Nino's Heart

Nino #1

by J.D. Keene

What are Amazon readers saying about Nino's Heart?"A beautiful read.""This book kept me reading until the wee hours. I felt a part of the journey all the way through. It was so realistic and kept me engrossed, I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.""Really gripping story of dedication, love and danger! Very enjoyable! An unlikely love story of loss, kindness and believable thrills.""You will fall in love with Nino, the main character, when he finds his basic beliefs challenged at several points in the story. The supporting characters are very real, and lovable as well. The ongoing efforts to escape detection are hair-raising!""Well told history of WW II with characters who develop during the story. Any history lover will thoroughly enjoy this book.Very difficult to put down!""This story caught my attention from the beginning. The story changed quickly and kept my interest through out.""This book was very enjoyable. I could have gone on and on in more pages.""Really liked this book ! Well written, with likeable and believable characters. Romance, history, place and plots all great."The Bronx, 1934. Nino DiVincenzo, the son of a mafia crime boss, witnesses a gruesome murder that alters the course of his life forever. Forced out of his home as a teenager, he grows into a man on his own terms. Under the guidance of trusted mentors rather than a ruthless father, Nino’s deep faith and compassion for others ultimately lead him to Rome on a journey to become a Catholic priest.New York Harbor, 1938. As the dark cloud of WWII advances over Europe, Hannah Roseman, a beautiful Jewish widow, boards a ship for Italy. Upon her arrival, she is confronted with the fascism and anti-Semitism that has engulfed the country. To survive, she must rely on her courage and cunning along with the help of a Catholic seminary student twelve years her junior.As their lives and secrets intertwine with the evils of wartime Europe, Nino and Hannah find themselves forced to make unfathomable decisions when confronted with choosing between their faith, their love, and their survival.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Romance, War

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2020

Reviews

[Mark Keene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book from this Author that I have read. Each of them are very good. I started reading on a Friday afternoon, and finished on Saturday afternoon. This Author keeps you involved with the characters the entire book. I highly recommend both of his books.

[Katie Keene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling characters that leave you with an emotional connection to them.

Nino’s heart is a rare glimpse of life in fascist 1930’s Italy. With an intriguing back story of family dysfunction involving the Mafia that propelled Nino on to the path where he found love with a beautiful Jewish widow. A story of worlds colliding and having to make life and death decisions that most young people cannot imagine at such a young age. It’s well written and researched. Compelling characters that leave you wanting to know more. At times I felt as if I was right there on his journey. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series when it comes out.

Nino's Heart: A WW2 romance novel set in fascist Italy.

[Pamela Rae Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nino’s Heart ♥️

I loved Nino’s heart. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to add to the story of his family. There was plenty of heartache in this book but also several joys! It was a great love story as well as WWII story. Several characters. Those you love and those you hate. Well written and a fast easy read. I liked it very much.
pamarella
PRCS

[Michael Saks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been drawn to WWII fiction for many years. But this work defies categorization. The author's strength lies in his ability to do many things equally well. This book goes far beyond a war story. It develops the lives of the characters and their relationship with each other is the best I have encountered in many years. His development of the plot is well paced, and his writing style is so well done that I found myself turning pages to learn what will occur next, without even realizing it. I became fascinated with the lives of those he introduced me to, and wanting to learn how their lives and how the plot evolves, far beyond what I have read in several years. And perhaps the highest compliment I can think of, the author interweaves the lives of those who actually lived with those whose lives are the stuff of the best fiction.
I have traveled throughout Europe many times, and have experienced the progression of the war on many levels. J.D. Keene does justice to this and more. I read the more than 300 pages in less than two days. I can recommend this work without reservation.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Again, I wish that Goodreads would allow for half stars. Not quite a 5 because I reserve that for those very rare books that I cannot put down and lose sleep over. While I looked forward to every opportunity to read this book, it just did not rise to my 5 star level. But 4 stars is definitely not enough, so I put 4.5 stars in this review.

This book had really great character development and was carried in large part by that. The story and subplots were clever and interesting.

I really liked the ending. I found out after I finished the book that there is a second Nino book, but the first one here did not end at all on a cliffhanger so I do not feel like I need to turn immediately to the second book, although I do anticipate reading at some point.

[Kathy Zimmerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just ok. I have read alot of stories and books about WWII and this one was lacking a lot of meat. Everything was way too easy for that time/era. The escapes were too easy ---I just didn't buy it.

[Julie Angstadt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story—Hard to put down

This is the story of Nino, whose father is an Italian immigrant in the Mafia. He is high in the Mafia. Nino’s older brother works for their dad. Their grandfather is in the Mafia in Italy. Nino wants to become a priest—he wants to study in Rome. So, he goes to Italy. But the Germans are hating Jews. Nino meets a young widow—Hannah. She is Jewish. He falls for her, thinking he will be able to walk away when it is time for seminary. But will he? Will he be able to go into the priesthood, and give up Hannah?

[roberttino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I've been a World War II reader for my years both fiction and non fiction. I've read many books on the war mainly about Germany tyranny and the horrible persecution of the Jews,which is just unbelievable to understand.This book touched on this at the beginning in Italy and how it affected many people not only the Jewish people.The book is fairly well written and it held my interest, but as a fan of Grisham,Baldacci,Follett,this book isn't that good.

[Denise Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. I am anxious to read the 2nd book but my library doesn't have it, so I will be ordering it and waiting for it to be delivered. This is about a N.Y. mafia bosses son Nino who witnesses a murder. Because of his choices he is forced out of his home. He has a wonderful mentor and decides to become a priest. He goes to Italy to study and meets a Jewish woman Hannah. Jews are being rounded up in Italy. This was a powerful book and I loved it.

[Clare Gilbert]

A light hearted fictional account of World war two with a backdrop of Nazi Germany and Facist Italy.

A would be Catholic priest and a Jewish widow fall in love and through several challenges ahead of them, along with a young girl they adopt when married, make it to Portugal and then to U.S.

Probably not my novel of choice should I have seen in in a bookstore nevertheless perhaps there is potential in the next two novels in the series

[Michelle Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

Don't let the mention of wwII deter you. This book shows a whole other side to that time in history. Gave another dimension of danger with the mafia influence and Ninos courage to go against his family's "business" . My only complaint is that I wished the book didn't end, would love to just keep reading about Nino and Hannah and their life.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Nino's Heart, I was able to connect with the characters. It was a fast moving p!ot. I didn't want the story to end . I'm !ooking forward to the next book.

I would recommend this book to my friends who enjoy a good read as a historical during 1930-1945. I'm drawn to this time period as my father served in 3 wars.

[Charles R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

This book opened my eyes to what it must have been like to be a Jew in Italy during WW ll. The will to survive and to protect those you love was portrayed so vividly with Nino and Hannah. I highly recommend this book to those who like historical fiction and a good love story.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! A historic novel about the son of a mafia family, Nino, who leaves his New York family to go
To Rome and become a priest. On his way, he meets on board his ship a Jewess and falls in love. In Italy it is right on the cusp of WWII and decisions they make will be hard. Moving onto second book

[Harriet Kappen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading as I couldn’t stop.

This book kept me reading until the wee hours. I felt a part of the journey all the way through. It was so realistic and kept me engrossed, I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.

[Ann Shemeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel of love

Good story line with the right amount of intrigue and twists and turns.
Nino and Hannah are the central characters of this book he's a Roman Catholic and she is a Jew.
This is truly a marriage made in heaven.
Fantastic read

[Selena Rambo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. I dont like to read and sure don't do it for fun. But I was told about this book and had it finished in two days. I couldn't put it down. When your reading you feel like your right there and part of it all. It's so good. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Robert Brinkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Read

I have read two of J.D. Keene's books and loved both of them. I know I have good book when I can't put it down. Such amazing twists and turns in the stories. Can't wait to read the next one. I give it 5 stars because it certainly does deserve it.

[Mary Sue Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Adventurous Novel

This is a well written book taking place during WW2. It starts and ends in America. In between is Italy. The characters are an interesting mix , American, Italian, and. Jewish. This is a story of family, religion, love, sacrifice and suspense.

[CAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a series - I'll not be ordering any more. It is set during the 2nd World war, and it just didn't grab me, although it came highly recommended by a fiend whose literary preferences generally match mine

[George Letts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed the way the author kept me a!ways wondering what was next. The characters were well developed and interesting. Truly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next.

[Carol Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Nino’s Heart ❤️ what a great book loved all the twists turns etc kept wanting to read more and more. The story moves along fast with intrigue all the way. Exciting sad joyful all in abundance.
Can’t wait to read the next book to find out what happens to the family.
Five stars

[Grace Mcmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot believe I have to wait until summer of 2021 for Book 2!

[Sue Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t put it down

[David S. Sklar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breath taking story of events during World War 11.
I’m a devoted Jew and could never fall in love with a woman to consider giving up Judaism to become a Catholic.

David Sklar

[Gayle West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Nino’s heart! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Teresa K Johnson MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping Read

Multiple elements of intrigue, family strife, and danger. Touching love story with kind hearted hero who struggles with his life decisions.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book and can’t wait till the next one comes out.

[Kimberly Krone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story.

The book was interesting and I loved the characters but I wish it ended differently. I would have loved a few more happy ending chapters

[Nancy Baldo McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Nino's Heart. The story was fast moving and edgy. The characters were complicated, interesting and mostly loving. But not all. There were family secrets.
I can't wait to read Nino's War!