"Salsini spins a tale of both cruelty and courage and affirms, yet again, the ability of humans to endure."-"Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" "Salsini's beautiful novel of Italy during World War II, peopled with a wide range of characters, deepens our knowledge of both Tuscan hill towns and the terrible effects of war on civilians."-Martha Bergland, author of "A Farm Under a Lake" ""The Cielo" is an unforgettable read. You won't be able to put it down, through tears and smiles, until you reach the very end."-Bookreview.com Ordered by the Germans to evacuate, a group of Italian villagers flees to a farmhouse in the beautiful hills of Tuscany. As the war rages around them, the refugees confront betrayal by one villager, fearlessly house an escaped prisoner, and survive a raid by the Nazis. A young girl finds love, two boys become heroes, and secrets are revealed before an unthinkable event changes their lives forever. Inspired by experiences of Salsini's relatives, "The Cielo: A Novel of Wartime Tuscany" is a gripping story of courage, endurance, and the power of the human spirit.