The Mercy of Lions

<p class=ql-align-center><strong>WELCOME TO HIGH RENAISSANCE ITALY:</strong></p><p class=ql-align-justify>The age of Michelangelo and Leonardo of Machiavelli and Raphael - a belle epoque for warrior popes prelates princes poets and the realpolitik. </p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>But even as the philosophers claim that 'man has come of age' Europeans once again arm for war and march on Italy. </p><p class=ql-align-justify> </p><p class=ql-align-justify>Into this inferno of intrigue and bloodletting the knights of Rhodes send Hugh de Erpingham to assassinate his hero Marcantonio Vendramin a knight who has disappeared with the gold that could save Rhodes from a growing Turkish threat. </p><p class=ql-align-justify>  </p><p class=ql-align-justify>As the Sultan amasses a monstrous armada in Gallipoli these two errant knights; two refugees from the collapse of chivalry lock horns in a desperate dance of death across the Italian city states in a bid to save Christendom.... and their own souls. </p><p class=ql-align-center><br></p><p class=ql-align-center><strong>PRAISE for BOOK III - 'THE HERETIC'</strong></p><p class=ql-align-center><br></p><p class=ql-align-center><em>'An exceptional new novel... masterful story... delicious multifaceted.' </em></p><p class=ql-align-center>The Historical Novel Review (US)</p><p class=ql-align-center><br></p><p class=ql-align-center><em>'A book of big ideas political intrigue and action; I came to love Brother Pacificus Simon the children and the many other characters and I have to admit I shed several tears on their behalf. Based on historical events this book has it all and I would recommend it to anyone interested in such a tumultuous time period.'</em></p><p class=ql-align-center>The Historical Novel Society</p><p class=ql-align-center><br></p><p class=ql-align-center><em>'Magnificent... a work of importance... moments of astonishing power... could become a cult book of its kind.' </em></p><p class=ql-align-center>Author Penelope Wilcox</p><p><br></p>