Bluestockings Book Shoppe Featuring Carmela Martino
Today’s featured historical romance author is Carmela Martino!
Carmela Martino’s love of Jane Austen is obvious in her debut romance, Playing by Heart, which readers are calling “an Italian version of Pride and Prejudice.” She wrote her middle-grade novel, Rosa, Sola, while pursuing her MFA in Writing. When Carmela isn’t reading or writing, she’s teaching writing classes at a local community college. She lives outside Chicago with her semi-retired husband who manages to interrupt her writing at the worst possible times.
For more, see www.carmelamartino.com.
PLAYING BY HEART
She could compose anything . . . except the life she wanted.
In this novel from Vinspire Publishing, Emilia Salvini dreams of marrying a man who loves music as much as she does. But in 18th-century Milan, being the “second sister” means she’ll likely be sent to a convent instead. Emilia’s only hope is to prove her musical talents crucial to her father’s quest for nobility. First, though, she must win over her music tutor, who disdains her simply for being a girl. But before she can carry out her plan, a tragedy sends the family into mourning. In her sorrow, Emilia composes a heartrending sonata that causes the maestro to finally recognize her talent. He begins teaching her music theory alongside Antonio Bellini, the arrogant great-nephew of a wealthy marquis. Emilia’s feelings toward her rival gradually change as she strives to outdo him. But just when her dreams seem within reach, Emilia learns that her success could destroy not only her future but her sister’s very life.
Playing by Heart won first place in the Windy City RWA Four Seasons Romance Writing Contest, Young Adult Category. Readers are calling this beautifully crafted novel, which was inspired by the lives of composer Maria Teresa Agnesi and mathematician Maria Gaetana Agnesi, the “Italian version of Pride and Prejudice.”
Purchase
Playing by Heart HERE
Want to win a digital copy of this book? Visit my Facebook page for a chance to win.
