The Girl in the Glass

About The Book:  Since she was a child, Meg has dreamed of taking a promised trip to Florence, Italy, and being able to finally step into the place captured in a picture at her grandmother’s house. But after her grandmother passes away and it falls to her less-than-reliable father to take her instead, Meg’s long-anticipated travel plans seem permanently on hold.

When her dad finally tells Meg to book the trip, she prays that the experience will heal the fissures left on her life by her parents’ divorce. But when Meg arrives in Florence, her father is nowhere to be found, leaving aspiring memoir-writer Sophia Borelli to introduce Meg to the rich beauty of the ancient city. Sofia claims to be one of the last surviving members of the Medici family and that a long-ago Medici princess, Nora Orsini, communicates with her from within the great masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.

When Sophia, Meg, and Nora’s stories intersect, their lives will be indelibly changed as they each answer the question: What if renaissance isn’t just a word? What if that’s what happens when you dare to believe that what is isn’t what has to be?

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About The Author:  In her blog, Susan Meissner tells her readers that, "I write fiction for the restless reader. I love the power of story to plumb the depths of who we are and Whose we are. I post on the work-week's bookends — Mondays and Fridays. Most of the time."  Her blog is as enchanting as the story was.  Check her out at susanmeissner.blogspot.com.

My Thoughts About the Book:  I have been to the magical city Florence, Italy in my life.  It was one of those bucket list moments.  I went with my best friend and my daughter.  It was an amazing trip.  I was excited about reading this book and have to admit....was kind of disappointed at the beginning.  The book has a long and slow set up for Meg's trip to Florence and it is rather painful for her and for the reader.    There are several points of view in the book, Meg, Nora, and Sofia.  Nora's was a distraction for me.  The plot was somewhat tangled up with subplots.  As difficult as the beginnng was for me the story actually began when Meg landed in Florence.  Here is where the story unfolds, the mysteries begin and end, and the enchantment takes over.  I loved the book from this point on.  I felt as if I knew the characters.  Overall the book was well written and cohesively put together  without the father subplot.  The fact that the majority of the book was set in Florence delighted me.I felt as if I was visiting sites with Meg and Sofia all over again.   the Medici Daughter segment by Sofia Borelli attached to the end of the book was icing on the cake for me.  It made fantasy feel like reality.  This is a great book for a book club or discussion.  If you enjoy a lighthearted novel with a romantic twist set in a most romantic place like,  Italy, this is the read for you.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as Part of their Blogging for Books Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Dancing Queens

In 2006, my best friend Mary and my daughter Kat and I were part of a group that went to Italy.  We took some high school seniors with us for 9, count them 9, glorious days and nights in Italy.  The tour was called Bella Italia and believe me it was all that and more. There is something about sharing Italy for the first time with two people you love.  Kat is like a sponge and absorbs everything she comes in contact with, Italy was no exception.  Before we left she had gone online and learned some important Italian phrases....I, on the other hand, figured I could bluff my way through using Spanish....and it worked....but by the time we left Kat's command of the Italian language was impressive.  We stopped one night in Rome and while we were out and about came upon a street dance.  It was complete with artists, music, mimes, the whole nine yards and the next thing I knew I was standing in the crowd clapping as my daughter and her other mother were dancing with the revelers in the middle of the street.  I loved it and snapped a quick pic for future reference....or blackmail.  I don't know how we got seperated from the rest of the group for a few hours....but it was great fun and I loved experiencing Italy Italian style...everyone should do it sometime.  If you have never been to Europe....especially Italy you should go.  Who knows...maybe you will be the next dancing queen!

Where Are You Going?

I love road trips. I have not been on a long one in a while, gas has been a bit high but I love them just the same. Did you know that the first paved road was seven and a half miles long and six feet wide and built in Egypt....It was made from slabs of sandstone....so I'll bet it would have made the same sound the road in Waverly, AL makes when you drive on it....you know....duh duh, duh duh, duh duh, duh duh.....da duh duh duh duh duh duh duh.....I love to hear that sound....it puts a rhythm in my head that makes me feel good. Ok, so I love road trips....heck....I love trips period. I love packing.....and leaving.....but I also love coming home. All of my most favorite trips involve my daughter Kathryn. When she was about ten the family made a road trip to California....via Las Vegas.....what an experience. We went to Hoover Dam, walked up and down the strip at night and took in all the bright lights....Kat and I sang Viva Las Vegas.....and had a blast. When she was 15 the two of us took off right after the school year ended and headed up to Prince Edward Island.....just to see Lucy Maude Montgomery's house. Kat is a huge Anne of Green Gables fan.....and we had a great time....we stayed in Salem, MA.....and to be honest...it was probably the most uncomfortable stay we had....it was earie....like there were people not at rest. I don't think I slept all night....in the Seven Gables Inn across the street from the Salem Witch Trial Museum. I was glad when we pulled out of town. The next big one....occurred when Kat was 17. The two of us joined my cousin Amanda and her family and rode 9700 miles of road in 19 days. We had the best time ever. I can't begin to tell you how great this trip to the Pacific Northwest was. Kat graduated that next summer and her trips began to include others. I was sad for a while.....but then I discovered I could still travel....so the next thing I knew I was checking out Hawaii....and then England, Ireland, and Wales....and loving it.....in 2007 I took some students, my dear friend Mary, my good buddy Marian....and made some new good buddies....and I took Kat to Italy....what a trip....Venice and Florence rocked.....being with Kat and Mary rocked my world. I don't believe any other trip will compare. I love home....but I love seeing the world too....there is so much of it and so little time....I want life to be filled with adventures.....and explorations.....and when I draw my last breath....know that I have enjoyed it all. Happy Trails. K