June 05, 2014

Laura Morelli's The Gondola Maker - Spotlight and {Giveaway}


About the book
"The heir to a gondola empire rejects his birthright but comes full circle in this fascinating glimpse into late-Renaissance Venice by art historian–turned-novelist Morelli."
- Kirkus Reviews

From the author of Made in Italy comes a tale of artisanal tradition and family bonds set in one of the world's most magnificent settings: Renaissance Venice.

When Luca Vianello, the heir to a renowned gondola-making enterprise, experiences an unexpected tragedy in the boatyard, he believes that his destiny lies elsewhere. Soon he finds himself drawn to restore an antique gondola with the dream of taking a girl for a ride. Lovers of historical fiction will appreciate the authentic details of gondola craftsmanship, along with an intimate first-person narrative set against the richly textured backdrop of 16th-century Venice.

Where to buy the book:
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Book Depository
Indigo Chapters

Praise for The Gondola Maker

"I'm a big fan of Venice, so I appreciate Laura Morelli's special knowledge of the city, the period, and the process of gondola-making. An especially compelling story."
--Frances Mayes, author, Under the Tuscan Sun

"Laura Morelli has done her research, or perhaps she was an Italian carpenter in another life. One can literally smell and feel the grain of finely turned wood in her hands."
--Pamela Sheldon Johns, author, Italian Food Artisans

"While a wealth of period lore and beautifully rendered setting—the city’s unique sounds, smells, and heritage—dominate her novel, Morelli creates poignantly convincing characters in this handsome coming-of-age novel about adoration, pain, and destiny."
- Publishers Weekly


About the author
Laura Morelli earned a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University, where she was a Bass Writing Fellow and an Andrew W. Mellon Doctoral Fellow. She has taught college art history in the U.S. and at Trinity College in Rome. She is the creator of the authentic guidebook series that includes Made in Italy, Made in France, and Made in the Southwest, published by Rizzoli. Laura is a frequent contributor to National Geographic Traveler and other national magazines and newspapers. A native of coastal Georgia, she is married and is busy raising four children. The Gondola Maker is her first work of fiction.

Connect with Laura here: www.lauramorelli.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauramorelliphd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauramorelliphd
about.me/lauramorelliphd

Follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form below to enter for a chance to win a paperback or eBook copy of The Gondola Maker by Laura Morelli! (Open Internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

18 comments:

  1. The times and setting immediately draw my interest.

    nanze55(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the sound of this, can't wait!
    jan matthews

    ReplyDelete
  3. This novel would be fascinating and a treasure which I would enjoy greatly. Many thanks and best wishes. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am trying to read novels with different settings/lead characters. I rarely read about Italy and I've definitely never read about a gondola maker! Thanks for the great giveaway - katherinegypson (at) gmail (dot) dom

    ReplyDelete
  5. it is set in Italy.....need I say more?!?!?
    thank you for the giveaway!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love any kind historical fiction. This one sounds great.
    Amyc

    ReplyDelete
  7. Because I never read a book like this.. and looks amazing!
    Thanks for the giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. My son and daughter-in-law recently visited Venice. I love seeing their pictures of the canal. Would love to read some HF with this setting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have loved 16th-17th Italian history (I can't spell Renaissance!) ever since I saw "Fatal Beauty". I must go to Venice before the Sea reclaims her!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think I'd really enjoy learning about gondola-making, isn't that strange? Still, it does sound interesting so please enter my name in the draw.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love reading novels set in Italy, especially in Venice!
    alto1jr @ hotmail dot come

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have always wanted to visit Venice and this book looks like a wonderful way to armchair travel there.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Can't wait to read this one, Love Venice

    ReplyDelete
  14. I got the sample in my Kindle 2 nights ago, and I am loving it. Would be very nice to win my full copy in the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love Venice and to read books related to that lovely city!
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lovely cover and it sounds amazing! I can't wait to travel to Venice someday!
    alto1jr @ hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am always up for being transported to Renaissance Italy, particularly Venice. thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great setting and plot to my taste...so exotic among my regular British and American-set titles in this genre!

    ReplyDelete

Got something to say? Share your thoughts!