Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Vincent B. "Chip" Lococo on A SONG FOR BELLAFORTUNA

This week, we're pleased to welcome author VINCENT LOCOCO with his latest release, A SONG FOR BELLAFORTUNA. One lucky visitor will get a free copy of A Song for Bellafortuna. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments of today's author interview for a chance to win. Winner(s) are contacted privately by email. Here's the blurb.

A Song for Bellafortuna is an inspirational Italian Historical Fiction novel concerning a young man’s desire to free his Sicilian village from the domination of one family’s long reign. For years, the beautiful, yet secluded, hilltop village of Bellafortuna, Sicily, was a great producer of wine and olive oil. The entire village prospered. However, after the arrival of the Vasaio family, production dwindles and the villagers soon find themselves in crushing debt to the Vasaios. Only one family in the village remains outside the control of the Vasaios, but the reason haunts Antonio Sanguinetti every day of his life. Antonio is determined to erase this legacy by offering financial and emotional support to his fellow villagers. He introduces them to the choral song from Verdi’s opera, Nabucco, which becomes the rallying cry for the villagers and offers them hope for a better life.

When Antonio’s only son, Giuseppe, discovers his family’s past, he becomes determined to take on the Vasaios and remove them from power. Led by the young Giuseppe, a plan is hatched that could result in either complete freedom for the villagers, or if it fails, forever solidifying the Vasaios’ control.

Find out what happens in A Song for Bellafortuna, a sweeping epic historical fiction tale of love, drama, sacrifice, and redemption, set among the beautiful landscape of Sicily.

 NAMED A SHORT LIST FINALIST IN THE WILLIAM FAULKNER-WILLIAM WISDOM WRITING COMPETITION

LISTED BY AMAZON AS A HOT NEW RELEASE IN ITALIAN HISTORICAL FICTION 

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR A SONG FOR BELLAFORTUNA

The novel has been called lyrical, intelligent, majestic, magical, powerful and compelling. Here are some advance reviews.

“Vincent B. LoCoco writes a heartwarming piece of historical fiction . . . He captured the essence of the Sicilian culture, especially regarding the value of ancestry and music . . . A Song For Bellafortuna is a beautiful tale of antiquity."

– Readers Favorite 5 Star Review

"The book was a joy to read. It is a wonderful story, told in a magical way.”

-Cavaliere Ufficiale Aldo Mancusi, President of the Enrico Caruso Museum of America in New York

"An inspiring story of an Italian village threatened by commerce and saved by opera."

-John Biguenet, author of The Torturer’s Apprentice and Oyster

**Q&A with Vincent B. "Chip" Lococo**

We are joined today by New Orleans writer, Vincent B. “Chip” LoCoco. Welcome. I have a few questions today that I think our readers would love to know about you and your work. Here we go.

Please give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline:

The title of my new book is A Song for Bellafortuna. A Song for Bellafortuna is an inspirational Italian Historical Fiction novel concerning a young man’s desire to free his Sicilian village from the domination of one family’s long reign. For years, the beautiful, yet secluded, hilltop village of Bellafortuna, Sicily, was a great producer of wine and olive oil. The entire village prospered. However, after the arrival of the Vasaio family, production dwindles and the villagers soon find themselves in crushing debt to the Vasaios. Only young Giuseppe Sanguinetti has the courage to face the Vasaios and try to remove them from power.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

Bellafortuna is a fictional village located in the hills of Sicily. I always knew I wanted a cover that screamed Sicily. Ana Grigoriu of Stuttgart Germany designed the cover. She was wonderful to work with on this project. She came by way of a recommendation and I could not have been more pleased. The villagers produce wine so not only did it have to be a village but it also needed vineyards. She captured the entire feel with the photo she picked.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

That is such a hard question to answer. Of course, Giuseppe Sanguinetti is the protagonist, and the character I thought most about during the course of writing. However, his father, Antonio, is the one character who I really would say is my favorite. Without giving too much away, let’s just say his love for his son in unending, and he could not stand to see his son fail.

How can we contact you or find out more about your books?

The best way to contact me is by way of my website. www.vincentlococo.com. There you can sign up to get updates, news, blog entries, giveaways and keep up with my other novel, Tempesta’s Dream – A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera about an aspiring opera singer growing up in Milan.

Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?

I am always asked this question, and my answer never changes. J.R.R. Tolkien was the one. He inspired me to love to read, to love the concept of “a story”, to get lost in a created world, and to love great storytelling. All of those things had an impact on my writing. When I think of an author, I think of him.

Any writing rituals?

After two novels, I have become known as an Italian Historical Fiction writer. That does seem appropriate as before I was even given that moniker, my writing ritual always involved earplugs in my ear usually listening to the great opera arias sung by the world greatest singers, di Stefano, Pavarotti, Domingo, Gigli, Callas, Tebaldi, etc. If that does not put you into an Italian romantic vein, then nothing will.

Do you meet your readers at book signings, conventions, or similar events?

I do and I really enjoy meeting them. I have also been asked to give talks about my novel. I will admit I can’t stand just standing in front of an audience and reading from my novel. My books are released as Audiobooks with professional narration. Bob Neufeld, my reader, does a much better job reading my book then I ever could. So instead, I now discuss the book in the broader text of Italy and music, which is a vital component of my novels. Of course, I have musical selections played and the audience has a wonderful time learning about different locals and listening to the wonderful music. Throw in a bottle of Chianti, and it’s as if you have been transported to Italy.

Well, it’s been a pleasure. Thanks for having me. Ciao.

  

About the Author

Award winning and bestselling author, Vincent B. "Chip" LoCoco, lives in New Orleans. His first novel, Tempesta's Dream - A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera, became an Amazon bestselling novel and was awarded the 2014 Pinnacle Achievement Award in Historical Fiction. Amazon also has named his book as a Top Rated Novel in Italian Historical Fiction. His most recent novel, A Song for Bellafortuna, was shortlisted in the William Faulkner - William Wisdom Competition. He is an estate planning attorney in New Orleans, where he lives with his wife and two children. Visit him at www.vincentlococo.com.

  

Website: www.vincentlococo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tempestasdream

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7304206.Vincent_B_Chip_LoCoco

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Song-Bellafortuna-Inspirational-Italian-Historical-ebook/dp/B00U8ZYF2Q/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VincentBLoCoco

Excerpt Thursday: A SONG FOR BELLAFORTUNA by Vincent B. "Chip" Lococo

This week, we're pleased to welcome author VINCENT LOCOCO with his latest release, A SONG FOR BELLAFORTUNA. Join us again on Sunday for an author interview, with more details about the story behind the story. One lucky visitor will get a free copy of A Song for Bellafortuna. Be sure to leave your email address in the comments of today's post or Sunday's author interview for a chance to win. Winner(s) are contacted privately by email. Here's the blurb.

A Song for Bellafortuna is an inspirational Italian Historical Fiction novel concerning a young man’s desire to free his Sicilian village from the domination of one family’s long reign. For years, the beautiful, yet secluded, hilltop village of Bellafortuna, Sicily, was a great producer of wine and olive oil. The entire village prospered. However, after the arrival of the Vasaio family, production dwindles and the villagers soon find themselves in crushing debt to the Vasaios. Only one family in the village remains outside the control of the Vasaios, but the reason haunts Antonio Sanguinetti every day of his life. Antonio is determined to erase this legacy by offering financial and emotional support to his fellow villagers. He introduces them to the choral song from Verdi’s opera, Nabucco, which becomes the rallying cry for the villagers and offers them hope for a better life.

When Antonio’s only son, Giuseppe, discovers his family’s past, he becomes determined to take on the Vasaios and remove them from power. Led by the young Giuseppe, a plan is hatched that could result in either complete freedom for the villagers, or if it fails, forever solidifying the Vasaios’ control.

Find out what happens in A Song for Bellafortuna, a sweeping epic historical fiction tale of love, drama, sacrifice, and redemption, set among the beautiful landscape of Sicily.

 NAMED A SHORT LIST FINALIST IN THE WILLIAM FAULKNER-WILLIAM WISDOM WRITING COMPETITION

LISTED BY AMAZON AS A HOT NEW RELEASE IN ITALIAN HISTORICAL FICTION 

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR A SONG FOR BELLAFORTUNA

The novel has been called lyrical, intelligent, majestic, magical, powerful and compelling. Here are some advance reviews.

“Vincent B. LoCoco writes a heartwarming piece of historical fiction . . . He captured the essence of the Sicilian culture, especially regarding the value of ancestry and music . . . A Song For Bellafortuna is a beautiful tale of antiquity."

– Readers Favorite 5 Star Review

"The book was a joy to read. It is a wonderful story, told in a magical way.”

-Cavaliere Ufficiale Aldo Mancusi, President of the Enrico Caruso Museum of America in New York

"An inspiring story of an Italian village threatened by commerce and saved by opera."

-John Biguenet, author of The Torturer’s Apprentice and Oyster

**An Excerpt from A Song for Bellafortuna**

Chapter 22

The Meeting

  

Vittelio stood up from behind his desk and walked over to the fireplace. Leaning against the mantle, he lit a cigar he had pulled from a gold box that was sitting above the fireplace.  As he did so, he looked up at the picture of Alessandro. He then turned back to Giuseppe and said, “You are just like the rest of the villagers. Do you not realize what my family has meant to this village? Do you, of all people, not realize what my family has meant to your family? Without us, the Sanguinetti wine store would be selling vinegar. We have given your family a life here in the village. Yet, your grandfather turned his back on us. He walked back into the open arms of his fellow villagers and disrespected us. Now, your father walks around this village, stirring trouble with his concerts. Who does he think he is? Why does he think he is so important? Pretending that the Sanguinetti family knows Enrico Caruso. Playing Caruso records all day long. Selling his wine in a store that we deserve the credit for its success. Your father is nothing.”

Santo looked mortified at his father’s words. Giuseppe had heard enough. He stood up from his chair and replied, “It is you who are nothing, you, Signor. You are probably correct. Without your family, the wine store would not be as successful as it is. However, if it were not for my grandfather coming to his senses and walking away from your family, then his soul would not have been saved. He rectified his life. He tried to make it up to his fellow villagers. They accepted him back. You say my father is a nothing. At least when he dies, people will show their love for him at his funeral.”

Vittelio’s eyes flashed with anger as he said, “You little bastard! How dare you speak to me that way!”

Santo stood up from his seat and put his hands out in front of him and shook them, while he said, “Aspetta, Papa. I was the one who asked Giuseppe here. I arranged this meeting. I thought you wanted to hear their proposal. I thought you would be receptive to the idea. This is my doing. Do not take it out on Giuseppe.” One could feel the tension in the room subside as the gentle voice of Santo echoed off the walls.

Vittelio walked back to his chair. “Mi scusi. Sedete, Giuseppe.”

“Aspetto,” Giuseppe said antagonistically. Santo stood next to him.

“Fine. Let us speak to each other as friends. You come to me with a proposal. I have listened. Because of the lack of respect for my family by the villagers, I have given you the reasons why the proposal is preposterous. Yet, I know my son disagrees with me and thinks I should give in. He thinks the time has come to change. Because of him I will agree with this proposal with a condition.”

Giuseppe, surprised, asked, “What is that?”

“I will let you know my reasons up front for this condition. You had the gall to come here and approach me with this ridiculous proposal. The reason you could do this is because of your feeling that somehow I cannot touch your family and that I have no control over you. There was once a family who lived here who felt the same way with my ancestors.”

Vittelio turned toward the window and looked at the statue of Enzo Boccale. He turned back to Giuseppe, saying, “They were wrong.”

“What are you saying, Signor Vasaio?”

“It’s time your family gets put in its place. I will agree to the proposal but it will be wholly conditioned on one thing and only one thing. If you can pull it off, you will be a hero in the village. Fail, and you and your father will be the reason why the proposal failed.”

“What is the condition?”

Vittelio said, “As I’m sure you are aware, since you and your father supposedly know him so well, Enrico Caruso is coming to Palermo the last weekend in July to receive an honor. Every July 28th, the Festival Boccale is held out in the Piazza in Bellafortuna in remembrance of Enzo Boccale. Every year, there is a concert. If you can get Enrico Caruso to come sing one aria on the concert stage, I will agree to the proposal.”

Santo said, “Papa, that’s not realistic. You’re just trying to embarrass them.”

As Santo continued to speak on Giuseppe’s behalf, young Sanguinetti stood with his head bowed. His mind was racing. He thought back to the night he met Caruso in Milan so many years ago and the words Caruso had told him: “If you ever need me, please feel free to call me.” Maybe, just maybe, Giuseppe could pull it off. He could write to Caruso and get him to come; after all, the great tenor would be in nearby Palermo. He would just have to start writing letters to him early. During the summer, Caruso always returned to Italy. He could write to him in the early part of the summer in Italy and ask him to come to Bellafortuna while in Palermo. He could even write to him now in New York and let Caruso know about it early on. He would remind Caruso of that meeting many years ago. What did Giuseppe have to lose? His fellow villagers would be no worse off if he failed. Vittelio didn’t understand these people. They wouldn’t blame Giuseppe. They would thank him for trying.

With Santo still speaking, Giuseppe, realizing he had much to gain and little to lose, picked his head up and said, “Signor Vittelio, Caruso will come. You have a deal.”

Santo said, “Giuseppe, you…”

Giuseppe cut him off, “Santo. It’s fine. He will come and the village will find glory once again.”

  

About the Author

Award winning and bestselling author, Vincent B. "Chip" LoCoco, lives in New Orleans. His first novel, Tempesta's Dream - A Story of Love, Friendship and Opera, became an Amazon bestselling novel and was awarded the 2014 Pinnacle Achievement Award in Historical Fiction. Amazon also has named his book as a Top Rated Novel in Italian Historical Fiction. His most recent novel, A Song for Bellafortuna, was shortlisted in the William Faulkner - William Wisdom Competition. He is an estate planning attorney in New Orleans, where he lives with his wife and two children. Visit him at www.vincentlococo.com.

  

Website: www.vincentlococo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tempestasdream

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7304206.Vincent_B_Chip_LoCoco

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Song-Bellafortuna-Inspirational-Italian-Historical-ebook/dp/B00U8ZYF2Q/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VincentBLoCoco

Expansion & Invasion: The Normans

By Lisa Yarde

During the Viking Age, the spirit of conquest and expansion beyond Scandinavia gave birth to a new race of warriors--the Normans. From their base in northern France, a region called Normandy, they expanded their influence and control into the British Isles and the Mediterranean with bloodied swords.

Beginning in 820, Scandinavian raiders penetrated the northern Frankish kingdom, sacking Rouen and besieging Paris. After decades of repeated incursions, a new leader emerged named Hrolfr Ragnvaldsson known as "the Ganger" who set his sights on the Frankish territory. Born on the Norwegian island of Giske to Jarl Rognvald the Wise of More in about 860, Hrolfr descended from lone of the oldest ruling families in Norway, one which would come to control the Earldom of Orkney. Clearly, ambition ran in the family. Hrolfr did not want the usual bribes, loot and plunder; he intended to stay and establish holdings in the beleaguered kingdom.

In 887, he carved out territory and settled his people in the lower Seine region. Twenty-four years later in 911, King Charles the Simple of France concluded a treaty with Hrolfr at Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, conceding the territory the Viking leader had held for so long. In return, the Viking leader promised to protect the land against other Scandinavia raiders. Hrolfr, now baptized Rollo / Robert became the first Count of Normandy.

By the custom of hand-fasting he wed Poppa, daughter of the Count of Bayeux after killing her father Berenger and fathered at least fourteen children during his marriage with her. He also married the daughter of Charles the Simple, Giselle but had no heirs by her. He built fortifications at Bayeux, Brionne, Bessin and Maine, and his followers also married Frankish women and took local concubines. When he died in 933, the Normans were in complete control of northern France from the outskirts of Brittany to the coast of Flanders. In 1911, on the thousandth anniversary of the treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, France erected statues of its first Viking leader, like the one shown here at Falaise.

Statue of Hrolfr the Ganger / Count Rollo at Falaise, Normandy
Despite the next two centuries of intermarriage between the native Frankish people and the Scandinavians, and their acceptance of Christianity, their Norman descendants yearned to expand their territory and control. Hrolfr's heirs added the Contentin and Avranchin and Richard II became first to style himself Duke of Normandy. The warlike tendencies of their ancestors led to bitter struggles among the Normans. In 1017, when Richard exiled Osmond for killing one of the Duke's relatives, he raised a band of more than 200 warriors and journeyed to Italy. Osmond's brother Rainulf became the first count of Aversa, north of Naples.

In 1035 Rainulf struggled to hold his land against Byzantine interests and appealed to his fellow Normans. Two of the twelve sons of Tancred de Hauteville, William and Drogo answered the call. William won the nickname "Iron Arm" by killing a Muslim ruler at the siege of Syracuse, in southern Italy. He became Count of Apulia. His brother Drogo succeeded him. From their bases in Italy, the Normans wrested control of Sicily and Malta from the Muslims, and established the kingdom of Sicily which existed until 1194.

Statue of William II, last Norman king of Sicily
In 1066, Hrolfr's great-great-great grandson William the Conqueror set his sights upon an even greater conquest than in the Mediterranean; rule of England. The Vikings had raided along the English coast for at least 50 years before they began terrorizing the Frankish domain. From early on, they also expressed a strong intent to remain in the lands they raided.

After the Battle of Edington in 878, the Danish Viking leader Guthrum the Old wanted to settle peaceably in England. By treaty with King Alfred the Great in 886, Guthrum achieved his wish in the establishment of the Danelaw, territory stretching from Northumbria and East Anglia to the eastern coast. Two centuries later, Duke William of Normandy married Matilda of Flanders, a descendant of the King Alfred and consolidated his power. The English king Edward the Confessor was half-Norman by his mother Emma and he held the Normans at his court in high favor.

When he died, his Anglo-Danish in-laws, the Godwinsons, under Harold seized the throne. William claimed that two years before, Harold had sworn an oath recognizing Edward's offer of the English crown to the Norman Duke. In the autumn of 1066, William sailed to England and his followers ravaged the English coastal towns, daring a response from Harold. The King marched his army south, just after defeated a Viking invasion from the north at Stamford Bridge. So it was that an Anglo-Danish ruler met the Norman Duke, himself descended from a long line of Viking seafarers, but Harold lost England and his life at the Battle of Hastings.

Bayeux Tapestry, depicting Duke William and his Norman retainers
With their rise to power, the Normans imposed feudalism and dynamically changed the political power structure and culture of very domain they conquered.