DANCING ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS

“I had two husbands.”

The discovery of long-hidden love letters leads New York caterer Cara Serafini on a journey to understanding her formidable grandmother, Giulia Fiorillo.

Born in a mountain village in southern Italy, the spirited Giulia arrives at the age of sixteen in a rough New York immigrant neighborhood at the beginning of the twentieth century, forced from the comforts and constrictions of her family by the fierce drive of her mother.

In America, Giulia faces not only an inhospitable culture but also violence in the family and in the streets, shattering loss and a love that shapes her whole life.

Love, loss and resilience on the immigrant journey from Italy to New York

“Dancing on Sunday Afternoons is a superbly nuanced, emotionally rich tale of one woman’s journey from turn-of-the-century Italy to America in which Linda Cardillo beautifully blends women’s fiction, romance and historical fiction into one unforgettable story.”—John Charles, Chicago Tribune

Historical Fiction, 344 pages, 5 x 8

Trade Paperback, $16.95, ISBN: 978-1942209331

EBook, $4.99, ISBN: 978-1942209348

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Praise and Honors for Dancing on Sunday Afternoons

Georgia Romance Writers MAGGIE AWARD ~

Winner in Long Contemporary Fiction

"Dancing on Sunday Afternoons is a superbly nuanced, emotionally rich tale of one woman's journey from turn-of-the-century Italy to America in which Linda Cardillo beautifully blends women's fiction, romance and historical fiction into one unforgettable story." John Charles, Chicago Tribune

"A fresh and original storyline makes Dancing on Sunday Afternoons a "must-read" for anyone who enjoys family drama. In the style of LaVyrle Spencer, Jude Devereaux or Danielle Steele, author Linda Cardillo has penned a wonderful debut novel...Dancing on Sunday Afternoons is a grand way to begin a new line." Lettitia Elsasser, Contemporary Romance Writers

"Linda Cardillo's Dancing on Sunday Afternoons (4 Stars) is deeply touching and rich with period detail." Catherine Witmer, Romantic Times BOOK reviews, February 2007

"This is a stupendous book! Filled with affect, it captures beautifully the essence of Italian culture, especially immigrant culture in New York City in the early 1900's. Each page jumps out and grabs you into Giulia's life, her loves, and her conflicts. Don't miss this story, it will move you to tears with the pain and joy you find within each page. Kudos to Linda Cardillo for giving us this window into a small part of her own Italian heritage." Jeri Neal, The Romance Readers Connection

"Linda Cardillo makes a fine debut with this unexpectedly tender and engaging love story...." Ginger Curwen, Barnes & Noble Heart-to-Heart Newsletter