facebook @jenniferantonauthorpage
Join her mailing list at www.boldwomanwriting.com
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