Bianca's Vineyard by Teresa Neumann - Review/Interview/Giveway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Bianca's Vineyard by Teresa Neumann

ISBN: 9780983121008

Paperback 412 pages

Synopsis:

Bianca Corrotti's vineyard is more than a piece of mouth-watering real estate in Tuscany. It's an inheritance; a storehouse harboring the secrets of her Uncle Egisto, a world-class sculptor, and his troubled wife -- a woman whose destiny converges with Mussolini's when WWII overtakes them all. Based on a true story, Bianca's Vineyard follows a devoted family of strong-willed men and lion-hearted women waging an epic battle against a gathering storm intent on destroying their lives.

Review:

I love history and all things Italian so I jumped at the chance to get to read this book. It was nice how the author's writing style made you feel as if you were right there in Tuscany along with the characters. The story in this book is centered around family ties. I have to say the author did a great job of making the characters come to life and just jump right off the page. The descriptions that the author uses to describes the scenes are great. I could feel myself sitting down to the table with the family to enjoy a meal. Another thing I liked about this book is that it has a little something for everyone, mystery, romance, action and history. This was the first book that I have read by this author and I will be watching for more by her. 

About the author:

Teresa Neumann and her musician husband live in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley near their three children. As well as being an author and journalist, Teresa loves to fiddle on her violin and live "la dolce vita" in Italy whenever she can talk her family into going with her. 

Connect with Teresa: 

 Website  ~  Facebook  ~  Twitter

Where to buy the book:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Interview:

What was your purpose in writing Bianca’s Vineyard?

Preserving facts, honoring loved ones -- keeping important memories alive. My mother passed away several years ago and having just lost my precious father, I see, more than ever, the value of leaving a written legacy for our children.

I volunteered to gather up and organize the abandoned shavings of my husband’s grandparents’ lives and record it for posterity. That’s how Bianca’s Vineyard was birthed, but I couldn’t have done it without the help of my mother-in-law, and my husband and children.

How so?

My mother-in-law provided the motivation because I loved her so dearly and hated to see her distanced from her Italian family near the end of her life. My husband facilitated our trips to Italy, and in so doing, was rewarded with a kind of love that only families separated for a long time can appreciate. My children taught me the joy and heartache of parenthood. They supported my writing, encouraged me, and shared in my excitement. So much so, that they also traveled to Italy. Watching them as they were introduced to their Italian family – to see the actualization of their heritage dawn on their faces – was priceless.

Has there been any issues raised with your family history being fictionalized?

None, as it was made clear from the beginning that it was not a biography. My children are aware that although some of Bianca’s Vineyard is, by necessity, fictionalized, most of it is not. The real take-home message for them is the enduring power of family and forgiveness, reconciliation and hope.

Many people have said they love the book cover. How did you come up with it?

I employed the help of my filmmaker son, Luke Neumann, and his equally talented wife, Marika. With their expertise, we found a scenic vineyard in Oregon’s wine county to do the shoot, came up with costume ideas, etc.

In the end, it was Luke and Marika who posed for the book cover; Luke with his suspenders, white shirt and black cap, and beautiful, lithe Marika, standing in her bare feet, holding an antique locket in her hands.

So the book was a family affair on many levels …

At the time, I only thought of the cover in professional terms; my son and his wife were best photographers I knew. (Luke, by the way, is also featured on, and did the covers forDomenico’s Table, the sequel to Bianca’s Vineyard, and my soon to be released novel, A Year in the Company of Freaks). But now, with Bianca and Babe gone, I find myself sometimes staring at the cover, thinking, What an amazing heritage! There is my son, who carries the blood of Egisto and Armida in him, on the front of a book about his ancestors!

It’s truly been a gift that keeps on giving!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to stop by Italy Book Tours (click here) to see all the stops on the tour. 

Tour Schedule:

May 4 - Book Loving Hippo - review / author interview / giveaway
May 4 - The Autistic Gamer - review
May 5 - 2 Kids and Tired Books - review / giveaway
May 5 - Deal Sharing Aunt - review / giveaway
May 6 - Diary of an Eccentric - review
May 6 - Working Mommy Journal - review / giveaway
May 7 - Griperang's Bookmarks - review / author interview / giveaway
May 8 - Italophilia - book spotlight
May 11 - Vic's Media Room - review / guest post
May 12 - Girl With Camera - review / giveaway
May 13 - Svetlana's Reads and Views - review
May 13 - Life with Katie - review / giveaway
May 14 - Rockin' Book Reviews - review / author interview / giveaway
May 15 - Booknerd - review
May 18 - Allthingsbookie - review / giveaway
May 18 - Kathryn Cooper Writes - review
May 19 - Tragically Dull Adventures of an Almost Librarian - review
May 19 - Essentially Italian - review / giveaway
May 20 - My Devotional Thoughts - review
May 20 - Nighttime Reading Center - review / author interview / giveaway
May 20 - Readers' Muse - review / guest post / giveaway
May 21 - View from the Birdhouse - review / giveaway
May 22 - Il Mio Tesoro - review / author interview
May 22 - Library of Clean Reads - review / giveaway
May 22 - Sarah Rehmatullah - review