a renaissance novel of destiny love and powermistress of france is an intriguing story of love and lust jealousy and ambition magic and murder set in the glorious palaces and chateaux of renaissance francewhen diane de poitiers welcomes home the young princes of france held as hostages in spain for four years she quickly gains their trust and sparks a passion that will endure a lifetimebartered as a bride in the complex power struggle of three kingdoms 14yearold catherine de medici soon arrives in france to marry henri duc dorleans the second son of glamorous king francois from hostage to the royal palaces of france both catherine and her new husband must put the trauma of their childhood aside and try to find a place in the most glittering court of christendom but catherine quickly realises she will have to use all her medici cunning to shine while her marriage is whispered as a misalliance and she is called the grocers daughter her only ally is the disturbing italian sorcerer cosimo ruggieri a man prepared to use the dark arts to manipulate her destinythe eerie unearthing of an egyptian talisman with untold powers sends henris confidante the beautiful diane on a quest to fulfill the mysterious prophesy of her destiny she will rise higher than a queen but the elegant widow attracts the jealousy of the kings spiteful mistress and the court begins to fracture