C. De Melo's Blog
December 9, 2022
THE APPRENTICE is finally available.
The Apprentice: Love and Scandal in the Kingdom of Naples
My new release is set in mysterious 17th century Naples; a city where people are obsessed with Death (and still are to this day). My protagoinist, "Carlo" is a young Florentine who navigates new surroundings with a mixture of awe and caution. Together with Florentine Maestro, Giovanni Balducci, they adorn the macabre and bizarre San Guadioso catacombs.
If anyone reading this blog has visited this unusual place, I want to know your opinion of the skull-headed frescoes! Please comment.
While meandering through an old Naples book shop, I discovered a little Italian book about a sex cult that sprang up in 1600. I was shocked by what I read, and began doing research the moment I returned home to Florence. The more I dug up about the nun and priest who founded the sex cult, the more fascinated I became with their story.
There was no way I wasn't including this juicy piece of history in my novel! So, I took a risk.
THE APPRENTICE is not like my other books. My protagonist and the story itself was an attempt to flex my historian /storyteller "muscles" to provide readers with a unique experience. It would make a great gift for the avid reader on your Christmas list ;)
If you've read the book, I would love to know your thoughts.
Happy Holidays!
My new release is set in mysterious 17th century Naples; a city where people are obsessed with Death (and still are to this day). My protagoinist, "Carlo" is a young Florentine who navigates new surroundings with a mixture of awe and caution. Together with Florentine Maestro, Giovanni Balducci, they adorn the macabre and bizarre San Guadioso catacombs.
If anyone reading this blog has visited this unusual place, I want to know your opinion of the skull-headed frescoes! Please comment.
While meandering through an old Naples book shop, I discovered a little Italian book about a sex cult that sprang up in 1600. I was shocked by what I read, and began doing research the moment I returned home to Florence. The more I dug up about the nun and priest who founded the sex cult, the more fascinated I became with their story.
There was no way I wasn't including this juicy piece of history in my novel! So, I took a risk.
THE APPRENTICE is not like my other books. My protagonist and the story itself was an attempt to flex my historian /storyteller "muscles" to provide readers with a unique experience. It would make a great gift for the avid reader on your Christmas list ;)
If you've read the book, I would love to know your thoughts.
Happy Holidays!
October 11, 2022
First Blog Post
Hello everyone and thank you for following me. It's been a tough year for most including myself. I left Italy and am spending time in Brazil with my husband's family. Talk about culture shock. Luckily, I am fluent in Portuguese (I'm first generation Luso-American, parents from the Azores). When I read about "under-represented authors" I want to wave and yell, "Over here! Never met another Azorean author!"
Being in Brazil has afforded me a lot of time to research and WRITE. I'm working on 2 books at once.
I'm getting ready to publish a novel set in 17th century Naples, Italy. Prior to coming to Brazil in autumn 2020, I spent time in "bella Napoli" exploring their "cult of death" and the macabre San Guadioso catacombs. My protagonist gets embroiled in a notorious sex cult (TRUE STORY).
I would love to have some historical fiction test readers. If anyone is interested, please let me know. Here is the blurb for THE APPRENTICE:
In a desperate attempt to avoid an undesirable fate, “Carlo” dispatches an urgent letter to estranged cousin, Giovanni Balducci, on the eve of his departure to Naples. The talented youth, who is burdened by a great secret, convinces the famed Florentine master that he needs an apprentice. Together, they travel south to complete commissions, including the adornment of the macabre San Gaudioso catacombs.
What began as an adventure takes a perilous turn when the apprentice falls in love with a local monk and is forced to leave. While restoring an altarpiece, Carlo meets the famed nun, Sister Giulia di Marco, and her confessor, Father Aniello Arcieri. The charismatic pair gradually draw the lonely artist into their scandalous Confraternity of Carnal Charity, whose wealthy noble acolytes believe divine glory can be achieved through sexual ecstasy.
Unable to carry the secret any longer, Carlo finally confesses the truth to Sister Giulia, who wastes no time assigning the artist a prominent role within the cult. The unsactioned sect soon captures the attention of the Holy Inquisition. The priest aiding in the investigation is none other than the monk with whom Carlo fell in love.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading.
Cheers!
Being in Brazil has afforded me a lot of time to research and WRITE. I'm working on 2 books at once.
I'm getting ready to publish a novel set in 17th century Naples, Italy. Prior to coming to Brazil in autumn 2020, I spent time in "bella Napoli" exploring their "cult of death" and the macabre San Guadioso catacombs. My protagonist gets embroiled in a notorious sex cult (TRUE STORY).
I would love to have some historical fiction test readers. If anyone is interested, please let me know. Here is the blurb for THE APPRENTICE:
In a desperate attempt to avoid an undesirable fate, “Carlo” dispatches an urgent letter to estranged cousin, Giovanni Balducci, on the eve of his departure to Naples. The talented youth, who is burdened by a great secret, convinces the famed Florentine master that he needs an apprentice. Together, they travel south to complete commissions, including the adornment of the macabre San Gaudioso catacombs.
What began as an adventure takes a perilous turn when the apprentice falls in love with a local monk and is forced to leave. While restoring an altarpiece, Carlo meets the famed nun, Sister Giulia di Marco, and her confessor, Father Aniello Arcieri. The charismatic pair gradually draw the lonely artist into their scandalous Confraternity of Carnal Charity, whose wealthy noble acolytes believe divine glory can be achieved through sexual ecstasy.
Unable to carry the secret any longer, Carlo finally confesses the truth to Sister Giulia, who wastes no time assigning the artist a prominent role within the cult. The unsactioned sect soon captures the attention of the Holy Inquisition. The priest aiding in the investigation is none other than the monk with whom Carlo fell in love.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading.
Cheers!
