The Queen's Dressmaker

The Queen's Dressmaker PDF Author: Meghan Masterson
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 1800193874
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 307

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Book Description
One woman must choose between loyalty to her queen and the man she loves… Giselle always dreamed of making beautiful dresses, but never thought she would be chosen to attend to the elegant, but troubled, queen of France, Marie Antoinette. Within the glittering, mirrored walls of the palace, Giselle ensures the queen shines brighter than anyone, with not a single feather or ruffle out of place, no matter how she might feel inside. Being so close to the queen, Giselle is there for her most private and unguarded moments. As whispers spread through the court about the violent protests sweeping across the country and the growing threat to the royal family, Giselle sees the cracks in Marie Antoinette’s perfect image. On a visit home to her family in Paris, Giselle experiences the troubles first-hand, getting caught up in a dangerous riot. When handsome Léon comes to her aid, she falls in love with this kind, clever young man. But Léon does not share her admiration for the royals, siding with those who believe they should no longer be in power. Returning to the palace, Giselle is shocked to find the very lives of the royal family now at stake. Marie Antoinette appeals to her to help them escape France and Giselle faces a heart-wrenching choice. Will Giselle risk the guillotine herself to save the life of her beloved queen? And can she do so without betraying the man she loves? Based on true events, this is an absolutely gripping historical novel of loyalty, betrayal, power and passion. Fans of Les Misérables, Girl with a Pearl Earring and My Dear Hamilton will be totally swept away by this heart-breaking page-turner. Previously published as The Wardrobe Mistress. Readers are captivated by The Queen’s Dressmaker: “An addictive story!… I just could not stop reading… I was swept away by the story… A great choice for readers who love history and romance.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Sexy, absorbing, and suspenseful, this story sweeps you along to its riveting conclusion.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Compelling and drew me in. There is suspense, romance, and many surprises along the way.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I found myself captivated by this novel… Royal court intrigue, fashion… All of the ingredients are here to make for a page-turning story.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I adored the narrator, Giselle… I found myself wishing that I had a tricolor rosette for my own lapel. A stunning debut from a fresh new voice in historical fiction.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fast-paced read that was tough to put down. Giselle is a brave heroine it was easy to root for her.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Masterson is masterful at historical fiction!… I recommend to those interested in the French Revolution and historical fiction alike!” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I felt like I was in the middle of Paris during this tumultuous time. I can't wait for Meghan Masterson's next book!” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Queen's Dressmaker

The Queen's Dressmaker PDF Author: Meghan Masterson
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 1800193874
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 307

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Book Description
One woman must choose between loyalty to her queen and the man she loves… Giselle always dreamed of making beautiful dresses, but never thought she would be chosen to attend to the elegant, but troubled, queen of France, Marie Antoinette. Within the glittering, mirrored walls of the palace, Giselle ensures the queen shines brighter than anyone, with not a single feather or ruffle out of place, no matter how she might feel inside. Being so close to the queen, Giselle is there for her most private and unguarded moments. As whispers spread through the court about the violent protests sweeping across the country and the growing threat to the royal family, Giselle sees the cracks in Marie Antoinette’s perfect image. On a visit home to her family in Paris, Giselle experiences the troubles first-hand, getting caught up in a dangerous riot. When handsome Léon comes to her aid, she falls in love with this kind, clever young man. But Léon does not share her admiration for the royals, siding with those who believe they should no longer be in power. Returning to the palace, Giselle is shocked to find the very lives of the royal family now at stake. Marie Antoinette appeals to her to help them escape France and Giselle faces a heart-wrenching choice. Will Giselle risk the guillotine herself to save the life of her beloved queen? And can she do so without betraying the man she loves? Based on true events, this is an absolutely gripping historical novel of loyalty, betrayal, power and passion. Fans of Les Misérables, Girl with a Pearl Earring and My Dear Hamilton will be totally swept away by this heart-breaking page-turner. Previously published as The Wardrobe Mistress. Readers are captivated by The Queen’s Dressmaker: “An addictive story!… I just could not stop reading… I was swept away by the story… A great choice for readers who love history and romance.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Sexy, absorbing, and suspenseful, this story sweeps you along to its riveting conclusion.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Compelling and drew me in. There is suspense, romance, and many surprises along the way.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I found myself captivated by this novel… Royal court intrigue, fashion… All of the ingredients are here to make for a page-turning story.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I adored the narrator, Giselle… I found myself wishing that I had a tricolor rosette for my own lapel. A stunning debut from a fresh new voice in historical fiction.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fast-paced read that was tough to put down. Giselle is a brave heroine it was easy to root for her.” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Masterson is masterful at historical fiction!… I recommend to those interested in the French Revolution and historical fiction alike!” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I felt like I was in the middle of Paris during this tumultuous time. I can't wait for Meghan Masterson's next book!” Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE VALOIS SAGA: Queen Margot, Chicot de Jester & The Forty-Five Guardsmen (Historical Novels)

THE VALOIS SAGA: Queen Margot, Chicot de Jester & The Forty-Five Guardsmen (Historical Novels) PDF Author: Alexandre Dumas
Publisher: e-artnow
ISBN: 8075835921
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 945

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Book Description
The Valois Trilogy covers the historical context of French Wars of Religion, during the Valois dynasty. The trilogy contains novels Marguerite de Valois (The Reine Margot), Chicot de Jester (La Dame de Monsoreau) and The Forty-Five Guardsmen. Marguerite de Valois or La Reine Margot is a historical novel set in Paris in August 1572 during the reign of Charles IX. The novel's protagonist is Marguerite de Valois, better known as Margot, daughter of the deceased Henry II and the infamous scheming Catholic power player Catherine de Medici. Chicot de Jester or La Dame de Monsoreau is concerned with fraternal royal strife at the court of Henri III. Tragically caught between the millstones of history are the gallant Count de Bussy and the woman he adores, la Dame de Monsoreau. The action takes place between February and September 1578, six years after the massacre of St. Bartholomew with which La Reine Margot begins. The Forty-Five Guardsmen is the third and final novel of the trilogy of Valois. The action takes place between 1585 and 1586, thirteen years after the massacre of St. Bartholomew. Having succeeded his brother Charles IX, Henry III reigned for ten years without being able to calm the political and religious agitation that delivers the kingdom to factions. Alexandre Dumas, père (1802-1870) was a French writer whose works have been translated into nearly 100 languages and he is one of the most widely read French authors. His most famous works are The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers.

Lady of Secrets

Lady of Secrets PDF Author: Susan Carroll
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0345502957
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 450

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Book Description
Meg Wolfe--successor in a line of legendary healers and mystics known as "daughters of the earth"--recieves a summons from King James. Her task: save the king from the most insidious form of treachery, invisible to those who do not possess Meg's extraordinary gifts.

The Searight Saga

The Searight Saga PDF Author: Rupert Colley
Publisher: Rupert Colley
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 596

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Book Description
One family. Three generations. Three epic stories. A soldier. A nurse. A love story that reverberates down the century. Historical fiction at its best… Three engrossing novels following the fortunes of one family from World War One to the turn of the new millennium. This Time Tomorrow Two brothers. One woman. A nation at war. When Guy Searight reluctantly volunteers to fight with the British army in the early days of World War One, he leaves behind his girlfriend, Mary. While away fighting, Guy’s younger brother, Jack, seizes an opportunity to woo Mary for himself. Forthright and self-assured, Guy has always looked out for his confident but frail brother and blithely promises his fretting mother that he’ll look out for him when Jack’s turn comes to join up. But embittered by Jack’s betrayal, Guy vows that when Jack has to face the horrors of war for himself, he won’t be there to look after him. When the brothers are reunited in the trenches of the Western Front, their thoughts are both with Mary. As Jack buckles under the strain of war, can Guy sustain his anger and allow his brother to suffer alone? A shocking event, catastrophic in its intensity and barbaric in its conclusion, forces Guy to re-evaluate his relationship with his brother, with Mary and ultimately himself. The Unforgiving Sea Ten men adrift on a lifeboat. Only one will live to tell the tale. June 1944, World War Two: a convoy ship is torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat. Most on board are killed but ten sailors manage to clamber aboard a lifeboat. Robert Searight emerges as the sole survivor. Traumatized by the experience, he returns to his English village to recuperate. His only task is to return a dead friend’s wedding ring to Joanna, the man’s widow. But Joanna is nowhere to be found. His return to the village brings back the heartache he felt when, a year previously, his fiancée, troubled by her own past, broke off their relationship. But ultimately, it’s his own dark secret that he must confront before he can come to terms with his broken heart and the trauma of having survived The Unforgiving Sea. The Red Oak The past is always with us; it’s just that sometimes we don’t see it. Summer 2004. Tom Searight can’t relate to his 14-year-old daughter, Charlotte, or his cantankerous old father, Robert. But his life really disintegrates when he discovers his wife of 15 years, Julie, is having an affair with Charlotte’s favourite teacher. A chance letter from France takes Tom on a journey to learn about the life of his great uncle, Guy Searight, a veteran of the First World War. But as Tom learns more about his family’s tragic past and his own father’s turbulent childhood, his future becomes increasingly uncertain.

The Once Upon a Princess Saga: A Historical Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling of Sleeping Beauty

The Once Upon a Princess Saga: A Historical Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling of Sleeping Beauty PDF Author: C. S. Johnson
Publisher: C. S. Johnson
ISBN: 194393438X
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 776

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Book Description
THE ONCE UPON A PRINCESS COLLECTOR SET Beauty’s Curse Beauty’s Quest Beauty’s Kiss Beauty’s Gift At her birth, Princess Aurora of Rhone—Rose to her friends—was cursed Magdalina, the wicked ruler of the fairies at war with her kingdom. Under the curse, Rose is doomed to die on her eighteenth birthday after pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. Along with her friends—Theo, a priest on a quest for his own revenge; Mary, a young and talented fairy; Ethan and Sophia, siblings with a troubled past; and a newcomer to the group, Prince Philip—Rose sets out to find a way to break her curse, willing to risk everything to fight the battle of her life—the battle for her freedom, her kingdom, and her heart. Includes all four novellas and special artwork by Julia Mae Busko!

The Lost Queen

The Lost Queen PDF Author: Signe Pike
Publisher: Atria Books
ISBN: 150119142X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 576

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Book Description
“Outlander meets Camelot” (Kirsty Logan, author of The Gracekeepers) in the first book of an exciting historical trilogy that reveals the untold story of Languoreth—a powerful and, until now, tragically forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland—twin sister of the man who inspired the legendary character of Merlin. Intelligent, passionate, rebellious, and brave, Languoreth is the unforgettable heroine of The Lost Queen, a tale of conflicted loves and survival set against the cinematic backdrop of ancient Scotland, a magical land of myths and superstition inspired by the beauty of the natural world. One of the most powerful early medieval queens in British history, Languoreth ruled at a time of enormous disruption and bloodshed, when the burgeoning forces of Christianity threatened to obliterate the ancient pagan beliefs and change her way of life forever. Together with her twin brother Lailoken, a warrior and druid known to history as Merlin, Languoreth is catapulted into a world of danger and violence. When a war brings the hero Emrys Pendragon, to their door, Languoreth collides with the handsome warrior Maelgwn. Their passionate connection is forged by enchantment, but Languoreth is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of the High King who is sympathetic to the followers of Christianity. As Rhydderch's wife, Languoreth must assume her duty to fight for the preservation of the Old Way, her kingdom, and all she holds dear. “Moving, thrilling, and ultimately spellbinding” (BookPage), The Lost Queen brings this remarkable woman to life—rescuing her from obscurity, and reaffirming her place at the center of the most enduring legends of all time. “Moving, thrilling, and ultimately spellbinding, The Lost Queen is perfect for readers of historical fiction like The Clan of the Cave Bear and Wolf Hall, and for lovers of fantasy like Outlander and The Mists of Avalon” (BookPage).

I Know This Much Is True

I Know This Much Is True PDF Author: Wally Lamb
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780060391621
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 884

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Book Description
With his stunning debut novel, She's Come Undone, Wally Lamb won the adulation of critics and readers with his mesmerizing tale of one woman's painful yet triumphant journey of self-discovery. Now, this brilliantly talented writer returns with I Know This Much Is True, a heartbreaking and poignant multigenerational saga of the reproductive bonds of destruction and the powerful force of forgiveness. A masterpiece that breathtakingly tells a story of alienation and connection, power and abuse, devastation and renewal--this novel is a contemporary retelling of an ancient Hindu myth. A proud king must confront his demons to achieve salvation. Change yourself, the myth instructs, and you will inhabit a renovated world. When you're the same brother of a schizophrenic identical twin, the tricky thing about saving yourself is the blood it leaves on your bands--the little inconvenience of the look-alike corpse at your feet. And if you're into both survival of the fittest and being your brother's keeper--if you've promised your dying mother--then say so long to sleep and hello to the middle of the night. Grab a book or a beer. Get used to Letterman's gap-toothed smile of the absurd, or the view of the bedroom ceiling, or the influence of random selection. Take it from a godless insomniac. Take it from the uncrazy twin--the guy who beat the biochemical rap. Dominick Birdsey's entire life has been compromised and constricted by anger and fear, by the paranoid schizophrenic twin brother he both deeply loves and resents, and by the past they shared with their adoptive father, Ray, a spit-and-polish ex-Navy man (the five-foot-six-inch sleeping giant who snoozed upstairs weekdays in the spare room and built submarines at night), and their long-suffering mother, Concettina, a timid woman with a harelip that made her shy and self-conscious: She holds a loose fist to her face to cover her defective mouth--her perpetual apology to the world for a birth defect over which she'd had no control. Born in the waning moments of 1949 and the opening minutes of 1950, the twins are physical mirror images who grow into separate yet connected entities: the seemingly strong and protective yet fearful Dominick, his mother's watchful "monkey"; and the seemingly weak and sweet yet noble Thomas, his mother's gentle "bunny." From childhood, Dominick fights for both separation and wholeness--and ultimately self-protection--in a house of fear dominated by Ray, a bully who abuses his power over these stepsons whose biological father is a mystery. I was still afraid of his anger but saw how he punished weakness--pounced on it. Out of self-preservation I hid my fear, Dominick confesses. As for Thomas, he just never knew how to play defense. He just didn't get it. But Dominick's talent for survival comes at an enormous cost, including the breakup of his marriage to the warm, beautiful Dessa, whom he still loves. And it will be put to the ultimate test when Thomas, a Bible-spouting zealot, commits an unthinkable act that threatens the tenuous balance of both his and Dominick's lives. To save himself, Dominick must confront not only the pain of his past but the dark secrets he has locked deep within himself, and the sins of his ancestors--a quest that will lead him beyond the confines of his blue-collar New England town to the volcanic foothills of Sicily 's Mount Etna, where his ambitious and vengefully proud grandfather and a namesake Domenico Tempesta, the sostegno del famiglia, was born. Each of the stories Ma told us about Papa reinforced the message that he was the boss, that he ruled the roost, that what he said went. Searching for answers, Dominick turns to the whispers of the dead, to the pages of his grandfather's handwritten memoir, The History of Domenico Onofrio Tempesta, a Great Man from Humble Beginnings. Rendered with touches of magic realism, Domenico's fablelike tale--in which monkeys enchant and religious statues weep--becomes the old man's confession--an unwitting legacy of contrition that reveals the truth's of Domenico's life, Dominick learns that power, wrongly used, defeats the oppressor as well as the oppressed, and now, picking through the humble shards of his deconstructed life, he will search for the courage and love to forgive, to expiate his and his ancestors' transgressions, and finally to rebuild himself beyond the haunted shadow of his twin. Set against the vivid panoply of twentieth-century America and filled with richly drawn, memorable characters, this deeply moving and thoroughly satisfying novel brings to light humanity's deepest needs and fears, our aloneness, our desire for love and acceptance, our struggle to survive at all costs. Joyous, mystical, and exquisitely written, I Know This Much Is True is an extraordinary reading experience that will leave no reader untouched.

The Dark Queen

The Dark Queen PDF Author: Susan Carroll
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0345437969
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 546

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Book Description
From Brittany’s misty shores to the decadent splendor of Paris’s royal court, one woman must fulfill her destiny–while facing the treacherous designs of Catherine de Medici, the dark queen. She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts. Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy–even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.

Twice Royal Lady

Twice Royal Lady PDF Author: Assistant Professor of History Hilary Green
Publisher: Robert Hale
ISBN: 9781910208335
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
A novel bringing to life the tale of Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I, and her decision to fight for her rights as her father's heir Destined from childhood to be an important piece in the intricate chess game of power, Matilda is the granddaughter of William the Conqueror but also descended, through her mother, from the ancient line of Anglo-Saxon kings. Betrothed to Emperor Henry of Germany at the age of eight, she is married at 12 and crowned Empress. By her early twenties she is a widow, and the only surviving legitimate heir to her father, Henry l of England. Forced into a second marriage to a boy 10 years younger, she gives birth to three sons, the male heirs her father longs for. However, on his sudden death, the throne is usurped by her cousin, Stephen. Matilda is forced to choose between her husband and her rights as her father's heir. Intelligent, determined, and courageous, she chooses to fight for her rights.

The Queen of Last Hopes

The Queen of Last Hopes PDF Author: Susan Higginbotham
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 9781402261497
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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Book Description
A man other than my husband sits on England's throne today. What would happen if this king suddenly went mad? What would his queen do? Would she make the same mistakes I did, or would she learn from mine? Margaret of Anjou, queen of England, cannot give up on her husband-even when he slips into insanity. And as mother to the House of Lancaster's last hope, she cannot give up on her son-even when England turns against them. This gripping tale of a queen forced to stand strong in the face of overwhelming odds is at its heart a tender tale of love. Award-winning author Susan Higginbotham will once again ask readers to question everything they know about right and wrong, compassion and hope, duty to one's country and the desire of one's own heart. Praise for Susan Higginbotham "A beautiful blending of turbulent history and deeply felt fiction, Susan Higginbotham's The Queen of Last Hopes brings alive an amazing woman often overlooked or slandered by historians. Higginbotham has given readers of historical fiction a gift to treasure." -Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The Irish Princess "A compelling, fast paced, and well-written saga that is destined to both entertain and educate anyone interested in the spirited and fascinating Margaret of Anjou for generations to come!" -D. L. Bogdan, author of Secrets of the Tudor Court "The Queen of Last Hopes is an inspiring novel of a woman who, in the face of betrayal and loss, would not surrender. Susan Higginbotham brings Margaret of Anjou to life and tells the story of the Frenchwoman who was one of the strongest queens England has ever known." -Christy English, author of The Queen's Pawn and To Be Queen