Inspired by a true story of love and women's resilience during the rise of fascism and WWII
~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…
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.
Gripping historical fiction based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.
‘A brilliant and meticulously researched debut, Under the Light of the Italian Moon is a testament to women’s resilience, strength, and courage in the direst of circumstances. Riveting, devastating at times and yet full of hope, it’s a must-read for all fans of historical fiction genre.’
- Ellie Midwood, USA Today bestselling historical fiction author
‘An enthralling, richly crafted story of bold women resisting destruction, death and fascism.’
- Robin Pickering-Iazzi, Professor of Italian and Comparative Literature, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
My favorite genre is historical fiction based on true stories and “Under the Light of the Italian Moon” is a perfect combination of everything I appreciate in a novel. Not only it’s based on the author’s family history, but it’s meticulously researched and written with such heart, you’ll feel instantly attached to the characters and find yourself rooting for them as they go through their struggles. Nina and her mother, the local midwife who delivered more than a thousand babies, are truly worthy of admiration. Their integrity and desire to fight for a woman’s right to decide whether to have a family or not instead of following Mussolini’s insane “breeding cow” program that, no doubt, caused many unnecessary deaths, is something worth applauding. In the dark era of Il Duce, when just speaking out against the regime could lead to one’s denunciation, Nina and her mother fought with all they could to protect the vulnerable women under their charge and later, as the war broke out, Nina’s courage and desire to help save not just her patients, but the lives of the persecuted. The romance that never died despite everything Nina and her husband Pietro had to go through will make you tear up in the end; yes, it’s that emotional. And the main message the book carries - stand up for what is right no matter what the cost - is truly timeless and is more relevant today than ever. It’s a book about family, about brave women’s path, about courage and resilience, about immigrants’ struggles and eternal love. If you love historical fiction and particularly novels based on true stories, don’t even hesitate about picking this one up. You’ll thank me later, I promise.
