Book SummaryAt the height of the Nazi occupation of Rome, an unlikely band of heroes comes together to save innocent lives in this breathtaking World War II novel based on real historical events.
Rome, 1943. With the fall of Italy’s Fascist government and the Nazi regime occupying the streets of Rome, British ballerina Julia Bradbury is stranded and forced to take refuge at a hospital on Tiber Island. But when she learns of a deadly sickness sweeping through the quarantine wards—a fake disease known only as Syndrome K—she is drawn into one of the greatest cons in history. Alongside hospital staff, friars of the adjoining church, and two Allied medics, Julia risks everything to rescue Jewish Italians from the deadly clutches of the Holocaust. Soon a little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina arrives at their door, and Julia is determined to reunite the young dancer with her family—if only she would reveal one crucial secret: her name.
Present Day. Delaney Coleman recently lost her grandfather—a beloved small-town doctor and World War II veteran, so she returns home to help her aging parents. When a mysterious Italian woman reaches out claiming to own one of the family’s precious heirlooms, Delaney is compelled to travel to Italy and uncover the truth of her grandfather’s hidden past. With the help of the woman’s skeptical but charming grandson, Delaney learns of a Roman hospital that saved hundreds of Jewish people during the war. Soon, everything Delaney thought she knew about her grandfather comes into question.
Based on true accounts of the invented Syndrome K sickness, The Italian Ballerina journeys from the Allied storming of the beaches at Salerno to the London ballet stage and the war-torn streets of World War II Rome, exploring the sometimes heart-wrenching choices we must make to find faith and forgiveness, and how saving a single life can impact countless others.
Book Details
- Publisher : Thomas Nelson (July 12, 2022)
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Language : English
- Paperback : 384 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0785232192
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley,book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
The Italian Ballerina was such a moving novel. There was so much that was unique about this World War II novel. I've been reading many books from this time period and this novel clearly shone above many others. It is a time lapse novel from Rome 1943 to present day. The time shifts were easy to follow. The characters were very much the highlight of the novel. The "band of heroes" as they are referred to are two American soldiers and an English ballerina. They do the very unselfish act of helping Italian Jews hide away from the Germans. The soldiers went into a war zone to save the life a young Italian Jewish girl. All of these people make up a puzzle that the later generation has to figure out.
This is my first Kristy Cambron novel and I can assure you it won't be the last. She has a beautiful, flowing writing style that completely immerses readers into another place and time. The emotions elicited from reading this novel are strong and heartfelt. Knowing that so many of these novels are based off of true events make the story even more intense. World War II was an ugly stain in world history but also brought out some of the most shining heroes ever found throughout time.
I highly recommend The Italian Ballerina to all adult readers. Reading this novel was an experience that will stay with me for a long time.
****Meet Author Kristy Cambron****
KRISTY CAMBRON is a vintage-inspired storyteller writing from the space where art, history, and faith intersect. She's a Christy Award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling novels, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN and THE PARIS DRESSMAKER, and nonfiction, including the Verse Mapping Series. Her work has been named to: Cosmopolitan Best Historical Fiction Novels of 2021, Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, INSPY Award nominations, a Carol Award final, and received a 2020 Christy Award for her novel, THE PAINTED CASTLE. She's also been featured at: Cosmopolitan, Publishers Weekly, Once Upon a Book Club Box, Frolic, Book Club Girl, BookBub, Country Woman Magazine, Jesus Calling, FaithGateway, CBN, Lifeway Women, MICI Magazine, Faithwire, (in)Courage, and BibleGateway.
Kristy holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing and spent 15 yrs in education and leadership development for a Fortune 100 corporation, partnering with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup before stepping away to pursue her passion for storytelling. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three basketball-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read.
You can connect with Kristy at: kristycambron.com
~*~*~*~*Purchase The Italian Ballerina~*~*~*~*
HERE:
Paperback-https://amzn.to/40HbhYF
Kindle-https://amzn.to/42M0Wg7
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