I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘The Maiden of Florence.’
‘My defloration was talked about in all the courts of Europe. The Prince boasted of his prowess, even as preparations were being made for his wedding, as boldly as if he had ridden across that causeway with bloodstained sheet tied to his lance.’
1584, Italy: Twenty-year-old Giulia expects she will live and die incarcerated as a silk weaver within the walls of her Florentine orphanage, where she has never so much as glimpsed her own face. This all changes with the visit of the Medici family’s most trusted advisor, promising her a generous dowry and a husband if she agrees to a small sacrifice that will bring honour and glory to her native city.
Vincenzo Gonzaga, libertine heir to the dukedom of Mantua, wants to marry the Grand-Duke of Tuscany’s eldest daughter, but the rumours around his unconsummated first marriage must be silenced first. Eager for a dynastic alliance that will be a bulwark against the threat of Protestant heresy beyond the Alps, the Pope and his cardinals turn a blind eye to a mortal sin.
A powerful #MeToo story of the Renaissance, based on true events.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maiden-Florence-Katherine-Mezzacappa/dp/1914148509/
https://www.amazon.com/Maiden-Florence-Katherine-Mezzacappa/dp/1914148509/
Author Bio –
Katherine Mezzacappa is an Irish writer of mainly historical fiction, currently living in Italy. She has published several novels under pen names with publishers Bonnier Zaffre and eXtasy. She works as a manuscript assessor for The Literary Consultancy. Katherine reviews for Historical Novel Society’s quarterly journal and is one of the organisers of the Society’s 2022 UK conference. In her spare time she volunteers with a used book charity of which she is a founder member.
Social Media Links –
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katmezzacappa
Facebook: https:/www.facebook.comkatherinemezzacappafiction/
https://katherinemezzacappa.ie/
Review-
Any regular readers of my blog will know I’m fascinated by anything Italian-related and I love anything set in the Renaissance period so this was perfect for me.
What makes it even more interesting was the fact it is based on actual events and therefore, gives a real sense not just of history but of culture and customs of the era too.
The author’s writing style is engaging and I found myself immersed in the story from the outset. I enjoyed the fact it is told from Guilia’s perspective and so clearly demonstrates how she was seen as a tool to gain power rather than as a woman in her own right.
A truly remarkable book, perfect for fans of historical fiction. It’s informative but simply written, giving it appeal for a wide range of readers.
With thanks to the author and Rachel at Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in the tour.
Further stops can be found here:
Giveaway to Win a vintage postcard, early 1900s, of the babies from the façade of the Innocenti orphanage. (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494586/?
Pickled Thoughts and Pinot 