Acknowledgements
Special thanks to all those involved!
The writing of this novel has been an absolute labor of love. It took longer than expected due to my very hectic schedule that includes first and foremost, being a mother to two amazing teenage daughters. Being a wife is easy, as I married the kindest and most helpful man on the planet, but the demands of running my own businesses and volunteering for both daughter's musical theater production companies takes up most of my time. The silver lining of 2020 for me was that lockdown resulted in giving me the free time I needed to finish and publish my book.
To my family
Thank you for picking up the slack while I wrote and edited. I realize that my husband is really the only one that did any work, but my daughters learned to yell for him instead of me while I was working! Also, thanks so much, dear husband for all the word doc help! I would love to report that I will be back on laundry and organizing duty, but alas, I started another book...sorry in advance!
Cover Design
The design of the cover was in my head, but I had no idea how to make it a reality. Thank you so very much my dear friend, Fabian Ojeda. You are so talented in so many ways and I only had to describe my vision once for you to create it. I envisioned a photo of the red tile roofs of Santa Barbara fused with the red tile roofs of Florence, Italy, but I never thought it would look so real! It's as if the Duomo really is just down the street from my house!
Medical Consultants
Thanks to my friends in the medical field for your expertise! Katie Boyes, Di Nguyen and Tad O'Conner, you are so much more helpful than Google!
Beta Readers
Thank you to Sue Cuadrado, Jenny Aguilera and Ted Scofield for taking the time to read my book and provide me with much needed feedback. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you!
Expert in the Field
Thank you to my cousin, Stacey Graham, for answering all of my writing/publishing questions! This is all new to me and you have been so very helpful. I wish you lived closer, because you're really funny.
Workers building a protective capsule around The David
In my novel, Sofia was one of the workers that helped build the structure that protected Michelangelo's David from possible bombing during WW2. Here is the photo of the actual men at work at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, Italy.
Michelangelo's David
The David was created between 1501- 1504. Michelangelo started the work when he was just 26 years old and finished in less than 4 years.
The giant is just shy of 17' tall and weighs over 12,000 pounds and was
carved out of one single block of Carrara marble!
Story of David
The story of David and Goliath is a biblical one, found in Book 1 Samuel. The teenage David had to defeat the giant Goliath but he could not be defeated by strength since David was smaller. It took cunning and skill to defeat someone bigger than him, and he did so with the slingshot.
Statues before Michelangelo’s that portray this story always show David after he has defeated the giant, with the head by his feet. Michelangelo decided to go against the current and portray his David before the battle. You can see in his face the concentration of him thinking how he’s going to do it, the rock hidden inside his right palm, the slingshot seemingly at rest on his shoulder and him waiting for the right moment pretending to be at ease. He could only defeat the giant if he caught him by surprise – and he did!
Michelangelo's David
Because the David was too massive to be transported to safety, they had to protect him in place. First, they wrapped the giant in fabric and then filled the space between the brick structure and the statue with sandbags.
The finished silo was a work of art. Much love and care was put into the protective covering.
Basillica della Santissima Annunziata
My girls standing in front of the back door "storage room" of the Basilica.
Inside the Basilica
Florence Treasures
Noi Firenze
This is my favorite leather shop in Florence. I have been stuffing my closet with the highest quality leather jackets and purses for several years while my husband patiently stands by. Nino Bellini is one of the owners and he knows exactly what I like and remembers every jacket I already have! He also owns an amazing shoe store around the corner called Goccia Shoes.
Goccia Shoes
Goccia Shoes is a family-owned company, born from passion for authentic italian handcrafts located in the very heart of Florence. Their shoes are meticulously selected and are 100% made in italy. The final product is the result of years of experience and artisan workmanship. Ask for Nino Bellini and tell him Adele Spalluto sent you!
Osteria Cinghiale Del Bianco
This is the restaurant that Elda's family owns in the book. It is in the Oltrarno section of Florence and I chose it because of its location and because it is one of our favorite restaurants in Florence!
When I'm not writing...
Italian Pottery Outlet
My papa is from a small town in southern Italy and many of our family members still live there. In 1983, my family started importing Italian pottery and we have the largest collection of handmade, hand-painted Italian ceramics in the US. We have a 3500 sq. ft. store in Santa Barbara, CA, and most of our treasures are available on our website:
Factories
We buy from over 30 factories from all over Italy. They are all small and family owned, and most of them are in Tuscany, Umbria and Sicily. My sister and I travel to Italy for business and of course, pleasure a couple of times a year.
My Loves
My husband and I have been dragging our girls around Europe since they were four and seven and they are now 15 and 18. They love our adventures and especially getting to reconnect with their Italian cousins.
My other ventures...
Pellarte Jewelry
The inspiration for Pellarte came from a trip to Lake Como, Italy, with my family. A tiny store in one of the little lake towns had beautiful Italian leather bracelets. I bought one for each of my daughters and one for myself. As soon as I got home I found myself wishing I had bought more! Well, a brief stay in the hospital with appendicitis gave me enough down time to start this new business,
Love Letters Charms
When I became a Mom, I found myself wanting to adorn myself with keepsakes of my family. This is what inspired Love Letters Charms.
My charms are hand stamped with Love on rustic 925 Sterling Silver. They can be purchased with a silver bead chain, a silver charm bracelet or separately.
element 13 Jewelry
Another inspiration from a tiny shop in Rome. This Jewelry is made entirely from recycled Aluminum. It's casual yet elegant, good for everyday or a special occasion and will not tarnish.