"The series pulls the reader immediately into the complex and colorful world of Venice at the zenith of its power ... This is a delightful series." - Historical Novel Society Book Review
Marriage matches were not preordained by God in heaven for the Venetian nobility; they were skillfully negotiated by fathers looking to enhance their prestige and wealth.
Mauritius Baric would have been such a desirable match. As heir to a Venetian barony, Mauro had connections to powerful political allies that would please a future father-in-law. As a bonus to the potential bride, he was young and handsome. Mauro did have some quirks, perhaps due to his mother's neglect, his lingering guilt over his brother's accident, or his father ruining Mauro's wish to die a hero's death on a battlefield.
Mauro's father ruined many aspects of his life, including deciding on his future bride. Terese Kokkinos-Resi, as her family called her-was the daughter of an Ottoman sea trader, not a Venetian lady, and definitely not someone interested in marrying an aristocrat. Betrothed as children to repay her father's debt to the Barics, their paired future together was the keystone to the House of Baric's continued success.
Mauro happily kept his betrothed waiting in Thessaloniki while he soldiered in his uncle's army. Resi made the best of her sequestered adolescence at home. Since her future had already been decided, she didn't need to learn the skills other girls focused on to entice a husband. Instead, Resi used her idle time to read every book she could find. That is until tragedy struck the House of Baric, and their summons arrived on her doorstep.
In the summer of 1649, the Thirty Years' War was winding down, and Mauro and his small army could spend their days at Baric Castle again.
Although a year had passed since Mauro and Resi's marriage, the newlyweds barely knew each other. Her strong will and his stoic nature had made for an awkward courtship at first. With time, though, Mauro could no longer deny that this complicated woman might be his perfect match. Love will bloom, and not just between the Barics. Friends and unexpected visitors will bring trouble to the House of Baric and romantic opportunities for the soldiers and servants who kept the castle running.
With humor and drama, you are a fly on the wall in this intriguing and adventurous world. Love, war, hating, and mating were not so different back then. These memorable characters only wanted to steer their destinies in search of a happily ever after, and you will find yourself rooting for them to succeed in their quest.
