Daughter of Genoa: An Epic WWII Romance, Based on a True Story

Set in 1940s Italy during World War II, this novel follows Anna, a young woman whose family fled to America years earlier to escape Fascism. Anna remained behind and, living in fear of discovery, meets Father Vittorio, a Jesuit priest who introduces her to Bernardo and Silvia, a shopkeeper couple offering shelter. Anna learns that this quiet couple is part of a network helping Father Vittorio smuggle Jewish citizens—stripped of their rights under the Racial Laws—out of Italy. Using her skills in ledgers and forgery from her former work, Anna begins producing fake identity cards for the operation. Working in secrecy and using assumed names, she meets another operative known as Mr. X., whom she recognizes as Massimo Teglio, a wealthy aviator. Despite the constant danger of imprisonment, torture, and death, Anna and Massimo fall in love. Based on the true story of DELASEM, the Delegation for the Assistance of Jewish Emigrants, the novel examines ordinary people working to save lives from concentration camps during this period of Italian history.