Turning the World to Stone, Snippet from Kelly Evans

Vilified by history, Caterina Sforza learned early that her life was not her own. Married at age ten, she was a pawn in the ever-changing political environment of Renaissance Italy.

Resigned to her life as a fifteenth-century wife, Caterina adapted to the role she was expected to play: raising and educating her children, helping the poor in her new home, and turning a blind eye to her husband’s increasingly shameful behaviour. But Fate had other plans for her, and soon Caterina’s path would be plagued by murder, betrayal, and heartbreak.

“Could I write all, the world would turn to stone.”

Snippet

“She has quartaine fever,” a male voice announced.

“Are you certain?”

“I am. Her symptoms are clear: a high fever, shaking, vomiting, headaches.” The speaking stopped.

“Who’s there?” Caterina’s voice sounded like someone else’s to her dull ears.

“My lady!” Luisa rushed over and sat on the side of the bed, taking Caterina’s hand. “You’re finally awake!”

Caterina opened her eyes and saw she was in bed. Attempting to rise caused a wave of dizziness to wash over her. “What happened?”

“You’ve been ill.” Luisa put out a hand. “Don’t move, let me get you something to drink.” She hurried to a corner of the room as an unfamiliar man entered her exhausted view.

“I am the Holy Father’s personal physician,” he announced with such gravitas that, had she felt better, it would have made Caterina laugh. Instead, she wondered how many physicians considered themselves a ‘personal’ one to the Pope, for she’d never seen this one. He continued. “You collapsed and were brought home. I was sent to tend to you.” Shaking his head, he frowned. “I was told you’d been fasting and not sleeping. It’s no wonder you fell ill.”

Luisa came back carrying a glass of water. She sat and, holding her friend’s head, helped Caterina to take a small sip. “You’ve been delirious for over a week. Sometimes you slept for more than a day and we struggled to wake you.”

Caterina reached out a weak hand and was comforted when Luisa grabbed it immediately. “Thank you for looking after me,” she whispered, knowing instinctively that the younger woman had remained in the room the entire time Caterina had been ill.

Luisa leaned closer. “Always.”

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Link: https://mybook.to/Caterina
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turning-World-Stone-Caterina-Sforza/dp/1778022421
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Turning-World-Stone-Caterina-Sforza-ebook/dp/B0C1HZHT93
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Turning-World-Stone-Caterina-Sforza-ebook/dp/B0C1HZHT93
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Turning-World-Stone-Caterina-Sforza-ebook/dp/B0C1HZHT93

Meet Kelly Evans

Born in Canada of Scottish extraction, Kelly Evans graduated in History and English then moved to England where she worked in the financial sector. While in London Kelly continued her studies in history, concentrating on Medieval History, and travelled extensively through Eastern and Western Europe.

Kelly is now back in Canada with her husband Max and a rescue cat. She writes full-time, focussing on illuminating little-known women in history with fascinating stories. When not working on her novels, Kelly writes Described Video scripts for visually impaired individuals, plays oboe, and enjoys old sci-fi movies.