What do you think?
Rate this book
Opera Dynasty Romance #1
Fallen Angel
*Previously published as Fallen Angel.*
Her amnesia brought them together. Her memories could tear them apart.
Antonio isn’t a cynic when it comes to love. But the one thing he doesn’t believe in just happened to him. He fell in love at first sight. Too bad she was mowed down by a motorcycle the next moment.
Antonio follows his mystery woman to the hospital and manages to become her volunteer. He has to know if she felt the connection too, and if there’s any chance they could be together. He’s dying to know all about her, but she’s in a coma. And when she wakes, she has amnesia.
When Renatta wakes up in a hospital bruised and battered, and with no memory of who she is, she turns to the kind volunteer who never leaves her side. With Antonio’s help, she rediscovers who she is. But the past isn’t all roses and her future is dictated by her parents.
If Renatta can’t find the courage to defy her family, then love at first sight is only a fairytale and she and Antonio have no future together.
Falling for the Prima Donna is a clean and wholesome contemporary romance. If you like a story with twists and turns, a hero with inner strength, and heroines who take leaps of faith, then you’ll love this book by award-winning author Lisa Swinton.
Her amnesia brought them together. Her memories could tear them apart.
Antonio isn’t a cynic when it comes to love. But the one thing he doesn’t believe in just happened to him. He fell in love at first sight. Too bad she was mowed down by a motorcycle the next moment.
Antonio follows his mystery woman to the hospital and manages to become her volunteer. He has to know if she felt the connection too, and if there’s any chance they could be together. He’s dying to know all about her, but she’s in a coma. And when she wakes, she has amnesia.
When Renatta wakes up in a hospital bruised and battered, and with no memory of who she is, she turns to the kind volunteer who never leaves her side. With Antonio’s help, she rediscovers who she is. But the past isn’t all roses and her future is dictated by her parents.
If Renatta can’t find the courage to defy her family, then love at first sight is only a fairytale and she and Antonio have no future together.
Falling for the Prima Donna is a clean and wholesome contemporary romance. If you like a story with twists and turns, a hero with inner strength, and heroines who take leaps of faith, then you’ll love this book by award-winning author Lisa Swinton.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2014
26 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Swinton
27 books197 followersAward-winning author Lisa Swinton loves romance, travel, Disney, Jane Austen, and tidying up, not necessarily in that order. When she's not writing and being a mom, you might find her singing on stage.
You can visit her at:
http://www.lisaswinton.com
http://www.lisaswinton.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaSw...
You can visit her at:
http://www.lisaswinton.com
http://www.lisaswinton.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaSw...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 14, 2018
3.5*
What would you do if you found yourself falling in love with someone you'd never met? Then to complicate it even more, she ends up in an accident with amnesia before you can say hello? If you didn't believe in love at first sight, would you believe when it overcomes you so unexpectedly? What would you do to be a part of this newfound love's life? Even when all the odds are against you, how would you handle that situation?
Antonio finds himself in such a situation and is swept up by the emotions and struggle of trying to figure out who Renatta is, how to best help her heal and doing all he can to help her remember herself and their brief meeting as well.
I really enjoyed Antonio. He was such a well written character. I looked forward to the scenes with him bringing something new for Renatta to see, touch, taste, or smell. All in the hopes of her discovering who she was and what she truly loved or enjoyed. He was a torn character. Torn in the fact that he was drawn so intensely to Renatta and falling in love with her. Yet, he knew that it was a complicated and delicate situation. How to explain to her who he really was to her...nobody but a glance on the street. Yet their connection grows and develops and they have to discover if they truly do care for each other.
Renatta has many complications happening in her life. I won't go into detail because it is all part of the experience of reading this book. Suffice it to say, she had many important decisions to make before her accident and she must slowly come back to a remembrance of who she is and what she truly wants in her life. Her life is anything but idyllic. It's complicated and messy and painful and she needs healing in all aspects of her life. She finds that peace and comfort in the form of her newfound friend and hospital volunteer Antonio.
This book definitely tackles some different issues such as amnesia, love at first sight, family struggles, hidden pasts (not the main characters') and many points of forgiveness, love and healing. If you're looking for a super light, fun and fluffy romance, this is not it. I will say that there is a sweet underlying romance throughout, but that it is not the main focus of the book. It wasn't what I was expecting when I started to read further and further into the story. But overall, I did enjoy the characters and seeing how the circumstances helped shape and mould these characters all while bringing peace, healing and love into many lives.
Content: Clean. There are a couple very mild innuendos. A few times where sex is talked about, not in detail or graphic in nature. I'm very careful in what I read and won't read books with explicit sex scenes or with scenes discussing in detail about sex. The times it was mentioned was done in a clean way. I just wanted to let others know if they don't want to read a book that has any mention of sex in it.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the book are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
What would you do if you found yourself falling in love with someone you'd never met? Then to complicate it even more, she ends up in an accident with amnesia before you can say hello? If you didn't believe in love at first sight, would you believe when it overcomes you so unexpectedly? What would you do to be a part of this newfound love's life? Even when all the odds are against you, how would you handle that situation?
Antonio finds himself in such a situation and is swept up by the emotions and struggle of trying to figure out who Renatta is, how to best help her heal and doing all he can to help her remember herself and their brief meeting as well.
I really enjoyed Antonio. He was such a well written character. I looked forward to the scenes with him bringing something new for Renatta to see, touch, taste, or smell. All in the hopes of her discovering who she was and what she truly loved or enjoyed. He was a torn character. Torn in the fact that he was drawn so intensely to Renatta and falling in love with her. Yet, he knew that it was a complicated and delicate situation. How to explain to her who he really was to her...nobody but a glance on the street. Yet their connection grows and develops and they have to discover if they truly do care for each other.
Renatta has many complications happening in her life. I won't go into detail because it is all part of the experience of reading this book. Suffice it to say, she had many important decisions to make before her accident and she must slowly come back to a remembrance of who she is and what she truly wants in her life. Her life is anything but idyllic. It's complicated and messy and painful and she needs healing in all aspects of her life. She finds that peace and comfort in the form of her newfound friend and hospital volunteer Antonio.
This book definitely tackles some different issues such as amnesia, love at first sight, family struggles, hidden pasts (not the main characters') and many points of forgiveness, love and healing. If you're looking for a super light, fun and fluffy romance, this is not it. I will say that there is a sweet underlying romance throughout, but that it is not the main focus of the book. It wasn't what I was expecting when I started to read further and further into the story. But overall, I did enjoy the characters and seeing how the circumstances helped shape and mould these characters all while bringing peace, healing and love into many lives.
Content: Clean. There are a couple very mild innuendos. A few times where sex is talked about, not in detail or graphic in nature. I'm very careful in what I read and won't read books with explicit sex scenes or with scenes discussing in detail about sex. The times it was mentioned was done in a clean way. I just wanted to let others know if they don't want to read a book that has any mention of sex in it.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the book are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
October 30, 2018
Fallen Angel is a little different romance than you usually see. Mainly because the main character is the hero. And he actually doesn’t even know the heroine for a bunch of the book. I liked the way this one was different.
Antonio is headed into his friend’s apartment one day when he sees the most beautiful angel standing across the street. She’s eating her gelato when she’s hit by a motorcycle. Antonio was already headed for her, but he hurries to get there and get emergency people there as well. I loved the way the doctor gives Antonio time with her by making him a volunteer and assigning him to watch out for her.
I loved the way Antonio cares for her through the whole book. He sits by her bed, endlessly reading to her and trying to do anything he can to wake her up. When she finally wakes up, he does everything he can to make things better for her. He brings her flowers. And when it becomes obvious that she remembers nothing of her previous life, he tries to determine each of her favorites in every category he can think of.
I loved Renatta. I loved the way she changes during the book. The reader doesn’t know her before, but her sister Chiara and other relatives comment on how she changes. I liked most of her family. But her mother…wow, she was heartless and terrible. It’s no wonder Renatta changed the way she acted toward her when she remembered her life.
I wasn’t quite sure how the love story in this one was going to turn out for a good chunk of the book. The reader and the characters are all more concerned with Renatta’s health. But the ending was a great one. I loved it!
Make time to read this one!
Antonio is headed into his friend’s apartment one day when he sees the most beautiful angel standing across the street. She’s eating her gelato when she’s hit by a motorcycle. Antonio was already headed for her, but he hurries to get there and get emergency people there as well. I loved the way the doctor gives Antonio time with her by making him a volunteer and assigning him to watch out for her.
I loved the way Antonio cares for her through the whole book. He sits by her bed, endlessly reading to her and trying to do anything he can to wake her up. When she finally wakes up, he does everything he can to make things better for her. He brings her flowers. And when it becomes obvious that she remembers nothing of her previous life, he tries to determine each of her favorites in every category he can think of.
I loved Renatta. I loved the way she changes during the book. The reader doesn’t know her before, but her sister Chiara and other relatives comment on how she changes. I liked most of her family. But her mother…wow, she was heartless and terrible. It’s no wonder Renatta changed the way she acted toward her when she remembered her life.
I wasn’t quite sure how the love story in this one was going to turn out for a good chunk of the book. The reader and the characters are all more concerned with Renatta’s health. But the ending was a great one. I loved it!
Make time to read this one!
November 6, 2018
Fallen Angel is not your fluffy romance. I liked the main characters, but I didn't always agree with their decisions. This book made me think about hard choices that the characters had to make. The setting is in Italy. The plot moves along at a good pace with twists and turns in it. There is an HEA, but for whom? There is no cheating, but our main character is seeing two guys at the same time, and they know it. Normally, I don't like that in a romance, but there are special circumstances here. I've enjoyed everything of Lisa Swinton's that I've read. I received an ARC. I chose to write a review and share my opinion.
November 14, 2018
I could not put this book down! It made me believe in fate and true love. Antonio and Renatta see each other across the street. Before he can get to her and introduce himself, she is hit by a motorcycle. Her injuries are grave and he follows her to the hospital. As it turns out, she had no identification on her, and only Antonio can provide a description of what she looked like before her facial injuries. A compassionate doctor allows him to sit hold vigil by her bedside. While she is in a coma, he creates a history for her and tries to awaken her with music. When she awakens, her amnesia is revealed. Through meeting her family, recovering from her injuries and navigating through an emotional mine field, Antonio provides her with care and comfort. Family secrets are revealed and Renatta learns that she must decide between two good men...Antonio and Marcello, her fiancé. Antonio’s love for her has grown deeper since that first sight of her, and Marcello has loved since childhood. Who will she choose? Fate has a hand in changing Renatta’s life, for better or worse, and the lives of those who love her. This book masterfully takes the reader on Renatta’s journey of discovery. It evokes many emotions...sympathy, anger, disgust, as well as joy and satisfaction. Definitely a keeper!
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 28, 2020
This is not your typical romance. It's also not a light-hearted fluffy type of romance so be prepared to have all kinds of emotions while reading this one. That being said I didn't want to stop reading this one, but had to because I fell asleep. Thank goodness Kindles turn themselves off.
Renatta's eating gelato when she's hit by a motorcycle. She has no identification or cell phone on her. Only Antonio, who witnessed the accident, saw what she looked like before she was severely injured. He doesn't know who she is, but goes to the hospital and stays by her bedside. He also helps the police sketch artist make a drawing that can be shown on the news to help find her family. Her doctor makes Antonio a hospital volunteer so he can continue to stay with her, as she's in a coma for a few days. Playing music for the unknown woman, Antonio discovers that she responds to opera music. When she awakens she doesn't remember anything about the accident or who she is.
I loved Antonio and his best friend Stefano. Antonio stays by Renatta's side even though he doesn't know anything about her. His conversation with a comatose woman was kind of funny. He read to her, and did other things to keep her company until Renatta regained consciousness. Then he bought her a journal and helps her learn her likes and dislikes. She writes down anything she remembers. I loved that he brought her different bouquets of flowers to learn which was her favorite. I would've loved to have been in on the gelato tasting--it sounded so yummy. Antonio is supportive and kind even when he's struggling not to tell her things he's found out about her and her family.
To say that Renatta's family situation is complicated is a bit of an understatement. The way her mother, Francesca, she's the ultimate helicopter mom controling the lives of her grown children. I liked Renatta, and the relationship she had with her younger sister. She had a lot of decisions to make about her future and what she wanted, and she couldn't make them without knowing who she was and about her past. One of my favorite parts is towards the end of the book when Renatta stands up to her super controlling mother (she was a piece of work).
I found the ending bittersweet--as some people got their happy ending while others chose to cling to what they wanted no matter the cost. I was glad the father finally found his backbone and realized what standing "united" with his wife had cost him and what continuing to do that would cost him even more.
I've had this one in my TBR for awhile and I'm so glad I finally read it.
Renatta's eating gelato when she's hit by a motorcycle. She has no identification or cell phone on her. Only Antonio, who witnessed the accident, saw what she looked like before she was severely injured. He doesn't know who she is, but goes to the hospital and stays by her bedside. He also helps the police sketch artist make a drawing that can be shown on the news to help find her family. Her doctor makes Antonio a hospital volunteer so he can continue to stay with her, as she's in a coma for a few days. Playing music for the unknown woman, Antonio discovers that she responds to opera music. When she awakens she doesn't remember anything about the accident or who she is.
I loved Antonio and his best friend Stefano. Antonio stays by Renatta's side even though he doesn't know anything about her. His conversation with a comatose woman was kind of funny. He read to her, and did other things to keep her company until Renatta regained consciousness. Then he bought her a journal and helps her learn her likes and dislikes. She writes down anything she remembers. I loved that he brought her different bouquets of flowers to learn which was her favorite. I would've loved to have been in on the gelato tasting--it sounded so yummy. Antonio is supportive and kind even when he's struggling not to tell her things he's found out about her and her family.
To say that Renatta's family situation is complicated is a bit of an understatement. The way her mother, Francesca, she's the ultimate helicopter mom controling the lives of her grown children. I liked Renatta, and the relationship she had with her younger sister. She had a lot of decisions to make about her future and what she wanted, and she couldn't make them without knowing who she was and about her past. One of my favorite parts is towards the end of the book when Renatta stands up to her super controlling mother (she was a piece of work).
I found the ending bittersweet--as some people got their happy ending while others chose to cling to what they wanted no matter the cost. I was glad the father finally found his backbone and realized what standing "united" with his wife had cost him and what continuing to do that would cost him even more.
I've had this one in my TBR for awhile and I'm so glad I finally read it.
November 15, 2018
At first this plot reminded me of my favorite movie, While You Were Sleeping. Antonio sees Renatta across a busy street. He feels a connection to her, and then watches her get hit by a motorist. He finds her at the hospital, and since her family can't be found, he is allowed to be her volunteer, to visit her and help her through her recovery. Renatta has amnesia. Eventually her family, and her fiance find her. What will that do to the relationship that is growing between her and Antonio?
The romance was sweet, but what I really loved about Antonio was the way that he gave her strength. Renatta has a very domineering mother. She and her siblings have all been caught in a trap of doing things they don't necessarily want to do in order to stay in her good graces. Antonio (and the amnesia) give Renatta a bit of backbone, and eventually the courage to live her own life.
Content: clean (some kissing)
The romance was sweet, but what I really loved about Antonio was the way that he gave her strength. Renatta has a very domineering mother. She and her siblings have all been caught in a trap of doing things they don't necessarily want to do in order to stay in her good graces. Antonio (and the amnesia) give Renatta a bit of backbone, and eventually the courage to live her own life.
Content: clean (some kissing)
October 30, 2018
Fallen Angel is a story with many different threads. .. love at first sight, amnesia, torn between two men, a ridiculously controlling mother, confusion and secrets. Renatta has amnesia and Antonio falls for her instantly and becomes her self appointed helper. Can he win her heart or will Marcello succeed instead? It is a good, sweet story with a little mystery along with the romance but I found it a bit stilted to read in places and a little old fashioned. Lisa Swinton is a very talented author but something was missing for me with this book. This is only my opinion so I recommend you get this book and make up your own mind.
September 1, 2015
Loved this book! I have to say, Antonio was such a wonderful character! He was so kind, thoughtful, gracious, and of course loving. Renatta's recovery from her accident and amnesia was so beautifully crafted. It was such a wonderful setting, traveling through Italy, her experiencing some beautiful locations and of course her memories coming back.
I think my only big unresolved question was why R. mother's past wasn't fully exposed/elaborated on, but I do think that wasn't a big thing as far as the story went. It just didn't complete the Mother's character and background as to why she behaved as severely as she did.
Marcello was a wonderful character too. It was sweet how gentlemanly he acted, even while wondering how things would work out for Renatta and their engagement. It loved he wasn't a villain, but was a viable option in Renatta's future.
The unfolding of her memory, (have no idea if it was medically accurate), but loved it. The bits and pieces, her hope, confusion, her peace when it finally happened, was well done. Also, her dreams, the journals, the peace she felt as Antonio was so kind and patient and tried to help her patiently wait for it to happen, in the least stressful way possible, all the while creating new memories for her to cherish.
Loved all the surprises as it unfolded, and of course her very tender feelings for the man she chooses at the end!
I think my only big unresolved question was why R. mother's past wasn't fully exposed/elaborated on, but I do think that wasn't a big thing as far as the story went. It just didn't complete the Mother's character and background as to why she behaved as severely as she did.
Marcello was a wonderful character too. It was sweet how gentlemanly he acted, even while wondering how things would work out for Renatta and their engagement. It loved he wasn't a villain, but was a viable option in Renatta's future.
The unfolding of her memory, (have no idea if it was medically accurate), but loved it. The bits and pieces, her hope, confusion, her peace when it finally happened, was well done. Also, her dreams, the journals, the peace she felt as Antonio was so kind and patient and tried to help her patiently wait for it to happen, in the least stressful way possible, all the while creating new memories for her to cherish.
Loved all the surprises as it unfolded, and of course her very tender feelings for the man she chooses at the end!
April 12, 2014
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Antonio does not believe in love at first sight until he sees her fall into a street in Milan and get hit by a motorcycle. Compelled to know if she can return his affection, he becomes Renatta's hospital volunteer only to learn that the accident erased her memory. Together they must discover her past, present and future. In the way of happily ever after stand her opera career, tyrannical mother, and fiancé. Antonio must win Renatta's heart before she bends to the will of her mother and marries Marcello. Failure means a lifetime of loneliness, for love at first sight never happens twice.
MY TAKE
I love the flavor of Italy that comes with this story. The characters were engaging (or hateful), and it left me wanting some gelato! It takes a long time to reach resolution, and the love triangle is heart-breaking, since one really great guy loses out. I'm hoping Lisa will write his story.
Antonio does not believe in love at first sight until he sees her fall into a street in Milan and get hit by a motorcycle. Compelled to know if she can return his affection, he becomes Renatta's hospital volunteer only to learn that the accident erased her memory. Together they must discover her past, present and future. In the way of happily ever after stand her opera career, tyrannical mother, and fiancé. Antonio must win Renatta's heart before she bends to the will of her mother and marries Marcello. Failure means a lifetime of loneliness, for love at first sight never happens twice.
MY TAKE
I love the flavor of Italy that comes with this story. The characters were engaging (or hateful), and it left me wanting some gelato! It takes a long time to reach resolution, and the love triangle is heart-breaking, since one really great guy loses out. I'm hoping Lisa will write his story.
June 12, 2014
Now I think I need to try gelato.
Another disclaimer: I don't normally read romance novels, even the kind that don't come from Harlequin.
That being said, I did enjoy the story of the book. I feel like Swinton did a good job of making the characters likable and giving me enough detail to make them mostly believable. (Except, perhaps, the actions of Francesca, who does things I can't imagine a mother doing, but there is one page that shows glimpses into her reasons that might have been interesting to read more of.)
Antonio sees the woman of his dreams and experiences "Love at First Sight." Then she is immediately struck by a motorcycle and becomes an amnesiac. They spend the rest of the book learning about who his Angel is, and her discovering which of the men in her life she loves enough to marry.
If you like Italy,if you like clean romances,...you'll probably enjoy this book.
Another disclaimer: I don't normally read romance novels, even the kind that don't come from Harlequin.
That being said, I did enjoy the story of the book. I feel like Swinton did a good job of making the characters likable and giving me enough detail to make them mostly believable. (Except, perhaps, the actions of Francesca, who does things I can't imagine a mother doing, but there is one page that shows glimpses into her reasons that might have been interesting to read more of.)
Antonio sees the woman of his dreams and experiences "Love at First Sight." Then she is immediately struck by a motorcycle and becomes an amnesiac. They spend the rest of the book learning about who his Angel is, and her discovering which of the men in her life she loves enough to marry.
If you like Italy,if you like clean romances,...you'll probably enjoy this book.
November 14, 2018
Epic Chic Lit Romance
This is an awesome book! It is quite long which only means the reader gets more detail, more insight and more time to absorb the story. The plot is wonderful and is masterfully executed. It is quite unusual in that the reader can't guess the final outcome until the very end of the story. And yet, the journey was exceptional. The characters are fantastic. All are totally believable. One of the things I really appreciated about the book is that there is no epilogue to neatly tie up all the loose ends. It is up to the reader to ponder and decide. I have read many of this author's books and each is better than the last. I am not sure how she could top this book. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
This is an awesome book! It is quite long which only means the reader gets more detail, more insight and more time to absorb the story. The plot is wonderful and is masterfully executed. It is quite unusual in that the reader can't guess the final outcome until the very end of the story. And yet, the journey was exceptional. The characters are fantastic. All are totally believable. One of the things I really appreciated about the book is that there is no epilogue to neatly tie up all the loose ends. It is up to the reader to ponder and decide. I have read many of this author's books and each is better than the last. I am not sure how she could top this book. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
December 6, 2020
I'm not an Opera Lover, But Loved this Story
I really thought Lisa Swinton did an excellent job in drawing the characters in the story. Not quite sure if an Italian doctor would allow a stranger spend so much time with a patient, but I suspended my judgement as I read. A three way love story, and a woman who has amnesia. Quite a combination. Oh and a 18 Year old sister who knows a lot of things. Great story.
I really thought Lisa Swinton did an excellent job in drawing the characters in the story. Not quite sure if an Italian doctor would allow a stranger spend so much time with a patient, but I suspended my judgement as I read. A three way love story, and a woman who has amnesia. Quite a combination. Oh and a 18 Year old sister who knows a lot of things. Great story.
November 27, 2018
This is not your typical romance story, but it was compelling and you have to read to find out how it's going to turn out. Antonio and Renatta are great characters. It would have been good to know exactly what happened with Renatta's mother to know why she acted as she did. I appreciate that it was a clean read.
September 15, 2017
Great Read
This was a sweet love story. The character of Antonio came to life off the pages and made the story enjoyable.
This was a sweet love story. The character of Antonio came to life off the pages and made the story enjoyable.
October 7, 2018
Stunningly written. This book will capture your heart from the very first page. The storyline is very immersive and the characters are down to earth and lovable. Fantastic book!
November 15, 2018
A good story that is reminiscent of The Vow. It is a sweet, clean romance.
September 11, 2020
Spellbinding
Lots of twists and turns in the story kept you reading until the end. Lisa Swinton will take you on a rollercoaster ride!
Lots of twists and turns in the story kept you reading until the end. Lisa Swinton will take you on a rollercoaster ride!
July 16, 2021
A beautiful tribute to discovering your true self when your past is blurry and future awaits determining.
September 21, 2023
good resading
The drama, characters, the story line was very interesting and kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next!
The drama, characters, the story line was very interesting and kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next!
April 21, 2014
Debuting author, Lisa Swinton, just released her romantic, love-at-first-sight novel, Fallen Angel. Swinton has written a killer opening that, quite literally, makes you wonder if she's killed off the romantic interest on page two. After she grabs your complete attention, she takes readers on a delightful Italian adventure.
Here's the blurb from the back cover:
Antonio does not believe in love at first sight until he sees her fall into a street in Milan and get hit by a motorcycle. Compelled to know if she can return his affection, he becomes Renatta’s hospital volunteer only to learn that the accident erased her memory. Together they must discover her past, present and future. In the way of happily ever after stand her opera career, tyrannical mother, and fiancé. Antonio must win Renatta’s heart before she bends to the will of her mother and marries Marcello. Failure means a lifetime of loneliness, for love at first sight never happens twice.
Swinton pulls from her own life experiences to create an intriguing Italian setting that swirls around the highly competitive world of opera. Swinton's writing style and sentence structure mimic non-English-speakers-speaking English. This interesting element, along with an interspersion of Italian words and locations, cement the reader in the culture, and add a lovely mystique to the book.
The amnesia storyline is not unique, but Swinton adds several story elements that combine to create a unique twist on the theme. The opera element sets up a dramatic family dynamic that threatens the romance budding between the amnesia patient and the man they believe is her hospital volunteer. Likewise, the momentary connection made between Antonio and Renatta before tragedy strikes leaves us rooting for this couple, while we hold our breath, knowing trouble lies ahead.
Swinton has created rich, multi-dimensional characters readers can quickly invest in, but I particularly appreciated that she took the high road, painting Antonio's rival for Renatta's affections, the dashing Marcello, with whom Renatta has shared a rich past, as Antonio's equal in every way, with equal goodness and honor. This decision on the author's part makes the recovering amnesiac's choice not merely a choice between two men, but a choice between the comfort of history, and the excitement of discovery.
Fallen Angel is a self-published book that lacks some editorial polish in places, but these errors did not diminish my enjoyment of the read. The reasons behind the strained dynamics in Renatta's family push the boundaries of believability in the middle of the book, but hang on. Swinton does a very nice job of illustrating the manic reasoning behind the breach in the family, and she ties things up in a satisfying conclusion.
Fallen Angel is a clean read with some sizzle. Adult situations are treated with dignity, but parents may want to read it before handing it off to preteens.
I am very impressed with Lisa Swinton's style, and her ability to build a world that allows her readers to escape their own for a few hours. I recommend Fallen Angel to anyone who enjoys a good romance, and I look forward to her next book which is slated to be released in the coming months.
You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Angel-Li...
About the Author
Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it since. Instead, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a doctor’s wife and mother of two, she occasionally puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater, church choir and teaching the art of singing. In her elusive spare time she enjoys researching her family tree and baking (especially with chocolate). She loves to travel, Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer
Social Media Links:
http://lisaswinton.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaSw... http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HXNXDCO
Rafflecopter Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 28, 2014
Sweet Romantic Story!
Lisa Swinton has written a sweet romantic story set in Milan, Italy. The engaging characters, intriguing family situations, and the foreign setting all combine to make this an enjoyable read.
Antonio is a sweet, likeable guy who doesn't quite believe in the love-at-first-site story his mom tells of her relationship with his father. That is, until he sees a beautiful gelato-slurping woman across the street. Alas, however, they are not to meet yet as she promptly gets struck by a motorcycle, is whisked off to the hospital, and wakes up not knowing who she (or anyone else) is. Luckily, Antonio is there to describe what her lovely face looked like before the accident to a police sketch artist, which helps to locate her family. Also lucky for her, Antonio commits to volunteering for her care and rehabilitation.
He has an ulterior motive, however, and that is to see if she will fall in love with him as he has fallen for her, before her family intervenes and takes her back to her posh life. As her memory returns, Renatta finds that she is not the same person she was before the accident and she is not willing to blindly follow all that her mother has decided for her future, including marriage to the rich and handsome Marcello.
I enjoyed the depth of the characters that Swinton created in this story. Although one would like to mistrust playboy Stefano, dislike pushy Marcello, and hate Renatta's controlling mother, Swinton has made them complex enough to show their likeable, or at least vulnerable, sides.
The setting and interspersed Italian words made me long to visit Milan; I could almost taste the gelato that Renatta so enjoyed throughout the story. I'd recommend this sweet story to anyone who likes romance and yearns for love to triumph over expediency.
Lisa Swinton has written a sweet romantic story set in Milan, Italy. The engaging characters, intriguing family situations, and the foreign setting all combine to make this an enjoyable read.
Antonio is a sweet, likeable guy who doesn't quite believe in the love-at-first-site story his mom tells of her relationship with his father. That is, until he sees a beautiful gelato-slurping woman across the street. Alas, however, they are not to meet yet as she promptly gets struck by a motorcycle, is whisked off to the hospital, and wakes up not knowing who she (or anyone else) is. Luckily, Antonio is there to describe what her lovely face looked like before the accident to a police sketch artist, which helps to locate her family. Also lucky for her, Antonio commits to volunteering for her care and rehabilitation.
He has an ulterior motive, however, and that is to see if she will fall in love with him as he has fallen for her, before her family intervenes and takes her back to her posh life. As her memory returns, Renatta finds that she is not the same person she was before the accident and she is not willing to blindly follow all that her mother has decided for her future, including marriage to the rich and handsome Marcello.
I enjoyed the depth of the characters that Swinton created in this story. Although one would like to mistrust playboy Stefano, dislike pushy Marcello, and hate Renatta's controlling mother, Swinton has made them complex enough to show their likeable, or at least vulnerable, sides.
The setting and interspersed Italian words made me long to visit Milan; I could almost taste the gelato that Renatta so enjoyed throughout the story. I'd recommend this sweet story to anyone who likes romance and yearns for love to triumph over expediency.
May 31, 2014
I read this book because it was recommended by another author, one whose book I didn't love. That should have been an indicator, but I ignored it. And then it was free from the Amazon Prime Lending Library. I figured, What the heck? I was in the mood for a silly romance anyway. Well, silly it was. Actually it really was like a bad Hallmark movie. Oh, how I love Hallmark movies. But sometimes they're so bad that I watch it in fast forward (literally) all the way to the end. I couldn't do that with a book, and for some reason I felt the need to read the entire thing. It started out way over the top cheesy with this guy falling in love at first sight. And it gets worse from there. Besides the ridiculous plot, there were little things like how they always ate pasta. Every day. Always pasta. And they were always "shoveling" or "attacking" their food. I do believe there are other adjectives that describe the process of eating. And Antonio had this habit of "brushing" her lips with a kiss. How do you even do that? Oh, and do Italians never use contractions? Sigh ... But it wasn't completely awful. It was "ok."
August 22, 2014
If you love a good clean romance with a touch of mystery and true to life Italian storyline then make this book your next read! So many romance novels today are easily anticipated and unsurprising, not this masterpiece by Lisa Swinton. This book will definitely make you contemplate the relationships between main character, Renatta, and her two love interests, Antonio and Marcello, where you’ll be motivated for different reasons at hoping for the love to blossom into a lasting relationship in both situations.
As an avid reader I found myself easily captivated at how Swinton takes what could be a tedious and sometimes sentimental subject and turns it into a delightfully balanced narrative of how charm, intrigue, romance, mystery and family dynamics can quickly become a well-rounded novel that makes you wish you could experience Italy and the characters long after the final page is turned. This book was a pleasurable read with unexpected twists and turns which made it apparent that a lot of exploration went into making this novel one of the best I’ve read!
~The Book Stalker Reviewed
As an avid reader I found myself easily captivated at how Swinton takes what could be a tedious and sometimes sentimental subject and turns it into a delightfully balanced narrative of how charm, intrigue, romance, mystery and family dynamics can quickly become a well-rounded novel that makes you wish you could experience Italy and the characters long after the final page is turned. This book was a pleasurable read with unexpected twists and turns which made it apparent that a lot of exploration went into making this novel one of the best I’ve read!
~The Book Stalker Reviewed
March 14, 2016
Sweet read!
Sweet, clean romance. Check!
Adorable Italian accents. Check!
Like The Vow, only better. Double check!
Antonio is a deep, introspective guy. Renatta is the perfect patient, and Antonio is the doting "volunteer." Too bad Renatta's family is messed up and controlling. Secrets roll out, and Antonio's chances to hold on to his love-at-first-sight seem ever more hopeless.
Antonio is like a wise old save. He constantly quips great one-liners.
The writing unfolds so beautifully, I feel like I stepped into a well-crafted dream. I love how Renatta's name wasn't reveled to her until halfway through the novel. It made such a significant impact on who she was and how the reader sees her. Brilliant!
A lovable read for those wanting to watch the innocence of love blossom and to remember again what it felt like to fall in love.
Sweet, clean romance. Check!
Adorable Italian accents. Check!
Like The Vow, only better. Double check!
Antonio is a deep, introspective guy. Renatta is the perfect patient, and Antonio is the doting "volunteer." Too bad Renatta's family is messed up and controlling. Secrets roll out, and Antonio's chances to hold on to his love-at-first-sight seem ever more hopeless.
Antonio is like a wise old save. He constantly quips great one-liners.
The writing unfolds so beautifully, I feel like I stepped into a well-crafted dream. I love how Renatta's name wasn't reveled to her until halfway through the novel. It made such a significant impact on who she was and how the reader sees her. Brilliant!
A lovable read for those wanting to watch the innocence of love blossom and to remember again what it felt like to fall in love.
October 20, 2020
Lisa Swinton's Fallen Angel captured my interest from the first page. This story is beautifully crafted. There is the love at first sight trope, then a horrific accident that results in Renatta's amnesia, Renatta's whole dysfunctional family, her two suitors, and more. Italy is almost another character in this book. I love that the accident allowed Renatta to learn to truly stand up for herslf. The side story of Chiara and Stefano just added to this amazing story. I loved that the sketch artist was himself a semi-famous artist. There is just so much that is wonderful about this book I could not put it down. You will not want to miss it.
March 10, 2014
This was a fun read and I enjoyed the story a lot. It had romance and a bit of mystery. Antonio witnesses his angel get hit by a motorcycle and he decides to volunteer at the hospital to get to know her better. The problem is she has amnesia and has no ID. As he volunteers he learns who she is and with the help from her sister they piece together her past. The job for Antonio is to build on the present and see if they can develop a future with family that has control issues.
November 3, 2014
I was drawn to the amnesia angle of the story but I just cannot get into the story despite good efforts. I feel like I'm reading a bad Italian-to-English translation. The writing, particularly the dialog, does not flow--it is choppy--and I cannot figure out what the problem is. Maybe it is a bad translation?! I have now come to the point in the story where it talks about the sister-whose-name-cannot-be-mentioned. I have read 25% of the Kindle book and I am just not enjoying it.
September 29, 2014
I picked this up because Lisa is a good friend of mine, so I HAD to read this book that she spent so much time on. I love Italy. I love Music. I love a good love story. How could I not love this book?!?! I think for a debut novel, this one is great. The beginning felt a little choppy to me, but by the middle Lisa really got into her writing groove. By the end I didn't want to put it down.
March 30, 2015
The story moved to slow for me.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews