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<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Love-at-Arms</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/love-at-arms--7167951</link><description><![CDATA[Explore the intricate tapestry of love, power, and rebellion in "Love-at-Arms," a podcast that delves into the complex dynamics of historical romance. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, inviting listeners into a world where women challenge societal norms and navigate the treacherous waters of political alliances. Unfolding against the backdrop of 15th-16th century Italy, these stories highlight the struggles of those who seek to assert their agency in a landscape dominated by powerful families and rigid traditions. This is not a single narrative but a series of unique explorations that illuminate the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression. As you journey through these captivating tales, you will encounter fierce heroines and the tumultuous relationships that shape their destinies. Discover a new book with every episode and immerse yourself in the rich history and passionate conflicts that define love in a time of strife.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7167951/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright Tragedy Genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg</url><title>Love-at-Arms</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/love-at-arms--7167951</link></image><lastBuildDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:44:42 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Tragedy Genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker87@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Explore the intricate tapestry of love, power, and rebellion in "Love-at-Arms," a podcast that delves into the complex dynamics of historical romance. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, inviting listeners into a world where women...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Explore the intricate tapestry of love, power, and rebellion in "Love-at-Arms," a podcast that delves into the complex dynamics of historical romance. Each episode features a new complete audiobook, inviting listeners into a world where women challenge societal norms and navigate the treacherous waters of political alliances. Unfolding against the backdrop of 15th-16th century Italy, these stories highlight the struggles of those who seek to assert their agency in a landscape dominated by powerful families and rigid traditions. This is not a single narrative but a series of unique explorations that illuminate the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression. As you journey through these captivating tales, you will encounter fierce heroines and the tumultuous relationships that shape their destinies. Discover a new book with every episode and immerse yourself in the rich history and passionate conflicts that define love in a time of strife.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Kids &amp; Family"><itunes:category text="Pets &amp; Animals"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Science"><itunes:category text="Nature"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>9a856e6f-3d05-5321-ac45-d339c751a63e</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Masquerader (Version 2)-Katherine Cecil Thurston</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/masquerader-version-2-katherine-cecil-thurston--74628419</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74628419</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:02:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74628419/masquerader_version_2_katherine_cecil_thurston.mp3" length="257961854" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32213</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Supermind-Randall Garrett, Laurence M. Janifer</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/supermind-randall-garrett-laurence-m-janifer--74596408</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74596408</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:03:11 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74596408/8622_supermind_randall_garrett_laurence_m_janifer.mp3" length="230639216" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>28801</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Finland and the Tsars, 1809-1899-Joseph R. Fisher</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/finland-and-the-tsars-1809-1899-joseph-r-fisher--74564638</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74564638</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:45 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74564638/finland_and_the_tsars_1809_1899_joseph_r_fisher.mp3" length="243906414" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>30457</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Don Sebastian; or, The House of the Braganza An Historical Romance, Volume 4-Anna Maria Porter</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/don-sebastian-or-the-house-of-the-braganza-an-historical-romance-volume-4-anna-maria-porter--74533677</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74533677</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:09:12 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74533677/don_sebastian_or_the_house_of_the_braganza_an_historical_romance_volume_4_anna_maria_porter.mp3" length="125710556" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>15698</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Eyes Like the Sea-Mór Jókai</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/eyes-like-the-sea-mor-jokai--74502926</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74502926</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:08:44 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74502926/eyes_like_the_sea_mo_r_jo_kai.mp3" length="265476320" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>33151</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Aristopia A Romance-History of the New World-Castello Newton Holford</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/aristopia-a-romance-history-of-the-new-world-castello-newton-holford--74464335</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74464335</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:07:58 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74464335/aristopia_a_romance_history_of_the_new_world_castello_newton_holford.mp3" length="150743277" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18824</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Greenmantle (Version 2)-John Buchan</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/greenmantle-version-2-john-buchan--74432164</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74432164</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:08:47 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74432164/greenmantle_version_2_john_buchan.mp3" length="270121425" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>33732</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Sense of the Past-Henry James</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/sense-of-the-past-henry-james--74391190</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74391190</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:42:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74391190/sense_of_the_past_henry_james.mp3" length="267455116" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>33399</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Romance of an Old Fool-Roswell Field</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/romance-of-an-old-fool-roswell-field--74349311</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74349311</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:34:02 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74349311/romance_of_an_old_fool_roswell_field.mp3" length="85783992" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10712</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>As I Lay Dying-William Faulkner</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/as-i-lay-dying-william-faulkner--74209645</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74209645</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:09:01 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74209645/as_i_lay_dying_william_faulkner.mp3" length="184958715" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23096</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Emperor's Candlesticks-Baroness Emma Orczy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/emperor-s-candlesticks-baroness-emma-orczy--74163933</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74163933</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:09:29 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74163933/emperor_s_candlesticks_baroness_emma_orczy.mp3" length="138199833" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>17258</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Dead Run-Robert Sheckley</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/dead-run-robert-sheckley--74119329</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74119329</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:56:32 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74119329/dead_run_robert_sheckley.mp3" length="128728938" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>16075</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Love-at-Arms-Rafael Sabatini</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/love-at-arms-rafael-sabatini--73425734</link><description><![CDATA["Love-at-Arms" by Rafael Sabatini is a captivating tale that explores themes of love, honor, and the complexities of human relationships set against a backdrop of adventure. This timeless story resonates with listeners today as it delves into the struggles and triumphs of its characters, reflecting the enduring nature of passion and loyalty. Sabatini's masterful storytelling invites the audience to experience the emotional depth and moral dilemmas faced by those in love, making it a poignant reminder of the sacrifices one may make for true affection. Its exploration of the intricate balance between duty and desire continues to captivate hearts, ensuring its place in the literary canon.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73425734</guid><pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:01:24 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73425734/love_at_arms_rafael_sabatini.mp3" length="285532723" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Love-at-Arms" by Rafael Sabatini is a captivating tale that explores themes of love, honor, and the complexities of human relationships set against a backdrop of adventure. This timeless story resonates with listeners today as it delves into the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Love-at-Arms" by Rafael Sabatini is a captivating tale that explores themes of love, honor, and the complexities of human relationships set against a backdrop of adventure. This timeless story resonates with listeners today as it delves into the struggles and triumphs of its characters, reflecting the enduring nature of passion and loyalty. Sabatini's masterful storytelling invites the audience to experience the emotional depth and moral dilemmas faced by those in love, making it a poignant reminder of the sacrifices one may make for true affection. Its exploration of the intricate balance between duty and desire continues to captivate hearts, ensuring its place in the literary canon.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>35656</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Love-at-Arms - Rafael Sabatini</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/love-at-arms-rafael-sabatini--72922509</link><description><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72922509</guid><pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 23:44:29 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72922509/love_at_arms_rafael_sabatini.mp3" length="285242753" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Rafael Sabatini</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[A historical novel set in 15th-16th century Italy, Love-at-Arms centres on the surprising rebellion of a young girl, Valentina della Rovere, against marriage to a man she finds detestable. Her all powerful uncle, Guidobaldo da Montefeltro of Urbino, removed Valentina from a convent with the aim of marrying her to Duke Gian Maria Sforza in a political marriage designed to unite the Sforza Duchy of Babbiano with her uncle’s domains of Urbino--together these two clans would be strengthened against the ever expanding power of the Borgia family. Valentina, however, refuses to be so callously used for political purposes and is determined in her resistance to the marriage. The story opens with a group of loyal statesmen treacherously plotting to overthrow the self-indulgent Gian Maria Sforza, who had long since lost the respect of his now downtrodden people. They planned to secretly meet Francesco del Falco, a mercenary with a great reputation, and offer him Sforza's duchy of Babbiano. Francesco was unwilling to join this intrigue, and during his escape chances upon the innocent Valentina who is travelling to Urbino ignorant of the political turmoil ahead. Valentina is also unaware that Francesco is the Count of Aquila, a noble in his own right, and that the chance meeting would be one of great importance to them both. The narrative revolves around themes of loyalty, ambition, and the conflicts between personal integrity and political duty. The broader power struggles are entwined with romantic entanglements as Valentina della Rovere defies her betrothed Duke Gian Maria and her Uncle Guidobaldo Da Montefeltro. Raphael Sabatini dedicated Love-At-Arms to his wife, Ruth Goad Dixon. - Summary by KiwiReader24]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>35656</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>arms,francesco,gian,guidobaldo,love,sabatini,sforza,suspense,urbino,valentina</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/020f0e86cd334b1f5dbbc297e08590ab.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
