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Lady of the Seven Suns: A Novel of the Woman Saint Francis Called Brother Kindle Edition

by Tinney Sue Heath (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 86 ratings
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"Twisting with life... warmth and chaos and squabbles, tears and laughter. And over it all soars the beautifully depicted, utterly chaste love story between Giacoma and her spiritual mentor."

Giacoma is the only woman present at the death of Saint Francesco of Assisi. The only woman allowed inside his friary. And the only woman Francesco calls Brother.

After tragedy shatters Giacoma's world, she needs Francesco to save her sanity and her faith. He and his fledgling brotherhood need her support to survive in a world alien to their values. When the wealthy Roman noblewoman becomes benefactress, follower, and loyal friend to the holy man who vows to own nothing at all, two lives take an unexpected turn.

Based on the life of a real woman, Lady of the Seven Suns traces the profound friendship between these two unlikely companions. One becomes known throughout the world, while the other fades into obscurity.

This is her story.
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  1. Print length
    393 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2019
  5. File size
    640 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

Panoramic view of Assisi from Mt. Subasio

Image of woman praying

Book cover, church background

Rose window, San Rufino, Assisi

Image of St. Francis of Assisi and friars; review quote "Immerses the reader into medieval Italy"

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Giacoma is a wonderful character. Despite the centuries that separate her life from ours, she is totally relatable... I know from past experience that Ms Heath knows medieval Italy. In her last book, it was Florence that sprang to life; here it is Rome. The vibrant descriptions of processions, of feuding families, of Church politics, of rituals and customs has the novel twisting with life... we are enveloped in a Roman famiglia, complete with warmth and chaos and squabbles, tears and laughter. And over it all soars the beautifully depicted, utterly chaste, love story between Giacoma and her spiritual mentor, San Francesco... absolutely excellent and evocative novel!" - Discovering Diamonds

"Through the eyes of her heroine, Giacoma, Heath captures the charisma and quixotic appeal of Brother Francesco and Sister Chiara, known to history as Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, in a portrait that brings to life the world of medieval Italy, in all its beauty, opulence, suffering, and poverty." - Lucy Pick, University of Chicago (retired) and author of Pilgrimage

"...convincing and moving for this student of art, and the related religion. The humanity is what you'll take away, and I think it will make you look at the many paintings of Saint Francis with extra understanding..." - Jeff Cotton, Fictional Cities

"It is not easy to write about characters' profound religious faith with veracity and sympathy when it differs so starkly from the mores of modern society, but Heath has accomplished that and more with this tale. Her historical research immerses the reader into medieval Italy to such an extent that one can smell the rosemary, taste the communion wine, and hear the poor begging for alms." - Historical Novel Review

About the Author

Tinney Sue Heath is an American midwesterner who has found her heart home in the cities of medieval Italy.

She loves finding the unsung people of the middle ages--the little people, the ignored, the neglected, the forgotten. She especially looks for the ordinary folks who find themselves caught up in extraordinary situations.

When she's not writing about medieval Italy, you will probably find her playing medieval and early Renaissance music on a variety of period instruments, with her husband and with like-minded friends. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin, looking out on a lovely expanse of prairie and daydreaming about her next trip to Italy.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07WLXG9KN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (September 1, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 640 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 393 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 86 ratings

About the author

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Tinney Sue Heath

Tinney Sue Heath

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Tinney Sue Heath is an American midwesterner who has found her heart home in the cities of medieval Italy.

She loves finding the unsung people of the middle ages--the little people, the ignored, the neglected, the forgotten. She especially looks for the ordinary folks who find themselves caught up in extraordinary situations.

When she's not writing about medieval Italy, you will probably find her playing medieval and early Renaissance music on a variety of period instruments, with her husband and with like-minded friends. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin, looking out on a lovely expanse of prairie and daydreaming about her next trip to Italy.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
86 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

The Plague Fairy
5.0 out of 5 stars If you know Assisi and know Rome you'll know why I read it twice!
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
I read a great deal but, as I don't write well anymore, I usually hesitate to comment upon what I read. In this case I cannot be still! I read this novel slowly, savoring the words at the speed of speaking...wishing to hear the evocative tale unfold within my mind; to capture the sharp marble planes of Rome and the soft golden-blue of the skies of Assisi. The author's research is impeccable to the degree that, IMHO, she could be called an authoritative source on the material. I don't know her background beyond this book, but I do know the subject matter she dealt with here, and she more than did it justice.

Besides the authenticity of her writing, this novel touched my heart. It deals with deep and honest love -- for spouses, children, the poor, God, those who labor together, and the love for all of God's creation which St Francis taught so eloquently. There is sorrow, great joy and growth in the story. I loved the characters in this very character driven novel and hated to see it all end. It is the most insightful look at our dear St. Francis "Brother Sun", and Chiara "Sister Moon" that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Add to this the story of the Blessed Giacoma/Jocopa who takes her place as the main character and it's got all that anyone could ask for. I have long wished for the tale of Jacopa and this was a most satisfying treatment of the material known about her. Very satisfying indeed! T.S. Heath is a talented authoress...very skilled with both research and a lyrical turn of phrase. Beautiful!

I recommend this book without any reservations. I wish T.S. Heath the best and have already purchased her book, "A Thing Done". I plan to read everything she writes from here on out. I love finding a new author that I really admire. Good scholarship, storytelling, etc...in my mind it's Christmas time and I'm a kid on the window seat with my stack of new books again! She really brings the magic here.

-- The Plague Fairy
6 people found this helpful
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P. Peterson
4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2021
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Very engaging story about someone historical yet largely unknown even to those who know about St. Francis. A good example of the enormous struggles women had in this era.
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Judalon Manes
5.0 out of 5 stars A Revelation
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book has beauty, soul, and reverence. The voice of Giovanna is relatable and believable, and the historical weaving of facts with fictional elements shows a true artist's skill. If you love historical fiction about lesser known women as I do, you will love this book as much as I have.
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Barbara Schauer
5.0 out of 5 stars Time travelling to a fascinating time with remarable people
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
Two years ago I had a chance to visit Assisi - for one day. In preparation I devoured everything I could about Francis. Lurking in the shadows of the story was a very appealing character about whom little is know aside from some stories that seem like charming folktales, Giacoma or Jacopa dei Settesoli, a Roman noblewoman and friend of Francis's.
Once in Assisi, I had the great fortune to be shown the four major sites by another Roman woman, Valeria, who moved to Assisi three decades ago to live in the setting where Francis and Claire changed the way we know and love God.
Valeria and I have been waiting with bated breath for Tinney Sue Heath's book.
I read A Thing Done to see whether she had the skill and breadth to write the story and was assured she did.
When Lady of the Seven Suns arrived, I put off reading it for several days, worried that it might disappoint despite its author's good intentions. Wasted worry. It is a superb book. If you love Francis, it is a look behind the scenes at the lives of the friends of the great saint. If you love historical novels, it is a rich and knowledgeable narrative that will reward your curiosity. If you simply love fiction, it is a worthy book, sensitively brought forth and well written.
I was happy to buy a copy for Valeria. Her son will visit her at Christmas carrying the book as a gift to her.
There couldn't be a nicer Christmas present.
Thank you, Tinney Sue. I breathed a sigh of relief that you put you heart and mind so purely into imagining these people and their stories of life with a saint in their midst, a man they all loved and hoped would succeed with his heart's desire.
2 people found this helpful
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Kim Rendfeld
5.0 out of 5 stars St. Francis as a Holy Man and Human Being – and His Devoted Friend
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
In Tinney Heath’s “Lady of the Seven Suns,” we meet Giacoma, a13th century noblewoman who wrestles with a question that plagues believers today: how does a Christian stay faithful to God while living in a world that prizes fame and wealth?

Giacoma comes from prominent Roman families (by birth and marriage) and is an early supporter and follower of Francesco (St. Francis of Assisi), who is committed to owning literally nothing. Ms. Heath depicts Francesco as both a holy man and a human being, one who is beloved but not always easy to be around. I must admit: I knew little about Francesco before reading this novel. Ms. Heath’s depiction of the saint make him very real.

Giacoma and Francesco’s relationship is not always easy. Giacoma must navigate being a widowed mother of two sons who expect to become knights, matriarch of an unconventional household, and benefactor of the poor as well as face troublesome kinsmen. She also must contend with her worries about Francesco’s health and her envy of Chiara (St. Clare) and the other woman’s closeness to Francesco in a life of holy poverty.

Giacoma and Francesco’s friendship lasts decades as she watches and supports a nascent, revolutionary order grow into a movement. The story culminates in a poignant ending. Highly recommended.
5 people found this helpful
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GC
5.0 out of 5 stars well researched and cleverly written
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
With little historical data available on Lady Jacoba, Tinney Sue Heath has offered up a clever historic novel that represents the history of the time and the spirit of the Franciscan movement. I enjoyed her imaginative conversations between Lady Jacoba and St. Francis, St. Clare and the early brothers. Having been to Assisi many times myself, I could easily imagine myself in the churches she describes and on the streets of Assisi, which hasn’t changed much in 800 years. This is definitely not a scholarly book…but a very clever and well written novel, worthy of reading by those who are familiar with the Franciscan movement, as well as those who are new to it
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