The Daughter of Paradiso

A TERRIFIED CHILD. A DESPERATE MOTHER. THE PROMISE OF A NEW LIFE... Italy, 1963. Graziella Bianchi returns to Paradiso, barely able to believe she has been gifted her childhood home by an old friend. The beautiful house has fallen into a state of disrepair, but Graziella is determined to restore it to its former glory. Although one dream has come true, life is far from perfect. She and her daughter, Lucia, are nearly penniless and the pair are on the run from Graziella's violent husband. With divorce not yet legal and the law still giving husbands ultimate control over their wives, Graziella must fight not only to gain her independence, but also to keep her daughter. The villagers of Pieve Santa Clara, with their long and loyal memories, step in, and gradually a good life becomes a possibility for Graziella and Lucia. But when her estranged husband turns up, drunk and angry, everything Graziella has worked so hard for is under threat. The Daughter of Paradiso is a compelling and emotionally-charged historical novel perfect for fans of Dinah Jeffries, Lucinda Riley, Angela Petch and Rhys Bowen.