The serpent and the pearl

Rome, 1492. A pope ies dying and the throne of God is lef vacant, a prize awarded only to the most virtuous -- or the most ruthless. The Borgia family begins its legendary rise, chronicled by an innocent girl who finds herself drawn into their dangerous web. Vivacious Giulia Farnese, who has beauty, wealth, and a handsome young husband, is stunned to discover that her glittering marriage is a sham, and she is to be given as a concubine to Cardinal Borgia: Spaniard, sensualist, candidate for Pope -- nand passionately in love with her.