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Here's the color version of Sara Poole's upcoming book, The Borgia Betrayal. Release date June 7, 2011.
In the summer of 1493, Rodrigo Borgia, Alexander VI, has been pope for almost a year. Having played a crucial role in helping him ascend the throne of Saint Peter, Francesca, haunted by the shadows of her own past, is now charged with keeping him there. As court poisoner to the most notorious and dangerous family in Italy, this mistress of death faces a web of danger, intrigue, and deceit that threatens to extinguish the light of the Renaissance.
From the hidden crypts of 15th century Rome to its teeming streets alive with sensuality, obsession, and treachery, Francesca must battle the demons of her own dark nature to unravel a plot to destroy the Borgias, seize control of Christendom, and plunge the world into eternal darkness.
UK cover for Kate Quinn's Daughter of Rome. Release date August 2011.
This sweeping, powerful epic tells the story of one of the bloodiest years in Rome's history through the eyes of two remarkable women fighting for survival
A.D. 69. The Roman Empire is up for the taking. The Year of the Four Emperors will change everything - especially the lives of two sisters with a very personal stake in the outcome. Elegant and ambitious, Cornelia embodies the essence of the perfect Roman wife. She lives to one day see her loyal husband as Emperor. Her sister Marcella is more aloof, content to witness history rather than make it. But when a bloody coup turns their world upside down, both women must manoeuvre carefully just to stay alive. As Cornelia tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams, Marcella discovers a hidden talent for influencing the most powerful men in Rome. In the end, though, there can only be one Emperor...and one Empress.
UK cover for Marina Fiorato's Daughter of Siena. May 2011.
The Palio. Siena But for two women watching far more than the coveted prize is at stake. For beautiful Pia of the Tolomei the Palio is her last hope of escaping a violent marriage. For Violante de Medici, isolated in her palace, it marks the start of what her enemies intend to be her last month as Siena
The trumpets sound. And into the piazza rides an unknown horseman. What he does during the race will not only change the lives of Pia and Violante, but alter the course of the Medici dynasty itself... Alive with all the colour and rich historical detail that marks Marina Fiorato’s work, Daughter of Siena is a dramatic and compelling story of treachery, courage and the power of love.
I love the cover for Daughters of Rome.
January 25, 2011 11:13 AM
All three of those look good!
January 25, 2011 9:58 PM
I wonder how Daughters of Rome will read. I found her last book cumbersome.
The book on the Siena horse race looks interesting. I was there last year and was able to roam through part of the city and watch the race(on TV). It was cool.
January 26, 2011 4:11 AM
Elizabeth - I love that one too!
Kailana - thanks for stopping by. It's good to "see" you!!
YA Librarian - I liked Daughters of Rome well enough to give this one a try. I haven't read anything by Fiorato yet, but this one might be interesting and its something different!
January 26, 2011 8:13 AM
Daphne did Daughters of Rome use first and third person narrative? That was one reason I disliked her other book so much.
January 30, 2011 12:20 PM
YA Librarian - Yes, she did use both first and third person narrative. Although it was sometimes confusing when the switch was made, the differing POV styles didn't bother me. I would rather the author switch to third person rather than have the narrator tell another character what they would already know or give a long history lesson in order to fill the reader in.
January 30, 2011 3:27 PM
Ok, thanks for letting me know. I won't be buying this book then. I found the first and third person narratives cumbersome.
January 31, 2011 4:01 AM