Santa Lucia: Book One of the Santa Lucia Series

An Italian café. A barista with an eye for trouble. And a village determined to create as much as possible.

Chiara has presided over the espresso machine at Bar Birbo for as long as anyone can remember. In Santa Lucia, this is the only place to go for a  cappuccino served with a side of gossip. Until Chiara has a secret of her own.

Santa Lucia is a gripping Italian saga that leaps off the page. Set in the charmed hills of Umbria, the sweeping tale of love, betrayal, despair, and triumph, brings small town Italy to life.

Start this captivating novel at night and risk being awake far too late. Suspense and enchantment will practically turn the pages of their own accord.

Michelle Damiani has followed Il Bel Centro: A Year in the Beautiful Center, her bestselling memoir of finding a home in Umbria, with an enthralling novel that similarly transports readers to the green heart of Italy. The Silent Madonna, the second book in the Santa Lucia series is also available.

“Santa Lucia will steal your heart!”

“This was a fantastic read. I could not put it down.”

“Santa Lucia brings small town Italy to life”

“This book will be a treat to those who like to get lost in good tales and who appreciate good writing, and especially to those who enjoy reading about life in Italy.”

“The characters are beautifully drawn, each with his or her own demons, hopes, joys, fears. They mesh together and you become completely caught up in their individual stories so you have difficulty putting the book down.”