“Sultry and deeply intimate...A vivid portrayal of the teenage bride [Lucrezia de’Medici] and the glittering but dangerously political world into which she was born...Kimm...writes with elegance and seductive charm as she weaves her magic on a rich and colourful story of love and hatred, obsessio...
Two stars is maybe a bit harsh, but compared other books that I have rated as three stars I feel my standards are very high. Maybe two and a half is more accurate. I read this in three days which is very quick for me. I can't deny I didn't enjoy the book, but as is the case with many historic nov...
The Girl With the Painted Face ‘You fucking little reprobate, how dare you!’ Da Correggio’s face is distorted with rage. Jaw jutting, his cheeks blotched darkly, he raises clearly practised fists, elbows angled, but Beppe stands his ground, his hands balling too.
He squinted against the morning sun, which, now he had fully opened the shutters, was pouring in through the casement and effectively bleaching out the color of everything in the room. Dust motes seethed in the brightness. Francesca sat at her table, somewhat disheveled, i...
Catelina stood back and Francesca came inside. Catelina saw her glance up the stairs. “Giorgio couldn’t find a wet-nurse,” she said. “He’s had to go back up to the castle, and I’ve just given the baby some goat’s milk. First time he’s stopped crying in hours, poor little thing.” She paused. “Did ...
