Romeo & Juliet is the greatest love story ever told.  Every story has a beginning.   "A novel of intricate plot, taut narrative, sharp period detail and beautifully realized characters." - Publishers Weekly "A delightful romp through the backstory of 'Romeo & Juliet." - Chicago Sun-Times   Dive into a captivating fusion of literary worlds. This masterful novel takes you on an unforgettable journey, intertwining the iconic characters of Shakespeare's Italian plays with the real-life figures of Dante's era, to unveil the riveting origin of the legendary Capulet/Montague feud that lies at the heart of Romeo and Juliet. 1314. Verona is a city brimming with political intrigue, forbidden love, and unrelenting vendettas. Pietro Alighieri arrives with his father, the infamous poet Dante, at the invitation of Verona's leader, the legendary Cangrande della Scala. Cangrande is everything a man should be: Daring. Charming. Ruthless. To Pietro, he is the ideal Renaissance prince - until Pietro discovers a secret that could be Cangrande's undoing.   Pietro is drawn into a web of deception involving Cangrande, his sister Katerina, and a star-crossed child. Meanwhile, his friends Mariotto Montecchio and Antonio Capulletto are torn as they feud over a woman. Pietro must navigate a rivalry that severs a friendship, divides a city, and sparks a feud that will produce Shakespeare's famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.   Inspired by the plays of Shakespeare, the poetry of Dante, and the events of history, The Master Of Verona is a sweeping novel of Renaissance Italy that breathes new life into the iconic tale of the star-crossed lovers and their feuding families. Filled with swashbuckling adventure and unrequited love, this epic journey recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett.   "Intricate plotting, well-staged scenes, and colorful descriptions enhance head-spinning but lively entertainment." - Kirkus Reviews   "Be prepared to burn the midnight oil. It's well worth it." - Historical Novel Society   "Blixt is a man of many talents - actor, director, author. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life." - Sharon Kay Penman, author of Lionheart and The Sunne In Splendour "David Blixt bursts onto the historical fiction scene with this masterful tale of adventure, love, and intrigue. This is high adventure at its best." - C.W. Gortner, author of The Last Queen

"David Blixt is a man of many talents—an actor, director, author.  Not all of you may be lucky enough to watch one of his plays, but you all can read one of his novels, which I recommend that you do as soon as possible. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life."—SHARON KAY PENMAN, The Sunne In Splendour and Lionheart    Step into a world of intrigue, passion, and Renaissance splendor with David Blixt's captivating second novel in his Star-Cross'd Series. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of 14th-century Italy as Blixt weaves a tale of political intrigue, forbidden love, and a timeless tale of ambitious rivals.   Eight years after the tumultuous events of The Master of Verona, Pietro Alaghieri is living in exile in Ravenna, enduring the loss of his famous father while secretly raising Cesco, the bastard heir to Verona's prince, Cangrande della Scala. When word of Cangrande's death reaches him, it forces Pietro to race back to Verona and prevent Cesco's rivals from usurping his ward's rightful place. But young Cesco is determined not to be anyone's pawn. Willful and brilliant, he defies even the stars through a dazzling dance of ambition and intrigue. Meanwhile, far behind the scenes, a mastermind pulls the strings, moving the players towards a bloody finale.    Born from Shakespeare's Italian plays, this novel explores the danger, deceit, and deviltry of early Renaissance Italy. With a deft hand, Blixt takes readers on a journey through the heart of Italy, where the echoes of Dante's Divine Comedy resonate in every corner, and the unforgettable characters of Shakespeare's masterpiece Romeo & Juliet breathe new life. Filled with swashbuckling adventure, unrequited love, and brutal treachery, this epic journey recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett.    VOICE OF THE FALCONER is a must-read for lovers of both classic literature and historical fiction, a captivating exploration of the enduring power of words and the enduring legacy of two literary giants. A tour de force of historical fiction, this literary gem will leave readers spellbound and yearning for more.   "David Blixt is one of the masters of historical fiction. Dramatic, vivid, superbly researched, Voice Of The Falconer captures Renaissance Italy in all its heady glamour and lethal intrigue. This is a novel to savor—and then read again!"—C.W. GORTNER, The Queen's Vow and The Tudor Conspiracy    

"Blixt is a man of many talents - actor, director, author. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life." - Sharon Kay Penman, author of Lionheart and The Sunne In Splendour   Prepare to be swept away by the thrilling epic of love, destiny, and treacherous adventure with the third book in David Blixt's mesmerizing Star-Crossed Series! In the turbulent world of Renaissance Italy, 'Fortune's Fool' continues the saga of Romeo and Juliet like you've never seen before.   Italy, 1326. Cesco, the mercurial heir to Verona, is thrust into a deadly game of politics under the stern guidance of a relentless master. Meanwhile, Pietro Alaghieri embarks on a treacherous journey to the heart of the Papacy in Avignon, fighting for Cesco's rightful place and battling excommunication. Little does he know that a cunning enemy, long in the shadows, is poised to shatter his life and seize Verona's throne.   As Cesco faces trials of wit and courage, he finds himself pitted against a power-hungry cousin, an enigmatic assassin, and even the formidable Holy Roman. Separated from his allies, Cesco's fate hangs in the balance as a harrowing series of adventures reveal a secret long hidden, one that threatens Cesco's only chance for true happiness. Inspired by Shakespeare, Dante, and Petrarch, this Renaissance novel of intrigue and passion reflects the heights of drama, exploring the capricious whims of lady Fortune, who has her favorites—and her fools.   Replete with swashbuckling adventure, unrequited love, and brutal treachery, this epic journey recalls the best of Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett.

"Blixt is a man of many talents - actor, director, author. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life." - Sharon Kay Penman, author of Lionheart and The Sunne In Splendour Dive into the treacherous landscape of Renaissance Italy, where alliances shift like shadows and betrayal is a constant companion, with the explosive fourth novel David Blixt's critically acclaimed Star-Cross'd Series!   Triumphant in its clash with Padua, Verona now stands at the precipice of a foretold disaster. The Montagues and Capulets continue their epic feud, threatening to plunge Verona into chaos. The once-promising Cesco, a rising star in his own right, plunges headlong into the shadows, steering his extraordinary talents toward a tumultuous existence that defies not only the Veronese lord and the Church but challenges the very constellations themselves. The heart of the struggle is a love that could either be the key to lasting peace or the catalyst for utter destruction.   In a bid to reclaim Cesco's faltering spirit, Pietro Alaghieri welcomes the seething plots and intrigues of the Veronese court, hoping they'll jolt Cesco from his languor. Yet, as the first lifeless body hits the ground, it becomes starkly evident that this new game is a lethal gambit, a perilous trial that threatens to doom them all. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of swashbuckling adventure, smoldering passion, and ruthless betrayal, as this epic tale unfolds—an electrifying odyssey reminiscent of the best works by Bernard Cornwell, Sharon Kay Penman, and Dorothy Dunnett. The stars may have foretold the doom, but the chaos that ensues is beyond even their celestial predictions.   Prepare to be swept away by the intricate web of alliances and enmities in The Prince's Doom, a gripping addition to the Star-Cross'd Series that will leave breathless readers eagerly anticipating the next twist in this captivating saga.