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Book Review of Shadows of a Tuscan Moon


I know a lot of literary folk, novelists and readers visit this site, so today I want to share a book review. This review is of "Shadows of a Tuscan Moon" by Sandra Carrington-Smith and Giovanni Logli. I have been following Sandra's work since her first wonderful nonfiction book "Housekeeping for the Soul."



Book Review
I just finished Shadows of a Tuscan Moon, sadly. I say sadly because the author Sandra Carrington-Smith, creates such a real world, filled with mysterious twists and turns, spoken through believable characters, and I did not want the novel to end. To be sure, this is not easy reading. Its story focuses around domestic violence of every kind and its brutal, sometimes fatal consequences.

Carrington-Smith is a masterful storyteller. She is gifted with the ability to imbue her novels with supernatural and magical elements grounded in everyday realities. This story is in turns poignant, sad, horrific and romantic. It flows effortlessly together under the Tuscan Moon, woven into a textile that tells the complex tale of domestic violence. Not only does Carrington-Smith raise awareness about a topic we all need to be aware of, she takes it a step further, making you truly care.

I am a big fan of Sandra’s work, from her first book “Housekeeping of the Soul, to the "Book of Obeah," "The Rosaries," through to this stunning tour de force, “Shadows of a Tuscan Moon.” I can’t recommend it highly enough! Buy it for yourself, loved one, and a friend. You won’t be disappointed.








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