My favorite big book of reprints focused on the apartments and the Sistine: Michelangelo and Raphael in the Vatican (1992, Papal Galleries).

My favorite book of Raphael drawings: Raphael: the Drawings by Catherine Whistler (2017, Ashmolean Museum).

A wonderful biography of Felice della Rovere: The Pope’s Daughter: The Extraordinary Life of Felice della Rovere by Caroline P. Murphy (2005, Oxford University Press).

A not-so-expected reading of Sistine iconography: The Sistine Secrets: Michelangelo’s Forbidden Messages in the Heart of the Vatican by Benjamin Blech and Roy Doliner (2008, HarperOne).

One of my favorite Michelangelo biographies by my former teacher: Michelangelo by William E. Wallace (2011, Cambridge University Press).

My favorite condensed history of Rome: Rome: The Biography of a City by Christopher Hibbert (1985, W.W. Norton).

A fascinating history of the building of “new” St. Peter’s: Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal: Building St. Peter’s by R. A. Scotti (2006, Viking Adult).

To read the original biography of Raphael: Lives of the Artists by Giorgio Vasari first published in 1550 (various classic translations/editions).

Raphael was arguably the model for the ideal courtier for The Book of the Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione originally published in 1528 (various classic translations/editions).

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

This novel and my career would not be possible without the unyielding support of my husband, Mike Gandolfi. May every author be so lucky to have such a partner.

Thank you to my editor Lilly Golden for her brilliant eye, keen understanding, and determination to make this book a reality. I’m grateful to my agent Barbara Braun and John Baker for their belief in my work and help in honing this story. And thank you to the entire team at Arcade and Skyhorse Publishing.

Of course, I must thank my parents, to whom this book is dedicated. Their support knows no bounds, and I don’t have enough words to thank them.

I also must acknowledge: Fran Montano from Actor’s Workout Studio in North Hollywood for guiding me on the arduous journey of finding my courage (Raphael would not have told this story in his own voice if it weren’t for Fran); William Wallace from Washington University for giving me permission a long time ago to embrace my obsession with Michelangelo and the Italian Renaissance; Alessandra Hurst for coaching me on my Italian and teaching me how to say Pinturicchio correctly; and my sister-in-law Krista Storey for reading, encouraging, and double-checking my Catholic saints and prayers.

I never would’ve finished this novel if Michelle D’Antuono Wilburn, Allison Dykstra, and Olana DiGirolamo didn’t answer my calls and texts when I was doubting my ability to put this story and this voice onto these pages.

So, thank you to everyone on this list—and to those I didn’t have space to mention—for helping me bring this book to life. You should all be able to find a bit yourselves in these pages.

About the Author

About the Author