The Two Dianas, Volume 1 (of 3)

Set against the turbulent closing years of Henri II’s reign and the brief, tragic rule of his son François II, the novel immerses listeners in a France teetering between Catholic orthodoxy and the dawning Reformation. Courts swirl with ambition as Catherine de Medici, newly widowed, maneuvers to protect her children while contending with the ruthless Diane de Poitiers and the power‑hungry Guise brothers. The stage is further enlivened by real figures such as the reformer John Calvin, the bold surgeon Ambroise Paré, and the charismatic Prince of Navarre, whose ideals begin to stir the nation’s conscience.

At the heart of the story are two women named Diana, each embodying a different facet of influence and desire in this volatile era. Their rivalry, alliances, and secret passions drive a web of intrigue that interlaces love, betrayal, and the looming threat of civil war. As the first act unfolds, listeners are drawn into a world where personal ambition collides with historic upheaval, promising a richly textured saga of power and destiny.