Francesca (The Silk Merchant's Daughters)

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About Francesca

Product Description New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small continues her glorious historical-romance series featuring four sisters in Renaissance Florence who have anything but marriage on their minds…. Giovanni Pietro d’Angelos selected his oldest daughter’s husband, and the marriage proved to be a disaster. He offers to give his next oldest daughter, Francesca, more latitude in choosing a husband than her sister had. But the arrogant beauty has no desire to marry, and she drives every potential suitor away. The Duke of Terreno Boscoso seeks a wife for his heir, Rafaello, and invites Francesca, along with several other possible brides, to come meet him. Francesca’s parents think it’s a good match, but she refuses to consider it until her father makes her a promise: If he does not suit, you may return. She is therefore shocked when, not long after they meet, Rafaello chooses her as his bride and her parents agree to his proposal—without her consent. Furious and feeling betrayed, Francesca flees into the woods and takes shelter at an inn. There, she earns her keep as a servant—and meets an unlikely suitor who steals her heart. But the future remains uncertain for the runaway bride, who is still promised to another. Review Praise for Bertrice Small “THE REIGNING QUEEN OF THE HISTORICAL GENRE”* and Her Novels “Bertrice Small is a legend.”—Linda Lael Miller “Bertrice Small creates cover-to-cover passion, a keen sense of history, and suspense.”— Publishers Weekly “Ms. Small delights and thrills.”— Rendezvous “An insatiable delight for the senses. [Small’s] amazing historical detail…will captivate the reader…potent sensuality.”— *Romance Junkies “[Her novels] tell an intriguing story, they are rich in detail, and they are all so very hard to put down.”— The Best Reviews “Sweeps the ages with skill and finesse.”— Affaire de Coeur “[A] captivating blend of sensuality and rich historical drama.”—Rosemary Rogers “Small is why I read historical romance. It doesn’t get any better than this!”— Romantic Times (top pick) “Small’s boldly sensual love story is certain to please her many devoted readers.”— Booklist “[A] delight to all readers of historical fiction.”— Fresh Fiction “[A] style that garnered her legions of fans.…When she’s at the top of her form, nobody does it quite like Bertrice Small.”— The Romance Reader “Small never ceases to bring us an amazing story of love and happiness.”— Night Owl Reviews About the Author Bertrice Small was the  New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty novels. Among her numerous awards, she was the recipient of the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. She lived on the North Fork of the eastern end of Long Island, New York, until her death in 2015.