Bella Toscana

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 03 Nov 2018 | Archive Date 21 Jun 2019

Talking about this book? Use #BellaToscana #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

From the author of The Sacred Flame comes a story of an older woman who finds love in the strangest and most familiar of places—Tuscany. Shalini’s Book Reviews says, "Read this book if you believe in the eternity of the soul and power of love.”


An explosive yearning that can’t be denied.

Disturbing visions from an ancient past.

A mysterious stranger that somehow feels familiar.


On the night of her fiftieth birthday, the comfortable ride of Toscana’s life takes an alarming plunge. Haunted by seductive visions, she tries to push aside the desire and focus on the husband who adores her. Then she falls for Flynn, a younger man with an eye for adventure and a heart full of romance, who leaves her doubting everything she’s believed about love and passion.

In Atlanta, Rome, and the lush scenery of Tuscany, Toscana searches for answers to the mysteries of her life while she faces her biggest question. If she listens to her feelings will she lose everything she holds dear, or does her heart hold the key to love and joy?


Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Award

Somerset Book Award Semi-Finalist

From the author of The Sacred Flame comes a story of an older woman who finds love in the strangest and most familiar of places—Tuscany. Shalini’s Book Reviews says, "Read this book if you believe...


Advance Praise

"[Bella Toscana] will keep readers engaged . . . the author provides a refreshing take on romance [and]readers can find themselves relating to the main character, Toscana, as she goes through her journey of self-discovery." BookLife Prize

"Read this book if you believe in the eternity of the soul and power of love. . . . Nanette's style of writing had the maturity and strength which made the prose almost like a lyrical poetry. I liked the way she conveyed the painful emotions which tugged the main character in different directions. I could feel her intimate thoughts deep in me." -Shalini's Book Reviews

"If you love a good romance, delicious food, and the beauty of the Italian countryside, you will love this beautifully written novel." Sharon Gloger Friedman, award-winning author of Ashes

"[Bella Toscana] will keep readers engaged . . . the author provides a refreshing take on romance [and]readers can find themselves relating to the main character, Toscana, as she goes through her...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9780999657928
PRICE $2.99 (USD)

Average rating from 18 members


Featured Reviews

I have to start out by admitting that this book was not one of the typical genres that I tend to read. As such, I may not give the same style review that others who more relate to this style may give. I will start by saying that I really enjoyed how well written the book was. Clearly, the author did not skimp on research, and was very thorough with descriptions throughout. I also like that the reader was not left hanging on different characters and what may have happened after the book ended. Where I mainly struggled was in the vast difference in my own personal world view. The author wrote from a very clear place of spiritualism...not to be confused with christianity. It was full of reincarnation, psychics, numerology and astrology, etc. This is all very far fetched and hard for me to personally wade thru. However, I actually appreciated the real opportunity to better understand those viewpoints from those who believe in them as part of their daily life. It was a window into another fully different way of thinking. This is likely the main reason I love reading so much! I love opportunity to learn of other cultures, ways of life, historical differences, etc from writers who really know how to deliver. From that standpoint, this author did not disappoint! This book was extremely well delivered! I felt like I came out of it with a level of understanding that I certainly did not have before.

Now, for the plot summary of the book. I saw many reviews describe this book as a "love story", and/or a "finding of oneself story". I actually did not really see this book from either of these perspectives. This may be in large part due to part one of my review. I saw the book more as a "follow your heart, not your head" kind of view. The entire book was all about how we should ignore our intelligent side (even when this means cheating and lying to those we love). The basic morals that many (hopefully) live by were discounted as not important if they don't make your heart feel good. Marriage is viewed as temporary, even if the couple appears to be joining together because their hearts want each other. Hearts and feelings change, so the book is all about just rolling with the changes as your feelings move and alter rather than working thru those changes and strengthening relationships as a result. It's also all about unconditionally accepting each other for following their hearts. So, for me, this wasn't a love story as much as it was a story about a woman who is simply living to be as happy as she can be in this life, because she will have less struggle in her next reincarnated life as a result.

Again, my review is not likely going to match any other review...and this is mainly because I took a chance on a genre that I did not not expect the direction of. Every page was a surprise to me; and this is not a bad thing. I am used to books where I can guess everything that will happen. Honestly, this gets boring. So, this book was far from my expectations, and extremely well delivered, and this was the main reason I enjoyed it!

Was this review helpful?

Set against the backdrop of Italy, the novel follows the life of Toscana Blake, who embarks on a whirlwind journey soon after celebrating her fiftieth birthday.

Toscana is a baker and owns a store called Dolcielo. Her recipes are culled from her Italian roots, and her Dolcielo brownies are a hit. She’s also hoping to expand her business. Toscana and her husband, Jackson have been planning to visit Italy. Toscana is looking forward to the Chocolate Festival in Rome; she’s made her famous brownies to take with her so she can attract prospective buyers and get an Italian vendor to sell her brownies there as well.

She wants her husband to help her talk to vendors using his business expertise. Furthermore, she wants to introduce Jackson to her family in Tuscany and show him her mother’s home. Toscana is enthusiastic about her trip and can barely wait.

But a few days before they are due to leave, Jackson calls to tell her that he can’t go to Italy with her because he has work emergency. Besides, it’s too late to cancel the trip so she has to travel alone.

In Italy, we follow Toscana as she navigates the fascinating ruins of Rome and the smooth terrains of Tuscany. There she meets a man named Flynn, a history professor who’s into antiquities and mosaics and seems to know a lot about ancient culture. Flynn offers to show her around Rome and even helps give insight into the strange experiences she’s been having since arriving in Rome.

Soon after, Toscana starts to feel a connection to him which excites and terrifies her at the same time. She begins to question her life, her feelings and wonders if she’s really on the right path.

This was good. This was so so good. This was a breath of fresh air. I inhaled it. Bella Toscana is a beautifully written book about self-discovery, filled with interesting characters and a nice sense of place. The book is peppered with a rich evocation of Italian countryside not to mention the mouthwatering descriptions of chocolate and brownies and all things nice. The food in this book will make you hungry for some good Italian home cooking & baking. And the prose flows smoothly from beginning to end like “melted chocolate and caramel swirled together”.

I couldn’t recommend Bella Toscana highly enough.

My favorite quote:
“…life is like bread. If you put nothing in it, it will be plain and simple. Something to get you by, but nothing to excite you. If you fill it with nuts and fruit and spices—the treasures of life—it will warm and nourish you with love and hope, and that is what you need for a life full of riches.”

Many thanks to NetGalley, Nanette Littlestone, and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

My summer reading plans were derailed almost immediately by this gem! I had a plan for the next few books I was going to read. Finish The Gentleman In Moscow and then move on to the 4 other books I mentioned in my last blog post.
And then Netgalley sent me a free ebook, Bella Toscana by Nanette Littlestone.

I did only a cursory look at the description; a woman who just turned 50 finds love in Tuscany. What's not to love about that? And, since I am leaving for Italy in a few weeks, I had to give it a read. It was a no brainer!

This book had everything that makes a great, light, summer beach read and so much more. It starts with food, the hinting of a little family drama, travel,, infatuation, love. Then, along comes past lives, history, woman's issues, friendship, inspirational quotes, girl power and so much more!

In the end, it's Outlander meets Under The Tuscan Sun. The book felt light and deep all at the same time. I chuckled at parts, my throat closed up from heartbreak at parts, I was angry at parts and I also smiled with joy at parts. Bella Toscana ran the whole range of emotions, and I love that in a book!

If this sounds like a good way to spend a summer afternoon or evening (or both), grab a copy and get reading!

www.cocktailsinthelibrary.com

Was this review helpful?

A few pages into this book, I had apprehensions. Normally I don’t read books about reincarnation and when the book followed that theme of writing, I considered putting the book down and walking away. However, I continued reading and I can report that I am happy I did.

Toscana woke on the 50th birthday from such a vivid dream that she was plagued by it. During her trip to Italy these dreams and visions increased to the point that she believed she has gone crazy. A history professor, Flynn researched the possibility that there might be a connection from a previous life.

After a glorious time in Italy, Toscana returned home, and her life fell apart. Out of desperation she visited a therapist and through the guidance of the therapist she learned what the dreams meant.

Bella Toscana is a beautiful blend of excitement, heartbreak, passion and a deep longing. I was surprised to see some aspects of my life in the book at which point I wondered if the author is maybe somebody I told my story too 😊.

If you wish to read a book containing a rollercoaster of emotions, pick Bella Toscana. You will not be disappointed.

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars

Great Story, some elements of time slip but I really enjoyed an older heroine realising that she'd taken the safe options and in her 50s found some real romance. Toscana was an independant person running her own brownie business who had relatives in Tuscany. We learn about her parents, her aunt and her friends. It wasn't an immediate HEA which confused me a bit as by that time I was deep in reading the epilogue but all turns out well in the end. Interesting take on the counselling method which used astrology in its make up. I'll definitely look out for more from this author. I recommend this book for it's romance and thought provoking elements.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - the thoughts and opinions here are mine and unbiased

I loved this

It was nice to see the main female character was in her 50s - really resonated with me as a woman of a 'certain age' - ie similar age !! She does get her HEA which I loved

With elements of a family story, making the book more rounded for me and therefore, more satisfying

I've not read this author before but will certainly be looking out for her - I found this well written, loved the characterization here and enjoyed the journey I've been taken on

Highly recommended as a holiday read - fabulous

Was this review helpful?

On the night of her fiftieth birthday, the comfortable ride of Toscana's life takes an alarming plunge. Haunted by seductive visions, she tries to push aside the desire and focus on the husband who adores her. Then she falls for Flynn, a younger man with an eye for adventure and a heart full of romance, who leaves her doubting everything she's believed about love and passion.

In Atlanta, Rome, and the lush scenery of Tuscany, Toscana searches for answers to the mysteries of her life while she faces her biggest question. If she listens to her feelings will she lose everything she holds dear, or does her heart hold the key to love and joy?

This is a story of love and adventure. Toscana will take you on a journey across Italy as she searches for answers.

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Was this review helpful?

I loved everything about this book Bella Toscana is a beautifully written book about self-discovery, filled with interesting characters and a nice sense of place .I highly reccommend

Was this review helpful?

I am a sucker for covers and this one just drew me in. The other attraction was the setting and background. Chocolate, baking, and to top it all Tuscany. Could one ask for more. You then add in doses of romance a bit of time travel and you have a lovely story.

Toscana is the owner of a shop selling brownies. Not just brownies. These seem to be artisanal brownies. With an Italian heritage and going to Tuscany after decades she decides to try her hand at the export business of bringing brownies to Italy - a country that does not know what brownies are.

Her task is straightforward. Attend a Chocolate Festival, do her best to sell her product to three leading chocolatiers, visit her uncle and aunt and cousins and then return to Jackson her husband who at the last minute cannot join her on the trip.

What she didnt account for was meeting Flynn, a Professor of History in Rome, being instantly attracted to him and to top it all, having visions and dreams of a very disturbing nature - being part of ancient Rome involving Vestals, Roman soldiers, a very torrid love affair all set in ancient Rome.

The visions and going back in time are very matter of fact but the falling in love part was anything but! Descriptive of both Tuscany, the chocolate and baking fields which formed the main part of the story and then returning to America to Toscana's life before Flynn was well told.

Whether it is rebirth or a soul's eternal travels this is a good way of handling some people's experience of a previous life. Trying to make an explanation of this is not easy but this book handled it very well.

Was this review helpful?

First, I love the idea of a soulmate that you've loved through past lives and still belong with and love. It can easily be done wrong and turned cliché. This definitely avoided that and became a wonderful story. I loved the way the book flowed, and became really invested in Toscana's story. I enjoyed the whole journey through the pages, a wonderful story for anyone who loves chick lit and believes in past lives and true love that survives through the ages.

Was this review helpful?

Electrifying, a well-written mystery!

On the night of her fiftieth birthday, the comfortable ride of Toscana’s life takes an alarming plunge. Haunted by seductive visions, she tries to push aside the desire and focus on the husband who adores her. Then she falls for Flynn, a younger man with an eye for adventure and a heart full of romance, who leaves her doubting everything she’s believed about love and passion.

In Atlanta, Rome, and the lush scenery of Tuscany, Toscana searches for answers to the mysteries of her life while she faces her biggest question. If she listens to her feelings will she lose everything she holds dear, or does her heart hold the key to love and joy?

Was this review helpful?

Romance, Tuscany, culture and chocolate brownies- everything I dream about in one book.
An intriguing love story. Toscana and Flynn were interesting, believable characters to follow.
I really enjoyed this book- thank you NetGalley for sending it to my Kindle in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: