The Scarlet Contessa: A Novel of the Italian Renaissance

What Philippa Gregory has done for Tudor England, Jeanne Kalogridis does for Renaissance Italy. Her latest irresistible historical novel is about a countess whose passion and willfulness knew no boundsCaterina Sforza

Daughter of the Duke of Milan and wife of the conniving Count Girolamo Riario, Caterina Sforza was the bravest warrior Renaissance Italy ever knew. She ruled her own lands, fought her own battles, and openly took lovers whenever she pleased.

Her remarkable tale is told by her lady-in-waiting, Dea, a woman knowledgeable in reading the triumph cards, the predecessor of modern-day Tarot. As Dea tries to unravel the truth about her husbands murder, Caterina single-handedly holds off invaders who would steal her title and lands. However, Deas reading of the cards reveals that Caterina cannot withstand a third and final invadernone other than Cesare Borgia, son of the corrupt Pope Alexander VI, who has an old score to settle with Caterina. Trapped inside the Fortress at Ravaldino as Borgias cannons pound the walls, Dea reviews Caterinas scandalous past and struggles to understand their joint destiny, while Caterina valiantly tries to fight off Borgias unconquerable army.