WWII Historical Fiction Novel

BOOK 2 OF THE BELLAFORTUNA SERIES

Winner of the 2022 American Fiction Award in Historical Fiction. 

Awarded the Gold Medal in Historical Fiction by the Global Book Awards.

Named as a Finalist in the Historical Fiction Category and Best Fiction Cover Design in the 2022 International Book Awards.

A courageous, emotionally charged, fast paced, gripping WWII historical fiction novel . . . A stirring testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of music.

 It is the winter of 1942, and the world is at war. A few Jewish musicians attempt to flee the Nazi death grip, each desperately trying to navigate his own path to safety. With the courageous aid and kindness of strangers, they soon find themselves in Rome, where under the highly secret help of the Vatican and Pope Pius XII, they are hidden in Bellafortuna, a small village in Sicily. The residents of Bellafortuna welcome them and care for them, and for a fleeting moment, the horrors the musicians are facing are forgotten while residing in the beautiful, idyllic landscape of Sicily.

But word soon reaches the small village that Italy has surrendered, now making Germany at war with Italy. War quickly comes to the village as the Germans storm into Sicily to repel the Allied advance. As Bellafortuna becomes front and center in the raging war, the villagers rise as one to try and protect and save the Jews hiding in their midst. Failure to keep them hidden will mean death to those under their protection . . . and perhaps even to the villagers themselves.

An intricately plotted and meticulously researched Italian Historical Fiction novel, Saving the Music demonstrates how, in the face of death and unspeakable horror, the strength of the human spirit of ordinary people can shine bright through the darkness.

"A historically bold and dramatically lively war tale." -Kirkus Reviews

"This book touched my heart and soul and had a great impact on my mind that will stay with me and may make it one of my ten best books to read in my lifetime." - Goodreads review 

"Never in my years of reading I have found myself crying over a book." - Amazon review  

"This outstanding work of historical fiction, addresses the involvement of Pope Pius XII in saving thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. It provides a different perspective than what is frequently heard." - Goodreads review

"Saving the Music is Italian Historical Fiction at its best. A WWII Historical Fiction novel that is thought provoking and emotional. This novel ranks as one of the best novels on the Holocaust I have read." - Goodreads Review 

"In Saving the Music, author Chip LoCoco writes of the efforts undertaken by common villagers, priests, and even a Pope to protect Jews from the Nazis. He vividly depicts the horrors faced by the Jews as they confront the Holocaust. Filled with real heroism and high drama, this book brings perspective and depth to its subject. It's an exciting read on an important topic, and I strongly recommend it." -Ronald Rychlak, Author of Hitler, the War, and the Pope

"This is a well composed novel that captures key moments of the Holocaust as it relates to the Italian people. I highly recommend it." -Professor Vincent Lapomarda, S.J., Author of The Jesuits and the Third Reich

"This is a well-researched novel and reflects the situation as it then existed, hopefully, never to return." -Fr. Peter Gumpel, S.J., postulator of the cause of beautification for Pius XII 

"Chip LoCoco's novel, Saving the Music, is a realistic fact-based story of pain, fear and true heroism. The premise is solidly grounded on documented facts of the actions of the Catholic Church under the Pontificate of Pope Pius XII down to priests and individual Catholics. Saving the Music is an exciting and engrossing read, which joins the list of wonderful truth-based books of late that is shedding light on the truth ending the worst character assassination of the 20th Century. Bravo." -Gary L. Krupp, Author of Pope Pius XII and World War II- The Documented Truth 

"Chip LoCoco's latest novel, Saving the Music, is an exceptionally written thought provoking historical fiction novel. This is an emotional charged, faced paced, gripping tale that portrays the horrors and suffering the people endured under the weight of the Third Reich.This book is a superb novel, that will transport you with its historical atmospheric imagery, and engaging musical elements. An absorbing riveting book, that will stay with you long after you close the book." -Gwendalyn's Book Blog 

"Saving the Music is a beautiful story of hope and fear during World War II... While Bellafortuna is fictional, the actions of the Italian people and Pope Pious XII were very real.  Reading about the Pope's difficult decisions that were made to save lives, all while receiving criticism for not speaking out against Hitler's atrocities was profound showing that true heroes do not act in order to receive praise, but will gladly risk themselves in order to do what is right."  -100 Pages a Day 

"WOW!!! I was not prepared for how amazing this book was! From the absolutely gorgeous Preface to the bittersweet and heartwarming ending, I was completely captivated by the author's words. . . with exquisite writing and full of intrigue, danger, hope, and the power of fighting injustice, I highly recommend Saving the Music. I can't wait to go back and read the first book in the series!" -Passages to the Past