BEHIND THE Story
📝 Behind the Story – The Inspiration, Research & Meaning
Every novel I write is a blend of imagination and extensive research — which is the essence of historical fiction writing and allows me to take the reader on a journey back in time to illuminate stories of love, sacrifice, culture, and renewal. Here’s a closer look at what lies behind the story of my books.
🌍 Why Italian Historical Fiction?
My Sicilian ancestors settled in New Orleans, and their stories—rooted in rich traditions, family bonds, and dramatic upheavals—form the heart of my novels. Through fiction, I honor their struggles and triumphs while weaving my own imaginative thread.
📚 The Bellafortuna Series — A Family’s Legacy
A Song for Bellafortuna, Saving the Music,
and Sicilian Melody
Discover the rich, multigenerational saga set in the small Sicilian village of Bellafortuna, Sicily. Each book explores a different facet of Bellafortuna’s people, traditions, and struggles — tying together stories of love, sacrifice, renewal, and the enduring human spirit.
- A Song for Bellafortuna: Rich research brings to life the struggles of a small community at the turn of the 19th-century, battling poverty, injustice, and upheaval.
- Saving the Music: Continuing the saga, this installment delves into the brave actions of villagers who risk their lives to hide Jewish musicians when called upon by the Vatican during World War II.
- Sicilian Melody: The final piece in the trilogy ties together generations of love, sacrifice, and renewal as the Mafia rise from the ashes after the war — and a community finds its future in unity and hope.
Behind the story:
- Rich research: I researched Sicilian customs, local agriculture, and politics to bring Bellafortuna to life.
- Family inspiration: Antonio and Giuseppe Sanguinetti are inspired by stories from my grandfather and father.
- Fiction rooted in reality: Bellafortuna is a fictional town—but it’s modeled on the real town of Noto, Sicily.
♬ Tempesta’s Dream — The Soul of Italian Opera
This was my first novel and a true labor of love. Tempesta’s Dream delves into the passionate world of Italian opera, following Giovanni Tempesta, a gifted tenor struggling to find his voice amidst doubt and tradition. Set against the grandeur of La Scala and the vibrant opera culture of Milan, the novel reveals the emotional and artistic battles that define a performer’s journey.
Behind the story:
- Operatic authenticity: I immersed myself in La Scala, tenor dynamics, and vocal artistry to bring rich, emotional depth to the story.
- Struggles of an artist: Giovanni Tempesta embodies the doubts, triumphs, and rigid structures that opera singers face in a competitive world.
- Verdi’s legacy: The nursing home for retired musicians in Milan is based on Casa Verdi, a real refuge founded by Giuseppe Verdi.
🪓 The Devil’s Jazz — A True Crime Thriller
Centered on 1920s New Orleans jazz and the chilling real‑life figure known as the “Axman,” The Devil’s Jazz explores how Sicilian immigrants, including protagonist Giancarlo Rabito, navigated fear, ambition, and cultural blend in a volatile era.
Behind the story:
- True crime roots: based on real events surrounding the Axman
- Rich research: I studied jazz greats, Storyville’s rise, and the Creole–Sicilian cultural mash-up
- Powerful protagonist: Giancarlo embodies the hopes and fears of his immigrant community
📘 Why It Matters
Writing Italian historical fiction isn't merely about the past—it’s about honoring ancestry, preserving untold stories, and connecting past and present. Each struggle, passion, and triumph in my characters reflects the timeless human journey—across borders and generations.