Bound by limits dictated by society, Art Historian Nicolas Halstead lived a guarded life until a tempest in the form of Elenora Schwaab blew into his world. At first Nicolas can’t decide if the audacious American is simply mad or plotting blackmail for not only does she declare knowledge of his homosexuality, she offers him a marriage proposal.
After Ellie tells him of a previously unknown work of Leonardo da Vinci, a book of erotic love poems and sketches dedicated to the artist’s long-time lover Salai, Nicolas joins her in a race to save the book from destruction. Along the way they encounter Historian Luca Franco and discover a comfortable compatibility that comes to redefine their long-held notions of love. The trio embarks on an adventure of sensual discovery, intrigue, and danger. Little do they know Leonardo da Vinci’s book is far more than meets the eye.
The Story Behind This Book
The impetus for Loving Leonardo came right out of the headlines. Simply put – we have a serious intolerance plaguing mankind. When I first put pen to paper (so to speak), the US elections were underway and lines were drawn as political opponents dug their heels on key social issues. It got me thinking. Here we were in 2012 and who you love is still an issue. But why? In many cultures around the world, dual nature is seen as a divine gift. The news was also filled with women’s issues and negative talk of “progressives”. Where had I heard women’s issues and progressive combined before? The Suffragettes. Before I knew it, I had a very American, very unorthodox, Victorian progressive heroine named Ellie.