Hiding the Flame

Cover image © Ray Lipscombe

Oh, I enjoyed writing this one! After The Rose of Florence, I did wonder if that was my lot, the "one book" that everyone supposedly has in them, but there was more to say, more to explore and more to share. Some of the characters wanted more time in the limelight, and who am I to deny them that?

Eighteen years after the end of The Rose, we are back in Florence, which is in turmoil once more, this time due to the influence of Girolamo Savonarola, a fiery Dominican preacher, whose "Bonfire of Vanities" consumes many beautiful things, including works of art. Some say that Botticelli, who was known to have been influenced by the preacher, also threw some of his work on the fire, but there's no definitive proof of that, and therein lies the joy of writing fiction. This is the historical backdrop to Hiding the Flame.

Some of my fictional characters are still around, such as Eleonora and Volpe, and we spend more time with Sandro Botticelli. But the story follows Gianetta and Matteo's daughter, Francesca, a woman trying to find her place in a man's world, a woman who yearns to paint, a woman who finds that some love is forbidden. Love and loyalty pull in different directions, but will she ever find happiness? Well, I'll leave that to you to find out.

One of the surprising elements of The Rose of Florence was the popularity of the recipes that I included, so you'll be pleased to know that there are more in Hiding the Flame. I had great fun testing them out, and I hope you'll try them.

You'll be able to get your copy soon. It is due to be published on 1st December, but keep an eye on my website and Facebook page, where I'll share the details as soon as I have them.

Thank you for coming with me on my journey through Renaissance Florence. Buon viaggio!