Jack of Hearts is a novel of literary fiction told from the point of view of a small, aristocratic dog named Shimoni. This imaginative first novel explores themes of fidelity and honor and offers a fresh perspective of Italian culture and amore. Shimoni"s passion for Italian cuisine and Elvis are rivaled only by his devotion to his masters, a Roman Count and Countess. However, his discovery that Il Conte is having an affair imperils his comfortable life and plunges Shimoni into a quest to rekindle his masters" love and preserve his home. The path to reconciliation leads Shimoni from the bustling streets of Rome to his owners" rustic villa in the Italian countryside, where he outwits man and beast to save his family, all while making time to fall in love and sample the local Chianti. Shimoni"s (mis)adventures yield poignant observations about the nature of love and longing, and the soul"s ability to find satisfaction. An intoxicating blend of adventure, romance, and joi de vivre,...