Tuscany

Rating:
Summary: Loved every minute of it.
Review: I loved every minute of it. The writing was excellent, the romance was great, but I especially loved the historical information it offered. The author is clearly an historian of the first order as well as a gifted storyteller. I await the sequel anxiously.

Rating:
Summary: Slightly disappointed-and, I didn't get the end!!!
Review: Maybe I would have rated this book a bit higher if I hadn't picked it up immediately after finishing Madeline Hunter's "By Arrangement." Maybe my expectations were a bit high, but I could have seen this story really coming to a smashing end. It was ok, but not great, AND, I'm probably the only one who couldn't figure out the last page or two --who is Julian Madrigal??? Was she just stuck in there for the next book, or did I zone out during my reading of Tuscany and totally miss out on her involvement? This piece just seemed thrusted in there - not really essential to the ending and it kind of angered me because I didn't expect it nor did I think the story needed it.Lastly, while I liked Francesa overall, I thought the use of the Contessa of the Ducci-Montaldo thing was way, way, way overused. We didn't need to hear her title continuously, especially when she was among people who knew who she was.I would recommend this book, but with major reservations. Ms. Johns has great potential.

Rating:
Summary: There is a sequel.
Review: The ending of this book bothered my as is did some of the other reviewers. Somehow it should have been made more clear that a sequel was following. But by searching on Amazon I see that the sequel is "The Lion of Venice". Hope this helps.