Verona, 1576.
Heresy is fatal in late Renaissance Italy, but Martin Luther’s book ignites a young girl’s faith.
She must choose—abandon her beliefs or risk everything.
Join Lucia as she navigates the exciting and perilous world of late 16th-century Italy!
“A gripping tale of a young girl of Renaissance Italy…a superb example of historical fiction based on actual fact.”
Dr. Jeannine Olson, Professor of History, Rhode Island College
HISTORICAL NOVELIST
C.L.R. Peterson
Renaissance history came to life for C.L.R. Peterson during a semester in Italy.
Later the classic David-versus-Goliath battle of Luther and the Roman Church hooked her on the Reformation, and she earned a PhD in Early Modern European History at Stanford University.
She loves to tell the stories of little-known heroes of the Renaissance/Reformation era.
Lucia’s Renaissance is her debut novel, soon to be followed by the sequel, Lucia’s Journey.
She has also written several short stories in Lucia’s storyworld, including “Caterina’s Choice,” which is available at no charge to readers who sign up for her author newsletter.
My New Short Story! Free to my Subscribers!
Verona, 1571.
When Caterina welcomes her husband’s brilliant student, Alessandro, into their home, she has no idea how he will heighten the danger her family faces as the Inquisition closes in.
Against the vivid backdrop of Renaissance Verona, this prequel short story to my novel Lucia’s Renaissance captures the terror of the Inquisition’s reach.
Immerse yourself in rich historical detail and high emotional stakes in this dramatic story of danger and conscience!
Recent Blog Posts
Grazia’s Journey Through the Italian Renaissance
My review of The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi, which takes readers through numerous key events of the Italian Renaissance (wars, conflicts between Italian city-states, religious persecution, the sack of Rome, to name a few), from the unique vantage point of a gifted Jewish woman attempting to find her way in an often-hostile Christian culture.
Three Generations of Heroines
This month, I’m pleased to offer you a review of a novel I recently enjoyed. With its title, The Women of Chateau Lafayette, you might expect a biography of Lafayette’s wife, but this novel offers much more.This amazing time slip novel draws readers into three...
Escape to Oregon’s Pioneer Days
Review of All She Left Behind, set in Oregon just after it became a state, and update on progress of my upcoming book, Lucia’s Journey.
Celebrate with me!
I’m excited to share exciting news, including my review of The Mercy Seller, the favorite novel I’ve read in 2024!
Read a Terrific Book or Two!
My review of The Orphan Collector, a novel focused on the 1918 Influenza epidemic that I could hardly put it down, + an invitation to be an advance reader for my new novel.
Exploring Ancestry and Early America Through ‘Caleb’s Crossing’ + an Invitation
Review of Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks, and an invitation to a tour and retreat in Venice