Turning the World to Stone
The Life of Caterina Sforza
Part One: 1472 to 1488
by Kelly Evans
Publication Date: May 2nd, 2023
Publisher: Eska Publishing
Pages: 385
Genre: Historical Fiction
Vilified by history, Caterina Sforza learned early that her life was not her own. Married at age ten, she was a pawn in the ever-changing political environment of Renaissance Italy.
Resigned to her life as a fifteenth-century wife, Caterina adapted to the role she was expected to play: raising and educating her children, helping the poor in her new home, and turning a blind eye to her husband’s increasingly shameful behaviour. But Fate had other plans for her, and soon Caterina’s path would be plagued by murder, betrayal, and heartbreak.
“Could I write all, the world would turn to stone.”
Caterina received few visitors, and those who did dare to enter her courtyard made hasty excuses as to why they couldn’t stay long. After dining alone one evening, she went to her husband’s room, knowing Girolamo was still up.
She knocked and waited until a voice from the other side of the thick wooden door replied. “Come in.”
Entering, Caterina was astounded by the chaos that surrounded her husband’s desk. Papers and scrolls, books and ledgers covered every surface, including chairs, shelves, and the windowsill. “I would speak with you.”
Girolamo looked up, and Caterina saw the dark circles under his eyes as he narrowed them. “About?”
Taking this as permission to step further into the room, Caterina walked to his desk and stood there. “The conspiracy.”
“There’s nothing to discuss.”
“There is everything to discuss! Do you not realise the shame you’ve brought upon us? Upon me? Do you not understand the disdain my presence elicits from the nobles?”
“And do you not understand, wife, that any respect you were shown was because of me.” Enjoying Caterina’s frown, he smiled. “It’s true. Did you think the bastard child of a soldier could ever earn the admiration of citizens in the greatest city in the world?”
Speechless, Caterina stood there gaping. Before she could even think of a reply, she found herself dismissed.
“Go now. I have business to attend to. Keep your opinions and laments to yourself.” He returned his attention to the page in front of him.
Caterina held back her tears until she had at least left the room and closed the door behind her. She felt their burning presence in the hall as she ran to her rooms, not caring who saw her.
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Kelly Evans
Born in Canada of Scottish extraction, Kelly Evans graduated in History and English then moved to England where she worked in the financial sector. While in London Kelly continued her studies in history, concentrating on Medieval History, and travelled extensively through Eastern and Western Europe.
Kelly is now back in Canada with her husband Max and a rescue cat. She writes full-time, focussing on illuminating little-known women in history with fascinating stories. When not working on her novels, Kelly writes Described Video scripts for visually impaired individuals, plays oboe, and enjoys old sci-fi movies.
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