The Rose of Florence - Angela M. Sims (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 19/06/2023

Author: Angela M. Sims

Publisher: Romaunce Books

Publication Date: April 2023

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

1478: Gianetta and Matteo have a happy life, working in service to the wealthy Rosini family. They are used to entertaining rich and powerful members of Florentine society in Palazzo Rosini, where Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici and Botticelli are regular visitors. Even when the Medici brothers narrowly escape the Palazzo with their lives (an accident, surely?), Gianetta and Matteo can’t imagine that the growing unrest in the streets of Florence would ever spoil their happiness.

When a bloody conspiracy erupts in the heart of Florence, in the city’s beloved Duomo, nobody is left unaffected by the aftermath. When the family hear that Matteo is among the conspirators, Gianetta knows that her life will never be the same.

Review:

        Located in the heart of 15th-century Florence, 'The Rose of Florence' is a captivating tale that seamlessly blends romance, mystery, and history. The novel is uniquely styled in the form of an Italian meal, with each course tantalizing our appetite and the ending providing the satisfying conclusion of a memorable dinner. As a reader, I found myself intrigued by the Italian cuisine mentioned at the beginning of each part, and I would love to experience it all one day. 

        The story is set in Palazzo Rosini, the opulent home of the wealthy Rosini family and their loyal servants. The family caters to the powerful Medici brothers and the renowned painter Botticelli, who are frequent visitors to the palazzo. However, not everyone in Florence is content with the Medici's control over the city, and there are frequent attempts on their lives, even within the walls of Palazzo Rosini. The tension builds to a crescendo on Easter Sunday, culminating in a shocking uprising and blood bath that horrifies the entire city.

        The Rosini family also suffers a devastating loss, and Gianetta and Matteo find themselves at the centre of a web of conspiracies. As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed with each passing chapter, and we are enveloped in a comfortable anxiety, confident that all will be resolved in due time.

        While Gianetta and Matteo are the central characters, the story does not revolve solely around them. Instead, it is a richly woven tapestry that explores the Rosini family's forward-thinking attitudes, particularly given the time period. The novel also features cameo appearances by historical figures such as Machiavelli and Leonardo Da Vinci, reflecting the Italian cities' high regard for art and artists.

        Overall, 'The Rose of Florence' is a masterfully crafted novel that transports the reader to a bygone era, immersing them in a world of intrigue, passion, and artistry. 

Meet the author:

Angela’s background is in healthcare, and she has been a university lecturer since 2010. Her writing experience was limited to a master’s dissertation, purely academic, but the research skills she learned during that process were soon used in researching her favourite topic, the Italian Renaissance. It didn’t take long before the seeds of a story began to germinate, and The Rose of Florence her debut novel blossomed.

Psyche and Eros - Luna McNamara (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 11/05/2023

Author: Luna McNamara

Publisher: Orion Fiction

Publication Date: May 25, 2023

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

In this utterly transporting reimagining of Greek mythology, the god of desire is cursed to fall for a spirited young mortal woman, but if she looks upon his face they will be parted forever—an epic adventure and love story for the ages, sure to satisfy fans of Madeline Miller and V.E. Schwab

Who said true love is a myth?

A prophecy claims that Psyche, princess of Mycenae, will defeat a monster feared even by the gods. Rebelling against her society’s expectations for women, Psyche spends her youth mastering blade and bow, preparing to meet her destiny.

When Psyche angers the love goddess, Aphrodite, she sends Eros, the god of desire, to deliver a cruel curse. After eons watching humanity twist his gifts, the last thing Eros wants is to become involved in the chaos of the mortal world. But when he pricks himself with the arrow intended for Psyche, Eros finds himself doomed to yearn for a woman who will be torn from him the moment their eyes meet.

Thrown together by fate, headstrong Psyche and world-weary Eros will face challenges greater than they could have imagined. And as the Trojan War begins and divine powers try to keep them apart, the pair must determine if the curse could become something more . . . before it’s too late.

A joyous and subversive tale of gods, monsters, and the human heart and soul, Psyche and Eros dazzles the senses while exploring notions of trust, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero. With unforgettably vivid characters, spellbinding prose, and delicious tension, Luna McNamara has crafted a shimmering and propulsive debut novel about a love so strong it defies the will of Olympus.

Review:

    Each passing day brings forth the realisation that when it comes to Greek mythology I have only scratched the surface. New characters (particularly women) that are often overlooked in the past come up as central characters making their voices heard. This time it is Psyche's turn.

"No temples were ever built in my honour, and no colleges of priestesses ever sung hymns in my names"

        She is the Goddess of soul and the beloved of Eros, the God of love. If you want to find a romantic comedy in Greek mythology, then that is theirs. At least that is what McNamara has created through her stunning work. While some may criticise McNamara's handling of the original myth, I beg to defer. Should we really be faithful to the original when it comes to retelling? Wouldn't that fail its purpose? I, for one, loved how the author made Psyche into an archer. Sure, feminist retellings don't have to make the woman a warrior. Still, I can't help but notice that this puts Psyche on equal footing with her archer husband. 

        The depiction of Eros as a primordial god ushered in a new perspective on the so-called main storyline. Zeus, as usual, doesn't gain any favourable points but Prometheus, on the other hand, shines through his lighthearted humour. Seeing him was like revisiting many of my childhood memories. Psyche's POV introduces a horde of other characters: Iphigenia, Clytmenestra, Atlanta . . . the list goes on. Women whose blood drenched the legends.

        Psyche and Eros' love story may not be as famous as Helen's and that could be a good thing. It does have a happy ending. As Psyche says, "Truly great lovers rarely make their way into the public eye. They are too busy with one another". Thank you McNamara for bringing them to the public eye and for creating an unforgettable tale.

Meet the author:

Luna McNamara holds a master's degree from Harvard University in the study of women and gender in world religions. A lifelong lover of Greek myths, she has studied ancient Greek language and philosophy. She is currently a social worker living in Boston. Psyche and Eros is her debut novel.

Best Men - Sidney Karger (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 21/5/2023

Author: Sidney Karger

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: May 25, 2023

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

When two best men in a wedding party fall for each other, they realize love isn't a piece of cake in this hilarious and heartfelt romantic comedy debut by screenwriter Sidney Karger.

Max Moody thought he had everything figured out. He's trying to live his best life in New York City and has the best friend a gay guy could ask for: Paige. She and Max grew up next door to each other in the suburbs of Chicago. She can light up any party. She finishes his sentences. She's always a reliable splunch (they don't like to use the word brunch) partner. But then Max's whole world is turned upside down when Paige suddenly announces some huge news: she's engaged and wants Max to be her man of honour. Max was always the romantic one who imagined he would get married before the unpredictable Paige and is shocked to hear she's ready to settle down. But it turns out there's not just one new man in Paige's life--there are two.

There's the groom, Austin, who's a perfectly nice guy. Then there's his charming, fun and ridiculously handsome gay younger brother, Chasten, who is Austin's best man. As Paige's wedding draws closer, Max, the introverted Midwesterner, and Chasten, the social butterfly East Coaster, realize they're like oil and water. Yet they still have to figure out how to coexist in Paige's life while not making her wedding festivities all about them. But can the tiny romantic spark between these two very different guys transform their best man supporting roles into the leading best men in each other's lives?

Review:

      I would rather this book be called 'Best Friends'. For one, romance is just a side plot while the evolving relationship of Max and Paige  takes centre stage. It is also Max Moody's story where Chasten, for sure, has a part to play, but all the same, it is also about Max finding his life's calling. He is such an endearing character it is hard not to like him. Funny, loyal and down to earth -- Max Moody is this and many more. Finding humour in the most awkward situations (the first encounter with Chasten, for instance) he pulls you along in this laugh-out-loud ride.

        Max is one of the many things I loved about this book. A character-driven story like this cannot be enjoyed without someone like him. His friendship with Paige is really one of a kind and no wonder he felt threatened by Chasten's arrival in the scene. Chasten is the ideal gay guy, outgoing and smart to boot in contrast to Max who doesn't enjoy crowded events. While their chemistry is undeniable, I am a bit sceptic about Max-Chasten relationship. The whole thing works on the opposites attract concept, but will it make them stick together for an eternity?

        So I demand a sequel. I am curious how it turned out for both of them. The road ahead is bound to be bumpy, but that's just another story I can't wait to sink my teeth into. 

Meet the author:

Sidney Karger is an award-winning screenwriter for film and television. He is a former writer/director with Comedy Central, MTV and AMC, among other networks, and contributing writer for Saturday Night Live, Billy On The Street and McSweeney's. He currently lives in New York City with his partner and their Australian Labradoodle, Zelda. Best Men is his debut novel.