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Vanessa Couchman
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Ocelot Press
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The Corsican Widow: A sweeping historical novel of love, injustice and vengeance (Tales of Corsica series Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Vanessa Couchman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 179 ratings

A strict island society. A forbidden love. The two are bound to collide.

Corsica, 1755.

Valeria Peretti’s family plans to marry her to a wealthy older man whom she has never met. Valeria expects to lead a quiet life, but a prophecy on the eve of her wedding spells mortal danger ahead.

After her husband’s death, Valeria finds herself friendless in a hostile village and turns to her only ally. But when she is unjustly accused of a serious crime, she is shocked to learn that a secret enemy wants her dead.

While Corsica fights for its independence, can Valeria win her own desperate battles to save her life?

A tale of passion, injustice and revenge.

"I highly recommend this beautifully written and engaging story for lovers of historical fiction." BookMuse

"In the best historical novel tradition." Discovering Diamonds

"The rugged, often starkly sublime colour of the island [is] beautifully portrayed. A well written and easy read." Tripfiction

The Tales of Corsica are standalone historical novels set on the captivating island of Corsica.

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  1. Book 2 of 2
    Tales of Corsica series
  2. Print length
    302 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 10, 2018
  6. File size
    1.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 2 books in this series.
This option includes 2 books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a good story, and in the best historical novel tradition, a meaningful way to learn more about Corsica's troubled history."
Discovering Diamonds Reviews

"The rugged, often starkly sublime colour of the island [is] beautifully portrayed. A well written and easy read."
TripFiction

"The trials of life in a different era are expertly woven around love and emotions that have changed little."
The French Village Diaries

"I highly recommend this beautifully-written and engaging story for lovers of historical fiction."
BookMuse, top 1% Goodreads reviewer

"Powerful writing, along with a compelling story, kept me intrigued to the end."
​Nicola Slade, award-winning author of The House at Ladywell

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07C2724Y3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ocelot Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 10, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Tales of Corsica series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 179 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Vanessa Couchman

    Vanessa Couchman

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    Vanessa moved to southern France in 1997 and hasn’t looked back. Being a “history nut”, she’s in totally the right place. The beguiling Mediterranean island of Corsica also provides great inspiration, and she visits whenever she can.

    Two of her three novels, THE HOUSE AT ZARONZA and THE CORSICAN WIDOW, are set on Corsica; the third, OVERTURE, is set in Southwest France and Paris, as is AUGUSTINE, a novella prequel.

    Vanessa’s short stories have been placed in writing competitions and published in anthologies. The stories in FRENCH COLLECTION: TWELVE SHORT STORIES are inspired by and set in France.

    When she’s not writing, Vanessa is reading, singing, walking, or enjoying France’s famed cuisine and wine. She writes a popular blog about French life, Life on La Lune.

    Vanessa loves to hear from readers and always replies. Find her on http://vanessacouchmanwriter.com.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Ocelot Press

    Ocelot Press

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Ocelot Press is an independent cooperation of bestselling and award-winning authors writing mainly historical fiction, women's fiction and mystery. Our books take our readers across time and into faraway places.

    Find out more about us on our website at www.ocelot-press.com.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
179 global ratings

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Reviewed by Discovering Diamonds
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Discovering Diamonds
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review: Helen Hollick founder #DDRevs "The interwoven elements of this story make for a heady mix, yet it is all kept under control in a sad story about a girl who is the victim of her social circumstances and the prevailing morals of her time."
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Nigel Cronshaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars Can a story of Corsica turn pages? Yes, it can.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    While the first of the series was around the time of the first world war, the Corsican Widow goes back even further.
    The mid to late eighteenth century and the country is at war with its rulers from Genoa. Amid this, life in the village of Zaronza carries on, including the marriage of a village girl to a prosperous local man. A few years later and the man dies from an illness and its a matter of time before the widow is caught out my a malicious neighbour contravening local custom.
    This is where the story takes a turn when the widow escapes 'justice' to start over in another country.
    This is a cracking read, start to finish. I highly recommend this book and the authoress.
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  • C Woods
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2018
    Format: Kindle
    This book will make a modern-day woman cringe! It made my blood boil as I read this story based on true events about a young widow in mid to late 18th century Corsica.

    The patriarchal society in which this young woman lived is beyond anything I could imagine. From her homelife as a girl in a village where she lives with her widowed mother and two younger brothers, one of which is now head of the family, to her betrothal and eventual marriage to a man twice her age who makes her hide herself from all other male visitors, she has been taught to obey and serve and never dishonor the family. Women are basically treated as broodmares and servants to men.

    It was hard enough to imagine such a confining life but then after her husband's death she is expected to live as a widow in basic seclusion in honor of her deceased husband regardless of the fact she's only in her mid-twenties. The claustrophobic loneliness leads her into an affair with a man outside her social status and the worst possible outcome ensues.

    I'm astonished at the backward and absolute evilness of the men involved, but even more so by the women. It seems most women of the era were in total agreement with this ugly system and those that weren't simply acquiesced.

    This is a good one for readers of historical fiction and women's novels. It's stomach-turning, but very well written.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Maggie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully written intriguing story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A wonderfully written, intriguing story set in Corsica in the mid 1700's! In a time of arranged marriages and tightly constrained mores, our young heroine, Valeria does her duty and marries an older widower. But, of course, the story can't stop there...on the eve of the wedding, the local wise woman sees something in the bones used to foretell the future, the husband becomes involved in one of the fights for independence...and there's that pesky shepherd who is so very, very hot...

    If you are like I am, and enjoy your history spoon fed with a great story and strong characters, you must read this book! Highly recommended!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tear Jerker
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the life of young girls, widows and healers during this historical period in Corsica. Valeria is a strong character who overcomes the injustices done to her from the time she was a child.
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  • Helen Hollick
    4.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Discovering Diamonds
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2018
    Format: Kindle
    This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
    Helen Hollick
    founder #DDRevs

    "The interwoven elements of this story make for a heady mix, yet it is all kept under control in a sad story about a girl who is the victim of her social circumstances and the prevailing morals of her time."
    Customer image
    Helen Hollick
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed by Discovering Diamonds

    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2018
    This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
    Helen Hollick
    founder #DDRevs

    "The interwoven elements of this story make for a heady mix, yet it is all kept under control in a sad story about a girl who is the victim of her social circumstances and the prevailing morals of her time."
    Images in this review
    Customer image
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  • Jean Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle but thought provoking, enjoyable.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this book as well as Vanessa’s previous “The House of Z”. The author has a gentle way of writing a very thought provoking story and in places very dramatic. In comes together in the end but how, you think as you still don’t have a glue how it will end up.
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  • Aminuts
    5.0 out of 5 stars what a life!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2021
    Format: Kindle
    The main character went thru so much and lived in historical times in Corsica and France. I hope she succeeded in what she aimed to do. I recommend this book
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  • Sue Carter
    5.0 out of 5 stars but I couldn't put this one down - a great read - strong story and characters from the beginning ...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2018
    Format: Kindle
    Its a very long time since I read a book in one session, but I couldn't put this one down - a great read - strong story and characters from the beginning to the end
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Itzy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, realistic and satisfying
    Reviewed in France on May 30, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Another excellent story from Vanessa Couchman set in 18th century Corsica. The writing style is simple, accessible and flows beautifully. The settings are captivating and I particularly admired the way Valeria, the protagonist, has a character that fits with the era and yet has touches of feminism that make her a person the contemporary reader roots for. The plot is concise and the storyline realistic. A very satisfying read.
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  • Elizabeth Moore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Wonderful Read
    Reviewed in Australia on January 31, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was drawn to research Corsica more fully when I read the first book in the Tales of Corsica series, The House at Zaronza. With this second book I found myself in the country once more, this time in the1700s, discovering the low regard in which women were held in a very male dominated culture. Combine an arranged marriage, superstition, jealousy, and a love affair that seemed unfairly forbidden and you have the solid foundation on which this novel was built. I love the skill with which the author weaves well researched history and the antiquated societal values of this fascinating island with strongly drawn, believable characters.
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  • nanjar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Some things were very different back then!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was an engrossing read. It wasn't always a comfortable read, some very old Corsican customs not quite being what we're used to today, but they did make it very easy to empathise with the main character, Valeria. Being so very biddable at the beginning of the novel was compatible with the expectations of the time for a young woman on Corsica, although the author showed that Valeria was already stepping out of the mould before her traditional, and essentially forced, marriage to an older, if kindly, man.
    Those little hints of escape, from the tight restraints of adhering to family respectability, are built upon as the story progresses to the point at which Valeria is able to fend for herself, when she finds life turns very nasty for her.
    Some of the male characters who feature in the background are easy to like as well, others definitely not so much, but as this is essentially Valeria's story their appearances are very well portrayed in this well-written and well-edited tale of Corsica, and beyond.
    I liked learning a little of the history of Corsica, and would definitely recommend it as a good holiday read for a Mediterranean trip, or for someone who likes to read light historical fiction with a hint of intrigue.
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  • Spellbound
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Novel
    Reviewed in Canada on June 15, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What a story. The author takes her reader to a time and place with such craft and skill this book reads much deeper than any ordinary novel. You journey with the protagonist from a life of traditional control, through submission, unthinkable trauma, to strength and courage. Based on historical facts (there is an excellent bibliography) Vanessa Couchman has indeed done her research. Having already read the first in her Tales of Corsica series, The House at Zaronza, I knew I was in for a good ride. The Corsican Widow did not disappoint.
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  • Sandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, what an amazing read!
    Reviewed in Australia on December 12, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    How do I find the right words to describe this fantastic book?
    Set in Corsica and France during the turbulent mid 18th century. A story of injustices, mis-understandings and hardships. A very compelling read which I can't recommend highly enough.
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