Award-winning author Sandra Montanino continues to enthrall readers with the dramatic first installment of her Angelina Pirello trilogy, The Weight of Salt: A Gripping Story of Love and Courage. Inspired loosely by Montanino’s paternal grandmother, this compelling novel set in 1906 Florida explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the strength of defiance.
The Weight of Salt follows the life of Angelina Pirello, a bright teenager coming of age amid the fury of the suffragette movement for women’s rights. When her mother dies in childbirth and her father imposes old-world Sicilian rule in their household, Angelina is forced to seek employment in the booming cigar industry, where her father believes they can band together to avoid the Mafia’s violent grip on the Italian community.
But amidst her struggle to survive, Angelina unexpectedly falls in love. Her excitement is crushed when her father arranges her marriage to a man she detests. Caught between the duty of family and a yearning to escape the yoke of her father’s expectations, Angelina must step into an uncertain future with only her wits and a belief in true love to guide her forward into the dark road ahead.
Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys, The Weight of Salt is a breakout adult historical romance with broad crossover appeal. Montanino’s evocative prose and inimitable narrative voice transform Angelina’s innermost feelings into a nearly tangible aura that expertly captures the frustrations of a young girl trapped in a small world.
Readers describe The Weight of Salt as “a poignant family saga” and Midwest Book Review praises Montanino’s ability to seamlessly blend sociology, history, and romance. The Weight of Salt is a noteworthy debut that has garnered critical attention from prestigious organizations. It was a 2021 finalist in the International Book Awards and was honored with the Southern California Writers Conference’s Outstanding Fiction Award.
The Weight of Salt: A Gripping Story of Love and Courage is available for purchase on Amazon.com or wherever books are sold. Sequels are currently in development.
Sandra Montanino lived in three different countries before the age of eight. Being immersed in a variety of rich cultures exposed her to different languages, perspectives, and provincial superstitions. Visit her online at sandramontanino.com. She also comes from a long line of family storytellers. When asked to comment on her work, Montanino often states, “My father used to say that everyone knows something we don’t know, and if we all shared our stories, the world would be a better place.” She lives in Utah with her high school sweetheart and husband, Gennaro Montanino, and their five children.
Media Contact
Company Name: Dabb Media
Contact Person: Charlotte Simmons
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://dabb.media