The House of Baric Part One: Shields Down (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781943594153)

"The series pulls the reader immediately into the complex and colorful world of Venice at the zenith of its power ... This is a delightful series." - Historical Novel Society Book Review

Marriage matches were not preordained by God in Heaven for the Venetian nobility, but skillfully negotiated by fathers looking to enhance their prestige and wealth.

Mauritius Baric would have been such a desirable match. As heir to a Venetian barony, Mauro had connections to powerful political allies that would please a future father-in-law. For the potential bride, he was thankfully handsome and young. Mauro did have some quirks, perhaps due to his mother's neglect, his lingering guilt over his brother's accident, or his father ruining Mauro's wish to die a hero's death on a battlefield. But a Venetian lady wouldn't get a chance to learn these worrisome details since Mauro was already spoken for.

Mauro's father had ruined many aspects of his life, including his choice in a bride. Terese Kokkinos-Resi, as her family called her-was the daughter of an Ottoman sea trader, not a Venetian lady, and definitely not someone interested in marrying an aristocrat far from her beloved home.

Betrothed as children to repay her father's debt to the Barics, their paired future together was the keystone to Lord Baric's continued success. With no urgency, Mauro lived his adventurous life as he pleased and thought little of his betrothed, waiting in Thessaloniki while he soldiered in his uncle's army. Resi made the best of her sequestered adolescence at home, secretly hoping the arrangement had somehow been forgotten. But when tragedy struck the House of Baric, the summons arrived at her doorstep.

In 1649, a year had passed since Mauro's and Resi's marriage, and still the newlyweds barely knew each other. Her strong will and his stoic nature had made for an awkward courtship at first. Slowly, though, like frost melting in the winter sunshine, Mauro warmed to this complicated woman that he had set aside for too long.

Love will bloom in the Croatian heat, and not just between the Barics. Old friends and unexpected visitors will bring romantic opportunities to the soldiers and servants of Baric Castle. Trouble will arrive, too.

With humor and drama, you are a fly on the wall in this intriguing and adventurous trilogy. Love, war, hating, and mating were not so different back then. These memorable characters want to steer their destinies in search of a happily ever after, and you will find yourself rooting for them to succeed in their quest.