Happy Release Day!
It’s here! As Silent as the Night is now available!
I’m so excited to share this Christmas historical romance with you. It’s packed with Christmas traditions and, of course, plenty of danger. Not to mention the hope of a happily ever after for Gio and Lucia.
About As Silent as the Night
He can procure anything, except his heart’s deepest wish.
She might hold the key, if she’s not discovered first.
Chicago, 1933―Lucia Critelli will do anything for her ailing grandfather, including stand in a breadline to have enough food to make him a St. Nicholas Day meal. When she catches the eye of a goon who threatens her grandfather, she discovers the end of Prohibition doesn’t mean the end of the mafia’s criminal activity.
Retired Marine Scout Giosue “Gio” Vella can find anything, especially if it helps a fellow Italian immigrant, so he has no doubt he can locate his neighbor’s granddaughter, who has gone missing from a local church. Keeping her safe is another matter. Especially when he chooses to hide out with his Marine buddy in Eagle, Wisconsin, the site of a barely-held truce among striking dairy farmers.
Will Christmas bring the miracle they all need or will Gio discover there are some things even he can’t find, particularly when he stumbles upon the most elusive gift of all: love.
The past few days/weeks, I’ve been talking about the behind the scenes of As Silent as the Night on my blog. I’ve also shared book quotes and author endorsements on social media. I’ve even added Christmas-related products to my online store. In fact, you can order a signed paperback on my website, too!
I’ve done all of this because Gio and Lucia’s story is near to my heart. First of all, I love Christmas and all the traditions surrounding it. From St. Nicholas Day to Live Nativities. I could only include a few in this story, of course (maybe I’ll write future Christmas stories so I can explore other favorite traditions! *wink*). In a three-part series, I talk about the traditions that appear in As Silent as the Night on my blog.
However, that’s not the only reason I loved writing As Silent as the Night. I also enjoyed visiting the fictional town of Eagle, Wisconsin to check up on Lily and Miles, Katy, and Joey from the past two books in the series. If you haven’t read the past two books, you don’t need to do so to enjoy As SIlent as the Night, but if you have, I hope you find the ending especially heart-warming.
What I loved most about As Silent as the Night was the opportunity to highlight my own Italian heritage. My grandmother grew up in the Italian immigrant community in 1920-30 Chicago and I grew up on her stories. I studied the Italian language when I visited Italy and because I heard the cadence of it as a child, it flowed naturally to my ears. The love of family and the care for community … I’m so glad I had the chance to include all of that with characters like Gio and Lucia, and her grandfather! Not to mention, bringing back Glenn the Donkey as a nod to the Italian tradition of Dominick (not Rudolph) helping Santa (or Santa Lucia) deliver Christmas gifts.
If you love Gio and Lucia’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it (or even if you didn’t!), I would be honored for you to leave a rating or review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. Reviews are a wonderful (and free) way to support an author and ensure they will continue to write stories you love.
Before you go, don’t miss the As Silent as the Night Launch Week Giveaway! I’ve gathered items for a cozy night of reading:
1 mug with Buon Natale written on it
1 Christmas ornament
1 Wisconsin-made candle from EarthShine Candle Shop.
Follow the link below to enter. US addresses only (sorry!). 18+. Void where prohibited. Ends 9/18/22. Visit my policy page for giveaway details. Winner will receive an email through the address provided on Rafflecopter.
As Silent as the Night Release Week Giveaway
