Renaissance Brides

Since the other reviewer did such a nice job, I won't go into repeating what she said. I originally thought about buying these books seperatley, but then I saw that they were all in a novella, which saved me $$:). I found that I really enjoyed these stories, and that I was really able to get into them. My favorite of these was "Both Sides Of the Easel," which featured Mateo and Bianca. I felt that they were really well-developed, and that I could connect to them really easily. I also liked how Mateo was so supportive of Bianca's art and that he understood how much it meant to her while everyone else around her treated it as just a passing, youthful fancy that she was supposed to end once she became engaged. I really enjoyed this book and am glad that I bought it. The Renaissance period has always fascinated me, and I was really happy that the author chose this as a setting for her stories. If you are looking for a collection of pleasant, readable stories, then I suggest that you give this book a try!!

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (11/06) Barbara Youree has taken her love for Italy and its Renaissance art when she visited Florence and written four short love stories. All four stories take place in an intriguing Italian Renaissance setting with characters struggling in keeping faith, dealing with love, and toiling with restrictions society has placed upon them. This collection is entitled "Renaissance Brides." "Silent Heart" (2005) begins on a farm in France in 1572 with mother, Elise Chaplain, and her children, 16 year old daughter Francoise, and 11 year old son Etienne, fleeing for their lives after the rest of their family has been brutally killed because of civil war in France. To make matters worse, the plague is a constant danger. The kind Marinelli family helps the distraught Chaplains and the young Marinelli son, Stefano, finds himself in love with Francoise. But wounds run deep for Francoise after witnessing her family's death and destruction, and she feels too scarred to ever love again. "Both Sides of the Easel" (2000) takes place in Rome in the early 1600's. It is the story of Bianca Maria, daughter of Stefano and Francoise, who desires to be an artist and follows the career of the best young artist in all of Rome at that time, Caravaggio. Marco Biliverti is Caravaggio's model who befriends Bianca and enables her to meet the famous Caravaggio. Unfortunately for Bianca, Caravaggio is nothing like she imagined him to be, but Marco is the perfect gentleman. After evil brother Jacopo kicks Marco, sister Annabella, and mother Costanza from the family's castle after their father's death, Marco dutifully takes the responsibility to see the family has all the necessary accommodations. Bianca soon begins to see the true colors of Marco. "Forever is not Long Enough" (2002) begins in Italy in 1610 and finds the widow Costanza Biliverti trying to run the family vineyards despite a suspicious fire and stolen cattle. It is obvious the castle is housing a spy, but who could it be? With Marco away, the young Albret takes on new responsibilities. Tragedy occurs when daughter Annabella is kidnapped and a young merchandising train, led by Antonio, finds the distraught Annabella. Costanza is slowly pulled under Antonio's spell of charm. And finally, "Duel Love" (2005) has Albret growing up and realizing how much he cares for Annabella, but his pride and honor to prove himself worthy take precedence over love. Taking place in Florence, Italy, in 1612, Albret foolishly agrees to a duel with the coward, Conte Frederic Bargerino, who has moved in on Annabella's affections after Albret deemed himself unworthy. Annabella attends the duel, but the participants are unsure of who Annabella really loves. In all four stories, history proves faith in God is resolute and love can prevail. The stories in "Renaissance Brides" are engrossing and will keep you entertained, especially if you enjoy 17th century historical romance, for