Waking Isabella: Because beauty can't sleep forever

by Melissa Muldoon

Waking Isabella is a story about uncovering hidden beauty that, over time, has been lost, erased, or suppressed. It also weaves together several love stories as well as a few mysteries. Nora, an assistant researcher, is a catalyst for resolving the puzzle of a painting that has been missing for decades. Set in Arezzo, a small Tuscan town, the plot unfolds against the backdrop of the city's antique trade and the fanfare and pageantry of its medieval jousting festival. While filming a documentary about Isabella de' Medici--the Renaissance princess who was murdered by her husband--Nora begins to connect with the lives of two remarkable women from the past. Unraveling the stories of Isabella, the daughter of a fifteenth-century Tuscan duke, and Margherita, a young girl trying to survive the war in Nazi-occupied Italy, Nora begins to question the choices that have shaped her own life up to this point. As she does, hidden beauty is awakened deep inside of her, and she discovers the keys to her creativity and happiness. It is a story of love and deceit, forgeries and masterpieces--all held together by the allure and intrigue of a beautiful Tuscan ghost.

Genres: Italy

281 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2019

About the author

Melissa Muldoon is the author of four novels set in Italy: “Dreaming Sophia”, “Waking Isabella”, “Eternally Artemisia,” and “The Secret Life of Sofonisba.” All four books tell the stories of women and their journeys of self-discovery to find love, uncover hidden truths, and follow their destinies to shape a better future.

All books are available in print and epub. The first three books have been newly released and are available also as audiobooks on Audible.com, Amazon, and iBooks.

Melissa is the author of the Studentessa Matta website, where she promotes the study of Italian language and culture through her dual-language blog written in Italian and English (studentessamatta.com). “Studentessa Matta” means the “crazy linguist” and has grown to include a podcast, "Tutti Matti per l'Italiano" and the “Studentessa Matta” YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Instagram feed. Melissa also created Matta Italian Language Immersion Programs, which she co-leads with Italian schools in Italy to learn Italian in Italy while immersing in language and culture. Through her website, she also offers Homestay opportunities to live and study in Italy in the private home of a teacher.

Melissa has a B.A. in fine arts, art history and European history from Knox College, a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, as well as a master's degree in art history from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She has also studied painting and art history in Florence. She is an artist, and professional book designer, and designed the interiors of all three of her books as well as illustrated their covers. Melissa is also the managing director of Matta Press.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Isabella woke that morning with intentions of washing her long dark hair, she hadn’t imagined she would be dead before it was dry.’

This arresting opening sentence is the starting point of a journey that will take the reader from 16th century Florence to the Tuscan town of Arezzo in the Second World War and in the present day.   There are sections told from the point of view of Isabella (briefly), Margherita (in wartime Arezzo) but largely from Nora in the present day.  I found these different viewpoints worked better than the occasions where Nora ‘imagines’ or ‘visualizes’ scenes from the past, complete with dialogue.

Following her marriage break-up and other disappointments, Nora is disillusioned, unfulfilled and wondering about how things might have been had her life followed a different course – the road not taken, if you like.  Fate intervenes when old friend, Juliette, contacts her.  The opportunity to travel to Italy to make a documentary about the 16th century Medici princess, Isabella, offers Nora the chance to revisit pleasant memories, renew friendships and recapture the adventurous spirit of her youth. ‘Just seeing Juliette’s name reminded her of a time when she had used another language and had been unafraid to make a choice, travel the world, and take chances.’   

Once arrived in Italy, as Nora visits the locations connected with Isabella, she begins to feel ‘as though she had tapped into Isabella’s persona’. Nora channels the independence of spirit and determination she associates with the Medici princess to reassess her own life and aspirations up to that point.  In due course, Nora’s stay in Arezzo awakes all sorts of other emotions as well and it’s fair to say it isn’t only the charming town that begins to tug at her heart strings.

The author’s passion for Italy and the Italian language is clearly evident in the novel.  I liked the way that the writing style was subtly different for each of the three timelines.  A minor quibble was that, although the reader understands Nora and those she meets are speaking Italian, frequently the dialogue contains a phrase in Italian, followed by the same phrase translated into English and then continues in English.  This device gives the dialogue a lively flavour and a taste of Italian idioms but I found it repetitive after a while.

Aside from the few minor quibbles mentioned above, I really enjoyed Waking Isabella. I liked the idea it explored that events in the past have echoes in the modern day.  As Nora muses, ‘People’s lives, energy, and actions had resounding effects flowing down through the years, touching, inspiring and sparking change.’ Waking Isabella is an engaging story of secrets, passion, loss, courage, betrayal and finding beauty in everything around you whether that’s art, friendship, food, wine, architecture, culture…or handsome jousters.  It will appeal to those with an interest in Italy, art and who like the idea of awakening a little romance in their own lives. (3.5 stars)

I received a review copy courtesy of the author and Italy Book Tours in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waking Isabella: Melissa Muldoon
Isabella, Margherita Carlotta would haunt the mind of Leonora (Nora) in the present as she meets each one in the past hoping to learn more about each one’s life, their deaths and the betrayals that they endured while finding her own way or new path in the present. Going to Italy to film a documentary about the life of Isabella de Medici, Nora a research assistant facing demons from her past and trying to learn to move forward in the present finds herself bound to not only the life of Isabella, feeling like she experienced her death at the hand of her husband and the betrayal of her own brother, we see her haunted by the ghost of this woman we join her in her quest to learn more about a painting of Isabella and her mother that has been missing for decades. Imagine wanting to bond with a ghost and hoping throughout her visit that somehow Isabella would appear. Every person has his/her own quality that makes that person stand out. The quality present in a person that gives others intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind is often caused by the person’s appearance, sound of their voice, color, or as in art the design, pattern or personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest. Beauty can also be defined as external and internal. External beauty, which is the focus of how Nora and others view Isabella, is the beauty that defines her face, dressing sense, money, and how you judge a person when you meet them for the first time. But , sometimes the outer beauty masks the inner truths about a person as you get to know Isabella, meet her father Cosmo and realize that her outer beauty is what helped create her as a person, allowed her to use it for her own selfish needs and at times captured the hearts of men but in the long run it did not safe her from her fate. She enjoyed toying with men and yet her lover was someone who she thought remained a secret. Leonora envied her in a sense thinking that the way to someone’s heart is your outer shell.
Isabella had her own internal beauty, which belonged to her heart when it came to her lover and those she felt she could trust. How she thought, talked, reacted and at times respected others like her father. But, she was so transfixed on her appearance that she took little time to care about what was really inside of her. The world saw what Isabella wanted them to see and even her own father was blindsided.
Nora was smart, intellectual thinking and had good behavior and as you get to know her better you realize that she had a low self-esteem of herself at first but as you get to understand her, visit the home of Isabella, help her create her documentary you realize that she has more depth but has yet to realize it. As the story evolves we learn more about the art world and the many sites she visits in Italy as we understand the beauty of nature and the world, The water, the sky, the landscapes, the ocean and the many exhibits she visits, celebration of Isabella’s life and the beauty of visiting places that are blessed by natural beauty in order to see the work of God and his creations. Look at the sky on any night and see the stars, the planets and realize beauty if everywhere just open your eyes.
The author then goes back in time many times so that we understand Isabella as she relates to her lover how her brother and husband did not give her the money and inheritance left to her by her father. Instead they planned her death and demise.
Nora and her friend Juli rekindle their friendship and she becomes more enriched with life and the arts when she meets Gianluca(Luca) Donati who owns an antique shop that he took over from his family. Luca harbors guilt and anger when we learn more about his past, his deceased wife and the conditions surrounding their marriage and final separation. He allows Nora into part of his life and tells her about his grandparents Federico and Margherita who smuggled famous painting and art word out of the country during the second world war and their fate as a result of a romance that Margherita had with a man named Ruggerio that caused her family grief and devastation when she decided to marry the artist working for her father. Margherita was Luca’s grandmother and her ghost haunts him as Isabella does Nora and so does Carlotta. Three women betrayed, loved, adored and yet true happiness was short lived for all three as those close to them betrayed their hearts and minds.
Every character evolves and learns more about him/herself as the novel progresses. Luca and Marcus come to terms with their relationship and their feelings for Carlotta. Nora learns more about Marcus and his relationship with Carlotta and why he and Luca appear strained at times. Distance between them widens as she takes on an apprenticeship to learn more about gold and to create the special necklace she sketched warn by Isabella.
Juli and Nora have been friends for so long but can she reveal or will Marcus explain why he’s so distant at times and his problem with Luca regarding his wife.
Luca shares with Nora more about his grandparents and the fact that after the was things got pretty dangerous for the artists who lived there and at that point his grandfather decided to return to Italy. When the author flashes back we get to see Isabella and her mother pose for a portrait one that has gone missing and painted by Bronzino. Federico smuggled a Bronzino painting that came from the Louvre. Imagine that a French dealer giving the lost Bronzino to his grandfather= an artist, to bring Isabella home to Italy to right a wrong. So, where is that painting?
Chapter 16 reminds readers of what happened when Ruggerio realizes that Margherita chose Federico over him even though her father wanted it that way. Years would pass and he would marry but revenge comes in a coldblooded way when she least expected it.
Flashing back to Isabella d then a startling discovery that Luca and Nora make and deciding where her destiny would lead her she had to decide whether to go back to San Francisco to work, stay in Italy and work with Egidio or continue her search. The truth behind the death of Bernardo and Federico comes out as one man confronts the source and the end result will shock readers as a betrayal was uncovered and a cover-up’s revelation too late. The ending will bring joy, tears and beauty into the world of every reader as we learn a secret told by a famous painter whose sculpture as present is being shown in a museum in Copenhagen: “Art is the lie that makes us realize the truth. One should never underestimate its impact for the simple swash of color on canvas, words courageously stroked with an pen, or the strains of an eloquent song have the poser to change a man, a nation even the world.” Nora sums it up perfectly: I believe everything has beauty, even the most simple of things. It is all around us, but not everyone sees it or takes the time to uncover it. So…for me it exists in looking at something with the only purpose being to appreciate it and really see it, as if for the first time. The rest you need to read page 157 to learn her more.
Open your eyes to the world, look around you and look deep into the eyes of those you meet and past the surface and deep within their soul and realize that their inner beauty will shine and their external beauty will wane with the hands of time but beauty is everywhere and the world is filled with so many precious things to see open your eyes and you too might make a startling discovery as Nora did the beauty of three women while she hopes to finally do the impossible WAKING ISABELLA!
Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine

[Lynda Dickson]

DNF

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (1/18)

Melissa Muldoon delivers an enchanting story set in Arezzo, Italy about love, intrigue, mystery, traditions, and art in her latest novel, “Waking Isabella.”

Leonora (Nora), a young research assistant who is at a crossroads in her life, travels to Italy to film a documentary on 16th Century Italian princess, Isabella de Medici. Fascinated with the history surrounding the princess, Nora hopes to uncover some of the mystery surrounding her tragic death, and a painting of Isabella and her mother that has been missing for decades. There is also the rumor of Isabella’s ghost to consider.

While in Italy, Nora reunites with an old friend and meets several new ones. Of particular interest is Gianluca (Luca) Donati, owner of an antique business that has been in his family for generations. When Luca shares details about his ancestor’s participation in smuggling famous artwork out of the country during WWII, Nora’s research takes her down yet another path, exploring the life of Margherita, Luca’s grandmother. Muldoon magically weaves together the lives of Nora, Isabella and Margherita, spanning the course of many centuries, into a story that will mesmerize and haunt readers long after the last page is read.

As a big fan of Melissa Muldoon’s since reading her debut novel, “Dreaming Sophia,” I could not wait to dive into “Waking Isabella.” The author has such a unique voice you can feel her personality in every sentence. Her writing is magical, as she incorporates her distinctive style through various methods. She eloquently takes the reader from the past to the present and back again with seamless delivery. She transitions from real-time drama to bits of fantasy through almost dream-like sequences. She delivers historical references and tells of lasting traditions that drive you want to learn more, and exhibits a contemporary voice through her protagonists, all the while weaving bits of Italian into the dialogue. I’ve read books where intermingling languages actually took me out of a story—but not so in “Waking Isabella,” where the words flow harmoniously together, further adding to the author’s individuality and voice.

The characters are intriguing, versatile and genuine. At the onset of the story readers are drawn inside Isabella’s character, all at once capturing the essence of her free spirit and strength in light of the heartbreaking end to her short life. Protagonist Nora’s character grows impressively with the story as she pushes through her fears with courage and determination to reinvent herself and follow her dreams. Supporting characters are equally portrayed with authenticity and it is an exciting spin inside their heads.

It’s apparent “Waking Isabella” required extensive research, though it certainly feels like a labor of love. Muldoon’s passion for Italy is evident and I really enjoyed the addition of the last few pages of the book where she provides information distinguishing the facts from the fictional parts of the story. I found these tidbits the perfect way to wrap things up, inviting and encouraging the reader to learn more about the historical period, if so driven. All in all, I would say “Waking Isabella” by Melissa Muldoon is a must-read for all fans of Italy, history, romance and intrigue. Eccellente!

[Babel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I discovered Italian art in school, the Renaissance has been my favourite period in History. Alas, I could not pass the opportunity to read this book where past and present mingle in a quest for beauty.

This contemporary story is flavoured with Italian culture, lost dreams that fight to keep alive, sensual longings and the feminine spirit in search of happiness and freedom.

The light writing makes the novel fluid and easy to read, yet it still manages to convey beauty and heart. Through the eyes of a modern woman, we get to experience the long-delayed return to the land of her youth, her first and most honest dreams, before pragmatism and external influences stopped them from being realized.

What I couldn't resist is that the female character, Nora, is inspired almost by fate to take the slackened reins of her life and take the leap by a historical figure. The Medici family has been a favourite of mine since childhood. After all, they are the epitome of art patrons, cunning business leaders and rulers of cities.

The plot unfolds as Nora embarks on a creative venture in Arezzo, home of interesting and dramatic events that tie into World War II. Through her wildly imaginative eyes, scenes from the past come alive with emotion and turmoil. I loved those.

Love and tragedy seem to go hand in hand. It is heartening to read about people whose unhappiness, despite mistakes and successes alike, shows them where their true aspirations lie. Women of strength and the men they love are as much a feature of this lovely novel as art, courage, people, and how they all interact to create a memorable read.

Whether you're particularly fond of Italy or not, it will prompt you to pack your things and pay a visit to this enchanting land. I really felt like going to Arezzo and recreate all those wonderful anecdotes of hidden art, reawakened romance, and a freedom that's never too late to claim.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book that concentrated on the subject of Art in History. Told from the viewpoint of a modern day historical researcher, the story moves back and forth through three distinct timelines centering on the lives of three exceptional women. Nora accepts her dream job in Italy filming a documentary about Isabella de Medici who was murdered by her jealous husband in the 1500's. In the course of her research she also learns about another family and their experiences in Italy during the Nazi occupation in WWII.

The writing is unrushed, the story unfolds languidly, with lovely descriptions of the countryside, generously peppered with lively discussions between the characters. The love of art in its many guises shines throughout the pages of the historical re-enactments. With a deft touch the author seamlessly weaves mystery and light romance into a suspenseful tale that spans centuries and links the lives of three indomitable women in a way that was both richly informative and entertaining.

Reviewed by Laurie-J

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy the rich history of Italy and art. Ms. Muldoon's expertise really lends itself nicely with this book. It made me become more fascinated by art. I want to learn more about the history of famous artists and portraits. Additionally, I hope to one day visit Italy but until then, I felt like I took a quick trip there reading this book.

This book is broken up into two parts. The first section involving Isabella's story and the second part is Margherita's story. In the beginning, I actually was into Isabella's story but I found my attention wavering. Whereas; with Margherita's story, I was more involved in her life and the moment.

Nora was a fine woman. The way the story was pieced together with Nora was good. It just was that Nora was not too exciting. Overall, as I stated previously, I did like this book and do hope to read more by this author.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This ARC was received in exchange for an honest review*

This is the story of Nora who has been researching the stories of the 16th century princess Isabella de Medici and Margherita Carlotta a young girl in Nazi occupied Italy. While filming this documentary in Italy her research brings her to face her past.
While researching the mystery around Isabella’s tragic death, Nora meets up with an old friend and antique dealer Gianluca Donati, where this then leads to the smuggling of artwork during WWII and the life of Magherita, Luca’s grandmother.
This was a really interesting read and got you feeling like you were there with Nora and seeing all that past history come alive.
Look forward to the next instalment by Melissa Muldoon.

[Marilyn Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waking Isabella is the second fiction novel by author Melissa Muldoon that embraces her love of Italy including its culture, history, food and art.

There are two main characters at the very center of this story who live at different times. First is Nora, an academic who has recently divorced and decided to revisit Italy to film a documentary on a Renaissance princess she has been researching. From the past is the princess - Isabella - who meets her end at the hands of her husband. There are also many other wonderful characters to be found that are crucial to this tale, but these two carry the main plot.

Waking Isabella moves seamlessly from present to past and back, slowly revealing the story line by peeling back one layer at a time. Nora and Isabella's stories are in many ways parallel journeys through bad marriages as well as finding love with another. As Isabella lives in a different time, her love has to stay a clandestine affair. Divorce was not an option For Nora in the present, it is a new relationship post-divorce with an antique dealer in Italy where she is staying.

I love the way the author's writing takes the reader between past and present so seamlessly it feels like they are happening side by side. I also enjoyed the chance to learn about Italian history during several eras - the Renaissance, the German occupation and the current day. However, this isn't a history lesson. Over the course of the book the past and present story lines draw closer and closer until they meet in an ending that is the perfect period to this tale.

Waking Isabella is a story of passion, love, grief and redemption that is built upon the stories of the characters we meet - their pasts, their secrets, their insecurities and their passions. Kudos to the author on a well crafted story

[Gayathri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the full review at Elgee Writes |

The story begins with the murder of Isabella de Medici, an Italian princess in the 16th Century. We then read about the protagonist Leonora (Nora), a young researcher (a glorified fact checker, as she calls) who is recovering from a failed marriage and focusing on her passion finally. Nora reconnects with an old friend which ignites to return to Italy;. She packs her bags to Italy to film a documentary on Isabella, the renaissance princess with whom she has a special bond.

She meets Luca, an antique businessman who tells her about a missing antique painting that belonged to his family of the princess Isabella and her mother. The story now deals with a young girl Margherita, Lucas grandmother, who smuggled antique paintings from the country during the World War II. How these three women are connected and does Nora find the missing painting form the rest of the story.

Waking Isabella is clearly an output of sheer hard work in terms of research and writing. One can understand how much effort has been put in by the author to bring about a sense of authenticity to the art and history world.

Waking Isabella may be tad difficult to get into, but if you want to cherish the language and to learn more about Italy and the art world it would be worth it. I liked how the author’s writing style changed between the historic and the contemporary worlds, ie, between the stories of Isabella and Margherita, and that of Nora.

I liked and felt invested in Margherita’s story and maybe even Isabella’s, but I never felt the same with Nora’s. There are a few Italian sentences sprinkled in between during thedialogues, though they were not as intruding as I would feel generally. In fact it is one of my pet peeve finding vernacular languages in between the English prose. You might have to watch out if you are the same.

On the whole, Waking Isabella is a story of lost love, betrayal and some newfound love and friendships in the background of art and history. If you are interested in reading a story based on Italian history and art with a bit of mystery element, you should pick Waking Isabella.

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[Jessica Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another very unique and unusual work by a very talented author. If you want more than just a straight storyline, these books are an excellent choice. They immerse you in culture in a way that I’ve seen very few stories do, but also keep you engaged in interesting dialogue that you know is setting the stage for new things to come.

I could almost feel Nora pining for Italy at the beginning of the book, when she’s walking through the market. Nora essentially saying goodbye to her ex-husband on the terrace in another country created an enjoyable hit-and-run of emotions too. I also liked how she met Luca through her friend, and the jousting scenes were interesting. Especially for someone who has only been to Italy once and has never really seen a live joust! Then when she literally stumbled upon important information about the lost painting, and discovered that Luca actually held a huge key to its disappearance I was hooked. I won’t do a spoiler!

It was also very interesting how the author brought out the relationship between Isabella’s parents, and how kind and loving her father was to her mother, and then she ended up being married to that evil man. The contrast was startling and you could not be emotionless about that!

Other parts that were particularly poignant was how Margherita (A character from the World War II section) noticed how the war was making her father old before his time and wondering about some of the mysterious comings and goings. She is smart enough to know that something’s going on, but doesn’t immediately know what. She is also a very selfless character, because she was willing to marry Ruggero because of her father’s declining health, even though she wasn’t really romantically in love with him. I had a small hunch about what might be coming with Ruggero and Federico though, but again, I won’t do a spoiler! And I can’t forget Carlotta, the kind of character you love to hate! LOL.

The tail bounds along, keeping the reader intrigued and interested throughout, and visiting different cultures and eras all through makes it a very enjoyable read. It never gets boring or has any lagging parts that so many novels have these days.

I think by the end, a remark that her friend made earlier in the book ended up being prophetic! That as Nora went about waking Isabella, Isabella kind of woke her too! History, romance, art, cultural immersion, it has it all. I think it was a highly enjoyable and entertaining read and I will almost certainly revisit in the future.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to regain footing in life, Nora dives into the history behind a fifteenth-century Tuscan duke's daughter and the mystery surrounding her death as well as a missing painting.

Isabella does not have a wonderful marriage, but it isn't so awful that she expects her husband to enter her bedroom and murder her once her father's dead. Hundreds of years later, Nora, a modern woman just leaving a divorce, searches for the answers surrounding what-could-have-been and what-ifs. After reading and studying much of Isabella's strange history, she decides to film a documentary about the woman. In Italy, Nora not only submerges herself in the historical sites surrounding Isabella's past but also digs deeper into the mystery behind a missing painting. Both searches take unexpected turns into deceit, forgery and a touch of paranormal activity.

The first chapter starts with the rape and murder of Isabella. It's dramatic, grabs right away and, yet, is tastefully done. When the next chapter switches to modern-day Nora, the tone is set. The author does a great job at weaving the past with the present and dabs here and there in time without ever becoming confusing. The past slips in with Nora's thoughts seamlessly, making it easy as well as a joy to read.

Isabella was an easy character to connect to from the very first moment. I enjoyed learning more about her as the story progressed. Nora, however, wasn't quite as easy to relate to. In the first part of the book, the story is presented from her own head with little dialogue, which kept those personality traits, which make a character endearing, a bit at bay. Still, she approached the mystery and her own troubles very naturally and understandably.

There is a romance, and it builds slow and steady, slipping perfectly along with the rest of the pacing. But this isn't about action, it's a story which hits on a more personal level and takes the time for the characters to build and the plot to settle in. Italian fans will adore the true-to-life descriptions not only of the architecture and towns, but of the culture and people in all of their subtleties. Even the historical aspects demonstrate well-grounded research and give the book a lovely foundation.

Summed up, it's a story that woman fiction and mystery fans who love Italian flair are sure to enjoy. I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.

[Theodene · Rating 5 out of 5]

After thoroughly enjoying The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola by Melissa Muldoon, I was excited to read another book by the same author. Another historical fiction that includes painters in Europe that brings readers through the trials of life as an artist of the past. While The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola takes place in the 16th century, Waking Isabella brings readers through various time periods, including the 16th, 20th, and 21st centuries.

Isabella was a princess in Italy who was murdered by her own husband. It has been said that her ghost still visits the area. Centuries later, Nora goes to Italy on sabbatical from California to work on a film that describes Isabella and her story. Nora meets up with her former roommate from years ago in Italy and is taken through current day Arezzo, Italy. While in Italy, Nora finds herself surrounded by culture and dreams of Isabella.

The writing style of this book is easy to read and full of the many emotions that likely went through the hearts of many during WWII. Artwork was taken and burned in much of Europe during German occupation those days. It’s quite impressive how some chose to save the art by hiding it or some painted over the original to meet artistic times. Nora finds herself looking for one particular painting of Isabella and her mother that was least known to be in Paris but has been missing. Will Nora find out what happened to this beautiful piece?

Nora also finds herself building a relationship with an ex-jouster, who owns an antique shop, Luca. They spend lots of time together getting to know one another while Nora is in Italy for her sabbatical. With her film completed and sent to the university in California, Nora turns to helping Lucas with his latest shipment of antique treasures. What will they find?

In several instances in this book, desks with hidden compartments are mentioned. It was once quite popular to have furniture with Secret drawers to hide important letters. This was also mentioned in another book I read recently. Now I want one of my own!

A digital copy of Walking Isabella by Melissa Muldoon was provided complimentary by iRead Book Tours. I give this book 5 out of 5 tiaras because it paints beautiful pictures of Italy as well as the people and culture. I’ve read many books that takes place in Italy that now I want to visit these historic locations in this beautiful country of wine and pasta and art!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read Dreaming Sophia, which I enjoyed immensely, I knew I wanted to read Melissa Muldoon's second novel Waking Isabella. And I liked this one just as much, if not more. The special thing about Muldoon's books is that she can easily transport one to Italy through the pages of a good story, immersing the reader not only in the country's culture and language, but also its rich art history.

Nora, an assistant researcher, makes a bold move when she decides to move on with her life after a failed marriage. She decides to visit Arezzo, a small Tuscan town where she films a documentary of the legendary Renaissance princess, Isabella de' Medici. The story alternates between the present and the past, and focuses on three women: Nora in the present, Margherita who lived during WWII in Nazi-occupied Italy, and Isabella in the 15th century. The lives of these three women intermingle in ways Nora could not have foreseen and makes for a well-thought-out plot filled with mystery, art and love.

Muldoon's writing talent shines in her portrayal of Isabella, the way she brings her character to life. It made me want to do extra research on this feisty woman whose display of joie-de-vivre and forbidden love for another man prompted her cruel husband to kill her. There is never a boring moment in Muldoon's novel as she fills her story with engaging characters, the beauty of art, and a second chance at love. Not surprising since she herself is an artist and designer.

I loved learning more about Arezzo's antique trade and its medieval jousting festival. Luca, who Nora meets in Arezzo is very much a part of this. He is also a man tortured by the guilt he feels over his wife's death, adding to the mystery and intrigue of the happenings of the town folk of Arezzo. All towns have their secrets after all.

I also love the covers of Muldoon's books. They are attractive and immediately draw my eye, making we want to hold them in my hands. I am eagerly anticipating Muldoon's upcoming release (later this year) of Avenging Artemisia, which also has a stunning cover. If you love books set in Italy and want to immerse yourself in a lively story with a good cast of characters while learning more about art history, then I highly recommend reading this one.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nora is an assistant research who feels like her life hit the wall. She is going through a divorce and feels like her life is missing something. After coming across a photo of a friend who was surrounded by two men in the vineyard, Nora realizes she is jealous of her friend and hopes that her life changes for the better. However, instead of sitting around and moping, Nora decides to create a documentary about the rebellious Medici princess, Isabella. While working on her documentary, Nora explores the history of two strong independent in the past and hopes that she can use them as a guiding source for her own life. Will Nora be able to have the life she always wanted? Will she be able to use Isabella as a source of empowerment?


The novel starts off with the murder of Isabella by her estrange husband and then switches to modern day with Nora. At first, I loved the concept of meshing the past with the present with a common thread uniting the two. However, when it started doing that for multiple characters and sometimes the novel would switch time without much of a warning and it became hard to keep track of. While, I am not a dual language speaker, I do enjoy reading novels that have some dual lingo as it helps readers feel immersed in the culture. I would have found it helpful in the author included a dictionary of the Italian terms because I feel like I missed out part of the story when I couldn't understand all of the Italian bits and it was a bit overwhelming to constantly use Google Translate. If you are an Italophile, and/or enjoy art and history, this would be a treat to read.

[Answer Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waking Isabella is a beautifully layered tale that intertwines art, history, mystery, and romance with remarkable finesse. Melissa Muldoon crafts a narrative that not only engages the mind with puzzles of lost paintings and historical intrigue but also touches the heart with themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery.
Set against the vivid backdrop of Arezzo, Tuscany, the story immerses readers in a world of antique trade, medieval pageantry, and Renaissance history. Nora, the assistant researcher, serves as an excellent lens through which we explore the lives of Isabella de’ Medici and Margherita, two remarkable women separated by centuries yet connected through art, courage, and hidden beauty. Nora’s journey of uncovering these stories mirrors her own awakening to creativity, love, and self-awareness, making the narrative deeply personal and resonant.
Muldoon’s prose is elegant and evocative, perfectly capturing both the charm of Tuscan landscapes and the tension of historical and modern mysteries. The weaving of multiple timelines the Renaissance, WWII-era Italy, and contemporary events adds richness and depth, keeping the reader engaged while exploring themes of deceit, resilience, and the enduring power of art.
Waking Isabella is an inspiring, immersive read for anyone who loves historical mysteries, art-centered plots, and stories that celebrate hidden beauty and human resilience. It’s a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page, leaving readers both enchanted and reflective.

[Rebekaneongirlyahoo.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bored and unfulfilled with her life, protagonist Nora gets a reprieve when she to return to Italy to produce a video on the life of Isabella de Medici. In the process she reunites with her college roommate and ultimately meets a guy who shares her love of history. The overall vibe was a little like A Year in Provence or Beneath the Tuscan Sun. It’s a predictable story but the addition of Margherita to the mix kept it from being too straightforward.

It’s an enjoyable read, with likable and interesting characters. The novel combines aspects of historical fiction, romance, and travelogues. For most of the story, there’s also a hint of mystery surrounding Carlotta’s death and Margherita’s life. I was glad there was an eventual explanation for what happened in both instances because, while readers can always guess, it’s always more satisfying to know if you got it right or not.

On the other hand, Nora tends to get a little too lost in her imagination and the story skips from the present to the past with very little warning in some places. The constant dialogue in Italian and French can be distracting, especially for people who don’t speak either language. They do add a sense of place and the context makes it easy to guess what they’re saying. I could translate some of the French but kept getting a bit lost because my Italian is nowhere near as good.

It’s definitely a good beach read or something for you to take with you on the plane to Italy.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waking Isabella is a beautifully written story of discovery, passion, love and hope.

Nora has just left her husband, she realized their marriage was not quite what she had wanted or needed. She had given up so much of her life and passions (her art and jewellery) and she uses this time in her life to regain what she has lost. She had always loved the story of Isabella Medici and applies to do research on the beautiful Princess and her tragic death.

In Italy, she comes upon much more than she expected. She renews her friendship with an old friend who re-introduces her to life in Italy. As she learns more about Isabella, a strange connection between the two seems to develop and it is almost as if Isabella is guiding her to help her solve a great mystery of the missing painting of Isabella. At this same time, Nora meets a young man with unique ties to the art world and the mysterious disappearance of the painting.

The plot is unique and full of mystery and hope. I loved learning about all three women - they all are strong and independent and for two of them, this is what causes their death. I loved the Melissa intertwined their past and future to help solve the disappearance of the Medici painting. In between this, we also have Nora re-discovering herself as an individual and a woman. It is a beautiful story of love, forgiveness, hope and the hurt that lies can cause.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leonora, Nora, is suffering from a broken marriage when an old friend invites her to Italy to be part of a documentary on Isabella de’ Medici, a princess murdered by her husband. Nora starts researching Isabella to try to find more information on her death and to try and locate a missing painting of Isabella and her mother that disappeared years before.

As Nora starts looking, she meets several people. One of those is Luca, the owner of a family antique business. Luca brings up how his grandmother would smuggle paintings during the Nazi occupation. This starts Nora’s research into these two women’s lives at a point where she is looking to follow her own heart.

This is a wonderful story. I loved following along as Nora works her way through her self-esteem issues to recreate herself. To become the person she has always wanted to be. But I also enjoyed the research and history that went into both Isabella’s story and Margherita’s. It was so easy to fall into the history of both eras and hope and pray for the best for all three women.

I loved this story that is rich in history and art. You can tell that Melissa Muldoon loves Italy as she describes this world. This is a great story and one that I strongly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed books by Melissa Muldoon. So, it was exciting to have the opportunity to read Waking Isabella. It was no disappointment. This one is probably my favorite to date. It was great how the author was able intertwine the fifteenth, twentieth, and twenty first centuries. Even though there are a variety of characters in the book, I thought it was easy to keep up with them all. I loved being whisked away to the beautiful setting of Arezzo, a little Tuscan town. Nora’s story was so very good. It was intriguing how the ghosts of the past showed her their lives. The mysteries surrounding Isabella de’ Medici and Margherita had me hooked from start to finish. It was beautiful watching Nora’s character grow throughout and there are so many lessons to learn for us all within the pages.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version of Waking Isabella. The narration was done by the talented Amy Gordon. She did a great job of bringing this story to life. Her performance was perfect and helped kept my attention throughout the book.

Waking Isabella is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading time slips novels. I will definitely be looking for more by Melissa Muldoon in the future. She has earned herself a new fan.

I received Waking Isabella from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Stephanie Ward]

From the coast of California to the charm of Tuscany, Waking Isabella whisks readers into a web of intrigue, history and soul searching in a stunning setting. Nora is in a personal and professional crisis as her marriage ends and her career is at crossroads. So when an old friend pops up on social media, Nora takes a leap of faith and puts in motion a journey that ultimately connects her with a Medici princess. In a mix of old and new, past and present, Waking Isabella keeps a quick pace as it weaves together the history of the murder of a Isabella and the present day story of a modern woman searching for who she is and how she wants to spend her life. The story is layered with rich details about Renaissance Italy and gorgeous descriptions of the paintings, jewelry and traditions that capture the opulence of the time. While the contemporary scenes relay the pace, flavors and lifestyle of today's Italian villages. I enjoyed learning about this little-known piece of history and experiencing the dramatic story of Isabella through the eyes of a rebellious young woman. I also appreciated that the story was appropriately complex without easy answers to Nora's big questions. If you're lucky enough to find yourself in Tuscany in the near future, this is a great book to bring along.

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Waking Isabella: Because beauty can't sleep forever" penned by the author Melissa Muldoon is an amazing story set in Arezzo, a small Tuscan town. In 1576, a princess Isabella was brutally murdered by her husband Paolo.

Main character of the story is Nora. She lives in California. Nora is an assistant researcher at Stanford. She also has an artistic and critical eye. She is the keeper of the past and could talk a lot about sixteenth century Italian Curule chairs, French commodes, and Delft ceramics.

One day, on seeing her old roommate's message, she reflected on life and thought may be her life would have been different if she hasn't travelled to California and had stayed in Italy. Grab a copy of this book and find out what gonna happen when she starts filming documentary about Isabella - a princess who was murdered by her husband.

Story backdrop that is set in Italy really makes me excited to travel to Italy. Melissa's writing is amazing. She creates a perfect tale that readers won't feel like keeping the book aside for a moment. The Solid cover has power to catch anyone's attention in the first look. Characters are interesting and seems real. If you love Italy, romance, mystery, history, stories with female protagonist, etc then this is a must pick.

[Carol Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so intriguing! It was interesting learning about Isabella Medici and the details surrounding her death. I felt as if I was actually there and could see everything around me quite clearly. Melissa's wording put me in each room and landscape. It was fun how certain things were said in Italian; however, if one is not acquainted with the language, the idea was explained in the following sentences. I am a beginning Italian language speaker, so I kept reading and re-reading the Italian words for practice. Now there are some new phrases in my vocabulary! Antiques have always interested me; hence, personally, those parts brought me to deep interest, and I would close my eyes and picture the scenes and items. When Mrs. Muldoon took us back in time to the war, it was intriguing. Plus, for me, it is interesting to read about those times and how people were involved in so many ways in that part of the world. The horses and love aspects captured me, also. It was rather sad to finish the book, because I wanted this enjoyable experience to go on and on! The book was read in the evening before bed, and it was most difficult to put it down for the night!

[Debra Schoenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

For  anyone who loves history, art and anything Italian, this is the perfect novel for you.  The story begins with Isabella de Medici, a 16th century Italian princess and the circumstances surrounding her mysterious, untimely death as well as the disappearance of her most beloved painting.

Nora, a researcher and art lover is recuperating from a failed marriage.  She is at a point in her life where she must decide to take the safe route and remain a researcher or follow her dreams to return to Italy.  A chance Facebook message from an old friend ignites her passion for Italy once again and inspires her to investigate Isabella de Medici and her mysterious past.

The author's historical research really makes this novel "come alive" as we are transported to different time periods and places in search of elusive clues to missing pieces of artwork.  The introduction of realistic characters and multiple storylines that ultimately lead back to the beginning of the story made for an interesting and enjoyable read.  Brush up on your Italian, there is plenty in this book!  Take care, you may end up enjoying a cappuccino yourself on sun drenched day somewhere in historic Italy.

[Melissa Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Ms. Muldoon’s previous book Dreaming Sophia, I was really excited when I saw a tour for a book by her again and was really intrigued with what this book was going to be about.

While the book started a little slow, the book definitely picked up steam as the book made its way through the storyline. I particularly liked the parts about hiding the art work, as I had really enjoyed the movie The Monuments Men when it came out a number of years ago. I also consider myself to be a bit of a fan girl when it comes to art and anything to do with the de Medici’s. So this book was right in my wheelhouse.

I particularly liked how the relationship between Nora and Luca develops and that it wasn’t too hasty and that it seemed to be at a pace that seemed to be fairly realistic. Some will say that it was maybe a little too fast, but sometimes when the right person comes along, a relationship develops a little quicker.

I am looking forward to Ms. Muldoon’s next offering.

FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical, full of passion and adventurous  
 
I enjoyed reading this 2nd book from the author. It is historical. It is fun to learn more about the place Arezzo in the town of Tuscany in Italy. The cultures and traditions back during the days.  
 
It is full of passion despite tragic loss and mysterious. True love can only happened when you really cared for that person. It cannot be learn not unless your heart is beating fast for that person.  
 
This book is very adventurous. My favorite character is Nora. She is one feisty girl who is not afraid to fall in-love at the same time solved the mystery. This book is suspense as well. It is mind blowing especially when they solved the missing painting and surprised came along the way.

It is a beautiful story of friendship, betrayal and most of all love. If you love mystery books like me, definitely you will enjoy reading this historical book. If you love to travel, and Italy is in your bucket list, this book is I can recommend. 

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I found it difficult to get into Waking Isabella to begin with, it was well worth the persistence. It is a beautiful story about love and history and the interconnectivity of life, and I highly recommend it.

The main difficulty that that I had with the book resulted from the format, being a story that looks in turn at the lives of Nora, Isabella and Margherita. Although this is a form that often works brilliantly from the outset, I found myself far more engaged with one character than the others at various times, meaning that every time the focus shifted to a character I was less interested in, my reading slowed.

However, it is a brilliantly written book, fully immersive in each and every setting and not nearly as predictable as one might think.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waking Isabella is a light, easy read about a taking chances and finding beauty in unlikely places. It weaves together the stories of three women in three different historical periods and connects them to the tiny Tuscan town of Arezzo. Its descriptions of quaint Italian towns and mentions of Italian art, history, medieval festivals, and wine will definitely leave you with the urge to visit Italy.

The book was not an unpleasant read, but I did find it very predictable; only one plot point in the entire book caught me by surprise. I didn't feel a strong connection to any of the characters, and the love stories felt flat and rushed. I was intrigued to find out that the titular character of Isabella was an actual historical Italian princess; I had assumed she was fictional while reading. I did enjoy the book's strong women characters and recurring theme of living life on your own terms, but I've been more captivated by it in other books.

[Ronald Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful novel, full of beauty and hope. It starts out with a bang, first with the historical story of Isabella of the Medici. Next, with the conflicts and confusion filling Nora’s head as she seeks to move past a broken marriage and re-evaluate her life. The middle part of the book moves more slowly, as Nora begins to form new relationships and absorb the beauty that Italy has to offer. Nora, totally a romantic with a lively imagination, is often lost in the moment. She has trouble condensing her feelings to develop a sense of an actionable future. But, of course she will eventually arrive. The ending is worth the journey, as everything seems to heat up simultaneously.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got drawn into this story so fast, that before I knew it, I was chapters deep. Three women, spanning centuries of history, from past to present, all intertwined into one captivating plot. I love how real and down-to-earth Nora felt, right down to trying to find herself after some major changes occur in her own life. While there is some romance woven in, at it's core this is really the story of three strong women, and the lives they lived (and in some cases lost). If you're looking for a character-driven story that will capture your heart and mind, then you don't want to miss out on this one!