Those Blue Tuscan Skies
By
Copyright
THOSE BLUE TUSCAN SKIES
© 2020 by Marion Clair Ueckermann
A Romance for Rose Copyright © 2018 Marion Ueckermann
That’s Amore Copyright © 2018 Marion Ueckermann
Ti Amo Copyright © 2018 by Marion Ueckermann
These books are works of fiction set in real locations. Any reference to historical or contemporary figures, places, or events, whether fictional or actual, is a fictional representation. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of these books may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Box Set Cover Design by Marion Ueckermann Copyright © 2019 Marion Ueckermann
Contact Information: marion.ueckermann@gmail.com
Cover Image ID 141117580 purchased from Depositphotos © Juripozzi
Scene Breaker Sunflower ID 76249464 Adobe Stock © Cobalt
eBook Edition January 2020
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Contents
Copyright
Newsletter
Contents
Introduction
Family Tree
A Romance for Rose
Copyright
Praise for A Romance for Rose
Dear Reader
Dedication
Glossary
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
That’s Amore (That’s Love)
Copyright
Dear Reader
Praise for That’s Amore
Dedication
Glossary
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Acknowledgments
Ti Amo (I Love You)
Copyright
Dear Reader
Praise for Ti Amo
Dedication
Glossary
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Acknowledgments
Thank You for Reading!
About Marion Ueckermann
Titles by Marion Ueckermann
Introduction
BOOK 1 ~ A ROMANCE FOR ROSE
Seven Suitors for Seven Sisters Book 2
Rose Blume has a secret, and she’s kept it for six long years. It’s the reason she’s convinced herself she’ll have to find her joy making wedding dresses, and not wearing one.
Fashion design icon Joseph Digiavoni crosses paths with Rose for the first time since their summer romance in Florence years before, and all the old feelings for her come rushing back. Not that they ever really left. He’s lived with her image since she returned to England.
Joseph and Rose are plunged into working together on the wedding outfits for the upcoming Rathbone / Blume wedding. His top client is marrying Rose’s sister. But will this task prove too difficult, especially when Joseph is anxious for Rose to admit why she broke up with him in Italy and what she’d done in the months that followed?
One person holds the key to happiness for them all, if only Rose and Joseph trusted that the truth would set them free. When they finally do bare their secrets, who has the most to forgive?
BOOK 2 ~ THAT’S AMORE
A Tuscan Legacy Book 1
When Rafaele and Jayne meet again two years after dancing the night away together in Tuscany, is it a matter of fate or of faith?
After deciding to take a six-month sabbatical, Italian lawyer Rafaele Rossi moves from Florence back to Villa Rossi in the middle of Tuscany, resigned to managing the family farm for his aging nonna after his father’s passing. Convinced a family get-together is what Nonna needs to lift her spirits, he plans an eightieth birthday party for her, making sure his siblings and cousins attend.
The Keswick jewelry store where Jayne Austin has worked for seven years closes its doors. Jayne takes her generous severance pay and heads off to Italy—Tuscany to be precise. Choosing to leave her fate in God’s hands, she prays she’ll miraculously bump into the handsome best man she’d danced the night away with at a friend’s Tuscan wedding two years ago. She hasn’t been able to forget those smoldering brown eyes and that rich Italian accent.
Jayne’s prayers are answered swiftly and in the most unexpected way. Before she knows what’s happening, she’s a guest not only at Isabella Rossi’s birthday party, but at Villa Rossi too.
When Rafaele receives what appears to be a valuable painting from an unknown benefactor, he’s reminded that he doesn’t want to lose Jayne again. After what he’s done to drive her from the villa, though, what kind of a commitment will it take for her to stay?
BOOK 3 ~ TI AMO
A Tuscan Legacy Book 4
She never wants to get married. He does. To her.
The day Alessandra Rossi was born, her mammà died, and a loveless life with the father who blamed the newborn for her mother’s death followed. With the help of her oldest brother, Rafaele, Alessa moved away from home the moment she finished school—just like her other siblings had. Now sporting a degree in architectural history and archaeology, Alessa loves her job as a tour guide in the city of Rome—a place where she never fails to draw the attention of men. Not that Alessa cares. Fearing that the man she weds would be anything like her recently deceased father has Alessa vowing to remain single.
American missionary Michael Young has moved to Rome on a two-year mission trip. His temporary future in the country doesn’t stop him from spontaneously joining Alessa’s tour after spotting her outside the Colosseum. And being bold enough to tell her afterward that one day she’d be his wife. God had told him. And he believed Him. But Alessa shows no sign of interest in Michael.
Can anything sway the beautiful and headstrong Italian to fall in love? Can anyone convince her to put her faith and hope in the Heavenly Father, despite being raised by an earthly one who never loved her? Will her sister’s prompting, or a mysterious painting, or Michael himself change Alessa’s mind? About love. And about God.
Family Tree
A Romance for Rose
Seven Suitors for Seven Sisters
Book 2
Rose Blume has a secret, and she’s kept it for six long years. It’s the reason she’s convinced herself she’ll have to find her joy making wedding dresses, and not wearing one.
Fashion design icon Joseph Digiavoni crosses paths with Rose for the first time since
their summer romance in Florence years before, and all the old feelings for her come rushing back. Not that they ever really left. He’s lived with her image since she returned to England.
Joseph and Rose are plunged into working together on the wedding outfits for the upcoming Rathbone / Blume wedding. His top client is marrying Rose’s sister. But will this task prove too difficult, especially when Joseph is anxious for Rose to admit why she broke up with him in Italy and what she’d done in the months that followed?
One person holds the key to happiness for them all, if only Rose and Joseph trusted that the truth would set them free. When they finally do bare their secrets, who has the most to forgive?
Copyright
A ROMANCE FOR ROSE
Seven Suitors for Seven Sisters ~ Book 2
A Heart of England Romance
© 2016 by Marion Clair Ueckermann
This book is a work of fiction set in a real location. Any reference to historical or contemporary figures, places, or events, whether fictional or actual, is a fictional representation. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
eBook editions are licensed for your personal enjoyment only. eBooks may not be re-sold, copied or given away to other people. If you would like to share an eBook edition, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.
Contact Information: marion.ueckermann@gmail.com
Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Cover Art by Marion Ueckermann Copyright © 2016 Marion Ueckermann
www.marionueckermann.net
Cover Image ID 50865509 purchased from 123RF Copyright Dean Drobot
Praise for A Romance for Rose
A Romance for Rose is one of those books that sucks you in, swallows you whole and won't let you go until you've finished the last page. A delightful tale that leaves you wanting more as Rose and Joseph meet again after a break up in less than ideal circumstances.
~ Clare Revell, Author of Turned
Marion has done it again. She has written a delightful romance with wonderful characters and a story line that had me captivated from the first pages. I know when I start one of her books that I am in for a treat, and this one was no exception. Rose and Joseph’s story is a beautiful story of forgiveness from the hurts of the past and of second chances.
~ Ann Lacy Ellison
A Romance for Rose is a wonderful warm wrap-around story that will leave you with a smile on your face and speak to your heart. The settings are lavishly described and as the reader moves from London to Tuscany it feels more like ‘walking’ through the novel than reading it. Experience Marion Ueckermann’s stories today.
~ Julia Wilson, Book Reviewer at Christian Bookaholic
Love, love, love this series! This author has created a wonderful, yet intriguing family, with all their pasts and secrets. Easy to read and captivating! This is another great addition!
~ Becky Smith
Marion Ueckermann’s stories have a way of wiggling right into the soft spot of your heart and making you feel right at home with the characters. A Romance for Rose is refreshing, and the character’s magnetic personalities keep you reading and rooting for the fairytale ending.
~ Renette Steele
Marion Ueckermann is a superb storyteller. Two hearts—Rose and Joseph—both fashion icons, share an unspoken secret. In fields of lavender and the aphorism “the truth will set you free”, Marion seamlessly weaves an alternative to medication for Rose’s panic attacks and the Biblical theme of forgiveness and second chances.
~ Renate Pennington, Retired English, Journalism, Creative Writing High School Teacher
Marion Ueckermann has taken us on another international jaunt as we explore some of the more complicated facets of actions and consequences, regrets and redemption. The skillful interweaving of the tales of the Blume sisters’ romances continues to fascinate.
~ Judith Robl, JR’s Red Quill Editing, Author of As Grandma Says
Marion Ueckermann gives us Book 2 in the Seven Suitors for Seven Sisters series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but reading the series enhances your reading experience. This is a must-read inspirational romance showing God's grace, love, redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. I look forward to the next book in the series.
~ Linda Rainey
I absolutely loved it. Couldn't put it down. This fantastic story made me want to fall in love all over again. It combined haute couture and romance, quite a heady combination for any girl. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
~Nicole Taylor, Christian Romance Author
Marion Ueckermann has given us another wonderful installment in the Seven Suitors for Seven Sisters series. A Romance for Rose, the second book in the series, is a wonderful story of finding forgiveness and love. The two main characters have allowed choices from the past to keep them from experiencing the forgiveness Christ extends to us. Through a simple, straightforward presentation of God's grace that is beautifully woven into the story, the characters and readers are given the opportunity to understand and accept the forgiveness God extends to us through Christ. I eagerly look forward to reading how the remaining sisters find their suitors!
~ Melynda Bonham
Dear Reader
Life is full of second chances, opportunities to make things right. Something you said. Something you did. Someone you hurt. Don’t leave things unsaid, unfinished, undone…one day it might be too late and your chance will pass you by. God’s word says now is the day of salvation. Perhaps it’s the day of a new beginning for you, too. Listen and heed God’s whispers. It is my prayer that Joseph and Rose’s story will remind you of the awesome God behind those second chances, the One who orchestrates new beginnings…just for you, just because He loves you. And the love that whispers begin again, with me—well, it’s simply way beyond amazing!
Be blessed.
Dedication
To Natasha ~
The niece who learned her beauty skills
You watched well.
There was no person more fitting to dedicate this book to—
a beautiful woman, inside and out.
Never change who you are.
Glossary
Betty Boop : One of the best-known and popular cartoon characters in the world
Foolscap : A size of drawing or printing paper, 13.5 × 17 inches (34 × 43 cm) [Chiefly British]
Rocket : Ragu
Serviette : A table napkin [Chiefly British]
Italian:
Arrivederci : Goodbye
Bella Rosa : Beautiful Rose
Buon compleanno : Happy birthday
Ciao : Hello / Goodbye [informal]
Grazie : Thank you
La Mia Bella Signora : My Fair Lady
Madri di misericordia : Mothers of mercy
Magnifico : Magnificent
Mamma : Mom
Mamma mia : Oh my [interjection used to show surprise]
Mia bella Rosa : My beautiful Rose
Milano : Milan
Mio amore : My love
Mio bambino : My baby
Molto bello : Very beautiful
No : No
Nonna : Grandmother
Nonno : Grandfather
Pantaloni : Trousers
Parla Inglese : Speak English
Per favore : Please
Pittura cibo : Food painting
Prego : You are welcome
Scusi : Excuse me
Sono : I am
Troppo bello : Too beautiful
Uhm : Can be used to show one is thinking or to show one’s h
esitation
Urrà : Hooray
Versace : An Italian luxury fashion company
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
~ Proverbs 31:13, 19, 24 (NIV)
Chapter One
in the well-lit workroom of her exclusive London bridal boutique, Rose Blume bent her knees to weave the last pin into the bodice of Lady Melody Hamilton’s wedding gown, taking care not to prick her finger. The slightest drop of blood on the fabric would ruin any chance of the prima donna bride-to-be taking delivery of the dress. And Melody’s mother, The Countess of Hamilton, could tarnish La Mia Bella Signora’s reputation because of one slip of a pin.
Rose started as her cell phone’s signature ringtone—Get Me To The Church on Time—interrupted Melody’s chatter with her mother. The pin burst through the satin and lace, and Rose yanked her hand out of the way. She glanced at the phone lying on the dove-gray carpet where she’d pinned the hem minutes ago.