Book Blurb:
Florence, 1473. An impossible murder. A bitter rivalry. A serpent in the ranks.
Florentine investigator Guid’Antonio Vespucci returns to Florence from a government mission to find his dreams of success shattered. Life is good—but then a wealthy merchant dies from mushroom poisoning at Guid’Antonio’s Saint John’s Day table, and Guid’Antonio’s servant is charged with murder. Convinced of the youth’s innocence and fearful the killer may strike again, Guid’Antonio launches a private investigation into the merchant’s death, unaware that at the same time powerful enemies are conspiring to overthrow the Florentine Republic—and him.
A clever, richly evocative tale for lovers of medieval and Renaissance mysteries everywhere, The Hearts of All on Fire is a timeless story of family relationships coupled with themes of love, loss, betrayal and, above all, hope in a challenging world.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/XNchHo
Author Bio:
Alana White's passion for Renaissance Italy has taken her to Florence for research on the Vespucci and Medici families on numerous occasions. There along cobbled streets unchanged over the centuries, she traces their footsteps, listening to their imagined voices: Guid'Antonio Vespucci, Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo, Lorenzo de' Medici. Alana's first short story featuring real-life fifteenth-century lawyer Guid'Antonio Vespucci and his favorite nephew, Amerigo Vespucci, was a Macavity Award finalist and led to the Guid'Antonio Vespucci Mystery Series featuring "The Sign of the Weeping Virgin" (Book I) and "The Hearts of All on Fire" (Book II), with Book III Coming Soon. She is a member of the Authors Guild, Sisters in Crime, the Women's National Book Association, and the Historical Novel Society. Alana loves hearing from readers, and you can contact her at her website. There, you will find Guid'Antonio's likeness as his contemporary, Domenico Ghirlandaio, depicted him in the Sistine Chapel, along with other images and tales of 1400s Italy. Alana's articles and book reviews appear regularly in the "Historical Novels Review." In children's books (Middle Grade), she is the author of "Come Next Spring", a coming-of-age novel set in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in the 1940s, and a biography, "Sacagawea: Westward with Lewis and Clark." www.alanawhite.com
Editorial Review:
The Hearts of All on Fire by Alana White is the second book in White’s Guid’Antonio Mystery Series. In this second book, set in 1473, Guid’Antonio Vespucci, an investigator from Florence, Italy, finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery after a wealthy wool merchant dies unexpectedly at a St. John’s banquet table. It appears that the merchant may have been poisoned but the question becomes, by whom? That is just what Guid’Antonio Vespucci sets out to determine. At the same time, the Renaissance is flourishing in Florence and the politics of the day are fierce. Plots of overthrowing the Florentine Republic are growing and Florence is in conflict with the powerful Rome. The result is a gorgeously written historical drama with immaculately developed characters and one of the best history lessons concerning Florence a reader can find. It is impossible to put down and will keep readers on the edge of their seats all the way through the novel.
“A sudden, strong feeling of something a long time cherished, and then stolen. He had not glimpsed Francesca in the market, nor had he ventured inside his hospital since his homecoming from northern Italy. He did not intend to see her now. Their love affair had ended three years ago in an eruption of harsh words and disappointment.”
There is no doubt that the most impressive aspect of The Hearts of All on Fire is the obvious research that White has put into this novel. Politics in Italy during this time were complicated but also engrossingly interesting and White does a fantastic job portraying that. Readers know exactly what life was like in Florence in 1473. She also provides an extensive author’s note at the beginning of the book that explains much of what was going on in Italy politically during the period that this book is set in. This author’s note does a great job of introducing readers to this time period and Italian history. Many historical figures are also referenced or make cameos throughout the novel. White is a master at taking her research and knowledge about Italian history and crafting it into a story that readers won’t be able to walk away from easily.
“All around the piazza, people hurried into the Cathedral or scattered into nearby alleys, tugging children by the hand, abandoning pails of icy well water and baskets of cherries and eggs.”
While the historical research and setting are the most impressive part of The Hearts of All on Fire, White’s writing is also incredible. It is full of rich prose that embraces details and imagery. Readers will find themselves drawn into the writing right from the beginning. The imagery is beautiful and capable of providing incredible visuals for readers. Even readers who are not typical historical fiction readers will love the writing in this story.
“He had not been smiling following his disturbing encounter with Girolamo Riario in the middle of the town square that frosty spring morning. After Riario had departed with his men-at-arms, his shrill laughter bouncing off the stones all around the piazza, Guid’Antonio had ridden hard to tell Lorenzo—City Hall—all that had transpired.”
The characters in the story are well-developed and incredibly interesting. All of the main characters have qualities to them that make them relatable and easy to empathize with when appropriate. They are likeable which is always an important element in the story. The biggest downside when it comes to the characters in The Hearts of All on Fire is the sheer amount of them. Thankfully, White includes a character list at the beginning of the book that is invaluable when it comes to keeping the characters straight as you read.
“Santa Croce’s unadorned brick facade gave no evidence of the magnificently sculpted tombs and rich frescoes painted in private family chapels by Giotto, Aretino, and other Florentine craftsmen. The last time Guid’Antonio had stepped inside that echoing space had been to admire the Madonna delle Latte Francesco Nori had commissioned Benedetto da Maiano to sculpt as a memorial for Francesco’s late father.”
The plot of The Hearts of All on Fire is very layered and there are lots of different storylines going on that are attached to different characters. The various stories converge and weave into the main story beautifully. It is also incredibly easy to become invested in each of the plotlines that White has included in the novel. One of the few downsides for many readers is that they may find it difficult to keep all of the storylines straight. That didn’t seem to be the case with The Hearts of All on Fire. Most readers should have no problems following the storyline and seeing how it all comes together.
“He closed his eyes before slowly looking back up along the brick dome toward the bronze ball and cross atop the soaring church lantern. Brunelleschi’s dome had been completed and consecrated in 1436, a few months before Guid’Antonio was born. Work on the marble lantern the architect had designed to cap the dome’s vast opening had not begun until twenty two years later.”
The Hearts of All on Fire has a target audience that is made up of those who love historical fiction and mystery fans. It blends the two genres together beautifully leaving readers with one of the most satisfying historical fiction mysteries. Those who love Renaissance history or the conniving politics of the time period that features infamous figures like the Medicis will also love this novel. Because the storytelling, writing, and historical research are so well done, it is incredibly easy to follow and understand the story even if you are not familiar with the history of this time period or location making it a wonderful book for those who are just trying out the historical fiction genre.
“Within the shadows of All Saints Church, Guid’Antonio and Cesare had set flame to candles and placed on the altar the fresh pink roses Maria had gathered for the purpose earlier that day. Kneeling before the painting of the Virgin Mary of Impruneta, they had whispered a prayer for Chiara Caretto and for her little cinnamon-haired dog, Cannella.”
The Hearts of All on Fire by Alana White earns a five out of five rating. The intricate storytelling, well-researched historical aspects, incredibly well-developed, and phenomenal writing make it one of the best historical fiction novels. Readers will quickly find themselves completely immersed in Renaissance Italy and won’t be able to put The Hearts of All on Fire down any time soon.
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“The Hearts of All on Fire” by Alana White receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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