The Royal Pawn of Venice: A Romance of Cyprus

The island of Cyprus gleams in the Mediterranean like a jewel promised to Venice, and young Caterina Cornaro is to be its queen. Sent from the marble canals of her childhood to wed the ailing King Janus II, she arrives draped in silk and expectation, her innocent heart full of fairy-tale fantasies about thrones and love and the "happy isle" that has captivated Venetian dreams for generations. But a crown is heavier than it looks. Behind the feasts and the fragrant wines, Caterina must navigate a court poisoned by intrigue, where her marriage is less a union of hearts than a strategic transaction between empires. The dreamy opulence of Cyprus conceals restless nobles, whispered conspiracies, and the crushing weight of duty. As she transforms from sheltered Venetian girl to queen of a fractious kingdom, she discovers that ruling requires sacrifices she never imagined. Written in the early 20th century with lush period flavor, this romance transports readers to sun-drenched courts where political ambition and tender hearts collide. Ideal for those who love historical fiction about women finding their voice in worlds built by men.