The year is 1570 and Europe trembles on the verge of invasion by Turkish forces. In the service of Pope Pius V, Leonardo Radolowick sets out on a quest to secure a holy relic that the pope believes will decide the fate of Christian Europe. Long treasured for its power in battle, the spear, used by the Roman centurion Longinus to pierce the side of Jesus on the cross, lies secreted in Constantinople, the center of Turkish power. Radolowick’s commission is to find and recover the ancient Judeo/Christian relic from the Turks. His small band includes members of the Knights of St. John and an inquisitive young Spaniard, Miguel de Cervantes, who accompany him on the hazardous voyage east. He and Miguel quickly become friends and set out aboard a stunning new sailing vessel built from a recently recovered design by Leonardo da Vinci. On the way they confront blind ambition and savagery far beyond any they had ever imagined. All of Europe is fragmented and embroiled in religious turmoil. England, France, and the Holy Roman Empire are preoccupied with petty disputes, and reject the pope’s urgent plea for a united Christian stand against the Ottoman Turks. Only a brokered alliance forced by the Holy See between Spain and Venice can give Europe a fighting chance against the invincible Turkish colossus. Two worlds, diverse in philosophy and custom, converge to meet in a titanic clash for survival and supremacy. Pope Pius V boldly moves to secure a Christian victory by attempting to reclaim the ancient talisman, the spear of Longinus. Has he been divinely inspired, or is he simply a religious zealot blinded by his own delusions of faith? The Spear of Lepanto is an epic tale of adventure, romance, and heroism, vividly bringing the distant past to life.
Leon J. Radomile, renowned among Italian-American authors, has had a life-long love of history. Born in Philadelphia in 1949 of Italian parents, he moved with his family to San Francisco at the age of nine. In 1972 he graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in history. In 1999, as a businessman and entrepreneur, he began writing and publishing his own Italian culture books beginning with the best-selling bilingual Heritage Italian-American Style.
He followed that success with Heritage Hispanic-American Style in 2003. Becoming involved in genealogical research began as a recurring daydream of his Italian ancestors and grew into this fictional Renaissance adventure based on the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Happily married to Lanette since 1975, he has two daughters, Lea Linda and Alexandra Marie, and is looking forward to spinning tales for his grandchildren.
Learn more at:
http://leonradomile.com
