Book Review: The Competition by Donna Russo Morin

Da Vinci's Disciples are back in this thrilling sequel to Portrait of a Conspiracy. In The Competition, six female artists under the tutelage of Leonardo da Vinci decide to bid for a commission to paint a fresco in Santo Spirito and win. Soon these artists find themselves in physical danger from the people of Florence and other artists who believe women should not be holding such positions of power. But they might find allies in the unlikeliest of places.

While The Competition is a stand-alone novel, I would highly suggest reading the first book in the series so you have a solid background of who these women are and how Da Vinci's Disciples was formed. With this second book in the series, Morin has certainly hit her stride. Now that the foundation has been laid, her talented pen can dig deeper into the lives of Viviana, Isabetta, Fiammetta, Mattea and the other members. The reader watches their roles within the group become more defined and the risk of what they are undertaking increase. This is a novel of strong women before their time seeking to change the perception of an entire city. 

If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, superb character development, and stories where characters seek to make a difference in their world, you need to read the Da Vinci's Disciples series by Donna Russo Morin. I personally can't wait for the conclusion to this thrilling trilogy.

See my review of the first book here.

Series: Da Vinci's Disciples (Book 2)
Paperback: 268 pages
Publisher: Diversion Publishing (April 25, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1682308065
ISBN-13: 978-1682308066

I received a paperback copy of this book from the author. This reviews contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Musing Monday - Aug 28

Musing Monday is hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker.  It is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

I’m currently reading…
Up next I think I’ll read…
I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
I can’t wait to get a copy of…
I wish I could read ___, but…
I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK'S RANDOM QUESTION:   Not sure yet. Not posted.

I looked at both my blogs this weekend and saw I hadn't participated in Musing Monday or Mailbox Monday since July 31. I am a bad little blogger.

I'm just about done with The Competition by Donna Russo Morin, the second book in her Da Vinci's Disciples series. I'll post my review soon. Also coming is my review of Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar--which is horribly overdue.

Here are answers to the Musing Monday questions I missed while off selling houses, playing wife and mom, and moving my father-in-law into assisted living.


From 8/21: Do you steer away from heavy emotional books?

Heck no! I love emotional books. Getting to know characters and watching them thrive against everything life throws their way is awesome. That said, I will occasionally reach for a lighter read to give my emotions a break.

From 8/14: What are your feelings on YA? Do you think it is just for young adults or do you think it’s cool full grown adults like it too.

I've read a fair amount of YA and I am 49. I didn't even like the Little House books until I was in my 20s, so there was no way I was appreciating Harry Potter until after the age of 45. One of the main reasons I enjoy this genre so much is that it keeps me in touch with my children. It lets me know what's popular and what they might be reading.

From 8/7: Do you ever wish you could go back and fall in love with reading all over again?

Not really, because once I discovered my love for reading it never got old. I love reading just as much as when I was younger...if not more.

That's it for me today. Hope you have a great week.

Book Spotlight: Portrait of a Conspiracy by Donna Russo Morin

Portrait of Conspiracy: Da Vinci's Disciples - Book One by Donna Russo Morin

Publication Date: May 10, 2016

Diversion Books

eBook & Paperback; 290 Pages

Genre: Historical Mystery

One murder ignites the powderkeg that threatens to consume the Medici's Florence. Amidst the chaos, five women and one legendary artist weave together a plot that could bring peace, or get them all killed. Seeking to wrest power from the Medici family in 15th Century Florence, members of the Pazzi family drew their blades in a church and slew Giuliano. But Lorenzo de Medici survives, and seeks revenge on everyone involved, plunging the city into a murderous chaos that takes dozens of lives. Bodies are dragged through the streets, and no one is safe. Five women steal away to a church to ply their craft in secret. Viviana, Fiammetta, Isabetta, Natasia, and Mattea are painters, not allowed to be public with their skill, but freed from the restrictions in their lives by their art. When a sixth member of their group, Lapaccia, goes missing, and is rumored to have stolen a much sought after painting as she vanished, the women must venture out into the dangerous streets to find their friend and see her safe. They will have help from one of the most renowned painters of their era the peaceful and kind Leonardo Da Vinci. It is under his tutelage that they will flourish as artists, and with his access that they will infiltrate some of the highest, most secretive places in Florence, unraveling one conspiracy as they build another in its place. Historical fiction at its finest, Donna Russo Morin begins a series of Da Vinci's disciples with a novel both vibrant and absorbing, perfect for the readers of Sarah Dunant.

"A riveting page-turner unlike any historical novel you’ve read, weaving passion, adventure, artistic rebirth, and consequences of ambition into the first of a trilogy by a masterful writer at the peak of her craft." -C. W. Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de’ Medici and The Vatican Princess

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

About the Author

Donna Russo Morin is the award winning of author of historical fiction. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, she lives near the shore with her two sons, Devon and Dylan, her greatest works in progress.

Donna enjoys meeting with book groups in person and via Skype chat. Visit her website at www.donnarussomorin.com; friend her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @DonnaRussoMorin.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, May 10

Review at Unshelfish

Review at The Maiden's Court

Wednesday, May 11

Spotlight at Passages to the Past

Thursday, May 12

Review at CelticLady's Reviews

Friday, May 13

Review at Let Them Read Books

Review at With Her Nose Stuck In A Book

Monday, May 16

Review at Just One More Chapter

Interview at A Literary Vacation

Tuesday, May 17

Review at Seize the Words

Wednesday, May 18

Review at Flashlight Commentary

Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Thursday, May 19

Review at Worth Getting in Bed For

Interview at Flashlight Commentary

Friday, May 20

Guest Post at Layered Pages

Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Monday, May 23

Review at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, May 24

Review at #redhead.with.book

Interview at Reading the Past

Wednesday, May 25

Review at Book Lovers Paradise

Thursday, May 26

Review at Puddletown Reviews

Friday, May 27

Review at The True Book Addict

Monday, May 30

Review at A Bookish Affair

Tuesday, May 31

Guest Post at A Bookish Affair

Wednesday, June 1

Review at The Book Connection (coming Friday)

Thursday, June 2

Review at Book Nerd

Review at Bookramblings

Friday, June 3

Review at Beth's Book Nook Blog

Giveaway

To enter to win an eBook of PORTRAIT OF A CONSPIRACY by Donne Russo Morin please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below. FIVE copies are up for grabs!

Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on June 3rd. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Portrait of a Conspiracy