The Missing Nativity of Speranzamonte

Light, love, and a Christmas mystery for 8-12-year-olds and family reading

It’s almost Christmas in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains which means Luna and her cat Fortuna are busy with their tradition of displaying nativity scenes.

They think time is their only obstacle, but a brewing snowstorm and the alarming disappearance of nativity figures threaten their efforts to share the hopeful message of Jesus’ birth.

While Luna’s faith helps her trust that everything works according to God’s good plan, Fortuna is outraged that someone is stealing Luna’s precious figurines. Hoping their Christmas can still be perfect, Fortuna vows to stop the thief.

Will Luna and Fortuna solve il mistero di Natale, the Christmas mystery before their annual celebration on December 24th?

The Missing Nativity of Speranzamonte is the fourth book in the Luna and Fortuna series of books kids love and parents trust and takes place immediately after The Strong Bear of Venice concludes.

To order signed copies and subscribe to Luna and Fortuna Books, visit www.lunaandfortuna.com

Katy Sloop Roberts loves decorating for Christmas with treasures she collected while living in Germany and Italy, but most precious to her are Uncle Dan's silver ornaments. Her favorites are the lamb with curly wool and the donkey with the round belly who will forever more be called Donna.If Katy can't spend Christmas strolling German markets with her family or searching for Italian nativities with her girlfriends, she prefers to be home, listening to Christmas music, enjoying food traditions, including her mom's sugar cookie dough, and attending Christmas Eve worship at First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs. Katy lives in Ocean Springs, Mississippi with her husband, their teenage sons, and Lucky, the Italian Superhero Cat, who walked across Katy's laptop too many times to count while she wrote this story for you.

Dan Dye made his first silver Christmas ornament in 1974, inspired by his cat who batted decorations on the tree. Every year since, he has added a new design. His favorite is the Star of Bethlehem because his late mother, Ruth Daniel Dye, designed it. He is also partial to the Santa Dan ornament with the handlebar mustache. When Dan is not creating jewelry and ornaments, illustrating his niece Katy's books, or spending time with his family, he volunteers at the North Carolina Red Cross. Dan has donated over 650 whole blood and platelets units. Dan lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife Nancy. They have two wonderful grown daughters and two granddaughters. www.dandye.com