The Last Masterpiece

Paolo Moretti had been her first love, the best memory from a magical summer at her grandparents’ Italian villa. They had parted pledging their eternal love.

Time intervened. Lucia became a journalist; Paolo, a recognized artist. His last note, three years earlier, included a photo with his fiancé, Rosalia. Lucia prayed for his happiness. Her own marriage had already disintegrated.

When an assignment on recent art thefts takes her to Italy, she decides to visit Paolo. She finds him in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the neck down. Rosalia has abandoned him and he can no longer paint. His mother begs her to stay with them and lift his spirits.

Her investigation uncovers links to Rosalia and Lucia suspects that Paolo’s injury was not accidental. Her job becomes dangerous and so do her emotions, as old feelings rekindle.

What future can she have with a dying man?

Book Blurb Friday is hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro, who posts a weekly photo and challenges us to “write a book jacket blurb (150 words or less) so enticing that potential readers would feel compelled to buy the book.” That’s quite a challenge, but it’s a lot of fun as well. Click on the image at the left to read more blurbs or enter one of your own.
This week’s blurb has 148 words.