Francesca

Written by Bertrice Small

Narrated by Jill Tanner

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 7, 2013
• ISBN: 9781470347321

Bertrice Small

The author of more than fifty historical, fantasy and erotic romance novels, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Bertrice Small lives on the North Fork of the East End of Long Island with her husband and two overfed felines. She is a member of the Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America and RWA’s PAN and PASIC. Bertrice Small is the recipient of numerous awards and was honored as a Pioneer of Romance by RT Book Reviews.

Reviews for Francesca

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Giovanni Pietro D'Angelo, a wealthy silk merchant in Florence has been contacted my Lorenzo di Medici concerning his second daughter Francesca. Titus Cesare, Duke of Torreno Boscoso, is seeking a wife for his heir and di Medici wants Francesca to be one of the 3 candidates. After arguing with her father, Francesca reluctantly agrees to travel to Torreno Boscoso to meet the future Duke.Two other young women are also to be considered and the young heir will choose from the 3 maidens. When Francesca is selected she flees into the forest in an attempt to escape her fate but there she undergoes a change - realizing what she may have lost as well as what she may have found. Francesca's transformation from a spoiled aristocrat to the new duchessa is what is needed for she and the new duke to survive the difficulties ahead.I wasn't fond of the ending but it did have a purpose.

[dawn772 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good historical romance with lots of events but the first half moved kind of slow and was mostly predictable. The second half picked up and some parts were rather surprising but I did not like the ending. Francesca is one of three maidens selected as potential bride for Rafaello.