#BLOGTOUR: The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies #Gifted #ProvidedForReview @DinahJefferies @PenguinUKBooks @GeorgiaKTaylor

I was delighted to be invited onto the blog tour for the latest book by the fabulous Dinah Jefferies – The Tuscan Contessa. Thank you Georgia!

I was quite late in discovering Dinah Jefferies and since then I have been working my way through her back catalogue, she knows how to write and she knows how to pick her locations. Her writing never fails to transport me to the most wonderful places most of which I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting – yet. And in The Tuscan Contessa Dinah Jefferies took me to Italy and the beautiful Tuscany region – I love her flare for description.

I knew right from the beginning that Dinah Jefferies had written another book I was going to love.

Confession time thou – I haven’t finished it yet! I’m behind on my reading, but what I have read I have loved and I have no doubt the ending is going to deliver.

Great blurb, right!?!?!

And I love the cover design – it’s gorgeous. Whoever does the designs for all of her books does a great job. Even before I pick up The Tuscan Contessa I know from the cover to expect historical fiction with a beautiful location. #CoverLove.

As well as great locations, Dinah Jefferies writes some great female characters. I loved Maxine from the moment I met her. I LOVED her. She was feisty, challenging and brave – she was a pleasure to read about and someone I would want on my side. The first time we meet Maxine she is rescuing an older gentleman from a beating by a group of young soldiers, then outwits them and meets up with the resistance. And that is just the beginning.

The book alternates between following Maxine’s journey and Sofia’s life and I loved both of the POVs. Sofia is The Tuscan Contessa. It took me a little while to warm up to Sofia but I found her fascinating and she isn’t afraid to jump in and get her hands dirty. She isn’t as intense as Maxine but she certainly is another strong willed, strong minded female character living in a very dangerous wartime.

As well as great locations and strong female characters I always expect a bit of romance from Dinah Jefferies. I haven’t finished it yet so I am not sure the book has a HEA, but it definitely has a dollop of romance thrown into the mix.

The writing was good, the pacing was spot on for the story and the whole novels shines with little titbits of information and colour that only comes from research. I am very much enjoying it so far and I am looking forward to logging off the computer and getting back to my book. I do have my suspicions thou that as much as I love it so far I don’t think it will be my favourite – I LOVED The missing sister – I loved the element of mystery that I feel the Tuscan Contessa doesn’t quite have. Small, small negative in an otherwise entertaining historical read. BUT I’m not sure that is even a negative – just a personal preference.

As I am last on the blog tour I thought it would be fun to share some of the links to previous reviews from the blog tour – I have only picked a few, so apologies if I haven’t included yours.

Have you read The Tuscan Contessa? Are you a fan of historical fiction?

I received a copy of the The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies for review from the publisher – Thank you!