the palace Author:chelsea quinn yarbro this spellbinding novel weaves an unforgettable tale of love,power and corruption in 15th century florence. the rich collection of characters includes laurenzo demedici, who suffers from a mysterious and lingering ailment, laurenzo's friend botticelli, and cotticelli's cousin estasia, a woman tortured by her won unquenchable desire. — inextricabl... more »y linked with these three is a stranger-a very weathly,very mysterious newcommer to florence named francesco ragoezy da san germano.francesco builds himself a home that rivals the most sumptous in the city. no one knows for sure what ritual take place in his palace,but people suspect many things.the stranger never eats in public,has no mirrors in his home-even his manner of lovemaking is strange.
francesco's most powerful enemy is the fanatical monk named savonarola-an obsessed ascetic whose hypnotic effect on the citizens of florence has led to the burning of botticell's paintings on the grounds of profanity. savonarola's influence is so malevolent that people have been burned at the stake.francesco must decide whether to flee with his love or to risk all to save a woman he loves from certain death.« less