Finalist 2020 Page Turner Awards, England. Based on actual events between 1846 and 1850 in Italy and America. A young American sculptor in Rome, meets and falls in love with a beautiful Italian woman who belongs to a secret society intent on unifying the Kingdoms of Italy. She introduces him to the world of Italian politics, and its dangerous subversive activities. She is asked to help the famous American journalist Margaret Fuller, sent to Rome to report on the political unrest in Italy. Fuller falls in love with a young Italian aristocrat, and he and the young American sculptor become part of Garibaldi’s military force defending Rome from a siege by the French army. The couples flee to Florence, and together cross the Atlantic on a tragic voyage. Novak's description and use of Rome as a setting is magnificent... ...It allows the city to house the love and struggle in this story without taking over as the city, steeped in ancient grandeur, often does. This, coupled with Novak's excellent conveyance of the civil strife which occurred after Pia Nono's ascension as the new head of the Papal States, created a narrative which delivers more than romance and history. It intertwines multiple genres (romance, thriller and historical fiction) to become a fantastic piece of literary fiction... Reedsy Discovery Review Kristiana Reed Nothing makes a reader of historical fiction happier than discovering a period of history or a character that we knew nothing about yet makes for a great story. Such is the case with Richard Novak's new novel... The novel is full of fascinating glimpses into the politics of Italy and the way people lived during that time. It also offers insight into the way Americans--with such a young country--sometimes viewed the world through naïve eyes. While the dialog occasionally bows to the need for exposition, the descriptions and battle scenes are well-written, and the tale never fails to move along at an enjoyable pace. Novak's work as a sculptor, and his knowledge of and passion for art, infuses the page and delivers a tale that, for most of us, is unfamiliar yet relatable. It's a quick, rewarding read. Windy City Review Chicago Writer's AssociationWayne Turmel