Historical Thriller
Date Published: May 8, 2018
Publisher: Diversion
Books
"A glittering Renaissance gem of a novel. Donna Russo
Morin, a master of her craft, has penned an intricate story full of lush
historical detail with a plot that will leave you breathless." —Tasha
Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of Death in St. Petersburg
In her final standalone novel featuring Da Vinci's Disciples,
Donna Russo Morin delivers a thrilling story of the secret female artists of
Florence, under the tutelage of Leonardo Da Vinci, and their heroic,
potentially deadly efforts to save great works of art from the infamous Bonfire
of the Vanities.
"Illicit plots, mysterious paintings, and Leonardo da
Vinci all have their part to play in this delicious, heart-pounding work."
—Kate Quinn, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Alice
Network
Lorenzo de Medici is dead, and his son Piero has brought war
and famine upon the city of Florence. Yet, the glory that is Renaissance
artistry grows more magnificent, as does the work of the women known as Da
Vinci's Disciples. Now they face their most dangerous challenge, one shrouded
in the cloak of a monk.
From the ashes of war, Friar Girolamo Savonarola rises. Some
call him a savior and a prophet, a man willing to overthrow tyrannical rulers
and corrupt clergy, the Borgia Pope among them. Fra Girolamo is determined to
remold Florence from an avaricious, secular culture to a paragon of Christian
virtues.
Many call Savonarola a delusional heretic, incapable of
anything but self-serving fanaticism. When he sets out to destroy all secular
art forms, Da Vinci's Disciples call him an enemy … but not all of them.
"Like a glorious Italian fresco-richly textured and
vividly portrayed … Highly recommended for lovers of history, art, and
courageous women." —Anna Lee Huber, bestselling author of the Lady Darby
Mysteries
"Donna Russo Morin renders one of the most tumultuous
periods in Florence's history in bright colors and with vivid descriptions.
This tale of a group of determined women standing up for what they believe in …
will absolutely resonate with modern readers." —Alyssa Palombo, author of
The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence
Interview with Donna Russo Morin
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in THE FLAMES OF
FLORENCE?
The characters in THE FLAMES OF FLORENCE,
these daring women, range in age from 16 to 47 and come from every rank in
society, from the poorest to the noblest. Each is very unique, save for their
passion for art, and each must deal with their own personal traumas and
heartbreaks, one is an abused wife, she is the leader of the group and much of
the story revolves around her. Another is having secret love affair with a
young nobleman. Such diversity in one group will of course bring its own
challenges at times and it is a character all on its own. And of course there’s
Leonardo da Vinci, whose turbulent path is also weaved throughout.
Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have
planned for the future?
Oh boy, so much going on right now.
On June 25, my book GILDED SUMMERS will release. It’s a book I’ve wanted
to write for years as it is set in the state I was born, raised, and still
reside in. It brings the glittering world of the gilded age in Newport, where
the Astors and the Vanderbilts built mansions—or ‘cottages’ as they called
them—for their summer retreats. Pearl and Ginevra grow up in the era known as
the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island. One lives above the stairs, the other
below. These two young women must decide who they want to be in this world, and
survive what it takes to get there…even if it includes murder.
"A lush and evocative novel of the Gilded Age period, brought
vibrantly to life in this powerful work... A triumph by a masterful
writer" - Anne
Girard, author of Madame Picasso
In addition, I am adapting the entire Da Vinci’s Disciples trilogy for
the screen and am working with two managers on its possible sale to a
well-known network.
And, because I need more on my plate, I’m deep in research for my next
novel. As it is such a unique subject and treatment of it, I’ll have to keep
that topic a secret for now.
How
long would you say it takes you to write a book?
Most times, my publisher and my contract
dictate how long I have. But when I’m not writing under contract, I would say
it would take me a year and a half to complete a fully polished manuscript.
Typically I research for nine months, write for six months, and polish for
three.
What
is your favorite childhood book?
Without a doubt, Charlotte’s Webb. I must have read it at least twenty times. I even
remember sleeping with it tucked under my arm.
If
you could spend the day with one of the characters from THE FLAMES OF FLORENCE
who would it be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where
you would go and what you would do.
I needed little time to think of this
answer…Leonardo da Vinci. My research of him and his life was very in-depth; so
much so, I feel as if I have actually spent time with him (I must have done
enough as Barnes and Nobles hailed my book as one of ‘5 Novels That Get
Leonardo da Vinci Right’ https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/5-novels-that-get-leonardo-da-vinci-right/.
He is an enigma in so many ways…the only true way to unravel his mystery, would
be to talk to him myself. Perhaps in another life or the next realm.
What
was the hardest scene from THE FLAMES OF FLORENCE to write?
Without giving any spoilers away, there are
goodbyes said that even had me crying.
But more importantly, I wanted the ending
to these remarkable women’s stories to be worthy of who they are. I wrote the
ending three times before I felt I had done them justice.
What
made you want to become a writer?
As Lady Gaga would say, baby, I was born that
way. I’ve never, ever wanted to do anything else.
Just
for fun
(a
Favorite song: Sooooo many. But if I must pick just one, it would be Led
Zepplin’s OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY.
(b
Favorite book: TO DANCE WITH KINGS Roselind Laker
(c
Favorite movie: I’m a movie fanatic, so this is very difficult. A lot
depends on my mood at the time. The current STAR TREK movies for action sci-fi,
THE HUNGER GAMES for a real kick ass woman, EVER AFTER is my ‘when I’m no
feeling well’ movie. But for all that and more, I’d have to go with THE LORD OF
THE RINGS series.
(d
Favorite tv show: GAMES OF THRONES
(e
Favorite Food: Lobster!
(f
Favorite drink: Non-alcoholic: lemonade; Alcoholic: Tequila
(g
Favorite website: Don’t really have one.
Thanks
so much for visiting with us today!
Thanks very much for the opportunity to
‘speak’ with your readers.
About the Author
Donna Russo Morin’s passion for the written word began when
she was a child, took on a feminist edge as she grew through the sixties, and
blossomed into a distinctive style of action-filled historical fiction at a
defining moment in her life. As a second-generation American of full Italian
descent, Donna combined her historical research with her genealogical studies,
finding that her birth name (Russo) and her family roots are traceable to ninth
century Florence…the very city in which the Da Vinci’s Disciples trilogy is
set.
Donna Russo (Morin) is the internationally published author
of six multi-award-winning historical novels including PORTRAIT OF A
CONSPIRACY: Da Vinci’s Disciples Book One (a finalist in Foreword Reviews BEST
BOOK OF THE YEAR), and THE COMPETITION: Da Vinci’s Disciples Book Two (EDITOR’S
CHOICE, Historical Novel Society Review). The final book in her Da Vinci’s
Disciples trilogy, THE FLAMES OF FLORENCE, releases May 8, 2018. Also this
summer, my novel, inspired by our own home state, GILDED SUMMERS: A Novel of
Newport’s Gilded Age will also release this summer. Her other titles include
The King’s Agent, recipient of a starred review in Publishers Weekly, The
Courtier’s Secret, The Secret of the Glass, and To Serve a King.
A 25-year professional editor/story consultant, her work
spans more than 40 manuscripts. She
holds a BA in Communications and an A.A. in English Literature. Donna teaches writing courses at her state’s
most prestigious adult learning center, online for Writer’s Digest University,
and has presented at national and academic conferences for over ten years. In addition to her writing, Donna has worked
as a model and an actor with appearances in Showtime’s Brotherhood and Martin
Scorsese’s The Departed. Currently under contract to a consortium of
international producers, Donna has added screenwriting to her professional
acumen.
Her sons—Devon, an opera singer; and Dylan, a chef—are still,
and always will be, her greatest works.
Contact Links
Twitter: @DonnaRussoMorin
Instagram @donnarm.telleroftales
Purchase Links
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