In her new period romance, “A Moon of Love,” author Paula Toyneti Benalia transports readers to 19th-century London, where rigid social conventions hide passions, traumas, and dangerous secrets. The plot revolves around Gabriel, a bankrupt and emotionally destroyed duke, and Isabel, an idealistic young woman who finds herself at the center of a cruel plan for revenge—but one that may unexpectedly turn into redemption. Filled with twists, moral dilemmas, and sensitive writing, the book explores the scars of the past and the transformative power of true love.
The Victorian London setting, filled with fog and rigid rules, seems like the perfect backdrop to hide emotional wounds. What was it like creating this contrast between a socially chilled environment and such an intense, passionate story?
It was super exciting, and I confess it really stirred my emotions, especially my imagination. It allowed me to relive a bit of that era, at least in my imagination.
Gabriel begins the story filled with pain, addiction, and a thirst for revenge. But as the story progresses, something in him begins to change. How did you emotionally navigate this arc of redemption and transformation when portraying such a wounded protagonist?
It was captivating and moving. The idea was to show that, within every tragedy, there’s always pain from the past, and that every action always has a justification. The character’s pain spills over into his addiction.
Isabel, despite being seen as fragile, demonstrates a quiet strength that deconstructs feminine stereotypes of the time. Did you draw inspiration from any women in real life or literature to create this delicately strong character?
I’m inspired by all women throughout the centuries, who, even today, despite all the social struggles, always find the strength to overcome. Women are strong and magnificent beings.
The alternation between Gabriel and Isabel’s points of view deepens the reader’s experience and reveals complex emotional layers. Why did you choose this narrative structure, and how did it contribute to telling this story of love and conflict?
I do this in all my books. This alternation makes the reader feel all the feelings, pain, and emotions of both characters.
The kidnapping as a starting point for the novel is, to say the least, daring. And you don’t romanticize it, but rather use it to explore ethical and emotional dilemmas. What was the process like balancing such a tense plot with moments of empathy, growth, and, eventually, true love?
I wanted to stray a bit from Prince Charming, bringing in other fantasies and perspectives. So, a villain fit the story well. I confess it was a difficult balancing act to keep the reader from hating the hero. I think it worked.
Forgiveness, trauma, and second chances are universal themes—and you approach them delicately. At some point in writing, did these themes also cross your own story or personal reflections?
These themes are inherent to every human experience. Our lives are built on them.
The book provokes the reader to rethink what constitutes strength, what constitutes weakness, and how far responsibility for the choices we make extends. Do you believe that love can truly be the engine of redemption, as it seems to be for your characters?
Yes, I believe that love changes everything. It can move mountains if necessary. I’m a hopeless romantic.
With engaging and emotional language, you transform profound dilemmas into heartwarming pages. What do you most want the reader to feel or take away after finishing A Moon of Love?
May the reader feel all the magic of love from centuries past and be able to imagine this story full of twists and turns and many sighs.
Follow Paula Toyneti Benalia on Instagram