About the Book:

Emilia Salvini dreams of marrying a man who loves music as she does. But in 18th-century Milan, being the ‘second sister’ means she’ll likely be sent to a convent instead. Emilia’s only hope is to prove her musical talents crucial to her father’s quest for nobility. First, though, she must win over her music tutor, who disdains her simply for being a girl. Too late, Emilia realizes that her success could threaten not only her dreams but her sister’s very life.

Playing by Heart is inspired by two amazing sisters who were far ahead of their time–one a mathematician, the other a composer. At its core, the novel is the story of two teens struggling to follow their true calling, even when it conflicts with their father’s goals. It’s a clean historical romance appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Playing by Heart by @CarmelaMartino *NEW* #YA #historicalfiction Share on X

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 My Review:

Playing by Heart is as lyrical as the gifted musicians that inhabit its pages. Carmela Martino, in an impeccably-written story, captures both the grace and refinement of 18th century Italy and the timeless dilemmas to which the modern reader can relate – the pressure of familial expectations and obligations, living in the shadow of a sibling, the desire to direct one’s own destiny, and love tested by time, distance, parental resistance, and class.

Gifted at both performance and composing, young Emilia must not only prove her skill at the harpsichord to her father and teacher but in order to secure her family’s future and her own.

With a gentle romance, a peek at European history in the age of dukes and ladies, and the push and pull of family life, Playing by Heart will warm your heart and leave you marveling at the accomplishments of the Italian sisters who inspired the story.

Blog Tour/Giveaway:

• 10/6 : H. Schussman, author of adult suspense novels, hosts an interview
• 10/9: A. J. Cattapan, author of middle-grade and young-adult novels shares her review of Playing by Heart
• 10/10: Leslea Wahl, young-adult author, hosts an interview
• 10/11: Theresa Linden, young-adult author, hosts an interview
• 10/12: Carolyn Astfalk, author of novels for young adults and adults, shares her review of Playing by Heart
• 10/13: Courtney McKinney-Whitaker, young-adult author, hosts an interview
• 10/16: Cynthia T. Toney, young-adult author, shares an excerpt from Playing by Heart

Enter a giveaway for a paperback copy of Playing by Heart.

Facebook Launch Party on Oct. 17, at 7-9 p.m. (Central Time):

Attendees will be able to win not only copies of Playing by Heart but other great books and prizes! Contests will run 15 minutes each so you needn’t attend the full two hours to participate.

About the  Author, Carmela Martino:

Carmela Martino is an author, speaker, and writing teacher. She wrote the middle-grade novel, Rosa, Sola (Candlewick Press), while working on her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College. The novel was a Booklist “Top Ten First Novel for Youth” and received a Catholic Press Association Book Award in the “Children’s Books” category. Her second novel, the young-adult historical romance Playing by Heart (Vinspire Publishing), took first place in the Young Adult category of the 2013 Windy City RWA Four Seasons Romance Writing Contest. Carmela’s credits for teens and tweens also include short stories and poems in magazines and anthologies. Her articles for adults have appeared in such publications as the Chicago Tribune, Catholic Parent, and multiple editions of the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market. Carmela has taught writing workshops for children and adults since 1998, and she blogs about teaching and writing at TeachingAuthors.com.

Links:

Website: http://www.carmelamartino.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/carmelamartinoauthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/carmelamartino

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/carmelamartino

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/cmartinoauthor

Subscribe to Carmela’s Creativity Newsletter.

Read Carmela’s blog posts at TeachingAuthors.com.

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