LOVE THAT MOVES THE SUN
The passionate bond between Renaissance poet Vittoria Colonna and famed artist Michelangelo
In 1534, Michelangelo is no longer safe in Florence. Pope Clement VII, his childhood friend, summons him to Rome not only to protect him from his enemies but also to demand he paint a masterpiece that will be the Medici Pope’s legacy—the Last Judgment, a fresco for the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel.
At the same moment, fate brings the celebrated but reclusive poet Vittoria Colonna to Rome to petition the pope as a favor to a dear friend.
The two encounter each other briefly in the Vatican, and Michelangelo sketches from memory the enigmatic beauty of the poet’s face. When she sees the drawing, she recognizes in the artist the kindred spirit she has found elusive throughout the course of her turbulent life.
This fleeting moment is the foundation of a profound relationship between the two artists that feeds both their creativity and their need for connection in the midst of war-torn 16th century Italy.
Rich historical detail and masterful storytelling bring these legendary characters and their milieu to vivid, unforgettable life.
Renaissance Historical Fiction, 530 pages, 5 x 8
Trade Paperback, $23.99, ISBN: 978-1942209546
E-Book, $5.99. ISBN: 978-1942209553
Praise and Honors for Love That Moves the Sun
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FOREWORD INDIES BOOK OF THE YEAR
Finalist
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NYC BIG BOOK AWARD
Winner in Historical Fiction
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CHANTICLEER INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS
CHAUCER AWARD in Historical Fiction
Semi-finalist
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"An elegant portrayal of the friendship between the poet and the artist who stirred her from solitude. Intimate and perspective-driven, it explores faith, love, and the lines where public and private life converge.” – Foreword Clarion Reviews
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"A sweeping historical epic and a sensitively observed exploration of the passionate friendship between Colonna and Michelangelo. the poet’s story and her journey as a woman and a writer are dynamic and multilayered….A stirring and emotionally resonant portrait of a pivotal relationship in the life of Michelangelo.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)