Review: Cascade By Lisa T. Bergren

Title: Cascade
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher: David Cook
Publishing Date: June 6, 2011
Length: 399 pages
Series: River of Time #2
Summary: (From back of book) Gabi knows she's left her heart in the fourteenth century, and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, months have passed, and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence-while their enemies will go to great lengths to see them dead. 
Even in the midst of the battles, Gabi's heart is increasingly drawn to Marcello, just as Lia's is to Luca. In medieval Italy, the sisters discover things inside themselves that they couldn't seem to find in the present-connection with their mom, courage within, and the understanding that a life well lived often means encountering sacrifice. But in a world long past, many things still keep Gabi from giving Marcello her heart forever...and one thing in particular calls all three of Betarrinis home.
My Thoughts:  The book picks up right after the end of the last one, and it can be a little hard to jump back into considering the gaps in publishing dates. But I have the entire trilogy, so I just put book one down and reached for book two. (Thank you, mom, for the books) Still, picking up one right after another is not something I particularly like in a series because I think it's hard on the reader to find the pace.
I'm still more drawn to the smaller role character, Luca, than Marcello, but I think it's because I am horribly biased given the fact that Marcello has curly hair and that isn't something I'm particularly attracted to in a guy. Let's just say that this is my own opinion and has nothing to do with the writing. The writing is wonderful. But for the record: Go, Luca.
The action in the sequel picked up a lot and intense fighting scenes were the norm; I felt like that there was more action than story plot. None of it was incredibly graphic, but I'm still not a fan of reading about just what Gabriella can do with a dagger.
I am very interested in the smaller plot running through the books about Gabriella coming to recognize and grow closer to God. I enjoy Christian themes and this one has been done in a way that isn't overbearing or cheesy like some Christian literature can be.
Things To Be Cautious Of:
Violence. There were quite a few skirmishes and Gabriella passes a sentence on one of her enemies that's a little cold hearted. I could give details, but it's crucial to the plot and there were so many fighting scenes running throughout the book that it would take awhile. If you're interested in knowing exactly what to avoid for sensitive readers, just leave a request in the comments and I will be happy to send them to you.
Romance: Ok, ok. I get the whole YA fiction, heartthrob, he's so hot, thing. I mean, c'mon, these guys are Italian and I am loving them. The kissing isn't incredibly passionate; but I could probably do without some of it. It's all clean, and cute and flirty, so don't worry about it being dirty. I just must be jealous of not having an Italian boyfriend for the hand holding thing to be bothering me so much.
Random Little Things: The fourteenth century saw women a little differently than now and Gabriella and Lia wield swords and occasionally men's dress which gives the men in the stories to leer and make the occasional suggestive comment. None of it goes anywhere, nor is it the definition of inappropriate, but I still felt like it was borderline awkward.