The Daughter of the Merchant of Venice is an intriguing love story that follows the romance between an apprentice artist named Stefano D’Alvino and Giustina Boschetti, the daughter of a Venetian merchant. Theirs is a story of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity, vividly detailed and depicted in 16th-century Venice, Candia (Crete), and Constantinople.Accompanied by their merchant father on the San Giuliano, twin sisters Giustina and Giovanella set out in 1532 on a challenging adventure to Syria. The family was captured by Barbarossa and his Turkish Corsairs during the sea voyage and later sold Giustina and Giovanella at the slave market in Constantinople. The Grand Vizir buys the Venetian twins and enslaves them in the Harem at the Topkapi Palace. Two years passed, and the twin sisters remained trapped in an Ottoman world full of intrigue, sensuality, female rivalry, and fear. The Venetian sisters plan their escape – but how?Enslaved in the Imperial Harem for two years, Giustina has not seen her beloved Stefano. Will Giustina be able to reunite with her beloved Stefano in Venice?A story that’s both captivating and sensuous, full of passion, mystery, and intrigue. It takes you on a journey to the heart of Venice and Constantinople, where the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Harem, sultan, and concubines await.
Stephen Sturgess is a Yoga meditation teacher, artist, graphic designer, and author. Six non-fiction books on Yoga and meditation, including two Yoga bestsellers - The Supreme Art and Science of Raja & Kriya Yoga and Yoga Meditation (Everyday Yoga Meditation), have been authored by him, and have been translated into six languages. The 16th-century Italian Renaissance is a subject that Stephen has great interest and passion for. Copies of famous paintings by Italian masters like Titian, Perugino, and Raphael have been painted by him.
His travels to Italy and Turkey inspired him to write this epic historical love story set in Venice and Constantinople.
London is both Stephen’s birthplace and current residence.
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This book should be on every bookshelf. If you are interested in history, art, romance, travel, adventure, this book is definitely for you. The author, Stephen Sturgess, takes you on a journey from 16th century Venice during the Renaissance to Candia in Crete and then Constantinople. The whole story is very gripping, two young lovers: Stefano and Giustina, united by a deep passion became separated by a long journey that doesn't go according to plan. It is a coming of age story, filled with many authentic very well researched historical details, it is a story of love and death, betrayal and forgiveness. A physical and spiritual journey in the company of saints and sinners. I have laughed and cried with Giustina, I have suffered and rejoiced and was not able to put the book down. I recommend this book to all readers, you are not going to be disappointed.
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