It’s no secret that I love all of Michelle Lovric‘s books, but maybe I have a secret soft spot for her children’s books most. It’s partly because they are exactly the sort of books I wish were around when I was younger, spiky heroines, real adventures and enough history to make me want to learn more. After I’ve finished turning the pages of course.
Well lucky old me because I get to read them now!
Michelle’s latest book, The Fate in The Box, is a gem. Set – like the others – in Venice, it is just frightening enough, just funny enough and just perfect! This review from Bookwitch – here – sums it up exactly.
It’s 1783 and a child is about to be sacrificed. As prologues go, this was a good one. In only a few short pages you get to know and like – love, even – Amneris, and you can just feel that something momentous is going to happen. But you can’t guess what.
And I’m delighted that I have a copy to give away. Just send an email to me at sarahsalway @ gmail.com by 1st June, and I’ll pick a winner. Put GIVEAWAY in the subject line. I won’t even ask if it is for an adult or child!!
Apart from the story, Michelle’s notes at the back of the book are equally fascinating and generous. How about this for writers looking for names from their fictional characters? Michelle says about her heroine’s name:
Amneris D’Artania was a witness in a murder trial in Venice in the 1920s about which the historian Lucio Sponza has written a fascinating article. Amneris is also the name of the Pharoah’s daughter in Verdi’s opera Aida. Other names were taken from Venetian history books, telephone directories and doorbells.
I LOVE it!!! In fact, I’m going to go for a walk right now and look at doorbells to find names for my next short story.
Remember to send an email – that’s all you have to do to be entered.
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