The Vatican Princess

Gortner's novel is one of character: Borgia pater, of course, but also Lucrezia, intelligent and poised...a sympathetic character, conversant in literature and philosophy, with every Borgia evil laid at the feet of her father, ambitious and calculating, or Cesare, a brilliant and amoral psychopath with a lifelong near-incestuous love for his sister. In a literary exploration riven with Shakespearean quantities of murder, lies, deceptions, and treachery, Gortner's narrative gains veracity with his atmospheric exploration of fashion, architecture, and art on the stage of 'loud, filthy, and dangerous' Rome. Gortner has imagined Lucrezia Borgia's life from a feminist perspective. * Kirkus * This unholy plunge into Rome's darkest dynasty is wholly engrossing. * Allison Pataki: author of Sisi: Empress on Her Own * Disturbing royal secrets and court manipulations wickedly twist this enthralling story, brilliantly told. * <i>Publishers Weekly</i> on <i>The Last Queen</i> * Compelling... a riveting blend of passion, power and betrayal. * <i>Inside Soap</i> on <i>The Last Queen</i> * The world of Renaissance Italy is vividly brought to life - I'm captivated by this knowledgeable author's take on the controversial Borgias. * Alison Weir *

C.W. Gortner is half-Spanish by birth and his formative years were spent in southern Spain, where his lifelong fascination with history began. After years of working as a fashion marketer and editor, he returned to college to pursue a Masters in Fine Arts in Writing. He lives in Northern California with his partner and their Welsh Pembroke Corgi, and welcomes visitors at: www.cwgortner.com