5 Star Review
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Editorial Book Review:
By Mary Woolf
Nicolette Croft's fascinating historical novel "The Curse of Maiden Scars" transports readers to Europe in the late 18th century, where they embark on a colorful but deadly trip. Renna Covert, sixteen years old, lived in a workhouse in Yorkshire during Napoleon's invasion in 1797. Her existence stands out for relentless work and always-present danger. The invasion forms the background against which the book is set. Her daily life, which consists of shelling cotton and looking for clients, veers dark when she meets two enigmatic sailors, which finally sets off a horrific trip to a local asylum.
This momentous night propels Renna down a path of tremendous change, as she uncovers long-buried family secrets and confronts powerful forces determined to obstruct her quest for the truth. Renna abandons her scullery duties and sets off on a daring escape to Venice with her faithful companions, motivated by a renewed sense of purpose. The change from the harsh constraints of Yorkshire to the labyrinthine alleyways of Venice represents a key turning point in her trip.
In Venice, Renna’s fortunes take an unexpected twist as she becomes ensnared by a cunning Madam who trains her to become a Venetian courtesan. Renna has to find her way through a world of lies and betrayal that is hidden behind the glamour and mystery. She is able to stay alive because she is smart, tough, and strong.
Croft does a great job of combining historical details with a very personal story. She truly illustrates how difficult Renna finds her own identity in a period of anarchy. The book "The Curse of Maiden Scars" emphasizes fortitude and nonliving nature. It possesses emotional depth and historical action. The journey Renna travels reveals her bravery and will. Readers of historical fiction and adventure will definitely find great value in this book.
About the Author Nicolette Croft
Nicolette comes from a family of American and European storytellers, Montanan and Hungarian. From her earliest childhood playtimes, she was crafting stories. As a neurodivergent learner, writing those stories proved harder than creating them. Both nature and nurture fueled her spirit of determination.
She pursued an English B.A. to learn how to write and worked at a weekly newspaper after graduating college. Motherhood came to her with complex circumstances and inspired further education and counseling in twice-exceptional learners. She holds a post-Bac in special education, an M.A. in Education, and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Nicolette’s private counseling practice specializes in neurodivergent people, trauma, and grief. Storytelling has always been part of how she sees the world, including her Narrative Therapy counseling style. The Curse of Maiden Scars is her first novel brought to publication. She has previously published journalism and short fiction. When not working in her counseling practice or researching and creating her latest story, Nicolette shares treasured time with her family and friends, including her Yorkshire-born husband. She believes creation—in all forms—fuels contentment and personally pursues that through writing, cooking, hiking, traveling, and lifelong learning.
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