The Competition
Da
Vinci's Disciples, #2
by Donna Russo Morin
Publication Date: April 25th 2017
Diversion Publishing
eBook & Paperback; 268 Pages
Genre: Historical/Mystery
Donna
Russo Morin returns with a follow-up to Portrait of a Conspiracy, called “a
page-turner unlike any historical novel, weaving passion, adventure, artistic
rebirth, and consequences of ambition,” by C.W.
Gortner.
BLURB
In a studiolo behind a church,
six women gather to perform an act that is, at once, restorative, powerful, and
illegal. They paint. Under the tutelage of Leonardo da Vinci, these six show
talent and drive equal to that of any man, but in Renaissance Florence they
must hide their skills, or risk the scorn of the city.
A commission to paint a fresco in
Santo Spirito is announced and Florence’s countless artists each seek the fame
and glory this lucrative job will provide. Viviana, a noblewoman freed from a
terrible marriage and now free to pursue her artistic passions in secret, sees
a potential life-altering opportunity for herself and her fellow female
artists. The women first speak to Lorenzo de’ Medici himself, and finally, they
submit a bid for the right to paint it. And they win.
But the church will not stand for
women painting, especially not in a house of worship. The city is not ready to
consider women in positions of power, and in Florence, artists wield tremendous
power. Even the women themselves are hesitant; the attention they will bring
upon themselves will disrupt their families, and could put them in physical
danger.
All the while, Viviana grows
closer to Sansone, her soldier lover, who is bringing her joy that she never
knew with her deceased husband. And fellow-artist Isabetta has her own romantic
life to distract her, sparked by Lorenzo himself. Power and passion collide in
this sumptuous historical novel of shattering limitations, one brushstroke at a
time.
Praise
for The Competition
"THE
COMPETITION is a page-turning, provocative romp through a fascinating time and
place―15th-century Florence. Donna Russo Morin has given us a novel for our
time, a book featuring strong female characters fighting the odds to break the
“glass ceiling,” and reminding us that this battle is not new: women have been
waging it for centuries. ―Sherry Jones,
author of The Sharp Hook of Love: A Novel of Heloise and Abelard
“...a page-turner unlike any historical novel, weaving passion,
adventure, artistic rebirth, and consequences of ambition...a masterful writer
at the peak of her craft.”―C. W.
Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de'Medici
“A 15th-century Florence of exquisite art, sensual passion and
sudden, remorseless violence comes vividly to life in Donna Russo Morin's new
novel.”―Nancy Bilyeau, author of The
Crown
“In Portrait of a Conspiracy, Russo Morin's rich detailing
transports the reader to the heart of Renaissance Italy from the first page.”―Heather Webb, author of Becoming
Josephine
“Illicit plots, mysterious paintings, and a young Leonardo da
Vinci all have their part to play in this delicious, heart-pounding tale.”―Kate Quinn, author of The Empress of
Rome Saga
"In elegant prose, Morin paints a captivating tale of
courageous women painters who battle against prejudices in Renaissance
Florence. Featuring strong women characters, each with distinctive
personalities, this is exactly the type of historical novel I enjoy.
Exhilarating and compassionate, The Competition sings a beautiful tribute of
women's talents and underscores Morin's masterful storytelling. Delightful!"―Weina Dai Randel, author of The
Moon in the Palace and The Empress of Bright Moon
“An inspiring tale of determined women, empowered by undeniable
talent, in the male-dominated art world of Renaissance Florence. In The
Competition, Ms. Morin delivers a captivating story rich with historical detail
and beautifully woven through with atmosphere.”―Diane Haeger, author of Courtesan
Giveaway
During
the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of The Competition &
a Key Pendant necklace! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form The Competition.
Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on July 28th.
You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to residents in the US
only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be
honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by
blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our
discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
About the Author
Donna
earned two degrees from the University of Rhode Island. In addition to writing,
teaching writing, and reviewing for literary journals, Donna works as a model
and actor; highlights of her work include two seasons on Showtime’s Brotherhood
and an appearance in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed. Donna is the proud mother
of two sons, one a future opera singer, the other a future chef. Donna's titles
include The Courtier's Secret, The Secret of the Glass, To Serve a King, The
King's Agent, Portrait of a Conspiracy, and The Competition. Donna enjoys
meeting with book groups in person and via Skype chat.
MY INTERVIEW WITH DONNA RUSSO MORIN
How would you describe your style of writing to someone that has
never read your work?
My readers have often told me that I write very visually; I make
them feel that they are actually there, no matter if the book is set five
hundred years ago and in another country. A true compliment for me for is
always my goal. I don’t want my readers just to ‘read,’ I want them to feel as
if they are ‘in’ the story.
I also tend to change up the pace of the story as it unfolds…to
counter scenes that center on the characters with scenes where the action
dictates. All of life is full of ups and downs; to recreate them properly, so
should the story.
What are some of your writing/publishing goals for this year?
Well, right now I’m finishing up the third and final book in the
Da Vinci’s Disciples trilogy. I do know what my next book will be, so I’ll be
deep into research for that book until the end of the year. And then I’ll be
using a part of my education that I’ve yet to tap into…screenwriting. Other
than that, nothing much. J
Do you feel that writing is an ingrained process or just something
that flows naturally for you?
Both actually. I started writing at such a young age, I have no
doubt that I was born for this purpose. And luckily, unless I may be going
through difficult or extremely busy personal conditions, the words flow from
me; sometimes so quickly, my fingers can’t keep up with my mind.
Do you have a character that you have been working on for a long
time that still isn't quite ready, but fills you with excitement to work on the
story?
There is a book that I’ve finished up that is looking for a
home. It’s different from anything else I’ve ever written. What still needs
some attention is the location of the book, which is so significant, I do
consider it a character. It’s a tale I’ve wanted to tell for many years and I
really want to do my best for it.
If you could spend one week with 5 fictional characters, who would
they be?
Scarlett O’Hara (Gone With the Wind),
Jamie Fraser (Outlander),
Robert Langdon (Da Vinci Code),
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games), and
Arya Stark (Game of Thrones).
Where would you spend one full year, if you could go ANYWhere?
What would you do with this time?
This one is so easy…Italy! As a second generation American, my
ancestral roots have always called to me. My paternal grandfather was a
violin/viola player and maker; one of his violas is in the Smithsonian
Institute. His father was a religious sculptor whose works can still be found
in the churches of Foggia, from where he hailed. With my eldest son being an
opera singer, it’s clear that there is a genetic thread of creativity running
through our blood. I would spend the time finding family members and, for some
reason, I feel a story will be waiting there for me.
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