Books & Spoons Review: TUSCAN HEAT by Deborah Fletcher Mello

13/12/2015

In the name of love

A coveted teaching invitation gives Donovan Boudreaux the chance to leave his New Orleans comfort zone and meet his secret email pen pal—world-renowned author Gianna Martelli.
But when he arrives at the Martelli wine chateau in Tuscany, he discovers he's been deceived. His misgivings dwindle as Gianna introduces him to the hidden pleasures of Italy—and a passion that takes both Donovan and the reclusive writer by surprise.

Gianna loves her simple life on her family's legendary vineyards. Until her matchmaking twin initiates a clandestine correspondence. Determined to make amends, Gianna soon realises that she and the charming professor share a bond that can't be found in books.
A friendship soon flames into an intense affair they know can't last forever.
And now a vindictive rival could destroy Donovan's reputation, career and any hope of a future with Gianna…

Family matters, that big, beautiful Boudreaux family, who loves to get into each others business. To get some breathing room, and to finally meet the woman he has been corresponding with, Donovan accepts a teaching position in a university in Italy, in Tuscany.
The story is told almost in a poetic way, the author's tone of writing is very unique. She paints a beautiful picture of the surroundings in every scene, showing the most beautiful pictures of the Tuscan area.
The characters were interesting, and not easily understood. Donovan seemed like a sensitive man, who often ends up in tears, but also knows how to stand up for himself.
Gianna, at times she is very brazen, out coming, and aggressive, at times unsure and introvert, but also known to use fist in a fight.
Their love is not instant, since there were several months of correspondence before they met, and weeks go by in Italy, while they sort everything out, and start to build a relationship. There are some detailed,passionate moments, bringing up the heat factor in the story.
Several interesting topics are brought forward in the story, like internet dating and its dangers, the sexual harassment problems university professors may have with students, but everything is solved easily, and there's no intense moments of threat from these events.
Big family who stands by you in any event, beautiful Tuscan countryside, today's social issues, and horseback riding on the beach at night time... Lots of romance and people who love numbers, I just wish the story would have moved along a little faster, shown intensity during the duress, and solved the issues without violence.
~ Three Spoons