Costanza 'Striking fictional retelling of this true history' – Sunday Times

<P><B>'In Blackmore's striking fictional retelling of this true history, Costanza refuses to accept a fate as nothing more than a victim of male exploitation' <I>SUNDAY TIMES</I></B><br><br>Rome, 1636: In the scorched city of Rome, the cobbled streets hum with gossip and sin... Costanza Piccolomini is a respectable young wife - until she meets Gianlorenzo Bernini, the famed sculptor and star of Roman society, whose jet-black gaze matches his dark temper. From the second they set eyes upon each other, a fatal attraction is born.<br><br>Their secret love burns with a passion that consumes them. But with every stolen kiss and illicit tryst, Costanza's reputation is at stake. Meanwhile, Bernini has a dangerous desire: he wants to make Costanza immortal. He vows to possess her not just in body and soul, but also in marble.<br><br>When Bernini unveils his sculpture of Costanza, she is exposed as his lover, marking the undoing of their affair - and the beginning of a scandal which will rock Roman society. For Bernini would rather destroy Costanza than let her go.<br><br>Betrayed. Abandoned. Banished. This was meant to be the end of Costanza's story. But Costanza is no ordinary woman: from the ashes, she will rise...<br><br><B>History calls her a Muse. Temptress. Fallen woman. This is <I>her</I> story. Based on a true story, </B><B><I>Costanza</I></B><B> brings to life a feminist icon who has been written out of history. Perfect for fans of </B><I><B>The Marriage Portrait </B></I><B>and </B><I><B>The Miniaturist.</B></I><br><br>'Emotionally intense' <B>DAILY MAIL</B><br>'Stunning' <B>JENNIE GODFREY</B><br>'This novel took over my life'<B> PATERSON JOSEPH</B><br>'I loved it'<B> ELIZABETH CHADWICK</B><br>'This has to be my book of the year!' <B>SHEILA O'FLANAGAN</B><br>'A revelation' <B>ELLEN ALPSTEN</B></P>