BLAST, BLITZ, PROMOS, REVEALS, & TOURS . . . : SPOTLIGHT - Casanova's Secret Wife by Barbara Lynn-Davis

Casanova's Secret Wife

by Barbara Lynn-Davis

Publication Date: July 25^th 2017

Kensington Books

eBook & Paperback; 304 Pages

Genre: Fiction/Historical/Biographical

BLURB

Set in eighteenth-century Venice and based on an actual account by Giacomo Casanova—here is a lush tale of desire and risk.

Caterina Capreta was an innocent girl of fourteen when she caught the attention of the world’s most infamous chronicler of seduction: Giacomo Casanova. Intoxicated by a fierce love, she wed Casanova in secret. But his shocking betrayal inspired her to commit an act that would mark her forever …

Now twenty years later on the island of Murano, the woman in possession of Caterina’s most devastating secret has appeared with a request she cannot refuse: to take in a noble-born girl whose scandalous love affair resembles her own. But the girl’s presence stirs up unwelcome memories of Caterina’s turbulent past. Tested like never before, she reveals the story of the man she will never forget.

Bringing to life a fascinating chapter in the history of Venice, Casanova’s Secret Wife is a tour de force that charts one woman’s journey through love and loss to redemption.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B & N | Books-A-Million

Indiebound | Target | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo

EXCERPT

CHAPTER 7

Night. I was sure I heard my name being called beneath my bedroom window. Running to check, I saw no one. I tiptoed barefoot down the two flights of cold stone steps and out into the garden. I didn’t need a lantern, because the moon was full. It was huge, hanging in the sky.

At the far edge of the garden was a back door we had not used in years. It was overgrown with leaves and vines. In the moonlight, half-hidden, I spied a folded piece of cream paper poking through a crack in the wood. I ran to retrieve it, plucking it out eagerly. Something sweet released its fragrance at my touch.

Tucking my secret message into the folds of my nightgown, I raced back through the garden, up the steps, and back into my bedroom. I locked the door and began to read.

My beautiful angel—your skin white like alabaster, your black eyes reflecting only sweetness, your curious and lively spirit—

As promised, I have copied out something for you to read. It is a poem by Dante. It tells the story of a pilgrim, a wanderer. He is the poet, who travels down to hell and then up to paradise in a journey inspired by his muse, Beatrice.

In this verse I’ve copied out for you, the poet finds two lovers wrapped in each other’s arms for eternity. Their names are Paolo and Francesca, and he asks them for the story of their early love. How did they recognize its first signs?

But tell me, in the time of gentle sighs,

with what, and in what way did Love allow you

to recognize your still uncertain longings?

Someday I will share the rest of the poem with you, and tell you about their fate together. But tonight, I simply want to ask, when will I be made a happy man and see you alone . . . ?

G.C.

I held his words to my heart and kissed the top of the page. “Soon,” I whispered to him in the moonlit night. “Soon.”

Buy Links:

Amazon | B & N | Books-A-Million

Indiebound | Target | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo

Praise for Casanova's Secret Wife

“Lynn-Davis admirably incorporates historical detail into this page-turning drama of mystery, love, and loss….Yet the standout is her depiction of Casanova – Lynn-Davis clearly enjoys crafting a real-life character who stands apart from the legend, making him the book’s most enduring character.” - Publishers Weekly

“Lynn-Davis debuts with a fascinating story based on the notorious lover Giacomo Casanova’s writings. With Venice as the romantic backdrop and young love as its focus, this stunning tale of passion, betrayal and redemption is a richly woven tapestry of Casanova’s early life. By bringing little known history to life, Lynn-Davis delivers an unforgettable love story, centering not only on Casanova, but two women who share the beauty of love and the pain of loss; one will find salvation and the other true happiness.”- RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Full of passion and rich historical detail . . . an enthralling read, impossible to put down.” --Phyllis T. Smith, bestselling author

“This is Venice beneath the mask: A dark and fascinating love story hiding in the shadows of the golden city.” --Marina Fiorato, bestselling author of The Glassblower of Murano

“Seductive and unforgettable” –Harmony Verna, author of Daughter of Australia

“Breathtaking, beautiful . . . will mesmerize readers." –Rosanna Chiofalo, author of Stella Mia

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of Casanova's Secret Wife! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form Casanova's Secret Wife. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on July 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to residents in the US & Canada only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Author Info

Barbara Lynn-Davis graduated from Brown University with a degree in art history. She then worked at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice and later spent a year there while completing her Ph.D. in Renaissance art at Princeton University. She currently teaches art history and writing at Wellesley College, and lives outside Boston with her family.

Author Links:

Website Facebook Goodreads