The Borgia Confessions

Palombo (The Violinist of Venice) returns to historical Italy in this vivacious tale of power and love set in 1492. When Rodrigo Borgia becomes Pope Alexander VI, he finds himself surrounded by enemies as he assumes control of the Catholic Church. To insulate himself, he places his adult children in influential positions throughout Europe, making his son Juan a powerful general and appointing his eldest son, Cesare, to be Archbishop of Valencia. While Cesare’s heart belongs to the battlefield, Cesare realizes his father wishes to begin a reign of the Borgia family in the Vatican and reluctantly does his bidding. Maddalena, a servant from the countryside unfamiliar with the culture of Rome, comes to serve in the Vatican and has her faith tested by the prurient nature of city life. When Maddalena and Cesare meet, they are immediately drawn to one another, and as Cesare, who spends most of his time in Rome, attempts to consolidate his power within the Vatican, Maddalena witnesses the consequences such political dealings have on the lower classes of Rome. Excavating the personal relationships and petty disagreements that fueled Pope Alexander VI’s controversial reign, Palombo’s enticing tale will please fans of Sharon Kay Penman. (Feb.)