Karen Ullo's Blog

To Crown with Liberty, voted the #1 overall book of 2024 by the readers of Catholic Reads, is now live on all major audio platforms including Audible, Libby, Spotify, and more. It’s narrated by the lovely and talented Tiffany Morgan. Download and enjoy!

The post Audiobook Release Day! first appeared on Karen Ullo.

In the past week, Catholic Reads released their annual Editor’s Choice Awards, which are given in each genre, and a new addition this year, Reader’s Choice Awards, which are voted on by their newsletter subscribers. To Crown with Liberty took home BOTH the Editor’s Choice Award for Historical Fiction and First Place in the Reader’s Choice Awards!

I’m so incredibly honored to see how much both professional reviewers and ordinary readers are enjoying the book. Thank you, Catholic Reads, and thank you to every single person who voted in the awards. Your support means the world to me.

The post Two Awards from Catholic Reads! first appeared on Karen Ullo.

For those who’ve read To Crown with Liberty, you know that there are two characters, Mario and Celeste, a white man and a black woman who refer to each other as husband and wife, but whom the law forbids to legally marry. They have four children, whom Mario was forced to purchase from Celeste’s former slave master, and then set free, so that his own children could have the rights of being his children.When my mom read the book, she asked if I had based these characters on our family. I didn’t—they’re from Strange True Stories of Louisiana by G.W. Cable, the book on which To Crown with Liberty is based. But it occurs to me that maybe G.W. Cable based them on my family.You see, back in the late 19th century, after slavery but before interracial marriage was legal, I had a some-number-of-greats uncle who fell in love with a black woman, took her into his home as wife despite not being able to legally marry, and was then forced to legally adopt his own children in order to give them familial rights such as inheritance. They lived in New Orleans (or somewhere nearby)—the same place that Cable lived, right around the same time that he wrote Strange True Stories.So maybe Mario and Celeste were based on my family after all. And if not, they were surely based on some similar couple of the era.(Photo is not my ancestors—I don’t have one of them. It’s just one I found on the internet.)The post Is To Crown with Liberty Based on my Family? first appeared on Karen Ullo.

Finally–FINALLY!–the day is here! To Crown with Liberty is available to the world from Chrism Press, WhiteFire Publishing, or your favorite online retailer.

Want to read it for free? One of the very best things you can do to help your favorite authors is to request their books through your local library. Nearly every public library system in the US has an online request form for patrons. All you have to do is login with your library card and ask. If they want any information that you’re not sure about, just email me, karenulloauthor [at] gmail.com, and I’m happy to help. And I bet your other favorite authors would say the same.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

New Orleans, 1795. In the wake of the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, Alix de Morainville Carpentier—a former lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, now married to her gardener—seeks peace and security in the Spanish colony of Louisiana. But her journey into the man-eating swamp called Attakapas reopens the wounds of her old life in France. Alix is forced to reckon with the choices that saved her life at the cost of her honor—and perhaps her soul.

In revolutionary France, the Old World is dying; the quest for liberty, equality, and fraternity has become a nightmare where the price of dissent is blood. In the wilderness of Spanish Louisiana, a new civilization is beginning to emerge—but in this budding New World, the slave trade perpetuates the systems of oppression that sparked the revolution. Caught between old and new, scarred by trauma and grief, will Alix ever find a home where she can truly be free?

To Crown with Liberty is a historical novel based on riveting legends from George Washington Cable’s Strange True Stories of Louisiana (1888).

Please join me TODAY at 1:00 pm Central on my Facebook page for a live event celebrating To Crown with Liberty. I will read an excerpt from the book, complete with silly French Revolution props, and I’ll give away a signed copy to one lucky attendee. Please come join the fun!

 

The post To Crown with Liberty is Finally Here! first appeared on Karen Ullo.

If you’re planning to read To Crown with Liberty with your book club, class, etc., here are a few questions to help you get the discussion started. I’m offering this content free to anyone. You’re welcome to copy/ paste these into a Word doc or other file for printing and distribution.

To Crown with Liberty by Karen Ullo

Discussion Questions

Memorable Scene
What was the most memorable scene in your opinion? Why? What emotions did it evoke for you?

New Orleans
Have you ever been to New Orleans? Was there anything about the presentation of the city in 1795 that surprised you? Anything that felt familiar?

Paris
Have you ever been to Paris? Was there anything about the presentation of the city that surprised you? Anything that felt familiar?

Did you know that the Champs de Mars, the site of both the Fête de la Fédération to celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille and the Champs de Mars massacre, is better known in our century as the site of the Eiffel Tower? Does that change anything about how you look at one of the most famous landmarks in the world?

Liberty
Why do you think the book is called To Crown with Liberty? According to the book, what do you think true liberty is, and who bestows its “crown?”

Religious Persecution
Describe the changes that led from a society ruled by a Catholic monarchy to one that actively persecuted the Church. Was the persecution justified? Why or why not? Was there anything that resonated with your experiences of modern society?

Martyrdom
The book is dedicated the Holy September Martyrs, one hundred and ninety-one men like Father Pontus who were killed for refusing to pledge an oath that effectively idolized the government, placing it above God. Do you think they were they right to refuse? Why or why not? What do you think about other priests, like Father Barrière in Saint-Martin, who chose to flee instead of being killed? (Both Father Pontus and Father Barrière were real people.)

Historical Figures
Which historical figures in the book did you recognize? Did you learn anything new about them? Was there anything that surprised you about the way they were portrayed?

Slavery
In the book, Alix wonders how it is possible that the Catholic Church has not condemned slavery when even the Jacobins took steps to outlaw it. In fact, many popes condemned slavery dating back to the 15th century, yet it remained a common practice not only among individual Catholics but even Catholic institutions in the New World. Alix’s question is based on the evidence of her experience, since she has no access to papal records. Why do you think this happened? Are there any moral teachings of the Church that you see faithful Catholics today violating on a widespread, everyday basis?

The post Discussion Questions for To Crown with Liberty first appeared on Karen Ullo.

After nearly seven years of hard work, To Crown with Liberty is almost here! It releases May 1 from Chrism Press, and until then, you can pre-order it for 15% off. Just click here and use code TCWL15 at checkout. It’s good on both paperback and ebook orders.

You can also pre-order on Amazon, but without the discount.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

New Orleans, 1795. In the wake of the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, Alix de Morainville Carpentier—a former lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, now married to her gardener—seeks peace and security in the Spanish colony of Louisiana. But her journey into the man-eating swamp called Attakapas reopens the wounds of her old life in France. Alix is forced to reckon with the choices that saved her life at the cost of her honor—and perhaps her soul.

In revolutionary France, the Old World is dying; the quest for liberty, equality, and fraternity has become a nightmare where the price of dissent is blood. In the wilderness of Spanish Louisiana, a new civilization is beginning to emerge—but in this budding New World, the slave trade perpetuates the systems of oppression that sparked the revolution. Caught between old and new, scarred by trauma and grief, will Alix ever find a home where she can truly be free?

To Crown with Liberty is a historical novel based on riveting legends from George Washington Cable’s Strange True Stories of Louisiana (1888).

PRAISE FOR TO CROWN WITH LIBERTY:

“An epic tale spanning two continents, To Crown with Liberty navigates the chasms and complexities of 18th-century colonial Louisiana and revolutionary France. Alix de Morainville Carpentier is a heroine to cheer for as she forges a new existence in a world crafted by an author who knows her history well. Bien joué!” —Laura Frantz, Christy Award-winning author of The Seamstress of Acadie

“Ullo brings us a deep and compelling look into tragedy and triumph, loss and love, desperation and determination that showcases the most beautiful and horrible facets of humanity. Never have I seen the French Revolution, and the spirit of those who went on to build a new world for themselves, as fully as in these pages. This is what historical fiction is meant to be!” —Roseanna M. White, bestselling, Christy-Award winning author of the Codebreakers series

“Historical fiction provides readers with a means to relive history in a creative and imaginative manner. Karen Ullo’s novel about the French Revolution and its aftermath splendidly achieves this goal, offering an enticing look at this incredibly complex era in French history.” —Rev. Ronald D. Witherup, P.S.S., former Superior General of the Society of the Priests of Saint-Sulpice

“In stepping into the pages of To Crown with Liberty the reader steps into revolutionary France and colonial Louisiana. We find ourselves living among those who are fighting for their lives and struggling with conscience-seducing temptation in times of terror. Ultimately, we find ourselves led into the dark on a quest for light and life.” —Joseph Pearce, author of Catholic Literary Giants

“A tour de force! Weaving together fact and fiction with characteristic imagination and exquisite prose, Ullo presents a spellbinding account of radical politics, mob violence, and personal trauma. To Crown with Liberty leaves a lasting impact.” —Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, author of A Bloody Habit and Brother Wolf

“Karen Ullo’s To Crown With Liberty skillfully weaves together formative events from the French Revolution with the early history of Louisiana, crafting an engaging tale that speaks to enthusiasts of both early American and early modern European history alike. A great story in its own right, it could also serve as an historical fiction addendum to a period history course.” —Phillip Campbell, author of Story of Civilization

The post Pre-Order Sale on To Crown with Liberty first appeared on Karen Ullo.

Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes! The hunt BEGINS on 3/14 at noon MST with Stop #1. Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer). There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 3/17 at midnight MST)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books and learn new things about them.

Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the CLUE on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at the final stop, back on Lisa’s site. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!

Hi! I’m Karen Ullo, award-winning author of three novels in three different genres (gothic horror, fairytale/ fantasy, and historical fiction). I’m also the editorial director of Chrism Press (part of Roseanna White’s company, WhiteFire Publishing), a screenwriter, and a classically trained soprano. My historical fiction novel To Crown with Liberty releases May 1.

New Orleans, 1795. In the wake of the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, Alix de Morainville Carpentier—a former lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, now married to her gardener—seeks peace and security in the Spanish colony of Louisiana. But her journey into the man-eating swamp called Attakapas reopens the wounds of her old life in France. Alix is forced to reckon with the choices that saved her life at the cost of her honor—and perhaps her soul.

In revolutionary France, the Old World is dying; the quest for liberty, equality, and fraternity has become a nightmare where the price of dissent is blood. In the wilderness of Spanish Louisiana, a new civilization is beginning to emerge—but in this budding New World, the slave trade perpetuates the systems of oppression that sparked the revolution. Caught between old and new, scarred by trauma and grief, will Alix ever find a home where she can truly be free?

To Crown with Liberty is a historical novel based on riveting legends from George Washington Cable’s Strange True Stories of Louisiana (1888).

The French Revolution intrigues me because of the dissonance between what it claimed to stand for—Liberty, Equality, Fraternity—and what really happened during the Reign of Terror. How could the pursuit of such noble goals have such horrific results?

If we look at the question through the eyes of faith, the answer is simple. The French Revolution turned reason and rights into idols. This culminated in two state-sponsored cults, the Cult of Reason in 1792-93, and the Cult of the Supreme Being in 1794. Both sought to eliminate the practice of Christianity by turning the religious allegiance of the French people toward the Nation.

The last remaining artifact of the Cult of the Supreme Being at Saint-Sulpice Church

 

In To Crown with Liberty, Alix experiences the events that twisted the pursuit of liberty and equality into the Terror—events that resonate today, as we too live in an age that often values human reason above the will of God. But not even the Terror could purge the Light of Christ from the world, or from Alix’s heart and life.

I hope you’re intrigued! You can enter to win a paperback  copy of To Crown with Liberty by signing up for my newsletter, or comment on this post if you’re already a subscriber. (International entries will be substituted for an ebook.) The winner will be announced March 22. You can also pre-order it here.

And now for your scavenger hunt clue.

This is Stop #19.

Your clue is every Spring.

Thank you for stopping by, and happy reading! Your next stop is with Tricia Goyer here.

The post Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop 19 first appeared on Karen Ullo.

“This wall against which a great number of priests were killed, and still stained with the blood of the martyrs, has been transported here to be offered for the veneration of the faithful.”

I’m on the Chrism Press blog today talking about the Holy September Martyrs, to whom my forthcoming novel To Crown with Liberty is dedicated.

Like most of my saint friends, the Holy September Martyrs found me, rather than the other way around. When I started work on a novel set during the French Revolution, I had never heard of them. I had heard of the more famous Carmelites of Compiègne, whose martyrdom is often credited with ending the Reign of Terror, and I considered writing the book to somehow include or culminate in their martyrdom on the guillotine. But as I did my research, another group of martyrs nudged me and said, “No. Not the end of the Terror. The beginning.”

You can read the full article here.

The post The Holy September Martyrs first appeared on Karen Ullo.

Drum roll please…

Today is the day I finally get to share with the world the beautiful image that will adorn my five long years of research and writing! Every book is dear to an author’s heart, but this one represents a significant chunk of my life’s work. To Crown with Liberty releases May 1, 2024, but you can pre-order now to receive a digital copy of the first chapter and ensure first dibs on a full copy.

For the cover, I didn’t ask for much–just that it should simultaneously capture the spirit of the French Revolution and Spanish colonial Louisiana in one tiny thumbnail. Piece of cake, right? 

Thankfully, at Chrism Press, our cover designer is the inimitable Roseanna M. White. I’ve seen her execute phenomenal covers from the strangest and most abstract requests made by authors, and they’re always stunning. For this one, she did so much more than capture the setting. She captured the story.

 

Here she is: Alix de Morainville journeying into the Louisiana swamp while looking back over the burning rubble of her past life in France. It’s stunning, and I’m in love. Thank you, Roseanna!

About To Crown with Liberty 

New Orleans, 1795. In the wake of the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, Alix de Morainville Carpentier—a former lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette, now married to her gardener—seeks peace and security in the Spanish colony of Louisiana. But her journey into the man-eating swamp called Attakapas reopens the wounds of her old life in France. Alix is forced to reckon with the choices that saved her life at the cost of her honor—and perhaps her soul.

In revolutionary France, the Old World is dying; the quest for liberty, fraternity, and equality has become a nightmare where the price of dissent is blood. In the wilderness of Spanish Louisiana, a new civilization is beginning to emerge—but in this budding New World, the slave trade perpetuates the systems of oppression that sparked the revolution. Caught between old and new, scarred by trauma and grief, will Alix ever find a home where she can truly be free?

To Crown with Liberty is a historical novel based on riveting legends from George Washington Cable’s Strange True Stories of Louisiana (1888).

Here’s what early reviewers are saying…

“Historical fiction provides readers with a means to relive history in a creative and imaginative manner. Karen Ullo’s novel about the French Revolution and its aftermath splendidly achieves this goal, offering an enticing look at this incredibly complex era in French history.” —Rev. Ronald D. Witherup, P.S.S., former Superior General of the Society of the Priests of Saint-Sulpice (Both the church of Saint-Sulpice and the Society are featured in the novel)

“In stepping into the pages of To Crown with Liberty the reader steps into revolutionary France and colonial Louisiana. We find ourselves living among those who are fighting for their lives and struggling with conscience-seducing temptation in times of terror. Ultimately, we find ourselves led into the dark on a quest for light and life.” —Joseph Pearce, author of Catholic Literary Giants

“A tour de force! Weaving together fact and fiction with characteristic imagination and exquisite prose, Ullo presents a spellbinding account of radical politics, mob violence, and personal trauma. To Crown with Liberty leaves a lasting impact.” —Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, author of A Bloody Habit and Brother Wolf

“Karen Ullo’s To Crown With Liberty skillfully weaves together formative events from the French Revolution with the early history of Louisiana, crafting an engaging tale that speaks to enthusiasts of both early American and early modern European history alike. A great story in its own right, it could also serve as an historical fiction addendum to a period history course.” —Phillip Campbell, author of Story of Civilization

“Ullo brings us a deep and compelling look into tragedy and triumph, loss and love, desperation and determination that showcases the most beautiful and horrible facets of humanity. Never have I seen the French Revolution, and the spirit of those who went on to build a new world for themselves, as fully as in these pages. This is what historical fiction is meant to be!” —Roseanna M. White, bestselling, Christy-Award winning author of the Codebreakers series

The post To Crown with Liberty Cover Reveal and Pre-Order first appeared on Karen Ullo.

Remember that nifty award I mentioned in my last blog post? Well, it means libraries want to stock my book, and in order to receive royalties from those purchases, I can’t have it on exclusive through Kindle Unlimited. If you’re a KU subscriber, you have until December 21 to read Cinder Allia for free through that platform. After that, try your local library!

The post Cinder Allia is leaving Kindle Unlimited first appeared on Karen Ullo.