Sunday, July 20, 2014

"The Lost Catacomb" by Shifra Hochberg

GIVEAWAY
The Lost Catacomb
by Shifra Hochberg


The Lost Catacomb is currently on tour with GMTA Publishing. The tour stops here today for a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.


Description
An intoxicating blend of Vatican thriller and heart-rending love story, The Lost Catacomb is a stunning debut novel set against the backdrop of the Holocaust in Italy. At its heart is Nicola Page, a beautiful young art historian who flies to Rome to assess a newly discovered catacomb of enigmatic provenance. Its magnificent frescoes hold the clues to a centuries-old murder and the existence of a fabled treasure from the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
Assisted by a handsome Italian archaeologist, Nicola is quickly drawn into a tangled web of intrigue and peril, masterminded by a powerful priest who is determined to destroy those who would reveal the dark secrets of the past. And as Nicola uncovers layer after layer of this deadly past, she is brought face to face with shocking facts about her own family history - facts that will forever change the course of her life.

Featured Review
The Lost Catacomb is a fascinating novel filled with mystery and intrigue. The thick plot is wildly twisted and intensely gripping, which keeps readers on edge until the end.
After losing both parents at a young age, Nicola was raised by her grandparents. When he grandfather passes, Nicola's only living relative, that she is aware of, is her grandmother, Elena. However, Nicola's Italian heritage has been shrouded in darkness her entire life and now more than ever she desires to know who she really is. With the discovery of a mysterious catacomb in Rome, Nicola, an art historian, is asked to assist an Italian archaeologist uncover the truth about the puzzling find, but Nicola ends up uncovering more than she's bargained for. Nicola delves deeper into the past and is stunned, not only by the catacomb, but by her own family's secrets. As the truth becomes more clear, Nicola realizes she may face the same tragic fate as those from the past. Now, Nicola has all the pieces to the puzzle, but can she escape with her life?
The Lost Catacomb is eloquently written. The author's vast knowledge of Jewish and Catholic religions and traditions as well as the fascist involvement in Italy is evident which allows her to create a story that is well-articulated and believable. The characters are also well-developed, Nicola in particular is easily likable and I found myself sympathizing with her and longing for her to find all the answers she is seeking. The way so many lives are intertwined in past and present adds to the mystery and is completely engrossing.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Lost Catacomb.

About the Author
Shifra Hochberg has a Ph.D. in English Literature from New York University and teaches at Ariel University in Israel. She has published 20 academic essays and is currently writing another novel, this time set in France.





Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win an ebook copy of The Lost Catacomb by Shifra Hochberg.


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