Portrait of a Conspiracy, DaVinci's Disciples by Donna Russo Morin

Portrait of Conspiracy: Da Vinci's Disciples - Book One by Donna Russo Morin

Publication Date: May 10, 2016

Diversion Books

eBook & Paperback; 290 Pages

Genre: Historical Mystery

One murder ignites the powderkeg that threatens to consume the Medici's Florence. Amidst the chaos, five women and one legendary artist weave together a plot that could bring peace, or get them all killed. Seeking to wrest power from the Medici family in 15th Century Florence, members of the Pazzi family drew their blades in a church and slew Giuliano. But Lorenzo de Medici survives, and seeks revenge on everyone involved, plunging the city into a murderous chaos that takes dozens of lives. Bodies are dragged through the streets, and no one is safe. Five women steal away to a church to ply their craft in secret. Viviana, Fiammetta, Isabetta, Natasia, and Mattea are painters, not allowed to be public with their skill, but freed from the restrictions in their lives by their art. When a sixth member of their group, Lapaccia, goes missing, and is rumored to have stolen a much sought after painting as she vanished, the women must venture out into the dangerous streets to find their friend and see her safe. They will have help from one of the most renowned painters of their era the peaceful and kind Leonardo Da Vinci. It is under his tutelage that they will flourish as artists, and with his access that they will infiltrate some of the highest, most secretive places in Florence, unraveling one conspiracy as they build another in its place. Historical fiction at its finest, Donna Russo Morin begins a series of Da Vinci's disciples with a novel both vibrant and absorbing, perfect for the readers of Sarah Dunant.

"A riveting page-turner unlike any historical novel you’ve read, weaving passion, adventure, artistic rebirth, and consequences of ambition into the first of a trilogy by a masterful writer at the peak of her craft." -C. W. Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de’ Medici and The Vatican Princess


my thoughts:

Portrait of Conspiracy is a book you cannot put down! First of all, I love anything to do with the Renaissance, the Medici family, and Leonardo da Vinci. This was a win-win for me. There was no way I wouldn't love this story. The characters are so multi dimensional, you feel like you actually know each and every one of them. Some you'll love, some you'll hate, but you will get to know everyone, except perhaps Lorenzo de Medici. His role, while pivotal, is small in the actual dialogue of the book. This is such a well woven story, any reader with any interest in renaissance italy will love this book! The women who become Da Vinci's Disciples are amazing. I loved Viviana, she was my favorite character. Women from all walks of life who become leaders, albeit underground, of a movement. Women, strong women, who led by a man without prejudice, will become masters at their craft. I can't wait for more by Donna Russo Morin.

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About the Author

Donna Russo Morin is the award winning of author of historical fiction. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, she lives near the shore with her two sons, Devon and Dylan, her greatest works in progress. Donna enjoys meeting with book groups in person and via Skype chat. Visit her website at www.donnarussomorin.com; friend her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @DonnaRussoMorin.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, May 10 Review at Unshelfish Review at The Maiden's Court Wednesday, May 11 Spotlight at Passages to the Past Thursday, May 12 Review at CelticLady's Reviews Friday, May 13 Review at Let Them Read Books Review at With Her Nose Stuck In A Book Monday, May 16 Review at Just One More Chapter Interview at A Literary Vacation Tuesday, May 17 Review at Seize the Words Wednesday, May 18 Review at Flashlight Commentary Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book Thursday, May 19 Review at Worth Getting in Bed For Interview at Flashlight Commentary Friday, May 20 Guest Post at Layered Pages Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book Monday, May 23 Review at Broken Teepee Tuesday, May 24 Review at #redhead.with.book Interview at Reading the Past Wednesday, May 25 Review at Book Lovers Paradise Thursday, May 26 Review at Puddletown Reviews Friday, May 27 Review at The True Book Addict Monday, May 30 Review at A Bookish Affair Tuesday, May 31 Guest Post at A Bookish Affair Wednesday, June 1 Review at The Book Connection Thursday, June 2 Review at Book Nerd Review at Bookramblings Friday, June 3 Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog

Giveaway

To enter to win an eBook of PORTRAIT OF A CONSPIRACY by Donne Russo Morin please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below. FIVE copies are up for grabs! Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on June 3rd. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. – 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. Portrait of a Conspiracy

Hades and Persephone had a daughter!

(book info copied from Goodreads.com)

Chrys has been in the Underworld for thousands of years, hidden away by her father, Hades, from all of the other gods. He's afraid that if someone finds out about her, they will destroy her because of the dichotomous power that she holds, the power of life and death. So she has remained in the Palace of Hades all her life, making very few friends and always bored out of her mind.

Huntley would have never guessed that after he died he would wake up with a beautiful girl standing over him. And that she would be the Dark Lord of the Underworld's daughter. Yet, for some reason, she keeps him around as her tutor, as if he knows anything about the world. But Huntley knows that all she really wants is a friend; being trapped in the Underworld can get pretty lonely. 

That is, until Chrys decides she wants to run away to the human world after a big fight with her mother Persephone. Chrys claims her father is just over reacting and that nothing bad will come of it. There's no way that the gods will notice she's there for only a couple of days...right?

my thoughts

I liked this book.  It was quirky and fun.  I don't care for some of the language. It's not necessary to drop the 'f bomb' to get a point across.  I also don't care for the character of Persephone.  The story of Hades and Persephone has always been one of my favorite Greek mythology stories.  Hades, in my opinion, was one of the best of the Greek gods.  He got a bad rap because he was the god of death, but he was the most honest, and faithful of the gods.

Chrys is the daughter of Hades and Persephone. She is the strongest goddess of them all, She has the combined power of both Hades and Persephone.  She's stuck in the underworld because of her power.  Well, you can imagine what happens.  A young teenager who wants to see the world.  She and two friends escape the underworld and end up in London.  What happens is definitely worth a read!

This is the first of a series.  I'll be looking forward to the next book in the series.