A sacred artifact. An impossible rescue. And the threat of war hanging over all.

During the height of the Renaissance, the Annunciation—a sacred painting said to protect the Republic of Florence from foreign invasion—is stolen by French mercenaries.

After Florentine spy Elena Borseli sends word of the painting’s location in an underground lair beneath Notre Dame Cathedral, she falls into an ominous silence.

Enigmatic sea captain Niccolo Corsini has been tasked with an impossible quest: lead a small band into the heart of France to recover the Annunciation and rescue Lady Borseli from the infamous Bastille Prison. Yet even if he succeeds in either objective, how can Niccolo transport the members of his Florentine Order and the Annunciation across hundreds of miles of hostile territory? And can he reach Florence in time to warn it of the threat of an imminent invasion?

Reviews

  • "Combine elements of evil kings and dukes, Game of Thrones-style characters, and the horrific Bastille Prison, and you have everything set for an explosive medieval thriller novel. Elena and Niccolo have great chemistry together, and with the members of the Florentine Order, they're charismatic enough to draw you in. It's a great cast with very engaging characters. Fantastic dialogue that pulls you in. And there are already enough stakes within the story to keep you engaged.” Reedsy Discovery (five-star review)

  • “The wait for “Quest of the Florentine Order” by Steven F. Freeman accentuated the days I drifted back to Book 1: “Rise of the Black Cross.” This series jumps to the top of my favorite reads in the past 40 years! There will be no spoilers here. This book is far too good to diminish. It is an investment in your spirit of loyalty and honor and a tribute to all writers who aspire to reach this pinnacle of excellence.” Amazon review

  • “The book draws the reader into the time and place alongside the characters, into the glitter of the French Court, into the dank depths of the Bastille, into tense escapes from pursuing French soldiers. "Quest" is an enjoyable read and makes the reader eager for the next book in the series.” Amazon review

  • “the language is lovely, the weaving of historical tidbits into the story is seamless, and action scenes are well-developed and thrilling. This round also had a tender romantic thread that has a wonderful resolution (no spoilers here). A lot of research and care clearly went into this book, and it makes for a very entertaining read.” Amazon review