The Italian Ballerina: A World War II Novel

Written by Kristy Cambron

Narrated by Barrie Kreinik

At the height of the Nazi occupation of Rome, an unlikely band of heroes comes together to save innocent lives in this breathtaking World War II novel based on real historical events.

Rome, 1943. With the fall of Italy’s Fascist government and the Nazi regime occupying the streets of Rome, British ballerina Julia Bradbury is stranded and forced to take refuge at a hospital on Tiber Island. But when she learns of a deadly sickness sweeping through the quarantine wards—a fake disease known only as Syndrome K—she is drawn into one of the greatest cons in history. Alongside hospital staff, friars of the adjoining church, and two Allied medics, Julia risks everything to rescue Jewish Italians from the deadly clutches of the Holocaust. Soon a little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina arrives at their door, and Julia is determined to reunite the young dancer with her family—if only she would reveal one crucial secret: her name.

Present Day. Delaney Coleman recently lost her grandfather—a beloved small-town doctor and World War II veteran, so she returns home to help her aging parents. When a mysterious Italian woman reaches out claiming to own one of the family’s precious heirlooms, Delaney is compelled to travel to Italy and uncover the truth of her grandfather’s hidden past. With the help of the woman’s skeptical but charming grandson, Delaney learns of a Roman hospital that saved hundreds of Jewish people during the war. Soon, everything Delaney thought she knew about her grandfather comes into question.

Based on true accounts of the invented Syndrome K sickness, The Italian Ballerina journeys from the Allied storming of the beaches at Salerno to the London ballet stage and the war-torn streets of World War II Rome, exploring the sometimes heart-wrenching choices we must make to find faith and forgiveness, and how saving a single life can impact countless others.

• Split timeline: WWII and present day
• Stand-alone novel
• Book length: approximately 107,000 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jul 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9780785232216

Kristy Cambron

Kristy Cambron is a vintage-inspired storyteller writing from the space where beauty, art, and history intersect. She’s a Christy Award–winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling novels, The Butterfly and the Violin and The Paris Dressmaker. Her work has been named to Cosmopolitan Best Historical Fiction Novels, Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal’s Best Books, and she received a Christy Award for her novel The Painted Castle. Her work has been featured at Once Upon a Book Club Box, Frolic, Book Club Girl, BookBub, Country Woman magazine, and (in)Courage. She holds a degree in art history / research writing and spent fifteen years in education and leadership development for a Fortune 100 corporation before stepping away to pursue her passion for storytelling. Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three basketball-loving sons, where she can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read.

Reviews for The Italian Ballerina

[Ann Bush · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

His was a really good story and I appreciated learning about what went on in Italy during WW2. My only complaint in that it jumped around so much, it was hard to keep up at first.

[Marc Schrock · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome book! Very sad, but full of detail and history.

[Becky Baumgartner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A story of people searching for meaning, sacrifice, and the impact one sacrificial act can have on so many lives through time. The narrator did an admirable job with all the voices and accents.

[martha wessinger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book grabbed my heart, and I will never forget the story! This time in history should always be remembered, and the souls of those who were obliterated by evils committed by Hitler and his heartless regime. I hope so much that a movie is made from this story. Thank you for writing it

[khoyt-43756 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A truly beautiful read by a great author. I have been following Kristy Cambron since her debut novel. The setting for this book is WWII Italy. It has everything one needs to make a truly satisfying story; Romance, tragedy, heroism, and good fighting evil. I can see why it is a Christy Award winner. It is a haunting read that no one should miss.

[debs4jc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this dual timeline book one thread takes place during World War II and one thread takes place in the modern day. In the historical thread a ballerina dancer from Britain has her dreams put on hold when the war starts. But an ambitious partner (who she despises) manipulates events so that they are sent to Italy to perform, but then a bombing sends them to the hospital where a brave band of doctors invented a fictitious disease called Syndrome K to keep the Nazi's unaware that they are hiding and helping Jews there. There the ballerina will meet up with a band of American soldiers who end up taking in a protecting a Jewish girl after they witness the murder of her parents. In the modern day a woman in the US is contacted by a man from Italy who claims that a small suitcase that her grandfather brought back with him after WWII actually belongs to her family. To settle the dispute she travels to Italy to meet up with the man and his family, and of course they learn of a connection between the past timeline and their current one that links them together. A bit of romance ensues as well.Overall a very satisfying story with a heartfelt message and a lovely ending. Fans of gentle or faith based romances and/or historical fiction about WWII should enjoy this one. I found the Syndrome K storyline intriguing as I has not learned much about that true aspect of history before, so it lead me to look up more about it.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Told from multiple perspectives and between two timelines - this historical fiction weaves together an unlikely cast of characters. In Italy at the height of the second World War two American army medics, a prima ballerina, and a young Jewish orphan find themselves thrown together in impossible circumstances. In the present day, Delaney is going through her grandfather's belongings after his passing when a mysterious (and handsome) Italian man calls and demands that they return his grandmother's possessions. Delaney has no idea what he is talking about, but when she discovers a little girl's suitcase he insists that she returns it immediately. He offers to pay to fly her out so she can safeguard it. What secrets could be kept in there? As the story progresses more and more secrets come to life and Delaney and the Italian man, Matteo, will learn who their grandparents really are. This inspirational novel is a must read for religious readers and for those who like WWII fiction that isn't too dark.

[claudia.castenir · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This well-researched split time novel is filled with information on events surrounding the clearing of the ghetto in Rome, Italy of which I was previously unaware. The fictional story that showcases the real-life heroism of Dr. Giovanni Borromeo and members of his staff at the Fatebenefratelli Hospital at Tiber Island is amazing. The heroics of the fictional characters are both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. Kristy Cambron has once again woven a tale that brings the generations together and demonstrates the impact the past has on the future, and that one life can have on the lives of so many others. The theme of both extending and receiving mercy is also well developed in this beautiful story. I highly recommend The Italian Ballerina along with Cambron's other works. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[tamidale · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was so glad to read a World War II story that did not include death camps or people living in a tortured existence. Yes, things were grim, but the characters and the setting of the story gave a sense of hope instead of despair.When two American medics come upon a little girl whose parents are being rounded up for transport, one of the soldiers risks his life to save her. Separated from their unit, the medics are given shelter in a hospital with an adjoining church. Julia, an aspiring ballerina from London is also at the hospital for safety, waiting until she and her dancing partner are able to go home. Julia meets the medics and the little girl they have nicknamed Calla. Together the three of them agree to keep Calla safe and to help find her family.This is a dual timeline, with the descendants of the characters trying to piece together the events from the war that brought their families together. For those romantic readers, a budding romance becomes part of the story as well.Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson—FICTION for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to provide my honest review.