Messina, Sicily December 28th, 1908.
Seventy thousand people never woke up. Of the first sixty days after the catastrophe, it rained forty-five, making rescue extremely hazardous for the doctors, nurses and rescue crews. When all was said and done, the death toll estimate stood at two-hundred thousand people. Some details in regard to the earthquake have been changed to help the flow of this story. The overall account of this tragedy, however, remains intact. This is a fictional tale based on historical events, yet by no means represents all that happened in Messina.
This book is dedicated to the men and women who sacrificed themselves willingly to help during this great tragedy, and to those who were lost that fateful night.
My Thoughts
Encouraged to follow her heart, Lucy James studied hard and became a doctor—a surgeon, in fact—only to be looked upon as inferior in 1908 society. But being ostracized didn’t bother Lucy. She never desired to be a member of the boy’s club. All she ever wanted was to heal the sick and hurting.
When Messina is devastated by an earthquake, Lucy quickly volunteers to help in the makeshift hospital. A fact that raises Dr. Giovanni Castello’s blood pressure. Will he permit her to stay long enough to prove her medical expertise?
Giovanni lives in Messina and chooses to stay and help the people. Working in the horrific conditions, he and the new lady doctor does whatever they can to aid the injured, hungry, and homeless. Giovanni questions Lucy’s presence and safety in Messina’s current condition. He needs men capable of taking care of themselves in a world thrown into chaos, not this woman.
Heart-breaking? Gruesome? Riveting? Yes. Yes. Yes.
Thankfully, Galvano doesn’t leave her characters amid the horrors of devastation but sweeps them to the family home of Giovanni’s ancestors where he and Lucy become better acquainted and find hope for the future. But when they think they’ve found happiness, tragedy strikes again.
Galvano has done an excellent job describing the devastation during this historical event. Her characters are well-rounded and likable. I enjoyed the way she allowed their friendship to evolve through the day-to-day triumphs and heartaches.
I confess, Messina was a pleasant surprise. It’s not your ordinary book. So if your reading time has stalled and you’re looking for an out-of-the-box experience, I recommend Messina.
I was given a copy of this book by the author but not required to write a review.
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Liz Galvano has been writing since she was a little girl. Her stories combine old style adventure and romance with a dash of humor. She loves family, food, animals, and all things Italian. Liz lives with her husband Jeff, two rambunctious dogs, two entitled cats, and a horse who thinks she’s a princess.
To connect with Liz Galvano visit:
Gail Johnson 
It’s so exciting to make new cara amici!! (dear friends) Thrilled that you liked it, Gail. Glad to meet you all!
So glad we met, Liz. Looking forward to knowing you better!
Me too. If you ever come to Orlando, you’ll have to let me know.
Thanks for the review! I’ve been on the look out for some new historical fiction 🙂
You’re welcome, Anne! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 😊
Hi ! I never normally comment on other people’s posts but I just came across your blog and I have to comment and tell you that I adore it! Your blog is so wonderful, I am so happy I just came across it. I am going to follow you right now so I can keep up to date with all of your posts; I look forward to your next ones! Keep up the great work (:
Hey!! I’m delighted that you like my blog! I have two actually. Did you fine Olive oil? Or Lizgalvano.net? I need to integrate the two… And your page is wonderful too. Thanks for the complement.
You are so sweet to message me back! You are so welcome, your blog is wonderful and I am so happy I came across it!
Do you have Twitter or Instagram? I would love to follow you!
Oh and I found Lizgalvano! (:
Great!
Looking forward to what you write!
Hi! Thank you for the recent follow. I like your blog too. Followed and looking forward to your post! ❤
You are so sweet to message me back! You are so welcome, your blog is wonderful and I am so happy I came across it!
Do you have Twitter or Instagram? I would love to follow you!
Yes. Both buttons are at the top of the page and should take you straight to me! ❤Will watch for you!
Great I will follow you now thanks!
I followed you on both sites. ☺
Interesting. I’ve never seen this one.
You’re not the only one, Sandra. Liz is new to me too. But she has become a favorite.
Excellent read by Galvano! So glad you reviewed it and loved it, too! Not the average historical! Great job, Gail!
Thanks, Becky! It is an excellent read, for sure!
Thank you for sharing about this story. Looks very intriguing. I want to read this one.
You’re welcome. It is a great read, Mimi!