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Ruthless
Agata flees from Verona to Venice with nothing but the clothes on her back. Accused of witchcraft, she prefers to risk the unknown than face the terrifying charge. Starving and cold, she wanders the streets in search of honest work but her efforts are fruitless. She eventually finds temporary respite in the sordid world of prostitution, but the sobering reality of human cruelty destroys her innocence. Determined to secure her financial and social future, she aids the Veronese warlord, Cangrande I della Scala, in committing vile acts that will earn her a place in Hell. Although she is handsomely compensated, she wants more—and she'll do whatever it takes to get it.
This riveting novel features Cangrande ("Big Dog"), a fascinating historical character seldom seen in literature. Brimming with suspense and sensuality, RUTHLESS offers readers a glimpse into the intriguing yet brutal world of fourteenth century Italian life.
This riveting novel features Cangrande ("Big Dog"), a fascinating historical character seldom seen in literature. Brimming with suspense and sensuality, RUTHLESS offers readers a glimpse into the intriguing yet brutal world of fourteenth century Italian life.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2018
393 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
C. De Melo
33 books61 followersI perform CPR on history & breathe life into the past...
Hello and welcome! After obtaining my Art History degree from UMASS Dartmouth in 2000, I was hired by an American university to coordinate educational programs throughout Italy. In 2007, I settled in Florence to work as a museum guide. I've been a full-time author since my first book (SABINA) hit #1 in 2014.
My specialty is historical fiction set in Italy, although I do write different genres. I'm a globetrotter and do my utmost to visit every city and historical site mentioned in my novels in order to provide readers with vibrant descriptions.
NOTE: Unfortunately, goodreads does not update book covers, so some of these here are outdated. Please visit my Amazon page by clicking this link: https://www.amazon.com/C.-De-Melo/e/B...
Hello and welcome! After obtaining my Art History degree from UMASS Dartmouth in 2000, I was hired by an American university to coordinate educational programs throughout Italy. In 2007, I settled in Florence to work as a museum guide. I've been a full-time author since my first book (SABINA) hit #1 in 2014.
My specialty is historical fiction set in Italy, although I do write different genres. I'm a globetrotter and do my utmost to visit every city and historical site mentioned in my novels in order to provide readers with vibrant descriptions.
NOTE: Unfortunately, goodreads does not update book covers, so some of these here are outdated. Please visit my Amazon page by clicking this link: https://www.amazon.com/C.-De-Melo/e/B...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 27, 2019
Oh life, sometimes we can't just explain why. Great job Melo
April 20, 2022
A Good Read
C. De Melo’s writing is easy to read with enough description to allow the reader to imagine without being bogged down with too many words. I am not educated enough in Italian history to know if the actual history matches how De Melo depicts it, but the book kept my interest and I could easily imagine the desperate circumstances that were described in RUTHLESS could produce a woman like Agata. Despite the sometimes evil turns her life took her to, Agata remained a sympathetic character throughout. This looks is the second of De Melo’s books I have read and I will read more in the future.
C. De Melo’s writing is easy to read with enough description to allow the reader to imagine without being bogged down with too many words. I am not educated enough in Italian history to know if the actual history matches how De Melo depicts it, but the book kept my interest and I could easily imagine the desperate circumstances that were described in RUTHLESS could produce a woman like Agata. Despite the sometimes evil turns her life took her to, Agata remained a sympathetic character throughout. This looks is the second of De Melo’s books I have read and I will read more in the future.
May 20, 2021
Is this erotica?
I don't know... I'm a historical fiction fan: this is historical. What I appreciated was the courage of the main character. But would I read another of this author's books? Probably not. Maybe. Depends.
I don't know... I'm a historical fiction fan: this is historical. What I appreciated was the courage of the main character. But would I read another of this author's books? Probably not. Maybe. Depends.
November 13, 2019
Another Great Read
Another great read from this amazing author!!!! The multiple points of view made the story flow in an enjoyable progression.
Another great read from this amazing author!!!! The multiple points of view made the story flow in an enjoyable progression.
August 20, 2020
CDeMelo does it again!
Her books are my guilty pleasure. They're not literature by any stretch of the imagination. But they are so good.
Her books are my guilty pleasure. They're not literature by any stretch of the imagination. But they are so good.
July 11, 2019
Good setting & story. So-so ending.
November 3, 2018
Good story
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, somewhat based on historical fact, of a beautiful, young Veronese girl in the 14th century.
This portrayal of life as an indigent child forced into marriage at the age of thirteen covers her life with a thickheaded husband and rapist father -in-laws and the numerous, lustful men in her life as she is forced to run for her life to escape charges of witchcraft. The strong religious emphasis on the curse of Eve is enough to set your teeth on edge as this poor girl faces one life challenge after another in a world run by men .... Strong, "Christian" men. At some point Agata learns to be "ruthless" having been used over and over again.
There were many times I wanted to scream as I read on, and questions about religious dogma continues to plague me as related to women.
I strongly recommend to readers of historical fiction and women's literature.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, somewhat based on historical fact, of a beautiful, young Veronese girl in the 14th century.
This portrayal of life as an indigent child forced into marriage at the age of thirteen covers her life with a thickheaded husband and rapist father -in-laws and the numerous, lustful men in her life as she is forced to run for her life to escape charges of witchcraft. The strong religious emphasis on the curse of Eve is enough to set your teeth on edge as this poor girl faces one life challenge after another in a world run by men .... Strong, "Christian" men. At some point Agata learns to be "ruthless" having been used over and over again.
There were many times I wanted to scream as I read on, and questions about religious dogma continues to plague me as related to women.
I strongly recommend to readers of historical fiction and women's literature.
March 31, 2019
Maybe I’m reading too many of the same kind of books
Really, it was well-written and never tedious. The foreshadowing was just too well done. And Agata, for all her misfortunes, was too lucky. Everyone got what was coming to them, and for that, 4 stars, not 5.
Really, it was well-written and never tedious. The foreshadowing was just too well done. And Agata, for all her misfortunes, was too lucky. Everyone got what was coming to them, and for that, 4 stars, not 5.
April 29, 2019
Treachery
I'm giving this read 3 1/2 stars. Well developed characters, moved along briskly. I did not like the ending: It was too sweet and soft for someone who had such horrible events happen in her life, even if some of those nasty events were not her causing.
I'm giving this read 3 1/2 stars. Well developed characters, moved along briskly. I did not like the ending: It was too sweet and soft for someone who had such horrible events happen in her life, even if some of those nasty events were not her causing.
September 3, 2018
Couldn't get enough!
Having been to Verona myself I visualized every scene...beautiful country! Loved the plot and kept me wanting more. Was sad when story ended😪
Having been to Verona myself I visualized every scene...beautiful country! Loved the plot and kept me wanting more. Was sad when story ended😪
November 10, 2018
Interesting book...
January 22, 2019
Great story line!
If you like history this is for you. I learned about a piece of history I didn’t really know about.
If you like history this is for you. I learned about a piece of history I didn’t really know about.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews